Uplifted — The Inkwell writing prompt

"Mama Ebere, it is more than four months now that you lost your husband, my elder brother, and it is obvious you have forgotten what the tradition of the land says. The tradition requires me to take over my brother's properties, since you were unable to give him a male child. And when I say his properties, I mean all his properties!" Mazi Udeh, Monica's brother inlaw, said, as he came visiting very early, one Saturday morning. "However, due to my caring nature and the love I have for you and your girls, I have decided that you stay in your house — which is now my house, while I take over other properties belonging to my late brother, Amadi." He continued.

"Mazi Udeh, you know it would be unfair if you do this to me. Where would I see money to take care of my children? My first daughter, Joy — who is the same age as your daughter Anabella, just was admitted into the university, a few weeks before her father's death. How would I cater for her if you take the only source of income my husband left for us?" Monica begged him, while kneeling down. "Woman!, better clean those crocodile tears of yours. This is what the tradition says, your husband knew this while he was alive, and that's why he did his best to have a male child, but unfortunately you were not fertile enough." He said while taking his leave.

Source

Two weeks after Mazi Udeh's visit to Monica's home, he started seizing both the lands and other properties belonging to Monica's husband, with the help of some youths. He took over their farmlands, their block industry, and the shop where they sell building materials. He took everything from Monica, leaving behind just their home.

Monica became worried, as all their sources of income have been taken away from them. She ran to the elders for help but they supported Mazi Udeh. She called on the parish priest, Fr. Maxwell, but all his efforts were in vain. Monica felt helpless, as she had tried all possible ways she could think of, but none succeeded in helping her retain her late husband's properties.

Joy heard all that was happening back home but it was hard for her to believe. She wondered if it's the same uncle that treated her like a queen while her father was still alive. On returning home from school at the end of the semester, she found out that all she heard were all true, that the ever loving and caring uncle of hers has suddenly become a monster. On consulting the uncle, she was chased home by her uncle, Mazi Udeh.

Not knowing what to do, she took to her Twitter handle, to narrate her new reality. Her tweet got the attention of many influencers, who retweeted and tagged some of prominent government agents.

Consequently, the state government took it upon itself to bring justice to Monica's family. The governor, His Excellency, Johnson Duke, decided to pay a visit to Monica. From where he restored all the properties seized by Mazi Udeh, and also promised to see to Joy's education through the University, with automatic job offer after graduation.