CAMARADERIE TROUBLES

IK" Florence called out as she pushed a tiny ankle socks over the tiny foot of her last child. "IK" she called playfully again when she got no answer.

"Yes mum" IK answered, his voice echoing out of the bedroom.

"Hurry up son, you are going to be late for school". Sighing, she glanced at the wall clock. "Many times, I wonder if you remember that you are no longer in primary school"

IK laughed slightly from the room. "How can I? I have you to always remind me, mum" his voice was bright with laughter and Florence smiled, adjusting the collar of her lastborn's uniform. She turned to inspect her two daughters and was satisfied with their dressing. The satisfaction of a mother shone in her bright eyes as she pushed the other socks on Solomon's other foot. No one would see Florence and say she had been blessed with four priceless jewels. It always came as a big surprise to people whenever they heard that IK, Selena, Amanda and Solomon had all come out of her womb. Her small stature and young youthful face could almost pass for that of a lady in her early twenties, thanks to the peaceful life and happy family that she had built with her husband - bimbo.

Florence picked up the tiny shoes on the floor and placed them on her laps before hurriedly grabbing her purse. Immediately she opened her purse, she frowned, her spirit deflating. How can I spread this round these children? She wondered vaguely, shifting the content of her purse onto her slim palm. Eating the previous night had been tedious enough, and they had all shared the scrap they were able to gather. Now however, Florence wondered how she would explain to her children that their money for lunch would be cut short; the money they usually took wasn't enough as it is and she knew that her husband also had nothing left with him.

She felt someone watching her and she raised her eyes to see her twelve years old son staring at her with a deep look of concern. With full bushy eyebrows which joined in an arch at the junction of his nose, IK - along with his siblings - was a perfect replica of his father. A mother couldn't ask for a better son! IK was the best son any woman could ever pray to conceive; smart, helpful, loving and most of all, caring. Florence saw the intense look of worry in her son's eyes as he stared at her and she quickly put a smile on her face. "See the time" she rambled as she removed a few naira notes. She placed them in her son's palm before he could protest. "Use forty naira for your transport and manage the rest for you lunch. Ok?" she murmured.

"But..." he started. "But what of-"

"Don't worry about your siblings" Florence cut in knowingly. "I would take care of it"

"But..." IK began again.

Florence frowned. "No buts young man, get going. You don't want to be punished for lateness now, do you?" she asked sternly. "Get going" she said again, shooing him.

The mention of punishment definitely had its desired effects as IK grudgingly shrugged his schoolbag onto his back. "Okay ma❞

She looked at him carefully again. "Are you sure you are okay? Your chest doesn't hurt anymore?" she knew he had assured her but she wanted to be double sure. All night, she hardly caught a whim of sleep, as she constantly checked on IK. She had told to stay home but he had school tests to write and would hear none of it.

IK grinned. "I am very strong" he bent his arm into an arc, revealing imaginary muscles.

Florence smiled. "Okay, off you go" she said, brushing down Solomon's hair. "Say goodbye to your brother" she whispered to Solomon.

"Bye IK" he muttered halfheartedly. He was always gloomy when he was hungry.

"Bye Ik" IK returned and made for the door. "Bye Lovey, Amanda" IK called aloud as he rushed off.

"Bye IK" his younger ones chorused in unison from the room.

"Brother IK" Florence corrected sternly, but as always, she was ignored. Despite all her efforts, she hadn't been able to ingrain the 'brother, sister' thingy in her children. "Come back early, IK" Selena called after her brother.

"I will" he yelled back.

Florence smiled. Her children were so fond of each other; they have formed a close-knitted relationship that not all siblings possessed. bimbo entered the room and Florence heaved a sigh of relief when she saw him holding some Naira notes in his hand. "I kept this for their feeding; it is all I have left" he explained and Florence was once more grateful to God. She might not have married the wealthiest husband but she had definitely married the best.

She quickly took the money and entrusted Selena with the money for all her younger ones, since they were all in one school. "Now, you all should be careful in school, okay? No rough plays" she warned sternly and they all murmured their acknowledgements as they trodded out the door.

"Bye parents" they chorused fondly, like they always did.

"Bye children" Florence and bimbo murmured with a smile.

"Be careful, okay?" Florence called at their retreating backs, staring at them until they disappeared from sight then she closed the door firmly. Florence smoothed her moist palms on the soft fabrics of her well- worn skirt as she let out a deep sigh. Her face was pulled up to a frown as her teeth bit into her lips. She knew without being told that they were in for compulsory fasting today, but she didn't mind. As long as her children were not hungry, she could handle anything. That was not the cause of her distress.

bimbo approached her, turning her to face him. "What's wrong?"

"I... I have a bad feeling, bimbo" she muttered worriedly. "IK said he is fine, I don't think so❞

bimbo blinked, releasing the breath he had unconsciously been holding. The incident of the previous night had left him with a certain level of worry, but he wasn't going to tell Florence that. He smiled gently. "IK is a strong boy, he takes after me" bimbo grinned proudly, trying to put Florence's mind at ease. "I'm sure it is just your paranoia at work; we prayed about it and I know God is in charge, uhn?" he kissed her forehead with a smile.

Florence swallowed and nodded with a dry smile. "Of course" she muttered. She truly wanted to believe bimbo, but why did she still have the sickening.[