Chapter 8

                                                    November

                        2000

Dear mama,

Exams start two weeks from now. The term will finally be over and there'll be the Christmas hols to follow.

I wonder how Christmas will be this year with you out if the picture.

I mean you have always been the first person to wish me Merry Xmas every twenty-fifth.

We usually sit cross-legged in front of the Christmas tree in the living room opening presents and reading cards from friends and Santa.

Hmmm, Santa. I don't think Santa exists in Nigeria. I mean from what I've learned in science it doesn't snow here except in Jos sometimes.

I doubt Santa and his reindeer will like the idea of coming to Nigeria because of the harmattan.

The idea of Santa and his reindeer with dust and fog doesn't sound so good.

Anyways I'll miss my yearly presents from Santa and yours too.

Mama, do they celebrate Christmas in heaven? How is it like? Are there jingling bells and Christmas trees? Is it decorated with red and green ribbons? Are there Christmas lights? Do you think the angels will sing silent night on the twenty-fifth?

Does Jesus celebrate his own birthdays in heaven? Or are there no such things as birthday parties?

You know mama, I wish to see you even if just once. Can't you at least appear in my dream? Since you left I haven't as much have caught a glimpse of you.

Are you hiding from me?

There was a time I was having nightmares about school in grade two. Then you told me it was because I have been thinking too much about it and so it has managed to seep into my subconscious.

I have been thinking about you every day since you left so why haven't you slipped into my subconscious yet?

I will try harder to think about you which isn't hard so I can see you even if it is in my nightmare.

As long you're in my dream it can't be a nightmare.

Dear mama,

Deji has been distant these days and I wonder why. Usually, he'll talk to me at least once a day, and as he is a boy he's usually engaged in one sport or the other during lunch and at the end of the day.

If he isn't talking to me it's fine but it's everyone. Whenever anyone asks him something he just nods his head or replies with ' hmm ' or ' ok '.

I'm worried about him though, it's strange because I've always known him to be an extrovert, his change in attitude is alarming.

He looks disturbed as if something were eating him up. If there's really anything bothering him I hope he will resolve.

Mom remembers I wanted to tell uncle Taju about coming to Lagos for the holidays. Can you believe since then I haven't called him to ask? What more, he came to see me when the whole ' cheating saga ' happened and I forgot to ask him then.

I'll use the telephone to call him tomorrow. It's already late and I wouldn't want to disturb him.

Dear mama,

I called uncle Taju today and guess what I can't possibly come to Lagos for the hols😓. I know right.

I have been looking forward to visiting Lagos and uncle Taju said it is impossible this hols but he did promise to do something about it during the long hols.

He said that Grandmother can not be left alone and she can not travel because of her health.

It is true though, I have become used to seeing either the doctor or a nurse at home tending to grandma. I hope she recovers soon.

Uncle Taju said he is going to come around for the holidays. The only downer is that he is bringing his family along with him.

Thinking about it now if I do spend Xmas in Lagos, Atinuke's mom will be the one cooking my meals and her food is nothing to write home about.

There's also the possibility of sharing a room with Atinu and she's such a big meanie and very dirty too.

Dear mama,

Today the headmaster called some students to his office and I happened to be one of them.

Guess what mom I was selected among the students that will represent the school in a state maths competition early next year

I'm so excited. Apparently, our performances on our previous test were used for the selection.

Surprise surprise Deji was selected!

I know right. I was so surprised. Deji just gave me one of his sly smiles when he saw my reaction.

The world is full of surprises, I mean who would have thought that Deji the bully was a scholar.

Exams started today by the way. It's so simple for me cause I have already read through all my textbooks at least twice.

I will be staying after school starting from tomorrow, for about an hour every day because of the competition. Mr. Dotun and Mrs. Remi will be training us in preparation for the competition.

They're both senior teachers and have a reputation to be strict. I hope they'll turn out okay though.

Dear mama,

Mr. Dotun is a comedian mom. We laughed more than we solved maths today. Mrs. Remi is the perfect woman for him.

They complement each other perfectly. They both tease each other at every slightest opportunity.

To be honest, though, they're very good teachers, and as much as they make us laugh they also know when to be strict.

Aside from me and Deji in our class, there are three other students. Two from grade six and one from grade five.

I'm the only girl too

I also have to come to school during the holidays in prep for the competition. I think it's alright that I do

I mean Atinuke is going to be around during the hols, it means I'll be seeing her less than I'm supposed too.

There's a downside to it though. I would be seeing my grandmother less.

Dear mama,

I'm done with my exams.🤸‍♂️

The headmaster called me and the others to his office to inform us about the time we are to be in school during the hols.

The only week we have off is the week of Xmas and the new year itself.

Uncle Taju is due to arrive,  three days from now. I miss him but I certainly do not miss his family.

I'm still yet to find out the meaning of ' aje '. I just hope Atinuke would have forgotten about it.

I don't doubt that it is impossible for people to burn me alive here. I mean I'm a witness of such act of cruelty

Deji is gradually coming around. I asked him why he has been so distant as of late. He didn't give me a definite reply but he assured me everything was alright.

Dear mama,

Uncle Taju came today with his wife and Atinuke. Unfortunately, he isn't staying for the entire holidays.

He said he has to go to work but he promised to spend Xmas and new year here.

I went to school today. It was fun and I learned some new tricks in maths.

Like if you write 0-9 in descending order and do the same in ascending order, that's 9 times table from 1-10.

Hmm, interesting right! It makes things a lot easier.

I didn't see Atinuke today, neither did her see her mom. I didn't even see them during dinner.

Grandmother looks better today. She ate more than she usually does and color is returning to her skin. Her eyes also have more glint in them. I'm happy she's getting better.

I hope she'll feel fine enough to tell me an African bedtime story.

Dear mama,

I had food poisoning.

I'm sure you can guess what caused it. Now that Atinuke's mom is at home she tries to form the boss of the kitchen so she decided to cook dinner yesterday.

She made Amala and ewedu both of which were disgusting if you ask me.

I'm getting used to Nigerian dishes as Bose cooks them most of the times but Atinuke's moms' cooking is just terribly horrible

The amala was very soft with thick lumps in them. The lumps when broken had flour in them. The ewedu was watery and the stew was too spicy. The meat was too tough and very salty.

Grandmother did not eat her food. She had Bose prepare her something different, using her health as an excuse.

To be frank I admire Atinuke. She ate every single thing on her plate without complaining and even asked for more.

I had to try to eat my food but after a while, my stomach couldn't take the assault and I threw up on the table. I almost choked on my own vomit.

I became quite ill after that and my grandmother suggested I rest. My temperature began to increase gradually and usual Bose raised an alarm.

I learned from Bose this evening that I fainted sometime close to midnight and the whole was in an uproar. Grandmother almost fainted as her blood pressure increased upon hearing the news.

Even at that odd hour, I was rushed to the hospital where I woke up this afternoon. I missed school as a result and the headmaster came to see how I was faring. I wonder if he does that for every student.

I have been discharged and the doctor has told me to be careful of what I eat as I get irritated easily. That's no longer a hard promise to keep.

Grandmother has instructed Bose to be responsible for every meal I eat. Since she's the one cooking I have no fears.