THE RESTAURANT (THE UNTOLD STORY)
THE RESTAURANT
By Uwa Ebuka
Growing up as a member of the Ukazie
family was very difficult for frank, as he was the first of two children, two
boys actually. The Ukazie’s were not rich a family, but with the little they
had they learnt to manage and be content. As a child Frank had thought life was
a bed roses where one just sleeps and wake with lots of cash in the account,
well too bad for him it isn’t always like that, you have to earn what you have.
Whereas his brother John on the other hand was kind of lazy with a little bit
of luck, according to him you need luck to be successful in life.
It was the third term of senior secondary
for Frank and he was getting ready for his final exams. As you already know he
was preparing for after secondary school; what was it like, what will I do
after leaving, will I even further my education, all these was going through
his head, knowing how difficult the situation of the country was at that time.
It
was about 5:00am on a Monday morning when his alarm bell rang, “oh God” he said
to himself, “nah when sleep dey sweet persin this thing kon ring” he continued
in Nigerian pidgin English. He got up, brushed his teeth, had his bath, then
went for his school uniforms. By that time his mom had woken up from sleep, she
look at him then at John, “you didn’t wake your brother”, she said. He looked
at his mom without saying a word he went for his food. Angered by his silence,
his mom stood up and went towards him an repeated the same question, this time
angrily, then he replied “you know I have early morning class today”, not
convinced she added “didn’t you hear me the first time”. After eating his food
he left for school leaving his brother at home. Meanwhile at school, just like
every other teenage boy his age, he had a crush on a girl. “Maria” he would say
to himself, he was so in love, at least he thought so. On getting to school,
classes had already started and it was Mr Banjo’s subject they were having that
morning. Since it was maths they were having all ss3 student would have to be
in the same class. Luckly for Frank there was an empty seat close to Maria, he
hurried went for the. “is the seat empty” he asked. Unknow to him he was
distracting the class, “will you sit already” Mr Banjo yelled. He quickly sat
down and brought his note. “can I take a look at your note, you know I wasn’t
here when the class started”. She looked at him and smiled “here is my note but
be gentle with it”. After the class he felt like a new born, happy, in his mind
he was on top of the world. When it was time for break, he and his friend Iyke
went to the cafeteria to have their lunch. “I see dey way you and that girl
just dey flow for class” Iyke said. “me and who” he answered, “that Maria girl
nah, the one you sat with in maths class” Iyke said. “nothing, I just asked her
for her note that’s all” he replied. “nah wow for you, you don they like this
girl since junior school and you no fit to tell am. On top am self you and her
kon stay the same chair today and you kon dey dull yourself, bro you better
wake up otherwise another persin go just collect the girl from you, be wise my
friend”. Break was almost over when Frank went by Maria’s class to see if he
could see her before going into his class. He was a science while Maria was a
commercial student, the only time they get to see is during assembly, general
subject, or break. He seizes every opportunity he gets to see her face. After
the close of day Frank and Iyke work home together. On getting home his mother
had finished cooking and was getting ready to go for evening service while his
brother was busing playing game at a friends place, “good evening ma “ he
greeted. “welcome my son, how was school today” she responded. “fine, but a
little bit stressful and all” he said. “I’m off to church, your food is covered
on the table. After eating wash your school uniform, and read your books you
know your exams is very close” she said. “yes ma” he said. She left for church
and he was all alone for the time being, at least until his father came back
from work. He and his brother were watching a tv program when his father
arrived. “welcome sir” they both greeted. “how are you boys doing “, “fine sir
“ they responded. Their father went inside changed his cloths, had his bath and
came back to the living room. When he got there he found just Frank sitting on
a chair reading his books. “where is your mother” his father asked. “she went
to church, but will soon be back shortly” he responded. “where is my food then”
his father asked. “check the table” Frank answer. Not quite long after his
father finish eating his food, they heard a knock on the door, “who be that”
Frank’s father yell. “nah me, I just dey come from church abeg open door”, his
wife replied. He stood up, went towards the door checked who it was before
opening the. “thank you and good evening, when did you come back, have you
eaten” she asked. “why all this questions” he replied and went inside to sleep.
That night he could not sleep, he just sat on his bed and thought how his day
went. Suddenly, his phone rang, he checked it and it was Iyke calling, “by this
time” he grumbled. “hello how far nah, shey you never sleep” said Iyke. “ no I
haven’t, what is the problem” Frank asked, “nothing, I want make you help me
send your homework answer on facebook”, “ok no problem, I’ll do that now” Frank
said.
The next day
at school, the principal Mr. Bamidele was addressing the school of “ALL SAINT
GRAMMAR SCHOOL”. “good morning student”, “good morning sir”, they responded. “
as you all know, next week will be the commencement of your mock examinations,
and those of you that do not pass the your core subjects will have to repeat
the class. On that note, I’ll like to send a word of warning to all of you that
will want to commit any form of malpractices, if you get caught, I mean if I
catch you, there will be trouble. So I’ll kindly ask you all to read your books
and prepare properly for the exams, and without wasting much of your time, I want
to inform you that your senior exams, that is “WAEC” has been moved back to May
27th, with that being said, you should all march to your class and
go about your daily business”. As
usually Frank and Iyke worked together to their class.
Days passed, weeks came and went, and
behold it was the end of their last examination paper, “hurrah” all the senior
student shouted. Now “OBI HAS SEIZED TO BE A BOY, BUT NOW A MAN”. Little did
they know what they were about to face, I mean did they even know what lies
ahead of them. For some this may be the end of the journey for them
“academically” per say, while others may even go further. Some may become
successful, while others may not be too fortunate. Most times life doesn’t give
us what will want, other times will get more than what we expected, you know
what they say “that’s life”, you just have to go with the flow, or crash out.
Frank was sitting under a mango tree
looking at the empty sky when Iyke came by “guy how far nah”, he said, “nothing much” Frank replied. Just then Iyke
sat down close to him, “tell me why are you like this then”, Iyke asked, “I was
just thinking about life, after here what next? What will I do if my parents
can’t afford to send me to the university? Just thinking about it makes me
scared” Frank said, “guy this one that you are thinking ahead of time, just
live for the moment and time will take care of the rest” Iyke said, “yes, you
are absolutely right, let’s go home” Frank added, “yeah, I’m tired already’.
When Frank got home, he changed his cloths,
went straight for the kitchen, after he finished his food, he took his bath and
went out to play football. When he got back home, his entire family was already
seated in the parlor watching television. “good evening” he greet, “welcome”
they answered. He went to have his bath and went back to join them in the
parlor. “so tell me son, what do you want to do now that you have finished
secondary school” asked his father, “what do you mean? I don’t understand” Frank
replied, “I mean do you want to continue with your studies, or would you like
to learn a trade or something?” his father said, “God forbid bad thing”
exclaimed his mother “my son will go to school and become a doctor, so all my
friends will call me “mama doctor” and I will be receiving free treatment” she
added, “shut up woman I wasn’t talking to you. So tell me Frank do you wish to
continue or what” his father said, Frank at that time was short of words, he
didn’t know what to say, he just looked around then looked at his father then
sighted. He was having so many thoughts on his mind but all he could say was “I
would like to further”, then his father asked “what if I can’t afford it”,
“then I will have to work for a while before writing jamb” Frank answered, “so
what do you want to be in future?” his father asked while switching off the
television, on hearing this question, Frank was shocked and didn’t know what to
say, but all the could manage to mumble was “I don’t know”. His father looked
at him without saying a word he just went to his room.
20 years later.
to be continued.
Great story
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