14/03/2025
When I was in 3rd year in the university,was the the year I discovered mama Cindy. We were new in town and still trying to physically acclimatized with the environment. As an introvert,I was getting by. I would wake up and stare outside for a new catch of air
One-day,I noticed this particular woman,she was always on her own,sparked up most time with stud and weird outfit,a wrapper in half yards on her head,then another partly on her body. She was always there with her husband,sometimes singing or sweeping,there was always an activity for her. I would steal a see from afar,she was a good movie to watch,weird,but interesting.
I told myself,I needed to know more about her,her likes,what she stands for,her children and all that.
One of my episode of her,she was dancing,clapping to a song i didnt understand. Mama Maggi was always happy for no reasons,I called my Mom's attention to all these scenes,she enjoined me in the series of mama Maggi,she promised to go close to unravel other mysteries that were given me a pivotal head scratch.
I travelled back to school for another session,came back after 3 months. I pulled off,showered and zoomed to the room where I usually watch Mama Maggi,i discovered she wasn't there. I didn't think about it much,I saw the husband,but mama Maggi was the real movie for me.
I stayed up for 2 weeks,I didn't see mama Maggi.. this time,I was a bit worried. I asked Mom where mama Maggi was,she said it's been long she saw her equally and she has been worried too,but i shouldn't worry that she would ask the children or husband. It was relieving enough.
Three days later,I was told that Mama Maggi is late,she died in Abuja. I couldn't process the information. It was both an umbrage blow from reality and dreams. "How could she die? Was she not here three months ago,she was singing and entertaining us.. she had spectator(me),how could she die?. Thought flew back to back,my energy was reduced to null. According to story,she wasn't sick,she just slumped and died in her daughter's house..Rumours started flying in everywhere after her death that she was really going through a lot,no money for food,she was begging and working for people to feed...Another gossip had it too that they have caught mama maggi through the window soaking garri. I felt even more devasted to hear all these right after her death.
I honestly thought mama Maggi was okay,behind close doors she had tears,optically she comes out to sing and smile,wave at people and crack jokes.
If this was a reason to check a therapist,this expeience sold me in to clinical devastation. I may not have been able to see through her challenges,but just one word,just one gift,or probably something usual. I let her entertain me,countless time have I smiled and laugh upstairs to jokes and her Benin songs.
Today,I came outside to catch fresh air again in another apartment different from where I used to be. I saw storey buildings and bungalows have covered the human view,I view nothing but tree,houses and cars. I ran in;in my introverted script life has given me ,I felt a certain way,if life brings the kind of mama Maggi again,i will not watch,i will be a cast in the movie.
I have tried my hands to forgiveness,empathy and love. In all these pursuit of wealth,success and getting to the top,pause and take the will of empathy and love. Check on your friends,your neighbors and family members. People are going through a lot,it is going to be so thoughtful to drop by,drop a flower and keep going. We are all on a journey,none is journeying alive. Create time,pass a flower to the who are still finding their feet,offer bread to the hungry. Give water to the thirsty.
It's Friday..
