BIYU

OTHER

I stood on the bleachers and watched.... Watched how I looked like a passing wind.

I went to the museum and stood and related how I looked like a fading painting...

I stood close to nature and watched, watched how i was like a fallen stem....

I stood close to the fountain and watched how I flowed like it.

I watched how I passed, faded, fell and flowed from you and to you.....

You thought I was still there.

Don't be weak. It never gets you anywhere and you know what I mean. Don't listen to anyone and you can't get rid of me easily you know. Do you know why you are dangerous because you don't need anyone. I am here.

MARIAM

"I don't understand why as an art student we are supposed to be finding

{√2y × 7x} ^ 15= 1. Who does Mr Sali think we are, Jet Li?" Kuchi questioned

"Kuchi Jet Li is an actor not the founder of math" I chuckled out.

But I couldn't agree less with Kuchi because why would I want to study something like law and I will still be practicing math. But then it's a law and policy that even if you want to study English, you need math in your WAEC to pass before any university accepts you.

"Where is the math teacher, Mr Sali now?. His own is to just give class work and be going for yawo" Yama complained.

"Maybe if you actually sit down and try to go through the examples it wouldn't be so difficult".

Everyone turned to the voice and of course it was the new boy. We were surprised because we thought he will stay quiet forever. It's been up to three weeks now and he hasn't spoken apart from every teacher coming to do some introductions with him, it was from school to wherever he went.

Hearing his voice, it was a bit rough and husky but somehow soft if you listen to it again.

"Nobody asked you, Yoruba boy. Just because they think because they are Yoruba, they are more intelligent than others" Yama taunted

Now nobody wanted to focus on their class work. They were all used to Yama and Kuchi.

Today...

"It's a pity you don't have self-confidence and you are blaming another tribe for that. Besides not all Lagosians are Yoruba” he fired back. Kuchi and I both looked at each other and blinked.

It was obvious even to the blind man that Yama was angry, with the way he tightened his hands, knowing Yama he might do something that won't be nice. To crown it, the air headed guys were cheering him on, with taunts on how he shouldn’t allow a new comer do whatever o him and the stupid boy was also being charged by it. He doesn't know that by the time he and the new boy lands a punch they will no longer be his cheerleaders again. They will now be behaving like they are watching mortal combat life version.

In fact, Yama knows that as a prefect, he will be either flogged severely or punished, because he didn't set a good example.

"Yama why does it look like you want to beat Simeon, hope all is well?' Mr Sali asked smiling a bit too much to himself. When did this man come? I won't be surprised if he has been quietly standing at our class door enjoying the little confrontation before deciding to step in.

"Sir don't mind this troublesome boy somebody cannot ask question again" a squeaky voice answered.

Ah yes! Meet Queen Bee in person of Chelsea Onyechi. Yes, our own mean girl too. Also, by the way she was defending the new boy, he will be part of her to do list which consisted of boys nonstop.

"Arsenal, nobody asked you" Kuchi taunted. It was a common thing especially for art class, my class to call all the football club names they could think of before actually calling Chelsea's name, yes that was her real name.

"My name is Chelsea" she rebutted angrily

"Sorry don't blame me, names of football clubs confuse me". Chelsea was starting to fume up when Mr. Sali cleared his throat again.

"Yama are you done with the class work I gave you. When you are done with it you can now remove each other's heads". With that he left. It's Mr Sali, obviously he cares more about the salary than his own students, forgetting that without the students he won't have a teaching job.

Nobody said anything for a while as we went back doing the class work not until Kuchi stood up.

"Kawana I’m going to Simeon to teach me this thing. It seems like he understands and is willing"

"How do you know he's willing, didn't you see what happened and can't you still see Yama looking at him?". Is she serious? From what point to what point did she come up with understanding and willing?

She smiled and left. This girl!

SIMEON

As he walked home from school, he laughed to himself secretly proud of how he had to put the rich boy in his place. Rich children always made him laugh. Feeling they are mentally and physically able to devour anyone who stood in their way; forgetting he was from a rich home too.

He also found it funny when he remembered the smallish girl calling him bestie and demanding he taught her the classwork. Well, she asked for help why would he refuse her but he also didn't fail to see how her other friend looked at him.

She looked at him like he was spoilt and wanted to brag that the classwork was really quite easy. He cared less.

He wasn't there for anybody and as long as he could control him, he could graduate fine and in peace.

Walking back home, he admired the quiet side of Kaduna; Ungwan rimi. Sure, there was the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life, it wasn't as rowdy as Lagos. The people who sold goods he noticed, closed their shops early, due to security problems.

He also noticed girls covered their heads well more than Lagos. Being the curious person he is, he understood some was due to the religion they were brought up in and others, they preferred covered hair.

There wasn't heavy traffic, people weren't clutching their bags or items properly to avoid theft or pickpockets.

The city wasn't congested, the air wasn't stuffy or humid. It was serene, calm and peaceful, a contrast to his mind.

He arrived home to see his mother's car parked out. He was happy as he skipped a bit. At least he could be himself now.

"Hajiya you’re home. How has your day been?" he asked walking into her room.

"Simeon it's been stressful but at least throughout this week, I will be free. I am happy that eighty percent of the planning has come into place. But how are you and how is school?"

"It's boring a bit but someone almost fought with me today". Hearing that, she sat up straight from the lying down she was doing on her bed.

She didn't say anything not because she didn't have anything to say, but it was best for her to keep quiet.

"Hajiya relax, is all these rich children with loose ends easily getting angry over nothing". She shook her head and smiled at his antics, maybe he forgot that he is also a rich child.

"Hajiya, have you eaten or should I cook for you?"

"No son, I cooked and I've eaten so don't bother". He was satisfied she ate. And with that he went to the kitchen to get his food. Mrs Samuel smiled a sad one. She was happy her son tried to protect her and helped in picking up their lives but at the same time her son...

"Simeon you are back. How are you?" Doctor Dele smiled as they were having one of their sessions. Simeon rolled his eyes as he answered; "I'm good but how are you?"

"I'm fine, I'm surprised you remember me"

"Quite possibly, you seemed to have my interest at heart so I try not to forget you".

"I know you know your mum told me that you almost quarreled with someone"

"She is been dramatic, and why would she tell you that? Anyways, I didn't quarrel, I was trying to make him stop a stereotype"

Doctor Dele smiled at his answer and asked; "So have you made any friends so far?"

"No, but surprisingly, some one actually came up to talk to me, didn't get her name though"

"And have there been any negative reactions from people?"

"Yes, there's this girl that i think she finds me pompous. She hasn't said it but her behaviour shows so? I maybe assuming a bit too much on my path".

"Why did you think she found you pompous? You said she didn’t say anything so how did her actions show that” The doctor asked to preen more out of him.

“It was how she kept looking at me” that just made Dr Dele smile and he urged Simeon to continue with their conversation.

“I would lightly point out damsel in distress syndrome. If I can call it that there is what I call a 'task' which posed itself in form of a math equation you solved. You showed that it was easy and you know boys like to show muscle and brains, so you showing one side, makes the boys angry and it also annoys them that the new boy as they term you is throwing them off their balance. On the other hand, you cannot control what people think about you or the opinions they formulate about you. Let's try to focus on the positive side and making progress, there are people who are talking to you and you are actively also responding back"

MARIAM

Who does he think he is?

Feeling all like James Bond.

“Blind my eye o Mariam. You and who again?" my mum asked in irritation. I didn't realize I was swinging my blazer back and forth.

"Ki yi hakuri, I didn't know you where there" I said sheepishly, but then, " Habha Mummy am not even that close to you" she was a chair a way from me

"When you are waving your blazer in the air instead of going to wash it. How won't I shout like that. And who is making you angry?" she asked her eyes shinning with curiosity.

"No mummy it's one boy like that, he feels he's everything and he's just a new person o" my mother gave me the stare. Yes, that motherly stare. Wait! why was she staring at me like that, then it hit me I talked about a boy. Mariam! You should have learnt by now.

"Mariam you are just in Ss2 and you are eighteen. Why are you talking about boys. Is not every time that rain falls that we would collect water. Do you know what that means?" Obviously, I don't but if I say yes, it's a problem, if I also say no, its a problem. Silence is the best answer now.

"It means is not every time that I would talk to you. Even the Bible says don't awaken love" What?!

With that I take my cue and head upstairs. I didn't even say anything, now she's talking of awakening love from where to where. She's now joining proverb on top.

Closing my room door, I lay down on my bed to think. I'm tired. Haven't seen my father for a while. I’m also tired of the fact that he believes money is the cure to my problems. Funnily enough there are some things I would prefer to tell him or ask him, things that I believe only a man can give me an answer too, I would love to know them from him, than my mum but we are not even close to begin with.

Why do parents do some bad things and they feel they can't be corrected about it? So, they live in that excuse that they as adults and shouldn't be questioned but we should take everything as it is because they know what's best for us.

Can't I sometimes know what's best for me? Or are they trying to say that a father prioritizing his work over his child is good. They can't keep on using the excuse of "no work no food on the table, no school fees" and stuff like that. It's not fair.

"Mariam, when you are done washing come and eat. Don’t pour your anger issues of a boy and not eat. Food is ready" my mum shouted from downstairs

Really mum, really. I sighed as I threw my clothes in the washing machine and bathed before going down.

"Mummy I'm trying to wash my uniform and freshen up, its not anger issues" I replied back.

"That's your own business, come and eat madam" I sighed and did just that, I was changing, when I heard the gate opening; and checked the window. We hardly had visitors on weekdays so who could it be. When I peeped, I saw my father's car driving in. There wasn't any rush of excitement when I saw him come out, neither was there sadness or anger; no, it was just an empty familiar feeling. I begrudgingly went down as I felt my mood mixed.

When I was one step away from the foot of the stairs, I practiced my monotone greeting a bit, I could hear my mum ushering him in and welcoming him with what I believed was practiced enthusiasm. She was making one-sided small talk and I could picture her leading him to the dinning table that we rarely used except when he was around. We always ate in the parlour, my room and her room, and on rare occasions the kitchen. I marched loudly on the spot three times to make it look like I was coming down the stairs before my mum would shout my name again.

"Good evening Sir, you're welcome" my voice came out flat as usual. I was slowly loosing my appetite and I wanted to be done eating this food before all the appetite left.

"It was fine. How is school?" He asked

"Fine sir" I replied.

"Now that you are entering Ss1 you have to be serious and more focused with your studies". I held my spoon tightly, as I felt my mum touching me in warning to leave the mistake be, but no I wouldn't.

"Maybe if you were around more. You would know that am in Ss2 and I'm a prefect. I'm also an art student" I retorted, this rice and stew tastes really nice today, my appetite was gradually coming back.

"MARIAM!” my mum shouted then continued. “This is your father and you know he's always busy. Honey please she's just a child she doesn't understand the ropes of your job."

I Mariam, I’m not sorry.

My father only frowned deeper and stood up as he coldly said "I want to eat in my room I don't want any form of disturbance"

"Just be specific you don't want me to disturb you". my snarky reply came out and I didn't care what he wanted to do as I held his gaze, it was now worse that I looked like him. Before my father could react, my mother held his hand to stop him from landing a slap or a beating. I don’t know and honestly didn't care.

"Can you see how you train your daughter. She's now spoilt to talk to me anyhow" he hissed out to my mum and went upstairs.

"She's sorry. Ka yi hakuri she still doesn't understand". My father left without a backward glance as my mother heaved a sigh.

I didn't say anything due to two reasons. One was that I said all what I wanted and two my mother's glare on me. I kept on eating the rice, my appetite was fully back.

_______________________

Yawo= stroll

Ki yi hakuri = I'm sorry (when talking to a female)

Ka yi hakuri = I'm sorry (when talking to a male)