CHAPTER ONE: BOARDING HOUSE DISCUSSION

"Get me the Yam flour on the island, Floral" My mom said as she opened the pot of boiling water that is still on the electric cooker

"Okay ma" I said as I dropped the plastic cup I was using to drink milk on the island to get the yam flour for my mom from the island

Though, I am short but I can still reach there to get it for my mom

I handed it to her as she took the yam flour from me and took the turning stick from the small plastic plate of water and continued the cooking

I looked at her as she turned the yam flour inside the boiling water to Amala (as the Yoruba always call it)

I smiled as I drank the remainder of the milk from the plastic cup thinking of how my mom's Amala always feel soft and delicate

My mouth watered at the thought

"I am done!" my mom said as she put down the yam flour and covered the pot leaving the Amala to heat

She gave me the turning stick to wash immediately, my mom always tells me to do that to avoid the Amala to stick to the turning stick so it will not be hard for me to wash later on

I washed the turning stick as my mom served the soup of Egusi and red soup into three plates for her, my dad and me.

She then put the meats into different plates before opened the Amala pot as she formed it in a nice shape putting it in our plate

I closed the tap as I watched mom dish the food

"Go tell your dad that food is ready!" My mom said to me as she washed her hands and removed her apron so she can take each of the food to the dining room

I went to siting room where my dad sat watching football, a match between Arsenal and Liverpool

My dad is an Arsenal fan so I guess he is watching it to know who wins

As for me, I hate football, I hate sports to be sincere

Sports isn't my thing, I am not a chubby girl and I am grateful for it because exercise isn't my thing or anything related to sports

"Dad, mom said food is ready" I said to my dad as my dad turned to look at me and smiled

"Flower, I will be there soon. This match is really unpredictable. I have to watch it to the end so I will get my result face to face" My dad said calling me by his normal nick name he formed for me

"Okay but you know when Amala is cold, it won't be as delicious as it is when it is hot" I said to dad assuring him

"I can see you already know how the Yorubas here in Nigeria always eat it" my dad smiled as he tuned off the television so he can come eat with us in the dining room

"Yes dad, Yoruba is my tribe as well as yours" I said to dad as he stood up from the couch to follow me to the dining room

My dad took his seat on one of the dining chairs as I also did, my mom also sat down

"Our heavenly father, bless this food and provide for the needy in Jesus name!" My dad prayed

"AMEN!" my mom and I chorused

I looked at my plate then washed my hand in the nearest basin before I took a gulp from the Amala and Egusi soup

"Yum! Delicious as always" my dad said complimenting mom

"Thanks dear!" my mom said as I smiled enjoying my food

"Flower, have you made up your mind already?" my dad asked me knowing fully well that I know what he is talking about

"Dad, I told you boarding school is not for me" I said to dad as I focused on my food trying not to loose appetite because of the topic dad raised

"Your mom and I won't be around always to look after you so I guess boarding school is the best for you" my dad said as he looked at me this time with an assuring smile

Wow, my parents are going to just abandon me in one of the boarding school in Nigeria. It is not like Nigeria boarding schools are bad, is just that I am not used to being far away from my parents

"It will be fine, at least we will get anything you want for you" my mom said

Not you again mom, everyone just hate me

"Your elder brother is in Igbogbo boarding school in Ikorodu here in Lagos, so why do you want to be different from him" my dad said bringing up Francis matter now

Francis is my elder brother and he had been in boarding school for five years, though he comes home for holiday and now he is already in grade twelve

Anytime Francis comes home, he always look thin and that what frightens me

Francis is not actually fat but, at least he is not too thin not like anytime he returns from school

I asked my brother one day what he thinks about boarding school and guess what he said, he said "With time you will enjoy it" is that even an answer

I always get that answer from him and surprisingly he smiles after saying such

I looked at him weirdly like as if he isn't my brother

"Francis is different from me" I said to them washing my hand in the basin

"No more excuses, you are going" my dad said

"Make me!" I said out of annoyance

My mom and dad looked at me as if not hearing what I said earlier

"What did you say?" My mom said standing up from the chair as she washed her hand in the basin walking towards me

I already know what is next so, I kept mute afraid of her attacks