AWAY FROM HOME❗
1166 Words
Everything was normal. My life was still right side up. I had better expectations. All excited to go to my boarding school.
On the night before my departure to school, I spent half of the night doing some bit of research about boarding life. I wanted to go prepared and ready.
"are you sure you wanna do this?" my mother asked clearing her throat. "you know you're just twelve and you really don't have to do this" she said looking sad.
"I know mum. But I really want to do this" I said with a really excited voice. "I'll be just fine. it's not as if am going forever" I said trying to reassure her.
Three of my elder sisters were all in boarding schools. And I too wanted to know what it felt like to be in boarding.
My mum wasn't really up to the idea of me going to a school thousands of kilometers away from home because she thought I was too young. I remember hearing her quarrel over the same issue with my dad. And I understood her.
But what's the worst that could happen?
The day finally arrived. My dad carried all my staffs to the car. My mum gave me the biggest hug as I ran to the car. I looked at my about to cry mother as I waved goodbye. And soon she disappeared in the distance.
"So how many hours are we going to be on the road?" I asked my dad who was driving me to school. "Probably right hours" he answered lowering the volume of the music which he was playing.
"How often is mum going to be visiting me?" I asked making myself comfortable in the sit.
"uhmm I don't know, Takisha" he responded hastily. "you no mummy goes for work. But she'll visit when ever she gets a chance to"
I sat there in silence as I stared at dad who was focused on the road humming to one of his favorite songs.
I missed my mum so much. I didn't want t go to a boarding school anymore. All the morale vanished. I was scared. I wish I had listened to mum. But it was too late now. I would only get to see my mum and younger siblings when the three months was over. I so wanted to cry. But I couldn't.
After hours of driving, we finally arrived at my new school, and boy was it lifeless. I wanted to tell my dad to just take me back with him, but he was a very harsh man, I knew he'd never agree so I just kept quiet.
Moments later, two girls approached us wearing the biggest smiles. "Heyyy how are you? You are in eighth grade? Wow you're sooo pretty!" they both said.
I stared at my dad who just smiled at me and said he had to start off. I couldn't hold my tears anymore. "Can I go back with you?" I asked my dad now tears rolling down my cheeks.
"C'mon it's really nice here. You'll like. I'll be your playing mother and I'll take care of you" the chubby girl said looking right into my eyes.
"Have you heard? You'll be just fine." My dad added.
The lamp on my throat was too big I couldn't even respond. And before I knew, dad was gone. And it was just me and the my new life.
"Am Janet by the way" the chubby girl said. "And am Olivia" the other girl said. "we're in our eleventh grade and we'll be sleeping in the same hostel" Janet said, carrying my bags.
My mood was too low, so immediately I reached my bed space, I spread my bed and cried my eyes out.
I missed my momma so much. I just wanted to go home. Janet and her friend tried to lighten my mood several times but nothing they did seem to work.
A few hours later a siren rung. My eyes were so swollen when I got out of bed. People seemed to be in a rush. It was six in the evening. I just sat there wondering what was happening. Moments later, Janet and her friend came.
"Hey sweetheart, how are you feeling now?" she asked sounding concerned. "it's normal to feel the way you're feeling the first few weeks you're here, but I promise you'll be just fine" she said in a soft voice.
"Why do people seem to be in a hurry?" I asked.
" oh it's time for evening prep. We also have to go. You want to come along?" she asked
"Yeah. Am Takisha by the way." I responded
No way was I going to remain alone in those creepy hostels.
"But if you wish you can stay back." Janet said as she packed her books in her bag, preparing to go.
"No. Am fine. Will go together." I said.
I was not feeling this place at all. It was never what I expected.
I had to wash my own clothes, I had to wake up at four in the morning, I had to eat cold food and I had to work!
Four the next one month, everything seemed so boring. Time seemed to move really slow. I made sure to complain and cry to mum every time I spoke to her on the phone.
Am not going to lie, the people were really nice to me though. Maybe because I was pretty, intelligent and mostly because I looked so young.
I got used to my new life. I made a couple of friends. Am not going to say I started to like the place, but yeah, I didn't miss home that much. But I made sure to talk to my family every night.
Fast forward, the three months were finally done and it was time to go home. I was super excited to see my mum and younger brother after a long time.
At eight, my dad came to pick me up. I gave him a big hug and we started off.
The rude seemed too slow, but finally we were in Livingstone, my hometown.
Immediately I saw my mum, I rushed to give her the biggest hug in the entire world. I was so over the moon. I chatted all night with my young siblings just telling them about my life at school.
"baby!" my mother said. "are you alright?" she asked looking concerned.
"yeah am fine!" I said smiling at her
One week had passed since I arrived home and my mum kept on asking me the same question over and over.
" it's just that I think there's something a little off about you" she said with a straight face. "It's not how you were before you went there. Is there anything you want to talk to me about?"
"mum I already told you, am fine. Nothing is wrong with me. There's nothing to worry about, really!" I told her.
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- Writer
