Too Good to Be Real

chapter 7

Discipline.

That's what Nia thought she was instilling whenever she did anything she did.

" I'll be going out for the weekend for a conference. I know you have enough assignments this midterm, so I don't want you watching TV or using any Smartphone. I'll surely find out. "
Nia carried her things in a bag and at the door she was calling out instructions.

" The smartphone you gave me abi?" Oma responded sarcastically.
She only had a tiny nokia feature phone, which was very embarrassing to carry around and could only make calls.

" The better. And you won't until you're twenty, then you can buy one yourself. Stay in this house, don't leave. And I don't want any of your friends here, the gateman will tell me. . . "
She moved while she talked, pausing to take her car keys and to balance her heavy self on her pencil heels.

Oma had never taken Nia serious when she was younger and didn't need a phone. She just assumed it'd come along when she entered senior class. But with the way things were going now, she didn't think she'll ever be getting a phone from her mother.

" You know I don't have any friends. "
She muttered almost inaudibly, impatient for Nia to leave so she could do anything else but listen to her at this point.

Nia, her mother turned so fast, she lost her balance and almost fell. Luckily, she wedged herself with a cabinet, a look of terror in her eyes. Her eyes heated over Oma's, daring her to laugh. She didn't. She was afraid of death.

" Don't interrupt me when I talk. And well you had a friend once when you were ten. A possessed girl and the only friend you've ever had. If those are the only friends you can make, then don't ever think of making friends in your life. Stay in this house and read."

" But what if I tire from reading."
Oma asked, trailing so close behind Nia, who didn't seem disturbed by her questions. She knew she'd have her way in the end as usual.

" " You can't tire from reading. But considering how lazy you are, you surely will. When you do, you can clean the guests ' house. I think there are rats there. It hasn't been cleaned since last year. "

" But mum, I'd be tired. . . " Hopefully her questions will make Nia leave faster, oma thought.

" Then you pray and sleep. . . "

" I may not feel sleepy. Can't I Just watch tv like every other normal person? I just came back today. Can't I just enjoy today? "
She'd just returned from school on a midterm.

Nia gave a short humorless laugh, making her way to the door, clearly enjoying every second.

" You said it yourself. You're not normal. If you rest today, you'll surely rest tomorrow and then the next. I want you to read until your head gets hot. I'll let you relax when you get an average over fifty five. You don't know anything and I'm trying to make you know something small. Appreciate my efforts, you'll thank me later."

Oma gave up arguing, knowing her mum wouldn't budge. It wasn't like she'd thought otherwise before. It wasn't that bad anyway. She was used to staying alone. She'd done that all her life.

" There's Seven thousand naira in your account for everything you'll need this weekend. Don't ask me to send more, because I calculated everything you will possibly need to the last kobo. No extra. Don't leave this house unless you're going to church. I don't want people to know you're here alone. I'm going now. "

Oma watched her mother drive off, wondering what she'd do for the weekend. Aladu, the smallish gate man limped to his feet without sparing her a glance. And to think he'll not limp away if there was a burglary.