Ann2012:
It keeps getting interesting....
Well done OP

Yeah,

how was the weekend?

Elvictor:
the story looks promising, kudos OP

Yeah, thanks man

[quote author=doggedfighter post=93117685][/quote]

Sorry you mentioned me

Tominix:
Deborah98 syluck pabon oyinprince section1000 devilpen c8t8 tornmill doggedfighter your criticism are needed to make me improve

I'm here boss

Khriztarl:
Wow. Who's the other? I hope it isn't patrick though..

No

We chatted as we walked to our departmental classroom block, ECN block. 13 meters away from the department of Philosophy building. The building had just 4 rooms. The first room from the Philosophy department building was likeably the "Economics lab". It had a couple of computers and printers in there. And in rare cases do lectures go on there. Just once I did encounter a lecture going on there. The second room was known as the "Postgraduate room". Classes there were meant for post graduate, master's degree, and PhD. But sometimes, the part-time students had lectures there. The first two rooms were cage-like. That is, it had a burglary iron demarcating them from the remaining two rooms. The remaining two rooms were the normal classroom where the students of Economics had their academic and extracurricular activities.

"Baba, na your ‘next 10 minutes’ be this na" Tomi said, demonstrating as he saw me walk into the class. He was seated amidst two ladies. Hardly before one would find Tomi sitting without a lady close by.

"You dey craze guy, Una don finish the 9:00am presentation?" I asked.

In school, we rarely used English to communicate with one another except during lecture or official hours. We used Nigerian Pidgin. The class was one hell of a noisy place. Faces from different departments and levels sat conversing and having fun because no lecturer was inside or lecture going on. In a group of 5 persons, I saw a fat girl seated on a slim boy. The boy, with a squeezed face that turned into a frown, winced in pain, begged the girl to stand up. The group roared into laughter as I chuckled. I exchanged greetings with the few persons I knew in the classroom before I got to where Tomi was seated with his ‘girls’. The girls were seated backing me.

"No mind that lecturer, him lazy ehhh." Tomi said as we shook hands. He was seated on the table, facing me.

"Hello, ladies," I greeted the two ladies.

"Hi," they replied. From a mere glance at their behind, I knew that they were freshers.

"My name is Kingston, Economics department, 200l" I said, turning to stand closer to Tomi and introducing myself to the first lady, giving out my hand for a hand shake.

"I'm Tonia, Philosophy department,100l" She said with a fake smile that showed her bigger incisor teeth. Her teeth look so like a Vampire's. I turned to the second one. She brought out her hands first.

"I'm Sandra, 100l, Economics department" The other lady said, unperturbed. She had a look that sent cold waves down my spine. I could sense my body vibrating.

The name, I thought, the name. And I remembered. It was the morning dream I had. Damn! The goose bumps became severe. I was right in front of someone I made out with in the dream. The face was unveiling itself, the same hair, the same nose, the double piercing on each ear, the piercing on the nose, the scar below the mouth, the beady eyes. It was exactly the way I saw it in my dream. The strange lady I saw in my dream was staring at me. I felt my soul leaving my body. It was magical. She was still staring at me. Her cologne blessed the extraordinary ambience at that moment.

"Kingston, are you alright?" Tomi said, with a pat on my back, bringing me back to life as I shook my head.

“God de create, omo see beauty! Do you like my girlfriend?” He continued, asking me if I liked Sandra.

"Your girlfriend?" I asked, trying to get my senses back. Tomi has a girlfriend; did he break up with her overnight? I thought.

"Don't mind him, he's joking, I'm not his girlfriend" Sandra said, laughing.

"Tell her the truth, baby. I asked you out a while ago and you accepted," Tomi said, shining his teeths. This time they all laughed.

"Uneghe," someone shouted from the doorpost amidst the noise in class. I was able to pick out the person's voice. Uneghe actually means Igbo. It was what the natives of the State called the Igbos. I knew I wasn't the only Igbo in the class but the voice made me realize that I was the one being called.

"What are you two doing with these two beautiful damsels?" Patrick said walking alongside Daniel. Patrick was as tall as whatever one can imagine, maybe 6'4ft or 6’5ft. With his muscular structure and a round hard face that showed his brownish goatee. He was the tallest in my department and level.

"Patrick Edet Unamikot," I said. Whenever he calls me Uneghe, I would call him by his three names. I wondered how someone's name will be ‘Unamikot’, like why 'Bushmeat'?

"You haven't answered my question," He said as we shook hands. No one answered his question because it was pointless and besides, we never cared. He shook hands with Tomi.

"Tomiwa, the only Yoruba boy with an Ibibio blood" he said in his thick Annag accent. He greeted the ladies too.

"The only Abak iroko tree in this campus" Tomi replied. Patrick was from Abak, a Local Government in Akwa Ibom. Daniel shook hands with Tomi, said hi to the ladies and sat down close to me.

"So, what marginal propensity to consume has been gotten from this gathering so far?" Daniel asked. We all laughed except the Vampire lady and the Cat eyes Sandra.

I watched as they gist about relationships goals. I made little contribution. My mind not exactly in the discussion, I was stealing glances at Sandra, wondering if she knew what was going through my mind. Our eyes interlocked twice, I had to look away twice. Her presence made me feel uncomfortable but I couldn't leave because I just couldn’t. Time checked; 10:25am, the lecturer was nowhere to be found. We had been talking for 20 minutes.

"Please all Economics students 200l should meet outside" was the voice that came from the door. We all turned to see our able and ever zealous Class Representative, Ini-obong Mary Etim.

Kunkiddo:
great work Op. i REALLY LOVE IT

Thanks

Deborah98:
okay that's nice

Hi guys,

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Khriztarl:
Ok, i think i'm liking this freshest king guy.
so Amaka is my birthmate. Wow, interesting.

Lol. It's an interesting piece, Amaka is not your only birth mate in the book. There is another

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate it

Deborah98, I've successfully uploaded it online

Check my signature.

Plaza was always the busiest place in Uyo. It ran from the former First bank area at Oron road, through the First bank area at Aka road, through Qua Iboe church at Abak road, through the popular De choice Mall at Ikot Ekpene road to Uniuyo’s town campus first gate. It was a place filled with different kinds of people, business with different characters and behaviour. I normally won't joke with my phone or gadgets whenever I find myself at Plaza. Always cautious of anybody walking by or close to me. I remember Jerome’s story of his stolen phone. It was a moment we laughed and pitied him.

“Shey, na me una de laugh?” Jerome asked, with a frown on his face.

“No be like that na” Tomi said, amidst his laughter.

“No worry, una phone go follow lost.” Jerome muttered.

“Back to sender,” Daniel thundered. We all laughed.

Plaza was also Notorious at night most times, one would find pickpockets, agberos, touts etc. But it was always business-minded where a lot of products are sold and bought. It was always a refreshment area.

I alighted from the bus by the road side just beside Uniuyo's fence, and gave the driver a 50 Naira note. I walked my way through the crowded area filled with students, non-students, road side sellers, keke drivers, touts etc.

I went in through the university's first gate. My school had 4 campuses. The town campus, which was my departmental campus, the Annex campus which was opposite the town campus and it had Papa's department. The main campus was at Nwaniba road, and the Ediene Abak campus for pre degree students. As usual, everywhere was littered with both the students, hawkers, non-students, and staff of the school walking to and fro, making the day a busy one in school.

"The freshest Kingston,"

I heard my name as I was walking through the tarred road leading to convo park. I turned to see Prophet, waving at me. I had to stop for him to catch up with me.

"How far, guy?" He said in his thick Ibibio accent as he got close enough to me.

"I de o" I’m good, I replied in Pidgin. Prophet was in the department of Political science, and we were that little close during our first year when we did Introduction to Political science together.

“Mkpo abedie?” I asked him how things were for him in Ibibio. I was not really fluent in speaking Ibibio but I heard most of it.

“Idiokor” Not bad, He replied. "These days you're hard to find, where have you been?" He said as we made to walk past the ‘49/50’ building.

“Bros I de na, na you wey no dey find me.” I answered walking as fast as my legs could carry me. It was 9:30am.

“Una no get lecture today?” I asked if there was no class for his department.

“We get o, but na by 10am” He replied.

With a glimpse, I saw few of my course mates standing close to the department of philosophy, and that gave me a clue that the lecturer wasn’t around.

“The King, please help me talk to Grace, I’m dying for that girl” Prophet said as we walked.

I stopped and looked at him.

“Wait, you mean you haven't talked to her?” I asked.

Grace was among the few course mates standing beside the building.

“Haba, this is just January, besides I started dying I mean started having feelings for her last year August.” He clapped back.

He was way shorter than me. Probably 5’2ft or below. Dark skin and has this Ibibio face. “Please just talk to her for me,” He pleaded more.

“And what makes you think that she will agree to talk to you or give out her number just because I did talk to her?” I asked.

“Because she’s your course mate, moreover you are the revered King that Uniuyo girls’ worship. Your lips only can change her mind,” he said, shining his white teeth’s.

I laughed and said “Shey, you de wine me ni”.

“All hail the freshest King!” I heard someone scream. Prophet and I turned to see who it was, behold it was Daniel and his gang who were standing beside the building. They were walking towards us.

“A King with no kingdom!” Daniel hailed me again. He was fond of hailing and mimicking people incessantly with useless titles and names.

“Daniel, How you de?” I asked. I shook hands with him and then with the other three of the males there.

“Helen, how are you?” I asked Helen, giving her a hug. “Grace baby” I teased Grace, I hugged her as well.

“King, you look fresh and sweet” Helen complimented me.

“You don't look bad as well,” I said, with a smile.

“What’s the secret?” Grace asked me, giggling.

“Nothing o, just me and my God” I replied, still smiling.

“The only short prophetical Political scientist” I heard Daniel call Prophet.

“How many times will I tell you to stop calling me that, you won’t hear?” Prophet warned.

"But come to think of it, why would your parents give you such a name?" Grace asked.

I wasn't expecting this. I had to laugh at this not because it was funny to me but because it was coming from someone Prophet was crushing on. I saw the look on his face, he wasn't enjoying it.

"I wonder o" Nsisong, one of the guys said, in his tiny voice amidst the laughter. He was the smallest in our department.

"Guys, I will see you all later," Prophet announced.

He turned and was heading back when Daniel shouted after him "Abeg, No vex o" and we all laughed.

Deborah98, elvictor, Ann2012, khriztal, emex100, fattprince, adeola25, michaellovaldo, aforke27, jomagibs, sheba222, topol99, gunners160, froze6, celestialbeing, pauliben



I just dropped another

peacy26:
interesting story. wow i'm actually familiar with the location. akwa ibom ayaya o

Uyai

Thanks for commenting.

CHAPTER 2


I was out from our black gigantic gate into the street of Ikot Abasi. It was a sunny morning. I was already sweating. I hated the morning sun because it made me sweat unconsciously. Our home, located at 120B Ikot Abasi street off Udo Umana road in Uyo was built by my parents in 2007 a few months before Nne graduated. It was a double celebration for my parents and us too. The house painted in a carton colour and built in a bungalow form, had five rooms, a parlour, dinning, kitchen and bathrooms/toilets. The dining and kitchen were just behind the parlor. The parlor divided the rooms into two halves. The two rooms at the left hand in the first half; the first room which was my parent’s and the other was for my sister's. In their respective rooms they had their own toilet and bathroom. On the other half at the right hand side, had three rooms. The first room was noted as the visitors room. The one in the middle was for my younger brother, then before mine which was the last, there was a toilet and bathroom which I shared with Ebuka. The toilet/bathroom that Ebuka and I shared, had two aluminium doors. One to his room and the other to my room. There was a corridor in each half of the building. The corridor on the right side had the entrance door while the parlor's main door had this iron double door that's always locked except when there was a visitor. The parlor had two other doors apart from the main double door. The door on the right connects to the right corridor, while the one on the left to the left corridor. There was a large sit-out before entering the house.

The interlocked compound was so spacious that it could contain six scantily parked SUV cars in the front and in the backyard, two. Decorated with different types and shapes of flowers, an orange tree in the middle was moulded round with bricks that made it look like a roundabout. There were only three cars parked in the compound. A Mercedes V-boot, a Mercedes SUV 2010 model and a 2012 Toyota Hilux. The Mercedes V-boot was the first car my parents bought. They bought it back then in 2002. The car was still functional but they rarely used it. Papa once gave it out to a man to use as public transportation in order for him to feed his family. The man manhandled the car in the first three month, this got my dad furious and he had to retrieve the car and refurbished it. The SUV was bought in 2012 while the Hilux was bought in 2016. I was able to learn how to drive in 2016, and I had those cars at my disposal but for a good reason. I loved using the Hilux for my flexing mood, but Papa always made it hard because it was his favourite.

"Good morning, ma" I greeted Mama Idongesit as I walked past her akara and bread kiosk.

"Good morning, Akpan" She replied, stirring the akara balls which were on fire. Akpan actually means First son in Ibibio. She called me that anytime she saw me and also because I was always patronising her.

I had to alight the third tricycle popularly known as Keke and told him Plaza, before we could hit the road. The street of Nyong Essien as we passed was one hell of a business zone. Men and women, young and old were all engrossed in the daily struggles. I saw a big truck that had thousands of Lacasera drinks being offloaded by boys of my age and below. They were so happy and excited, engaging with each other as they shouted and laughed with enthusiasm while a river of sweat ran on their body. Shouts and screams from people filled the sunny and stuffy air as they went about their hustle. During the traffic stop at Udo Umana junction before Oron road, there was this insane beggar with this act of rushing to meet someone, he would take his pants down, then show his dirty butts' hole and dangling balls with his flaccid manhood by bending over. This was disgusting and disturbing, but it was fun seeing the way people were scampering for safety and reacting. Although I only looked at the lunatic once, I was just laughing watching people’s reaction.

“I no sabi wetin dey do this Udom government” I heard the keke man complain as he drove into Oron road. “Dem don report this mad man issue give him government but him never still do anything.” the man continued, though I barely heard he was spitting. He stopped me because he couldn't go further based on the instruction from the state that restricted them. I was now running late as it was 9:22am. I had to quickly stop a minibus, hopped in and the bus accelerated towards plaza.

In less than a minute, I found myself in the parlor. A room painted in two colours, a green at the upper half and ivory colour at the lower half. These colours made the parlor glamour and sparkling. It was blessed with assorted furniture and digital equipment. Papa had a great taste for things, he wouldn't joke when it comes to getting the latest in town. He bought the 54 inches TV recently after our 32 inches got spoiled. The desk below the TV had a DSTV decoder, a DVD, and a stereo. The walls welcomed a big family portrait, my parent's wedding portrait, two Air conditioners, a big wall clock and a portrait of my dad and my mom separately. The brown sofas were just three, the three-set sofa and the two double set sofa, plus, we had his reserved cushion chair on his favourite position. A dark tan coffee table at the center with a flower in its vessel on top, Nne’s handiwork. The control remotes would always sit beside the flower vessel on the table. Papa was sitting on his favorite cushion chair going through his phone and I could perceive his strong cologne from where I was standing. I went over to sit in the three set sofa horizontally from where he was.

“Good morning Papa,” I greeted.

“Good morning Ebere,” He greeted back, raising his head to glance at me.

“I didn’t know you wear sanitary pads these days,” He said. He was putting on a brown stylish ‘senator’ with gold cufflinks and a black Italian shoe. At 55, Papa had no glasses on. This got me wondering if at all he read despite writing so many books.

“It's not like that Papa, I was looking for my textbook.” I mumbled. He used that statement on Ebuka and I when we delayed in our room before coming out. He used it when he wanted to tag us ‘ladies’ just because he believes only women waste so much in the room trying to get themselves pretty.

Nne came in at that moment to serve my Papa's breakfast. She had changed from her nightgown to a red blouse. At 48, Nne was still blessed with firm breast, elegant, beautiful and still curvy with her magenta lips. Her full beautiful hair showcasing her astonishing hairline. My sisters and I shared the magenta lips from her while Ebuka had Papa's black lips. Papa told us that her curve was what got his attention before realizing it was more than the curve. He said her beauty and intelligence made him marry her. Nne a 5’3ft tall, chocolate skin with a triangular face just like Ebuka. She was more of a no-nonsense woman, but very lovable than Papa. She owned a unisex boutique at Oron road. A boutique she had been running for 20 years. She graduated from the university in 2007 with BSc in Business Management. I remembered Papa throwing a house party, inviting friends and neighbours for the celebration. According to Nne, her clothing business was enough for her, she wasn't in the mood to work under someone.

“Ugo’m your son now wears sanitary pad,” Papa said to her, as he sipped his tea she gave him. Nne who understood what he meant laughed so loud as she sat close to me.

“Your son woke up so late and he wouldn’t want to go to school today because of a chicken presentation,” she said, having a bite of the bread she gave him. Papa laughed at this. I looked at Nne, and slightly nodded my head and sighed. I wondered why they were using "your son" throughout.

“What time is the presentation?” He asked me.

“9:30.” I answered.

“And you’re still at home?” He inquired, “You don’t need to wait for me, my first lecture is by 10am.” he continued. I stood up, grabbed my cross bag and said.

“Papa, what about the money you kept for me?”

“Well, if that’s your bone of contention today.” He said, dipped his hand into his wallet and brought out 13,000 Naira note and handed it over to me. I needed just 10,000 but I received it with an additional 3k.

“Thanks, Sir,” I said, smiling. “Bye Papa, Bye Nne” I said. And they both responded in unison. One needs to exercise patience with Papa before getting a request done and if the request is done, extra tips would be on it.

"Won't you eat anything before leaving?" Nne asked me.

"No Ma, I'll eat when I get back" I replied. I hardly eat before going for lectures. But would sometimes buy snacks in school when my stomach hurts bad.

“Ebuka!” I heard Nne call on him as I made my way to the exit door.

Deborah98, elvictor, Ann2012, khriztal, emex100, fattprince, adeola25, michaellovaldo, aforke27, jomagibs, sheba222, topol99, gunners160, froze6, celestialbeing, pauliben

"Nna, that girl lied to me consistently, if not for the fact I caught her red handed she will still be lying" I said, putting on my boxer and my blue jean trouser that has the knee part ripped. I broke up with Itoro two months ago. I loved the girl but she broke my heart by lying and cheating. Not that I despised or hated her, just that I didn't like seeing her anymore. People may have said I cheat or I may look like one, but I didn't. I gave Itoro my all but she played me.

"But you told me you were having another affair with someone," He said.

I looked at him, sighed and shook my head. This boy will put me in trouble one day, I thought. "It was a lie," I muttered. I said this when he asked me if I had another girl I’ve been sleeping with just like Tomi.

"Ebi, you look cute and handsome and super classy, you'll make all the uniuyo girls drool over you" He complimented me.

"Thank you, Buka" was all I said. I was dressed in an ash colour t-shirt with an inscription ‘Get healthy’ then had a blue jean jacket over it, a tight blue jean trouser and a white colour balenciaga sneaker with an ash colour sole Nne gave me when I begged for it..

I was wearing my cologne when my phone rang. I checked the caller, I picked it immediately to answer Tomi.

"Ebere, how far, where are you?" Tomi said over the phone.

"I am still in the house, bro," I replied.

"By this time? It's 8:57 bro" He hauled at me.

"I know, and I'll be in school soon," I said.

"Alright, the presentation will start by 9:30," He said, and I heard him speak to whomever he was speaking to over the phone.

“Then why did you tell my mother that the presentation was by 9am?” I asked him, feigning annoyance with my voice.

“That was what Iniobong told me yesterday after she met with the lecturer in his office, but today she is saying the lecturer has rescheduled the time to 9:30am” He defended himself. Initially, I knew the presentation was going to take effect and the time for the class was 9am. But because of the lecturer’s habit of coming late, coupled with the fact that I was in Group D, I decided I would be going late for the event and I was not even the group leader. So I wasn't surprised with what I heard from Tomi about the class rescheduling for 9:30am. And lest I forget, TomI was the assistant class rep.

“Okay bro, I will be there in the next 10 minutes” I said before hanging the call on him.

I went to my bookshelf, took the textbook and notebooks I would be needing for the day’s class. My room was well furnished and equipped with all modern facilities for a normal boy of a middle class family, living with the parents as a student of a higher institution not forgetting the fact of first son privilege. I had my king size bed just below the window situated in the middle of my room and a 4 step drawer closer to it. The German door to my room was at the far left hand side from my bed position. On the wall opposite my bed had my 32 inches TV setup stand which comprises a PES 3 console with a twin gamepad, home theater with speakers standing side by side, and a DVD. At the left hand side just a few meters away from the door was my bookshelf, my reading table. The right flank from my bed had my wardrobe, shoe racks and also my executive loveseat Papa bought for me when I gained admission. Still at the right flank, a few meters from the wardrobe, there was a door that leads to the backyard. My room was really spacious that accommodated the ceiling fan, standing fan and Air Conditioner on the wall, which was painted in an ash colour. On the wall adjacent to my bed was a big poster of Barcelona’s 2015 Champions League players when they won the trophy, closer to it was the poster of my football idol, Lionel Messi. I also had my portrait, the family’s and the wall clock hung on the wall too.

“When are you going back to Owerri?” I asked my brother, putting the books I got from the shelve into my Barcelona cross bag.

“Monday,” He said. He actually came home for the weekend.

“Alright” I mumbled, getting up and ready to leave. “Oya, I’m about to leave,” I said. He looked up with a squeezed face and was about standing when he said “Won’t you close your window blinds and curtain.” I turned back realizing that I did not pull the blue curtain down, pulled it down and dressed my bed properly.

"What are you doing with my phone and why are your legs on top of my shirt" I queried my brother who was on my bed in my room with my phone as I walked inside with my towel tied around my waist.

"Bro chill, I'm just going through your WhatsApp, besides you're not going to put on this shirt now," He said nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow.

"Leave my room now and give me back my phone. I will definitely change my pattern again just because of you," I said reaching for my phone. He was always the reason I had pattern locks all over my social media applications. Not that he didn’t own a phone or something, he was on this notion; ‘Ebi, please how do you sweet chat these girls on WhatsApp and Facebook, teach me please’ Then he would ask for my phone and be going through my chats.

"Ebere, Chai, you’ve washed this girl's head with this line," He would exclaim, laughing hysterically. "Baby, I promise to love you and treat like a golden queen that you are" He would read from my chats and scream "Bro, like how many girls are you telling this particular stuff to?"

"Bia Nwokem, what is it?" I would respond. "It's called strategy. You say this to girls to know which one will give you green light".

"Green light to do what?" He'd ask with a stupid face.

"Ewu, green light to become a reverend sister, Aturu" I’d clap back teasing him.

"Bro, bikonu help your only brother". He'd beg me with a baby face.

"It's now you know how to humble yourself right?". I'd asked him. Then I continued.

"Truth is bro, after breaking up with Itoro, I've not been lucky enough to get another girl, they always reject me"

He would laugh at this.

“Why then do a lot of girls comment on your pictures on Facebook with love emojis?" He’d asked. I’d look at him like he was one toddler that needs spanking or scolding.

Ebuka had the habit of asking stupid questions when it does not matter, and even when it matters, does not have any symbolical meanings. Ebuka was just two years younger than me. An inch shorter, with a triangular face and countable beard sprouting under his chin. He had a muscular body with a bicep and abs at the right places despite not hitting the gym. He had Nne's chocolate skin colour. People said he looked a lot like her, that he was just the male version of Nne. Whereas, I looked so much like Papa, and as the first boy, they said I merited it. Ebuka and I were in the same level in the university but not in the same school. He was a student of Imo State University (IMSU), studying Civil Engineering. He gained admission immediately after he finished secondary school in 2018. While me, I was busy doing the normal big boy thing when I finished secondary school in 2016. Told Papa I wanted to go for computer training which I did and forfeited registering for the JAMB UTME that year. A year later, I sat for the exam but my score wasn't appealing. Had to sit again in 2018 with my brother and luckily for me, I passed with a greater score and was admitted to study Economics alongside Tomi.

Ebuka wasn't really good at talking to girls and wooing them. He was always like a toddler taking the first ever step. I would always tell him countless times to be brave and courageous and have the spirit to woo, but that spirit won't get hold of him.

"If you like, change your phone password, you'll still unlock it when I ask." Ebuka said confidently, getting up from my bed as I got the phone from him.

"No problem, next time come again," I said.

"I saw Itoro this morning when I went out to buy bread," He said, walking to sit on my loveseat. Itoro was my ex, we had been together for 6 months before the breakup.

"And how's that my business?" I replied, applying lotion on my body.

"Ahhh, for someone you brought to this room to get laid with?" He said with his mouth wide open.

"Shut up" I responded. Wondering if he was in the same league with Tomi, hoping I wouldn't regret telling him that story.

"It's been 2 months Ebi, are you still angry that she slept with Edidiong?” Ebi was my home ‘pet’ name. Ebuka did call me that sometimes when he wanted a favour or offended me. I in turn called him "Buka".

Elvictor:
I won't regular in commenting for now, but when it is time you go run... nice work

Thanks bro

Deborah98:
you are a great writer, your expressions are simple,clear and precise,no much frivolities, classic portraying cultural traits, qualities of various ethnic groups in Nigeria,it's a rich book,nice one you have here, keep it up.

Thanks

Deborah98:
wow absolutely beautiful from a composed writer,hey you are beating me in this game ooo,thumbs up dear

My head now is big

Ann2012:


skubido
khriztarl
tominix
enirock
Elvictor
Oyinprince
mhizv
Herbiedeen
Adesina12
xaviercasmir
Oremeyii
Prudysara
Purity23
Emex100

Make una come oooo

I appreciate

Deborah98:
as how

Mention your friends �

My family was a middle class type of family. Papa, a light skin 5’7ft lecturer in the department of Accounting, was a Phd holder and also the Head of Department (H.O.D). He had been earning what a senior lecturer should be earning since God knows when. He was more of a dialogue person than a 'disciplinarian' unlike Nne. He was a jovial, carefree man who sometimes promises but fails. He would fulfill that promise when his wife reminds him. Or sometimes he would fulfil it when the spirit of fulfilment abides in him.

One unique trait about Papa was the fact that he was an extrovert who talked on absolutely everything, be it the bad or the good. He discussed with us on almost everything one would never think of.

I remembered when I was just 13 years old in JSS3, I was watching a movie in the parlor when he came inside with a newspaper in his right hand and a canned malt drink in his left, sat down in his reserved chair, looked at me weirdly, his eyes demanding and said.

“King, what class are you now?” He called me King when he was in a good mood or wanted to ask for a favour.

“Papa, JSS3” I replied.

“How old are you?” he asked, glancing at the newspaper.

“13, but I will be 14 by August,” I said inquisitively.

“So how many girlfriends do you have in school?” He asked. His face with no definite expression.

“None” I murmured.

“Don’t play me, boy, you’re in a mixed school and you don't expect me to believe this.” This time around, his voice was becoming more masculine than before.

Knowing how serious he was, I decided to give him the truth. “I have many girls as my friends but it's only Oluchi I like the most,” I said. He looked at me, took a sip of his malt.

“So this Oluchi, is she in your class and who are her parents?” he asked, humming a song while glancing through at the newspaper he held on both hands.

“Yes she is, her dad is a plumber while her mom owns a provision stall at Akpan Andem market.”

“I never asked you to tell me their occupation, but anyways do you like this girl?"

“Yes I do,” I replied, squeezing my hands. I was now feeling my body temperature rising to its hottest level despite the ceiling fan blazing. I bite my teeth grinding them like they no more matter to me.

I was sure I heard Papa grin as he continued with his interrogation.

“So have you ever kissed her?”.

The question sent cold chills all over my body. I looked at my father and saw him smiling right at me and grinning like he knew the question was going to make me feel uncomfortable. I was just 13 for Christ sake. I knew him to be this straightforward with his question but I never knew him to be terrifying with his looks after asking such questions.

“I only hugged her once, I have not kissed her” I stammered.

“In that case have you kissed anyone?” He asked again.

“No, sir” I replied.

"Ebere," he began, as he dropped his newspaper and looked at me. “I’m not trying to intimidate you with questions that you may think you’re not supposed to know or answer. But this is the 21’st century and things have changed a lot. When I was younger in my university days, I vowed to myself that my kids will know a little on sex education before their 16th birthday. I have done this to your elder sister and now I'm doing the same to you. You’re gradually growing into puberty and adulthood and soon enough you’ll start having feelings for your opposite sex or getting attracted to them. You like Oluchi now, maybe because you feel she’s pretty or maybe because of peer group or maybe because you want to use it to get at someone-”

“I'm not trying to use her to get at anyone,” I said quickly, cutting him.

“Boy, don’t you interrupt me while I’m talking” He said in English with a firm look. “That’s a sign you don’t disrespect your elders,”

He continued, with a smile. “ As I was saying, I can’t tell you not to like Oluchi or to like her. One thing I would want you to know is that you should always be careful. As a boy, it is very okay for you to like a girl or fall in love with any. But it is not okay if you do the following, 1: Breaking or using a girl's vulnerability 2: Using a bait to win a girl over. 3: Forcing yourself on a girl for sexual pleasure.” He said, paused, drank his malt and asked.

“I’m sure you know what breaking a girl’s vulnerability is?”

“Yes”

"What is it?"

"It's like saying, breaking a girl's heart or using her weak point"

“Good, you guys watch a lot of movies these days so I'm not surprised. Back to number three, don’t you ever force yourself on a girl for sex. It is called rape. It will tarnish your image forever. Moreover, it's ungentlemanly for any man or boy to do that, it's evil and a disgrace, erroneous and an unspeakable act. I have not done it before and will never do, you should follow in my footsteps on this. 4: Disrespecting women or seeing them as sex objects. The society has placed women as sex objects therefore making them lesser humans thereby disregarding them or treating them like trash. Don't do it son. It's not nice. Most times the ladies do this to themselves but always be quick to avoid such ladies. As a lecturer, I can tell you that I've encountered countless ladies who make advances at me by dressing provocatively and talking seductively in my office just for grades but I always ignore them because of the respect and love I have for your mom and sisters, and also because it's the right thing to do." He paused and looked at me keenly to see if I was still paying attention. He continued.

"This part is also important, son, when ever you feel you want to have sex with a girl, always use contraceptives. By contraceptives I mean those things a boy or girl puts on before getting laid. Use them till whenever you're married, even when you are, you can still decide to use them. This would help you get free from Sexual Transmitted Diseases; these diseases are dangerous which can lead to the end of your life. And also the contraceptives prevent unwanted pregnancies. Even the contraceptives are not 100% correct. So be wise and all the times have self control. And I don't expect you to start using the contraceptives now, but I'm telling you this in time so you know because it's right that you know."

He ended our twenty minutes conversation with that and then continued with his newspaper. That was the first time I heard the word contraceptives and STDs. I turned around to find Nne at the dinning, I wondered how she got there. Well, that was seven years ago, and the memories are still fresh and have kept me in the right part.

Deborah98, Ann2012 please help me mention your gang.

Deborah98:
wow a beautiful story you have up here, kudos dear the sky is your starting point.

thanks i appreciate.

I was born as the second born and first son of Papa, Dr Sullivan Okechukwu Nwankwo and Nne, Mrs Ifeoma Sulivan Nwankwo. I had one elder sister, Olivia Chiamaka and two younger siblings Raymond Chukwuebuka and Lilian Chimamanda respectively. So in total we were six people that made up Dr, Sullivan’s family. Our extended family consisted of my father’s two brothers and a sister. He was the last child. His parents were no more. Same with Nne. I happened to meet Nne’s mother alive before she died. Nne had two younger brothers and no sister. My cousins were all littered mostly in the Eastern part of Nigeria and we communicate when necessary. I hardly knew them because I didn't frequent the village in the Eastern part of Nigeria.

We hail from Anambra, a beautiful state in Nigeria. And precisely from Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area. So by flesh and blood we were and even now proud Igbo by tribe and Language, this clearly can be elaborated with the Igbo names attached to our English names.

I was born on the 20th of August 2000 in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state. According to Nne, my elder sister was the only one that was given birth to outside Uyo. Amaka was born on the 13th of April 1997 in Awka, the capital of Anambra state.

Nne would tell us that she and Papa got married in Awka when he was just a junior lecturer and after his PhD in 1998, he was transferred to University of Uyo where they all moved before the rest of us came into existence. Ebuka, 14th February, 2002 while Amanda, our last born and the prettiest, was born on 30th September, 2005.

“Ebere, Nne said I should ask you if you are giving birth to quintuplets, it has been five minutes since the shower has been running” I heard my brother, Ebuka shout from my room.

“Ya odika i wero respect!” I said, asking if he doesn't have respect anymore, hating him for disturbing my beautiful thought of the dream I had.

“She said even if you don't want to go to school, you should not waste the water in the house,” He muttered, hitting the aluminum bathroom door in my room.

“If I dare come out from this bathroom, I will skin you alive” I retorted. This time angry at him for banging the door.

“Mr skin-me-alive, you better hurry up before Papa leaves, you know he does things,” He said.

“Okay,” I simply said and began cleaning my body with my green with whites striped towel.

Dedicated to Deborah98 for being my first commenter despite no actual post.

CHAPTER 1

THAT FRIDAY!

A voice echoed in my room. Distant but suddenly closer. A name was being called upon. The name sounded familiar like it was mine. But I was uncertain. The voice echoed again banging through the four walls. Then I was certain I heard a name. It wasn't a name that sounded familiar anymore. It was my name. I couldn’t understand why my name was being called. The voice sounded so soft but hoarse. Whoever was the caller was nowhere a reputable person at that moment. The owner of the voice must be an aggressive person with no fear of God as Nne would say.

“Wake up now! It's 8:30am and you’re still on your bed.” I heard the person scream.

The voice was now clearer. Nne. But why would she be screaming my name? Did I offend anyone and even if I did, how did she barge into my room without knocking. Wait, I thought I locked my room before sleeping the previous night? I didn’t. I was caught up with the movie I was so engrossed with before sleeping off. And again, why would she be waking me up now when I’m having a beautiful dream? Just why? Just when I’m having a good time with her in my dream world. Gosh! Nne, why?, I thought amidst my drowsy mood.

“Bia, Ebere if you don't wake up now, I’ll ask your junior brother to fetch me cold water and I'll use it to decorate you and your bed this moment,” She said, giving me a spank on my butt.

“Arghh.” I cried, turning around to face Nne who stood akimbo in her purple pyjamas gown and a green wrapper tied around her waist. She had this weird face. “The spank wasn't necessary, Ma” I muttered, with a frown on my face.

“It’s like you are suddenly running insane,” she said. All this while we were using Igbo.

Yes. We used Igbo to communicate. We were raised by our parents in Igbo language. Papa would always complain about parents who use English on their children at home instead of their native languages. He believes that all kids will surely learn English language in school, because of peer groups and the teaching, not at home. We hardly used English, but we still used it.

“Is it me that you’re squeezing your face for?" She asked.

“Mba, Nne.” I quickly replied, not wanting it to escalate to another level of discussion.

“It’s 8:31am now and I don't know why you’re still on your bed. And again, today is Friday, I don’t remember you guys having a break or something, besides Tomi told me yesterday that you guys will be having a presentation by 9:am today” She said, with a stern look after glancing at the wall clock in my room.

Tomi! That boy. How did I come to know that boy in this life? I thought. It was the third time in a week he was snitching on me saying things I don't want him to even though I never obliged him not to. He couldn't just control his mouth.

He had been my childhood friend and my age mate. We were best of friends. We had been in the same nursery school, secondary school and the university level. Interestingly, we were in the same department in the university. He was a dark skin 5’7ft tall with a round face that had a poorly natured goatee. He had these curious eyes that made one wonder if he was actually satisfied with life. He had this slim athletic body with a flat tummy. One would think it was an actual abs. No, it was just hungry six packs. He was the only son of five children. His father was of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria and from Ibadan state but his mother was an Ibibio lady from Akwa Ibom state still in Nigeria.

“That boy never keeps his mouth shut,” I whispered audibly while taking the coverlet off my body.

“That’s your own business” She said while leaving my room. “Don't forget to get the money from your father,” she added before closing the door.

Which money? I thought, oh! The money I asked him to give me some weeks ago to get a new Beatz headphone. Yippee! I screamed inaudibly. That man has finally come to his senses. I thought. Not that he was insane or something, just that he made promises but fails to keep it until he's being reminded.

My name is Kingston Chidiebere Nwankwo. 5'9ft tall, light skinned with a beautiful dentition. I had a perfect body with hairs on my chest and tummy. My tummy bulges anytime I eat or drink and stays flat whenever I don't eat or drink. My long athletic legs and laps were so blessed with hairs that looked like furs. I was as well called a 'bush man' sometimes because of the amount of hairs I had on my body. I had this squared face with a moustache and beard. I often get mistaken for someone in their mid and late 20's because of my beard. I had a magenta lips that got most girls jealous and above all I was good looking with a low cut hairstyle and hairline that's great thanks to Nne's wonderful hairline.

PS; There are tones of Igbo, Nigerian Pidgin and a bit of Ibibio I used, I tried so much to subtitle them into English and I did. But when you come across those that are not subtitled and you don't understand, please get a person to translate them for you. Thank you.

Also my Igbo and Ibibio writing skills are not perfect, so please be lenient.


With that said, I hope you enjoy this of work.

Deborah98:
alright,am a writer too

Wow. I guess I'll be expecting enough criticism from you :