LOCKDOWN

A metallic tapping of noise reverberated from the gate. Voices of people; children, men and women were heard on the quiet street with loud footsteps running helter skelter for a cover. The weather was hot. The security guard who was guarding a duplex quickly came out from his room that was closed to the gate and unlocked the door, he peeped to see what was going on outside. As he opened the gate, a boy of 13 years old rushed inside the house with a ball on his hand. He was sweating profusely. The security guard peeped outside, he saw people running, some with nylons indicating that they were from the market or grocery stores while some with weaved baskets indicating that they were from the farm. Whereas some with empty-hands running towards their homes. The security guard was confused; what was going on? he asked in his mind. People were shouting that he can't understand a word they were saying. Suddenly, he saw a group of JTF chasing them with their thick clubs. The JTF  were sweating profusely. On seeing that, he quickly closed the gate. 

He clapped his hands in disappointment and utter some words in Hausa "Allah Ya kyauta"

  Zahra was watching a movie in the sitting room upstairs. She heard noises outside their house. She reduced the volume of the TV and listened attentively. She was sure of what she heard. She quickly went to the balcony and peeped, she saw people running helter skelter with JTF  chasing them with their clubs. She rushed downstairs shouting, "Mum! Mum!! She headed to the gate and saw their mother scolding her younger brother, Hassan. She held his ear and twisted it hard asking him angrily, "Why are you so stubborn? Didn't I warned you of going outside this house? Can't you play football in this surrounding? This house is spacious, you can do whatever you want to do. Why must you go out? You want to cause trouble for me right? I am going to deal with you seriously today. Let's go inside the house" 

  "Mum, I am sorry. I won't repeat it. Please forgive me" pleaded Hassan in pain.

 Their mother did not listen to him, she dragged him to the house.

 "Seriously? You went to play football in that field? In this lockdown? I wish the JTF had dealt with you seriously. You won't go out again," Zahra said angrily as she watched their mother dragged him into the house.

Mallam Bello, did you know when he went out?" She asked as she approached the security guard at the gate. 

 "No, Small Hajiya. I was at the back of the house plucking apples for big Hajiya. She told me to pluck it for her. She want to make juice with it" explained Mallam Bello.

 "I don't know why he's so stubborn. He loves going out to play football with his friends in this lockdown period. I have told him of the effect of going out to mingle with friends million times but he never listen to me or mum," said Zahra looking worried.

 "May God bring an end to this deadly disease, said Mallam Bello.

"Ameen"

Zahra met her Mum in the sitting room upstairs watching Covid 19 news. Their house help, Larai was setting the table. 

"Is it lunch time? asked Zahra surprisingly as she looked at the silver clock pasted on the dinning room wall.

 "Yes, it's almost two o'clock," replied the house help. Adjusting the placement mat. 

 "The time is fast today", said Zahra.

"Really? there is nothing to be surprised of. Things have changed a lot. Strange things are happening. And this Covid 19 too.... 

 "It's so scary mum" she said as she sat on the couch close to her mother.

 "Don't be afraid dear, it shall come to pass. With God everything is possible, let's continue praying harder. God will listen to us and answer our prayers. It's a test and we will pass it, okay? Said Hajiya Nana encouragingly to her daughter and patted her gently on the shoulder with an assuring smile.

" You are right Mum, things will be better soon. We will pray harder and avoid anything that will cause this disease to us. Like washing our hands regularly, distancing ourselves from crowd. I wish Dad is here Mum. I missed him. She said with tears in my eyes.

 "Oh! dear we all missed him. Let's pray for him too. She hugged her daughter with so much love and concern. "Now let's go to the dinning table and eat lunch, okay?" She smiled at her daughter.

 "Okay, Mum"

 They went to the dinning table together. Mama Larai"what did you cook today? asked Zahra.

" Spaghetti with chicken stew, fish pepper soup,  Salad and Apple - Pineapple Juice". But Hajiya made the juice.

 "Wow! That sounds satisfying" Zahra said with an amazement.

"You love eating good food but you have refused to pay attention to cooking. I don't know why? At your age, you suppose to have become professional or less, expert in cooking. You know am a good cook and so was your late Dad, back then when you were young, we were chefs and owned our restaurant in the city. But later on, because of your Dad's work, he was transferred to New York, we had to closed down our restaurant because we don't have a choice.  What's wrong dear? You have to pick up that hobby whether you like it or not, you must know how to cook. We will always go into the kitchen together and cook everyday.  Hope I made myself clear?" 

 "Yes, mum"

"Good. Help me with the bowl of salad."Zahra passed the bowl of salad to her mother. 

Hassan has finished sulking in his room and came downstairs to join them. They all enjoyed the meal. 

After lunch, Hajiya Binta went to her sitting room upstairs to watch news about Covid 19 as usual. She never got tired of watching it. She spent lots of time by the tv. She watched different channels. Her children finds it boring to watch the same thing every day. They used to asked her"mum don't you get tired of watching Covid 19 news every time?"

"If I did not watch the news, how will I know what is going on in this world? This is a pandemic, it has affected the whole world. This is a very serious disease. And that's how we will know how to prevent ourselves from getting infected. I told you to always wash your hands with soap and water or use hand wash but don't go close to the gas or fire when you use it, because it's dangerous," explained Hajiya Binta.

 ***

 The following morning, Zahra was sleeping on her bed in her room when her mother opened the door and came in. She woke Zahra by patting her on the shoulder. "Wake up Zahra! It's almost Seven O'clock and you are still sleeping. Hope you have said your prayers?" asked the mother standing beside the bed, staring at her daughter.

"Yes, mum. I have." Zahra responded sleepily.

"Good, then get up let's go to the kitchen now to prepare breakfast. I told you we will be cooking together" 

"Okay! Mum. I will join you soon," she said trying to go back to sleep.

" Get up young lady, am going no where without you. I have been waiting for you since in the kitchen but you didn't show up. Hajiya Binta said as she pulled the quilt and kept in on a nearby couch. Then she went to the window and drew the curtains, light appeared in the room. Some birds chirping on an apple tree outside Zahra's window flew away and up to the sky.

 Zahra has no choice but to get up and follow her mum to the kitchen. She helped her mother to peel Irish potatoes. While her mum cut red, green bell peppers and onions into strips. Then she shredded some cooked chicken. Until now Zahra has not finished peeling the potatoes, her mum had to collect it and finished peeling it because of time. 

"You have to learn how to work fast like a woman," said the mother. 

"Break 15 eggs for me in that bowl and crush 3 stock cubes in it," Hajiya Binta said to her daughter as she pointed at a porcelain bowl on the kitchen table. "Be fast please, she added" 

The mother placed a pan on the fire and drizzled some oil in it. 

"What are you going to cook mum? asked Zahra.

"Potato Casserole, the mum replied. That's why I want you to always come to the kitchen with me and learn how to cook. Not just to leave Mama Larai cooking all the time, come closer and see how am going to make it,"

Zahra came closer with the remaining eggs she has not broken and the bowl. She continued breaking the eggs and watching her mum make the casserole. 

 When the oil was hot, she added some ginger and garlic paste and saute. Then she added the bell peppers and onions, seasonings and spices, she stir fried till halfway cooked. Then arranged cooked sliced potatoes in the pan, followed by the shredded cooked chicken. Then she collected the whisked eggs from Zahra and poured it all over the pan. She added some diced green and red bell peppers on the eggs and cover the pan and allow to cook on low flame for 5-10 minutes. 

The casserole was ready in 10 minutes. 

"What else are we going to eat for breakfast?" asked Zahra as she put the bowl and cutlery they used inside the kitchen wash hand basin. 

"I have fried some plantain and cooked cow head pepper soup" replied her mother, keeping the dish of potato casserole on the kitchen table. Wash the bowl and cutlery Zahra and help me with the breakfast to the table, " she added.

"Oh! Mum, you know I hate washing dishes. It's boring."

"I told you from now on you must get used to the kitchen, cooking, washing dishes, etc You are in 300 Level in the University, you will graduate next year. When do you want to learn all these? Do you think you have the whole time of the world? At least before the Covid 19 is over and before you resume to school in London, you will get used to it and thank me one day. I am doing this to you for your own good. You will know the importance of it one day. Now go on and wash the dishes"

Zahra washed the dishes not because she wanted to but had no choice. She thought her mother was trying to bother her. 

 When she finished washing the dishes, she helped her mum to set the table and arranged the food. Hassan came inside the sitting room holding a basketball, he was dressed in his sport's wear. He was sweating and looked tired. 

"Good morning mum," he said.

"Morning dear. Hurry up and take your bath, then come and eat your breakfast. Look at how you are sweating...

"As if he was forced to play the game, haa haa Zahra cuts in and laughed at her younger brother.

"Mum, please warn her to stop looking for my trouble this morning" he reported his elder sister.

"Enough, Zahra, just concentrate on your food, okay?" Their mother said as she sat down on one of the dinning chairs and looked at Zahra with a little frown.

"Alright, mum" she said gently pulled the plate of potato casserole closer to her. She added some fried plantain on her plate and began to eat. "This is so delicious mum"

  "Thank you dear. That's why I want you to be a good cook like me.

"It's not easy but I will try mum"

"You have to try and get use to it. You are a woman not a small girl, said their mother. She served herself some pepper soup in a plate. 

 It wasn't long, before Hassan joined them. They continued eating together.

"Is there no left over bread? You know I love eating bread with tea, asked Hassan.

"Oh! I have totally forgotten, I sent Larai to get the bread for us since morning but up till now she is not back. You know we are in lockdown, so many things are not available now, she explained.

 "Yes, that's true. May be she will get it across the street. Said Zahra.

"Assalam Alaikum," Mama Larai said and came in empty handed.

They answered and looked at her to see if she got the bread. But they saw her holding nothing.

"Where you able to get the bread? asked Hajiya Binta.

"No, Hajiya. I went round this area. Only few shops were opened and there was no bread. They said it has been sold earlier this morning.

 "Oh! My God. Things are getting worse mum. We can't get bread at this time? It's just eight O'clock now. I think I have to get used to eating breakfast without bread with this current situation"Hassan lamented.

 "Hmm... I'm speechless" said Hajiya Binta. Then she sighed and said to Larai. Thank you, you can go. Your breakfast is in your food flask, I cooked the breakfast with you because I know you will come back hungrily. But if you prefer to cook something you can do so. I know you don't like these kinds of foreign food."

 "Yes, Hajiya. I will cook some tuwo (swallow) and miyan kuka," she responded with a smile. 

Mama Larai went straight to the kitchen. 

"Mum, this lock down is really affecting people a lot. This is very serious,"said Zahra looking pensive, she has dropped the fork in her plate since when Larai was telling them about the bread.

 "Is it now that you have started seeing what is happening? You think it's nothing serious? You don't watch TV, listen to the radio or read newspapers that's why you don't know much about it but you only watch movies and press your phones all day. You think that's the best thing to do in this situation. And you also think I am just wasting my time watching TV all day, right? You have to be watching TV, to know what is happening in this world. Or rather, you have good phones,use it to browse. There are millions of information," said the mother.

 "You are right mum, I will browse and also check social media" 

 "That will have been better for you, not only you Zahra including you Hassan."

 "Ok mum" Hassan picked his fork from his plate and continued eating his breakfast.

***

Hajiya Binta, Zahra and Mama Larai has been busy in the kitchen on a saturday morning cooking different kinds of food. Hajiya Binta suggested that they should cook the food and go to town and give it to the masses. Because they need food in this current situation of lockdown. She has been watching news and has seen how so many people are suffering and they cried for help. They complained that they don't have food to feed their families and have no money to buy. And all working places and markets have been closed down because of the pandemic. But as for the market, they have only two free days to go for their shopping or open their shops to sell their food stuff, etc It was really a tough period for them. She also saw some people helping the masses with foods in different areas across the country. So, the thought came to her mind and she decided to cook plenty food and give it out to the masses in the town. Her other house help, Tani who was given two weeks break to go and take care of her 6 years old daughter who had a sprained ankle on her left leg has came back. Her daughter has fully recovered. She was with them too, cooking in the big kitchen. They cooked jollof rice with lots of cow meat, stir fried spaghetti with veggies, tuwo shinkafa with vegetable soup, cole slaw. They also made zobo and kunun aya drinks. Tani arranged the bottles in the freezer. Hajiya Binta also opened the store and told Mallam Bello and their driver Ya'u to bring sacks of rice, beans, millet, maize, sugar, cartoons of spaghetti, macaroni, indomie, stock cubes, gallons of oil and palm oil, out. She directed them to package it in big nylons like viva leather, bacco, etc she gave them lots of empty bottles to package the oil and palm oil. They spent few hours packaging everything. Hassan was not left behind, she told him to assist them. He gladly did and was happy his mum was trying to help. As it's one of the things she loved doing most of the time. And anytime she was going out to give food or clothes to the needy, he always followed her. He loved the way she helps the needy and  was glad he has a caring mum.

   By two o'clock they were all done with the cooking and packaging. They loaded everything in the trunk of the car. They were going in Sienna car. They bath and got ready to go to the town. Hajiya Binta went with her children, Tani and the driver. They all wore face masks and went with their hand gloves. They went to the ghetto area where most of the masses live. Ya'u parked the car in a corner. They all came out and saw some men sitting at the frontage of their house. They greeted them. Ya'u told them why they were here and wanted to see the Mai Unguwa. They took them to see him and asked for his permission. Which he gladly permitted them. He came out from his house with them and told the people to call out their families and neighbours. Which they gladly did. Before you know it, hundreds of people have surrounded them. But Ya'u told them to queue so that it will be easier to give them the food and also so that everybody will get. They all cooperated. Hajiya Binta, Zahra and Tani shared the cooked food and drinks in packs and bottles. The place was very noisy but the people cooperated. While Ya'u and Hassan shared the raw food. They were standing by the car and the trunk of the car was opened. They finished sharing everything past five in the evening. The people were very happy and thankful to them. The Mai unguwa on behalf of everyone thanked them happily and prayed for their safe return home. Ya'u drove them home, they were exhausted but happy. 

"Mum what I learnt today was, is good to be kind and helpful to the needy," said Zahra as they entered the sitting room downstairs.

"Wow! I'm impressed. Glad you observed that. You are really a thoughtful person," Hajiya Binta said with a smile and patted her daughter on the shoulder. 

"I felt I am beginning to love cooking now. I promise you mum from now on I will concentrate and learn how to cook. What we did today really inspired me a lot. I want to be cooking and sharing my recipes and videos to the world, I need your prayers, support and blessings. Sharing your knowledge, money, food, etc with people is the best thing ever. You will ended up being happy with what you did especially if people appreciate it, Zahra added.

Her mother was over joyed by the sudden change in her daughter. She didn't know that what she did today will change her daughter's life for good. She was extremely happy and thanked God in her mind. She hugged her daughter happily and blessed her. 

Since from that day, Zahra followed her mum to the kitchen, she learned varieties of food from her mother and their house helps. They were also glad that Zahra has picked interest in cooking. In no time, she became an expert and most times cook for the house alone or with their house helps. She shared her recipes online. And created a blog and save her recipes there and always direct people to her blog by giving them links. As time goes by, she created a YouTube channel and shared her videos there. She got lots of subscribers and followers on social media. Hmm... Imagine how lockdown has changed Zahra's life. What of you? 

© Asmie's Diary

All right reserved. No part of this story should be copied or transmitted in any form or by any means without the consent of the copyright owner © Asmie's Diary