Asàké

1

Chapter 1

It's a big deal you know, going to Lagos.

The centre of excellence. It is the life of Nigeria, the place where the party begins, the city that never sleeps. If you don't believe me, argue with your shadow.

My aunt, folashade had come yesterday to take me to this city. The city of life, so I could continue my education and know what it is like in the city, Lagos.

My dad wasn't quite happy with it. In fact my whole family wasn't.

From my dad's constant lectures and warnings about 'speaking up' and my mum's ' behave yourself' or my little brother's 'don't go'. I knew they weren't ready for me to leave because I was young, more so, they've lost too many children.

When the typhoid hit Irele, ondo state, my parents were the most affected, losing two children wasn't easy. Leaving me and my younger brother, Alade.

Now I was going with the excuse of 'trying to study there'. This was what I wanted and there was no going back. If I didn't stand my ground, I wouldn't be outside waiting for my aunt to get ready.

The sky was deep blue, almost black. The stars were the only source of light -well including the old torch light i was holding that kept fluctuating -probably a moon but I couldn't see it.

I was standing outside our house, scratching my legs and clutching tight to my Ghana must go bag. My aunt was wasting too much time and my heart won't stop beating hard, at this rate I was really sure it'll come out of my chest. I was nervous, it was normal.

" kini folashade nse" a husky voice, which was definitely my father's, spoke in irritation. My aunt was taking too long and it was getting on everyone nerves.

"Folashade" my mum called and chuckled as she walked back inside to call my aunt. The both of them came out after a couple of minutes later. My aunt carrying a black or was it purple hand bag, her smile made everyone smile.

She looked so much like my dad and I did too. My dad's relationship with his younger sister was the sweetest I had ever known. They both struggled together after their parents died. My daddy was just fifteen and aunt folashade, ten.

He worked so hard to train aunt folashade to school, with no one by his side.

The sky was already turning brighter, leaving mist in the air as we all walked to the bus stop where we would board a bike to the garage( a park where buses are boarded).

When we reached the bus stop my mum gave me a warm smile before pulling me into a hug and my dad, well he hugged me too before whispering "to be cherished" in my ear.

I smiled he always did that..whisper the meaning of our names to remind us of our worth.

Asake, one who is to be pampered and cherished.