It was a rainy Sunday afternoon when mumsie said 'young lady, grab your stuff. We're leaving'. 12 year old Valerie had a lot of jumbled up emotions inside. She was excited she was going to boarding school. A very popular Government School at that. She was also mega excited cos she was going to meet up with her sister. Its not like they were close but at least she would have someone to run to if she ran out of Garri or Cabin biscuit. On the other hand, she was going to miss her Mom and Dad. She was about to experience independence in an environment filled with teenage boys and girls with raging hormones. A life far away from home. Valerie began to cry as she dropped her senior math set (Metallic Box) in the trunk of her Dad's Peugeot 504.
The car began to move slowly to give Valerie an opportunity to wave her band of play friends goodbye. Some of them looked genuinely sad, while the others had an evil smirk on their faces. The kind of smirk that screamed "You go die today". Valerie began to sob uncontrollably and her mom began to give her the talk on how to stay away from boys, attend FCS, manage resources and try not to be 'mother Christmas', look out for your sister and she'll look out for you, read your books, wash your clothes, etc. Twenty minutes into the journey to boarding school, Valerie dozed off.
"Oya oh, Val we're here". She opened her eyes and re-arranged her dress which had exposed her pant due to the Jujitsu she exhibited while sleeping. 'With the way you sleep and scatter your legs, you might fall off your bunk today', said Val's mom. That was exactly what happened. Mom and Dad helped Valerie drag her six foot tall locker to the hostel gate and Dad had to stop at the entrance, leaving mom with the stress of dragging the locker in and Val struggling with her senior math set and Ghana must go filled with provisions. As soon as they got in, Mom was greeted by the matron and then she asked if the matron could go fetch Val's sister Megan. Val was excited to see Megan. She dropped her senior math set and rannnnn to go give her big sister a hug. Big sister Megan was a bit stand off ish but Val didn't make anything of it. 'Oya oh, show us where to put your sister's locker.' Megan helped with the luggage and they arrived at a cramped up box room filled with buckets and other filthy stuff. Valerie began to gag and Megan scoffed. 'Hmmph, you better get used to it'. Mom gave Megan a puzzled look and began to arrange Val's provisions for her.
Megan took Valerie to her bed space. Valerie was a chubby girl and had to sleep up bunk cos she was a junior student. Her bunk mate Suliat was in SS2. 'Hope you don't bed wet?' she asked. 'No I don't' said Valerie. Suliat was Megan's classmate so Megan asked her to please keep an eye on her baby sister. 'If she piss inside my mouth for night Meg walahi I go kill am'. Meg laughed and told her not to worry.
They both headed back to the box room. Mom had arranged everything. 'The milk is here, the garri is hidden inside the shoe box over there, the cornflakes is at the end. Your toiletries and detergent is in your box (Senior Math Set), One Cabin is here and the other is in your box, your bible and books are in your school bag. Sandals over there, etcetera. you'd figure it out eventually'. 'Thank you mommy' she said. They all decided to move together to the parking lot to meet Dad and say their goodbyes.
'Oya Valerie, take this 1000 naira. It should last you till the next visiting day'. Dad was so fond of Valerie but this time he was a bit stern. He was definitely fighting his emotions but didn't want his daughters and wife to see him that way. 'Meg, take 500'. Mom requested that they all hold hands to say a quick word of prayer. 'Father, help Valerie to sleep less, read her books, wash her under wear properly, arrange her things and take care of herself. Amen'. Mom and Dad gave Val and Meg hugs and kisses, then got into the car. Dad tried starting it but it refused to turn on. 'You women will have to push'. The three women pushed the car and then the engine started running. Mom jumped into the car and they drove off. Valerie began to sob uncontrollably and turned to give Meg a hug. Meg turned her down and said 'look, chin up. this is a jungle and only the brave survive. Lets go'. They walked in silence to the hostel. They opened the hostel door and Valerie did not bargain for what she got.....
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