CAMARADERIE TROUBLES

IK ignored the sting in his buttocks as he walked home with his siblings bouncing along. He was really happy with himself. He knew his mother hadn't exactly praised him or endorsed what he did but he had glimpsed that happiness in her eyes. That look that said louder than words that she was proud of him. That was all that mattered. It more than made up for the lashes of cane he got for arriving school late. Seeing his siblings happy at the prospect of good food was all he needed. He truly felt like their big brother.

Amanda and Solomon went ahead, running at intervals, carefully avoiding the water puddles. "How was school, Love?" IK asked Selena who walked quietly by his side. She wasn't her usual chatty self. "We had a new comer today" she stated.

"And?"

"The whole class likes her" she frowned.

"You don't?"

Selena twisted her mouth. "She answered so many questions today, even my teacher likes her already"

IK saw what the problem was and hid a smile. "She must be very brilliant. That means you would have to read a lot for your exams"

"I don't read a lot but I always come first" she said proudly.

IK smiled. Selena wasn't exaggerating. Even without reading, she always came first. But he didn't want her to rely on that so much. He didn't think this 'new comer' was a threat to Selena but she didn't have to know that. "That was before this new comer arrived. You don't want her topping you in class, do you?"

Selena's eyes flashed. "Never. I would read everyday. Lydia is not taking my first position from me".

That was the fierce determination IK was hoping for. And knowing Selena, this 'Lydia' wouldn't have a prayer.

They walked into the house and IK soon started cooking. "When would you teach me how to cook?" Selena asked as she watched her brother put ingredients in the pot of rice on fire.

"You are still too young for that" IK answered.

"I'm not young" Selena said aggressively. "You are just four years older than me"

IK noticed her emphasis on 'just' and shook his head. "Well then, when you are four years older, you'd be allowed to cook"

Selena smirked, her small mouth moving to the side. "I would make rice and beans all by myself, you'll see"

IK noticed that determined glint in her eyes and frowned. "Don't go doing something stupid now."

Selena kept mute as she stared longingly at the bubbling pot of rice. She could already perceive the aroma. "It has been so long we ate meat" she said absently.

IK glanced at his sister and saw the wishful look on her small eight years old face. Amanda and Solomon finally entered the kitchen and he knew without asking that the hunger was digging deep. Inspiration struck and his face lit up. "You know what? We would eat meat today"

"We would?" He watched the faces of his siblings lighten up and he felt like a giant.

IK glanced outside. "Yes" he added some water to the pot on fire and put the lid. "Follow me" he said and walked out with his siblings on his tail.

*****

As the day wore on, Florence forgot all about her fearful inclinations and unease, all she could think about was the wonder which was her son. She didn't know what her life would be like, without her wonderful husband and exceptional children. Despite the hardships they had to face, her children were her joy and comfort.

She went to bimbo's office which was just a walking distance from her shop and thankfully, was able to get some money from him. She left him to finish up for the day, bought some foodstuffs which would last a few days and finally closed the shop for the day. It had been an exceptional day and she prayed nothing would turn this day sour.

*****

The sound of cutlery rang out as the four children devoured their meals of jollof rice and snails. It was the sweetest thing they had eaten in a long time. IK was so happy the idea of snails had popped into his head. They had all gone out, including Solomon, searching for snails in the compound. Thanks to the rain that fell during the day, they were able to find a good number of snails, though they were all small. Everyone seemed to forget about hunger as they worked together. It was the most fun thing they had done in a while.

After soaking the snails in hot water, they all - excluding Solomon - worked on the shells, removing the meat inside after IK had shown them how. Now eating the deep fried snails, it almost tasted better than any other they had ever eaten. IK made sure he reserved some food for his parents, despite what his mother had told him.

They were eating and chatting cheerfully amongst themselves when IK felt it again. His spoon dropped noisily from his fingers as mind-numbing pain struck is chest, sending him breathless.

Selena glanced at her brother. "IK?" she called. "What is it?" her hands grew cold as she saw the same look she had seen the previous day in her brother's eye. "IK?"

IK tried to shake his head in a bid to dismiss the worries of his siblings, but the pain was too much. His gaze grew blurry as sweats pebbled on his forehead. Selena ran over to his side as Amanda and Solomon crowded around them. Selena tried to rub IK's chest the way she had seen her dad do the previous day but it only seemed to get worse as IK doubled over, falling off the chair onto the floor as pain engulfed him. Solomon and Amanda started crying as fear and confusion settled. "Sorry IK" Amanda said, crying in confusion as Selena remembered the balm of yesterday.

She ran in search of it, willing herself not to cry as tears clawed at her lids. "Let us go and call mummy" Amanda cried out as Selena returned with the balm and started rubbing it on her brother's chest, but it didn't seem to be doing the magic it did the previous day. "IK..." she called over and over again. She was scared of leaving him. Scared that if she left him alone, something bad would happen. IK seemed to be falling unconscious and the noise of her younger ones crying was making Selena crazy.

Suddenly the front door opened and she flew up. "Mummy" she yelled.

Florence flew into the sitting room, flinging everything in her hands carelessly. "IK" she yelled as she pushed his siblings out of the way, lifting her son in her arms. "IK..."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐