It was a rainy Saturday morning,daddy woke me up as usual by seven AM and I was so angry about it.It was a kind of morning that I should have the privilege to enjoy my sleep because it was a cold morning,light breeze travelled through my room window and I felt it's cold effect.
But dad would not consider the weather,all the days in the week,one must wake up early even on weekends as far as he is home.
I squeezed my face once I heard my name calling from him on the door post of my room.My eyes were so weak and tired that I needed more sleep but unfortunately,dad is home.I went out of my room,found him already sitted on his favorite couch in the sitting room.I greeted in our local language and his response was not even the right reply to my greeting.
He started,do I have to wake you up before you would wake up ? Today is Saturday,a day to make the house look tidy and clean yet,you are waiting for me to call you.And then he paused,I still stood there like I was expecting more words from him but he remained silent and I walked away,to attend to my morning routines.
Just immediately after I brushed my teeth,he sent me to the market to purchase only sugar.Not that there are no provision stores around but because he prefers the ones sold in the market as they were much in quantity than the ones sold in the provision stores close to the house.My dad is a kind that will go any distance to get things in cheaper rate.
Still in my mind,I have alot of plans regarding to finish up the chores quickly and go to bed for the second time in the day.
The worst feeling of anyone is being the only responsible person at home who have all the chores and responsibilities on your shoulders to attend to.
Am not the first born in the house but my elder ones are in school so am left home with my younger brother,step sibling precisely.He is seven years old while am sixteen years of old.He seem to be of age to carry out some lesser duty in the house but dad would not allow him.I can't wait to leave the house for school and be little free of these chores.
I started the chores, from sweeping of all the rooms, including the sitting room, dinning floor,kitchen and both varandas which is located at the entrance of the house and the back yard thereof.It wasn't really easy,then moved to mopping all these places, cleaning the dinning table, television and gadgets,doors,chairs in the parlour and lastly,washing the both bathrooms.
Before taking my breakfast,I was done with these chores first, meanwhile,Ivan,my younger brother had taken breakfast with my dad.After the break fast,I went to bed.The rain had stop falling heavily,but the weather was still dull and cool with cold breezes .
Ella !,just once I heard my dad calling,I opened my eyes.Damn ! There's no rest at all in this house,I can't wait to enter into the university,I murmured within before walking out of my room.Am going to see a relative to discuss an issue with him,I'll be back in the evening,do well to stay indoors.I don't want to come and find you,if there's no work for you to do,sleep and rest,he advised and walked out.
Daddy will never leave the house without an advice,he is fond of warning afore time.I went to my room back to continue sleeping.
Ivan was playing outside with his friends and I had a lot quiet moment to myself.Not quite long,three musketeers I'll love to call them that way visited.I heard my name again,I woke up angrily talking to myself... can't I rest, what's all these ?
I moved out and met three of my friends who stays at the compound across the road to my house.Teo,Ivy and Judy.
Watsup,Teo asked.Am alive bro,I replied and everyone laughed at my reply.We can see you are alive,what do you have to offer us ? Ivy asked.There's both cold and hot water, which one do u prefer?
Chilled one please,the three chorused like it was a planned reply.I brought the chilled water and served them.Now I can feel myself,Ivy said.How about your dad,Judy asked using a very thin voice,that was because she was afraid.He went out,I said shortly and then everyone were no longer conscious minded when talking.
So Ella, you're home alone,Teo asked.Yes.You can't go out to visit anyone,Ivy asked.Am very tired and sleepy,I was even far gone on bed when you visited.I don't really know where this your kind of living will take you to ?
I wonder too,you are not allowed to go out,you are always indoor,how then will you find new friends and even fall in love,Judy said and this resulted to uncontrollable laughter.I will surely find a love,I boldly said.Look at you,with this indoor lifestyle,girl you'll die here,Ivy jokingly said.Ella,we are your friends okay,we won't teach you bad things,you'll learn them yourselves when you're ready.You have to start associating with others more because you are not getting younger,if you can understand that,good ! Teo said.I'll shock you all,my single life will turn the other way.Please you can shock us,let it not be like we are sooiliyyou or convincing you wrongly,but dear,you need to experience,else no much lesson learnt,Ivy added.
Am afraid of just one thing.....I said.
Sex,I know it but dear one can date you without sex,Judy said.Alot of men wants it in their relationship but am not ready for that,I said.The one who loves you will respect your decision and would not force things on you,Ivy said while patting her hands on my back.Hmmn...i wish I'll find someone like that for myself, there'll be no worries,I replied.Seems like you're getting interested in discussions like this because it is unlike you,Teo said.I smiled in return.She must have to be interested because she's growing and getting older,she has to know it,Judy said.So tell me,how sweet a relationship is ?
That was me asking anxiously.Your interest in this topic is getting broad than I used to know you,Teo said.I could vividly recall when Ella knew I was dating Oneil,she was somehow avoiding me around her like I was a spoilt brat....Ivy said.
Uhhhh....sorry about that,I wasn't having interest in it then but now am ready,I replied.
Teo's phone rang,it was his mum,he picked and was told to come home.Well,Ella, I'll be leaving,I need to attend to things at home.Alright,I said.
We'll go along with Teo to visit you some other time,Judy said and we all exchanged glances before they depart.
They left and I was alone,next to Ivy,then me and Teo.Only that Teo looks older in appearance and some think he's the oldest.Though I am same age with Teo but older than him with two months and we are the most closest in the circle.He's my best friend too.
This has suddenly become a burden to me.My friends are looking forward to seeing me get into a relationship but am really scared.Some boys are just there to ruin lives,let it be that I find some one my heart will beat faster for.
I went into my room,picked up a book and pen,started a poem about my single life.
"Describing myself is like a desert that lacks water
My life struggling to love and my heart searching for love..."
This was the first two lines of my poem.Is it that am influence deeply by the conversation with my friends that is making me so emotional.I had to encourage myself to give the opposite sex a try and watch out how it will be.And then, where can I find one,never in my school or class,neither my neighborhood and I k go out too.My life is really static.
Sitting on a chair close to the table to write,I fell asleep there and I when I knew my self,I dived the bed.
After a while,I heard my name but acted deaf.Then it turned to taps on my back,still I refused to open my eyes.And then taps were turning to hot slaps,I couldn't continue pretending so I opened my eyes slowly to see dad standing.
You sleep a lot,and it is a very bad habit for a student.By this time,am not expecting to return home to meet dirty dishes in the kitchen .You should have tidy up those plates before now, it's already past six and here you are(he said pointing his finger at the clock in my room)then he walked out.I also went to clean up the kitchen and wash the dirty plates.Taking all the duty as a single person isn't really easy,like me, carrying out all the chores,no assist.I finished the chores in the kitchen and set dinner ready m My min came back and we all enjoyed the dinner together .
After service on Sunday,as usual,I got home feeling sleepy and tired but it's like my joy to always meditate and imagine before sleeping.That was how I scrolled back to the message preached today in church and the title of the message is intact in my head."Separation from the world" is like a message about my life story because everything dropped under the message was saying contrary to my interest.And dad's favorite attitude in church whenever an important point is made in service,he is fond of checking me if am listening.
"Worldly entities are pleasures not treasures"
This phrase sinked into my head that I've loved the quote.Though,it is true.Whatever earthly things one delight in,it is vanity.
The fashion,properties, pre-marital and unhealthy relationship are all for pleasures not treasures.It is only a man's service to God that could render him worthy.After all these preached,once you get home,it is very possible thinking and emotions change unlike when you were sitted listening to the word and have a mind to turn away from sin.
One funny instance is when an altar call was made for repentance.I knew within myself that dad would look at me and signify that I should go out for the call of repentance and so immediately faced the ground until the call was ended then I sat properly,facing the altar again.I didn't know that truly,dad was watching me,it was on our way home,he started his own sermon,but with a question first.
Didn't you know that your mates walked out for altar call today ?
Silence from me replied him.He continued,What made you feel so special or should I say,how sure are you of your righteousness?
Silence again answered.
Speechless you are.I expected to to go out for it but you refused and kept for head bent down facing the ground.He spoke more while driving home and concluded with,next time,I want to see you walk out whenever a call for repentance is made.The only answer I gave, alright dad.
Back to my meditation... altar call is by choice not force but dad is trying to exert power, compelling me to do what I might not personally suggest to do now.The meditations continue leading to a good sleep.