CHAPTER 5

Niniola

Am trying to get my Mathematical sets, biro, pencil and some notebooks that I will reading from together when I heard a knock on our door, "James can you please check who'at the door" james still in his uniform  trying to pull of hi socks,james is the last born of the house he's just 7years old, I have another sibling apart from james and Kate, Simisola he's 12 years old. James went to the door and call out to me, "Sister Nini, it's brother Mike,he says he wants to see you" he said and I answered from where I was putting my things together because the WAEC is starting tomorrow, "Tell him am coming",I yelled from inside, after putting my things together  I stood up to go meet Brother Mike, " Hi" he said flashing a smile at me; "Good afternoon sir" with a smile on my lips, " how many times do I have to tell you not to use that word sir, you make me look like an old man", he mumbled Sorry sir if I did made it sound that way but I can't just cut the word SIR off because you are older than I am , I mean much more, you are a big brother to me", I said shyly looking down.

Why would anyone thinks the word sir is for older people, I mean old people but wait isn't he older than me? I asked myself  in my thought, then I heard him say " take" then I lift my head and my thoughts disappeared. Is he giving me money now  not gifts again, mom would think I begged for money and would say am disgracing her in the compound and she might even think I have start sleeping with men for money.my brain went blank when he gave the money to me,  "Sir,  did you mean I should take the money" I said, " yes" he said, "so take" , "For what sir?" I asked, "I know your final exams are starting tomorrow and you would need some  extra cash, i know you would say NO but please take this you will need  it" he said, "Am sorry sir I can't take it, I do appreciate this money but I can't sir" I said he smiled and held my hand and open my palm and try stuffing it into my palm, " I knew you would say know but please take this" he said in between him trying to stuff the money into my palms, i witheld my hand quickly and the money fell and scattered  on the ground and I quickly bend down to picked the money "Am sorry" I said in between picking the money, "I didn't mean to dis respect you sir", i said in between picking the money and putting it all together it was N6000, " Thank you sir" Stretching back the money in my hands to  him, "I can't take it back from you" said mike. we were still arguing on who should collect the money when I heard mom's voice from behind,  I almost fall down because I don't want her to think I go begging him for money or maybe we are dating and that I have started collecting money, I don't want to be tagged a prostitute. " welcome mom" I said,my chest beating hard,  kate was also behind her carrying a plastic bag. "Welcome ma" Mike said and he was about turning with the money still in my palm and mom called him," Mike"  "Ma" mike answered , he turns back to face her , What's going on here?" Mom asked, AhAhem.....Ahem.....mummm.... Mummbling... Mom stares at him for a while before talking "Mike "what is Ahem,Ahem" said mom and that was when she noticed the money in my hand, "and you what's that money in your hand? Said mom, " it's Brother Mike's money" I answered, "Is that why you are saying Ahem,Ahem", What's the money for? I quickly answered, " He said I should take to support myself because of the upcoming final exams but I refuse it ma" then mom looks at his face and mine and she smiles " so that is why you are behaving like I want to pour acid on you", thank you my dear may God bless you" she said and collected the money from me count it."Very thoughtful of you Mike, thank you very much , I will share it between she and kate , it's both of them that writing final exams" I stood speechless because if I could remember she always says it bad to collect money from strangers including Mike because they will tag us beggers but when he started buying gifts mom would encourage me to collect it she would say we do not have enough cloth and before I know kate will be wearing them but she was totally against collecting money but giving someone something willingly is not begging, well we reason in a different way.

"You've always been helping us since my husband died" sobbing, 

"Ma please stop crying I promise to stay with this family"  said mom

,"thank you very much" said Mike.

"I also want to use this opportunity to tell you am moving to Lagos to make more ends meet" Mike says

"Did you get a new job?" Mom asked

"Not really but I believe I would find a way but I still maintain I will come back, most especially this family"

"I will miss you Brother Mike" said Nini.

"I will miss you so much" said Mike.

" just please come back here for us in Lagos , don't marry all those slay queen and slay mamas in Lagos , Ibadan girls are waiting" Kate says while Mike smiles and looks at Nini.

"Brother Michael" I called, then he turn back. " I wish you best of luck and I pray you shall find favour and mercy"

"Amen Thanks Nini"

"I have to go now ma" Mike turns to go but turns back to look at Nini and smile and mumbles to himself has he turns to continue walking away "I will come back to make you mine " Nini".

Inside Nini's parent house .

"Nini Don' t worry, let me keep this money for you, you will take it to school little by little , I forgot it was giving to you and Kate together." Says mom

"Yes mom" I said but I am still dumbfounded at the rate mom rushed in collecting the money . I returned to what I was doing previously which is preparing for tomorrow.