I decided that I hated my new school. A week had gone by and it had been nothing but rumors and side talks against me. Benedict–our school's resident barbie– had apparently added me to her list of enemies. Not to mention that snarky receptionist that had managed to make other teachers to suspect me. It was too much for a first week. I confided in IK over an hour long call and he was glad that I stood my ground from the first day. "That will make them know you're not messing around with them," That was a valid point. IK was also elated when he found out that I had an iPhone 14.
"You're digging gold my girl! You're chopping life!"
He had exclaimed and I'd only laughed at him.
On the other hand, my mother's husband, Senator Ireti had returned from his mysterious trip. He was delighted to see me; more delighted than my mother, dare I say. He gave me a warm hug and smiled at me. He behaved alot like Tope.
It made me wonder why Tiwa was so bitter.
"It's so good to see you here my darling! Welcome! Make yourself feel at home, mm?"
He said and I smiled politely. I was awkward in matters like this.
I'll give it to him; he was a nice man, but I was just awkward in matters like this.
On Saturday afternoon, I was on my bed trying to study for Jamb that was in a few months, until there was a knock on my door. I responded affirmatively and my mother walked in with a gentle smile.
"Good afternoon mummy." I greeted and arranged my books in a neat pile.
"Good afternoon love," she responded. "I see you're reading?" She asked, after she glanced briefly at my books and I nodded.
It was only then that I noticed the bag in her hand.
"So, I and your father are going to a friend's engagement dinner this night and we want you to tag along. So here is your outfit for the night. The make up artist will be here by 6pm sharp and we're leaving by 8;00pm. Do you think you can meet up with the time?" My mother asked.
"Yes I'll meet up. It's just 4;33."
She smiled at my response and gently placed the items on the bed with me.
"Alright then darling, I'll leave you to get ready."
She stood up and left the room and I stared at the door wistfully.
Sighing, I drew the little bag close to me and brought out the items in it. Inside the bag was a handless dark blue long gown that had a splitting and crystals on the cleavage. There was a silver purse and silver shoes to go with it. I liked them but I couldn't help but wonder if we would ever have an emotional connection.
"If she wanted to shower me with monetary gifts, why didn't she just leave me with mumsi?" I muttered as I stood up from my bed. "This is love bombing." I grumbled.
My door swung open and I snapped my neck at the sight of–
"Tope, you mannerless ingrate!" I exclaimed.
"Ah, what did I do?" He asked cluelessly.
"You don't know how to knock?" I asked him and he threw his head back in laughter.
"Is that why you're frowning?" He asked teasingly as he dominated my bed.
"You're seriously getting on my nerves…" I mumbled and he laughed harder.
"I'll still get on your last. Ah, you've started reading," Tope observed.
"You probably think Jamb is a joke," I remarked my eyes glued to my phone.
"I refuse to be defined by a toxic education system." He bragged.
"Goodluck becoming a doctor," I said to him.
"Please!" He responded and we both burst out laughing.
After our laughter died down, I stared at him in wonder.
"But wait oh, what are you doing in my room?"
I asked him and he smirked.
"I came to ensure you there's no boy in here."
He replied smugly.
I eyed him warily. "As what, my bodyguard?"
"As your older brother!"
I hissed at him and rolled my eyes.
"Please, excuse me as i get ready for the party,"
I said to him. It was a struggle but eventually, I got him out of my room.
I eventually started dressing for the party, there was really no excitement in me. I came here in hopes of bonding with my mother and catching up on lost time, but I've had money thrown in my face all along!
"Does she think I am money hungry?" I mumbled as I tried my dress on in anger.
She doesn't even care to ask what I want to study, who I actually am, what I like, nothing!
It made me wonder why she wanted me back so bad, when she wasn't going to make any effort to even know who I am. Or perhaps she imagined I was barely surviving without her, and she thought it would be best to come to my rescue.
Or maybe she felt guilty, and her guilt was eating her up, so she did this to clear her conscience.
Alot of things didn't even add up. Questions like who was my dad? And what happened to the rest of his family members? Danced around my mind uninvited. My mood turned sour as my questions made me feel uneasy and unwelcome. What was my mother's true intention of showing up and stealing me from the only world I knew? And why would she take me away from Mumsi when she wasn't ready to be my mother after many years of neglect?
Or does she think being a mother is all about money?
In my silent battle, I bumped into someone absent mindedly, spilling my wine all over the person.
First hand embarrassment slapped me in the face and I felt like disappering right then and there. But of course, I couldn't do that, so I had to choose the next best option– apology.
"I'm so so sorry, I was absent minded." I apologized to the guy I now recognised as Dan, one of Tope's weird friends.
He laughed an easy laughter. "It's no problem, you look ghastly. It's not a big deal, see? It's barely visible," he said, gesturing to his black tuxedo and I sighed in relief.
"I'm sorry, again." I apologized.
Dan nodded and gave me a weird look.
Who's the weird one now?
I mentally face palmed and found a not too crowded place to sit.