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Onome almost jumped with joy. "Oh! Uncle, thank you! God bless you!" She exclaimed with excitement as she fell on her knees. "Stand up! Remember, your Dad is still my brother." Mr Desmond said. Onome slowly stood up and took her seat. She could hardly hold back her excitement. "I have something for you." Mr Desmond said as he went into his room. Onome wondered what he was referring to.
"Are you sure you are okay? There is more food o!" Onome's uncle said. Onome had to resist the temptation of asking for more thus she responded quickly. "Maybe when I'm going home, I can take away." "Okay, no problem." Her uncle responded. Onome grew more anxious with the silence that followed. "Hmmm..I know you want to hear the latest about your dad, not too worry, there is hope." Mr Desmond said. Onome heaved a sigh of relief. "So sir, will he return home any time soon?" Onome asked anxiously. Her uncle smiled and drew closer. "Don't worry, my men are on it, in fact we just got information of his whereabout." Her uncle emphasized
"You can take your food, I know by now you must be hungry." Mr Desmond said. Onome smiled as she nodded her head frantically.😐 She moved swiftly to the dining and settled down to her meal. It was an absolute feast as far as Onome was concerned. Every bit of the meal was tasty. "Uncle, thank you sir." Onome greeted once she was done. "Hmmm..I can see you enjoyed your meal." Her uncle said as he observed the cleared plates and virtually empty jar of juice. "Yes sir." Onome replied, giving away a smile. At this point Onome could not wait to hear what News her uncle had about her dad.
Onome kept clearing her throat like she had something stuck in it but her reaction was more out of anxiety. 'Okay, how long has she been into this?" Mr Desmond asked further. "Since my daddy found it difficult to cater for all of us." Onome replied. "Hmmm..I see.." Her uncle responded, consistently nodding his head. "Boy!" Her uncle called out to the young lad. He hurried down. "Sir!" The young lad responded. "Bring her food and some juice." Mr Desmond said. "Okay sir." The young lad said as he hurriedly returned to the kitchen. Onome had the urge to decline the offer but she knew she really wanted to eat thus she changed her mind. Before long, the young lad brought in a large plate of jellof of rice, with fried plantain and a whole chicken, along side a jar of orange juice. Onome began to salivate.😪
[7/25, 2:28 PM] ejiro: "Don't worry, stand up,what's that your name again?" Mr Desmond said as he smiled and took his seat. "Onome!" Onome exclaimed. Her uncle nodded his head repeatedly and he beckoned on her to sit. Quickly, Onome sat down. After quite a few seconds, her uncle spoke. "So Onome, how is your mother?" "She's fine, I think by now she is still in the market." Onome responded aptly. "I see. So what does she sell?" Her uncle continued. "Em...anything in season, however she is known for her dry fish." Onome replied. Another silence followed. It appeared, Onome's uncle was pondering over something.🤔 [7/26, 1:06 AM] ejiro: https://youtu.be/I8bW7USY06I
Onome entered the house still feeling nervous but not as nervous as the previous time. Her uncle was not in the Living room yet thus she decided to feed her eyes with the luxurious interiors all over again. Onome just couldn't resist the urge. She noticed an additional item which she did not see the last time she was there. It was a unique flower vase, pink in color. It appeared like it had streams flowing out of its exterior. Onome drew closer and felt her hand around every part of it. Onome thought it even felt better.😀 Suddenly there was footstep coming down the stair way. Quickly, Onome returned to her former position. She tried very hard to hide her nervousness. Her uncle had showed up, dressed in a casual T-Shirt and trouser, he appeared less formal as far as Onome could observe. "Good..Good evening afternoon sir." Onome greeted anxiously, with both knees to the ground.😐
By now, Onome had gotten use to the pathway to her uncle's house thus she walked very fast. It was twenty minutes gone and Onome was very close to the house. Meanwhile Onome felt a little nervous. She wondered if her uncle had any good news pertaining her dad's whereabout aside the money he had promised her. Onome hastened up and as soon as she arrived at the premise of her uncle's house she paused for a while. She saw a car parked in front of the house and thought to herself, maybe her uncle had a visitor.
By now, Onome had gotten use to the pathway to her uncle's house thus she walked very fast. It was twenty minutes gone and Onome was very close to the house. Meanwhile Onome felt a little nervous. She wondered if her uncle had any good news pertaining her dad's whereabout aside the money he had promised her. Onome hastened up and as soon as she arrived at the premise of her uncle's house she paused for a while. She saw a car parked in front of the house and thought to herself, maybe her uncle had a visitor.
ejiro: Congratulation on your last outing at Leicester Aunty Joke: Thank you so much. ejiro: I know you've been excelling so well in what you do, particularly in the area of your calling which brings me to my first question. How do people get to know what they are called to do? Aunty Joke: Hmmmmm. Most times you find it in something you enjoy or what you find fulfilment in. It could also be something you are passionate about like praying for others. ejiro: Hmmm..Okay ejiro: ...Do we necessarily need to develop this calling, either formally or otherwise? Aunty Joke: Oh yes. Remember the story of the talents told in the Bible. The moral was anything you refuse to harness, you lose. I currently train a5 year old boy on the piano. Without that training, his full potential may never be felt. The development doesn't always have to be formal or by someone else though. ejiro: Okay..Nice. The last time we talked, you actuall...
"Onome! Are you serious?" Adesuwa exclaimed. "How?" Ochuko asked further. "I can't even explain myself ." Onome responded. " So, what will happen now?" Deborah asked. "My uncle has promised to assist us search for him with the help of his team." Onome replied confidently. It was a sobber moment and Onome could feel the eyes of her friends starring pitifully at her. She knew she had to hurry before sunset thus she bade her friends goodbye. "Onome, are you sure you don't want us to accompany you?" Adesuwa beckoned but Onome declined. Onome walked on and soon, she had disappeared out of their sight.
Onome knew that if she slowed down, she would have to do lots of explanation to her friends thus she increased her speed. However, her friends still caught up with her. "Onome! Wait! Didn't you hear us calling you!?" Ochuko lamented. "Onome, you've been acting up lately, what is the matter nau?" Adesuwa added. Onome did not respond for a while, suddenly she came to a halt and sighed heavily. "O.k, you all know that I have been hopeful about attending the symposium at Great College." Onome said. "Yeah, so what about it? When are you leaving for the city?" Peres asked. Onome sighed again, this Time with tears flowing down her eyes. "My Dad is missing" She said and the rest of the girls starred at Onome with surprise.😱
No one owned up to the missing Chalk thus everyone served equal punishment. Not only did they spend the next one hour cutting grass, Mrs Tare had instructed everyone to wait behind for extra class. Onome still remembered the appointment she had to keep with her uncle after school and she was persistent. Alas! The entire class was done with Mrs Tare's extra class and before one could say 'Jack'. Onome hurriedly walked out of the class, leaving her friends behind. "Onome! Ah! Why the rush nau?" Ochuko shouted behind her.
No one owned up to the missing Chalk thus everyone served equal punishment. Not only did they spend the next one hour cutting grass, Mrs Tare had instructed everyone to wait behind for extra class. Onome still remembered the appointment she had to keep with her uncle after school and she was persisteo
"Where is the class captain!" Mrs Tare shouted. Everyone turned their head towards a particular direction where Michael, the class captain was seated. Slowly and reluctantly, Michael stood up. "Oga! Where is the chalk!? I'm I to write with my mouth?" Mrs Tare kept shouting at the top of her voice. Michael did not respond, he just dropped his head. For a while, Mrs Tare starred at him like she was pondering on her next action. More often than not, Mrs Tare had her good and bad moments. Either way, one could easily tell. "I hope you do not think I would manufacture chalk for you ooo!" Mrs Tare asked scornfully. "Ma, I don't know where the chalk is. It was there yesterday and by this morning, I couldn't find it." Michael replied. "I see! So non of you want to take Biology Lessons?" Mrs Tare said as she walked round the class. That gesture of hers only meant one thing and that is: Trouble for the entire class. Onome knew she had a long day ahead.🤔
[7/13, 1:38 PM] ejiro: Onome snapped out of her thought and by this time, she was literarily panting. Her friends starred at her, wondering what could be on her mind. "Onome, it's like you read too much o!" Perez lamented. "See the way you are just serious, hmm..na wa o!" Sandra added. As far as Onome was concerned, they knew nothing about what was going on and she intended keeping it that way. Few minutes later, it was time for Biology and Mrs Tare, IB's mothsr stepped into the class. She remained one of the most dreaded teachers in the school. Known for her insistence on neatness and promptness, she also had a very intimidating presence owing to her height. Everyone was seated and one called almost hear the drop of a pin on the floor. Mrs Tare looked sternly round the entire class and then she spoke out. "Where is the chalk?" The entire class became uneasy.Apparently, the chalk was missing.😱
It was the usual routine. Every student paid rapt attention to the various announcements made by the teachers. Soon, it was time to disperse to their various classes. "Onome, how far nau? We did not see you at Moses' Birthday Party." Adesuwa whispered. By this time, they had settled down in class. Onome tried to remember if she had received any Birthday invitation from anyone at all. "Birthday party?" She asked. "Yes nau, didn't hear about it?" Ochuko asked. "No!" Onome replied. The rest gazed at one another with surprise. "Anyway, You missed sha! Come and see dance"😱said Ochuko. ".. And Moses can dance! Ohhh! He can dance!" Deborah virtually exclaimed. Onome seemed lost in thoughts and it became apparent that she was not with the other girls. "Onome! Onome! Onome!" Ochuko called out.
Onome made up her mind to see her uncle for assistance after school as he had promised her the previous day. "Mama, I go tay small today." Onome said. "Hmmm..na wetin dey happen for school?" Her mother asked curiously. "Em..we dey do practice." Onome said. Her mother pondered for a while. "OK..no wahala but as dem dey finish, make you dey run come house ooo! Remember say, we neva do the corn!?" Onome's mother said. Onome responded with a nod and dashed out of the house. Onome knew she had to make up an excuse while she went to see her uncle after school. Onome almost missed the assembly but for the timekeeper who had allowed her in before he rang the bell.
It was already morning and the cock crow had delivered its message. The smell of the dust mixed with dew left one feeling nostalgic. Onome was already awake, she bent beside her bed and said a quick prayer. Quickly, she stood up to get her water pot and dashed out for the well outside. Soon, Onome had finished her morning chores and was set for school. "Mama, I don ready." She said to her mum who was still lying down. Onome's mother managed to mumble some inaudible words and she tossed and turned. Onome became impatient. She was afraid she would miss the assembly.😟
However, just when Onome thought that Mama Kemute must have saved the situation, Onome's mother threw in a tricky question. "...but Onome, you remember the face of the boys wey touch my corn?" Onome knew what was coming next thus she quickly responded. "No, Mama, dem dey run fast. Na force I force the remaining one comot for their hand." Onome said. Eventually, Onome's mother allowed her into the house. The night was really cold. Onome managed to take a quick hot bath. She hurriedly grabbed her food from the corner of the cupboard. After a while, she laid on her bed retrospecting on the day's event thus far. Some where within Onome's heart, she quietly prayed that her uncle's effort to find her dad would yield positive result. She thought, at least, her chances to go to Great College was very high. Onome had a smile on and soon slept off.
Onome knew that as long as she remained sober, things were most likely to play to her favor. "You no fit talk!?" Mama Kemute asked further. "The worse thing be say she even throway my corn sef." Onome's mother added. Mama Kemute shook her head in accordance. However, Onome wasn't sure whether she did it out of empathy with her mother or herself. After what seem like a long silence, Mama Kemute heaved a sigh of relief. Mama Onome, you know say na so all these children dey behave. Wetin we go do? Make we thank God say she still come back house." She said. At that point, Onome only wished for one thing; that she could just grab a plate of food!😙
For some few seconds, Onome's mother's attention was drawn towards the direction of the voice. "Na who be that?" She responded. Soon, Mama Kemute came out of her apartment with her wrapper tied around her chest. She appeared like someone who was just woken up from a very deep sleep. "Mama Onome, na wetin dey happen?" She said as she took a glance at Onome who was by now, almost close to the gate. "See me o! I send my pikin go grind common corn wey no reach anything! Na im my pikin dey tell me story up and down!" Onome's mother replied as she gesticulated every word. Onome knew she was in for another panel of Judges. Mama Kemute turned to Onome with her mouth opened out of surprise😱 "Onome! Na true!?" She exclaimed.
"Onome, I dey ask again. Na wetin happen to my corn!?" Her mother asked, more emphatically this time. Onome soon realized that her mother had noticed that the bowl of corn had been tampered with thus she knew that more lies was not in her best interest. She decided to take her chance and she broke down into tears. "Onome! Why you dey cry?" Her mother asked immediately. Onome was elated. She felt probably her mother had suddenly become empathic. "Mama, na some boys thief am." Onome confessed. "Hmmm? Onome! Na the same people wey dey fight na I'm thief am, abi?" Her mother added. Onome knew that before long, she might have to come out clean but she was still hesitant. Suddenly, a voice called out. "Mama Onome!" It was a neighbor's voice.
Onome's mother ran her head through every grain of corn and felt each texture like an inspector running an investigation.👮 At one point, she paused and starred earnestly at Onome again. "Onome! Na wetin happen to my corn oo?" She shouted angrily. "Mama nothing ooo, na the corn be that na?" Onome said as she defended herself quickly. Her mother began to sing one of the popular Urhobo songs while she shook her head as a gesture that accompanied the song. Onome grew very uneasy.😟