12

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The way I felt after I turned in the English assignment, it was like a heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulders. The assignment given about five days after resumption was due to submit today, and with Adunni's help I was able to cover a lot of grounds on the courses and topics that have been treated since day one when lectures began.

I used some of the money left in mom's savings account to purchase some textbooks I would be needing for this semester. Since Helen bought enough provision and foodstuffs to last us for a long time and my fees have been paid last semester when mom was alive, I decided to buy my books and pay for a few other expenses that may arise during the period of this semester.

With the way I was attending to payment ranging from courses registration to departmental dues, I was aware that the money left might run out before the end of this semester. I needed another means to earn money. Mom's other account was a current account and the customer service officer I complained to, informed me that the account was not that mature enough to start withdrawing cash from. Although, aunt Zainab and my uncle said I could ask them for help whenever I needed it however, I did not want to jeopardize my siblings comfort in that family. Whatever was going to pose a threat to the comfortable life my siblings were living was a no-go area for me.

I talked to Helen about my dilemma and she promised to help but she was taking too long to give me a feedback. I do not think she has an idea of how deep I am in the water that was about to swallow me. Out of eleven courses I was taking this semester, I had just three textbooks. Not to talk of the handbooks and course registration that was pending.

After the midweek service, I waited behind just as Bro. Joel requested of me. When I walked into the service, Sis. Mildred—our head usher had given me an embrace. She told me that they were informed about what happened late which was why they did not come to visit, but they truly sympathized with my family. I smiled and thanked her for her kind words before I walked away to get a seat for myself.

“Nnenna,” I heard him calling. He concluded his conversation with one of the members before walking to where I was seated.

“Good afternoon, sir” I started.

“How are you doing dear?” he asked.

“I'm fine,” I answered.

He nodded then huffed a sigh.

“Our sincerest condolences for what happened to your family, although I apologise for not being there for you...”

“It's okay, really”

“No, it's not. You were my responsibility and I let you down. I will always regret doing that,” he brushed the tip of his nose.
Then he fished out a brown envelope from his pocket and placed it on my palm.

“This is the little token we set aside for you. In the future, we hope to do more. Please always let me know if and whenever you need help,”

“Thank you. I will, I appreciate all your support. Please send my regards to all the team as well, this will go a long way to help” I said.

After thanking the rest of the members I saw in the hall, I left for my hostel. We had a girls' night at my place. Helen and a few girls staying in the hostel organized a small party for all the girls in the hostel to know one another very well and spend sometime together.
At first, I was hesitant to go because I was tired of the pitiful stares and the way people treated me with pity but had a change of mind when Adunni promised to come as well.

Adunni was not staying in the same hostel however, we were allowed to invite whomever we wanted and I invited her.

Helen told me to return in time because she requested for a cloth vendor so we could do some indoor shopping for the party.
By the time I arrived at the hostel, the place was loud and blasting with songs not loud enough to disturb the surrounding environment but audible enough to create awareness.

‘I was not that late, was I?’ I muttered to myself.

True to Helen's words, there was a lady selling all kinds of clothing accessories in front of our door.

“Oh!” Helen exclaimed when she saw me, “good you're finally here, come and pick a dress of your choice,” she instructed.

“Okay,” I made my way through the midst of crowd gathered around the door and squatted beside Helen and the vendor.
I took a long flared red gown decorated with stones at the edges and displayed it for everyone to see.

Some quirked their brows at me while some shook their heads in disapproval.

“What. Is. That?” Helen asked, emphasizing each word.

“What...is it not good?” I was confused. The dress looked normal and beautiful to me.

“Girl! Are you going to church? Even some people I know, won't wear that to church,” Helen stated.

I felt embarrassed but could not do anything. The other dresses I saw were either too short or too revealing.

“How about this one?” one of the girls I recognized as Cynthia, picked up another dress.

This was a long purple and maroon shade tunic that was exposed at both sides of the leg up to my thighs. It was exactly my body fit and I felt beautiful wearing it. I have never worn anything that was like second skin on my body except an  underwear.

“Wow, do you not see how beautiful you are now?” Cynthia stated. Others agreed with her.

Helen took a turtle-neck yellow body-con that had an exposed V-shape at the chest.

Helen paid for my dress and hers as well.
“You no go pay for me, ehh madam?” another girl Chidubem, said to her.

“Am I your boyfriend? Am I the one you cook for?” Helen retorted while the other girls laughed at the jest she made of the girl.

By thirty minutes past six in the evening, the party took off. We made use of the hall at the last floor which was left empty for the purpose of meetings and get-togethers. Adunni arrived early and helped out in decorating the hall with LED lights and colourful party strips.

It was later that I learnt that a big number of the girls brought their pajamas along because there would be sleepover at the hall after the party. Cynthia offered the use of her laptop to watch movies for those interested in watching movies. One MP3 player was present for the music to be played with. And there were about three foams draped on the wall, covered with a red curtain.

Once the makeup session with Neesha was over, I could not recognize myself anymore. The last time I put makeup on my face was during my uncle's wedding and it was not that much, just a simple one to make my face look good for the camera.
It was also Helen's idea that we applied makeup, I disagreed at first because I did not see the importance of doing this for a night party but Helen insisted.

Neesha was paid and quickly went out stating that she needed to get started on herself too.

“Wow!” Adunni exclaimed when she saw me.

“Is it good?” I mumbled.

“Are you okay? Of course, have you seen yourself lately? You're beautiful,” she praised.

“Thank you,” I responded.

Helen said the same thing to me before she continued talking on her phone.

Adunni and I went upstairs where the party was taking place. Some have started dancing and whining their bodies to the sound of the music, others were taking videos of what was happening with their phones, then we have the group that were snapping pictures and selfies.

We had so much fun knowing one another even though at a point I felt shy when I came up on stage to talk about myself. Nonetheless, I had Helen and Adunni by my side, they gave me the courage I needed to face the crowd. I was surprised that Cynthia spoke in my favour as well.

By the time we decided to bring the party to an end so everyone can get some rest, I chose to walk around to talk to some girls about any available job position

“No, I don't know about any.” Sandra, the first girl said to me.

“Well, I work with Rapido foods and the only vacancy available is for someone who can run delivery services for them. It's not difficult but it's not easy shaa, considering that you're a student...” Mary informed.

“Is the pay good?” I asked the question I was really after.

“Well, they said twenty percent of every delivery made each month, and they'll also give transportation and feeding money,” she responded.

“Okay, thank you. Can I get your number just in case?”

“Okay,” she imputed her number to my phone.

I resolved to continue asking until I found out something that might be suitable for me to work for and something I can work around so I can have time for my studies too.

A large number of people had nothing to offer, the only other option I had asides Mary's, was the night shift at Tchelo's Hotel brought by Natalia. I took her number as well even though she told me that she worked the afternoon shift.

I browsed about Tchelo's Hotel. It was in another area from the University. If I was to start working there, I needed to consider transportation money as well. Since delay is dangerous, I would have to go check out the place tomorrow afternoon since the next day was a lecture-free day.

After I saw Adunni off to her hostel, I called Natalia because I didn't want to go on my own as if was my first time. I told Helen about it and she seemed relieved that I finally got a job but she had issues with it being the night shift. Natalia directed me to her hostel also reminding me to come with a passport and an application letter. Thankfully I had those ready.

I wore a plaid black skirt with a white and black-flower print shirt then complimented the outfit with black flat shoes.

The hotel was a magnificent building with a fountain a few steps away from the building. The building was painted in white colours and had brown aluminium roofs on top.

“Uhmm, you'll meet with the receptionist who would get you in touch with the manager. I've done my part by bringing you here, let me start my work in the kitchen,” Natalia stated when we went in.

She led me to the reception area and showed me the man to talk to before she stalked off.

“Good evening, sir” I said to the man.

“Good evening, how can we help you?” he asked.

“I brought an application letter, I want to see the manager. If there is a position for me,” I rasped.

“Okay, please have a seat. I'll call you when the manager is ready.” he said.

I nodded and went to sit down, praying that this was the beginning of good things in my life.

★★★★

Was it, or it wasn't?

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