Secrets #Episode 2

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.

The issue of abortion is a story of its own.

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.

Tuesday spontaneous #1

Never be afraid to start something new,
 something positive.

You'll never know the outcome if you fail to try.

Try even when it doesn't make sense
Try even when you see failure at the end
Try even when you've lost hope.

Just make sure you try!

Whatever you want to try may look small and insignificant today, but remember, the seed of a tree, is a micro degree compared to the size of the tree.

Try doing that thing; then give it time, improve on it, and watch it grow into the magnificent thing you've always dreamed.

Have a great day👍🏾

Secrets #Episode 1

What are you hiding?

We all have something we are hiding. I have lots of them and so does the person playing in front of me; across the table, in the next building and even the person sitting right beside me.

we all have secrets!

"I can't help you if you don't talk?" Mama said, I sat beside her peeling melon on the verandah

"Where were you last night?" She asked

"In bed... Sleeping"

"Whose bed?" She looked at me

"Mine, who else?" I shrugged

"Really! So why didn't you open the door when I knocked?"

"You knocked..." I was alarmed "I didn't hear"

"Really?" Mama nodded.

My younger sister, Shikemi, sat few feets away playing with her dolls.

"I banged your door really hard o, Titi"

"I really, didn't hear. I was very tired yesterday"

"I thought so too, but I was scared something else might have happened"

"Ah-ah, why... Nothing happened" I cut in

"Really? Thank God, but something weird happened?"

"Ehn-en, what?" I shivered within

“I got the spare key and entered your room”

“You did?” I rose in shock, turning over the tray of melon shells, uncoated ones and the melon itself to the floor.

"Look what you've done!" Mama shouted

"I'm sorry ma" I curtseyed

 "what's wrong with you ehn? Your body has been shaking since"

"I'm sorry ma" I curtseyed again

"Shikemi, come and help me pick this Melon" I Beckoned on my sister.

"No, leave her alone... You will pick it alone and that's after we are done talking"

My hands became moist with sweat, my forehead beaded with the drops as I shivered within

"Why are you shivering?" Mama asked, looking really calm

"Oya sit down" she instructed.

And I promptly did

"As I was saying.... I got the spare key and entered your room..."

I started to bite my nails. My head sampled thoughts, excuses and alibis. I couldn't just tell mama were I went.  She'd kill me.

"Titi!"

"Ma?" I startled

"Did you hear my question?"

"No ma... I wasn't paying attention"

"Hmm..." Mama chuckled, stamping her right foot

"I will ask you this last tine and you'd better not lie to me. In whose bed did you sleep last night?"

Last night I was in no one’s bed. Jay-jay's birthday was last night. All the girls were going. Nana said Sadiq will be coming too.

Sadiq the most handsome boy in the class and the whole school.

I have always liked Sadiq, he was just too perfect, his nose narrow, with a fair spotless skin. He was every April Flower school girl's dream.

If Sadiq would be there I have to. 

Sadiq never paid attention to me, despite my many efforts to get him. He was always serious in class with his books. A favorite of the teachers. Did I mention he's the top student in SS3?

Since everyone was going. I never thought twice why Sadiq wouldn't. Yes, he was a book worm, so? Every worm has a wee period.

I agreed to meet Nana at the bus stop closest to my house at 9:15pm. So last night, I ate early, did my chores and feigned to be having a headache. 

Mama gave me paracetamol which I chewed as usual to convince her of how much my headache.

Baba was not home, he always comes back late and sometimes not at all.

We were used to not having him around even though mama makes excuses for him that he was very busy with work.

I stuffed a green glittering short gown, I had bought after school in my bag, I put my shoes and make up in. All this mama must not know I have. She wouldn't even let me use lip gloss.

The moment I heard her footstep coming up the stairs and I heard her room door close, I quickly locked my door and left through the back door.

Mama wouldn't know, she usually leaves it open in case Baba comes home late.

The party.

Nana and I arrived 10 minutes past 10pm. 

The music in the hall was very loud and the disco lights gave room for nothing to be seen.

Nana and I walked to the bar and I asked for coke. Nana laughed as the bar man looked at me in awe.

"Nah chapman dey?" He said, his face stern with a deep scar on his forehead that extends to the bridge of his nose

"Give us" Nana said.

I only took one gulp and I knew I had taken something that was neither chapman nor appropriate for my age... I couldn't remember the rest of the events.

I know I managed to get home before dawn and lucky for me it was a weekend mama let me sleep in maybe cause of my supposed headache

"Are you deaf?" Mama rose in anger, as her wrapper loosen.

I started to exhale at intervals, my knees felt weak.

"I... I... I..." I stammered.

"If you don't talk now, I will call Baba Ruka for you".

Baba Ruka was our neighbor, a retired military man. When mama needs someone to discipline myself or my other siblings it was him she called.

 We literally grew up knowing Baba Ruka as a father.

"I... I slept at Nana's place..." I Muttered.

"Nana's place right? Good."

"Why didn't you tell me you would be? Instead of sneaking out" Mama calmed down,

I couldn't believe she bought the story. "How easy was that?" I thought.

"I'm sorry mama, I thought you won't let me, and I wanted a sleep over" I apologized

"So? even if I didn't agree yesterday, I Would have done so another time, instead of sneaking out late at night alone. What if something had happened to you...?"

"I'm sorry ma" I knelt down and apologized.

My mother was a gentle woman, she rarely spanked us. She played more of the good parent than the disciplinarian. 

I wouldn't blame her she was both the father and mother. Actually Baba was not there.

Monday.

"Titi, you this girl? How are you?" Nana greeted as we hugged

"I'm fine, I didn't know you have experience o" She remarked.

"On what?" I looked puzzled

"Don't pretend jor, you're officially the most talked about student in April Flower School. Na you dey reign now" she hailed, I could see students pointing in my direction, some looking disgusted

'What do you mean?" I stamped my feet in eagerness to know

"Don't tell me you don't remember the details of Friday night?"

"I don't... I said I'd ask sef?"

"Ow!" She said in amazement

"Then you don’t need to know anything" she added

"What do you mean...?" I snapped. 

"Tell me?"

She pulled out her phone and showed me something that still puzzled me, up until I was surrounded to the principal's office the following week.

I had gotten drunk from the one drink and I stripped to my skin, dancing on a table while everyone watched and videoed me.

Mama was called to school, she was so embarrassed and disappointed.

 With pleads from mama and Baba Ruka who drove her over, the principal gave me 30days suspension.

To be continued...

TeenWoman

Enjoy your teens

Hello,

   The journey from teenhood to adulthood can be very bumpy.
There are many bundles of decisions to make, mountains of influence to climb or level.

It's a delicate period for us, especially when you are a girl.

 Attention gets drawn to you, the acnes find your face a fertile field for nurturing.

The trends in fashion, tech, academics and media starts to appeal to us.

We really love to be like everyone else, belong to a fad. Be popular!

Well, lemme shock you, its okay to be just you... Don't try to be like Victoria; dress like her, walk like her, talk like her.

Just be you. 

Enjoy your teen years, being you, loving you and appreciating you.

Your teen years is a delicate period, love it, live it, pray through it.

Love, JOO.