Uzo

We walked through the dusty and cracked ground, there was no way one could avoid body contact in the over crowded market. The atmosphere was a mixture of air and noise pollution.

"Sister come check this top." A dirty man grabbed my arm. I shoved him away and walked faster to catch up with mama and Adaku.

Traders were shouting on top of their voices which made it hard for one to figure out what each said.

"You wey dey go boutique na mumu!"

"Come buy your fine fine pant o!"

"This one na bonanza!"

"Come see American wonder!"

Some desperate ones even went as far as dragging passers by which was absolutely inappropriate.

Mama strolled into a shop that displayed sandals and shoes. A man who happened to be the shop owner was cleaning a shoe for a young boy to wear. His mother stood beside him a frown weighing her brows down.

"I don't like it."The boy whined.

"Shut up! Do you I'll buy you a very beautiful shoe so that those thieves in your school will steal it? Money doesn't fall from trees! Even if a thief decides to steal all the shoes in your school, when he sees your own, he will jump and pass." she said. Mama laughed and her dimples became even more pronounced. I indeed resembled her.

"Children of nowadays, very selective." mama chipped in.

"Yes o my sister! When we were in school did we wear sandals? Did your president wear sandals eh?Are you going to school for fashion or to study?" she said.

The boy's face was squeezed and his eyes were teary.
"Tie that shoe in nylon for me jare let me leave this place." the woman said to the shop keeper and he scurried to get her what she demanded for. He handed her the bag with the shoe in it. She gave the man his money and made her way out the boy following her like a lost puppy.

"Bye bye o!" Mama waved

"Oh my dear.....bye" she replied and left the shop.

"I hope you're not planning on selecting ugly sandals for us." Adaku eyed mama suspiciously.

Mama chuckled "Don't give me that look. You two are big girls, you should make your own choice." She grinned and sat down on a stool waiting for us to make our choices.

Adaku found a very beautiful sandal in no time and it fit her perfectly. I wished I had seen it first. I watched Adaku's narrow feet slip out of the sandal and her lips curved into a smile exposing her gap teeths.

"I'll take this one." she smiled

"Is it allowed? I don't want to hear stories that touch the heart. If they seize it you're on your own"

"Ah ahh! Mama, I'm in SS3 remember? No one will seize it. "Nyenu biko" she hissed.

I spent nearly fifteen minutes searching for a perfect sandal but the beautiful ones I saw were either bigger or smaller than my foot. At last, I settled for a dark brown leather sandals with large shiny buckles and we left.

Mama did a little more shopping and soon we made our way out of the market struggling with filled shopping bags.

"Mama did you buy the carrots for salad?" Adaku asked. "Yes I did" mama replied and we crossed the road over to where Papa's car was parked. Mama always used papa's car when she needed to. She sold her car when Papa lost his job and the family was going bankrupt. Mama opened the door to Papa's Toyota Matrix and we got in. Mama turned on the engine and the vehicle roared to life.

I pulled out my phone from my small purse I had hung around my shoulder all along. I put in my ear phone and clicked on the audiomack app and just played my little mix album. Little mix's good enough screaming in my ears. I sat at the back seat alone while Adaku sat beside mama at the front. I could see Adaku typing away on her Tecno spark 4 with no care of the world through the rear mirror. I rest my head on the winded up window drowning myself in the melody of little mix voice.

* * * * * * * * * * *
"Mummy!" Eyinna called as soon as we got home. Mama raised him up and twirled him, both giggling. I smile affectionately at the cute gesture.

Edozie and Papa were back even before we left for the market. Papa was busy watching the news. The only thing he ever does aside reading the Bible and handling his business.

Papa rested his gaze on mama and Eyinna in her arms and for a moment I saw vulnerability in his expression but he immediately masked it up with his usual serious look. "Beatrice." he called mama by her first name. "My friend Mr Adedeji is coming over with is family. You should get prepared." he said and shifted his gaze back to the T.V. Mr Adedeji had always been Papa's friend since he was still a corper but they drifted a bit when Papa lost his job. They had been working in the same company. I was surprised that he was coming for dinner. I mean it has been years since he last visited.

Adaku and I rushed to help mama in the kitchen and by 6:45pm we were done. I walked into my room to freshen up and put on something more presentable. I walked into the bathroom and had a quick shower. When I was done, I put on a pair of jean trousers and loose top. I pack my hair into a bun and made a mental note to braid them the next day which is a Saturday.

I got out of my room the same time the door bell rang. "Uzo, get the door" Mama yelled from the kitchen. "Okay ma" I answered and walked to the door.

I was met with the grinning faces of Mr and Mrs Adedeji as soon as I opened the door.

"Good evening sir, good evening ma." I greeted with a smile.

"Good evening my dear. How are you?" Mrs Adedeji asked.

"I'm fine thank you ma."

"Uzo, uzo! Big girl...see how beautiful you have grown into." Mr Adedeji teased and I just smiled and watched them move in with their younger daughter Aramide walking by their side. The last time I saw her, she was just a baby. She should be around Eyinna's age. I turned to the girl typing furiously on her phone.

"Are you gonna come in or should I close the door?" I asked and rolled my eyes.

"Don't you ever talk to me like that or else...."

"...or else what?" I questioned not breaking our eye contact.

"I'm gonna......"

"Mide come over." Mr Adedeji called and and she just gave me a death glare and walked away.

That was Ayomide. The oldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Adedeji. I hated her guts and I don't take it easy on her too. She was about my age only older with a few months.

I walked into the kitchen and I heard Papa speak.

"Where is Olumide?" He asked Mr Adedeji.

"Oh...he's in school."

"Oh wow, that's good" I could hear the sadness in Papa's voice. Olumide was the first and only son of the Adedeji's. Edozie was only older than him with a year and some months. I knew Papa wished for Edozie to be more like Olumide.

"Uzo, help me with the plates." mama said pulling me out of my reverie. We sat at the dining table to have the meal. Ayomide glared at me while I just continued eating my food slowly and paying her no attention infuriating her even more. The dinner was over in no time and the Adedeji's hung around for a little while before leaving.

Mothers discussing fashion and who's party was better than whose. Eyinna and Aramide playing about. Adaku and Ayomide talking and laughing. I just wondered how anyone could have a decent conversation with Ayo. She was just so arrogant and attention seeking. Edozie typing on his phone just like I did.

I had no idea what the men were talking about but I could see Papa smiling. The Adedeji's left half an hour later.

Immediately papa saw them to their car, he came back in grinning from ear to ear. "I have something to tell you all". I lifted my gaze up from my Infinix hot 6x. "My friend Paul Adedeji that just left said that his brother in-law that lives in the united States is coming back soon and he wants to invest in my business."

I watched as everyone rejoiced and I just smiled to myself. "This year is really going to be a great one."

Chapter two out. This chapter is long 😅. I know I did a good job, now it's your turn too...
Click on that little star and make someone happy today. Don't forget to share your thoughts and tell your friends about this book😍

Things are getting better for the Edogo's. The new year is really going to be a great one,Drama filled. I can't wait😁. I'm sure you can't too.

What's up with Ayomide? And what does the coming school term holds for Uzo...

Qhupid out🐾

Word Count: 1480