Thirteen

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💚Unugwa💙

I slept for about two hours after I showered. I remember we came back home by 2pm and now it's 4:30pm.

I rolled over on my large bed and looked into the ceiling. Then I remembered my leg, I sat up and looked it over. The pain has reduced.

I yawned and got down from bed. I still couldn't walk properly. I limped downstairs and met mom drawing Anibe's ear.

Mom: what did I say?

She twisted his ear and he hopped up and down yelling

Mom: I said what did I say?

Anibe: that I should remove this earring before you close your eyes and reopen them

Mom: good

She left his ear and he covered it and sat down

Mom: stupid boy. He wants his father to turn this house upside down

Anibe: he won't be able to do that. Grandma is coming

Mom: and you think she's going to allow you to wear an earring? Anibe!!

Anibe: but the Attah of Igala wears an earring

The Attah of Igala is the overall ruler of the Igala people. He's just like the Emperor with other kings under him. And yes, he wears an earring because the first ruler of the Igala kingdom was a woman known as Ebulejonu.

Grandma always tells us those histories.

Mom: you're not from a royal family idiot. Besides only the Attah should wear an earring for some traditional reasons

Anibe: ugh! Fuck tradition!

And mom gave him a thunderous slap. He screamed and jumped from the chair. Jumping up and down like a frog, hugging his palm to his cheek

Mom : don't you dare. Don't you even dare use those words in this house

Chubi sat on a soft pillow (a large one, like a sofa). He was laughing seriously.

I joined him and we laughed at mom and Anibe's drama. This happens once in a blue moon. And it's so fun to watch Anibe being punished by the very person that hates to see him being punished.

Chubi : this is so fun

Me: I should have videoed it

Chubi: who told you I'm not doing that?

My eyes widened

Chubi: check that out

He pointed to a phone leaning on a stool. The back of the phone was facing them. I gave him a high-five.

Mom: get out of my sight. Before I loose my temper

Anibe groaned as he sluggishly left the mini living room (different from the actual living room).

Mom: move out quickly. You're making me loose my temper

Anibe: so you've not even lost it. And you are already killing me

And that's it, mom removed her shoe and threw it. It landed on his head and he ran out shouting.

Chubi and I laughed hysterically

Me: quick. Go and save the video

He quickly ran up, went to the phone and saved it.

Mom turned. That was when she saw me

Mom: Unugwa

Me: hi

She chuckled and walked to me

Mom: when I came home, you were asleep. How are you dear

She touched my cheek

Me: I'm fine

Chubi: her leg is swollen

Mom looked at it.

Mom: you'll need some ice

I remembered Anibe was supposed to get some for me earlier. But I'm sure he didn't.

Mom: tell a Maid to get ice for her Chubi. I'll go get her something to eat

They both left and Anibe came back and laid beside me groaning

Me: feeling pains?

Anibe: hmmm

I chuckled and laid down on the soft pillow

Anibe : how did your ankle get twisted?

Me: it's not about my pain but yours

Anibe: I can still walk around. You can't

He rubbed his head, where a little swell had formed from the shoe he got hit by

Me: don't disturb me

Anibe: you fell?

I didn't answer

Anibe: you fell in love and twisted your ankle

I spanked his thigh and he laughed

Me: just leave me

Anibe: ssh I want to sleep

I sat up and watched him lay like an angel with his eyes closed.

The maid who brought my ice stumbled against his leg and the huge block of ice she was carrying fell on my ankle. I screamed and withdrew my leg immediately. Anibe jolted up and mom came running in

Maid: oh no. I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry

The pain tripled. I even began to feel painful thumping within the joints. Like my heart was transferred to my leg. The pain sent cold shivers throughout my whole body and before I even knew it, my face was already soaked with tears

Anibe: please get me cold water. We can't use the ice, it will be to hard to place on the leg.

The maid ran to the fridge in the room and brought a bottle of cold water. Mom brought a bowl

Anibe gently lifted my leg and placed it over the bowl then gently poured the water on it. It relieved the pain a lot because it was really really cold.

Mom kept muttering sorry and patting me. The maid kept apologizing until mom told her it was okay.

After that, Anibe took me to the dinning and I had a slow and small dinner. I had lost my appetite but mom forced me to eat. She gave me pain relievers from the first aid box but I secretly disposed them. I don't like drugs.

Anibe took me upstairs and laid me down on my bed. He sat with me for a while but left after a girl called him on phone. I decided to take my own phone. I saw two texts. One from Daniel, the other from Loretta. I read them, both were just asking about my well-being.

After I replied, I went to sleep.

The next morning when I woke up, I knew I did myself no good when I disposed those pain relievers. My leg became so heavy and sore. The swelling increased and so did the pain. I couldn't even come down from the bed.

I began to sob silently as I looked at the leg.

One thing I hate is to get hurt. Whether it's injuries, sores, pimple, etc. I just hate it when my body gets hurt. I cry. I always cry.

Fortunately for me, Anibe came in few minutes later

Anibe: good morning sis. Breakfast in bed

He was holding a tray. I wonder why he brought that himself. A maid is supposed to do that

He dropped the tray on my bedside table and looked at me

Anibe: you're crying?

Me: look at my leg.

He did and chuckled

Anibe: you threw off those tablets, didn't you?

I didn't answer. I just growled and crossed my arms

Anibe: I don't think you can go to school with that

Me: how can I go to school. I can't even get down from the bed

Anibe: sorry sis. Need a lift

Me: take me to the bathroom. I need to brush my teeth

He swooped me up gently and took me to my bathroom. He dropped me gently on the floor and went back to my room. I brushed my teeth and yelled on him to come back and take me.

He came back with his mouth filled. He's eating my breakfast

Me: glutton!

💚Daniel💙

I looked at the parking lot for the umpteenth time. No sign of Unugwa's car. She's not in school yet. But she comes quite early, right?

Or maybe she's already in school and I don't know.

I walked to the classroom and checked. She wasn't in and the class was almost filled up with students.

I didn't see Loretta in class. Maybe they're together. Now I have to find Loretta. Hmm, I don't want to see losers.

I gritted my teeth and walked down the stairs with my hands in my pockets.

Miguel approached me

Me: have you seen the black girl?

Miguel: no I haven't. Missing her already?

I scoffed

Me: I'm not missing her. I don't miss anybody

Miguel: then why do you want to see her, huh?

He's just trying to get on my nerves. Just because I told him about what my dad wanted me to do

Miguel: besides, you said you don't want her to fall in love with you. Because she'll get hurt. Because you're an asshole who doesn't care about anyone but yourself and of course boxing and your business

He smirked at me and I angrily punched him. He staggered backwards, touched his mouth and looked at me

Me: punk!

I walked away and bumped into Loretta, just who I was looking for.

Loretta : you want to grind my bones? Be careful how you bump into me! I'm not strong. I'm too fragile!

I groaned internally

Me: is Unugwa in school?

She frowned

Loretta : stop asking about Unugwa. Stay away from her. You're too bad for her

I sighed and walked away. Making sure that I don't think about her words

💚Unugwa💙

It was in the early afternoon that a maid told me someone wanted to see me specifically. I wondered who it was, it couldn't be Loretta because she doesn't know where I live and she'd definitely still be at school.

I strolled slowly from the poolside. My feet is better now, mom called a doctor for me. And I'm so excited, grandma will arrive today.

When I entered the living room, I saw Daniel. He was wearing a black vest and white shorts.

Daniel: hi

Me: how did you get here?

Daniel : I did something with some papers in an office

Me: you checked out my address

Daniel : yeah I did

Me: please sit down.

I beckoned on a maid to get us some drinks

Well after some time, he left. He had left school to come. I was happy he called though, it was fun for me.

I was mostly happy because Anibe was not at home. He would have teased me to death.

💚Andy💙

I went to see Roberto who still haven't resumed school. He lives in a street, quite far from mine.

I drove past a huge mansion that has been empty for long. It was way bigger than ours and it was humored to be owned by a foreigner.

I was surprised that it was occupied already. I could see cars parked outside and some people moving up and down. People that looked like maids.

I went to see Roberto. We had a swell time. When I drove off from his house, I saw the black girl and a black boy outside that mansion.

I halted immediately.

I watched them stroll on the street. She was limping but the boy was supporting her.

He left her to meet a girl that parked her car by the roadside. She looked angry and it looked cute on her

I chuckled when I remembered what Loretta told me yesterday. I laughed out and brought out my camera then took the black girl's picture.

I looked at it and smiled, it's clear. Doesn't look like I took her unaware.

When I looked up to take another one, she was staring at me.

She waved at me and smiled. I didn't smile. I gently came out of the car. I walked to her

Me: hi

I flashed a smile

Black Girl : hi. What are you doing around here?

Me: oh my friend lives on this street. How are you doing?

Black Girl : I'm fine

I looked at her foot

Me: still hurts?

I pointed at it

She chuckled

Black Girl : of course it does. But not too much like this morning

Me: you should have taken pills yesterday

She scratched her head.

I furrowed my brows

Me: you don't like drugs, right?

Black Girl : they're awful

I laughed

Me: I have to get going now

Black Girl : bye

I nodded and turned to go. I took few steps then turned

Me: what's your name again?

Black Girl : Unugwa

Me: uhmm...

I don't think I'll remember it next time. I'm bad at remembering names. When Loretta and I were little, I was constantly reminded of her name because I always forgot

Black Girl : you can just call me Ugwa. It's a short form of Unugwa

Me: Ugwa... That's better

I brought out a pen and wrote the name on my palm. I showed her

Me: is this it?

She took my hand and looked at it then nodded with a smile.

Ugwa: that's it

Me: all right. Bye Ugwa

Ugwa: bye Andy

I walked back to my car and drove off. Maybe she's not as gloomy as I thought.

I drove home, showered, watched TV, had dinner and went to bed.

I saw the name on my palm, it was a bit faded but was still readable.

Me: Ugwa....