ENNY'S BLOG

As I was trying to reach sister Grace, Zach approached me with a bright smile. He came to see a friend in the apartment beside hers and was just leaving. The young man was happy to see me so he wouldn't stop asking questions about my wellbeing. He was so engrossed in talking to me that he probably wouldn't have noticed her if the small orange bowl she threw inside the green bucket that was once filled with the water she used to wash her car didn't make any sound. The force she used in throwing the bowl attested more to the fact that she wasn't in her best mood. Zach didn't stay long after greeting sister Grace because he had to prepare for church service even though he would have loved to spend more time with me since I wasn't going to be available for a week . After he left, I was finally able to greet sister Grace with my signature smile. Only that it didn't create the desired effect. She still remained grumpy. As I was greeting sister Grace, her younge...

  My change of attitude didn't go unnoticed by the principal who was also our class teacher. On Thursday, he gathered everyone in my class in the school hall so we could sort out the issue between us but that only resulted in a more serious argument because neither of us wanted to admit our fault. Eventually, he asked us to kneel as punishment for disrespecting him by being rowdy in his presence and didn't release us until we had to enter the hall for our Agric examination. Every theory question we were asked to deal with in Agric was bulky. Still, I was able to push through because thriving to read, understand and recall the words written in my Agricultural notebook was part of my after-school agenda. Around me were my dumb departmental mates who were sweating profusely though it was raining heavily outside. They never considered reading bulky notebooks a priority. All they ever did was cram the answers to all the objective revision questions given by the subject teacher and ...

  As Omma was about to answer my question, an overly excited Zach came to her doorstep to do what she asked of him. I couldn't afford to keep him waiting or debar him from helping me but I still had to ensure he didn't have any errands to run for his mom, dad, or brother. Honestly, I wasn't convenient with him knowing about my weakness but still didn't want it to look like I suspected him of being a criminal that can steal my atm card and steal all the millions of naira in it. Come to think of it, it hardly contains money. The money my dad usually sends there is for urgent needs. "Thanks for allowing me to do this for you. It means a lot", He said on our way to the bank. "Come on. I should be the one thanking you. I'm sorry if I caused any form of inconvenience", We walked at the same pace. "You didn't. Besides, I was bored at home. Omma has hijacked my only brother and I.D hasn't been himself lately", He looked bothered. ...

  On Sunday mornings, I enjoyed being woken by the soothing voices of my Aunt's church choir on radio but on this particular rest day, things weren't the same. I could still hear their voices but it was mixed with the banging of a door and the articulation of a violent woman. The same woman that shared both parents with my biological father. The previous night, I forgot to wash the utensils I used in eating because I got engrossed in texting Zach and retired to my bed when I got too lazy to keep sitting upright. Instead of telling me to wash the plates nicely, she chose to publicize what happened and accused me of disrespecting her because she chose to cook for me, even though I did 'nonsense' with my friends and returned home late, not caring if she'll have errands to send me. I should have seen that coming because she had lots of informants in the street. But despite what happened, I didn't allow my mood to be ruined. I wore the same gown I wore for the par...

  "Here we are!", Zach assisted me in getting down from the bus when we reached our destination even though I didn't need his help. "Thanks", I smiled. "Zach, please come and help me carry this boy", One of the women in the bus begged him to help carry her sleeping son. "Alright, ma", He carried out her request even though he seemed more eager to take me inside the house so I could sit down and relax. When Omma and I later went to the restroom, she told me he would have replied her rudely if I wasn't there. I didn't know if that was supposed to be a good or bad thing. Mrs. Thompson's family house wasn't a bad site to behold. As most Nigerians do, the parents of the bride contracted a painter before the wedding because the painting of the house looked new. Likewise, some new furniture in the living room smelt of painted wood. Outside the house, an area that seemed like it was once bombarded with weed was smooth. It was ...

Chapter Twenty  "A whole assembly perfect, is this the time you're supposed to be coming to school? How dare you even try to sneak in!" Master Gbenga's deep voice said to me the Monday after our mid-term break. "I'm very sorry, sir", I couldn't bare to look at him because I was ashamed of myself even though coming late wasn't entirely my fault. "You people sha like to tempt somebody. I've promised myself not to beat anyone this week", He hissed. "Thank you so much, sir", I entered the class happily. "What made you late sef?"He asked reluctantly. "I'm just coming from the place I went to spend the holiday", I explained. "Oh! Hope you brought something for me?"He said playfully. "Yes, sir", I was glad I had the pack of Maryland cookies my eldest male cousin gave me the other day, though I originally planned to share it among my classmates. My classmates weren't happy when the...

"Why were you not in school yesterday?" I was expecting him to ask me that and he did. "I was feeling a bit under the weather", I lied. "We went to your house but you weren't there", He gave me a quizzical look. "I went to the clinic", I couldn't bare to look him in the face anymore. "We also checked the clinic but your name wasn't on the list of those who visited", He showed me some pictures on his right palm. "Would you mind explaining to your big sis what you were doing in a guy's house during school hours"? "Si...."I was short of words. "What were you thinking? You even wore your school uniform!" He wasn't happy with me . "I'm sorry sir. It was a big mistake. I promise it won't happen again. Please don't tell my sister about this", I begged him. "I'm only going to pardon you because you've been a good girl", He handed the pictures over to me. ...