All Chapters of DAWN: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

”What do you mean by you haven’t registered for your final Secondary School Examination?” said my mother in a confused tone. “Fetty I gave you the money..I right?.” She added. “Yes mother you did.” I began. “Actually…Father….was…” I stammered. I was beginning to shiver. “Your father did what?” she said opening her hands. “While Father was in Libya, he called me through Layo’s phone.” I replied in a very low tune. “Fetty if you’ve been speaking with your father while he was in Libya, and you felt like informing me right now then it is by the way. What I don’t understand is you telling me you didn’t register for your final Secondary School Examination. Leave your fathers issue.” She said. I was terrified and kept shaking like a victim of severe electrocution. “Why are shivering like that. Now loosen up and tell me why you couldn’t register. “She ordered. “And you better be joking.” She added. She got up and folded her arms. “Speak” she thundered. Osifa was awake and sitting on the mat

The first time I was in the biggest and most famous bar in London neighborhood was about four years ago. I was twelve, childish, exuberant and careless. Layo and I were in our second year at the London Secondary School. It was when the annual ghetto festival was introduced. The news spread round the school like a wild fire. “There will be loud music, dancing competitions, free drinks and meat.” The students at school kept saying. Children are not allowed access to Razzi beer parlor but Layo and I were determined to sneak in and we did. We witnessed the entire event and stayed till dawn. From the erotic dance sessions to the free drinks that kept roaming the entire place, the place was filled up with people, old men with their young mistresses, young men accompanied by their girlfriends and bachelors too. Layo and I were the only children there. We were on a hide and seek mission throughout the event. The stench of alcohol was all over the place. We stood all night and the vanity sat

  My mother and I ran as fast as our legs could carry us. We got to the London Clinic exhausted and anxious. We hurried to the reception and we were directed to the Doctor’s office by the receptionist. She looked at us and I knew she has seen more confused people than us besides it is a hospital. People are always running helter skelter here around here. We knocked on the hard office door and we heard a female voice asking us to come in. On the usual seat Dr. Charles sits was a young woman in her late twenties. She was fair, beautiful and had a veil tied round her head. She smiled and there was a sense of sweetness and tenderness radiating around her. From her looks, it was evident she is a Muslim. “Hello I am Dr. Amrah.” She said while signaling us to sit. “I am new here. I just replaced Dr. Charles.” She added. It then dawned on us that Dr. Charles has been transferred and we never knew. We nodded and she continued. “How can I help you?” she said while adjusting her v

"I am no stranger here. " replied my father. "What? " screamed my mother in anger. Meanwhile, I was marveling at his audacity. Before KiKi could spill the beans, I interrupted. "We should all go inside. It is late already. " I said. "Yes of course. " said my mother quickly. "You guys need to sleep and besides there is school tomorrow. " she added. "But tommorow is Saturday. " retorted KiKi. "Why don't I tell you guys a story. " said my father. "Yeah. "Screamed my siblings in excitement. "Are You kidding me? " I muttered silently. I knew my mother couldn't stand the scene so I intervened. "Mother go Inside and get some rest. You look tired. " I said. "Of course replied my father. My mother hissed and went inside. Tami was already in our father's bossom. "I will tell you the tale of a man in a strange land. " began my father. "Seems we will be hearing tales of Libya today. " I said. He chuckled and continued. In his tale, he told us how a group of men left home for a futile journey. H

“Your daughter is my neighbor.” I began after sipping the cold water I was given then immediately dropped it on the little chair beside me “We share the same compound with your daughter. “ I added. The woman was on edge and her eyes kept rolling all over me. She wanted to hear more. “You know she has a daughter?” I asked. “She was two months pregnant when she left home. Her father and I never got to know the baby’s gender.” replied the woman. “Uhmm I see. She has a beautiful girl... Ajabo.” I said. “I have a granddaughter?” said the woman happily. “I will love to meet them but …” she stopped talking and peeped at the large room close to the living room. I instantly understood what she was doing. She was ensuring her husband wasn’t aware of the entire event going on in the living room. Mama Ajabo once told me of how strict her father is, how her mother was terrified of him and how he vowed to never allow her set foot in their home after she threatened to elope. I knew I had to leave