Amaka stretched and yawned loudly. The atmosphere in Guzape that morning was very pleasant. It had rained the previous night and the morning was very bright and beautiful. The birds were chirping happily and the morning sun was coming up, giving the environment a soft and beautiful glow. The estate was coming alive – people going to work, the children going to school – activities of the day had fully began. Amaka reached out for her phone on her bedside table.
"Ah 7:30"
She murmured, opening her eyes in disbelief and a second part of her wondering why she woke up that early. I wanted to wake up by nine, she thought with so much pain on her face as she buried her face back in her pillow.
After what seemed like 30 minutes, she opened her eyes again and checked her phone.
"10:42!"
She gasped in shock, jumping off her bed with her phone still in her hand. The resulting headache made her stop in her track. She slowly walked toward her vanity, picked up her bottle of water and gulped it down without hesitation. Her tummy churned. She kind of knew it would happen - drinking water on an empty stomach never gave her a wonderful after-feeling.
She ignored all of it and walked out to her lounge. The outlook was indeed beautiful. Everything was just in place, except that she was a mess. Her hair was poking out of her bonnet from different angles, and she was still in her pajamas. Anyone seeing her at that moment needed no soothsayer to tell them that Amaka was just waking up – at 10:57 a.m.! She didn't seem to care, she just scrolled through her mails, hoping to see something interesting.
The 21 year old lady had just graduated from Babcock University, with a 4.83 CGPA in Information Technology. She was looking forward to further her education in the United Kingdom, with a masters degree in Software Engineering. In a bid to wait for the application season, she decided to get a job.
"Mama, it's better you go for your Youth Service. Participate in the NYSC! Why rush to get a job?"
"Mum, this job is going to pay me 150k per month! What will the 77k of NYSC do for me?"
"However you want to do it, that's your business. But in case you didn't know, you cannot get a job in this country without your NYSC certificate."
"Ehh I like it like that, not like I'm looking forward to work in this country, let alone with the federal government".
Amaka recalled the banter she had with her mum when she shared the idea with her. Her siblings were more than supportive of her decision, and that was all she needed to keep going.
She had applied to a reputable logistics firm for the role of a clerk and she was confident beyond doubt that she was going to be appointed. She scrolled through the unnecessary news letters, and when nothing seemed to excite her in her mails, she stepped back inside to freshen up for the day.
"Good morning mum",
She cheerfully greeted her mother who was already in the living room.
Roselyn looked at her vibrant last baby. Amaka was dressed in a lemon green bum shorts and a loosely fitted red top. The smile on her face lit up her mother's face.
"So you finally decided to wake up",
She said jokingly to her daughter who had just come down the stairs and was heading towards the kitchen.
"Spaghetti!"
Amaka squeaked excitedly, grabbing a plate and serving herself efficiently.
She joined her mum in the sitting room, turning on the TV and relaxing to enjoy her breakfast.
"Breakfast at noon"
Roselyn teased her daughter, as she saw the time.
"Mum… it's just 12:08! It's not really noon yet"
Amaka whined with food in her mouth.
"You think so? Please finish what is in your mouth"
Her mum laughed, dropping what was in her hand and reaching out for the remote. Without question, she switched the channel to 130. Thankfully, their favorite MTv Catfish show was still ongoing, so the duo relaxed to watch, throwing random comments and laughing at intervals.
"Thanks mum", Amaka greeted as she went to the kitchen to drop her plate.
"Thank God my dear", Roselyn responded in the traditional African way amidst laughter.
After breakfast, Amaka sank into the couch, phone in hand, the former realized that there was a new email. She ignored it and continued watching TV. At some point, she gave in to the urge to check the mail.
"Arrgghhhhhhh!"
She screamed in excitement as she jumped on the sofa and down again.
"What is it, what's going on?"
Her startled mother asked in confusion.
Amaka unknowingly ignored her mum, running upstairs and logging into her WhatsApp and putting a group call to her siblings, still screaming.
"I got the job! I got the job!"
She cried out in overexcitement, jumping up and down her bed. Her siblings looked at with no excitement on their faces, except her sister who wore a very wide smile.
Amaka was the last of four kids and was the only one still in Nigeria with their mum. Their dad had passed away three years ago, leaving just them and their mum. Her sister, Onyinye, was the second and the only one who related to all of her emotions. Her brothers - Chibuike, the first and Obiora, the third - were rather distant to her, but it didn't stop her from seeing how much they cared about her.
"I got the job",
She repeated, this time in a calm tone.
"Congratulations"
Her brothers said in unison.
"You're growing, welcome to adulthood"
Chibuike added and they all laughed.
"I have to go back to work. I'm so happy for you"
Obiora said and immediately hung up.
"Me too"
Chibuike said, also hanging up, leaving Onyii and Amaka in the call.
"Mama congrats. I thought you were confident that you were going to get the job, why are you so excited?" Onyinye asked, laughing.
"I don't know, I'm just so happy. I haven't even told mummy."
"So does that mean you will have to find accommodation in Wuse?"
Amaka nodded. At that moment, her mum came in smiling,
"My baby is becoming a woman. I'm so happy for you"
She said, embracing Amaka, before sitting down to join the conversation between her daughters.