*CHRONICLE OF AN UNDERGRAD*

*Flash One* What a memorable day, I must say.The day I finally, in company of my parents ( though dad in a hurry to meet up with an appointment in Lagos) set out on the journey of my four year stay at that prestigious higher institution whose news have always send cold waves down my spine. The day was sunny and bright, holding a hope of a good weather condition. Mummy had earlier bought some listed items when last she visited the popular market in the hub of the city. That day, I woke up with the joy of stepping on the soil of that school whose news my friends and my secondary school teachers have always shared with me. After waking up around 6:20 in the morning, I joined the family in the living room to say the morning prayer. The morning prayer was of course unlike what it has always been. This time, it was more of an admonition to the latest undergrad in the house.While my dad took time to share with me his days in the university and different experiences with different people he met along the way. He took time to share with me how he managed to pass out with second class upper division inspite of the many hurdles he had to surmount as a less privileged student whose father passed on five years before his admission, leaving only his mother to cater for the four children left behind.He narrated how difficult life was at the beginning on campus, saying he took nothing much than his pair of sanders and a pair of bathroom slippers and some clothes to school. He said he took with him his school bag which was still in a good condition at the time to pack these items.He stressed the importance of perseverance and commitment in the life of a student, adding that it will not be rosy all through.My mother later joined in by narrating different stories which have been told about the way of life of most undergraduates on campus, forgetting what they have been told and mapping out a new course for themselves. Today's morning prayer rounded off with prayer for me on my journey to the world different from the one I am used to. After the prayer, we exchanged greetings and later went to my room to pick my toothbrush and paste and wash my teeth.Though, I didn't bother to take my bath in that morning, taking time out to prepare and arrange my things in order. I put my clothes especially the newly bought ones alongside my new shoes in my travelling bag, pack my beverages and food ingredients in the dangote sack bought the day before. " Aunty Tomi", I looked back to the natural smile emitting from the face of my five year old sister who was still dozing throughout the morning prayer. Jumping up and raising both hands for me to embrace her, I held her close to me thinking how much I will miss this baby whose disturbance was more than enough during my period of preparing for my U.T.M.E. Small Tomi will do everything imaginable to disturb me by dragging my books with me.Most times, I had to change my countenance which she subscribed to and turned to other things. After releasing her tiny body from my hands, she in an unusual way frog jumped from my room and later reappeared holding a bible in her hands."What for?", I asked her.She mumbled some words which hardly pass the brim of her round lips."What for?", I asked again moving towards her this time. She smiled and said "daddy asked me to give you". I wondered why daddy would send a new bible knowing that I have mine.This gesture worried me which made me ... ©Manlipz 2017 08104085684 To be Continued [5/15, 19:09] ~M.A.N.L.I.P.Z~: *CHRONICLE OF AN UNDERGRAD* *Flash Two* ...This gesture worried me which made me leave all I was arranging for my father's study where he was putting some finishing touch to files meant for his business trip in Lagos. I opened the door not giving a prior notice of the usual knock. I entered and said "Dad". He raised his head up, looked at me holding the newly bought bible in my hands. As if not seeing the bible, he said "Etomi, I hope you are fine?Are u done with your loads?" I quietly replied "No sir" holding up the bible to his view. He then continued "So, go tell your mom to help you arrange the printed out files requested by the school for your registration". I nodded to the order not taking any move towards the door. I replied " Daddy, what about this?" holding it more up to his view. "That's is your bible, oh...Tomi has given it to you". I said " yes". I then added "But Sir, I have my personal bible still intact". He then shoved aside the files before him,signalling me to occupy the seat before him. I reluctantly shuffled to the seat and made myself comfortable. He then stood up coming to my side, he placed his right hand on my shoulder. In his amiable calm tone, he said " Yes, the bible I bought for you as a matter of necessity.I knew that you have one bible but this represents a new beginning for you. I want you to always look back when you are alone and remember that this is what we have brought you up with.Always have it on your mind that the word is sufficient to see you through your journey on the campus". He then paused a little as if expecting me to comment. After noticing that I have nothing to say he added "So, that's why I got a new bible for you. Read it always and let it be your guide." Trying to show a concession with all he has said, I replied "Thanks Sir", standing up to take my leave. I paused when he said" So, tell your mom to give you those files." I replied with "Taken Sir". I left the room with my daddy's eye trailing my back before I closed the door gently behind me. Taking some steps away from my father's study, I heard some steps from the corner leading up to my mom's room. The steps later became that of my sister and Dare, my brother who just returned from his boarding school some days before. Dare, in his usual conduct said " Sister Etomi, mom wants your attention in her room". "I was even heading for her room before." I replied.Small Tomi then added "Etomi, come and see" taking hold of my hands. "Mom has bought many things for you.Many ,many things. Come and see" further holding my hands toward my mom's door which is fifteen steps away from my father's study. I opened the knob on my mom's door to behold a view of newly bought jeans, shirts such as vintage, sweat shirts and wrist watch with some make up materials. My mom being a lover of fashion asked me to try one of the pants on my body. Lost in the joy of seeing such beautiful set, I slipped my cute sweet sixteen body in and took some steps around my mother's room.I checked out my look in the mirror where my mom has most of her make up materials. She looked at me beaming with smile as I preened before the 16 by 12 mirror. It was in this atmosphere that her door opened sizing my father's large frame. Looking at what I have on my body,he said "Is that what you are wearing to the school?" I replied "No, I'm only checking it out.How fits it is on my body". He smiled and signalled to my mom, asking her to join him in his study. They remained in the study for some minutes while I used the opportunity to check out the vintage, three quarter shorts, leggies and shoes on my body. She later entered with distortion on her face. I began to wonder why her countenance would have changed only for me to be dazed at what she told me. She said " Etomi, just make sure you remain..." ©Manlips To be continued... [5/18, 16:53] ~M.A.N.L.I.P.Z~: *Chronicle of an Undergrad* ...I began to wonder why her countenance would have changed only for me to be dazed at what she told me. She said "Etomi, make sure you remain the true child we have nurtured you all these years to be. Your father said he has spoken to you at length. Make sure you abide by all he said and note the importance of the newly bought bible". I remained silent but nodded to every statement. Just before she continued, Tomi burst in as if being pursued by an unseen spirit.This got us startled but got calmed when she held up a white small box. "Certainly, this must be a trick from this cunny brat this time around" my mind told me. I later got shocked when she said "Daddy gave me, daddy gave me this phone". I paused then later asked "Daddy gave who that phone?" Without hesitation, she replied "Me, it's my phone". " Your phone?" "Yes", she added with a nod. " Tomi, you must be joking. What do you think they use phone for?" I asked. She joyfully replied "To call, browse, ping, Whatsapp, check Instagram, watch videos, play songs blah, blah, blah..." I laughed out imagining how Tomi has grown up so rapidly and intelligently over the years. Dara later entered to calm the fuss over the phone saying "Dad asked Tomi to give you that phone. It is Tecno Camon CX". "Really" I jumped up moving towards Tomi to collect the phone but Tomi took to her heels trying to dart out of the room. I grabbed her from her fraying gown, gently held unto the box and calmly spoke to her "Tomi, daddy have asked you to give me this, you can wait for yours later. Or, do you want your big sister to be without a phone?You know that I will be travelling. Don't you want me to call you when I get there? See, trust me. I will tell daddy to get one for you". She gently released the earlier grip off the box and smiled saying " OK...you can have it. Dad will get me a better one.Mine will be beautiful". I collected it smiling and not hesitating to put it on to check out the features. The phone happened to be the latest of the Tecno Company's product in the market. "Etomi, you busy with the phone...forgetting what next you should get packed?" "I think I have packed the necessary thing". I replied. " Really?" "Are these meant for me?", referring to the newly bought cloths scattered on her bed. " Oh...really sorry.Forgotten". I added. As i got down to pack the cloths, there was an opening of the door; standing with files in both hands, my daddy told me to start getting my stuff inside the Toyota Camry Lee car. This car was bought by my daddy two years ago after he won a contract to build an Estate for a big Real Estate Agency whose office we were told is in Victoria Island. This car numbered the third car my daddy would be using within the pace of four years after the last one developed a fault and got stalked in the automobile engineering workshop.My father later sold it and used the money to secure a three plot of land along Egbeda Area in Lagos. The land my dad assured me of procuring using my name. I was so full of excitement when I saw the land documents starting with "I, Miss Adekunle Etomi having entered into an agreement on this day, 5th of March 2010..."The joy I slept with on that day was beyond description knowing fully well that I can now hold claim to a property in a place like Lagos. " Sister Etomi" That was Dara calling. "Mom said you should join them inside the car" "Oh really" I dashed into the kitchen to pack some slices of yam and friend egg inside a transparent covered plate. I stuffed my mouth with two pieces. "Thanks to my stars that nothing is left again to pack" I mumbled joining my dad and mom in the Toyota Camry Lee already ignited with white fumes emitting from the silencer. Jumped into the car,I closed the door behind me viewing the bungalow apartment whose luxury I would be missing from then on. Screeching through the garage, my dad drove to the major road leading up to the highway whose maintenance started some weeks ago. " Etomi, the journey has just begun" my dad mumbled behind the steering as he raised the speed of the car.... To be continued.... ©Manlipz 2017