Joy felt shame trying to rise in her chest, but she pushed it down. She told herself, Let them laugh. Let them insult me. This woman needs help.
After some minutes, Joy’s legs began to shake. Sweat entered her eyes. Her breathing became rough. She stopped for a second and bent slightly to rest the load, but the old woman quickly said, “Don’t drop it on the ground, my daughter, please.”
Joy looked back in surprise. “Why?”
The old woman looked away. “Because dust will enter it.”
Joy did not understand, but she forced herself to hold it up again and continue.
The deeper they went, the quieter everything became. Joy started feeling uneasy, not because she was scared of the old woman, but because the place looked like nobody lived around there.
She asked again, “Mama, do you live here alone?”
The old woman answered slowly, “I live with what life gave me.”
Joy frowned. That answer sounded like a riddle. She wanted to ask more, but she did not want to sound disrespectful.
Soon the path opened into a small clearing, and Joy slowed down because she could not believe what she was seeing. In front of her was a small compound. It was an old place, quiet and tired, as if it had been standing there for too many years without joy.
The old woman pushed the gate open gently and said, “Come inside, my daughter.”
Joy entered slowly, still carrying the heavy firewood. The old woman led her to the side of the yard and pointed to a spot near an old shed.
“Put it there,” she said.
Joy dropped the firewood and almost fell with it. She held her neck and breathed hard, tears almost coming to her eyes from the pain.
She looked at the old woman, then around the compound again, and she could not keep quiet.
“Mama, this place is dirty,” Joy said with concern. “You are too weak to be doing everything alone.”
The old woman simply watched her quietly, breathing slowly, as if she were waiting to see what Joy would do next.
Joy did not wait for permission. “Mama, sit down. Let me help you.”
She picked up a broom resting against the wall and started sweeping the leaves, the dust, and the dirt that had gathered in the corners.
As she swept, she kept shaking her head. “Mama, why are you living like this? This place needs care.”
The old woman replied softly, “People stopped coming here long ago.”
Joy felt pain in her chest, but she kept sweeping. After cleaning, she went behind the house and found a small bundle of dry sticks and a pot that looked unused. She washed the pot well, washed her hands, and asked the old woman, “Mama, do you have anything to cook?”
The old woman pointed to a small bag and a little basket. Joy opened them and found some garri, a few dry peppers, and some vegetables that were still good.
Joy nodded. “Okay, Mama. I will cook something simple for you.”
She lit a small fire and cooked a light meal. The smell of food entered the air for the first time in that compound, and it made the place feel like a home again.
The old woman watched Joy from where she sat, silent, her eyes following every movement, as if she were looking at something she had been searching for all her life.
When the food was ready, Joy served the old woman first, even though her own stomach was hungry.
“Mama, eat,” Joy said gently.
The old woman held the plate with shaking hands and ate slowly. After some time, she looked up and said, “Thank you, my daughter.”
Joy smiled. “You are welcome, Mama.”
Then Joy stood up quickly because reality returned like a slap. She looked toward the direction of the school and sighed.
“Mama, I have to go now. I’m already very late. They will punish me.”
The old woman nodded and stood up slowly. “Come.”
She entered the old house. Joy followed her, thinking the old woman wanted to give her advice or maybe ask her to come another day. But the old woman walked to one corner and brought out a white native pot. It was not big, but it looked special. It was clean and bright, as if it did not belong to that dirty place.
Joy stared at it in confusion.
The old woman held it out to her. “This is my reward for you.”
Joy’s eyes widened. “Mama, no, I can’t take it. I only helped you.”
“It’s okay.” The old woman pushed it closer. “Take it.”
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