THE BEAUTIFUL UGLY
EPISODE 5
Written by: Chidinma Ihemenandu
Immediately they said that, I can’t help but look at them both and asked them if they recite what to say together,we all laughed and I saw amaka our house help standing near the door beaming with smile on her face and I dragged her into my room and hug-ged her tightly, she carried me up, and and said…
Amaka : Okacha ibe ya mma, ebesikwala akwa oso maka na akwa efitigi innugo(don’t cry again cry doesn’t suit you). I nod my head and smiled at her, she then carried me down and told me that she wants to go and set the table for the launch. My parents also left the room and told me to hurry up and come join them for dinner.
I took my bath and rushed down to the dining, once I saw the food my tummy started making some sounds I then realized how hungry I was cause I haven’t really eating much since that day. We ate our food silently.. And then my father broke the silence, he cleared his throat….
Dad: Tina dear, is not like you mum and I has purposely denied you of siblings, you know that I and your mum stayed long after marriage before you finally came into our lives, it is not our intention not to give birth to more children as you thought, no dear, he signed and continued, we also need more children as much as you need more siblings, but since more children don’t want to come, maybe that’s our fate in life, maybe fate or God don’t want to give us more children but we are blessed with you, so please don’t entirely put the blame on us is not our fault…
While my dad was telling me these, I noticed that my mum was sobbing silently but I wondered why she should be crying.. I was brou-ght back from my thoughts when my mum called me…
Mum: yes damsel, your dad is right about it, it is also hurting me very badly because of my inability to give birth to more children, it is all my fault dear, had it been that I waited for God’s time and not to go contrary to.. She wants to say something but my dad stopped her from saying what she wanted to say… But I don’t quite understand why my dad acted the way he did just now, my dad noticed it and smile at me telling me that when I grow up I will understand better, I nodded my head in agreement. Then I pleaded with them to allow me to visit my friends and also bring my friends to our house, at first they wanted to object it but suddenly changed their minds, and agreed to my request, I was very happy and thanked them. I was glad for this freedom of visiting friends and I won’t always be lonely again..
Linda is my best friend at school and their estate is not far from ours so most a times I spent my day there, of course there house was lively with her siblings all around, we will play and watch movies together, Aunty amaka normally takes me there and will always wait for me there until evening she will bring me back home, even when I will tell her to go that I can come home alone she refuses, I guess that was the instructions of my parents to her never to let me out of her sight. I was happy playing with human beings instead of toys or dolls, and sometimes too Linda comes to our house too and might even sleep in our house if she pleads to her parents. I and Linda are in the same clas-sand does everything together, she is also intelligent and pretty too but not as much pretty and intelligent as me. This development of having someone close to me whom I can play with, share my toys with and sleep on the same bed with made me to consider Linda as my sister from another mother.
Honestly my joy knew no bounds and I began to add more flesh. I loved my parents more for giving the privilege to have a friend that I can bring home or go to… Having Linda around made me to forget what loneliness means.
THE BEAUTIFUL UGLY
EPISODE 6
Written by: Chidinma Ihemenandu
Although Linda doesn’t really lives in our house but at least is better than staying all alone in the house and been lonely.
We are writing our exams for the session, On Wednesday would be the last paper after which the school will vacate on Friday. In no time Friday came and every one was happy because the school is about to vacate except me.. I was not happy because I remembered my life of loneliness at home, but the thought of Linda coming around to keep me company and I going over to her brightens me up… I bent down my head on my desk with my mind racing and I hopefully wished in my mind for the school bell not to ring, but my thoughts only went contrary when the school bell rang and people were all happy running down to the a-ssembly ground for the closing speech and other vital announcement.
I reluctantly dragged my self to the a-ssembly against my wish and at exactly 12noon… The mistress mount the podium for the information she wants to pa-ss…
Mistress: Good day students
Students : all in unison… Good day mistress
Mistress : I believed that you all know that today is the finally day you will be coming to school for this session?
Students : yes ma’am
Mistress : that’s very good, I am very much impressed by the reports your various teachers gave me, most of you did excellently well and happy to tell you that you will be going to the next clas-sand grades come next session… She paused and signed, then she continues… But as for those of you that has refused to pay attention to your teachers and books, she stops and frown her face then continues… Is a pity that I have no other option than to retain you in your previous clas-sat least you people will learn your lessons when your younger ones comes and meet you there.
I most also not fail to commend my wonderful teachers for their efforts and ability in delegating there duties because I can obviously see the results in all of you our great students… I can see the teachers beaming with joy and smiles all over their faces… Then she continued.. It is a thing of joy to still announce to you that our great school still remains one of the best if not the best school this year… Immediately she said this, all the students were all jubilating and some were even jumping up.. Then the Mistress motioned for calmness and every where was calm again.. Then she continued… It is not by our power but God and it is achieved by a collective efforts as we all know that a tree cannot make a forest.. I commend all of you my great pupils and also our wonderful teachers.. Another uproar and clap as she made the comment. She paused and I saw her looking at me… Then she continued, I must also personally commend and appreciate the most beautiful, brilliant and outstanding genius in the world….. As she was saying that, my friend Linda came and tickled me smiling…
She is talking about you baby perfect, already people are all looking at me smiling and I also smiled back at them… She then said it is no other person but Augustina Ndidiamaka Ojukwu.. There was a thunderous applause from the students and teachers… The Mistress continues.. She has really made our school proud once again by bringing the trophy to our school this session… I am really impressed by her intelligence and I pray that God will continue to give her more wisdom…. Looking directly at me now, she said my dear, please don’t let anything or anyone distract you from your studies and continue to be the best that you have always been… She said to me broadly smiling at me and I nodded and smiled back at her… One more thing… She brou-ght out a billboard with my pictures and the pictures of Smith another intelligent boy higher than me in grade also on it with our school name bodly written on it …Then she said that from today, this will be our school signpost and those to mount it is already standing by the corner… Before I could know what was happening I was on the air carried up by my clas-smates.
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