Living In The Ghetto - Episode 23

 

When the University admission list came out, Chimaobim was glad to see his name on the merit list. He saw his name on the number ten after the cafe attendant had helped him to download the document and they viewed it. His heart beat thumped slowly while the attendant was trying to open the document. Though he beat cutoff mark when it was released, but people had scared him with the line, "UNILAG doesn't admit people even when they meet up with the cutoff mark. They are discriminatory . Only rich people get the admission there." His parents had warned him against choosing the University. "Pick Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. At least you stand a chance because you are from Anambra," his father always repeated. But he wanted to try to UNILAG and promised them he will be an exception.

Adanne laughed so hard when Chimaobim told them about his admission while they sat in the sitting room. His parents were so happy. Their face beamed in a happy ecstasy and Chimaobim felt they were fufilled with the feat he had attained. He got admission to a prestigious University against all odds and it was a great feat.

Chimaobim smirked and stared at Ada. "Ada, why are you laughing?" Papa asked.

"Nothing," she said trying to cover her mouth with her palm.

"She is making fun of me. She has been saying I took tenth position but I won't really blame her

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. She doesn't understand things about universities," he said.

Papa laughed. "It's really not like that," he said to Ada.

Ada nodded. "I am happy for my brother. I'll announce it to everybody tomorrow in school. My brother got admission to study Law in UNILAG. They will be so happy," she said.

Her mouth vibrated while she talked and she clenched her hands on her chest and shook vigorously. Chimaobim smiled and stared at her. He saw a little girl who is proud of her brother's achievements. 

Mama stood up and walked toward the table where the stove was kept. She lit the wool of the stove and placed a pot of soup on it while the soup boiled, and she moved other things slowly.

She turned and saw her husband and children gaze fixed on the television. It was news at 8:00PM. "How about your friend, Tobi?" Chimaobim asked.

Chimaobim raised his head slowly. "Oh, Tobi--," he stuttered quickly. "I don't know about his admission yet, but I'll check on him on tomorrow."

"Okay," Mama said and continued with what she was doing.

***
The next morning, everybody had gone to work and schools except some few neighbours. Chimaobim had finished fetching water. It was so quick which wasn't usual like most of the days or in the evening. It was usually like that, she learnt from her mother because she normally fetched in the morning sometimes. He had finished fetching and was trying to close the drum before Iyawo walked to the backyard through the passageway. She was with Mama Oyinda. Their legs splattered on the floor till they walked close.

Chimaobim turned and took a glance at her. It's been long she saw both of them together. "Good morning, Ma," he said.

"Good morning, Chima," Mama Oyinda said. She loved called him Chima. Her voice normally sounded sweet and calm when she pronounced it.

Iyawo didn't respond to his greeting but Chimaobim didn't notice while he concentrated to what he was doing. She wriggled her nose and hissed. "Hey, Chimaobim," she called. 

Chimaobim turned after he had closed the drum. "Yes?" he asked. 

Iyawo made a derisive face. She sighed heavily. This boy no get respect at all.

Read " She Did It " by the same author ( Obinna Tony )

. First he no add "Ma's" to the greeting. Now he dey try challenge me, she thought.

"You no go school today?" She asked.

Mama Oyinda stood still and was interested in Chimaobim's answer. "Yes, I'm done with secondary school," he said.

"Ah! You be big boy now o," Mama Oyinda said. 

She walked close to Chimaobim and tapped him lightly. "Na University we go dey expect soon abi? Congratulations," She said.

"Yes," Chimaobim said in a discontented and uncomfortable look.

Iyawo assumed he wasn't going to be in a university from his look. She had the spirit of jealousy and felt everybody in the compound was lower than her in status except Mama Chimaobim family hence why she didn't want to relate with them. She tagged her pompous and always ignored her greeting whenever they passed each other. Her wish is that all the children in the compound would amount to nothing except uneducated riffraff who would always come crawling on their knees. Her husband worked in a federal government office and earned little compared to other government officials but his earnings allowed them to live higher than other tenants in the ghetto. She would always brag and tip the area boys. They nicknamed, "correct Iyawo thicker body." Being a house wife with only a child, she had added a weight at the right places on her body, compared to how skinny she was when she got married and moved to the ghetto. Iyawo gave freely to people but didn't want anybody to be better than her.