Aria looked weary as she trudged along the sidewalks. It was a bright day, sunny…hot sunny, she thought. She missed London. She frowned, thinking why the hell did her mum take the job she got here, even if she wanted to relocate to her “fatherland” as she called it, why couldn’t she just leave her in her own fatherland. I’m never going to forgive her. She thought angrily.
Aria! She heard her name and turned to see who was calling, it was Temitope, her course mate. “Hi” Temitope said. “Hello” Aria replied. She tipped her a little and said “Are you still mad at me for what happened yesterday in class?” Looking disinterested, Aria shrugged her shoulders and replied…not really.
Temitope was also a transfer student from North Pablo University in Australia, her parent moved back to Nigeria a year ago and she hated her parents for it, but she had long forgiven them. She had adjusted fine.
“Don’t worry it won’t be so bad”. “Just give it time” Temitope has advised Aria when they met a month ago.
She was her only friend. Still is. She is just squarely mad at her.
Recounting the events of yesterday in her mind. Aria got late to class as she often did. She just hasn’t gotten used to the routine yet. She had walked into the class, greeted the lecturer, and was about walking past him to sit when the lecturer called her, referring to her as “that girl”. He ordered her to come to the front of the class and practically thrashed her, calling her “Jona”, whatever that means. She is even angrier now recalling the event. Practically everyone in class had laughed their eyes out. Not like she cared anyway, they are all just a bunch of “newts”.
He then scolded her further that she wasn’t in London anymore, and that he would not entertain any spoilt brat in his class. He looked at her with disdain and said she should walk out, that she was dressed in rags! rags! I mean he referred to her Zara grey top as a rag! Jeez. She protested, expecting anyone that was her friend to stand up for her and bail her out. She felt certain that at least Temitope would stand up for her but she didn’t. As he motioned for her to walk out, she turned with tears in her eyes while the lecturer was threatening to disgrace her further. She ran to the bathroom and cried her eyes out.
Aria! She was jolted back to life. Temitope held her hand to bring her to a halt. “Am sorry,” I should have stood up for you, will you forgive me?” She asked.
Not looking at her Aria shook her head. Maybe soon, Aria released her grip on her hand and walked off.
“I am sorry Aria” She screamed after her.
She would forgive her, but not just yet.
Where was the driver, she thought as she got to the faculty gate. Aria! it was her mum this time.
Relieve swept through her. She walked over and entered the car. “Hi baby” her mum had said. Hi, she said quietly. Thought we should have lunch together, her mum said. Hmm Aria said, and shook her head.
Your dad said he called you, he would like if you could pick his calls.
Aria shrugged her shoulder and looked out the window.
She heard her mum sigh and start the car. She didn’t care, she was still angry with her mum for changing her life and moving her from her beloved school and friends.
Contributor: Morenike Balogun
