Abigail's
pov
Abigail!
My mom was at it again, her voice calling my name incessantly, a melody that
seemed to echo throughout the week leading up to my departure for the UK next
Tuesday. The opportunity to pursue my studies abroad, a dream I had harbored
for so long, was finally within reach, and my mother's diligence in ensuring I
had everything I needed for the journey underscored her unwavering care. From
the moment I began packing two months ago, each item carefully chosen and stowed
away, to the daily reminders akin to the bell of a boarding school, urging me
to keep my impending journey a secret even from my closest friends, my mother's
attention to detail was both touching and at times exasperating. The fear of
village gossip spreading before my departure added a sense of urgency to her
instructions, a testament to her protective nature.
"Abigail!
Will you come out, are you now deaf?" My mother's voice rang out, breaking the
morning stillness with its familiar cadence.
"Mummy,
I'm coming, attending to something vital," my response carried a hint of
amusement, a mere veil to conceal the flurry of emotions swirling within me.
The daily exchanges with my mother, a delicate dance of affection and duty,
painted a vivid picture of our relationship – a blend of love and unspoken
expectations that bound us together in a unique bond.
"Oh,
so you're implying that I'm not important?" My mother scolded, a hint of
reproach evident in her tone, casting a shadow over the moment.
"At
this rate, I must make an appearance," I confessed to myself, the weight of my
mother's words settling heavily upon me as I acknowledged the underlying
message.
"Have
you packed the melon seeds I gave you?" my mother inquired, her voice
reflective of a blend of concern and diligence that characterized our
interactions.
"Yes,
mummy, I did," I replied, recalling the same question posed a few hours prior.
The repetition, a hallmark of our exchanges, elicited a wry smile as I
recognized and respected my mother's meticulous nature. Despite moments of
exasperation, I held my tongue, mindful of the consequences that loomed should
I display even a hint of defiance.
"Bring
me my phone," my mum said with seriousness, her voice slicing through the air
with a touch of urgency.
I
wanted to laugh, but I stifled the impulse, opting to keep it to myself. Her
phone lay tantalizingly close, just a few inches away from her reach, yet she
beckoned me from my room to retrieve it for her. The truth was, it wasn't
really about the phone; she called me not out of necessity but perhaps out of a
desire for my company. The realization tugged at my heart, already missing the
comforting presence of my mum, dad, and sibling. The impending separation
weighed heavily on me, the reality sinking in that this time next week, I would
be in England. Despite my eagerness for this moment after graduating from the
"unihome" and feeling the weariness of staying at home, the pangs of
homesickness had already begun to set in.
"You
know, now that you are traveling to the UK, I'm not there, your father is not
there either. If you want, you can use that as an excuse to misbehave, but
remember, the purpose of sending you there is to study and excel. Whether you
choose to be useful or useless is in your hands; you are the one who will
determine your path and no one else can do that for you. I've said my piece;
now the decision is yours to make," my mum advised.
"Hope
you haven't told anyone about it?" she asked.
"No,
mummy, but I wanted to tell…" I started to explain.
"You
wanted to tell who what? When? After all my warnings, this girl, you will not
drive me crazy. Listen carefully, you are not to disclose this to anyone until
you arrive and have been there for at least three months. You are not to inform
your friend Emma until you've settled in, maybe one or two weeks later.
Understood?" my mum's warning was firm
"Yes,
mummy," I replied, understanding the importance of maintaining secrecy as
directed by my mother.
Today
is the day of departure, a significant milestone that seemed to arrive too
quickly. Every aspect of my packing had been meticulously attended to, thanks
to my mum's thorough checks to ensure I hadn't overlooked anything. Our
departure for the airport was scheduled for 7:00 AM, with my flight set to take
off at 12:00 noon.
"Abigail,
remember to always be a good girl and recall everything I've instructed you,
and remember to pray, okay?" my mum's attempts to remain composed were evident,
but my tears flowed freely, mirroring the emotional depth of the moment.
"Yes,
mummy," I replied, my voice quivering with emotion.
"Take
good care of yourself, remember your roots, and don't hesitate to reach out if
you need anything, okay?" my dad's words carried a sense of reassurance and
love.
"Yes,
daddy," I affirmed. "And I'll always strive to be a good girl."
Embracing
my parents and siblings – Olivia, Williams, and Daniel – in a heartfelt hug, I
felt the weight of impending separation mingled with the promise of new
horizons ahead.
==========
I
arrived in the UK three days ago, and my parents have already called me around
50 times to ensure that I am fine and that everything is going well here.
I
must say, this place is truly lovely. I wish I could call my best friend and
share everything with her; I might even video call her to show her the area
where I stay.
On
Monday, I will be heading to school, not for lectures but to take care of some
tasks such as submitting my documents and familiarizing myself with the school
environment. Despite already residing in the hostel, which is conveniently
located near the school.
I
currently don't have a roommate, but I've been informed that I will likely have
one or two soon. I'm hopeful that they will be kind and easy to get along with.
During my flight, my mind raced with thoughts like, "What if I don't enjoy this
place?" and "What if they ask me to return to Nigeria upon arrival?" I had
numerous uncertainties, but none of them materialized. I wasn't asked to
depart, and I'm already fond of this place.
"Good
morning, Mum."
"How
are you? Have you had your breakfast?" my mum inquired.
"Yes,
Mum, I've already eaten."
It's
only 10 AM, and this is the third time she's called me today."
********
Today is my first day in college, and I'm filled with a mix of excitement and
apprehension about what to expect. I followed my usual morning routine – waking
up, praying, brushing my teeth, and bathing – but I couldn't bring myself to
eat breakfast due to my curiosity about what the day ahead holds.
I was told that my roommate would be moving in today. I
have no clue about her personality or appearance, but I have a good feeling
about her, despite not having met her yet.
**********
Today is my first day at work, and I'm kind of nervous. This will be my first job ever. I haven't worked before. I didn't get the chance to; my parents were against it. I feel like an adult now. I've already made a list of what I'm going to buy with my money. I can't wait for my salary; I'll be paid every week.
When I arrived at the workplace, I met other workers there too.
A guy named Wyatt was asked to show me around. After that, I was given the uniform.
The work isn't easy, but I'll get used to it soon. I know I will.