The day of the town hall meeting came. I was fully dressed in my African Ankara gown which covered the sole of my feet. I covered my hair with a veil and wore my favorite flat shoes on. I was nervous, excited and hopeful. My mother came from behind sprinkling water all over me. "What's that for? " I screamed while dodging the water droplets. "It's holy water. From church. Blessed by the Reverend. " she said. ", Okay you should have told me and given me some to minister to myself rather than raining on me. " I said while laughing. 'You need to be fortified. " she said about to resume the sprinkling. I smiled and told her "This is no spiritual battle. " "We can't take chances. " she maintained. "There's evil around here and who knows they might be there. " she added. I quickly left the room before she could soak my apparel. "Are You ready? " I said while knocking on Peter's door. "Almost. " he replied. "Am putting my shoes on. What's the time? " he asked from the inside. "Twenty minut
Finally the demolition Conspiracy is coming to an end. Fetty is a hero. If only she knew.
I abandoned the firewood and ran all the way to Layo's house. By the time I got there, I was panting heavily and sweating all over. "Fetty you are here. " announced Layo's mother. "Yes ma. " I replied panting heavily and scanning the compound with my eyes soughting for Layo. "He is inside. " replied his mother. "Is he sick? " I asked while entering the living room. Layo was in their bedroom, lying on their huge bed with his face on the bed just like I did earlier. He was weeping. "Hey buddy. " I said placing my hand on his back. He said nothing but kept sobbing. "If you won't tell me about it then I'll just have to leave. " I said. "Go away. " he replied in tears. "I just want to be alone. " he added. "He has been like that since he came back from the computer center this morning. " said his mother who just walked into the living room. "It's past 12pm and he hasn't eaten anything yet. " she added. "Did he tell you anything? " I said to her. "No. He just got in very mo
The next morning, I couldn't wait for the day to break so I could hurry to Layo's house and announce the good news to him. Last night on phone with Mr. Chinedu, he revealed to me that It was possible for Layo to go to the University this year. According to him, there is a Pre_degree program which runs for a year at the University and after the students undertaking the program pass their pre- degree examination, they'll proceed to year one. Mr. Chinedu told me that he was aware of Layo's condition so he can help him secure a Pre_degree spot at the state University. He maintained that his friend is the registra of the University. I couldn't contain my excitement as I roll from one edge of the mat to another last night. My morning chore was already done. Tami and Kiki had gone to school while my mother had departed to the bar. I huried to Layo's house the moment I was done having my breakfast. "Good morning ma. " I said greeting Layo's mother who was arranging the fresh
Layo and I were shocked at Peter's sudden outburst. "What is wrong with him? " asked Peter. "Shut up. " I screamed at him. "So what are we going to tell Nancy? " asked Layo. His incessant questions were beginning to irritate me now. "Yea I heard he has bipolar "? whispered a customer by the other end of the restaurant. "Razzi's son. " right? asked another fellow. "What's bipolar? " the other customer yelled drawing everyone's attention to him. "His head engine has knocked off. " replied a young man. They all began laughing out. I got pissed the more over their mockery. Before I could come to terms with what was going on, Layo was already by the corner talking to Nancy in low tunes. I saw her tap his shoulder and he nodded. "Let's go. " announced Layo. "The girls will clear the place up. " he added. "And the bills and damage? " I asked. "It's been sorted. Huryy let's go find that psycho. " said Layo while hurrying out. I went out hurriedly after him,
As Peter approached me, I began to sweat all over. My chair suddenly became uncomfortable and my eyes kept rolling around. I was tensed and my restlessness was obvious. "Are You okay Fetty? " asked a customer. I said nothing, then Peter finally arrived. I couldn't bring myself to look at him. "Let me get you a seat. " I said getting up. "I always help myself around here. " he replied while dragging a plastic chair by the corner. "You need water? " I further asked. "Are You tensed? " he retorted. "No. " I quickly replied breathing heavily. "Okay so relax then. " he said with a smile. I smiled back awkwardly. We said nothing for like a minute till Peter finally broke the silence. "I am very sorry for my violent behavior at the restaurant this afternoon. " he began in a low tune. The customers around were chatting and laughing, minding their business, their attention far from us. "I should have controlled myself. I was at Nancy's this evening. . I apologized to her and we are cool. " h
I went inside our room feeling angry to a latge. extent. I know that Julia was Peter's girlfriend and could see him anytime she wishes, Infact he knew her before I then why does this bother me. My mother, Kiki and Tami were already fast asleep. It was harmmatan season and it's always cold and foggy these days. I took off my clothes, grabbed a towel and dashed out to bathe. While fetching water from our water drum into the bucket outside, I couldn't help but listened to the chuckles and laughter coming out of Peter's room. Had they made up? I thought. I hurriedly took my bath, came inside and struggled to fall asleep. I tossed from one end of the mat to the other till I realized I just hit Kiki. I couldn't help but imagine Peter and Julia in the room together, talking, reconciling, probably on the same bed. I shoved the thoughts away and began to sleep before my phone vibrated. I just got a text mesage from Layo. He wants me to accompany him to Mr. Chinedu's offi
"Why don't you get inside, take a bath and get some rest. Am sure you must have undertaken a long journey. " I said. "My mother will be home in a while and by the time you are done bathing, I must have finished making lunch. "I added. He nodded and went inside with a little bag he held which was shaped like a briefcase. Soon, he was out in his boxers with a bucket of water heading to the bathroom. I was in the kitchen cooking and wondering why he had come all the way from the village. Was he hear to see us? Did he need anything? I thought. When my father died, none of my mothers relatives showed up. Not her two sisters or uncle Awang and his presence here today is questionable. My siblings then came back from school and I introduced Awang to them as their uncle. Tami who had always been looking for a male figure to clung on to was soon all over him and they even ate together. I told Kiki to stay at home with Tami and our uncle. I will be taking my mother's lunch
Before 6pm, I had already began my shift at the bar. My mother was back home with Uncle Awang and my siblings. I so much wanted to stay behind and be part of their conversation, to know why my uncle came and what his plans were but I had to run the bar that night. However, I knew my mother will feed me with all the information I needed the moment I returned home that night. I came along with two textbooks. Biology and English language. I had a jotter with which I noted down relevant points. Tommorow, I shall go to the London Secondary School to register for my long awaited final examination. According to my mother, the amount is intact. Since we didn't get to pay for Osifa's school fees, the fee was added up to mine and the earnings my cookie business generated, topped the amount. I feel grateful that my Mother and I were able to raise the amount. Baking daily wasn't easy. There were times, I would wake up feeling tired and worn out but I knew I had to bake that morni
The next day, my uncle left earlier than I imagined. Infact, he left before I woke up. After having breakfast, I counted my fees and stacked it inside my little purse. "Hold that purse tightly ". said my mother while pulling her left ear to warn me. "Those pick pockets won't see me today. " I replied with a smile. I missed my final secondary school examination last year and this year, I am determined to make amends. I won't allow any opportunity to rob me of this hard earned money that came with sweat and prayers. I heaved a sigh and announced to my mother that I will be leaving. She nodded then said "I wish you all the best. " and I dashed out. On my way out of the compound, I ran into Peter who was leaving for the construction site. We exchanged pleasantries. "Where are you heading to this morning? " he asked. "London Secondary School. " I replied. "You are registering for the final exams right? " he asked. "Yes. " I said nodding in affirmation. "I can come with you