A compelling story of an introverted teenager who in more ways than one is ostensibly beyond her years. Losing her grandmother and being left at the mercy of a capricious Nigerian society, young Obianuju is made to endure the ferocious fire of moder...
It is Saturday; the day of 'work' for people like Uju. This morning, she alone made breakfast, washed the dishes, swept every inch of the house, cleaned all the bathrooms, cleaned all the windows and home appliances, dusted all the furniture, arranged all the bedrooms and mopped all the floors. At the moment, she is taking a quick break before going to do the laundry; all their laundry except hers, that is. It is more convenient for Uju to do hers on Sundays, after mass; just before making lunch.
"Uju!!!... Someone is at the gate!!!", mummy echoes from the living room.
Uju sighs. Her muscles are entirely spent, and her joints are aching like those of an old lady who just ran a marathon. Nonetheless, she struggles to stand up from the jokko in the kitchen and then goes outside, to see who is at the gate. When she opens the gate, she sees a tall young man, most likely in his early twenties standing outside the entrance with a radiant smile on his face. It is Emeka, Kamsi's 'friend'. He is the son of Mr. Amadi, one of uncle Obinna's fellow church members. Very often, he visits Kamsi whenever her parents are not at home. But once in a while, he makes official visits to the family, so that he is perceived to be nothing more than an August visitor. Emeka is very kind and humble too, for the son of a rich man. He is one of the very few people who treats Uju like a fellow human being and not a slave. Hence, she always covers for he and Kamsi by never mentioning his unusual visits to anyone.
"Ah! Broda Emeka, good morning." she greets while letting him in.
"Good morning, Uju. Ha fa nau? " he asks in response, giving her a friendly pat on the back.
"I dey oh." she replies, although obviously exhausted.
"Chai! See as your eye yus dey red. I hope sey you well sha? " he inquires, with a very concerned look on his face.
"Ehn... I well o...Najust tire I tire." she responds.
Then Emeka continues, as they both walk inside, "Eeuh, doh!... Make you still dey try rest small nau." Afterwards, they enter into the living room and meet mummy sitting on the couch.
"Aah, Emeka! How are you, darling?... How are your parents?" Obiageli inquires, with a beaming smile on her face.
"Good morning ma! They're fine." he replies with a similar smile on, while bending to receive her handshake.
"Oh, that's beautiful! Your friend dey inside o..." mummy continues, afterwhich she turns to Uju while still smiling radiantly, "Uju dear! Please go in and get Kamsi."
"Okay, mummy." Uju replies, attempting to feign a similar smile before going inside to get Kamsi.
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