Life Of Jiji

All Rights Reserved

2020 ©Tena Ifiemi

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ТФÐΛЏ łS VłSłТłЛG ÐΛЏ.

My first Visiting day in Mel and I don't know how I feel. Scratch that, I'm ecstatic. I didn't even know today was going to be visiting day until Wednesday. When I told Zainab that she said I might have hearing problems because according to her, everyone's main discussion a week before Visiting day is Visiting day. The only reason I even found out was because Reya came to find me on Wednesday during break time to go through the list she had made, to see if I had anything else to add—and this list was already very long!

Popcorn, pizza, bole, ice cream from Coldstone (isn't it going to melt?!), fried rice, jollof rice, salad, cake, Maryland cookies, shortbread and lots, lots more in the food section. The other things were sanitary pads, writing materials and a few other necessities. All I had to do was write 'for Reya and Jiji' beside the ones I also needed and 'for Reya only' on the things I didn't need. Things like lip gloss. Why does she even need lip gloss?

Ohh, Mitchel!

But still...

Okay, fine, I'll drop it.

Yesterday night, Ayo came to meet me to ask me for the hundredth time if I was sure I really wanted to permanently change my room after today— I had planned to tell my mom I really wanted to change my room today, without telling her my reasons of course, and then maybe we can meet the matron, or principal, or whoever was in charge of things like that.

I don't know why Ayo was so persistent. Before she even came yesterday, Kene has been pestering me all week! I decided after that, that boyfriends might actually be really useful after all. I could really use someone who could stand up for me sometimes. As well as keep Ayo and Kene away from me. They could do that too, right?

If you must know, I haven't slept in my room since Tuesday when I left and except for Ayo apparently, no one seems particularly bothered. I still go there, though, to change my clothes and collect a few items. I still talk to my classmates (anybody who isn't Ayo, Niniola, Damilola and Chisom of course). And Zainab and her friends are still really nice.

"Yemisi. Your mom is here." A Year 10 girl said as she peeked into the room. Surprisingly, Yemisi didn't screech like almost everybody did when they heard that statement. She just picked up her small bag and left the room since she was already dressed. Before I could voice out my suspicions that something was wrong Tito beat me to it.

"I'm worried about Yemisi." She said.

"What happened?" I dared to ask and Tito looked at Zainab, who just shrugged.

"Yemisi's dad passed away August this year." Tito said and I gasped. "Before this, her parents were already divorced and Yemisi and her older sister lived with her dad. They hardly ever saw their mom. The woman never even bothered to visit sometimes." She spoke of Yemisi's mom with some kind of malice.

"It would be Yemisi's first Visiting day with her mom instead of her dad. We're just afraid it might bring back memories. She was really close to her dad." Zainab continued for her and I nodded.

I didn't need to hear more to understand. But before I could say anything else, Ayo walked in.

"Ejiro, your mom is here." I jumped off the bed, but seeing that Ayo was still there I turned to her, and raised a questioning brow. She didn't say anything, she just looked at the ground. Deciding to ignore her, I put on my sandals and styled my edges—I had finally learned to do it myself. When I was done, I waved at Tito and Zainab, picked up my bag and left the room. I heard Ayo's footsteps before I saw her beside me.

"What do you want?" I asked, not looking at her.

"You know why I'm here, Ejiro."

"Ayo, please. Not this again." I begged.

"Just listen Ejiro..."

I placed my hand in my head, sensing a headache before it even came.

"Ayo..."

"Why are you being so stubborn? You know I never did anything to you."

"I'm being stubborn? Seriously, Ayo? I just wanted to fit in, okay! I just wanted a chance at having people to call my friends, Ayo. I wanted people to talk to, to laugh with. I changed schools because I was tired of staying in a place where I was betrayed by my best friend. I was tired of staying in a school where everyone talks about me behind my back! At least I know that back there, I made a mistake but what mistake did I make here? Why does Chisom hate me so much?! Why does Damilola? Why do my own classmates sit down to say shit about me when all I've done is live and breathe!" I burst out. I felt the wetness on my cheeks and fled to the toilet.

After dabbing on my face and eyes with my shirt, I prayed to God that my eyes weren't so red and I didn't look like I just cried as I stepped out and passed through an empty corridor down to the common room. Still hoping that I looked normal, I looked up and the first person I see is my mom, and I run into her outstretched arms.

"My baby!" She said as I inhaled in her scent.

"Mommy." I said as she released me, my voice breaking. My mom raised her hand and used her thumb to wipe my cheeks. I touched my face and true enough, my darn tear glands had betrayed me again.

"Jiji, is everything okay?" My mom asked.

"Don't mind me." I said smiling. "I just missed you too much."

"You can never miss your mother too much, dear."

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"Mom? Why didn't dad come nau?" Reya asked.

"I told you already, your dad said to apologize to you guys. He said he's busy." My mom said cutting a piece of her chicken.

We were in a part of the field and like most of the other families, we were sitting under a beach umbrella which my mom brought along with her along with a plastic table and foldable chairs.

"But dad always comes for my visiting day. Besides what could he be possibly be busy doing on a Saturday which happens to be his daughter's visiting day?" Reya pressed on.

Avoiding his other daughter, perhaps. But I didn't say it out loud, of course.

"Reya please leave me. Oya take, ask him yourself." My mom said, handing Reya her phone. Reya took the phone and found my dad's contact immediately. Since she'd put it on speakerphone, I heard it ring twice, before he picked up.

"Hello babe." I heard him say and cringed. Could he make it anymore obvious that they were married? Why couldn't he just say her name though?

"Daddy, its Oviereya" Reya said.

"Oh, Reya. I didn't know that your mom was at your school already. How are you guys, dear?" He asked.

"We're fine dad. But I'm not happy with you o."

"Look, I'm sorry, I couldn't make it. I'm actually really busy today."

"Busy doing what?"

"Work has become very stressful, these days. I'm sorry."

"Sorry, doesn't fix it dad." She said, and I could imagine him getting frustrated.

"I'll make it up to you." He promised. "What do you want?"

Reya appeared thoughtful for awhile.

"I can't think of anything right now." She said. "Maybe when we get back home. But don't forget, cause I won't."

"Of course, dear. Bye."

"Bye, wait dad, won't you talk to Jiji?" She asked and I started to shake my head but he had already cut the call.

I didn't want my rice, anymore. I took a piece of the red velvet cake my mom brought and quietly munched on it. I could feel my mom's eyes on me, but thankfully she didn't say anything. After a few more minutes, Reya had finished her food and she left the table leaving just me and my mom behind. I shifted in my seat and glanced around. I knew she was about to start raining down the questions.

"So how are you, Jiji? Really." Was the first one and I gave an awkward laugh.

"Mom you've asked this question a billion times in one day already and my answer is still the same. I'm fine."

She didn't say anything she just kept nodding and staring at her lap. I bit my finger waiting for her to speak.

"I'm still waiting for you to introduce me to your friends sha." She said and stared hard at my face, as if to gauge my reaction.

I smiled, willing myself to look normal. I opened my mouth to say something, but not knowing what time say, I closed it again. After three more times of opening and closing my mouth like a fish my mom sighed.

"Ejiro Tonia Irikefe! What is wrong!?"

Gripping my hands in hers, she stared at me and in that moment, if I had enough time I could start to count all the worry lines etched across her fair face despite her thin layer of foundation and powder and her carefully painted lips were drawn into a worried frown.

"I'm your mother, Jiji. I deserve to know." She said in a quieter tone.

After a moment if silence, I snatched my hands away and her worried frown was transformed into a confused one.

"And I'm your daughter! You should believe me when I say there's nothing wrong. Its not by force to have friends. Some people are born introverted. Not everyone can be like Reya and TJ!"

"Sweetheart, I'm not comparing you to your siblings." My mom said in a calm voice. Too calm for what I expected after my outburst.

"You don't need to." I said and grumpily folded my arms across my chest.

It was the least I could do, since I didn't have the mind to 'stomp out angrily'

"I brought Toblerone." She said sliding me a pack of my favorite chocolate.

This woman!

"Its the white one. Those things are scarce o. They didn't have it in Market Square so I had to drive all the way to Spar." She kept on talking while I tried my best to look indifferent.

"Mom! I'm supposed to be angry with you! You can't bribe me with my favorite white chocolate!"

"I just did." She said sliding another pack towards me.

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Hey guys!!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

But I've been so busy, and I'm so tired and its 44 minutes till midnight but I decided I had to drop this before I sleep so here it is.

Don't forget to comment as you read. I would beg for your comments if I have to, honestly. Not because, I want to smile when I see the number of comments my book has but because I love reading what you guys have to say, really. That's what brings a smile to my face.

Don't forget to vote too. I think I at least deserve something for being such a nice author😊😉
It helps this book get discovered more, so please do😘

Love ya, catch ya, later!

Tena!