Dear Diary,
If stress was a person, it would be my mother today. She has been shouting since morning:
"Veronica! Don't forget your provisions! Veronica! Did you pack your slippers? Veronica! You want to go to school naked?"
I don't understand why she's shouting like I'm traveling to America. It's just common boarding school in Surulere — one place called Mallhills College. Can you imagine? Why can't they just put me in a normal day school like every other child? Why boarding? Did I offend somebody?
This is my first time ever going to a boarding school, and honestly, I don't even know how to feel. They want me to live in hostel with strangers, eat dining food, and take morning prep before cock crow. Is that life?
Meanwhile, the whole house was upside down this morning. My little brother Chibuzo kept stealing my cabin biscuits from the carton and running away, while Somto was crying because he wanted to follow me to school. Can you imagine? A five-year-old inside JSS1? He cannot even tie his shoelace without crying.
My father was not helping matters either. He was just sitting in the parlor with newspaper, saying, "Hmm, my daughter is growing." Growing ke? Daddy, please come and help me carry this heavy Ghana-Must-Go bag before my back breaks.
The truth is, Diary, I am nervous. I don't know how the seniors will be. I don't know if I will make friends. I don't even know if I will understand Mathematics — because right now, even division is still threatening me. But I cannot say all this out loud. If I try, my mother will say, "Nonsense! Better go there and make me proud."
So here I am, lying on my bed, looking at my packed bag. My uniform is brand new and smells of starch. My black shoes are still shining like mirror. My provisions are hiding in one corner, waiting for me to guard them like a soldier.
Tomorrow, Diary, tomorrow is the big day. The first day of my life as a boarder in Mallhills College, Surulere.
Signed,
Veronica
.
.
.
.
Did you like and share 👀🤧