It was 6pm and Eliza was utterly drained and worn out. She thought about food and water as she trudged into her neighborhood. She needed a lot of rest and the thought of a good sleep suddenly seemed so enticing. She noticed that she was the only school girl with uniform in her street, the others were all in their houses.

Chioma's chauffeur came to pick her up after their tutoring lesson. Chioma insisted on driving her home but Eliza refused repeatedly. She didn't need another problem on her plate. It was a good idea that she kept her family background a secret because if it got disclosed, her schoolmates would bury her. She knew what they were capable of. She'd experienced it. She would be an outcast forever. She knew she never belonged in their circle, but she alone knew that and that was enough.
            
As she walked past Mama Nneka's provision store, she made sure that she greeted her because everyone knew that Mama Nneka was a troublesome woman and she was a professional gossip to boot. She knew virtually everything that happens in the neighborhood. How she does that, no one knows.

"Good evening Ma!"

"Ehe, Good evening Nwa m (my child)" she responded with her eyes pierced like a vulture.

Eliza walked straight ahead, praying that the woman won't call her back and start feeding her with gossip. She didn't have the strength for that.

"Ehe, Eliza, bịa go dị (come)" she called her back.

Eliza groaned in frustration as she walked back to her shop.

"Why are you coming back this late, when all your schoolmates are all in their houses?"

It's none of your business. Eliza thought.

"We had an after school lesson". Eliza said instead. As she turned to go, the woman called her back again.

"Wait, I'm not done with you yet". Mama Nneka sat on a stool which was outside her shop and folded her arms. She seemed ready to start a long gossip which Eliza was not prepared for.
"Is it true that your father left your mother?"

Eliza's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the woman.
"How........."

"No wonder! Since you first entered this neighborhood". Mama Nneka started with her hands outstretched for demonstration as she spoke.
"I've never set my eyes on your father. Whenever I ask your mother about him, you know nah, as a good neighbour should, she always make excuses that your father traveled. Little did I know that Mma gị anọzighi na di (your mother is divorced)".

"Hmmm, wonders shall never end". Mama Nneka clapped her hands in contempt as she scoffed at Eliza.

Eliza eyes welled up as she restrained herself from bursting out in anger.

"No wonder she finds it difficult to pay off her debts. Biko (please), remind her that she still owes me ooo! O ji m ụgwọ(She owes me)."

Eliza was tongue tied as she willed her feet to move, dazed and lost in thought. She left the woman's shop with the woman's scornful stares burning her back.

She heard the woman mutter.
" Who knows where she gets the money to train this girl in that rich school?"

Eliza never knew that this day would eventually come. She knew that since mama Nneka knew about them, the whole neighborhood will know eventually. She'd always hated pity. It made her look and feel weak. She knew that people would definitely give off that look when they stared at her.

As she passed through Mama Bomboy's hair salon which was filled with customers and apprentices busily braiding, washing and setting hair. She ought to greet her 'good evening' but the words couldn't come out.

Mama Bomboy, a plumpy dark middle aged woman with full sagged breast smiled at her but Eliza couldn't return the smile as she passed by her shop. She had never failed to greet the cheerful and humble woman, she always made sure that she did that when passing her shop. She had always liked the woman. Even though she owned a hair salon that buzzed with activities, she always kept to herself unlike the other hair stylists that were a pack of gossip just to keep their customers entertained but little did they know that their attitudes chased the customers away. That was why customers streamed in and out of Mama Bomboy's salon and Eliza made that place her favorite salon because the woman knew her job.

As she got home, she glanced over at the other house that was linked with theirs. It was their landlord's house. Apart from the one room apartments the other tenants had with only one convenience. People referred to it as a general yard. Their houses were all clustered together with little ventilation. It was also called 'face me I face you',because of the way neighbors poked into each other's business thereby creating gossip.

Theirs was better and hygienic because they had a three room apartment. A small living room with no space for a dining room and two small bedrooms with their own convenience and a kitchen.

She decided to ignore the landlord's son Frank who was busily washing his clothes, his hands foamy, he was about her age and had this flirtatious grin on his face, when he looked at her. She had always detested the guy and regretted why she had a crush on him in the first place.

Isaac is much better than him. She thought.

Their entrance door was wide open as she entered, ignoring Frank's greeting. "My wife, how you dey? Happy December".

As she entered the living room, John was busily watching an action movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Protagonist. John has always liked the guy but with Eliza, he has always been all bony and all brawns. Eliza ignored his greeting as she went straight to the kitchen hoping to find her Mom there but it was empty.

She couldn't really decipher how she felt but anger was one of them. She went straight to her Mom's room with her shoes still on, because she forgot to remove them at the entrance. Her mom wasn't there either. She went straight into the backyard hoping to find her doing some laundry but she wasn't there too.

As she went back to the living room, she asked John about her, but it seemed like John was too engrossed in his movie.

"John!"

He jolted as he stared at her wide eyed.

"Where's mom?"

"Oh, she said something about refilling our gas, it has ran out". He said and went back to his movie.

Eliza knew that her mom would probably be at Mr Nna's shop because he always refilled their cooking gas on credit. Eliza hated the man and she always felt disgusted at the sight of his missing tooth. She knew he had an interest in her mom but her mom always preferred to go there, maybe it was because of the credits.

What poverty can do. Eliza thought as she slowly removed her uniform, putting on her silk night gown, she sat at the edge of her bed, pondering and worrying. Her stomach grumbled but she ignored it. How could she eat when she had a lot on her mind.

How could her mom keep this from her? And how did the secret slip out? Now Mrs Nneka knows and everyone will know eventually. She wasn't prepared for this, she really wasn't.

When she realized that it was already eight sharp and the sun had already gone down was when they had a blackout and John shouted in frustration along with some neighborhood kids who were probably inside their houses, eyes fixed on their telly. Eliza realized that she didn't notice the kids outside playing because there was NEPA. But she knew that those kids could play 24 hours straight without getting tired.

It had been over twenty minutes when Eliza heard her mom shouting at John.

"John, why is this house dark?! What are you still doing on the cushion?! Come on, go and switch on the rechargeable! I hope it was fully charged?"

Eliza leaped up and dashed towards the kitchen ignoring the pain that shot threw her right leg as she stubbed her toe at the kitchen door because it was pitch black. When she saw her mom in the kitchen who used her phone as a flashlight, she greeted her.

"Mommy, Good evening"

Her mom whirled around startled. "Oh Eliza. You're back. I've been calling your line but you weren't picking up. Was it the tutoring that kept you late?"

Eliza nodded. Eliza looked at her mom and noticed her droopy and tired eyes. Her cheek bones became so prominent. Her anger quickly dissipated and was replaced with an immense love for her mom who had gone through a lot for them and was willing to go through a lot for them.

"Have you eaten?" her mom asked her with a concerned look.

Eliza shook her head.

"Oh God! What is wrong with that boy, why didn't he tell you where I kept your food in the kitchen! I knew he was probably watching those movies again. Nwa eh (this child)"

Eliza took a step forward and engulfed her mom in a tight hug. Tears streaked down her cheeks uncontrollably. They stayed that way for five minutes before Eliza released her.

"Eliza" her mom called her, her eyes narrowed. "Ọ gịnị? (what is it?)"

"Mom, I'm so sorry" Eliza said with a tear stained face.

"Ozugo. (it's ok). Wipe your tears, ok?" her mom told her and wiped her tears for her instead. "Now, tell me, what's wrong?"

"Mrs Nneka knows everything Mom. She knows about Dad leaving us"

Her mom nodded and it appeared that she already knew because she wasn't surprised.

"And I know she's not the only one that knows. She must have heard it somewhere"

Her mom, nodded in response.

"Your co workers are aware of it. Right?"

Her mom nodded again.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"It's my cross to bear Eliza. You shouldn't be worried about it" she had this sad and fallen look on her face.

Eliza took her mom's hands and held it. "Mom, we're in this together. Share those burdens with me, we'll bear them together"

Eliza wondered where those words of wisdom came from. She was shocked at her own words.

"You're still a little girl Eliza. I don't want you to be burdened with this. I don't want you to lose focus on the most important thing, that is, your studies"

Eliza smiled. "I'm no longer that little girl with pink shoes and a teddy bear. I'm a grown woman now"

"You're still my little girl" her mom said, with a smile on her face. A look of adoration in her eyes.

"What about dad?" Eliza asked her.

Her mom's smile disappeared and was replaced with a frown. "What about him?"

"Can't you guys at least, be friends? No matter what happened between you two, he's still my dad"

Her mom turned her back towards her.
"I know. You'll be going to your dad's house this Christmas holiday to spend some time with him"

Eliza's eyes grew wide with excitement as her grin spread across her face. "Thank you mom. John will be going with me. Right?"

Her mom faced her and shook her head. "No. He doesn't want to"

"Why?" Eliza asked, tilting her head.

"He just doesn't" her mom said and turned towards the vegetables she bought. Picking up a knife, she started cutting it into shreds.

Eliza noticed it as end of conversation and she decided not to ask any further.

Later, she would ask John.

Eliza had it in mind to ask her mom about the debts she owed Mrs Nneka. She knew about her mom's debts but this was the first she felt ashamed of it. She needed to think of something and she needed to do it quick before everything escalates, including the new gossip Mrs Nneka was itching to spread. She needed to shut that mouth immediately.

.    .     .      .    .     .     .      .     .      .      .     .
         School activities became cramped up. There were practicals upon prcticals. Teachers were rushing to cover their school curriculum before exams. Students were bombarded with loads of assignments. The library was suddenly filled with students. Everyone's exam mode was suddenly activated.

Ss3 students had more work on their plate because of their SSCE which was next year. During school hours, no one went out for breaks anymore. They used those breaks to study. Some of them were found sprawled out on the field with books splayed out in front of them. Some were found in their classrooms, eyes fixed on their books.

Eliza had never seen such dedication in the students before. Maybe it was because they knew that this terms exam would be different. They wouldn't be given a breathing space. So it was better to be safe than sorry. Everyone had to stay focused.

As if it wasn't enough, the preparation for the Christmas Carol rehearsal kicked off. The school choir rehearsed more than ever, the school drama club weren't left behind, the dance club was also seen rehearsing. Excitements were etched on each student's faces but it seemed like they were more concerned and worried about their upcoming exams.

*      *.         *.        *.         *.         *.          *

      During the weekend, Eliza was in the living room playing a Whot card game with John and her mom while the TV was on. Eliza found herself enjoying spending her evenings like this with her family.

Eliza felt everything changing for the better now. She saw her mom frequently now. Her mom still worked but this case was different and Eliza was grateful for that. Eliza knew she had her own flaws and she'd made some mistakes in the past.

She could remember the times she was absent from home. She loved spending time with her friends more. She loved the sleepovers at Chioma's place, she loved spending her weekends there. It was her second home. She loved shopping more with unlimited debit card, She loved throwing parties in their previous grand abode. She loved going out on movies with her friends. She loved the exotic life her dad created for her. She still missed him.

When her dad left them, everything intensified. She had frequent fights with her mom. She complained more about her needs that needed to be met. She was more frustrated than ever. She realized that the experiences she had in school humbled her and opened her eyes more to appreciate the unwavering love and support her mom gave her. She also realized that she had to get rid of fake friends that never cared for her.

"Last card" John said, with his eyes glinting with excitement. "Checkmate"

He leapt up and danced around, laughing and sticking out his tongue at Eliza.
"I won!!!"

"No! It's not fair!" Eliza whined. She knew that John was an expert when it came to games. There was no way she was going to win. "How did you do that?"

"I guess I'm more smarter than you" John replied.

Her mom laughed too. She stood up excusing herself to check what she was cooking in the kitchen.

"Okay, let's play one more" Eliza said as she shuffled the cards.

A thought suddenly struck her. She peeped through the kitchen entrance and knew that her mom was still in the kitchen.

She glanced at John and asked him.
"Why don't you want to spend the Christmas holiday at Dad's house?"

John's expression changed into a deep frown.

"I just don't want to." He stood up abruptly and headed towards the bedroom.

Eliza's eyes followed him as he disappeared inside. Eliza became more confused than ever. She knew how close John was with dad. His current behavior left her speechless.

She couldn't really understand what was going on. Her mom also had the same reaction. She knew they were hiding something from her and she was going to find out what it was.

Okay, This is getting more interesting. What do you think John is hiding from Eliza?

And how do you view this new and changed Eliza?
I think she's becoming more understanding.

What do you guys think?

Please, don't forget to vote and let me know of what you guys think by commenting.
And please share.

xoxo