The Butterflies... Episode 1

• This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the Faith’s imagination and (actual places) are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.  

                                                                                                                     ...  Faith Tunde-Yara

The morning seemed brighter, the air smelt fresher, the room felt larger. The big day was here. Had anyone told Tofunmi that this day was going to come so soon, she would have argued blatantly. She had no time for 'men', she had repeatedly told herself how men were no good, and how more women should join her to drive the "Independent Woman" notion in the present Nigerian society. For anyone that cared to listen, she was quick to say that women could do well for themselves without the support of any man, making quick references to Western women who had made successes out of their lives one way or the other (the means, being totally irrelevant to her).
Taking one last roll on the fluffly matress, Tofunmi shut her eyes, a wide smile enveloped her lips, and all she could say when she eventually opened her mouth to say something was "Thank You Lord".

****

The matriculation speech was already getting super boring for the girls - Ibinabo, Tofunmi, Aishat, and Tabitha. They had met on the queue for accommodation at the Mozambique Hall (the hall for year 1 female students) of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. And because they followed each other on the queue, they were placed in the same room; that was the best part of that day for the new friends, as they had all complained severally of the tedious registration process at their various departments. Now they were here on their matriculation ceremony and it seemed the program will not end. After fiddling with their phones for a while, taking pictures and doing all they can to stay focused, Ibinabo finally mustered

'Oh God, we don hear now. Chai, them too like long talk for this school oh'

The other three bursted into laughter.
Ibinabo Akporeme was known for her timely comments that always turned out funny.

"Once again, you are welcomed to the Prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University. We hope you will do your parents and most importantly yourselves, proud by making good grades. All the best!'

Those were the final words of the Vice-Chancellor, after which the Master of Ceremonies gave other announcements and requested that everyone stand for the school anthem. 

It was a massive rush as all the students, parents, and well wishers struggled to leave the amphi theatre all at once. The four new friends had taken enough pictures to bombard social media, and had dispersed to search for their loved ones and take more pictures with friends and family.

"See you in the room" Tofunmi shouted amidst noise, as she quietly walked to her faculty. Her parents were not coming; in fact, no one was coming for her matriculation ceremony. She had specifically asked that they send whatever money they would have to spend on the trip to her, as she needed all the money she could gather.

Tofunmi Badmus was not particularly from a poor home but they were not rich either. She had learnt very early in life to save every little penny that came across her way, and to prioritize when it came to spending. She had spent a number of years at home while trying to get into the University, 4years to be precise; and while waiting for this admission, she had to join her mother at her shop in bodija market where she sold provisions. She also learnt to make hair, just so she could pick up some other responsibilities at home with whatever money she made from the hair business. She knew she had to sit up as her father wasn't particularly pleased with the fact that she could not get into the university as fast as her younger sister did. They were just two, and their parents had done all they knew how to, just to make sure they had quality education. Her younger sister had gotten into school the previous year, having sat for the JAMB examination once. She gained admission to study Microbiology at the University of Ibadan, and her matriculation ceremony was just a reminder that she was making their parents proud as opposed to her elder sister. She had determined not to carry that year over; she had studied super hard after obtaining the Direct Entry form and here she was, a D.E student in the department of English. She could not be happier.

As she walked to her department, memories of all she went through during the four years wait flashed through her mind, and she smiled so widely, heaving a heavy sigh with the words "Thank you Lord" slipping through her breathe...

****

The semester had practically flown and Tofunmi couldn't believe exams were just around the corner. She had studied so hard all through the semester, always going to the class at night to study, and had even earned herself the title "efiko of the room". Moz was a particularly interesting hall, always bubbling with various noises - of music, fights, gists, adverts by business owners, and some other noises that came with no particular definition. She had grown to like this particular university because students had the free hand to embark on their businesses, compared to what her sister had told her about her own school. She had therefore continued with her hair business in her spare time, and that was why she had to read at night all the time.

...

"Iwe factoria. Na you oh. Abeg no read am finish oh, make people like us still find something to read nah, biko"
Ibinabo had chided on as she walked past the classroom in faculty of law, where Tofunmi had customised for all her night reading. Tofunmi smiled as she quietly walked out of the classroom to greet her roommate outside the class.

"What are you doing here? Since when did you start reading at night, and in the school area for that matter?"

"You sef don know say this your efiko thing no be my style. Na Bode drag me come here tonight jare. He talk say make we con see wetin all of una dey always do for class" Ibinabo responded amidst laughs.

Bode and Ibinabo had been inseparable almost since the start of the new semester. Tofunmi had gone on and on with her words of advise, telling her of the many stories she had heard of Obafemi Awolowo University and how difficult it was to pass in any department, let alone Ibinabo's department - Biochemistry. Ibinabo had just laughed at all she said and said "we have only one life to live dear. I'm in this school to enjoy my life. I've been caged for the best part of my life and now I have my freedom. I'd use it to the fullest. As for the academic part of my stay here, I'd get through somehow". And of course, Ibinabo had kept her promise; she hardly went to class, as she had to sleep during the day after going for one party or the other either on campus or in town. It was at her departmental party she had met Bode Oladele, the departmental P.R.O and had become friends with him.

Tofunmi knew Ibinabo was being childish and understood that she had been under the protection of her parents all her life. She had planned on keeping her secrets to herself and not do more than sharing surface experiences (if need be) and words of advise (where necessary). She had mastered the art of smiling to anything and everything. She wasn't here because of Ibinabo, she had her grades to keep up and her parents to make proud.

"Ok o. You two should enjoy yourself o. And try reading. It doesn't hurt". She laughed as she walked back into the classroom to continue her reading...



*Photo credit: www.docket.com.ng
*The Butterflies... Episode 1
*Faith Tunde-Yara