CHAPTER THREE: RESUMPTION
The day Mum had been waiting for had finally come. Mum smiled as she carried my load to the car boot.
Does my mum really hate me that much? She smiles as if she isn't going to miss me.
Is she even my real mum? I asked myself as I wore my house-wear and slipped on my Crocs before backing my school bag. So heavy!
I made sure I didn't forget to put on my wristwatch and my small earring.
I looked at myself in the mirror and admired the hairstyle my mum braided yesterday night. She braided "all back" (it is a common name in Nigeria; it is a hairstyle that looks just like the name).
Some Nigerians say the hairstyle brings out the beauty in a female. Well, indeed!
At least that is what the school requested.
I opened my room door to leave for the car parked in the garage outside, before taking a last look at my room and then my house.
"Boarding school, here I come!" I said as I closed the house door and walked towards the car.
As I sat in the car, Dad waited for my mum to sit in before he drove off.
My dad drove on, heading to Ikorodu, exactly where my boarding school is located.
I looked out of the window, at different buildings we drove past, and also thought of how the school would be for me as a newcomer.
Mum had already called Francis' housemaster and told him to inform Francis that I would be resuming today.
Just guess what Francis' reply was. He said, "Why didn't I get another school?" Okay, that was quite rude. My mum actually shunned him, but that doesn't change the fact I am hurt by his sudden question on the phone.
I am going to pounce on Francis when I get to his school for what he said.
"Remember when Francis first went to boarding school?" Mum asked me. I turned to look at her and remembered how eager Francis was to go because his best friend was also attending the same boarding school as him.
"He was happy because of a reason," I sighed to Mum before looking back at the window.
"I promise you will love it the way Francis did," my mum said to me.
"I hope so, but I wonder why he would be rude when you informed him I was coming," I said to her, looking at her closely.
"Don't mind him. When you get there, you can talk to him about it," Mum answered before putting on a sleeping mask and dozing off in the car.
I sighed before looking at the window.
"We are almost there, Flower," Dad said as he turned the car.
Suddenly, I felt my heartbeat race faster than I ever thought.
My dad drove us through the gate and parked next to the relaxation garden (at least, that is what Francis used to call it anytime we visited him).
As if Francis knew we would be coming on time, he came towards our car and smiled.
Mum removed her sleeping mask and got down from the car, the same as Dad.
I sat in the car, nervous about getting down.
Francis greeted Mum and Dad with a smile before knocking at my window.
"Floral, you better get down and stop acting like a nervous cat," my brother said to me.
Immediately, I remembered what Francis said when he was informed I was coming.
I got down from the car, closed the door behind me and shouted, "FRANCIS, WHY DID YOU TALK LIKE THAT? DO YOU HATE ME? DO YOU FIND ME A BURDEN FOR COMING TO YOUR SCHOOL?"
Francis is like the best brother in the world—he is so caring, kind, loving, handsome and nice—but sometimes, he can be annoying.
"I am sorry for calling you a nervous cat," he said, raising both his hands in defence.
"Don't act so oblivious. The words you stated when Mum informed you I was coming," I said to him, expecting a reasonable answer.
"Oh, that. I was only pulling your legs. You know I could never say that on purpose," he said, pulling my cheek slightly.
I looked away, not wanting to show that I had forgiven him.
"The two of you must behave well here. Francis, you must take care of your sister," my dad said with a smile.
"Yes sir, trust me on that," my brother said.
"I am going for the meeting with Floral, so honey, you and Francis should stay here before we come back," my mum said as she held my right hand lightly and made me walk with her.
I walked with her to a hall where the supposed meeting was being held.
In the meeting, I would be given my hostel name, my room number, as well as my class number.
Mum and I walked inside the building and saw that more people had already come before us.
They were parents and students already getting the required numbers and submitting the required items.
Mum brought along an aluminium plate, cup and spoon. She brought mop, insecticide and pesticide as required on the school platform.
At least, that is what Mum said.
My mum went to a table directed as the housemistress.
"Good morning, ma," my mum greeted, smiling.
"Morning," the housemistress said as she collected the items from us and then handed me my hostel name and room number after requesting my data information.
"Can I get your number and account number? I want you to be guiding my daughter," Mum said as she brought out her phone and handed it to the housemistress.
"Sure," the housemistress said and typed in what was required by Mum.
The housemistress gave my mum back her phone after typing in her phone number.
"I am Mrs Kelvin. My hostel is opposite your hostel. You can come and meet me whenever you need something," she said to me, and I nodded in agreement.
Mum appreciated the woman as we walked to get to my class, after which we left the hall for the car parked next to the relaxation garden by Dad.