The complaint
Rumpey ran back to John's home and as he approached John's street, he slowed down his pace, pretending to throw stones at bush lizards. Confused, feeling depressed and spirit broken he doesn't know how to fix the situation at hand. Besides it is another day now added, and he is not so comfortable. He has not been seen at home and the whole drama inclusive his debt makes his heart beat faster. He was quickly sighted by John's mother who reacted with rage: "You this boy, you have not gone home!" she screamed. You are here throwing stones while I thought you must have gone home since morning. Don't you know your mother would be worried about you? The bridge is broken. Rumpey spoke defensively and I am scared to walk in the river, there are crocodiles in that water. I cannot swim. I saw big big ones- he exaggerated. Big what? John's mum yelled at him. Big crocodile ma! Rumpey replied and yelled back disrespectfully. John came out, opening the door to the entrance of their home.
Guy! What is happening now? Don't let my mum have heart attacks and don't allow those boys or people you are indebted to know you are hiding in my house. Please I beg you. I am already getting weary about all this. He gestures as he pleaded with his hands against each other pleading. It will be serious trouble I tell you if they find you here. It won't be funny. I am warning you.
Easy Easy!! Rumpey pleads. My mother won't find it funny. I have told you. John's mum came out and screamed: Rumpey just go home. Go!
Rumpey stood still and speechless. "I will go okay! He said after a brief silence. John, excuse me! Let me talk to you for a second please. Just a minute! John approaches Rumpey with a 50litres yellow keg.
Rumpey: Please drop that keg and listen to me. Or are you going out? Where are you going again?
John: My mum is about to prepare lunch. Can't you see her making fire with fuel woods? I need to fetch her water before she shouts at me. It's just by the other street. Let's go, will be back soon. We can talk on the way as we go. Okay then let's go Rumpey journeyed with John. But I can't carry anything o. He forewarned. "Don't worry I am fit for that. So what is it? Let's talk. Because I am seriously troubled about you, your case and the fight. John said.
Truly, I am too. Rumpey concurred. The point is your mum wants me to go away! Yet she asked you to feed me last night. Are you sure, I am not disturbing her? Of course! You are. She hates trouble. John answered immediately. Besides, why talk about my mum? Talk about your debt. How are you paying back? That's what should be delightful to my hearing. Rumpey was taking aback. He paused and spoke: Actually that's what I am about discussing: sincerely, it is not like I'm delighted borrowing money without the intention of paying back. I do pay off what I owe, sometimes.
"He who goes borrowing goes sorrowing" have you heard of that before Rumpey?" "Yeah I know, my dad once told me, but I didn't listen." In fact, that's the second time I am hearing that this week.
You should have listened to him! John expresses concern. I learnt that you don't owe people. "Owe no man nothing, that's how it was laid down in the richest man in Babylon book I read a certain time.
The richest man…in BABYLON? Oh yes! He tries to remember. That sounds familiar…seems like I see it in our house. He soliloquises in murmurs. Then he says aloud: You still read books, I just don't know what is happening to me. Since I started playing and roaming with those bad guys I started hating books deliberately. Rumpey dejectedly spoke. You have decided to make friends with everyone and also you now owe people, if not everyone. You are the cause of your problem. That's too bad Rumpey I must confess. John informs and continued: Listen to me, we eat what we have. Manage what your parents give you. He cautioned
What will I do now? I was tired of my status. Firstly, it was because I wanted to date Abigail, so I tried to impress her. Oh Abigail. I see! What about Aishat, you once talked about?
Aishat, actually borrowed me cash a certain time, when I discovered she was never broke and always with cash while having nothing to do with the money. We were very close and I discovered the way guys in the village used to give her money. In fact, she used to deceive them. So I just tried to ask for some cash that day and she gave me. As discovered, most times she doesn't have anything to do with the money at hand you know. As a smart guy. He said laughing. It's not a joke. John criticises. "And you have a lot to do with it, like you were planning to get a house." Rumpey Smiles. It's not funny Rumpey! He cautioned. And Scaley? In a quick response he said: Ah Scaley, actually helped me pay N5000 contribution, for football contribution. That time, we wanted to buy a football and some kits. I told him I would love to join the football team "Common FC Club", but then didn't have money. He assisted me with it. And that's that. And you never paid back. Did you? I couldn't. He flares up in response. I am not working guy so I decided to borrow and pay! That's why I am in this mess. Besides my dad, talks too much, that's why I always go to where those boys smoke to ease my pressure and tensions from home. He became angry and talks hysterically. I am sure you owe Spark, because I heard. Yeah Spark! He concurred confusingly with a hopeless gaze.
Don't mind him. Yes. Spark and I met at one beer parlour, where he wanted to buy me a bottle of beer. I rejected it, simply because I know the rules, either buy for yourself or pay for your beer yourself. So, I turned it down. He asked why and if I would smoke I also said no. so he discovered I was blue and then asked again what the matter was. Since he was just disturbing me I decided to tell him that the money he wants to use to buy me beer he should borrow me that I have to sort out some things. You know, such as my debts, without letting him know I was Indebted-I wanted to offset a debt. The truth is, I thought, I was going to be free but the problem keeps encircling me like a web of debt.
That's spark and Abigail over there. John draws Rumpey's attention.
What!
Be careful, don't let them see us. If they do, they will find their way to my house. They scampered for a hide out quickly as John got distracted by the water he was to carry.
What are they doing? In shock Rumpey asked. I hope there are not trying to harm her, because those boys are from the other community. Can you see that? Looks like an interrogative session. "What will you do or can you do now?" "I don't know!" "Have to go now!" Rumpey moves back and forth. In confusion he asked: Or should I go and save her?
Stop that! And don't be silly, save her from what? How can you go to someone whom you know you're indebted to? Also have you forgotten you are on the run? Please my name and household are out if it. don't be erratic with issues of the heart. Take caution please. Besides, what makes you feel she is in trouble?
That's true, you are correct. What am I even saying? Save her! I better go! Rumpey turned away!
Oh my god! Now see your life. John said disappointingly; you keep borrowing and owing people everywhere!
I see you later! John please let us see at your place. I better go. We meet at home. Who will help me lift this keg on my head? Quickly John asked. You! You said you can handle it. Remember? Rumpey said. So lift it yourself, that guy must not see me on a serious note. He added.
Rumpey rushed to John's home wailing.
"See the girl I am supposed to be with, now with spark. "Hope am not losing, everything" Only God knows if those boys from the other community are not interrogating her about my where about to find me. He said fearfully. I am confused- right now. This is the same girl I went borrowing money to please and pay back. This is a sad one for me. Rumpey lamented on his way to John's home.
It was a little bit sunny as Rumpey waited for John's arrival home. He sat outside waiting for John to arrive, seriously worried. Instead he raised his head to see John's mum. He was startled and moved backwards shamefully and dejected. John's mum came out from the room in so much workaholic anger over her, as she is tired waiting for her son, John to show up with the fetched water. She heaved a sigh deeply as she saw Rumpey standing up. Thinking she saw John, she demanded: "What took you so long? Then suddenly, she was confused for seeing Rumpey who rushed up trying to explain something. What! She exclaimed "You are still here! What is the matter with you?"
I am going to find a way to report or call your mother. She dashed into the house! You have to go home. Please go home. Rumpey perceived she could not be serious as he ponders if truly she has a means to get to his mother.
John arrives home and confirms his mother's blood pressure rising as she breathes fast groping the wall to their main door, trying to understand what kind of a person Rumpey his whom they have invited into their homes.
John arrives, drops the keg and screams: Mum? Mama, what happened? He looks at Rumpey. What did you do to my mum? he yelled asking. Rumpey remained speechless.
You know what? Let me drop this water, so we find a way to get you home. You can't kill my mother. He drags the yellow filled keg of water. "Have you and my mother seen each other or exchanged noisy and tensed arguments?
Yes. Am tired of your hospitality. Rumpey spoke irritated as he became ungrateful. John looked at him surprised as good as an ungrateful person.
How do you want to take me home? Rumpey quickly demanded
Is it through the Crocodile River? Rumpey shrugged and said again: "Or through the broken bridge?" He demanded anxiously.
Look! John paused; we shall follow that bush, the the lion's path. He said carelessly and angrily.
Ah, lions that have been known to terrorise this village. Why should we follow that path? Because it is very close to your house although if you can rush through the river you are home.
Besides, we shall not near them at all. John emphasised.
Ah! Don't do this to me. Rumpey pleads. John's mum came out, saying: "What's your conclusion?
Go and rest mama. He will go and I will cook. Give me some minutes let me see him off. John addressed the situation, while Rumpey remained choice-less, who waited to be escorted by John home