******UNWANA p. o. vI want to be like my mom when I grow up. Looking at her as we walk out of the airport, holding the hands of her husband, my father and holding me on my shoulder while we enter into the limousine sent from the GREG RESORT to pick us up to our new house in California. She I my role model, she’s strong, focus and has a good eye for men. I like my dad, Mr. Adewale Rotimi Smith far more than uncle Chidi, my mom’s ex. My mother had a sad beginning and now she is laughing at last and has also made me laugh.Now I don’t have to continue at command secondary school anymore, daddy said I will finish my education here. I’ll miss my friends but please, I’ll make new ones.I almost forgot, I’ll soon be a big sister. #smiles#The End
******Lagos is one of the busiest cities in Nigeria and trusts me, you don’t want to be in the position I am in, right now. I am on my way to one of my many Jobs in Lekki from Festac Town and right now, I am stuck on traffic. Not the type of traffic you know, I mean, it has been on a stand-still for like an hour now and this is frustrating because I feel like I’m going to get fired the moment I get to my destination.Since now I am practicing 'long suffering' at the back seat of a commercial vehicle beside an obesed, middle-aged woman on my right, squashing me like an house fly —with all her bodyweight— to the window of the bus. Oh shit, my sleeves are literally drenched in her sweat. Can today go any worst? Not to forget the woman sitting behind me, trying to hush her crying baby. This is how I live my life, every single day and right now, I can’t do anything about my present predicament but grumble as I give you a brief intro about me.My name is Eno-Obong Ekanem (Gift of God), fo
******I arrive at the Adebanjo’s mansion in Lekki ten minutes late cause of the traffic, praying endlessly in my mind not to get fired. There is something about babysitting for rich people, I earn in a day more than I earn in a week in all of my other jobs and that is not something I am ready to give up.I am a babysitter and I’m late. I hurry through the wide, black polished gate, dashing to the front door, frantically knocking on it and mindlessly hurting my knuckles, I continue to knock till I see the head maid opens the door, then I stop. Breathing heavily.“You are late.” She says, confirming the voice in my head that speaks louder than my heart beat.“I know, traffic.” not giving her the chance to scold me, I replied immediately.“Well, you are lucky. Madam is in the garden.” she moved her thumb to the direction behind her head which points to the garden.“Thank you.” I dash to the back of the house, finding Mrs. Adebanjo sitting in the roofed, detached porch-like structure er
*****I return home very early than usual, a little exhausted and famished and at the same time, too lazy to prepare anything. I take out my android phone, click it on and scroll to check if I missed any calls or text but, to my shock, nothing, not even from him, my boyfriend, Chidi. I sigh and drop the phone angrily on the couch. I met Chidi through my friend/neighbor’s boyfriend. They were kind enough to hook me up with him and since then, we’ve been dating for like a year now.I hear a light knock on my door and I rush to it with high expectations“Oh, it’s you” I sigh disappointed seeing Omoh. Remember that friend/neighbor who in agreement with her boyfriend, hooked me up with Chidi? Yes, this is her. My neighbor who happens to be my only close friend since I moved to this neighborhood.Omoh is a beautiful, tall, fair and slim lady who just finished her national youth service. Her dad is a Naval Officer and most of the Sundays, when she goes to Navy town to greet her parent, she
******I scan the bar as I walk in, half empty, I observe, and Chidi is yet to be seen. I take out my phone from the silver purse hanging across my shoulder, tapping twice on my phone screen to reveal the time. 11:48 AM, I'm early. Sighting an empty table, I make my way towards it and draw out a chair tugged under it then, make myself comfortable on it.Unconsciously, I repeatedly Tap my fingers on the polished black, wooden surface while pondering if he will show up or not. I open my contact list on my phone, search out his number and just as I am about dialing his number, a gentleman walks up to where I'm seated.“Can I get you anything ma’am?” The waiter in Black polo with the bar's name —Ricardo— inscribed on it, asks politely.I smile briefly at the young man “Em, I’m waiting for someone. Maybe a bottle of water will be fine for now, thanks.”“Ok ma’am” He replies with a warm smile. He leaves, returning shortly with the water.I hate this situation I find myself in right now. Hav
*****Omoh has gone over to Uche’s house at Ajah which mean, I have no one to witness me in my depress state. I move around the house, from one room to the next, trying to calm the numerous voices speaking all at ones in my head.I have not gotten myself since yesterday, since Chidi shocked me with his fwords. People may say I’m acting like a child when they see how restless I’ve become. But the truth is, I am not restless from the breakup, I am worried.I’m worried I might be cursed, I mean, my history with men has drawn me to that conclusion. It’s either that or I attract the wrong kind of guys. Maybe a just like the saying, you attract who you are; maybe I’m a wrong woman who attracts wrong men. I doubt that. Maybe I’m searching in the wrong places. Argggg! I’m lost in my own self, Ubong deceived me and all the other men despise me but I’m not going to dwell on that any more. I have my priceless Jewel, Unwana, and I have to be the best mother for her.All I need to do is, one, er
******“Thank you for making out time to be here, I’m Ruth,” An elegant looking woman, dressed in a Navy blue, off-shouldered maxi dress, stripped with gold lines on the burst that matches the gold studs earrings revealed under her long box braids and the gold bracelet on her left wrist, introduces as she welcome me into her sitting room, pointing to the couch for me to sit “I was thrilled when my friend called me to inform me about your coming,” she sit comfortably facing me “before then, I was frustrated.”Mrs. Adebanjo had filled me in a little on the personality and need of her friend, Ruth. And while Mrs Adebanjo is away on a trip with her family, I'm really in need of a substitute job so, it's imperative I make a good impression here today.“I had trouble getting a good babysitter so I called my friend who recommended you to me.”“I’m sorry you had to go through the trouble.” I say, smiling“Thank you again Eno.” “You’re welcome.” I reply.“I have a company dinner to attend ne
******Today is what they call visiting day at Unwana’s school, it occurs every last Sunday of every month. I never miss anyone, and I don't plan on missing this one. I won't lie, days like this are usually filled with mix feelings. I'm ecstatic about seeing my daughter and when the visiting day is over, and she's heading back to her dormitory, I feel heart collapse in despair. I wake up early as 5am to prepare all I will take along with me, putting in mind all the things I know my daughter will need I sit on one of the couch n my living to set aside her provision which where; one big tin of Milo and peak milk, one pack of cube sugar, one big cornflakes, golden morn, and a bottle of her favorite drink, Tasty Time blackcurrant. I found a neat nylon which was big enough to contain the seven cups of garri I turned into it, I tie the end tightly to secure the garri from pouring out and then, set it aside also. I instantly recall the bottle of roasted groundnut I bought the previous da
******UNWANA p. o. vI want to be like my mom when I grow up. Looking at her as we walk out of the airport, holding the hands of her husband, my father and holding me on my shoulder while we enter into the limousine sent from the GREG RESORT to pick us up to our new house in California. She I my role model, she’s strong, focus and has a good eye for men. I like my dad, Mr. Adewale Rotimi Smith far more than uncle Chidi, my mom’s ex. My mother had a sad beginning and now she is laughing at last and has also made me laugh.Now I don’t have to continue at command secondary school anymore, daddy said I will finish my education here. I’ll miss my friends but please, I’ll make new ones.I almost forgot, I’ll soon be a big sister. #smiles#The End
*****My heart beats faster and my legs wiggles weakly. The silent treatment is killing me slowly and I find my self saying;“Please Wale, can I at least see you one last time.” I plead, still standing by the door.Yet, he says nothing. I turn and rest my back on the door while I squat down “I’m sorry I didn’t fully trust you. I’m sorry I compared you to the past men in my life, I’m sorry I gave you the impression that I didn’t love you, I’m sorry I doubted your love.” I speak, fighting the tears wrestling to pour “Ever since Ubong left me with Unwana, my daughter, in my womb, Living had been very hard. Some days when the humiliation grew worst, I attempt aborting my child and every time, I failed. If not for my Parent’s undying love, who knows if I would have been alive today.” I converse as tears floods my eyes and my beating heart threatens to stop.“I hated Ubong with my life, then a day came, I gave birth to my Bright star and from the first day I laid eyes on her, I found hope.
********I get down from the Taxi in front of Wale's gate then, I pay the driver before he drives off. I stand a while facing the large, black gate while trying to rehearse what to say when i go in and see him.“Uhm, uhm,” I clear my throat “Your sister is worried about you so she ask me to check on you to see how you are doing.” No, it doesn’t sound right, why should I be the one Tessy sends.I try another one “Baby, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have held back that kind of important part of my life from you.” That’s if I get the opportunity to speak.“Honey, you can hate me all you want but I will not leave here until you forgive me or at least hear me out.” How pitiful. He can as well call the police on my ass and they will just bundle me out.“Uh,” I sigh “Darling remember the fun time we had, remember you said you don’t care what circumstances have to offer, as far as you have me.” Ah, I’m so desperate.“Calling him all the sweet pet name in the world’s list doesn’t guarantee me earning
********It’s been two weeks since I last heard from Wale, he also has been avoiding my calls. And right now, I’m so worried about him, what a twist. First, men leave me when I tell them about my other half and when I thought concealing that information was best, I lose the love of my life.Life is good, fair, unbalanced and cruel at the same time and I just stand alone at the receiving end. Is there even an atom of love left somewhere for me?I can feel my head spinning out of control, my eyes bulging out and I look so tired.I stare at the lecturer without hearing a word of what he’s saying and the harder I stare, the more the face of the lecturer turns into the face of Wale. I’m losing my mind.“Are you ok.” Jude's voice brings me back to class the moment the lecturer left the classroom.“Yes, I’m fine. Just having a little headache.” I say, using my left hand to rub my head. My head had start to hurt from much thinking and I feel miserable. I just need to lay on my bed and cry but
*******Wale Laughs suspiciously at my expression.“Eno, is this you?” She asks on her feet, taking a good look at me to be sure with an identical surprise expression as mine.“Yes, it’s me.” i laugh, not trying to contain my surprise.She makes her way to where I stand and hugs me warmly “I can’t believe this. So you are the Eno my brother has been talking about.” She remarks, ending the hug and looking at me again “I know only one Eno which is you but I never suspected he was talking about the one I know.”“Miss Adeyemi, I’m as stun as you are.” I say smiling.“The title. Please, call my Tessy.” She tells me, taking my hands “Come, sit, I’m so happy to see you.”“Thanks.” I reply following her to the executive booth.It will sound weird calling Miss Adeyemi, Tessy. She and I have become closer in school and she has helped me a lot to become one of the best at school. As a nutritionist, her advice has placed me on the right track.“Meet my fiancé, Gabriel.” She introduce me to the ha
******Omoh and I stayed home all afternoon watching into the badlands with a bowl of popcorn in-between us. And at the end of the seventh episode of the first season, she turns to me and says “I believe you haven’t told him yet.” Reducing the volume of my T.V set.“Told him what?” I ask as if unacquainted with what she’s talking about.“Eno!” She calls out.“What?”“You know he has the right to know.” She declares, with worrying look on he pretty face.“I know and I will tell him.” I tell her “I plan on telling him tonight.” “You are going on a date with him tonight, and you are supposed to meet his sister too. When will you have the time to tell him?”Omoh is right; I may not have the time to tell him. I might be carried away, who knows. I don’t know how to answer her question; I just need to ponder on how to create a right opportunity.“Why haven’t you told him before now?” She asks again.I return my gaze to Omoh “I wanted to be sure. I don’t want to bring another man into my da
*****What can make a girl happier than being with a guy she loves? Wale indeed, is the best boyfriend ever.I’m not saying I regret my previous boyfriends, no, what I’m saying is, they have taught me the different perception of relationships.It’s been a month since Wale and I have been dating, he’s been so caring, loving, possessive, romantic, and Jealous even. I love the fact that he is this way, it make me feel less alone. He makes me laugh always, he hates my genre of movies, he loves singing in the shower and he respects me a lot and that’s my best part.Unlike the previous men in my life, Wale professes his love for me at any given opportunity, he kisses me every time we see no matter the place, he calls me and show up when he says he will. He always keeps to his word.A part of me feels that he’s just being the way he is because our relationship is still fresh. I know it is wrong to compare him with the past men in my life but a part of me still cautions me to be careful, tha
******“You are homely, that’s one attribute I look forward to see in my woman.” Wale compliments, spreading himself comfortably on the couch.And instead of being happy, I only get more confused. “Your woman!” I repeat quite ridiculously.He sniggers “You still haven’t given me an answer to my question.” Wale says. This time, adjusting himself on the couch and facing me fully with his eyes hooded eyes locking me strongly in my position.“What question?” I ask, baffle. Pretending not to recall. But I remember vividly of the night in his car, in front of my house when he asked me if he was my type of man. But the question I failed to ask him was, if he wasn't my type, will he be willing to change for me?He exhales deeply “Eno, I know you know what I mean. Is that why you ignore my calls?” I hear is question come out with an air of depression.“You are getting me more confused here.” I tell him instead.“The last time you said you are not my type of woman but then, and even now I’m ask
*******I stand speechless in front Wale while my brain makes effort to suggest what I should say. In the meantime, I stare at his dimpled smile still dumbfounded. Unexpectedly, he places his right hand on my arm, moving it lightly. Feeling the chills down my spine, I quickly move back, putting a fine distance between us.He smiles widely, aware of reason for resisting his touch “Are you shy?” He inquires.“No, I’m sweaty.” I reply with a good enough excuse.I watch him laugh hysterically, enjoying himself. I won't lie, I like the sound of his laughter but I manage my composure and tell him plainly “I need to get out of this sweaty cloths, I’m not comfortable in it.” I can’t say for certain what I’m not comfortable in anymore. Is it really the sweaty clothes or his piercing stare.“I’ll wait.” He finally says.“You’ll wait, where?” I puff.“My car is very comfortable.” wearing a serious face, he tells me.“Is he planning on waiting in his car? I thought he will leave, why isn’t he l