Margins of change

New Beginnings

BACK TO THE PRESENT...

I got out of the car shakily, still feeling drowsy from my siesta. My mom decided we should stay at my Aunt Rokeebat's place for a while until we found an apartment of our own. Aunty Rokeebat lives alone, as her two sons are at university, and her husband died a few years ago from kidney failure, according to my mom.

"Welcome, welcome!" Aunt Rokeebat's voice rang out as she hurried down the steps to greet us. She enveloped my mom in a tight hug, then turned to me, her eyes softening. "Arya, my dear, you've grown so much."

By nightfall, we had settled into the guest room, a small but comfortable space. I lay on the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, trying to process everything. My mom sat beside me, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

"How are you feeling, dear?" she asked softly.

I shrugged, not wanting to burden her with my worries. "I'll be okay, Mom." That night, I slept late after a few hours of twisting and turning on the bed. I was never the kind to get settled in new places easily.

The next morning, I woke up to the sounds of bustling streets and distant car horns. I dressed quickly and joined my mom and Aunt Rokeebat in the kitchen, where they were preparing breakfast. I offered to help them, but Aunt insisted that I rest a little bit longer before indulging in any house chores for now. But I still decided to help them anyway by washing the dishes. I refused to remain idle while two grown women were cooking in the kitchen. After eating, I decided to explore the neighborhood.

Lagos was a whirlwind of activity. The streets were crowded with people as I wandered through the market, absorbing the sights and sounds, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. As I was exploring the streets, I saw a lot of vendors selling all kinds of things, from food to clothes, to snacks and flower vessels. I even saw kids my age on their way to school. As I walked, memories of my old life flooded back. The laughter of my friends, the familiar paths of my school, the comfort of our small apartment. I missed them, but I knew I had to be strong for my mom. She was trying so hard to make this work, and I needed to do my part too.

Returning to Aunt Rokeebat's house, I found my mom deep in conversation with her. They were discussing potential apartments and my mom's new job. I joined them, listening as they planned our next steps.

The next day, after seeking permission from my mom, I faced my first challenge: navigating the public transport system. My aunt warned me about the Lagos traffic and how tedious and long it could get. It was chaotic and confusing, and I found myself feeling overwhelmed. I tried to find new and short routes, and with each small success, I gained confidence in finding my way around the busy streets.

Although transportation may be challenging, it was nothing compared to the raging heat of Lagos. Every minute I spent under the sun felt like I was standing very close to a hot furnace. Lagos is one of the most populated states in the southwestern part of Nigeria. This is because many people believe it is a city of riches. Many people migrate to Lagos from all states of Nigeria in search of greener pastures. Although a lot of people have made it here, a whole lot more are still hustling on the streets and in huge companies alike, just to make ends meet.

A few days later, my mom and I went to register me at Future Jewels High School. The campus was huge, with modern buildings and sprawling grounds. We met with the principal, who seemed impressed with my academic record.

“Welcome to Future Jewels High, Maryam,” she said, shaking my hand. “We’re excited to have you here.”

We also visited the uniform shop to get my new school clothes. The uniform was a crisp white shirt and a navy blue skirt, with a blazer for formal occasions. I tried it on and looked at myself in the mirror, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. The night before my first day at Future Jewels, I could hardly sleep. My mind raced with thoughts of what the new school would be like, who I would meet, and how I would fit in. Did I mention that I was a very shy person? I got lost in my own thoughts, thinking about how my very first interactions with my new classmates would be. I could already feel my palms getting sweaty. 'What if I say something foolish and they all start making fun of me?' 'What if I stutter while introducing myself?' I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths and reassured myself that I wouldn't be the only new student there. Who knows, maybe I would meet students from the same state as me.

The morning of my first day arrived. I put on my new uniform, packed my bag, and took a deep breath. As we boarded the public transport to school, my mom gave me a reassuring smile.

"Remember, you’re capable of anything," she said. "Do not let anyone pressure you into making terrible mistakes." "Do not follow the multitude to do evil. The main reason why you are here is to study, and I urge you to do everything within your capacity to attain academic success. Always remember that I'm proud of you and I'm always here if you need help." On our arrival at the entrance gate, she pulled me close and spoke softly, "Senior Secondary school is not for the weak. It might seem a little tough at the beginning, but trust me when I tell you that it is also a place where you will be making a lot of memories. Both good and bad, but it’s all part of what builds us to be who we are." "Never make fun of other students who are not up to your level, but rather offer your assistance to them. And also look out for any distractions, okay?" After she was done speaking, I gave her a reassuring smile and said, "I've understood everything you said, and I promise to make you proud." She smiled back and nodded. She waved at me and turned her back. I watched as she walked away until she disappeared off the streets.

I walked into the school gates, feeling a mixture of anxiety and determination. The bell rang, and I joined the stream of students heading to their first class. Little did I know, this was the beginning of a journey that would change my life in ways I couldn’t yet imagine.