In the evening, Suzana had already finished her day's work and headed straight to her mother's provision shop. Inside, her mother sat quietly, lost in thought, while her sister—still in her school uniform—sat on a bench, reading her books.
"Mama ooo!" Suzana called out excitedly from a distance. Both her mother and sister turned quickly, startled, as Suzana half-ran toward them.
"Mama, look at this!" she sang happily, pulling out a bunch of money from her pocket and waving it in the air.
"Let me see," her mother said, collecting the money and counting it carefully.
"Waw!" she exclaimed. "Twenty-four thousand Naira?!"
"Yes, Mama," Suzana grinned.
"In one day?" her mother asked in disbelief.
"Yes ooo!" Suzana replied proudly. Then, her face lit up even more. "That's not even the only good news. My greatest joy now is that my savings are complete." She turned to her younger sister.
"Nmesoma," she called.
"Yes, Sister?"
"Start preparing—you will write your WAEC exam this year!"
"Eh!" Nmesoma screamed with joy, running to hug her sister.
"Thank you, Sister! Thank you so much!" she said, almost in tears.
"Don't mention it, Nmeso," Suzana smiled, pulling away from the hug and gently cupping her sister's cheek. "I know you've been wishing to graduate with your mates this year, and I can't let you miss that. I'm just doing my job."
Their mother looked at Suzana with proud eyes, but behind that pride was sadness. Tears filled her eyes as she thought about how poverty had forced her daughter to take on responsibilities that should have been theirs as parents.
Just then, a young lady walked into the shop.
"Madam, give me a candle," she said.
Mrs. Urludinakka snapped out of her daze. "You said what, my dear?"
"A stick of candle," the lady repeated.
"Oh, okay." The woman quickly went inside to fetch it.
"How much is it?" the lady asked.
"It's 300 Naira," the woman replied from inside.
"300 Naira?! Ah-ah, how come?" the lady exclaimed.
Mrs. Urludinakka walked back out, holding the candle. "The last time I bought this, it was only 100 Naira ooo," the lady continued, clearly displeased.
"That is Nigeria for you, my daughter," the woman sighed. "The economy is no joke anymore." She handed the candle over, and the lady paid.
As she turned, her eyes fell on Suzana. "Suzana," she called, "won't you come for prayer night today?"
"For sure, I will," Suzana replied. "You know I just got back from work."
"I can see that," the lady nodded.
"Are you heading to church now?" Suzana asked.
"Yes, I don't want to be late for the program," she answered.
"I would have loved to go with you, but let me freshen up first. As you can see, I'm all sweaty from work," Suzana explained.
"Okay then, see you in church. I'll keep a seat for you in front."
"Make it two," Suzana said quickly. "Chineye will come today."
"Really? I thought she traveled to Abuja?" the lady asked in surprise.
"Yes ooo, but she just got back today. She told me she'll be at the program."
"Alright, I'll keep two seats. But waw—it's been so long since we last saw her."
"As in eh," Suzana agreed with a smile.
"Alright, let me go before I'm late," the lady said, waving goodbye.
"Bye-bye," Suzana replied, waving back.
She turned into the shop, and a moment later came out with two candles.
"Mama, I took candles—one for me and the other for Chineye," she said.
"No problem. You and that your best friend," her mother smiled, shaking her head.
"I'll be going home first to freshen up," Suzana added.
As she made to leave, Nmesoma called out. "Sister!"
Suzana turned.
"Don't you think you're stressing yourself too much? You just got back from work, and now you want to go out again. Don't you think you need rest?" Nmesoma asked with concern.
Suzana smiled. "Did I say I'm going to church to work? I'm only going there to communicate with God. Besides, you're supposed to come with me."
"No," Nmesoma objected immediately. "Not today ooo. I have to study for my upcoming exams. Don't worry, you can just put me in your prayers. I'll be there in spirit." She laughed, making Suzana laugh too. Their mother only chuckled as she walked back into the shop.
"You, Nmesoma, I don't even know if church is chasing you. You're always giving one excuse or the other," Suzana teased. Then she added, "Eh-hem, before I forget—Charismatic new members class is starting tomorrow. Don't think of missing it or cooking up excuses."
"Eh, no problem. I'll attend. Oh! Before I forget—remember your appointment today."
"Appointment?" Suzana asked.
"Have you forgotten? Your appointment with Pastor Thomas."
"Oh, that's true. He said 5, abi 7?"
"5 on the dot. He won't stay long in his office."
"Okay, then once I get to church, I'll head straight to his office first."
"Please do ooo—it's very important. I want to hear what he'll say about your future husband," Nmesoma teased with a grin.
"Future husband gini?" Suzana smirked. "Let the future come first before I start talking about husband."
"No, Sister, you must go ooo!" Nmesoma insisted.
"Eh, whatever. I'll go," Suzana said reluctantly, finally walking away. "Tell Mama I've gone," she added.
"Okay, bye-bye!" Nmesoma replied, waving with a smile.
---
In the Night
Nmesoma sat on a bench in the corridor, waiting patiently for her sister who hadn't yet returned from church. At first, she wasn't worried; she knew church programs usually lasted long, and Suzana was a tough person who couldn't be intimidated by night.
But as time dragged on, worry crept in. She stood up, eyes fixed on the gate, waiting anxiously for Suzana to appear.
Finally, she heard a faint voice singing from a distance.
It was Suzana.
Relieved, Nmesoma rushed out of the corridor toward her sister, who had just walked into the compound.
_ _ _
Glossary (Chapter 1)
WAEC – The West African Examinations Council, an important exam Nigerian students must pass to graduate secondary school.
Abi – A Nigerian word meaning "isn't it?" or "right?" used to confirm something.
Wahala (though not used here yet, but good to add) – Trouble or problem.