C1 🌈

The school bell rung signaling not only school closure but the last day of the semester.Everyone burst out of the class in joy screaming, everyone was happy. Third term holidays were usually the best. The passage was filled up with students as we all made our auditorium for a 'brief' speech from the principal. Ever since Jss1 when I enrolled into the principal always gave a speech at the beginning and ending of each term and it was not something I was looking forward to.

I took my time to observe my two best friends as they walked ahead of me hands in hands. Someone that didn't know them like I do would think they were dating. Nonso had a smile on his face while Simi was frowning. I couldn't hear what they were saying because of the little distance between us plus the noise around us but I could take a guess. Simi was still wyning about been the only one of us spending the holiday at home and Nonso was obviously teasing her.

They slowed down till I caught up with them and Simi gave me a light push,"Deja you've been quiet since what's wrong?"

"Babe I'm just angry joh, mum spoilt our plans."

"My dad too. I don't understand why all of a sudden he wants me to go and spend time with my mom. After all this years." The smile on Nonso's face was now replaced with a grimace.

"We were supposed to spend this three months together. I even made a list of the activities and places we would go to. Now both of you are leaving and I'll be stuck here alone." Simi grumbled as we took our sits at the back of the auditorium.

The place was still rowdy and noisy for a few minutes before our principal entered the hall,"Everyone be quiet!" It was so loud that I was sure people passing by the road could hear it and then everyone fell silent.

I rolled my eyes. I hated my school, everything was just so perfect and I hated it. We had nice teachers and we had nice students who barely got into fights and there was no drama. My dad insisted I attended the school as it was the best private school in Lagos.

Built and formerly owned by a British woman, my school functioned as one. We had a big cafeteria we all ate in during lunch, we had a gym class, we had a football pitch and we had a big pool. The only thing missing was the locker room, but still nothing fun ever happened.

It was the same at home. My dad had the perfect job as the owner of a big construction company and my mom, well she had a big school here in Lekki. We were the perfect family. After mom had me, she was told she wouldn't be able to convince again so my parents were always overprotective of me. I was never disclipned when I did wrong, my dad never raised his voice at me.

When I was ten, mom got pregnant again and we were all so happy. When we find out she was carrying twins which was a double blessing our joy knew no bound. Mom birthed my junior brothers Jace and Jason and their attention on me lessen but it didn't change me. I was always a good girl and I never gave my parents trouble. I never got in trouble at school and at home.

Fastforward to six years later and it's still the same.

" —better. You're going to New York, right?" I caught Simi's last question and I nodded with a smile trying not to let it slip that I wasn't paying attention to what she had been saying.

"Deja are you sure you're okay?" She asked again and I wanted to nod but I shook my head.

"What's wrong?" She came closer and whispered. The auditorium was dead silent now and if we were caught talking we could be punished.

"Don't you think our lives are boring?"

She frowned, "How?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. Nothing new happens, its like we're in a circle and we keep going round and round." I looked at Simi and I saw she still looked confused as ever. "Since Jss1, everything has been the same. We don't do anything fun, we —"

"Hey let me stop you there, we do a lot of fun things."

I chuckled," Like?"

"We hang out at my house or yours. We watch movies, we go shopping."

I tried to hold in my laughter," Its that all? I thought your list goes on and on. See we've never left this mainland except we're travelling out of the country and when I do, I don't even go out. I just spend the days indoors with my grandma who keeps repeating stories I've been hearing for the past sixteen years of my existence."

"It's not that bad, besides we've got one more year in secondary school and soon we'll be free in Uni."

"Free you say? I'm going to a freaking private university here in Nigeria and if you've not heard it's just like an upgraded boarding school. You think this is hell? That one will be hell pro max."

Nonso laughed at my statement, "Chill, it's just not bad. We have a good life and secured future what more you could ask for? We should be grateful to our parents. Do you know how life is hard for People here in this country? If you see the schools some people attend ehn you'd be grateful for ours."

I sighed. I'd rather be anywhere but here.

Mr Sunday, our principal used two hours to deliver his speech and I was tired and famished. I checked the time on my wrist watch, saw it was three pm. When we were dismissed I called my driver and he told me he was already outside.

I gave Nonso a hug before he left. "I'll miss you. Call me everyday."

"I will." He replied.

He hugged Simi briefly as she was on the phone before he left. I watched his retreating figure and I felt sad. I wouldn't see him till September since he was leaving tonight to PH.

Simi got off the phone. "Deja it's like I'll ride with you. Mom said David drove her to mainland and he's stuck in traffic.

"No problem." That moment, my dad's G -Wagon pulled up in front. I quickly got in the front seat because I knew my troublesome brothers would be at the back and I smiled at Simi when she gave me that 'you try' look.

"Simi!" They screamed in uniform and I rolled my eyes.

"Are you spending the night at our house?" Jason asked her.

"No, I'm just riding with you guys."

They talked on and on for long that I lost track scrolling through my Facebook feed. Simi was so good with kids.

"Deja, mom said we're going to spend the holiday with Grandma."

"Yeah." I replied nonchalantly.

I loved my brothers. I did but I just had a lot on my mind that moment. We got to Simi's estate and I bid her goodbyes promising to meet the next day. Our house was a little father so I spent the remaining fifteen minutes taking a short nap.

I was awoken by Uncle Dare our driver. I had known him forever as he had been our driver for many years. He was kind of like an uncle to me. "We don reach." He spoke to me using pidgin, he always did because he wasn't too good in English. I murmured thanks and I got down with my backpack in one hand and phone in another.

Our house wasn't that big. It was a deatchable duplex. The exterior design was very beautiful same as the inside but it wasn't really homey. Our house was always neat. The marble tiles were always shining to the extent that it could be used as a mirror. The white wall was neat and spotless. To think that it would have stains and writing over it because we had six year olds living here but it didn't. It was repainted every year just like it was also redecorated. The couches in the living area was also white.

The house was beautiful but it looked like no one lived in it, thanks to our housekeeper and maids. I made my way to my room stopping briefly to tell my mom that we were back.

I knocked before opening the door and she jumped in surprise. "Adejare! You startled me."

"Sorry mom, I just wanted to tell you we're back."

"Come in now," she said as she noticed I only poked my head through the door. I did and she tapped her queen sized bed gesturing for me to take my seat and I did.

"How was your day? I know you're happy that there's no more school for a few months."

"I'm not. I even like school."

My mom smiled and gave me a side hug," Adejare. I'm so grateful to God for giving me you."

I leaned in as I craved a little comfort," Mom come with us to US."

"I wish I could but you know I have summer coaching to run next month."

I nodded in understanding. My stomach growled and mom laughed," Hungry lion. I made yam and egg sauce for you guys."

"Thank you." I got up and headed to my room. My sanctuary.

I took my shower and changed into my pajamas and it was just five pm. I grabbed my phone and went down to the dining room to have dinner. Dad was back by then and everyone was already busy with their meal.

"Good evening dad."

"Deja, evening. How was today?"

"The usual." I replied before taking a bite of my yam and egg sauce," and yours?"

"Fine, I'm so glad I'll be taking this one month break from work. So bad your mom can't join us to New York."

Mom smiled,"I wish I could, but after summer lesson I could join you guys."

There was a comfortable silent as we ate our dinner. Dad was the first to finish his food.

"Bridget called me today.' He announced.

"Really? How's she and her children? Hope nothing is wrong?"

"They are fine. She called to ask if the kids can come spend the holiday at her place."

I suddenly looked up from my dinner as the conversation got interesting.

"That wouldn't have been a good idea if they weren't going to spend time with their grandma." Mom said.

Dad shrugged,"I don't think the kids would want to go there sef."

"I do." I spoke out and dad laughed.

"You wouldn't like it there. She stays at mainland where they have low power supply and bad road." He turned to mom,"Do you know how many times I've told her to leave that area?"

I frowned at Dad's statement. Dad looked down on people too easily. I remember how long he fought with his sister all because she refused the money he wanted to give her husband so they leave their house. How could he accept the money knowing that somehow he would be indebted to him?

I liked Aunty Beatrice. We didn't see very often but she always had a genuine smile on her face when she saw me but I never really got to see her kids – my cousins – because they schooled in a boarding school and whenever they were back home for holidays, we were always outside the country.

"I want to go." I repeated.

"You can't." My dad replied.

"Why? I think it's a great idea. Deja will get to bond with Amaka and her brothers. They are cousins for Christ sake. I remember the last time they saw each other they were still toddlers." My mom said.

"Are you sure?" Dad asked me and I nodded. "Fine, get your things ready. You'll go on Monday. I'll call your aunt after dinner."

I smiled,"Okay."

"Your mom is home. If you're feeling uncomfortable just call her and she'll come pick you up and you can always join us whenever you want."

"Okay." I rushed my remaining food and chugged down a glass of juice at a go. I got up, said thanks to my parents and decided to retire to my room.

When I was out of sight, I heard my dad say, "Are you sure she would be able to cope there?"

"Well I don't know, but at least it would be an experience for her."

Soon, I was safely tuck in my bed. It wouldn't be an experience, it would be an adventure. New place, new people was what I craved but at the same time I felt nervous. Would Amaka like me? I remembered talking to Aunt Beatrice on the phone few months ago and when she said she would give Amaka the phone for us to talk I heard Amaka say 'that proud thing'. Aunt Beatrice lied that Amaka wasn't around and hastily ended the call.

I often wondered why she called me proud. I had never been with her long enough to conclude on the kind of person I was.

Nevertheless, I was looking forward to it. I called Nonso and he informed me he was already at the airport and we talked for an hour before we ended the call.

"Deja, mom said we should come watch Sofia the first in your room." Jace said as he alongside Jason burst into my room.

I tapped the empty space on my bed and soon they occupied it. I grabbed the remote and changed the current Chanel to the desired one and soon they were singing along to the theme song and I joined in.

Later that night as I laid in bed, I found it hard to fall asleep. I kept imagining different seneros of when I'd be at my aunt house. I just hoped I got the adventure I so much craved.