ALL FOR NOTHING….
Episode eight….
Resuming SS3 was a thing of joy for all of us especially me. This was the class where I would seal my title as the best ever produced at Achievers high school. My sixteenth birthday was just a few days away but it really didn’t appear special to me. Unlike most of my classmates who celebrated their birthdays in school or in some fancy places, I always celebrated my birthday alone with mama.
I celebrated it the previous year at Papa’s grave. I really felt bad that papa wasn’t given a chance to see me grow up. Mama was only able to prepare rice and beef stew which was the usual food she prepared on my birthdays. I didn’t get any presents but all thesame I was happy.
After the victory at the last science competition, Seun finally stopped picking on me. As for Timi, he got his new phone as promised by his dad.
“Guess what?” He asked as we both sat down to have our meals at the school cafeteria. I normally didn’t like going to the cafeteria because the foods they sold there were too expensive but Timi would always insist that I go with him.
“What?” I asked as it was obvious that I had no single idea on what he wanted to talk about.
“I’ll be studying overseas after our final exams.” He said.
“Wow! That’s great.” I exclaimed.
“Yes and dad also promised to buy me a laptop if I’m able to pass my papers in one sitting which I know is not something I can’t achieve.” He said smiling.
“That’s really nice of your dad and I’m very happy for you.” I replied.
He brought out his new cell phone and started showing me all the beautiful pictures he took during the holidays.
“Where’s this place?” I asked pointing to the photo in which he had entered with his family. The place didn’t look familiar and I could tell it was not in Utti.
“This is Grand Hotel Abuja.” He replied.
“It’s a five star hotel and it’s the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever been to.” He added.
“What did you guys go there to do?” I asked.
“It was mom’s birthday so dad took us there to celebrate the birthday of mommy.”
“You are very lucky.” I said feeling a bit jealous because since I was born I’ve never had the privilege to cross the borders of Utti. I stared at the picture imagining how sweet life would be when there is money. I couldn’t help but to imagine I was the one in that hotel with my own family and with mama. We chatted about few other things before the bell was rung for classes to resume.
Toyin and I were becoming closer than expected. She had hugged me on the day of resumption. I almost lost my breath when she did that.
“How are you? How was your holiday?” She asked me at the end of classes. We couldn’t get a chance to talk during break because I was with Timi and she was with Zainab but all through the time we were in class I couldn’t take my mind off the embrace we shared in the morning.
“I heard your birthday is on Friday” She added without even allowing me to answer the first question she had thrown at me.
“How did you know? Who told you?” I asked her.
“It doesn’t matter who did. Just remember to bring my own share of the birthday cake.”
I didn’t know what to say because I knew there was not going to be any cake that day.
“I’ll look into it.” I managed to reply.
Toyin had to go because her driver was already around. I felt so happy that Toyin and I were really becoming the best friends. I actually latest expected it.
“You and this Toyin girl, I’m jealous oo.” Timi said as I walked towards him to pick my bag.
” _Na you sabi_ ” I replied in pidgin.
Timi always took a taxi from the school gate to the opposite direction of my own route home so we always said goodbye at the school gate. I still had to go to the hotel where o worked so I had to hurry up so o could get home early enough to change my clothes.
Friday eventually came and it was my sixteenth birthday. I woke up to the smell of the usual beef stew which mama always prepared on my birthdays.
_”Ekaaro”_ I greeted mama as I got up from the mat which I usually spread on the floor.
“Happy birthday Ayo.” Mama said hugging me. I understood mama well enough to know why she did that. She was missing papa again. I really respected mama for refusing be remarry even after the death of papa.
“Thank you mama” I replied.
I really enjoyed the rice and beef stew that mama had prepared that morning and as o got ready for school, I kept thinking how different my birthday would have been if I came from a rich family. But in all I appreciated Mama’s effort and o was glad she was alive to witness my sixteenth birthday.
Timi was the first person to wish me a happy birthday on school.
“Today, I’ll be treating you to a special meal at the cafeteria.” He said making me to laugh. It appeared someone had told the entire class that it was my birthday and it was fun to have the class sing a happy birthday song for me.
“Happy birthday our brain box.” Toyin said shaking my hands.
“Hope you brought my cake?” She asked.
“Your cake is on the way.” I replied.
“I have something for you but I’ll give it to you immediately after closing.” She said.
I was happy that Toyin had something for me but I kept wondering what it could be. Timi had my special food served in takeaway packs because I lost my appetite from over excitement. Not once has my birthday be celebrated in the class before. I wondered why it was different that year.
Immediately the closing bell was rung, Toyin walked up to me. She was smiling and without intending to, I also started smiling. I could tell Timi was surprised but he didn’t say anything.
“I can see you really had fun today.” She said.
“Yes, and thanks to all of you. You really made my day.”
“Don’t mention.” She replied dipping her hands into her bag. She handed over a wrapped present to me of which I had no idea what it was.
“This is my gift to you. Just make do with it okay.” She said.
“Thank you so much. Can I open it now?”
“No not yet. Do that when you get home.”
I held the package in my hand wondering what was in it. She bid me farewell and left to meet her driver who was already waiting for her. I almost got tempted to open the package right there but I remembered promising her not to do so until I got home.
Immediately I got home, I wasted no time to open Toyin’s package. I unwrapped the package and what I saw marvelled me. My very own smart phone. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought I was dreaming. I decided not to judge by the carton but by what was actually inside. Lo and behold, it was not a dream.
I noticed there was a note attached to the present and without having to waste any time, I opened to see the contents of the note.
_”Happy birthday dear. I’m really glad to be among the few lucky ones celebrating a great scholar and Achiever like you. About the cell phone which is my birthday gift to you, dad actually bought it for my elder sister but she rejected it saying it was not the model she asked Dad to buy for her. I pleaded with Daddy not to return it that I had a friend who really needed a cell phone. Dad agreed for me to give it to you hence I am gifting it to you as a birthday gift. Please take care of it because it’s a higher and a better model than the one I’m currently using. I already put in a sim card and I sent you a text with my own number too.
Hope you like my gift to you. Reply me via SMS as I have call credits recharged in the phone too. Once again happy birthday my great Achiever._
I stood speechless not knowing what to say or do. I never expected such a present and especially not from Toyin a girl I just met.
I opened the phone and saw her text message. I replied her expressing my profound gratitude.
I just couldn’t contain my joy that day that madman Fatima the cook I assisted in the kitchen at the hotel where I worked knew that something was actually going on in my inside.
When I got home later in the night, I knew mama would ask me how I got the phone and from whom both of which she expects to be means that won’t land me in trouble.
As I was about answering mama, Toyin called me.
“Are you home already? What did your mother say about the phone? If it’s okay with you can I talk to her?” She asked.
I gave mama the phone and both of them talked over the phone. Even if mama got to talk with Toyin, she still wasn’t comfortable that I got such an expensive gift from a sixteen year old girl. She had no choice but to trust my sense of judgement. She knew I was careful in choosing my friends and will not make friends with people that will put me in trouble….
Ayodawha Ejaeta Victory…
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