My story My song

5. Beauty And A Bitch

The night appears to be so short when I wake up the next day. It feels like I just shut my eyes and opened them, voila!!, I'm in tomorrow. "Oh well, I'd better get started with my day then".

I quickly grab the vacuum cleaner in one corner of my room. It's part of my anti-cleaner schemes. I'm a grown-up so I should be able to clean up my mess.

I run downstairs to empty the trash from my room; almost nothing by the way, I'm not exactly a dirty person. On the way, I run into Aunty Ene. She has cleaning tools with her and it looks like she's been standing here for a while.

"Good morning master Obiajulu. Please let me help you with that. Mu.. madam is downstairs and she'll be livid with me if she sees you with that in your hands. Please.", she almost goes on her knees to plead. Was she going to address my mum as "mummy"?.

I want to insist on taking it down myself but after this heartrending plea, I feel that would be evil to do. I sigh and hand the almost empty basket to her. Mostly pieces of paper from my notepad; drafts I discarded the previous day, and very little sand. Plus the box of pizza from yesterday.

"I must speak with her about this", I mutter to myself as I turn to walk back up.

I'm done with the rest of my morning routine in no time and soon, I'm zipping down the stairs on my way to grab breakfast from the kitchen. I stop to greet my mum who as usual, has her face buried in a copy of today's edition of 'Punch' newspapers. She mumbles a reply to me without lifting her head from the papers. I sigh and continue en route to the kitchen.

I trace a familiar path to my favourite shelf in the kitchen. It's my favourite because it houses boxes of 'Milo breakfast cereals'; my favourite brand of cereals.

Mum is rounding up with her breakfast by the time I make it down to the table.

"Obim you'd have to take the other car to school today. Okiemute would be driving you. I need to get to the airport on time..", she announces as I set my food on the table.

"Woah.. Airport??. Are you going somewhere??", I rap out the words so quickly.

I didn't expect her to be travelling. At least not so soon. She just returned from Lagos on Sunday for God's sake.

"Yeah.. I need to get to Abuja in time for a sitting at the house of assembly. A bill is being read today.. Are you okay Obim?. Is anything the matter?", she asks, pausing from her explanations to examine my face.

"It's nothing mum. I promise I'm fine.", I try to dispell the disappointment I feel inside of me.

I had wanted to try and talk with her at least. Starting with her relationship with the staff. And then I need to change the paint in my room. It's been two years now and I'm still singing the same song about painting my room to my mum. It's either she gets the wrong colour or she forgets to call a painter. The list of excuses is always long.

I'm also dreading sitting in the same car with Okiemute. He has a very loud mouth. Talks about anything, whether or not they concern him.

I don't finish my breakfast eventually. I feel bad and wasteful for it but I've really lost my appetite. After exchanging good bye hugs and kisses, I and my mother get headed on our different destinations; me to 'Winston's College', and my mother to the 'Asaba International Airport'.

I am greeted by an over enthusiastic Okiemute once I step into the vehicle.

"Small oga good morning oo. Hope sey you enjoy the night wella?."