The People that live around Danddy's compound had all gone to the market as usual while Dabi, NNE and Tobe were the only ones at home today with the baby .
As it is every market day the mothers prepare to either go to buy, barter or sell, either way, is the only day they have for themselves to do as they pleased without the harsh eyes of there husbands on them.
Earlier that day Olly had gotten up early to prepare herself and the kids for market but realized as usual that Tobe was not there and perhaps he is not sitting at the porch outside.
For the past seven days, it has been the same routine all over, she never get to see her son anymore, as soon as he wakes up ,he rushed to Danddy's hut, and the next time will be to return him as he sleeps.
On one occasion she had gone to bring him back but the cry and shouting of the boy had brought everyone out of their huts, asking what she was doing to him? She had ran out of options on how to keep her boy at home with her.
Today is another market day and Tobe has always loved going to the market, maybe today will be different she thought.
She rose up to prepare and just as she thought Tobe was not sitting outside, so she went about doing other things while murmuring to herself on how she has given birth for other people.
When it was time to get the kids ready for market ,Olly went to Danddy's hut to bring Tobe who was lying by the baby's side as he usually do every morning that he showed up.
But the little fellow paid no attention to his mother but kept lying there even though he was not sleeping.
This attitude upset Olly so much that she started shouting at Dabi…what did you do to my son that even on a market day he has refused to go to the market, what did you feed him. What ever you did please undo it ooo and give my son back to me, I rarely see him these days, all his time are spent in your hut, he doesn't even play with his brother anymore, did I give birth to him for you …if you wanted a son why didn't you give birth to one for yourself ? why take mine?
Her shouting woke her husband and the others.
Earlier when Dabi had noticed what was coming, she had left the hut and went outside so that Olly will follow and say whatever she had to say outside to avoid waking her baby. But When the shouting reach a disturbing level, she left Olly outside there again and went back inside since it was obvious that she was in her unreasonable mood.
Everyone came out with a frown while grumbling on how she will not allow somebody to sleep this early morning ..her husband Jonny came out and asked her, what is it again woman? Why can't you let me have peace in this house?
Olly quickly complained to him on how she doesn't get to see her son again and how everyday Dabi will take him from her, even this morning that she came to take Tobe to get him ready for the market , that she's not bringing him out. At this point Dabi came out again upon hearing her brother in-law's voice.
Jonny asked his sister in-law where Tobe was she pointed behind her using her thumb. Jonny quickly realized what she meant and walked towards her hut.
Jonny came into the hut and called out his son's name but got no answer, he called again still no response. the hut is still dark except for the small lantern by the corner given off a little light. so he took it and turned it on only to see Tobe lying by the baby's side on the sleeping mattress. He exhaled and asked his son what he was doing here?
Jonny is rarely home and didn't know that Tobe had spent his days with the baby since her birth.
So naturally he went to carry him but the little one refused to be carried and shook off his hands, he applied more pressure but the boy resisted again so he tried to forcefully lift him, this made the boy to start shouting and as a result, woke the baby .
The baby began to wail and the boy on the other hand was shouting as well and the hut was filled with children crying and wailing. this confused jonny so much that he didn't know what else to do but to leave the boy and run out of the hut with speed.