Chapter 4 Meeting the new family

The woman whom I later got to know as aunty Ada lived with her husband in a very nice two bedroom apartment at Okota. A well structured town in heart of Lagos. The husband, Uncle Tega also seemed very nice as he talked about my father with so much glee, reminiscing on how they grew up together and promised to become rich in life. They had both planned to come to Lagos to seek greener pastures unfortunately he died so he had to move on alone but he had made a promise to himself to ensure that his friends child or children would get taken care of by him.

They had twins, two beautiful little boys who were at that time just three year olds , also the Aunty's younger brother stayed with them, he was a bit older than I was also according to what I heard he had finished secondary school and was learning mechanic work at the time, for him to gather enough experience and own an handiwork before heading to the higher institution. It was so obvious that this people fancied education and felt it was really important.

Uncle Tega told me if I took my education seriously, he was going to ensure I get the best of everything, also being well behaved would earn me a whole lot of respect. Aunty Ada was also very nice she took me like I was her first child, most especially her younger brother Samson he made me feel like I didn't have to worry about anything. I felt like I was home and the twins were sweet little boys. Since I was 10 and should be getting closer to get into a secondary school,however, studying at the village didn't help matters much as I just got into primary two. Due to Uncle tega's insistence that I can't be in such class at that age and finish late when all of my mates would have been in second to third year in secondary schools. He insisted I be homeschooled and prepared for the common entrance examination, which was suppose to come up in four months after my arrival. Aunty Ada got worried that I might not cope, but he insisted he would get a private teacher for me, plus he and Samson would take turns in teaching me.

That evening when he and his wife both concluded on me having an home lesson teacher, uncle Tega called me to the sitting room. "Nene..." ...."Sir"..I felt quite uneasy I had never been face to face with him since I came into the house two weeks ago. "Well...he continued..I would like to enroll you in a secondary school as your age would be too old by the time you finish primary school , too much time would have passed so I want you to take lessons in primary 6 syllabus so as to prepare you for the upcoming general exam".

I stared at him like he had grown 10 heads... "Sir , don't you think my brain is too small for such task , I was in primary two at the village what if I fail the exam that is double money for you. Please let me continue from where I stopped". I pleaded with him

He looked at me then gestured for me to come closer " my dear, I understand you but I want you to know that I see something that you might not understand now and its called potential and I believe in your ability so I know you can do it".

I considered arguing with him then decided not to, he then smiled at me saying "if you do well and pass the exams I promise to get you nice clothes and shoes". That perked my interest I was going to put in my very best. Aside the gift I wanted to make Uncle Tega proud of me. Maybe because I never knew my father welll enough before he died, the attention I got from uncle Tega made me want to do whatever to get him to love me.I agreed to the lesson and I was told that the teacher would be coming the following week. Having been supported and encouraged by the whole house. I was ready for anything.