As I was trying to reach sister Grace, Zach approached me with a bright smile. He came to see a friend in the apartment beside hers and was just leaving. The young man was happy to see me so he wouldn't stop asking questions about my wellbeing. He was so engrossed in talking to me that he probably wouldn't have noticed her if the small orange bowl she threw inside the green bucket that was once filled with the water she used to wash her car didn't make any sound. The force she used in throwing the bowl attested more to the fact that she wasn't in her best mood.

Zach didn't stay long after greeting sister Grace because he had to prepare for church service even though he would have loved to spend more time with me since I wasn't going to be available for a week. After he left, I was finally able to greet sister Grace with my signature smile. Only that it didn't create the desired effect. She still remained grumpy. As I was greeting sister Grace, her younger sister came out of the house for reasons best known to her.

"Hi, Lily. It's nice seeing you", She said to me.

"Quit the drama, Bolu. We both know you mean otherwise", Sister Grace snapped at her.

There was no depressing expression on my face when those words escaped sister Grace's mouth effortlessly because Bola and I weren't close church buddies due to her domineering nature. I guessed she must have strongly objected the idea of me following them.

"Comeon sis, how can you choose an outsider over your own family?" Bola scoffed. She didn't care that I was standing close to her.

"Because I'm not a fan of injustice", Sister Grace raised her voice.

"What's wrong with both of you? Why are you acting like kids", A woman who looked more like Bola came out of the house to settle their dispute. She was their mom.

"She started it!", They pointed accusing fingers at each other.

Returning home because one of their distant cousins expressed her desire to go camping and took my seat in the jeep wasn't easy but I had no other choice. Sister Grace who felt bad about what happened offered to lap me but I turned her down. I didn't want her to go through any form of inconvenience because of me in her own car. Besides, her parents also sounded excited about the fact that I didn't go with them. I guess they couldn't tell Sister Grace not to bring me along since they knew how much she liked me so they made Glenda develop a sudden interest through Bola. If my Aunt knew what actually happened, I knew she would have gone to the Buckinson's residence to make a scene. So instead of telling her the truth, I told her the jeep we planned on taking to the camp developed a fault and she believed me.

For the rest of the day, I remained in my bedroom feeling terrible about what happened. I tried to make myself forget about it by turning on my DVD and television to continue watching, " The legend of the blue sea". Unfortunately, even Chung's naive state couldn't force a smile out of me. As a matter of fact, it only made things worse. When I could no longer stand it, I closed my eyes and slept off. The following morning, Aunt Tolani claimed to have closed my window which I left wide open to prevent more mosquitoes from invading my room and heard thanks from me afterwards. I didn't remember doing that though...lol

The Monday after we vacated, Aunt Tolani was called for business and I became lonely as usual. To avoid worrying about my loneliness, I invested my morning in cleaning our backyard where dry leaves and biscuit nylons were scattered across. Sweeping them was annoying because they kept sticking to the floor so I had to use my fragile hands to pull them out till I got zonked. Thereafter, I went to the closest variety store to my home for get a loaf of sweet and fluffy 'Agege' bread. My mouth was in too much hurry to have it with scrambled eggs and a rich cup of tea.

What I mean by 'rich tea' is not having the whole amount of milk and chocolate that I desired in my tea...lol It was simply not adding too much water in my tea so it doesn't lose its taste and quality. The only tea I could afford then was a milo and dano milk satchet whose price was eighty naira with a tweny naira wrap of sugar to balance the  equation.
  

While waiting for my goods which weren't available yet at the variety store, I decided to check for updates on my phone to keep myself busy. I checked Wattsap first since I expected the president of my teens church to have assigned us roles to play in our upcoming dinner on our group but I was disappointed. I would moved to Facebook to see both diminishing and spirit lifting picture updates but the theme of my Gmail app caught my attention and I decided to just check it out!

Being a senior student in Grace Model College was a thing of pride for me. Even though my secondary school wasn't the best the world's ever seen, I still counted myself highly favored to be among the few that studied there so I tried everything in my power to do everything that would make the school proud though people couldn't behold it. I mean since I started senior secondary school one, my hand have been writing and tearing up piceces of paper because I had to create the perfect request letter to a radio station.

Unlike Bene, I didn't have the guts to dream of becoming the best OAP (On Air Personality) from our neighborhood. Still, I could write to implore them to give the school's press club a chance to explore their broadcasting facilities for just ten minutes! I wanted to be known for doing something remarkable in GMC before graduation and didn't stop until my reached my goal.

Like someone who was under the influence of weed, I ran out of the variety store when I saw the message that my application to the radio station had been approved to tell Bene. I ignored the seller who was clamoring for me to collect my change and clasped my slippers in my hands when they got spoilt while I was running.

It didn't even cross my mind to return home to change them because of my mood. The feeling of excitement was visible in my body language. Soon, I transferred it to Bene with a hug. I didn't even care about the fact that we were in a public place. Initially, I planned on going to tell him at his house but found him on the road, getting curry and thyme for his mom.

Among the people who saw Bene and I hugging was Zach. With a displeased look on his face, he walked passed us. I was tempted to call and ask him what was going on but I just couldn't bring myself to do that. Well, I was also hoping he'll talk to me later at Omma's house since I planned on sharing the good news with her as well.

"Girl, are you sure you're in the right department? It's not too late to move to art department oo" Omma acted like she was out of breath when she finally heard what happened.

"You're not okay, I swear!" We laughed like drunk people."If my village people sent you to me, tell them you're not good at running errands".

"But on a more serious note Lily, I think you should really look into what Omma said", Bene had a stern look on his face.

"I'm never considering that so forget it. My career....", I rolled my eyes.

"It's so good to see you again, my future inlaws. Long time oo", ID entered the room without prior notice. It wasn't even him I noticed first. It was the shoprite bag on his left hand. I never thought he could go to such a fancy place.

"Welcome baby. How was work today?", Omma ignored my glower and rose up instantly to give him a peck.

"Which stupid work?" My mockery laughter filled the air.

"It's no stupid work, Lily. ID here is a hardworking man and I'm proud of him. He helps his dad transport people around that ikeja area during weekends and holidays", She explained with annoyance.

"I'm so sorry!" I replied, feeling guilty.

"Keep your sorry to yourself!" Her level of annyonance kept increasing."Did you really think I would resolve to dating a yahoo boy because of money? Do I look that desperate?"

"Why does it feel like you're just trying to get back at Lily for being the first person to apologize during your last quarrel", Bene yawned.

"Exactly", We chuckled and hit our knuckles.

"You guys can't be in my room and still be insulting me", She grabbed her pillow which she used to pursue us out of her room.

When Omma finally settled down, I apologized to ID for making wrong assumptions about him and our relationship improved a bit. Still, I didn't see him as the right person for my beloved Omma but I knew disapproving of their relationship at that point would be going too far. So, I decided to refrain myself from making any comment on her relationship. I chose to respect her decision and not be deprived of the right to eat part of the chicken and chips contained in the shoprite bag he brought. Omma was so fascinated by it that she insisted on us eating it in front of the house for showoff. Arrrgggghhhh!!!!

We stayed at Omma's house for a long period of time because Jess also showed up there. She was having issues with her boyfriend and the only shoulder she felt comfortable to lean on was Bene's. Regardless, he didn't pay her much attention or ignore her. He was there to listen to her laments and still help me choose members of the press club that are most suitable for the incoming broadcast trip. Before that, we called the proprietor to seek his permission and he approved judiciously.

On Facebook, the principal also sent us a 'ok' emoji to show his approval and promised to render any assistance we need concerning it. They were both really happy about it but I knew what they were feeling couldn't be compared to Mr. Yemi. For once, he was happy and proud to be the coordinator of our club.

"Why are you canceling Sukurat's name?" Bene said as we were examining the profiles of the students we planned on taking to the radio station.

"Of what use is she to us? A girl that cannot speak correct English. I'm sure she'll even cancel her name by herself if I added it. That girl is too rass jor", The image of the girl's face came to my mind as I was talking and I was annoying.

"See who is talking. Shey you fit speak pass Wole Soyinka ni?" Omma who was solving past questions on surds in one of her old notebooks interrupted our conversation.

"Abi oo", Jess supported her."But I also heard she likes teasing Bene during club meetings. I think that's the real reason why you hate her".

"It's not. I'm serious", I replied her.

"I know you well, Lil. You're mostly unserious about things you claim not to be serious about", She eyed me.

"Did you just hear yourself? You just spoke like a mad woman", I opened my mouth to laugh, expecting Bene and Omma to join me in doing so but I was disappointed.

"I'm adding her to the list even if it'll be hard dealing with being on your black list for the rest of our senior year", He sighed."We need her accent for the 'Ewi' section".

"We've not even talked about our theme and you already chose one. Who does that?" I unintentionally dropped the pen I was using to write.

"It's fine. I'm sorry. You can do it however you choose since you brought the idea. Good luck!" He replied and left angrily.

AUTHOR'S NOTE
I almost forget!!! Happy Children's day to all the amazing kids out there who light up our world😁🥰 I would have written a longer espistle but have an exam to prepare for..lol..i hope you all have a wonderful day!😍