The termite and the frog

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Christ is risen... Happy Easter everyone
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Dedicated to Nkechi208

Thank you for being an interestingly consistent and quite impatient reader ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😂😂😂

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Obanma stared at the school flag which billowed with reckless abandon beside the national flag, as the wind howled endlessly. It had been one of the days where it seemed as if the rains wouldn't cease, after it had chased the sun deep into the clouds.

"Rain rain, go away
Come again another day
Little children want to play"

The song kept ringing in her heart as she pictured herself, a little girl hopping excitedly into pools of muddy water,Chijioke wearing his usual scowl because he knew he would be the one to carry her. Something Adaugo always made sure of.

It always felt like they had a way of ganging up on him.

June often came with such incessant downpours.

She exhaled deeply, expelling the heaviness in her heart. Their graduation ceremony was slated to be held the next month and while the other students excitedly bickered about events planned by their parents, the absence of hers, made her wistful.

Oluchi and her other friends were still in the examination hall where they argued about questions they supposedly passed and failed. She often felt it was a waste of time since no one could predict who was supposed to grade their scripts and how fair he might be with the assessment.

She truly appreciated her aunt and Uncle and would have wanted to have them as second parents, but it didn't stop her heart from wondering what could have been if her father had taken a different route of action that day.

She had saved up for her mission, made certain enquiries about the prison where her father was held. Daa Agatha much to her dismay hadn't objected to her visit when she mentioned it.

It felt as if daa Agatha no longer saw her father as the beast everyone saw him as. Obanma knew daa Agatha hid certain things from them, she could tell with the way she always became soft spoken while speaking about Iheanyị.

Obanma had refused to visit her mother for a while, she couldn't stomach the hopeless renditions of the doctor. He had once declared that even if their mother came to, that she would only be a shadow of the woman they used to know. Her senses would be impaired he had declared causing her gut to clench.

Adaugo had teared up almost immediately and Chijioke bit back his tears. They had quite lost hope of her return but decided to hold on to a tether of faith owing to her breathing.

Chijioke and Adaugo were supposedly coming to her graduation ceremony, daa Agatha and her husband had already begun to make preparations for her event. She could tell with the little things she bought and stocked in her storeroom.

Obanma's gaze drifted from the school compound and rested on the gatekeepers quarters. The old man that always had short discourses with her whenever loneliness tugged him. Giving him little money was a habit she had cultivated at a young age. The younger man who sat there now was new, he come after the old man passed away while she was in her junior secondary school.

She had found it odd when she walked through the gates and no one had called her oyinbo like the man always did one fateful morning.

It always amused her when he told her countless times of the ten naira he had carefully inserted into his saving box.

"Have your people come to carry you Oyinbo?" He would always enquire with a grin while ushering Obanma into the school.

"No oo, I am still waiting for them" She would jokingly reply, digging out part of her money to give him for lunch.

"Don't worry, your fellow Oyinbo's dey come, they are waiting for you to finish school. Dem no say this Nigeria no fit you at all"

The announcement of the gate keeper's death made her glum the whole day and when got home she cried herself to sleep forfeiting dinner.

Her sights rested on the principal's office, momentarily drinking in memories that surrounded the building. Chijioke's first fight and suspension, Adaugo's award as their best graduating student.

Nnamdi had certainly been the proudest of them all and had placed Adaugo's award in his bedroom.

A voice called out to her and she quickly snapped out of her flashback.

"How are you?" Jackson had enquired while she noted the uncertainty on his features as to the response he would receive.

"I am fine, how was the exam?"

She could see how stunned he was with her question and bit back a grin. Jackson had been one of the boys she always ignored. His arrogance being the main reason for her reproach. She found the idea of him flaunting his father's wealth in school and being disrespectful to teachers because of the power his father held over them, repugnant.

"It was good" His hands slowly filling his pockets as he spoke.

Obanma let silence envelope them, her gaze wandering aimlessly.

"It has gotten so dark, just like that eclipse in SS1"

"Yes, I remember that day. It felt like night came early. Oluchi and I slept in class and Mrs Adesola couldn't even see the board to write on, she left utterly exasperated and we were quite happy because we hated her class"

Jackson laughed so hard as they spoke about incidents that happened on that day.

"I've heard it's a bad omen in some places" He chirped in moving closer to where Obanma stood.

"Yes.. In my place. It is called Chi I were ehihie Jie".

"That's something.... Obanma Can I ask you something?"

She gave him a skeptical look, surprised at how strangely reasonable he had sounded so far. Her dislike for him had definitely blinded her to a fault.

"Why do you hate me? Don't lie about it, I just want to know. We'll be graduating soon and I just want to know. I know I have been a bit extreme with the things I
did before now, but it's all about having a notorious reputation"

"Why would you want that? A bad reputation.. Don't say a bit extreme.. I once watched you insult teachers, threaten them and get away with it. You've also bullied lots of students here and I dislike bullies very much, I'm very sure your friend Chisom can attest to that. Now don't get me started on the supposed girlfriend title you gave me.

Did you think I'd cower before you and quickly hop into that role. You never asked and I never accepted, so why constantly hound me with requests of going out with you and calling me babe..

You gave so many students the wrong impression about me and I had to correct that.

I don't actually hate you Jackson, I just dislike certain things about you... Well most things "

Jackson swallowed hard, noting how true her arguments were. He had definitely used the wrong approach.

" I am sorry for making you uncomfortable here, I shouldn't have implied that we were in a relationship at all. I think we would have been good friends if I had met you in basic school"

Obanma chuckled lightly smoothening her skirt as the wind found it's way beneath it.

"You think so?"

"Yes.. I would have made sure of it" He declared making his way back to their classroom while Joshua and Eberechukwu approached.

"Jackson..... We can still be friends you know " Obanma called out to him

His nod and smile proved that he liked the suggestion very much.

"Obanma...Nitrogen gets into the atmosphere through lightening right?" Eberechukwu rapped breathlessly

"Yes it does"

The slap that accompanied Obanma's response startled her. It must have been another bet and Joshua was at the receiving end.

He groaned loudly as Eberechukwu's palm connected with the back of his head once again, her giggles piercing his heart.

"Joshua the fact that you agreed to this is surprising. Couldn't you have gone with money? Where is Oluchi by the way?"

"I..... I. Dị.. Didn't think I was going to lose"

"Oluchi went to urinate, that's true ooo..it's been long she actually went. And what are you even doing here? You were supposed to help me check for correct answers" Eberechukwu's hand once connected with Joshua's head for the last time, her chortles evident of her poor attempt at hiding her pleasure.

"I came to take in fresh air" Obanma's hand found its way to Joshua's back who flinched, expecting a slap but relaxed when she rubbed his back. "Don't always agree to unwarranted bets" She whispered earning a smile from Joshua.

The boys in her class often made sarcastic comments about Joshua hanging out with girls, talks that often resulted to heated arguments and near exchange of punches. Joshua only began to ignore them after he realized that their taunts were borne out of jealousy. He knew most of those boys would have killed to be around his friends, Jackson inclusive.

"Wh... What did Jackson want?" Joshua enquired, the mild censure in his voice obvious in his tone.

"To talk."

"Since when?"

"Since I decided he can be spoken to as well" Obanma's response sent a clear message to Joshua and he stilled while they made their way to their friend. The thoughts of further inquisition repealed from his mind. He loathed the fact that Johnson even spoke to Obanma

They met sobs emanating from the girl's toilet, a voice they knew very well being the origin, causing panic in both girls.

"Had Oluchi not written well? They whispered to each sharing confused looks with no answer

Obanma stepped ahead of the trio, tapped gently on the door where the sobs emanated from and called out to her friend.

The sounds coming Oluchi stopped in a deft manner, her voice which was husky from crying responded and shooed them away.

Obanma and Eberechukwu managed to convince her to step out and she was quite thankful of the dark as it hindered her swollen face from being to visible to them.

Joshua asked no questions, he simply wrapped his hands around Oluchi and patted her back.

The hold which Oluchi had on her tears waned rapidly and more tears pooled in her eyes. Eberechukwu led them out of the restroom all the while consoling her weeping friend.

They got Oluchi to speak about her predicament. Obanma did not know which made her blood boil more, the injuries that lay beneath the girl's shirt or the fact that they were inflicted on her by her father .

Joshua had ready begun to stammer violently, his demeanor a replica of that of an enraged beast. They always knew he had the worst of tempers. It was innate in Stammerers, Oluchi had once claimed.

"Why did he do this?"Obanma asked still shocked with the display of what appeared to be large marks on her friend's skin.

" They fought again, she wasn't feeling too well and he tried beating her so I stood in the way and held his belt. He said I had become insolent and flogged me instead"

"This is just sheer wickedness! This is inhumanity! This is atrocious! This is uncalled for! How can he continually do what is preposterous as this to his own family and get away with it! This is .."

"ozugo nụ!" Which Obanma let out happened to abate Eberechukwu's tirade, her anger still evident with her ragged breathing.

"Was that why you were crying?" Obanma wiped Oluchi's eyes slowly, their ears itching to hear if something else had happened.

"I am terrified for her and my little brother. What if I gain admission this year and leave the house? Who will protect them?"

Her friends grew quiet not knowing the answer to her question.

"They will be fine but I think you need to call your mother's relatives and tell them, since your mother has refused to reveal to them. It is better that she gets furious at you and they actually do something about her predicament than actually watching all of you die in silence. "Obanma suggested

" Or you people can just call the police and accuse him of abuse. The evidence is written all over your body. And the fact that your father is educated infuriates me the more "Eberechukwu added

" You will.. Will be fine " Joshua chipped in, embracing Oluchi once more who seemed to rest her head on his shoulders.

Obanma led her friend back into the rest room where she washed her face and they left. She had assured them of writing well in her examination and they all heaved a sigh of relief. Her band of friends believed in academic success before anything else.

The bell for dismissal sounded, following the cessation of the rain. It felts as if the bells had been waiting for the rains. The sky had once more become blue, termites even began to flock outside,their fallen wings decorating the wet grass. Eberechukwu whispered certain words into Obanma's ears as they sauntered out of the school gate which made her grin broadly.

"Maybe the frog would finally realize that Oluchi has feelings for him and stop chasing after one beautiful squirrel. He doesn't even need to be patient.. Akụ fechaa ọ dara awọ (The termite will eventually fall to the frog after flying) They say..

" He's not chasing after any beautiful squirrel and your metaphors are heartbreaking" She quickly retorted but as she stared at how freely her friend laughed while being led home by Joshua, she wondered if Eberechukwu was right after all.

Oluchi did always seem to be the one who understood Joshua more, craved his company more and probably stared at him much more longer than others . Maybe the termite had already fallen.. Fallen in love with the frog.

The walk home for Obanma turned retrospective, as sudden strange memories plagued her mind. She had stepped out of their room in search of her toy late at night and wandered to her parent's room.

The door was slightly parted and she peered into the room. The thwack sound she heard caused her to fall and she quickly crawled in.

Her mother had been on the ground, her eyes glossy from tears and her father hovering on top of her rendering incessant slaps on her body. She was so terrified that she shut her eyes shivering, thoughts about her father being a monster hounding her mind.

He must have noticed her presence and stopped. Her eyes flew open and she saw her mother crumpled into a ball, sobbing gently. Obanma moved closer to where she lay and lay beside her. Wrapping her little hands around her mother's body while she cried.

"Mummy I chọrọ ịla? Do you want to go away?"
She had asked as her own tears began to form. Her mother caressed her chin, tugged her curly hair playfully and smiled at her.

"U no go come down? No be gate be this "Came the irritated voice of the taxi driver pulling Obanma back into reality.

She fished out naira notes and paid the man. Obanma arrived the house to meet her aunt cooking and she quickly peeled off her uniform, joining in the task without being summoned.

Oluchi's situation bothered her so much that she told her aunt. She had wanted to ask her aunt if her mother had ever complained of abuse but bit back her question.

"Nnamdi dialed one number he saw on your exam paper yesterday, I don't know the young boy who gave you the number but I'm positive he won't ever call you again"

Obanma recalled who's number it was and almost yelled out of anger. It wasn't her uncle's fault, she had made a habit of letting him chase boys and men who she found as nuisances away. This time she couldn't help but wonder how Onyedikachi felt.

Agatha' s phone rang and she quickly stepped out of the kitchen, a precaution she had gained from a broadcast message on a social media platform.

So many of those messages Chijioke would always claim to be false but Agatha never accepted.

She came few minutes after, tears glistening in her eyes.

Obanma couldn't help the pounding in her chest as her aunt approached her.

"Had any of her parents died?" Was the first thing that came to her mind

"Daa ọ bụ ngiri? Flew out of her mouth, her feet already shaking in anticipation of bad news.

" I don't even know where to Begin"Agatha declared as tears slipped from her eyes.

She held her chest, then extended her hands to her tummy.

"Daa please just talk, you're scaring me"

"Your father is very ill, they said something happened to him in prison but he has refused to get medical treatment. He doesn't want to be cured"

"Is he dead?" She prodded, convinced that her aunt was keeping things from her.

"Mba.." Agatha shook her head rapidly more tears fleeing her reddened eyes "He is not"

"Daa why are you crying then? Is it because of my mother?" Obanma continued as curiosity overwhelmed her

"I'm pregnant" Agatha muttered faintly, the words too low that it couldn't be made out by Obanma who stood in front of her. It felt like she had been testing the weight of the words on her lips, recounting how many times she had practiced saying such words when she was newly married.

More tears seeped out of Agatha's eyes and she sniffed. Obanma closed the distance between the two of them wrapping her hands around her aunt.

Agatha sobbed for a while then broke into a deep and throaty laughter. Further confusing her little niece who was almost running mad with the countless questions running through her mind.

"Obanma I'm pregnant" She whispered into the girl's ears drawing loud screams and echoes of joyous laughter.

"I am pregnant... Really Pregnant" Agatha declared once again.

Hello Everyone!

Hope we are doing good. I must confess this was not how I planned for this chapter to go but it felt like fate set it on another course

I do hope you enjoyed the chapter anyways.

What advise would you have given Oluchi ?