PHENOMENAL ELITES COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE
One of mom's friends from church had recommended this school for me. She said it uses the British Curriculum and it would be instrumental to preparing me for SAT, IELTS, TOEFL and every other foreign exam I needed as dad expressed his desire for me to school outside Nigeria.
Mom drove me down to school with the Lexus dad got for her shortly before he died. Granny had also joined us. I was so grateful for her presence as she entertained me of what to expect in a boarding school as she attended one when she was younger. She talked of Madam Koi-koi, the dreaded spirit that paraded the dorms at night with her shoes making the Koi-koi sound. Mum quickly refuted the story, saying that it was only a myth and not real. Granny laughed and laughed at the way mom shouted.
I had registered, and was given school uniforms and dorm wears, a purple checkered A-line dress. Someone checked my suitcases and returned the things deemed contraband by the school authority. I intially told mum that I didn't need my teddy bear and my fuzzy pillows, but she insisted that she wanted me to be as comfortable as possible. See where comfortability has landed us.
"I'll come and check on you from time to time. Thank God phones are allowed here." Mom held me close, looking at my face intently. "Do you like the school? Are you at peace with it?"
Gosh, this woman can ask questions. I took a deep breath and answered her. "Mom, you've asked me this question over a hundred times. I am ok. I am comfortable. I love the school. I'll be fine."
She kept looking at me until grandma dragged her off.
"Moji, leave this child. She is 16 years old. At that age, I was selling at Idumota market and making money." We all burst into laughter at the funny way grandma said it.
"I have heard granny. Ah, leave me this old woman." We started laughing again. Granny was dad's mother but she and mom were like mother and daughter.
Mom and Granny laid their hands on my head and began to pray for me.
I wasn't comfortable at the sight Infront of me. I don't believe there is God so there was no need for the prayers, but I said nothing to avoid another lecture from mom.
They hugged me, tears in their eyes and mine, and they proceeded to the car while I escorted them.
At the last minute, mom whispered to my ears.
"Remember who you are, the apple of God's eyes. I love you baby."
Those words rang in my ears for a long time after she left.
How can I be the apple of the eyes of one who I don't know?? Strange, isn't it?