*****“Miss. Eno Ekanem.” Miss. Adeyemi Rotimi smith, the H.O.D, calls, opening a file as she flips the paper inside it “I can see in the next of kin column in your file, you filled a female name, Unwana Ekanem. Is she your daughter or your sister? Judging by your tittle, Miss, I have to ask” she says, looking to get a response from me.“She’s my daughter Ma and I was never married. I was supposed to marry her father but circumstances did not permit.” I briefly explain the little confusion on my file.“Ok, I wanted to be sure before signing. How old is your daughter? She asks again.“She’s thirteen.” I reply“Wow, and you still look this beautiful? Taking care of a thirteen years old girl all by yourself?” I can tell her question is rhetorically then I smile “If I may ask, are you sure you can cope with this course and still look after your daughter? I mean, you are aware this is a practical course?” she points.“My daughter is in a boarding school, this gives me a lot of time to focu
******I sit in the canteen behind the department with Jude, chatting about small stuff, family and everything in-between. Jude is a tall, light skinned man; he is sincere and smiles a lot, one of his outstanding charm. He is welcoming and basically the only person who don’t see me as his rival in the department.Ever since Miss. Adeyemi Rotimi Smith announced the privileges attached to our department, everyone has taken it as a competition and has seen each other as rivals. Especially Miss. Abike. Her father happens to be the C.E.O of a five star hotel in Ikoyi. She looks down on everyone just because she was born with a silver spoon. Mrs. Edward, an unfortunate woman who had a bicker with Miss. Abike, might have sat quietly and listened to Abike run her mouth but not me. I’m just waiting for the day she will try it with me. Not that I’m beefing or anything, I mean, I’m just saying.“I hope there wasn’t any complication?” Jude ask me as I put a straw inside my bottle of Fanta.“Not
******WALE POVI let out a rumble laughter after dropping the call with Eno. Lost in the thought of her that I'm oblivious to when Yinka, my cousin stepped into the room.Letting the smile linger on my lips, I sit up from the couch when I hear him clear his throat. He gives me that amusing stare then laughs while sitting on the brown leather couch across from mine in my living room.My cousin has been living with me since he returned to Nigeria, feeling reluctant to go home because aunty never stops her quest of finding a suitable wife for him. Just like me, he feels the pressure but doesn't want to get his own apartment because hes barely in the country. And now, I have no choice but to accommodate him.“My boy has found himself a girl that makes him smile.” He mocks me, laughing and watching my brightened up face.“Well, you can say that again.” “So, did she agree to meet you?” He curiously asks.“She can't resist me even if she tries.” Still in my happy mood, I stand and move to
******ENO POV “I was starting to think you won’t show up and I’ll have leave here heartbroken” Wale says, giving those sexy smiles. He sure knows how to enthuse a lady.I smile in my mind, feeling a little uneasy. I sit on the high stool close to his, in front of the bar counter.“I’m here aren’t i? Can I have my bangle, please?” I ask, trying to be polite. I don’t want to cause a scene in front of the busy bar-man.“Not yet, honey you—““Honey?” I snigger.“What?” He raise an eye brow at me, drawing closer to me, causing that hot rush on my cheek.He’s close, too close. I open my mouth trying to at least stammer a word but it stayed open. “He’s smooth. Wake up Eno.” I yell at myself, using my indoor voice.“Why am I here?” I ask quickly, smiling at the bar man who places our drinks in front of us.“You didn’t believe me when I said You enchanted me?” He asks back.“Please wake up this isn’t disney? Neither are we children. But of course, it’s true what they say.”“What who say?” he
*******The thought of Wale kept me awake all through the night. He hunted my dreams and wouldn’t leave my head. It’s a pity; I have to hurry off to Peace estate at second Rainbow in Festac Town where I work part-time as a cook for Mr. and Mrs. Oke.“At least the place is not far.” I say to myself as I pack my bag.I lock my front door when Omoh comes out of her own apartment“Going out so early?” she asks, yawning. It seems she's just waking up.“Good morning, I can see you slept well too.” I say to her, smiling.“I’m sorry.” She apologizes when she recall she hadn't said good morning.“It’s fine, I’ll be back soon. I hope you brought those novels?” I ask to be sure. They were some romance novels Omoh had back home. I got a good look at one when I joined her on a visit to her parents home and begged her to bring some for me.“Yes.” she replies.“Good, love you, see you soon.” I yell as I hurry down the stairs.“Yeah, love you too.” I hear her yell back. Her voice echo downstairs as
*****One month after intensive lecturers, we get to do our first practical. Our instructor request we prepare one traditional food from our tribe.This is exciting news because I really appreciate my tribal dish. I choose Afang soup not because I wanted it but because Omoh made sure. I plan to prepare white soup or apangkukwo but Omoh says Afang soup is well presentable and very rich. To me, my choice is also presentable and rich but, since Afang is a popular dish, I get her point.Omoh followed me to school today, which is of good advantage because she volunteer to help me carry my extra bags. I know her sudden kindness has a motive which is to not miss out on the soup.She is not allowed into the hall since she is not a student so, I ask her to wait for me at the canteen behind my department promising to call her as soon as I’m done.I walk straight to my table, drop my bag at the side of it on the floor and wear my apron.“Good morning chefs.” The instructor in charge of the pract
******“This is the most mouthwatering dish I’ve eaten all day.” Omoh says a she pounce on the plate of Semo and Afang soup not minding the people around, looking at her.I join my friend, Omoh at the canteen where she had been waiting for me after the practical as over. I previously thought we would eat the rest of the food when we are comfortable at home but, my dear friend is very impatient to wait.“You think so?” I ask doubtfully at her comment.“Unless the judges have no taste buds.” She manage to say, swallowing a large chunk of semo.“I just hope it is good enough, I need to pass.” I tell her.“And you will.” She stops her eating and give me a heart warming smile.I feel a little at ease as I smile back at her.“Hurry up with that, I need to rest.” I hasten to her.flashing her my tired look but Omoh pays no attention to me. I rest my back on the backrest of the chair and wait patiently for her to finish devouring the meat.Suddenly, I feel a hand rest on my shoulder “Eno, you
*******“I did my best” I can hear a student say inside the hall and I swear her voice sounds very familiar.I peek through the slightly open door and my guess was right. Not to my surprise anyway, I mean, there is only one person in this department with a penetrating voice like that. Who else can it be? If not the proud, miss perfect, millionaire’s daughter. Abike.“I shouldn’t be doing this.” I reprimand myself, but securing my feet on the ground, not moving an inch.“I expected you to do better!” I can hear the chef yell “What will I say to your dad, huh?” He asks angrily.“Who is this chef to Abike?” I soliloquize, asking a curious question which answer interested me to hear.“Tell him whatever you like I don’t care. All I care about is how you are going to help me win that trip to California.” She assert with so much confidence.“Mr. Collins is so wrong, it’s not just an Exam, as far as there is a reward attached to it, it is a bloody competition.” I say, heatedly. Confirming my