African Man

  ©️ ...I didn't know whether to laugh or cry I just remained silent "Why did you put cotton wool inside your ears?" Mum asked again... "I... Favour was singing loudly and it was disturbing me from sleeping" I explained shakily The shock of suddenly losing my hearing was still slightly present and I could hear my heart beat very hard  By that time, Favour and Emmanuel had come out of their rooms to know what was going on "So because Favour was singing that is why you did something so stupid, can't you ask her to reduce her voice?" Mum scolded I kept mute, my face was hurting from the slap and I was close to crying but thankfully I didn't cry. Mum left and went to her room...turned out she was sleeping before the loud music I couldn't hear woke her up Favour laughed at me and went to her room, Emmanuel went outside to do something else and I myself went to the kitchen to eat away my sorrows. *** All these happened when I was still a child an...

  ©️ ...I screamed because of what was in the laptop bag A brand new MacBook with a router It wasn't mine, or so I thought, until I rushed excitedly to dad's room and asked him about it "It's yours Victor, I bought it for you" dad said amidst smiles I wasn't expecting that at all, it was a huge surprise and a good one too "Daddy thank you!" I exclaimed as I hugged him excitedly and started jumping  "You can take the old one in my office, I don't have any need for it" he added I was dumbfounded...what would I be using two laptops to do  The answer came later when Emmanuel told me that his friend needed a laptop...I sold out the old laptop even though the price was low because of the condition Even at that, the price was more than my usual allowance money and it was enough to take me through the holidays It was only a week to the time we were meant to expect uncle Fred and our eldest sister, Precious...and during this week, a lot at thin...

  ©️ ...I stood up immediately, I had become nervous The thoughts of how dad would react to my result flooded my mind although I didn't even know what he originally expected of me. "Daddy welcome" I greeted immediately he stepped in "Thank you" he replied and proceeded to hug his wife... "Welcome dear, how was work?" Mum asked He replied positively and went to his room to freshen up, then came back after sometime to eat  We ate together that afternoon and it was while we ate that dad asked about my results "Victor, how was your party" he asked with a mouthful of food If it was to be a different occasion, he would be the one to speak against talking with a mouth full of food... I answered his question anyways "It was fine"  "Did you do any presentation?" He asked again, this time with less food in his mouth I told him about the mass choir and how I had a cracked voice after performing with them Then he asked about my result...

  ©️ ..."Moving on to JSS 2, we have Jessica Albert, Kennedy Okwu and Daniel Festus for first, second and third positions respectively...clap for them as they come up to receive their prizes"  There was loud applause following that statement  It was the voice of the principal as he called the out the students who came out top of their respective classes Of course I was slightly sad as I wasn't among those called out but I joined the people present to applaud them. Once the clapping and cheering died down, I started thinking of how I'll have to continue using my old laptop since I didn't meet dad's requirements...it would only take a miracle for daddy to get me a new one and I hoped for that miracle to happen.  There was another round of clapping and my class teacher tapped me... I looked up "Go and get your prize" she said I was confused My classmates were smiling at me and still clapping I stood up hesitantly and walked to the platform where the pri...

  ©️ ...I later dropped the role and was excused from the drama crew No other roles were available for me so I had to find my way into the school mass choir and I ended up with a sore throat after the first day of rehearsal. We students were still expected to be in school every day in order to prepare for the prize giving day...we were only dismissed two days to the main ceremony Then we were given a notice to arrive at least two hours before the commencement of the event for final rehearsals Most of us complied and arrived very early... But to our dismay, most of the school's equipments had been either stolen or destroyed Our teachers were very discouraged when they found out but the principal urged us to continue our rehearsals and assured that the event would still hold although he didn't seem confident about it. Eventually, the director ordered for some equipments on rent and our hope was revived... The event finally commenced and all performances went on smoothly I was in ...

  ©️ ...When the rain finally stopped, I went back home and this time, it was Emmanuel who opened the gate... I told him how Favour made me to soak in the rain "That girl is wicked" I said, but he didn't reply He only chuckled silently. Thankfully, I didn't fall sick afterwards...I wrote my exams the next day and celebrated my freedom from exams for the term by playing football before dad came to pick me Also, my ban on watching tv had been lifted and luckily for me, there was power supply throughout the evening I could only hope that I was able to pass dad's challenge of coming out top of the class, although I knew it was almost impossible Nonetheless, I still had to go to school in order to prepare for the prize giving day. I was once called to take up the role of a hoodlum in the drama presentation arranged by my class teacher, I had no choice than to accept it... I started practising my lines in class and when I was home, I side same in my room... "Hey!! ...

  ©️ ..."O-kay" mum replied hesitantly She sounded like she didn't believe us... "Are you sure?" She asked again "Yes, we just checked on her before we came to get our food...she was even sleeping when we got to her room" Emmanuel replied as I nodded in affirmation She still didn't seem convinced but we continued eating. Mum later went to check on Favour, but she came back after Favour also told her the same thing... "I don't want to eat"  "Are you feeling fine?" Mum had asked her and Favour replied in the affirmative. Favour came out of her room just as we finished eating, she looked at our plates and glared at me I acted as if I didn't notice... Then she went to the kitchen and checked the pot. By the time she came out, I had already entered my room and locked the door in order to avoid drama I stayed in there reading my books in preparation for the last paper of my exam, it was a breeze because I already read a lot in...

  ©️ ...At home, everywhere was calm as usual but the air wasn't calm at all Our noses were attacked by the awesome smell coming from the kitchen and I rushed immediately to examine what was cooking... "Good afternoon mummy" I greeted and inhaled sharply Mum noticed me salivating and smiled... "Good afternoon Vic, how was school?" She asked "Fine" I replied quickly "Are you hungry?" She asked while turning the content of the pot which I stretched to see I sniffed again and she laughed... "Yes" I replied "Go and change up then come back and eat" she said I rushed to my room and did as told, went to Favour's room to check on her... she was sleeping with her mouth open I rolled up a piece of paper and put it between her lips, but when she didn't wake up, I added another piece of paper She finally woke up when her mouth was almost filled up, she looked angrily at me and remove the stuff from her mouth "Good aftern...

  ©️ ...I looked up, everyone was looking at me I pretended not to notice the laughter coming from the back of the classroom, I continued writing The teacher stood at my table a little longer, then he continued moving around the class After sometime, he exclaimed again "Some people have already finished" He was standing in front of Daniel who was still writing so I didn't know who exactly he was talking about. I tried to recall even the simplest definitions from basic tech topics but I couldn't I decided to just relax and think about how my holiday will be My thoughts fell on the food I will be eating that afternoon, although I didn't know what mum had cooked but I knew it would be a great meal... I kept thinking of various things because I knew that the exam I was writing was already a failed one so I decided not to stress too much about it. Just when the invigilator gave us the dreaded warning of 5 minutes remaining, I started having flashes of our basic tech cl...

  ©️ ...I slowly stood up, pretending like I didn't know what happened... "Who were you looking at?" The invigilator asked "Nobody" I innocently replied "Are you lying to me?" He sounded furious "No sir" I replied He looked around for some time then he asked... "Did I not say earlier that turning in the exam hall is not allowed?" I kept silent "Answer me" he thundered "You said so sir" I managed to reply "In fact, keep standing for the next 10 minutes, don't write anything on your paper" he said I pleaded with him but he didn't even give me a listening ear, I had to serve the punishment The invigilator focused on the papers on his desk, I looked at Daniel again, he was seriously answering the questions... I decided to read the questions and decide on the ones to attempt, I read the questions over and over again but the man seemed to have forgotten about me... The ten minutes started seeming like...

  ©️ ..."Put away your books and your bags and get ready for your exam" our exam officer ordered as soon as the bell rang I carried my bag to the back of the class while still trying to grasp something from the book I was reading, I stood there reading fast and trying to cover the entire page in as little time as possible... "Hey, what are you still doing there?" The invigilator shouted at me I then noticed that I was the only one still standing at the back of the class with my book  I quickly put my book in my bag and dropped it, then went back to my seat "You know the rules already" the invigilator spoke very loudly "No talking, no borrowing of materials, no long neck and no malpractice...if you have any questions raise your hand and I'll attend to you" He said I said a quick short prayer for my exams, then I silently asked Daniel, my seatmate, if he had read well. He answered in the affirmative and I smiled... "You know I didn't r...

  ©️ ..."Are you serious Daniel?" I asked him in surprise "I've told you what they said at the assembly, it's not my fault that you came late..." "I did not come late" I cut in "That's your business, exam is in 15 minutes... good luck" he turned back to his book Luckily, we submitted our basic tech notes to the teacher the previous week so I just had to go and collect it and read the little I can. I raced to the teachers' office and had to wait for some time before I was permitted to go in... I met the basic tech teacher at his table "Good morning sir, please I want to take my notebook" "Which notebook?" He asked while I answered impatiently "My basic tech notebook" "Which class?" "JSS2 sir" I replied impatiently "Ermmm, JSS2...I have given your class captain your basic tech notebooks, go and ask him for yours" "Okay sir" I looked at the clock in the office whil...

 ©️ ...I and Emmanuel looked at each other in surprise as Favour came out of our parents room smiling... She still beat me...still 1 - 0 She went into her room without even looking at us, I looked at the time... almost 9:00 pm, that was when I remembered I had exams the next day which was Monday... I went into my room immediately and started preparing for school ahead of the next morning... this habit had been forced on me by my mum... She would always made sure I had set my uniform, underwear and bag ahead of the next morning, I was used to it now. After everything, I laid on my bed thinking about what happened earlier, and how Favour had gotten hold of dad's phone without us knowing... Favour found her way back into the youth camp choir...she would surely have enough money after the programme but she is very stingy, ughh Emmanuel was still playing choir songs in the parlour...seems like he has slept off, daddy will soon wake him up specially... I got up early the next morning bef...

  ©️ ..."Jeeesus!!!" I heard Favour shout from her room I pretended not to hear it and laid down on my bed, while other members of the family went to check on her... "What happened?" "Are you okay?"...was all I was hearing I went out of my room to check on her a few seconds later when I started hearing sobs... Favour was crying "What happened?" I asked with a serious look of concern on my face, Favour was already explaining how she plugged her phone and couldn't tell how the socket got switched off I just kept a blank face but I was trying so hard not to laugh Time was 7:00 already and her battery was totally flat so there was no way she could join the group's online meeting... meaning she was automatically deselected and would not be joining the choir for the youth programme Haha, it's now 1-1...prank pass prank Daddy told her not to worry because he would give the three of us money to go for the programme, but we children knew what ...

  ©️ ...I had to take my clothes off and prepare properly for church, but all the while, I was thinking of how to revenge Favour... We finally got to church after a good laugh at my experience that morning Arriving early enough, we settled in before the service started and the choir, including Favour just took their place beside the pastor's podium Favour saw me and gave out a mocking smile while I glared angrily at her... Emmanuel noticed and laughed too The service went on well and Favour seemed so happy while singing with the choir Turned out she had been selected for the group that would perform at the global youth programme... Those that were selected were usually transported to and fro by the church for free, their feeding was also free so it was enough reason to be happy But I had a plan... We went back home with Favour still fantasizing over the profits she will get from the programme and how she will save the money that daddy will give her for necessity...just incase somet...

  ©️ ..."No o" we both laughed... "Buy me ermmm..."  "Don't worry, I'll buy something for you" she interrupted "What will you buy?" I enquired "You'll see it when I come"  "Okay sister, let it be good o"  "As if you've given her money before" Emmanuel retorted "Bye" I said over the phone before I gave it back to daddy... This time, I was very careful and made sure that the phone was in Daddy's hand before I started celebrating. "Uncle Fred will be coming back next month and Precious too, next month is our long holiday... They would be bringing gifts for me too...I guess next month will not be so bad for me" I thought But I still had my exams to face. I took my bath and went to bed... The next day being Sunday, I woke up to everywhere being bright and I knew I had overslept but I didn't know how long, Until someone knocked on my room door, it was Favour... She was already dr...

  ©️ ... Precious is our eldest sister, the first born She is currently in the university, she just reached her final year and this should be their first semester... I and my brother rushed out to meet Favour who was on the phone with her We were both impatient to speak with her but we had to wait for Favour to finish She had not been home in a while that was why we missed her so much... Emmanuel took over the phone and I had to wait for another 10minutes before I could have the chance to speak to her "Be careful o, before you spoil this one" Favour said when I was about to take the phone from Emma "Hello sister, good evening" I greeted with a broad smile "Evening Vicky, how are you?" "I'm fine sister"... I and my brother, Emmanuel always called her "Sister", only my parents and Favour called her by her name... "Okay, I hope you haven't spoilt another thing?" she asked and I replied in the affirmative, but Favour disag...

  ©️ ...I managed to finish the fruits on my plate amidst various taunts from my Favour... "I salute you o, CEO of the No Allowance Organisation of Nigeria" "Can you believe that the almighty Victor will be called a poor man next month?" "Bro you'll be broke throughout next month" "Worst month of the year right?" "I think your new name should be Mr. Broke" "His face is already long like a broomstick, by next month his chin will be on the ground" Many other yabs were just flying around but I maintained myself with the belief that uncle Fred will be around next month... It's just a matter of when he will come around. I washed my plate and went over to my room but I had nothing to do so I went to Emmanuel's room to check on him... "Ah, daddy has given you the laptop back?" I asked "Yes, I told him I had some work to do" he answered while tapping away on the device "Which work?" I asked ag...

  ©️ ...My excitement died immediately, I managed to pick up the phone and tried to switch it on... "This boy is just something else"  That was my sister, Favour I ignored her and switched the phone on but the screen had developed fault so the phone could not function properly Dad went inside, I got scared that he wanted to bring a cloth hanger and whip me again, but he came back with his own phone which we used to finish the conversation with uncle Fred After the call, we had to go eat... We ate the fruits salad that mummy prepared  Although I don't like being shouted at, but dad's silence over the spoilt phone added to my guilt so I avoided eye contact with anyone while eating  I was almost done eating so I was getting relieved and hoping that nobody brought up the matter again... But Favour had different plans... "Daddy" she called "Yes?" He replied...I still buried my face in the food and I think Emmanuel was not also interested in their conver...

  ©️ ..."What's that one na?" I asked, displeased by his words "The window was reflecting everything you were doing so daddy possibly saw what you were doing before you switched tabs" he explained I didn't know what to say...my mind did not even get to that aspect, I just wanted to play games as at that time Well, I ended up playing myself... "So what are we eating this night" Emmanuel asked  "I don't know o, mum prepared fruits salad and I don't think we will eat anything else" "Okay, but I'm really hungry sha" "As usual na" I taunted him while he walked out to his room I just took my book, social studies, and started flipping through until I slept off I was woken up by my brother's voice, he sounded quite excited, I went out to meet him, everyone was out too and my sister was on a call... "What is it?" I asked Emma "It's uncle Fred, he said he would come over in August" he repl...