Jolly Little Fellow | Creative Nonfiction Prompt #70

Mom! Mom!!

Sandra called at our mother from her room. This happens whenever she wants to gossip about a thing with her mom. We dare not do anything that could implicate us before her. So, each time she calls out at our mom, I would try as much as possible to eavesdrop so that if their conversation affects me in one way or the other, I would begin to prepare a defence.

Mom, I got something for you. Can I shut the door?

Sandra asked our mom.

Go ahead my sweetheart.

Mom said reassuringly to Sandra.

RDNE stock project

Who knows what she has found this time. So, I tiptoed and put my ear in the hole in the door knob after the door had been locked. Then, their conversation began.

Mom, on our way from school. I heard Henry telling one of his classmates that he loves her.

My ears went deaf immediately. I am going to be in trouble with my mom. From what I heard, mom sounded like it was not a serious issue.

Is the girl in question beautiful?

Mom asked Sandra whose voice had suddenly changed.

It's that girl that won the prize for the best Sunday school student from the teenagers class in church.

Sandra added spice to the gossip. My heart at the moment was pounding against the walls of my chest. Mom, in response to Sandra's description of Anita, the girl she was reporting me to have wooed, said:

You mean Barrister Chris' daughter. That boy certainly has eyes for big things.

Mom posited and asked Sandra to return to her room to complete her homework. I ran without anyone hearing the sound of legs back to the living room, sweating like a baker. I saw Sandra passing to her room from where I was seated with a big smile, indicating that she has just won a grammy award for gossiping.

I waited for the judgement seat to be set and I was summoned to answer to all the allegations but mom did not call me. She also did not report the case to dad. All hell would have been let loose if she did.

The next day on our way to school, Sandra was walking right by my side but we did not talk because I was beginning to fear her prowess in reporting to mom any activity I engage in at school. She noticed it and said:

Henry, why are you silent? You are making our walk to school this morning boring.

I felt like dazing her a hot slap but on another thought, that would only worsen my situation, instead, I looked away like I never heard her. So, that day, we walked to school without any discussion.

Anita liked to be in my company perhaps because I have helped her out with Mathematics assignments. With time, I started to fall in love with her. The feeling became conspicuous when Valentine's Day started approaching. Most of the guys in my class who had girlfriends started making plans on how to present their babes and I wanted to feel included. I had to approach Anita. She didn't think it hard before she nodded her head to be my girlfriend. I was proud of myself because all the other guys had tried to make her their girlfriend but she refused. Now, she doesn't hide it. Everyone in the class knew we had something going on.

I didn't want to appear like a mommy's boy so I refused to share with Anita that Sandra had reported to my mom that we were in a relationship.

On Valentine's Day, after the school hours, we had a mini party at school. The boarding student will be having a fun night. Since we were day students, we started the first session of the party after school. I could wait till the end because Sandra was everywhere spying at me and Anita. After about an hour, we went home and Anita was in our company. We parted ways when she reached the gate of their house which was just a street from ours. We could only wave goodbye to each other. I was so pained that I didn't have enough time to spend with my sweetheart.

Mom! Mom!! What's Valentine's Day all about?

Sandra asked from the door post even when she had not seen mom with her eyes. I rebuked her immediately.

Is that the first thing you should say? Have you greeted mommy first?

As I was beginning to query her nonchalant attitude, mom appeared from her room and welcomed her with a hug.

Good afternoon mommy.

I greeted and took two steps toward my room when Anita came in. I couldn't just wait anymore in the living room. I went to drop my bag and returned to the living room to find Anita and mommy already talking. She had a gift in her hands.

Henry, this is for you.

My eyes rolled. My hands became sweaty as I stepped forward to take the gift. It was a greeting card and a perfume. I looked towards mommy with a fearful smile.

Alright.

Mom said, clearing her throat. In my head, the judgement day has come.

You two, have your seat. Sandra, give us a moment.

We sat while Sandra walked away into her room.

It's normal to have feelings for the opposite sex, ok?

She started the gospel according to saint Valentine.

But… you both need to know what you are involved in. It is good to fall in love but when you do it at the wrong time, it could mar your future.

Godisable Jacob

Mom continued.

The other day, I saw you eavesdropping on my conversation with your sister, Sandra. You did that because you don't feel safe.

I got a hit from that. Now beads of sweat have started to gather on my nose and forehead.

My children. You are still children and you have your life ahead of you. Be careful not to dent your life because you want to like your friends or classmates.

After this speech, Anita was the first to kneel to say thank you to mom, then I followed.

That night, I felt so relieved of all the burden in my heart. I read the greeting card, Anita hard penned the best love lyrics you can ever think of. She was such a sweetheart. Sandra appeared to be an enemy at first but I later acknowledged that she was just being a sweet sister, looking out for her brother.