catch-up on episode 1 here: https://teenwomanfoundation.blogspot.com/2019/07/secrets.html
"Just because Akin’s bed is comfortable doesn't mean you should lie on it." Aunty Mairo said, as we cooked dinner
"Because it Looks like Akin gets you doesn't mean he can be trusted. Don't even trust yourself with any guy." She added
"What if I have no one else to talk to and Akin is just the ingredient that speaks sweetness to my confusions?" I asked, dicing the onions and peppers.
"Sweetness ke? What about your mother. Can't you speak to her? Your siblings nko? I'm also here? Mama Ruka too, no don't go to Mama Ruka... She's a gossip."
I chuckled, mama Ruka will never let anything slide. She was presents where there is a fight or incidence. The official taatafo of the estate.
"Pour the onions and peppers into the hot oil" Auntie instructed. And I did
Shiiiiiii, the oil sounded as it fried the mix.
"Oya, add the tomatoes" she instructed. While tapping words on her phone, obviously chatting with someone. She laughed at her phone at intervals and frowned sometimes. I didn't know who she was chatting with but time was a revealer of all things.
Auntie is in her 3rd year in the university studying Business Administration. She's my father's niece and comes home occasionally to see us since she was at Unilag.
"Auntie, do you have a boyfriend?"
She looked at me in shock. I wondered why it amazed her I asked, after all I was 16 and all my friends claim to have except of course "the church girls".
I’m a church girl too but I was not as serious as these girls. We went to church twice in a month; on days’ mama felt like or Baba was home.
Nana said the church girls are the pretenders. They act as though they're innocent but they aren’t. They are the ones who bring pregnancy home instead of aborting it.
Auntie mused and said "yes, I do and that's because I'm old enough to"
"Really, so when I go to the university I can have one too?"
"Wait o, I didn’t say because I'm in the university, I said because I'm old enough."
"Ehn ehn... It's the same thing nah? I can't be admitted to the university until I'm old enough right?"
"Yes and no, they are not. When I say old enough, I mean you're matured enough to handle things emotionally, mentally, financially and physically. And you can be responsible for your actions. Is that clear?"
I nodded
"But my mates have boyfriends"
"Really? That’s wrong. They're too young. It's okay to have male friends but not boyfriends"
"They say it's necessary for social development"
"That's not true" aunty frowned
"Was that why you snuck out of the house and got yourself suspended?" she asked
I looked at my feet, I was still ashamed of my actions. Even Auntie Mario has come to know. Mama told her the very day she arrived of my mischief.
They spent hours scooping me ounce after ounce of reprimands. I cried to bed that day.
I really felt like I had murdered someone, and everyone was asking for my blood.
"I didn't mean to make you feel bad or remember that event. But Titi your concern at this stage is your education. Focus on that for now okay. Once you do well in school, others things will follow in due time"
I nodded, and watched as Auntie continued the cooking. That night Baba came home.
He brought lots of goodies for us like always, I heard mama say sometimes that’s it's a bribe to win us over.
I didn't care if he was bribing us or not. As long he came with goodies, I'm fine.
The dinner table was quiet, it’s always like that whenever Baba is around. We ate in silence, drank in silence. Everything is done in silence. I grew up believing Baba doesn't like noise.
Later that night, I was restless and couldn’t sleep. I heard mama and Baba arguing, I don't know what it was about. But most of their conversation echoed money.
Back to school
In a giff, 30 days was over and I was back to school.
My principal made me sign an undertaken of good behavior or face expulsion. I couldn't bear the thoughts of expulsion with SSCE exams close by.
Nana visited me every weekend with notes of the week, so getting up to speed with class work wasn't hard. I wasn't a dull student either. I was above average.
Everyone seemed to have moved on and have something new to talk about. Nana had hinted me a few days back.
The Economics teacher was caught pants down with a student. An SS1 student. Nana whispered the gist to me during recess at the cafeteria.
Everyone literally spoke about it in whispers.
"What happens to him now? Who caught him? What about the girl?" I asked curiously.
"Urgh, nemesis has caught up with that one o, he will definitely be sacked. That's what the girl’s parents want"
"Her parents already know?"
"Yes... You know the principal doesn't joke with involving our parents in everything".
"Ewooo!" I munched my meat pie
Nana dressed closer and whispered in my ears "I heard she's already pregnant"
"Naa-na... Na you o, how sure are you?" I asked laughing
"Very sure, they said her parents took her for test and that was where they found out."
"I pity her" I signed.
"why? She should be lucky it’s not HIV" Nana bluntly said
"What are you girls whispering about?" we heard from behind as we turned.
It was Kunle, Nana's boyfriend with Sadiq.
"Girls talk" Nana quickly said. "Come seat" she offered them the seats opposite us.
"Welcome back Titi" Kunle said as they sat. "...Please try and avoid parties ehn, SSCE exams are approaching..." He teased as we all laughed except of course Sadiq who simply smiled
“I heard the jamb forms are already on sale” Sadiq said, his accent strongly stressing the words
"Yes, heard it too" Nana confirmed
"Have you guys thought of which school you're applying to?" Kunle asked.
"Definitely! My dad wants me to go to Unilag, he wants me to study pharmacy" Nana explained with smiles
"Good for you" Sadiq said
"What about Titi?" Kunle asked
I looked confused, I have not given it a thought. Neither have my parents made any suggestions. Not when Baba isn't around and mama has a lot to worry about. Her business and all.
"Hmm. Not decided" I said
"Decide quick, so you can register early and get a center close by."
"Yes I heard they're short of centers within this region. It means the number of candidates is skyrocketing every year" Sadiq said, his intelligence and knowledge of things was what stood him out.
"God favor us all to get our admissions without delay" he Prayed
"Amen!" we said in unison
"Excuse me" Sadiq said and left us.
Break time was soon over and I waited for the close of school to get home and discuss my registration with mama
"Why didn't you mention it when your father came?" Mama shouted, amidst hisses
"what do you want to do with your life?" She asked
"I want to be an Architect ma" I slowly said
"Arch kini...?"
"You didn't see doctor, nurse, lawyer to do?"
"I can't study Law Mama, I'm a science student"
"Shut up, the rest nko?"
"It Archy I want"
"Well, if that's it I will discuss with Baba Ruka, whatever he says"
"why Baba Ruka?” I asked, I didn't know where the courage came. But I had to know why a man who isn't my father or in any way related to us should have a say concerning my life.
"When your father is not here nko!"
"Can't you call him?"
"Are you talking to me liking that?" mama snapped
"I'm sorry ma"
"See your father is busy, very busy. Baba Ruka is also like a father. It's either him or you wait till day your father finds it fit to come home."
"By the way, take this ewedu take it home prepare it with amala that's our dinner."
"Tell Bayo, to wash that car before I get back, or he will not find it funny with me" She threaten
Baba came home a week after and agreed I put in for Architecture at the University of Ibadan, instead of Baba Ruka's suggestion of Nursing at Unilag.
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