Growing up, I had a penchant for sweet things. My mum will always complain about my incessant intake of sweet things and warn me of the effect of too much of sweet thing in my body but I never listen.
Whenever she calls on me to take "agbo Jedi Jedi" (The Yoruba name of a liquid herbal concoction made with herbs and roots that serves as a detoxifier), I always run and hide because it not only has a pungent smell but also tastes very bitter.
So whenever my mum forces me to take this concoction, I would pretend I was drinking it and quickly run out and pour it into the bush beside our house. I always get away with not taking any herbal concoction and kept on taking lots of sweet things.
Something happened one day. It was the birthday of a friend of mine, Sikira, whose house is close to mine.
Before that day, Sikira had told me that her parents had informed her that they will be celebrating her 10th birthday in grand style. I was very happy when I heard that because I was already imagining the varieties of food I would be eating, how big the cake will be and of course the amount of sweets that would be shared.
"Mummy, please would you let attend Sikira's birthday party?", I asked with pleading eyes, hoping she would reply in the affirmative.
She looked at me and after what seemed like forever she said
"It's okay, you can attend, her mum already told me about her birthday". I jumped up for joy and patiently awaited the day.
On the day of Sikira's birthday party, I woke up very early and did my house chores as I didn't want to give my mum a reason to change her mind about me going to the party.
After some time, I started hearing music coming from the direction of Sikira's house and I knew the party was already starting. I quickly went in, dressed, and got ready for the party.
"Make sure you bring anything given to home", my mum called after me as I whizzed passed her in excitement. I quickly nodded in agreement and made my way to the party.
The party was all I wished it to be. I had so much fun and I participated in most of the children's games and competitions which earned me lots of rewards in sweets and chocolates. Afterwards, each child was given a pack containing food, cake, bottled drink, and of course sweets and chocolates.
When I got home, my mum wasn't inside the house so I sat inside the sitting room and arranged the contents in the pack on the table.
Then my eyes were drawn to the sweets and chocolates and I was already craving to have a taste. Then I thought of my mum. I feared she wouldn't let me eat all the cake and sweets given to me.
So I decided to eat the ones I earned from the games and competitions as I felt I worked hard for them. I quickly ate them one after the other and threw the wrappers in our backyard where my mum wouldn't see them.
When she got back, I showed her the contents and she took about two out of the sweets and gave it to my younger sister. She told me I could eat the rest since she thought I hadn't eaten any of the sweets. I happily ate them all, feeling like I was on top of the world.
At night, we all prepared for bed and as I lay down on the bed, It didn't take long before I started getting a rumbling in my stomach and I started having stomach upset.
I tried to stand up but the feeling became intense. I was feeling very bloated and I couldn't sleep as I was very uncomfortable. I was rolling on the ground and whimpering in pain. At first,I thought of bearing the pain but when it became too much, I called on my mum.
She quickly came into my room and found me rolling on the ground in pain, she was alarmed and asked what could be the cause, I knew I had to tell her the truth because I could no longer withstand the pain.
I quickly told her all about the amount of sweets and chocolate I consumed at the party and she exclaimed "Omo yi ti fe pa mi" which translates to This girl wants to kill me.
She quickly went inside her room and came out with the "agbo" and told me to drink it. I didn't hesitate as I grabbed the bottle and gulped down the contents. I am sure I must have taken beyond the required amount I am supposed to take.
After some time, I started feeling a little relief as I could feel the concoction working on reducing the stomach ache. My mom sat beside me till I slept off.
I woke up the next morning feeling a bit better and I knew I would have to face my punishment. I greeted my mom and asked for her forgiveness for disobeying her.
She forgave me and asked if I had learned my lessons about taking too much of sweets things and I replied in the affirmative. That incident changed my stance on taking sweet things.
Now, I take sugar on rare occasions because I learned the hard way that it's not good to have an addiction for sweet things.
Thank you all for reading.