CHAPTER ONE.....The Big surprise

A week ago when grandma told me we're moving to our new home, I didn't expect it to be a mansion cause she's not the extravagant type. I couldn't help but leave my mouth wide open. It seems to me like a dream but I do hope it's not.

"This is for you, Nifemi", she says showing off her white set of teeth which I envy a lot. Considering my name, you would think I get lots of love and care from her but it's the exact opposite.  Still, I don't want you to see her as some kind of parent or guardian who mistreats their kids.

"Thank you, ma'am", I reply with a brief side hug.

"Please I need your help here. I have a meeting with a client very soon", The Auber driver complains. I can't believe I said that since Grandma told me he's her late best friend's son. Well, she didn't tell me on time and it's hard to erase the first impression made of someone.

"Okay", she tells him and I help move our luggage inside as he takes them from his black sedan car's boot.

Later grandma showed me the nooks and crannies of the house. I'm a kind of person who is  very hard to please but I was impressed with what I saw especially in my bedroom. A silky foot mat was placed on the creamy tiled floor with a well polished closet opposite a full length mirror. The white vanity table had a stool beside it unlike the brown bedside table holding a lamp and clock radio. Three cute big teddy bears sat on my king size bed covered with white sheets. I felt very bad for getting angry at grandma who gave out my previous ones to poor kids. I'm not against charity. I just believe you shouldn't be forced to do it. It brings great reward and benefits to both sides when it's done whole heartedly. Also in life, we have to make some sacrifices to get things we want and those we don't expect. If I had known grandma had this surprise for me, I would have whole heartedly given out those bears. Well, it's not too late to do that.

I didn't expect her to know my taste since we don't have an intimate relationship. She has been responsible for my upkeep after my parents passed away. They were very much in love that one couldn't live without the other. Grandma worked for the ministry of health as a photographer before her retirement and traveled frequently so we barely see each other. It's so bad that I can't remember the last time we had a meal or conversation.

"What would you like for our first dinner here", She asks as I enter the kitchen to have a glass of water.

"I'm not hungry", I reply hurting her feelings. You'll probably think it was intentional but that's not the case. Eating junks as dinner is my daily routine but I'm not fat and I think is going to be that way till my last breath.

 "It's okay She forces a smile on her lips. As I return to my bedroom in the second floor she continues, "There's an interesting movie I want us to watch".

"I'm sorry, grandma. It's my study time", she nods and watch me climb the stairs with S curved railings.

After changing into my pajamas, I chose faceless by Amma Darko to read for the night. You should know now that I'm an art student. During the summer coaching when my previous Literature teacher told us about the book, I imagined an individual without a face which is impossible in reality. While reading, I ate doughnuts with a cold bottle of Pepsi then retired for the night.

Grandma was making breakfast when I saw her the next morning. Aunt Simi sat on a stool beside the breakfast bar sipping a hot cup of coffee. She was making the description of a runway model who appears to be her fiancé to grandma who seemed uninterested. I could remember the last time I saw her vividly. It was my primary school graduation and grandma was on a business trip so she had to bribe Aunt to stand in for her. That was three years earlier but her looks hasn't changed. Her hair is still long and black. Also her white skin hasn't tanned a bit. At times I wonder who she got those traits from cause my grandparents and few family members I've met don't have them.

"Oh God, look as those glossy curls!" She stares at my short hair.

"How have you been Aunt?" I ask her.

"Fine, dear. My wedding is coming up soon and I want you to be my best lady", She replies excitedly.

Best lady? Why on earth would she want me to do that?

"Then what am I gonna be mum? Your flower girl?"A tall dark girl with twisted Brazilian hair enters the kitchen. I've never seen her before and wouldn't know she's my cousin if she didn't call my aunt, "Mum".

"It would be nice if you become the  oldest flower girl in history", Aunt Simi laughs.

"Bola, let's set the table for breakfast", She tells my cousin, then turns to me, "Nifemi, go and call your siblings  playing outside". I wanted to ask her what siblings but I kept quiet. As far as I know, my parents didn't have any child except me before their death,and also, Aunt Simi's extra ordinarily flat tummy makes it hard to believe she has a kid, so I don't think she has more.

"Big sis, you're awake", Gbemi cuddles me.

 Their names were printed with white ink on the navy blue polo they're wearing so it saved me the trouble of asking. The two remaining boys ignored me cause they were engrossed in playing with Scott our new  dog - a German shepherd breed.

"Grandma wants you to come in for breakfast", I announce but still didn't get any response from the boys.

"Big sis, let's leave them alone. Only mum knows how to handle them", She holds my hand and we move in.

Grandma made boiled rice with chicken stew. I can't deny the fact that she's a good cook, though I only ate three spoons full with small chunks of chicken. At first, Gbemi scolded their mum for not always eating to her satisfaction due to her strict diet, but I was surprised when she finished the food in her white plate and took more.

"Don't you like the food?" Grandma checks the food to see if there's anything wrong with it.

"No,ma. I'm just filled up. Thanks for the meal", I grin, but she doesn't look satisfied.

"Can I have yours?" Tominwa sucks the juicy marrow from his chicken bones as if he's afraid he'll never be able to eat it again.

"Sure", I act like a big sis.

"I'm very happy, mom. We should do this often ,I'll invite my fiancé to join us since he's going to be a part of the fam..." She chokes and I quickly pour her a glass of water.

"That happens when you talk too much. What do you want the kids to learn from you" Grandma tells her angrily. I don't need anyone to confirm she doesn't approve of the wedding but it appears Aunt Simi is unwilling to dance to her tune. Don't ask me which side I'm on because it's hard to make that decision. I'm the number one person in this world who detests second marriages yet she looks differently and happier when she talks about it. Grandma once told me to follow my aunt and dad's footsteps since they both had happy marriages. I'm beginning to think it was all a lie so I need more research to see if I'm wrong or right. Maybe it's time to face reality after all I'm not a little 

girl who needs fairy tales to be happy anymore.

"Excuse me", I rise to leave the dinning room.

"Let's make a toast before you leave", Aunt pours orange juice into our glass cups.

"To our family and my upcoming wedding", She says and we clink our glasses.

After breakfast, I went to my bedroom for a nap but the chattering voices of my new siblings didn't let me do that on time. My only wish was to see them gone by the time I open my eyes.

The gentle evening breeze woke me up. I was passing by the master bedroom when I heard a noise. Well, I couldn't hear what grandma said, her door was slightly opened , but I saw Aunt Simi on her knees crying like a baby whose candle has been snatched, the next minute, she stood beside me looking bright as if nothing had happened.

"I thought I wouldn't see you before leaving", She cuddles me and whispers "Don't forget our agreement. I leave the kids in your care".

"I wish you a safe trip, aunt", I reply.

Gbemi's loud cry prevented me from reading quietly and peacefully as I normally do. She's mummy's best friend so all efforts to calm her proved abortive. It sounds selfish but I had no choice but to think their presence is trouble for me. Others didn't give a damn though. They acted as if everything's normal. I didn't understand why grandma asked them to stay, and why Aunt Simi had agreed. Maybe she did that to punish aunt. If by any chance I'm right, I don't think that will make her cancel the wedding. She looked determined to pursue it at all cost.

"Your mum should be in bed now", Uncle B slams the silver door in the living room. He offered aunt a ride home under the pretence that a beautiful lady deserves a sweet ride, not running after public buses.

"Be careful, Uncle B. Mum's engaged", Bola teases him.

"Thanks for reminding me", He smiles.

My annoying alarm clock rang for the fifth time, then, I stretched my right hand lazily to turn it off. Anxiety denied me sleep till 5am. Like every other school day, I quickly folded my wrapper and dashed into the bathroom for a cold bath. After bathing, I towel dried my dark skin and applied pure Shodam coconut oil. Inside my closet, Maries High School uniform(Blue pleated knee high skirt, short sleeved pink shirt and long tie with the school's badge hung neatly till I removed it.

It's one of the best schools in the country. Their questions made even geniuses to sweat in an air conditioned room on the entrance examination day. I was just amidst the few that were chosen. Grandma got excited about it since she gave that idea. Leaving my previous school wasn't my plan but who am I to question an order which she said as an idea?

"Ekaro ma", I greet her as a cultured Yoruba girl, on my knees, like she taught me.

"Karoo omo mi. Se dada loji?" She replies.

"Beni, ma", I rise to my feet.

"Your Uncle's warming his car in the garage. He's taking you to school and wants you to be ready before he returns", she helps Segun knot his tie.

"Yes grandma", I pour some hot coffee from its machine into a cup with saucer then add milk and sugar. Uncle B returned as soon as I finished washing my cup.

Everything that happened; money, mansion, car, school, siblings feels like a dream to me because it was within the twinkle of an eye. Nobody hates comfort but it's not going to come without a price. Even the blessings from God require temptations and sacrifices. It's funny but mine are the four rats-my cousins, seated close to me, and how to deal with students in my new school cause I'm from a different social class, besides I still have to find out the truth about Dad and Aunt Simi's marriages. The truth is, in life, what some see as nothing can be a big deal to another.

Every one says the morning sun produces vitamin D, but there's no one on earth who will chose trekking over a ride in an air conditioned car. I shed tears of joy when I remembered the days I do walk to school. Lots of happy memories flashed back to my mind especially those with my Junior high school crush, though it hurts- because we didn't have a happy ending.

"Welcome to Maries High School, kids", Uncle B announces.