This is my second written artwork 2022?

  Under no circumstance does this represent anyone, living or dead, experience or real life situation. Every circumstances in the artwork written below is of the Author’s imagination.

  BABY BOY

  I got to Riverton high college very nervous. The day before my aunt had suggested the school because it was the closest to her house in the area. I had just finished my JSSCE and I need to further my education In the city, there were lots of advices from my moms friends, those that asked her to put me in a vocational job and learn a skill or handwork, those that suggested I start working so I can earn immediately and be a provider in the family (an idea I instantly detest), and other that simply had a scenario or two about their kids life that does not even partake with mine. I was hearing all this because I can eavesdrop from my room. My family consist of my mom, my two stepbrother(both younger age of 10-6) and my step father. We are anything but a fulfilled family or id rather say a wealthy one, we can still be considered as a middle economy type of family in the society.

  As a boy I have always wanted a complete education (the primary secondary and tertiary institution type) even though I gave up on what to do with my education at the age of 12 because in my country a student of engineering might eventually end up being a farmer lol I mean he is still engineering on crops, but no there was little to no job opportunity provided, and the ones that were lucky enough had connections or links with prominent people in the area of job they applied in. I’m not really educational sound, well not until I gained admission into my JSS class, I played a lot because that was what I see other boys doing, I was a top one(#1) brilliant student in my primary school days and I barely have competition in my class, always came 1st and barely 2nd every term. That was then JSS was entirely different, first I thought it is the quantity of students in the school, we’re about 90 in my classroom alone with different student full of many capabilities. I came to realize about 40 of us were students topping in primary level so the race became more tougher. Secondly maybe it is what we are being taught, I had been introduced to more than the 7 subjects I have known before, we are studying 14 now. Thirdly there was lots of fun to have simply because the students were too much for the school or the school is too small to contain all of us, teachers barely have time to check our notes other than beating or punishing a stray or late to school kid, they teach well that’s all about that.

  JSS was fun and towards the end we are being told we would be going to another level of education where we will each have to choose any department of our choice, I chose art, well most of my friends chose art so why not, and moreover it is one department known to have enormous amount of student applied this means less supervisory by the teachers. Until I was told my step father was relocating thereby the whole family will be moving with him, except me of course, I truly never felt part of the family and I know that’s how everyone else thinks, I tried to just never felt that easy.

  My mother called me for an impromptu meeting one afternoon when I was back from school and I instantly knew what the meeting was about, your father and I are moving to Ilorin in two months and I guess that’ll be after your final exams, id like to know what you have in mind, though I knew there’s no possibility of taking me along and I really had to make a decision for myself. I want to further my education here I said ignorantly. And stay with who? She asked. Mostly I have been an indoor type of kid and apart from my house I barely step into any other persons home even though everyone mingles in our community because it was seen as a sign of unity, as the community slogan implies. In unity we progress. I never really had any interest in the meetings which is done twice every month mostly on Saturdays or Sundays and even not an ounce of interest In the 5 per member costal biscuit and one coke being shared for every member that attended even though I will watch my brothers gobble them down In minutes, they are just kids I thought. My grandma! The thought glanced through my mind and I told her ill stay with my grandmother, my gm is an heavily Christian devoted person, though she has lots of kids and grandkids she never left her husbands house which is my grandfathers house, I remembered staying with her when I was very little before my mom came for me. Though she is old but not too old to do things herself, she is very vibrant, always agile and ready to do anything. She takes her bible very seriously and you don’t dare interrupt her when she’s having her daily devotion. But you’ll be an hindrance and a burden to her my mother jolted me back to life from my thoughts. I cant help but frown my face at how that sounds, I never wanted to be a burden to anyone even at the slightest I wanted to do everything I can by myself. I don’t have any other Ideas I muttered, what about my sister? The one in Abuja. I froze at that thought, I really haven’t thought about her as an option since I have been planning on my next stay and she’s the last person on my list to stay with. Aunty Kejimi was anything from someone I knew, I have only heard discussions about her and she barely visits, she uses her work as an excuse and wants to disappear at any chance whenever she comes for a family visit or reunion which we usually have at the end of the year. Shell take very good care of you and moreover you will like things there. My mom said. Even though I knew whatever has been decided by my mother is unchangeable and she would have already zeroed her mind to that decision, I am likely not to argue and just accept whatever she says so I agreed. Perfect ill call her and inform her about it. She said. I left the room and thousands of thought swamped on my head that I felt it would burst, who will I talk to, what about my friends, Abuja is a very long way from here when will I ever get to see my mom again. Maybe it was the thoughts that came in endlessly or the worry that came with it, I slept off only to wake up and surprised to still be in my uniform the next morning. I hurriedly showered and made my way to school. I had completely forgot to eat my food last night or even prepare my breakfast in the morning because I was so late for school, I knew mother would be furious when she’s back from work and see the food she left for me untouched I already prepared myself for the scolding I will receive, throughout my session in school I was so lost in thought, I barely paid attention when we had our final class for the day, I was jolted back to life at the ringing of the bell for the closure of the day. I quickly packed my stuff and moved out of the classroom towards the entrance of the school not even bothered by the assembly we usually have at the end of the days lecture. I got home and as usual my mother was already home with our last born. I greeted and walked towards my room when she called me back and broke the news. She said you can stay but you will have to take care of yourself there and mostly do things by yourself, I trust you can do that?. She asked. Yes I replied. Very good, park your stuffs and start preparing towards the end of the term if you need anything let me know. She said while she continues feeding our last born, I turned to enter my room when she added. And why didn’t you eat your food last night, you forgot I hate my effort being wasted? She said with a furious type of look she only has when she is serious about something. I’m sorry I muttered. I made way to the kitchen so I could sort the waste and wash the plates my semo was in. you should just stay here and learn a skill if you’re going to waste food like that in kejimis house, you know she is a very strict person? She added. I’m sorry I muttered once again. And what? She asked this time with a more serious tone. And it wont happen again. I said facing her with my head bowed this time. If one thing my mother knows how to do is to make sure you don’t feel good about any wrongs you might have committed no matter how accidental or unintended it is. I washed the plates and hurried back to my room to change my clothes and process the thoughts of what I just had been told. Aunty Keji? I was surprised she is fine with that decision, from the little I had known about her is that she wants nothing to do with kids because of their lousy nature or either the dirtiness that comes with it. Why will she agree for me to stay with her?. I pondered. Isn’t that the reason she’s refused to settle down and have kids of her own, she’s 32 I heard my mother discussing about her way of I’m not ready lifestyle that she lived, always believing she’s still 22. If anything I don’t want to be scolded all the time in her house and knowing she is a no nonsense woman you wont even dream to cross. Well what can I do, my mother has already decided so what else. My exams was in two weeks so even if I had to prepare for the journey I also still have my exams to think about. I immediately got worried, what if I cant meet up in my final exams, what if I failed? All the thoughts were clouds in my mind until I slept off that night.

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