CHAPTER EIGHT continued

They had a short sleep that morning and woke up at 4 a.m to boil the rice and slice the vegetables for the salad; by 6 a.m, they had taken their bath and Aunt Gloria dished food for the neighbours in big stainless bowls, the girls carried the bowls in trays and took it to each neighbour’s house, each tray had a huge bowl of rice and salad with two big pieces of chicken and a plate of chin-chin. The neighbours also brought their Christmas niceties to them, some brought similar food but others brought moi-moi, cous-cous or just chunks of fried meat and pieces of cakes.

Aunt Gloria and the girls stocked themselves with different varieties of food in small portions. They ate hurriedly because they had to go to church for Christmas service. Isaac was only given a little rice and meat with a little chin-chin to eat. His eyes roamed all over the food in the kitchen but he accepted what he was given. It was Jane’s idea not to stock his belly with too much food so that he would be able to eat more when they came back from service or when they visited some other family.

At church, the pastor’s message was centred on the significance of Christ’s coming to earth. He stated that Christmas was not just about food and drink and scolded those who shortened Christmas to X-mas, he called those who did that people lacking the knowledge of God. The choir gave a lovely rendition of Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful. The service ended early and the congregation dispersed, some individuals gave out monetary gifts to the little children. Isaac received money amounting to a thousand naira from individuals who saw him, smiled and said “Merry Christmas” while putting hands in their pockets or purses.

Aunt Gloria returned home but ordered the girls to visit Jane’s mother and any other relative they wished to visit. The girls winked at each other and smiled. Aunt Gloria removed some money and gave to each girl, they curtsied and thanked her. “Come back at 5 p.m, I don’t want all that food in the house to waste.” She warned.

The girls along with Isaac visited Jane’s mother, she received them warmly and served them awara, a snack made with soy beans, along with orange juice. She questioned Jane about her stay in Abuja and made a remark about Jane preferring to be with other relatives than with her, Jane took it as a joke. Isaac was handed a brown brand new toy car as his Christmas gift. The girls were given N500 each. They left after a short while.

“Where are we headed?” Rachel asked the other two when they were at Bright Way junction.

“Let us go to Silverbird.” Jane quickly said.

“Are you serious? Let us go to someplace we adults can have fun as well.” Esther quipped.

“The zoo will be crowded, maybe we can risk going to Wild Life Park.” Esther said thoughtfully.

They argued for a while on where to go, later they decided to go AIT station where a family Christmas show was being organized. They took a tricycle and got there. The place was packed full when they arrived but there was space to roam and they had a thrilling experience. There were rides stationed in several places and games to play. Isaac had a swell time and they took lots of pictures with him. Esther insisted he had to see Father Christmas even though Jane was against it, she was upset that they had to pay N500 for Isaac to see him. In the end Isaac went to see him and got scared, he burst out crying and called for his mum, the Father Christmas handed him a cheap toy phone as he was being taken away. Jane could not hide her anger. Esther had to buy them popcorn to appease Jane but she was still brewing over the waste of money.

They joined the adults dance competition and Rachel won, she was given N2000 worth of recharge card. Later they separated as the sisters found different game stations where they could each play. Jane was not interested in the games so sat listening to the jokes by a comedian together with Isaac. The pink gown she wore was reaching up to her knees and she wore black cover shoes. Isaac was dressed in a white polo shirt and red jean trouser; he wore a small Christmas hat and black sunshades. Jane had spent N4000 for this Christmas clothe, but she considered it little because she knew it Christmas dresses for children usually cost a lot. Rahila had given her N10,000 before she had travelled and Lancelot had handed her N5000 as he had dropped her at the park.

“Get your son a nice pair of shoes with this.” He had said when he handed over the money to her.

Jane used the money to buy him a pair of black shoes and some vests and pants. She was certain her future was secured if she could keep on staying with Lancelot and her cousin; they were so nice to her. She was ready to be as hardworking as ever just so she could gain admission into the higher institution, which was the most important thing she needed to accomplish. She could not keep on being in her cousin’s house, eating their food and collecting allowance, she had to secure her own future. A university degree was all she needed to do that. With a degree, she would get a high paying job, rent a house, furnish it, put her son in an expensive school and give him the best in life. As for marriage, she guessed it would come after she had secured her future; she did not want to end up with a man who would not give her the liberty of finishing university or working. She knew from experience how a man could truncate a woman’s dreams, she could not afford to let it happen. She had been foolish once, but she would not be foolish again. She had let her ex sweep her off her senses, she thought now about how stupid she had been. It was a thought that came occasionally, her mistake was one she could not just simply forget. Where had she been wrong? Her mother had given her the best training a mother could give a daughter and had given her awareness about the dangers of premarital sex. Yet she had fallen so cheaply for a guy who had nothing to offer her whatsoever. She would have to live with the scar of her mistake; Isaac will always remind her of what a fool she had been.

But what if she fell in love with someone else before she graduated? She thought in fear, would she let herself be swayed one more time? Once bitten, twice shy, she remembered the adage. But who could see the future and know what lied ahead? She prayed she would never fall victim for any other man again. Her cousins, Esther and Rachel could afford to keep boyfriends at their level and go free, maybe because they were cleverer in matters of relationships and knew how to avoid problems that came with premarital sex, but Jane figured she would not be lucky as they were, it was best to avoid relationships totally.

Bed undefiled, the term was always used by her aunt. She bragged about not having any other boyfriend apart from her late husband and being a virgin till she had gotten married. Sometimes Jane felt it was being said to castigate her, she soon found out that her aunt hammered on the term to rebuke her daughters who saw nothing wrong in jumping from one relationship to another all in the name of being in love. Aunt Gloria told them they were killing their future marriages slowly; what did they need many relationships for? She knew they engaged in illicit sex with their so called boyfriends and warned them ahead that she would not tolerate any of them getting pregnant out of wedlock. Jane had been naive, that was why she had accepted her back after she came to her senses, she always claimed, but she would not condone any of them bringing an unwanted pregnancy home, Aunt Gloria always stated.

Esther and Rachel heard their mum when she made her statements and threatened, but they never stopped their frivolous dates and escapades. They did their best to conceal them so their mum would not get to know, but Aunt Gloria always found out who they were dating and what next they were planning. She was like a witch, monitoring her victims and finding out details about them so she could strike. The girls always wondered how she found out things they did, Jane knew mothers had a special sixth sense that alerted them about the going on in their children’s lives.

“Jane Dung!” a voice brought her back to the present. It was Saratu, a former school mate of hers. She was wearing a white blouse with a blue jean trouser. Her hair was permed and the curls were arranged in the centre of the hair.

Jane turned to look at her, her eyes brightened as she recognized who it was. They both exchanged a moment’s hug and stood apart to observe how much each person had changed. Saratu’s eyes quickly went to Isaac who was clinging to his mother’s gown and behaving as if he was protecting his mother from being kidnapped.

“Long time,” Saratu was saying, “I asked Planang about you on Facebook but all she said was that you were in Abuja with your sister. How have you been, wow is this your son? The one you had with... my, he looks really big.”

Jane was flushed. She hated herself for being seen with her son by an old mate, it was bad enough that her relationship with Pamshak was public news, but having his son as a witness was embarrassing. She wished Saratu had seen her when she was not with Isaac so she would not have to answer any questions. “He’s three now.” Jane managed to say, “How’s studies going?”

Saratu beamed, “Studies is fine, I am in three hundred level now at Benue State University, studying Physics. It is amazing right, the both of us used to struggle to get A’s in Science subjects, I remember how we used to get awards during every Speech and Prize Giving day, those good times.”

“You still remember, nice of you. You are studying Physics, that is nice. Knock ‘em dead.”

Saratu laughed and used her left hand to cover her mouth. Her silver watch flashed before Jane’s eyes and she was reminded of the cheap watches Pamshak made her wear.

“What about you? Are you in the uni now?” Saratu asked with seriousness all over her.

Jane felt dizzy now, she was afraid this question would come as soon as she recognized Saratu. “Oh that,” she found herself saying, “I applied for Medicine in UniAbuja last year but they gave me Microbiology, this year was the same thing, I decided to wait till next year and see what luck will bring.” She looked at Saratu hoping she sounded convincing. Saratu looked doubtful but did not persist. She gave Jane one last hug, patted Isaac on the head and left after collecting Jane’s number promising to call.

Jane rolled her eyes and sank into the chair after Saratu left. She had dreaded this day, dreaded the time she will have to met any of her old classmates and hear them talk about their progress academically or worse hear them ask about her son and her own education. It was part of the reason she did not sign up for Facebook, she hated the fact that she had to lie to Saratu about having applied for admission before. O Jane, you must go to this university or simply die.

Godmother:
This story is awesome and I also love the fact that the updates are frequent. Shalomdee doesn't leave her readers dying of suspense while we wait. Thumps up, Op

Phew, for once someone is commending me for frequency in updates, thank you my sister

Shalomdee:


Phew, for once someone is commending me for frequency in updates, thank you my sister

I should commend you as I know how difficult it can be mixing your writing with your regular work and daytime activities.

My poor jane

Well done shalomdee, Jane's ex must get her back or die, Jane must go to the University or die, OK na, we are waiting to see what uncle Lancelot will do when Pamshak comes for Jane.

CHAPTER EIGHT

11th January 2014

My sweetest Diary, how are you doing? My day has been great, so sorry I did not write an entry for two weeks now, that is because I forgot to carry you along when I travelled to Jos for the holiday. But I am back to Abuja now and back to my huge room. Christmas and New Year were awesome, I had real fun, especially as I was with my boy, Isaac. The bad part was when I was to travel back yesterday, I felt so sad and he was so unhappy, he cried a lot when he saw me climb a motorcycle with my bag; this time around, Aunt Gloria did not trick him into going to carry his shoe, you should have seen the way he struggled to get on that motorcycle with me, I felt really sorry for him. I just hope the toys I bought for him before leaving will console him. I know, my presence matters more than toys, but in the absence of his real mother to make him happy, he will have something to play with.

He has grown much more intelligent. He can recite all the Alphabet, count up to 15, sing more rhymes and tell primary colours. I did not go to see his school, but Aunt Gloria assured me it was a very good school, well, not as good as Funtash, but they have good teachers and pay attention to their students. I think Isaac is artistic, he has that interest in drawing and colouring, he may grow up to become an architect, not a roadside artist I hope, because in this country painters hardly make money except those who are really good and have proper connections. I am sure he will be alright, and it is nice to know he has something he can get to become very good at.

I am glad he answers Dung as his surname in school, I cannot imagine him answering his father’s name. He already reminds me of Pamshak so much because he has some of his looks. I do not need any other thing to remind me of his father. When he grows older, maybe to the age of 10, I may tell him the name of his dad and tell him why we cannot be together. I know he will understand. Besides, I know I will get married to a wonderful man who will take Isaac as his own son, which will be one of the qualifications I will consider in accepting any marriage proposal. I would not want to marry a man who will see my son as an outcast or treat him badly. Before I accept any man I will scrutinise him carefully, I cannot afford to suffer twice in a man’s hands.

Enough about Isaac, I am back now to Abuja. Tarah! This is the year I get to write JAMB. People say the forms will be out in April. I have to study really hard, I will cut down my T.V viewing and concentrate on the subjects I will be writing in my JAMB. I know I will come out with nothing less than 200 in my exam scores, admission will not be a problem for me. My dreams are slowly coming to the brink of being fulfilled.

This will be all for today, I have to get my chores done. I will see you tomorrow. Ciao.

**********************************************************************************************************

Rahila and Jane trudged slowly on the marbled floor of the centre. The floor had been polished and the walls were towering and intimidating. The place looked like a hospital with its serenity and tidiness. They located JAMB class on the right side of the building and looked inside. A teacher dressed in trousers and suspenders was facing the white board scribbling some equations, he wore glasses and his mere look reminded Rahila of Teacher Chike, an old character of a drama series long ago. The young students focused on the teacher but there were some in the class who were distracted by their phones or looking out the window. Some of them now faced Jane and Rahila and batted curious eyelashes at them.

Rahila cleared her throat to get the teacher’s attention. He swung his eyes towards their direction and observed them for some seconds before going up to them. Jane gasped in shock; the object of their attention was none other than Mr Dayo who she had met in the bus from Jos the first day she had come to Abuja. His face could not be mistaken and as he got closer, Jane could almost perceive the garlic smell that had overpowered him that day. He looked at her in an offhand way as if he did not recognize who she was.

“Good morning Sir,” Rahila said to him flashing her teeth timidly, she began to narrate the reason they had come. Jane had just been enrolled into Success Extra Mural Centre, the proprietor had directed them to come to this particular class. She produced the receipt of the fees and the I.D card Jane was given, Mr Dayo was silently paid attention to her.

He nodded after he looked at the I.D card before him and motioned a space for Jane to sit, Jane took one look in the class and became nervous. She felt butterflies in her stomach and was almost swooning. Rahila hugged her momentarily and gave her back a pat.

“Take care, come back when you are through, no loitering.” Rahila said to her and left.

Mr Dayo gave Jane a casual squint and went back to his scribbling. Jane entered the class gingerly and sat on the desk where another student sat. She could feel the whole class looking at her and her stomach contracted. Mr Dayo had finished his writing and started explaining, Jane took out her exercise note to jot down what was on the board. The boy sitting next to her handed his own note to her, “You can copy from here so you don’t get confused.”

Jane looked him in the eye and smiled, accepting the note graciously.

VETSURGEON123, Kimkardashain, bossy512, EvaJael, kesterkendra, royalty18, babyface224, crislyn, queenitee, rayvelez, holuwanoisy123, Ayoomolabake, hormobolanle, Kayzybaba, abefe99, mhizgap, Ifecoded, talk2saintify, elyna, Godmother and joiful and other followers I have updated, please come

Tank U

Shalomdee:
VETSURGEON123, Kimkardashain, bossy512, EvaJael, kesterkendra, royalty18, babyface224, crislyn, queenitee, rayvelez, holuwanoisy123, Ayoomolabake, hormobolanle, Kayzybaba, abefe99, mhizgap, Ifecoded, talk2saintify, elyna, Godmother and joiful and other followers I have updated, please come

Me is here. Still praying silently for Jane. Thanks sweetheart

All dem does tutorial guys go won dy do Caring caring
but wait Shalomdee do u kn any tutorial by d name SUCCESS EXTRA MURAL CENTRE? once went to dat tutorial
now panshang#hope I got d spelling kn aw Jane mean to him? he is not serious
dy do say NOT UNTIL U LOOSE WAT U HAVE U WONT KN IT VALUE
well tanks for d update NYC work
singing........ I will Folo till d end I will read o till d end

Thanks for the update. Amen to Jane's heart desires

Shalomdee:
VETSURGEON123, Kimkardashain, bossy512, EvaJael, kesterkendra, royalty18, babyface224, crislyn, queenitee, rayvelez, holuwanoisy123, Ayoomolabake, hormobolanle, Kayzybaba, abefe99, mhizgap, Ifecoded, talk2saintify, elyna, Godmother and joiful and other followers I have updated, please come

am scared for jane oh.

Pamshak! After promising heaven and earth for Jane. He still treated her like trash. But Jane should have used her head nah, i guess may be she was young and naive then but now she is wise(i hope)
uncle Lancelot should please lock up his feelings jawe. Rahila wee not want to hear that her husband is in love with Jane! It will be disastrous. He should just bury his feelings for Jane. For his own good. All this tutorial 'samaritans' *yinmu* na there dem dey concentrate. Book dem no know. I trust Jane she won't make the same mistake again. Now i know that it is better to put your senses in your right hand and your feelings in your left hand, to avoid stories that touch.

Another wonderful piece. Weldone, Shalomdee.

Shalomdee:
VETSURGEON123, Kimkardashain, bossy512, EvaJael, kesterkendra, royalty18, babyface224, crislyn, queenitee, rayvelez, holuwanoisy123, Ayoomolabake, hormobolanle, Kayzybaba, abefe99, mhizgap, Ifecoded, talk2saintify, elyna, Godmother and joiful and other followers I have updated, please come

Am here oo!! Am so sorry for not commenting all Dis while... exceptional work...more updates pls, keep 'em coming..

interesting and fascinating

I have a strong feeling Jane will fall for Rahila's husband.... But I wonder why Rahila can't cook... I learnt how to cook mostly online..

Following

Hi guys, please I will be involved in a writing competition for the next one week and I have a big project I am working on, I may not be able to post as before. Bear with me, as soon as I have ample time I will update and mention all you guys. Thanks for your understanding.

Shalomdee

Shalomdee:
Hi guys, please I will be involved in a writing competition for the next one week and I have a big project I am working on, I may not be able to post as before. Bear with me, as soon as I have ample time I will update and mention all you guys. Thanks for your understanding.

Shalomdee

Wish you best in the competition, don't hesitate to notify us if there be need for voting.

Shalomdee:
Hi guys, please I will be involved in a writing competition for the next one week and I have a big project I am working on, I may not be able to post as before. Bear with me, as soon as I have ample time I will update and mention all you guys. Thanks for your understanding.

Shalomdee

. Best of luck sister

Shalomdee:
Hi guys, please I will be involved in a writing competition for the next one week and I have a big project I am working on, I may not be able to post as before. Bear with me, as soon as I have ample time I will update and mention all you guys. Thanks for your understanding.

Shalomdee

All the best shalomdee

Shalomdee:
Hi guys, please I will be involved in a writing competition for the next one week and I have a big project I am working on, I may not be able to post as before. Bear with me, as soon as I have ample time I will update and mention all you guys. Thanks for your understanding.

Shalomdee

Success ma'am. Break a leg

No wahala.....all the best...ure really good

Hmmmm....... Nice piece..... Go and bring the trophy � Ehn...

GOODLUCK

U got a nice story going miss shalomdee and to be honest I'm captivated. Really looking forward to ur next update. Success in ur competition.

P.S: pls mention me when next u update let me continue

Shalomdee love, I'm back

Nice work shalom.
I feel amazed each time I come across great articulated and well composed literary works.
Thanks for beaming the light.
Shine on.

Shalomdee abeg i take God beg you, im even kneeling down please update this story please. *crying*

But wait o, shalomdee what's Popping? What's wrong? No updates

I dedicate this piece to everyone following the story, thanks for your patience: ravelez EvaJael Ayoomolabake holuwanoisy111 Lilyjoe567 queenitee Akinwale14 mhizgap hormobolanle Chumzypinky Ifecoded talk2saintify MhizDerbee Kayzybaba anambraamaka abefe99 Hadampson WHOcarex Nathblessing Pearl105 VETSURGEON123 yewande1234 Kimardashain bossy512 kesterkendra royalty18 babyface224 crislyn Psalmwhyte Toyin223 VeeGeeCee Godmother Odufanabasa Loboski bossy512 joiful Misselocon AyarmBoye FreshestManny Labrey95

CHAPTER EIGHT continued

During the interval they waited for their next class, they went outside to catch some air. Jane was leaning on one of the pillars outside the building reading the past notes she had missed. A boy close to her was playing Hello by Rihanna, the sound reverberated the walls of the building. Students gathered in twos or threes talking in high pitched voices, their laughter ringing in the air.

“How far have you gone?” Chukwudi asked popping his head to where she could see him.

Jane took notice now of his fair complexion and how his oblong head was clean shaven. She gave him a weak smile and looked back into the notebook. “Almost in today’s lectures. I cannot copy everything in this note, you guys have gone far. I will jot down the topics and read the textbooks in my house.”

“I’ll help you copy the notes, I know you need them. Some things in the note may not be in the textbooks, I don’t leave any single information when I want to study. I combine my past notes in school and present notes.” He bragged.

“Oh, thanks a lot. I was wondering how I was going to copy all of this. You seem to be very studious.”

“I beg your pardon.” He lifted his ears up.

“I said you seem very studious, that is eager to study.” Jane said.

Chukwudi nodded his head vigorously, “Oh yes, yes, very studious. Ever since I failed my JAMB for the fourth time, I made up my mind not to fail again.”

Jane’s mouth dropped. “You mean you will be attempting JAMB for the fifth time now? That’s serious.”

He laughed. “Some people have written seven times, ten times, even eleven times.”

Jane shook her head. She pitied all the students who had to write the exam repeatedly. She knew it was going to be a walk over for her.

“You[i] nko[/i], how many times?” Chukwudi asked.

“This will be my first and last time.” She said proudly.

He laughed. “Except if you are extremely intelligent.” He gave her a doubtful look.

“I don’t think JAMB is any harder than WAEC or NECO which I passed with many distinctions, besides, my cousin and her husband, who are both health practitioners, have been helping me prepare. I have answered past JAMB questions on my own, I don’t see what is hard in them that makes people fail.” She bragged.

Chukwudi shrugged his shoulders, exactly what he had said in his first attempt. He would allow her be and experience it on her own. “We don’t even know each other’s name; my name is Chukwudi, friends call me Chuks. What’s yours?”

“My name is Jane.”

“Jane or Janet?”

Jane gave him a hesitant look.

“Never mind, nice to meet you Jane.”

A lecturer entered the class with a handful of books and they followed him inside immediately.

The next day was Tuesday. A lecturer had just left the class and the students had dispersed to stretch their legs. Jane remained in the class and tried to go through what had been taught. A young boy of about seventeen came and stood in front of her.

“Are you Jane?” He asked.

“Yes. What is it?”

“Mr Dayo asked me to call you.” The young boy said and waited for her reaction.

Jane scowled. She looked from her book to the boy. “Where is he?”

“Just follow me, I will lead you to where he is.” The boy turned and started going.
Jane closed her book hurriedly and followed the boy. She was aware sooner or later Mr Dayo would send for her. She cursed the day she had met him in the bus. What did he want from her? She was sure he was going to reprimand her for not calling after having collected his number. She sketched answers she was going to give him quickly. This would be quick, she thought. However when she saw him sitting upright in his chair looking through a file, all she had planned to say escaped her memory and she became confused.

“You deceived me.” Mr Dayo said not looking at her when she arrived with the boy.

Jane and the boy exchanged a moment’s glare as he excused himself and left her with the lecturer.

“Good morning Mr Dayo.”Jane said in her most innocent voice. She hoped that if she appeared cool and innocent, Mr Dayo would dismiss her quickly.

He looked up at her from his desk. “If it hadn’t been for providence which brought you right in the extra mural centre I was teaching, you would probably have gotten away with what you did to me.”

Jane wore a quizzical look. What is this one saying now?

He continued, “When I saw you in that bus, I picked interest in you, not because of any hidden motive but because you appeared serious and I wanted to encourage you.”

Jane snorted. I’ve heard that one before.

“But apparently, you took it to mean another thing entirely.” He waved his hand in the air. “What do you mean by collecting my number and promising to call when you know you wouldn’t?” He fixed his stare on her.

“I don’t understand Sir.” Actually she did.

“Really,” he lowered his gaze. “What did I do that day that scared you off?”

You had garlic breath.

“Won’t you tell me? Nemesis has caught up with you.” He said slowly for the words to sink.

“Excuse me?” Jane looked at him.

“You heard me.”

“Just because I collected your number and did not call does not mean I did anything wrong for nemesis to find me. Please learn the correct way of using cliché’s, if at all you must use them. My parents did not bring me up to give strangers my number, that’s why I collected yours instead and I did not call because calling you meant the same thing. I did not know if you were a 419, a ritualist or even a rapist looking for a prey; you could have been anyone, so how could I just start calling you? I did not know what you wanted but I was sure it was not worth my time. If you want to be angry about that it is your choice but then you should not bring it out now in school just because you happen to be a lecturer. We are not in Secondary school you know?” Jane said in one breath.

Mr Dayo looked at her in surprise.