[A spark of light, to my dim world]

They say everything happens for a reason, and fate destins those who are meant to be. At least, I 'think' that's what they say. Whatever, let's forget about that bit.

So, my journey of 'change' started when a mindless decision to step out, brought about a gift I'll forever be greatful for.

It was just a normal day. Sunny, and...

Wait! Who am I kidding? It wasn't your normal day. Infact, it was the exact opposite! It was the most upsidedown day of my life!

I'd just woken up by late morning. Probably around 10ish.

The first strange thing that happened was—Nobody complained.

If you're wondering how that would be considered upsidedown? Then oh-ho! Lemme make mention of the psychotics I have the privilege of calling 'family'.

In the Adetiba household. Everyone is expected to be up and ready by 6am sharp! No dilly dally. The latest we could wake up would be by seven. Nothing more. We were to have morning devotion by that six o clock gan! Which would last for half an hour. But, mind you. We fit wake by 5 if na for school.

Afterwards, chores.
Immediately after chores, personal hygiene! Cause “Why take a bath before cleaning the house only to get dirty again?” my mum's words, not mine.

But she was right. And everyone followed this routine to the T! No falters, and even if there were? Rest assured there were punishments to follow.

Life in the house was programed to function a certain way. Honestly? It felt like we'd been doing this for far too long. The years seemed to just pass us by. Barely granting us memories worth remembering.

Time itself sprinted away. Unwilling to stop, wait. Catch it's breath.

It was a very scary feeling. Yet, we continued to live that way. In the same house, the same neighborhood, the same scenery, the same old everything!

Nothing new.

However, this particular day was definitely cooking up something. First off, whenever I get up from bed, my most definite reaction would be to go to the bathroom and freshen up a bit. Then take out my Bible so as to meet with everyone else, who were probably just waking up as well. That was the basic gist of it.

Well, on this day, I didn't do any of that. When I got up. The first thing I did was walk to out my door. I casually strolled into the living room and didn't wait to see if everyone else was awake. Instead, I went straight to the kitchen from there. Feeling super hungry for reasons I do not know.

Early morning munchies.

“E'karo ma! (Good morning ma'am)” I greeted my mum who'd been cooking, then snuck a strip of fired plantain into my mouth.

“I saw you o!”

I jolted a bit, then chuckled in slight guilt. “Busted” I said,  holding the back of my head in embarrassment.

“Morning. How are you? Shey dada le ji? (Did you sleep well?)”

I responded with a slight nod. My eyes were still feeling super heavy. It was so unlike me to over sleep.

“Ounje ti ji'na tan. Se ma jeun ba'yi? (Breakfast is ready. Will you eat now?)”

Without even thinking it through, I bobbed my head again. Excited to get some food in my mouth. It was an oddly refreshing day.

Have you ever been in a situation were, you find yourself doing something you don't usually do. Only to realize it later? At that time you would have already completed everything. That's the only way I can describe that day to be like.

Smooth like none other.

After breakfast, I got prepared for the day. Only to remember later summer break had just begun.Which meant...NO SCHOOL! I was free to do whatever I wanted. Maybe that's why I felt so giggdy.

Even with that, I should have received a slap or even a couple fireballs of Insult, courtesy of my 'osun' bred mother. It was likely I heard something like;

“Desua! Why are you waking up by this time? Ehn? Your mates are out there, some are even married. And they dare not wake up late!”...

“Don't you know you're a woman? You don't know that you have to do things on time?”...

“If you have children is this how you'll be sleeping? Like someone who their parents abandoned.”...

“I pity the man that will marry you”

Blah, blah, blah.
You get my point.

Instead?
we just sat down together on the sofa.

Then, I did it.

I asked without waiting to reason. Without considering how likely it would be to receive a “Yes, you can” from my parents.

“Eh-ehn. Mummy, Daddy. Can I go shopping today?”

WHAT was I thinking?

Wetin concern me with shopping? Me? Shopping, how? Like, where do I even know? Apart from the way to the kitchen and my most treasured area yet—MY FREAKING BEDROOM!?

I barely even knew the areas in my school. I swear, I fit loss for inside classroom. That's just how oblivious to the world I was.

So what was this sudden switch In pace? I no even see wetin to ask for na to go shopping mall. God no go shame us o. AJe!

“Mmm, okay. But you'll help me pick up a few things o.” My mum casually replied. As if seeing nothing wrong in it.

I hadn't even done my own chores yet! What kind of rancid oxygen was everyone breathing in? It must've been causing us mental damage.

At first, I just stared at her. Not sure if that was the response I wanted. So, little ol me was like. “Wait, why?”

“Cause you've been working so hard lately. You need the break. It's the holidays so... Infact, check the back pocket of that my grey jean. The one I wore yesterday. If you see small change there, use it to get those sweets you like.” My dad told me. His tone was resolute, and spooled nothing but honesty.

The hell was going on?

Do I even deserve a break? Wetin I even score for last term exam? I had up to five C's, a D and one magically crafted A. God bless Mr Matthew. He deserves the award for teacher of the year. Can't believe he was able to teach a dunce like me.

On the bright side though, when my dad says you can take money from his Jean. You've hit the jackpot! I fit just see fifteen k straight!

Besides that, all these things were still shocking to me. Suddenly the shopping was no longer gingering me to do. Shey I even know road ni?

“S..so, I can, I can go?”

My parents looked at each other. Then turned back to me.

“Yes, ofcourse.”

I nearly chocked on my saliva as I cracked a smile so fake, the fakest girls in Lagos would hail me. “O..kay.” I blurted. “So, what were the things you wanted me to get for you mummy?”

“Oh!” She shot. “I'll text you the list.”

It was official. A bonifide shut in like ME, was finally going to step into the light. It was looking too bright for me sha.

I mumbled in agony. “Which great ancestor did I offend? Ehn? Why me?” I thought. Strolling off to my room to prepare for a day in the sun. I've heard the touch of grass felt great this season.

The real question I should've asked myself was; Why didn't I decide NOT, to go?

No one was forcing me. So...oh wait! Mummy had already said she needed something. There wouldn't have been a point in backing down. Knowing her, she was probably overjoyed. Finally, she'd seen who to send, instead of go there herself.

So that's were it begun. A trip to the shopping mall.

Were thunder when you need am? I suppose don kpai by now.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

So, I got to the mall. Unsure why I was even there in the first place.

Oh, right. Na me cause am.

Anyway, I needed to hurry back so I could binge watch my Korean series. “Ah! Bitch×Rich! Una go hear 'wheeen' When I get back!” I grinned. Just thinking about it got me elated.

So, In an exciting turn of events 'moi' picked up the pace. Scaling the steepless aisles like it were Mount Everest evolved.

Everything was all well and good—Till, I heard it. A sound so marvelous I had to stop in my tracks and listen!

There'd been a sweet voice. It sounded gentle and firm. I found it particularly fascinating how the person was leveling what, at the time, I'd considered 'difficult notes'. Like it was nobody's business. It was elegant, well timed, and perfectly executed.

Smitten by the mystery siren's voice. I mischievously sneaked by, hoping to put a face to 'Ariel out of sea'. Sure enough, the voice had been coming from across the frozen foods aisle. I wasn't even supposed to be there. Nothing on my mum's list suggested I should've.

“Ehn, shebi it's my outing. I'll just peep and run off, easy peasy, lizard sqea...whatever!” I tiptoed with as much silence as I possibly could. Then? I saw her, through the narrow spacing on the shelves.

“Holy mary mother of God! She's a freaking angel!” I couldn't blink, I just stared. If I were a guy this would be classified as being 'creepy'.

“Wow” I subconsciously blurted. She looked so...clean, and delicate. When I mean 'clean' I mean her skin was without blemish. She was quite literally glowing! And her hair...Wait up, she didn't...

“Are you a fan?”

I froze. Didn't think I'd wait long enough to let her see me.
“Ah! Ode! (Idiot)”

Wow, I could hear it now. My mums scornful voice giving me an earful.

“Adesua, this your chance! Showcase to the world how bad of an actress you are and stare like an idiot into spacial oblivion. Go on. We are waiting.”

Omo, e be like say that oxygen get side effects o. The mental distress I had going on was wild!

“Erm, I...I'm sorry, I...I just. I heard...you were. I thought...” Or perhaps it was just bad communication skills.

“Hey, calm down. You look like you're about to melt.”

I shrieked. She no lie o. I actually felt I'd been doused. But with embarrassment.

“I...I'm sorry. It's just that you sing really well. I thought you were amazing.”

At this juncture I didn't even know how I managed to respond. If it were on a regular day? Mtchewww, I for don run commot for there. But I stayed. Not knowing why. Guess I'd blame it on the rancid air I kept breathing in my imaginations.

Quickly I thought; “Maybe it would be the best If I just left? Everything on mum's list had been covered so—What else is  there?”

In all that 'thoughting' the girl's high-pitched squeal came charging towards my delicate eardrums.

“Wow, really? thank you! That's so sweet of you to say! I've honestly been practicing that song for so long. To the point were I'd gotten frustrated, today I just thought meh, lemme just try, It might work out! And it did, I'm so glad!”

She throw it all at me, as if both of us had been asked to prove who could prattle the fastest. Then she smiled, skipping off to her left.

“Where is she go...”

“Hey!” She literally shouted. Sneaking up beside me from the opposite angle. Her full view blew me away. E be like say God take him time create this one o. I was guessing someone like her is what Igbo men refer to as. 'Asampete'
(My beautiful woman).

Wait first. Was this one even Nigerian? Her demeanor and gleam was too well arranged. Too mild. Unlike the blazing Nigerian spirit. Wouldn't know what that was like but, ey, win some lose some. Am I right?

I may have been overthinking it. But, this girl looked asian! Yet, she was dark skinned. Fair, but still black. Her hair though, was it real? I almost reached out to touch it, when she threw me off the more.

“So, I'm Moremi!
What's your name?”

Ehn? Moremi ke?

I wasn't expecting that. No! there was no flipping way! How?

“Your name is Moremi? Ah, but you don't look Nigerian. Abi?...” I squinted my eyes to look at her, as if that would do me any good.

She giggled sweetly, reaching for my hands. “Well I am. But, just to ease your mind. I'm actually mixed. My name's Jin Moremi! Half Korean, half Nigerian! How bout that?”

Well how bout it? Now this was one development, I didn't see coming.

On that faithful, upsidedown day. I met Jin Moremi...

“Wow, well, I'm Adesua.
Adetiba Adesua.”

...She came in as—a spark of light, to my dim world!