𝓛𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓽𝓼

𝑴𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓.
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The buses are already at the mess, but the drivers aren’t yet. So, I sit on a bench in front of a closed kiosk, waiting for others to arrive.

Bit by bit, people start to show up; many are carrying bags much heavier than mine. Some are even carrying boxes filled with things meant for their kids in school. "And here I am, thinking I overpacked," I laugh out a bit.

"Ah, mama Unwana," This is how we call every woman with children. We call them Mama, followed by the name of their first child. The name of my daughter is Unwana, so I’m called Mama Unwana. "You don reach?" Mrs. Okolo (Mama Chinelo) asks.

Seeing Mama Chinelo approaching me with the large bag on her head made me burst out laughing. "Yes oo," I reply, "this one wey you carry 𝑮𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒂-𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕-𝒈𝒐 so, nawa oo, na only Chika get am?" I am amazed at the large size of the bag, which is by far, bigger than mine. And Chika happens to be her second child after Chinelo.

"My sister, you know how all this our children dey behave; you go buy one thing today, tomorrow, they go thief am finish," She complains.

I understand the angle of her complaint. Whilst getting up from my seated position and help her drop the bag from her head, I remember my daughter's own complain which is similar then, I say. "Hmm, tell me about it,"

"Chika called me through his guardian, telling me that everything he has was stolen, from his books to his sandals, and now we have to buy everything all over again."

"But na waoo, no be SSS 1 Chika dey?" I quiz, surprise. If senior secondary school boy can be this careless how much more my daughter who is still in junior secondary school?

"See me oo, yes na, but wattin person go do?" She states rhetorically.

"It is well," that’s all I can say to it all.

Our attention is caught by a strident voice announcing the names of the people who have paid for the fare to board the bus. He calls out each name one by one, and as soon as I hear my name, I hastily transfer my luggage to the boot.. After ensuring that it is safely kept in, I then enter inside the bus and find a comfortable seat by the window to sit. Soon later, the man is done calling the names, that's when the bus driver hops in, he place his key into the ignition, starts the engine and drives off.

*****

We arrive at the school's grounds at 11:15 AM, but kids cannot leave their dorm until 12:30 PM to go to the visiting field, so we enter the school auditorium, where we must all attend the P.T.A. meeting.

After a protracted debate, argument, and suggestion, the meeting finally comes to an end, and all of the parents head to the school's second gate to wait for the student arrival. If anything, this school is notable for its orderliness. Regardless of their size, all pupils are required to form a straight line and cross through the second gate into the visiting ground. The soldiers, stationed at key locations, sternly monitor the line and make sure nobody crosses it.

I know Unwana knows where the Navy Town bus usually parks, but I like standing at the second gate In full anticipation while checking for her.

"Unwana!" I yell, thrilled, as I catch sight of her.

My little angel sprints through the crowd and into my arms. "Baby, how are you?" I ask, not releasing her from my tight embrace.

"Mommy, I feel better now that I'm seeing you." She replies, melting my heart. I have so missed my little girl.

"See how sharp you are looking." I give her a compliment while releasing the hug and giving her a close inspection. Unwana has become noticeably leaner; her lovely brown eyes have sunk into her eye socket, her plump cheeks have vanished, her collar bone is now excessively evident, and her complexion appears darker and dryer. What have they done to my daughter? She appears as though she hasn't eaten in days. I give her another embrace and a grin of encouragement.

"I try, mom," she replies. "My school mother also helped me wash and iron my sunday white."

Their Sunday white is a short-sleeved, straight white gown that falls below the knee. The neckline of the white gown varies from choice. Some of the students wear a round neck, some V-neck and some wear a box neck  that is much similar to the one Unwana is wearing now.

"That reminds me. How is she, your school mother, senior Idowu?" I ask out of curtsey. Knowing how well she has been taken care my daughter.

"She’s fine, mom."

"Ok, come, we have to hurry before your food gets cold." I hasten her. I can see her literally dancing the moment she heard food.

"Mommy, is Uncle Chidi here with you? He promised." She looks around me in search of him.

"Emm." I hesitate a bit, clearing my throat. I don’t want to tell her that we broke up, especially now that she is already fond of him. She will know eventually, but not now.

"He was unable to make it." I go on, brushing my hand over her unkempt hair. I quickly change the subject by saying, "You need to cut this hair, oo, it's bushy."

She grins and takes my hand in hers. "Mom, I miss you."

Hearing those words makes me so happy. Does she know how much I miss her too? We strolled towards the bus while she clutch my hand in hers.

1064 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖘

PIDGIN                    ENGLISH

You done reach?- - - - - - - - you are here already?

Wey- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - that

nawa oo, na only Chika get am?- - - - - - - - - - -hmm, is this for Chika alone?

...dey behave, you go buy one thing today, tomorrow them go thief am finish- - - - - - - - - ...always behave, you                             will buy one thing today
and tomorrow it will be stolen

Na waoo, no be ss1 Chika dey- - - - - - shocking, is he not in ss1? (Senior secondary school 1)

See me oo, yes na, but wattin person go do?- - - - - yes but what can I do?