Not All Blacks Are Black

Chapter One- Part One

That for me, is Iniovosa, imagine anyone

The sudden play of Ariwo ko by my favorite musician Adekunle Gold wakes me up from my sleep and I recall where I am. I start clicking my fingers on the door handle as I answered my call

"Inene" I said in urhobo and chuckled as the driver stared at me in a weird way "I am fine. Not yet at her house but I will be soon. The flight? It was amazing, there are things to see here" I said, not hiding my excitement as I stared at the bulidings and the people I passed

"I will take care of myself mummy, don't worry. I love you" I said, hanging up. Leaving Nigeria for America wasn't an easy move, no matter how excited I was, I was so sad to leave my poor mother behind to cater for herself and sell in the village markets on her own.

You might ask about my father, but he died in the war which my mother begged him not to fight but its a story for another day. My aunt, Jennifer had called home and told my mother of her plan to bring me over to America to further my education and ease my mother of stress.

I was beyond elated, but little did I know, I was going to face more. Whether I faced trials, whether I became a hero, these pages must show.

"Thanks for the drive" I muttered to the driver as he drove away. I turned and stared at the house before me. Mother was right, aunty Jennifer was beyond rich! The house looked too classy for me to stay in, I stared at my not-so-cool outfit. Wearing a long sleeved white cotton shirt and pink long skirt with black sandals, I looked too simple but that was how I had been living for a long time.

I inhaled sharply as I pressed the button on the door, clutching unto my luggage and waiting for someone to open the door. I pressed again and I heard faint flip flops sound and the metal grey door swung open, and before me stood a very beautiful girl, she was much more prettier than Efe in Warri, she looked too lovely

No words could describe how she truly was but then I noticed her scowling and looking at me with pure disgust, I grew conscious of myself "Who in the world are you?" She asked, raising a brow, I smiled at her accent

"I am Iniovosa Laya" I said shocked at how my voice came out "Oh, you" she said "Mum! The girl's here!" I heard the dropping of pans and aunty Jennifer ran out and engulfed me in a bear hug, at least she was nice

"Iniovosa! How are you?!" She asked smiling and I didn't miss the wrinkles on her beautiful face "Come on in!" She said as she helped me with my luggage

"So how was the trip?" She asked as we sat down on the couch "It was fine" I replied smiling "That's great! I am preparing dinner so you'll head over to your room and get some rest" she said getting up "Thanks aunt Jennifer" I said as she smiled and walked away

The girl who opened the door for me, took me to my room. "This is nice!" I whispered as I stared at the expensive room "If you need anything, my room's opposite yours" she said and left, giving me no room to thank her

I inhaled sharply as I quickly arranged my clothes in the wardrobe and had a very nice bathe. Sitting on my bed, I decided to call my mum "Inene" I said as I relaxed my back

"My child, you don reach? How the place dey?" She asked in pidgin English which was spoken in Nigeria. "The place go well, aunty dey nice sef! I like the place, how you dey? Make sure you dey rest oh" I said in the same pidgin English

She laughed loudly "Eh! Na Iniovosa!" I heard her say "Ini, that your friend wan speak to you. He come buy market, come near me" she explained "Which friend?" I asked, slightly confused

"Ini" my breathing hitched as my stomach did flips "Oke" I said after inhaling and exhaling "How are you doing na?" He asked in his deep voice I had grown to love "I dey oh. You na, just arrive America" I said getting up from the bed and towards the window

"You left us all alone, I miss you ini" he said "Don't speak that way na. You know why I left" I said "I know, I'm sorry. Your mother would eat my head. Goodbye" he hanged up

"Isn't that that girl?" I looked closer and saw the girl talking to a boy. In Nigeria, such scenarios were frowned upon. A girl was not to be easy, she was to play hard to get

I laid on the bed and decided to sleep. "Iniovosa, dinner's ready" my aunty said as we walked down the stairs together. Dinner was boring, I mean, they ate in complete silence, speaking when necessary

"So Iniovosa, you start school tommorow with Darcey" I stared at the girl, so she has a name "Do you mind me asking the name?" She smiled at me "Pitch High" Darcey said and went back to pressing her phone. I thanked Aunty Jennifer before I finally retired to bed, wondering how my first day in my new school will be