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Nice title... Totally love it

Lol.
Booked.

Hmmmm.......Okies. Watching with keen interest .

Ok.

Aug 31...
"Someone waiteth to meet you downstairs."

Whenever Utibe attempted to sound like a character in King James' day, I just knew Imoh had come to see me. Why he willingly served as a middleman in my relationship with his best friend, I had no clue. Boys usually protected their sisters from their friends above all others, afterall. His approval was most welcome. It would have been a lot harder if he had been against our love. Today, though, I was having none of it. Or atleast, that's what i wanted him to think.

Feigning ignorance, I asked, "Who is it?" and still did not open my eyes.

"Someone," came the reply.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Utin, by Christ, it's urgent," my brother said, almost shouting.
The fact that he had the pleading tone in his voice suggested it indeed was.

"So what if it is? Goeth me not away from hence," I reiterated in his preferred language. "If it be so important that someone see me, he can just bring himself up hither. My door's open."
I tried and successfully managed to stifle a laugh. This Old English thing really rocked. Besides, I knew more than anything that Imoh would not come to my room, no matter what.

"Are you really prepared for the surprise you're gonna get if that happens?" Utibe dared.

He wasn't in any way insinuating Imoh had suddenly grown the balls, was he? My Imoh was shy and he loved to laugh and bat his eyelids to tease me. He also loved acting out idioms, like literally bury a hatchet after reconciliation. I could only imagine him butting his head against a wall when Utibe told him I wasn't gonna meet him, not kicking open my room door demanding answers. Poor thing.

"Are you really sure it's not a surprise I'll have to wait till the end of the world for?"
I wasn't prepared to lose the argument.

"You're impossible. Just come downstairs with me, will ya?" Utibe said. He sounded defeated.

"I'm not coming. You can tell him that," I said conclusively.

Utibe just stood there and pretended to sulk-a gesture that had won me over oh-so many times. Unfortunately for him and quite amusingly for me, I wasn't falling for it this time.
On realizing the seriousness of my resolve, he hissed and started towards the door. Then he turned back abruptly and looking straight at me, he said,

"Not everything has to be on your own terms, little sis."

He must've thought me heartless.

"She won't come."

"I can't say I didn't expect it. She's particularly stubborn."

"Trust me. You don't know the half of it."

From where I stood eavesdropping at the back of the stairs, I was certain neither my brother nor Imoh could see me. I too was at a disadvantage for staying hidden meant I couldn't see them either. But it would be nice to know what these two said about me when I wasn't around, and what's more, I didn't have to see them to hear.

"Can't she just understand I really have to see her? Did you persuade her enough?"

Imoh was probably teary-eyed as he spoke. I greatly admired his feebleness.

"I tried, man. Utin couldn't put her pride behind her if a million bucks were at stake. I wish I could personally shove it all up her as.s."

Well, what's a brother if not a DNA-sharing pain in the butt? I regretted having to hide. I only wished I could go out there and give him a good talking-to.

"Naw, man. I won't let you speak about her like that."
God, I loved Imoh.

"You sayin' you love her more than I do, huh?"

I imagined Utibe take on a mock battle stance even as he said that and laughed. I immediately clasped my mouth shut with both hands when i realized i had let it slip.

"Did you hear something?" I heard Imoh ask.

"No, what?" came my brother's reply.

"It was probably nothing."

All the air I had held hostage inside my chest, I let escape in a big sigh of relief. I mouthed an inaudible 'Thank God'. I didn't want to have to explain myself, especially not with Imoh around. That would be mortifying.

"I'm calling her. I just hope she picks up," Imoh said.

I heard him punch figures in his phone. Each number responded with a beep.
Darn!
It seemed I had to scurry back up the stairs the same way I did coming down-except this time, I would be taking the lead and didn't have to bother about stepping on my brother's heels in the process. I tiptoed stealthily up the stairs and got to my room just as my phone started to ring. I climbed onto my bed, inhaled deeply a few times to ease myself of all tension and slid my phone open.
There was silence on the other end. Imoh the ever shy, I thought. I would talk only if he did. Nothing for a few seconds and then...

"Hey."

The voice sounded most odd. Not at all like my Imoh's. He probably sounded so because he was nervous but still... That voice sounded like that of someone I had known a while ago, someone I hated.

"It's Paul...y'there?"

My fears had been confirmed. I couldn't contain the thoughts swarming in and out of my head. How'd he get my number? Why did he call me? Could it be a coincidence he called just when I was expecting Imoh to? No, that didn't even count. Ofcourse, it was coincidental.I cursed myself for not checking the caller ID. But how did he...? Why was...? How dare he...?

"I know it's been a while and..."

I cut him off. I had to. He had complicated my life enough. His job was done. His time was up. I had moved on, and I loved the man I had moved on with...

almacherish:
Nice title... Totally love it

Tantu.

whitemosquito:
Lol.
Booked.

BiG honour. Thanks.

Jbluv55:
Hmmmm.......Okies. Watching with keen interest .

LoL...Thanks. It means a lot.

You've got considerable pen power. I've been in the editing business for over a decade and one rarely comes across text so nigh flawlessly written. Maybe a little closer attention to punctuation, as a comma or full stop appears off somewhere. But excellent writing. I will stay glued.

Writeditor:
You've got considerable pen power. I've been in the editing business for over a decade and one rarely comes across text so nigh flawlessly written. Maybe a little closer attention to punctuation, as a comma or full stop appears off somewhere. But excellent writing. I will stay glued.

Thanks. I really appreciate it. Correction noted btw.

Nice. Really nice. Good beginning.

I looked up from my phone to a face I stared back at in unbelief. Was this the surprise my brother had talked about? One I couldn't take my eyes off of. He was looking at me, tears in his eyes. There were no tears in mine, just confused feelings of hate, joy, love and pain...and the memories which came rushing back like a falling stack of dominoes.

My eyes involuntarily traced the all-too familiar scar that laid above his left nostril. Indeed it was him. I finally found my tongue - or did my tongue find itself? - for I said in a voice as low as a whisper,
"Dad."

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

Once we had been a big, happy family. There had been mum, dad, my brother and I...until I had to leave for school exactly six months ago.

Feb. 28

The day I got my admission letter from Prestige University College... one day in my life I couldn't possibly forget. On getting the DHL package, the one containing my admission papers, mum had immediately hurried off to get a few food items from the local market. She didn't even ask my dad for money as she usually did.

My brother grabbed the envelope from me and tore through the papers, as if to confirm the already obvious. My dad just hugged me close and said so many times how proud of me he was.

"So, you're gonna be studying Computer Science eh? What happened to the Information Technology I chose for you?"

Without waiting for a reply, my brother continued,

"Hmm...this school fine sha o. See laboratory na. Even the lecture halls are to die for."

I didn't have to be told. I had been to the school a couple of times with dad and we had seen it all first hand.

"But wait o...how come you're AB na?"

And that was the question that revealed the many secrets upon which foundation our home had been built...the question that had torn my family apart.

We took pride in the fact that we all had the same genotype and even nicknamed ourselves 'The Superiors'. We had had countless medical examinations over time for varying reasons and everytime, each one of us turned out AA.

Except this one time.

My dad released me from the hug and took the paper from Utibe's outstretched hand.

"It's definitely a mistake," he said after careful evaluation of the white sheet in his hand. "They must have faulty equipment or gave this test to be performed by a student. I hear the school us very practical inclined."

"Can we notify them immediately, dad? I mean this might cause problems for me in future," I added, unknowingly fanning the embers of a family feud well underway.

"I agree. I will. And with the letter, we could even attach anyone of the numerous medical examination reports you've had confirming you really are AA," my dad concurred.

"I think it would be better if she had a new test done. They might not readily accept one with an old date," Utibe said, shrugging.
Then he looked at me and said,
"Sorry. I know you hate needles."

"Its ok. I think it's an even better idea."

"It does make sense. I will personally take you to the hospital tomorrow okay? For now, let's just celebrate your success," my dad concluded.

For now...'now' was a pretty short time, we were soon to find out.

Officially inviting to thread...
@beennkumar
@mondisweets
@jeffreyjamez
@princesa
@almacherish
@lolite
@cirmuell...d'you do literature?
@chibwike
@silkmoth33
@jbluv55...I know you've always been here tho' and thanks
Will add more names to this list as I remember.
Thanks guys.

alomosweets:
Officially inviting to thread...
@beennkumar
@mondisweets
@jeffreyjamez
@princesa
@almacherish
@lolite
@cirmuell...d'you do literature?
@chibwike
@silkmoth33
@jbluv55...I know you've always been here tho' and thanks
Will add more names to this list as I remember.
Thanks guys.

alomosweets so u re writer too..wow...just loved you more...*following*

chibwike:
alomosweets so u re writer too..wow...just loved you more...*following*

Thanks. Me sef lurve you too.

alomosweets:
Officially inviting to thread...
@beennkumar
@mondisweets
@jeffreyjamez
@princesa
@almacherish
@lolite
@cirmuell...d'you do literature?
@chibwike
@silkmoth33
@jbluv55...I know you've always been here tho' and thanks
Will add more names to this list as I remember.
Thanks guys.

yep, following.

Following

Invitation honoured. You're doing great.

princesa:
Invitation honoured. You're doing great.

Eshe.

I didn't know you were a writer.

Nice story. Definitely following.

My mum came back from the market about thirty minutes after the great discovery (one we all took for granted as yet). She got down to preparing my favourite dish; afang soup stocked to capacity with akpanata (a very expensive type of fish...it actually translates "only first sons eat" ) and fufu.

Mum would always be mum. Celebration or no celebration, her kids had to help in the kitchen. My brother was very reluctant in doing so because he didn't like the food mun was about to prepare. Eating afang soup usually gave him the stomachs and he reminded mum but she was hearing none of it. He had to help, was all.

Whenever he slacked or started to grumble, mum would put him back on course with a very good scolding. By the time we settled to our meal, my brother had had enough for one night. He just sat there, staring blankly at his food and seething inwardly.

"Sob idi! Eat your food now!"
Be quick.

It was obligatory in our house that everybody eat together. My parents thought it heightened the sense of unity amongst family members. If only they had known eating together, or doing everything together for that matter, did not guarantee family unity...

In any case, my mother was back to shouting orders and it didn't quite go down well with Utibe.

"I'm not going to."
Utibe spoke in a low, guttural growl.

"You will not take that tone with your mother, young man," dad corrected.

"No, let him talk to me whichever way he wants. Etuk ek' ime akpu aju."
A small mother does not give birth to a big child.

I could hardly keep from laughing whenever she said that and that moment, I had indeed had a laugh. Seeing my parents' eyes had moved in my direction, I swallowed the remainder of my howling and focused on the plates before me.

"You've been screaming at me all evening and now, I'm out of nerves. This food makes me sick and you know it. You won't make me eat it unless you want me to go with Utin to the hospital tomorrow," Utibe said, his eyes directly meeting mum's.

He looked people in the eye whenever he felt strongly. Ignoring him, mum turned to look at me and inquired about the said hospital trip.

"You're going to the hospital?"

"Yes mum."

For a second there, I thought I saw an emotion cloud her already dark countenance. Was it fear...or concern?

following
nice story. Welldone

zyzxx:
following
nice story. Welldone

Thanks loads.

Casanova019, I see you peeping.

alomosweets:
Casanova019, I see you peeping.

Lmao. #SpyBurster.

Wanted to be a silent observer; followed already. Your writing skills are truly commendable.

"Mum, I'm not sick. It's something about..."

"I'm gonna go to my room now. Can I, mum?"

It was more of a statement daring her to stop him than a permission seeking question. Mum didn't answer. Her mind seemed too occupied with other things for her to notice. Utibe immediately pushed his chair back noisily and stomped angrily away from the dining table. My gaze and dad's rested on him until he got out of sight. I looked at dad. He remained silent. I knew Utibe was gonna get it. And hot. I looked at mum and met her unflinching stare. She expected me to say something and I knew exactly what.

"The school's medical crew made an error in my blood test. I'm going to be re-examined tomorrow."

The fear-concern expression flickered again. What did she have to be afraid of? I just told her I wasn't sick. She probably hated needles too, I thought.

"I'll take you," she said.

"You don't have to. Dad's already said he would," I told her.

"Yes, I'd like a day out with my girl tomorrow."

Dad looked at me and smiled, his mouth full of that sea sugar, akpanata.

"I wanna take her. Besides, I have to see someone at the hospital tomorrow. You can just attend to other matters while we're away and have some time with her after we get back. I mean, we won't take long," mum argued.

"Actually, I was hoping dad would take me. There's a wing of the hospital that bears his name and he's never been to it. I wanna be the first to..."

"You're going with me to the hospital tomorrow and that's final!"

Mum didn't have to scream but she did. She didn't have to take me to the hospital but she obviously felt as though she had to. Many things were odd about mum that night. Did it have anything to do with the tricks her face played on me whenever my trip to the hospital was mentioned?

"Don't fool yourself by thinking you wear the pants in this house. I'm taking Utin to the hospital tomorrow. Now that IS final."

He was visibly upset. I watched him down all the water left in his glass and leave me and mum at the dining table.

"She's my daughter too. I can take her wherever I want and whenever. You can't just book spaces. She's not an event centre," she shouted back at dad.

You can't just come from nowhere and cancel my appointments either, I thought.

"She's my daughter...our daughter...our daughter."

She was sobbing quietly now. Something sure was up. I had lost my appetite. Apparently, so had mum.