Being the first born of a Nigerian parent is not always that easy when you think of the heartache and struggle one has to go through.
kayla was the first child of Mr. and Mrs. Clement
,a devoted Christian who places value on both big and small things; a diligent,humble, and hard-working people.
They owned a small cottage and a piece of land where they farm,not too far from their home.
We weren't that wealthy, but it was enough to put food on our table,well, at least until my siblings came in the picture.
Aiden and filora weren't twins but they looked and behave like one and were greatly admired by others because both were very brave and intelligent,and I loved them to the bone,and I was willing to do anything for them.
Even if at that time, I meant giving up my dream for them,it was easy as breathing because i never wanted any of them to struggle like my parentswere doing.
Now eighteen,I was supposed to enrolled in a local college,at the out sketch of town,and boy how exited I was.It has always being my dream to go to college but since we weren't that financial okay,I never voiced it out until dad said I would go.
Mom and Dad were ready to sponsor me; I didn't know how they were going to do it,so all I had to do was prepare myself,even if it was late; that was my plan until I had found out that Aiden and filora were held back from school because they had not pay their fees,since grade 2 and I laterdiscovered that all the money dad had then were been saved for my college entrance.
To be honest,that didn't sit well with me; I mean Aiden was barely twelve, and filora was just ten years old.
Every morning, I had to watch the joy on their faces every time they make a run for the school bus,and when they return back or the fight between themselves when they argue about a single spelling.
These made me happy, and I know they were too. Both were eager to learn new things, and they were happy to be taught.
Now what would happen to the eagerness to learn or the happy smile they always wear when going and coming back from school?I didn't want to think about that or the facts that our model society has so much patronized education to the point that without it,you have no stands.
"This is not right,I can't let this happen."
I pondered alone in my room.
The next morning,we sat down to eat the not so much of a breakfast,just rice and stew ,I had notice that Aiden and filora didn't have their usual happy expression "I guess they heard."I murmur to myself ,as I tried to eatsomething,I wasn't having the appetite but leaving the food meant wasting it and in my home that was forbidden,so I just took my spoon and forced a whole lot down my throat,which made me tear.
"Wow,calm down kayla no one is taking your food away."Mom queried
"Yeah."I replied hastily,just want to finish it and hurried to my room
"kayla."Dad called out to me
"Yes, Daddy?"I raised my head to face him
"Here,take this."Dad handed over to me an envelope
Which I took,I looked inside it was full of money,even if a sprite had told me that my parents had such money saved up,I would argue it.I looked at my pa in awe "this is a huge sum of money."
"Of course it is."Mom replied,"Your father and I had been saving it up for your college."
"Oh."I should be happy, but I am not saving it up? Means they had to work ten times harder than before,looking at both off them now,they looked old and haggard for their age,I looked at my father sadly"but dad..."
"It's okay."Father said "your mother is right,we have being saving up ever since you said,you dreamed of going to college.I already called the school; even if It's late they are ready to give you one more chance; so you have..."
As dad continued I half paid attention to him,as I observed my sisters at the other end,filora stared at her food blankly,trying to fight back tears,Aiden being the eldest one,was trying to act tough as she spoke to me
"Wow,big sis,you are going to college?I m happy for you.We are going to miss you."When he smiled, I knew he meant it.
I couldn't hold it in anymore and just teared up,I sob like a child.While dad just watched me confusedly; mom hurried to my side. "What is going on with you?"mom asked, worried."Why are you crying like a child?"
Instead of answering her, I cried harder, and then Aiden worriedly asked "was It'something I said?"he looked from dad to mom and then back to me,about to tear up."I am sorry,I didn't ..."
When I saw the single tear in his eyes, I hurried to his side and called him into my arms,I hugged him tightly as I said
"Oh, Aiden," I said between tears. "It is not something you did,I am so,so sorry."
"What?I don t understand?Why are you apologizing?You did nothing wrong." he said,confused
"No,I did everything wrong."I sob as I held his face up; I can't let them be driven to an edge this early .Can you ever forgive me?"I asked in tears
Aiden took my hand from her face,he teared up as well,and filora followed, "Of course, big sis."he sniffs and added."I forgive whatever you think you did wrong."He smiled, and it was the best.
"Thank you."I said and stood and patted both he and filora's head
"kayla." Father, who has been quiet called.