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
What do you think made Peter flair up in such a way?
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
I hurried home after Emjay told me he was around our compound. It's been seven months since we last saw each other and hadn't spoken ever since. He never called so did I. He went to study abroad so why was he back? I thought. I had imagined he would take four years to study and come home maybe once a year. Judging by his excitement months earlier, I never thought he could return this early. When I got home, Emajay was seated on the bench outside our door. There he was. Same old Emjay. Nothing has changed about him. He still looked the same. In fact, he got darker. Normally, my heartbeat would quicken at the sight of him but here I was feeling normal. "Hey! " I said hurrying towards him. I sat close to him on the bench and he greeted me with his warm smile. "You are here. " I said. "Yea, av been in London neighborhood for two days now just that I didn't get out till now. " he said staring at me. "Oh really! " I said. "He nodded, lowered his said and said nothing. "So how is sch
They say London has a way of pleasing everybody. It suits the wild and the calm. The Greenland dinner is an annual event just like the annual ghetto fiesta. However, this event is more calm, a bit sensitive and kind of boring as others say. It is an event where young men and women dress in fine apparels like suits and gowns then spend the night eating, talking and meeting people. Unlike the annual Ghetto fiesta that houses people from different age groups, this event is for the teens and youths. Two weeks to every Christmas, the events takes place. During every event that I have attended so far, Layo had always been my date. We've been barely spectators so we purchase the tickets which was very affordable because according to Razzi, it was his way of appreciating the youths in the community so the tickets are afforadable then we dress up, have the sumptuous dinner of fried rice and chicken and watch the event till it ends. During the event, there is jazz playing, a piano man played