Life of Jiji

All Rights Reserved

2020 ©Tena Ifiemi

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ΞVΞЯЏ ϾŁΛSS HΛS ŦłVΞ arms; Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Pearl and Sapphire. I was allocated to Year 11 Sapphire. The fact that neither Nini or Ayo were in my class was really sad. But then they put Mide and Amarachi and I couldn't help but laugh as I remembered what happened in the hall during assembly. How can those two be in the same class? It will be chaotic! Our class teacher introduced himself as Mr. Sola. He was tall, had a nice haircut and was young and good-looking.

Stop being weird because I called a teacher good-looking. Besides he's married.

I picked a desk on the second row because I would like to see the board clearly and concentrate in class but I did not want to look like a nerd by sitting at the front row.

"Good morning class." An average heighted light skinned woman greeted as she walked into the class.

"Good morning ma." Everyone chorused.

The woman picked up a marker and wrote Biology on the board before turning back to face us. She looked round the class without saying anything for a while until a boy whose name I don't know yet spoke.

"Miss Chioma or should I say, Mrs. Chioma." He said, wiggling his brows and everyone started laughing.

"It's true oh. Did you guys hear that Miss Chioma is now married?" One Katherine girl asked no one in particular. Everyone suddenly started talking, apparently some knew and some didn't. I obviously didn't and it was annoying how out of place I felt.

Mide suddenly gasped dramatically.

"Miss Chioma how dare you. You disregarded our relationship and went ahead to marry someone else?! I thought we loved each other." He said wiping away a none existent tear.

"Year 10!" Miss Chioma finally yelled but the amusement was clear in her eyes.

"Ma!" The whole class cried.

"It's Year 11 oh! We refuse to go backwards." Katherine said.

"Oh, I'm sorry dear. You guys should please stop all this. Yes I'm married but it doesn't mean you should make noise. You know how the VP is and he likes walking about like he has nothing else to do." She said lowering her voice at the last part. "And wow, I can see a new face here. Hi, how are you." She addressed me and I prayed she won't make me stand up.

"I'm fine. Good morning ma."

"Morning. What's your name."

Before I could answer Mide piped in: "Oh, that's my new babe oh. Since you've dumped me for that your so called husband."

"Mide!" The whole class and Miss Chioma yelled.

"What!" He yelled back and I shook my head.

"I'm Ejiro ma."

"You're welcome dear."

I liked Miss Chioma, she was chill. But I would be stupid if I thought that all the teachers were going to be like her. We didn't learn much of biology today, courtesy of Mide but I know that the first topic is The Digestive System. That's how far we were able to go today.

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School ran by quicker than I expected. I always say Monday is the fastest day of the week and today once again confirms it. Today's lunch was Eba and Okra or Egusi soup.

When I walked to the food stand and saw the food I thought: 'I could actually start to hate this school.' I mean, who gives growing children Eba and soup which is obviously not good for their growing stomachs on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.

Okay fine, Eba is not bad for children... or anybody at all. But why? Why do they torture me so?

I finally urge myself to pick my plates and step forward to get served. I was absent minded when I felt my hand drop. I quickly looked up and nearly fainted at the size of the Eba the lunch guy gave me.

"Sir." I said in my small voice and when I noticed that he did not hear me or maybe chose to ignore my weak attempt of getting his attention, I called again.

"Excuse me sir." But he went on to serve the next person. I was getting angry, I can't finish this.

"Sir, please the Eba is too much." I complained, much louder than my previous attempt.

"How is it too much? You girls don't eat. You don't even have body! Go and eat it." He finally spoke and I blushed furiously. I felt so embarrassed. I knew I wasn't as blessed in the chest area like most of my classmates but he didn't have to rub it in. At least it's not like I'm completely lacking boobs.

Grudgingly I grab my tray and go to take a seat on the table where I've been sitting since school resumed. Which was yesterday by the way. Amarachi was already on the table as well as Dami and their Eba was not as big as mine. I didn't say anything I just took a piece of it and swirled it around lazily in the Okra soup before putting it in my mouth and swallowing. The soup tasted okay but then, it was Okra. I know I said I'm not a fan of Eba and soup but I like Okra soup. I was swallowed the third morsel before Dami and Ayo came to sit with their food. Dami's Eba looked like one tiny puff-puff. That's when I lost it.

"How... what... why." I blubbered like an idiot pointing at Dami's plate just as Nini, Mide and two other boys whose names I wasn't sure of came to sit down.

"Speak English Ejiro." Amarachi said and Dami nodded.

"Yeah, I want to know if there might be a spider in my food." Dami said eyeing my hand and I immediately put it down.

"It's so small." I finally let out and Amarachi rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, and yours is so big." She said and everyone laughed.

"That's what she said." The fine boy sitting beside Ayo said, winking at her.

"Kene!" She groaned slapping his lap.

"Isn't that what you said." He asked with a low voice sliding her hand from his lap to his crotch. She gasped and grabbed her hand back before burying her head face down on the table.

I widened my eyes in shock and felt guilty for even witnessing it. The others just laughed and Mide whistled.

"I'm sorry na." Kene whispered to Ayo, dropping his head to her level. She raised her head and looked at him.

"You're something else Kene."

"That's why you love me." He cooed and kissed her cheek.

"Aw, can you guys get a room?" Mide groaned snapping them out of it. "I'm seriously beginning to get jealous now. I don't remember when last I had a girlfriend." He complained and everyone laughed... except Amarachi, she just concentrated on her food. For once, Amarachi did not see the need to speak. Wow.

When everyone was done eating we went to drop our plates before leaving the cafeteria. I felt so fulfilled when I dumped my remaining Eba in the trash. I actually wanted to sing. Loudly. As I threw my leftovers away someone came beside me and started throwing leftover noodles into the trash. I slowly stood up and looked straight at the person who had the audacity to waste such good-looking noodles.

"You-you ate Indomie?" I asked the girl and she nodded. I marched to where the people on my table where. I would get to the bottom of this.

"I just saw someone that ate Indomie." I spoke.

"Umm, yeah. That's the alternative. If you don't eat whatever food they have, you tell one of the kitchen staff and they'll give you that." It was Kene that spoke.

I felt my stomach rumble.

"And y'all are just telling me now!" I yelled.

And everyone turned to look at me...

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I just realized some people might be confused about Reya's name. Her full name is Oviereya which people can call Ovieya or Reya for short. It means Queen.

And yeah, Indomie is a very popular type of noodles in Nigeria so everyone just calls noodles Indomie.

Pleaseeeee drop your comments!! Don't be a ghost reader... I'm literally begging at this point... even if its criticism, I'll accept them as long as they're not insulting.