A Teens Diary

The first time I saw him was in Sunday school… many years ago. I remember sitting at a corner in the Sunday school class room waiting for the teacher to come. The class was noisy …every one chatted away boisterously with their friends. He had a group of friends around Him. They laughed a lot to some joke they told themselves. I couldn’t help but notice that they could all sing. They were seniors among our age group, we were at the lower end. They were fourteen we were twelve. So we kept our distance but I still could not ignore them…Or rather, Him. I only could stare, he turns suddenly often times and catches me staring and smiles at which I quickly retract my gaze. On one of those moments I heard TobeChukwu nudging me. “What” I complained. “Where is your mind?” She queried. On him I was going to say but rather kept it to myself and said “here now”.

Any way” she continued, did you learn the memory verse. “Yes” I said. Can I recite it for you?” she asked, “Yh…. I said as I stole another glance at him. What is his name I thought to myself? Well maybe I am better off without it. I better just pretend he doesn’t exist.” With that resolve I turned my mind back to Tobe who was by now ending her memory verse recitation…”Zachariah chapter 6 vs 1- 15”. I smiled at her …”hmm” I said. “You tried o”. Tobe smile back…Tobe had a beautiful smile that showed through her perfect set of white gaped teeth. All of a sudden we were hushed by Sunday school student rushing in and shouting- Aunt Esther is coming!….aunt Esther is coming!.


After a one hour forty-five minute of teaching and fun. Sunday school was over and we were on our way back. Tobe and I said goodbye as we jumped into our parents cars. I sat relaxed in the back seat with my parents in front, I told them everything that happened in Sunday school…Well not exactly everything but almost. My mind went back to him, I exhaled. I hope this doesn’t linger I thought. I pushed the thought away and focused on pestering my brother.

I walked in to the teen’s fellowship hall eagerly. We were rehearsing for the teens and youth week. I was late and I hate being late. So I rushed into the room to the left. Blinded by my hurry, I plunged forward and found myself in a head on collision with a hard surface. Not what I needed, no, I looked up and...Ouch! It's him. My heart skipped a beat. I thought I was past this …it’s been two years! “Sorry” I blurted out at the same time with him. “Are you okay?” “Yh..Thanks” with my head to the ground I swore…then asked God for forgiveness for swearing... I quietly walked in to the almost full room. Almost everyone was around. “Woa Aku are you okay…”Tobe and some others asked as I walked in. Then I heard Monalisa callout to him “Julio abeg o easy …” Julio! What kind of Spanish is he bearing Julio…hmm? So that’s his name I thought to myself as I looked at Tobe trying to teach Timi a new dance step. Those two were dance disasters…but Tobe was less harmful but in my opinion, they should both stick to singing. I watched them as they try to do a suave turn and Timi loses balance and lands on Tobe, therby sending both of them to the ground in a comical manner that leaves the room laughing hysterically. “Aku abeg teach these your friends how to dance now, because I have given up completely” Monalisa called out through tearful eyes and laughter. Suddenly Musa walks in with a broad smile as usual. He walked straight to Tobe who was still seated on the floor. Hello Tobe how now? Hi Musa. “New dance step?” “I wish” came her curt reply. He stretch out his hand and pulled her up. I came to your house the other day and I learnt you weren’t at home. “Gee…I wonder why” came Tobe’s reply. I quickly pinched her at the same time Timi pulled on her top. Ouch! She complained. What is it he asked? “Mosquitoes!” I said. “By this time?” he asked “You girls must have baby skin…” I sighted Timi look away to hide her smile from the corner of my eye. Err excuse me, I need to get some water I said. Oh… I can get that for you he said. Thank you I said as he walked away. I quickly looked at a clearly uninterested Tobe; you better wipe that stupid look of your face, you this mean..., mean … “mosiquitoe? “ she chipped in as we all laughed.

Rehearsal was fun, Monalisa and Julio were to do a solo dance step I taught them because not everyone was following and time was running out. We had four more rehearsals until Dee day. I personally liked my solo with Musa. Musa is such a fluid dancer and fun to be around. Oh…and Tobe Nightmare, I wonder why she can’t see how much he likes her and the only reason he always hangs around is cos of that.

My mind wondered back to today…My God! I pray I never have to be so embarrassed again.

Teens and youth variety night way a slam! The songs were on point and our dance steps were great.

We all gathered at the left wing for announcements at the end of the programme. Gado, the youth president gave the announcements; "Teens retreat and picnic is coming up soon” he said .Picnic is on Saturday…come with something for two. Like what ? came a question from behind. “Food, Drinks,.. anything eatable…and make sure it’s already prepared, he said with a smile. Gado…the smiling cool Gado. I think everyone liked him. Retreat! I can’t wait I whispered to Tobe and Timi and we walked out. I can Tobe said…esp with Baby skin on the loose…” who is baby skin again asked Timi…I smiled and we all followed Tobe’s eye to Musa and back. That’s not fair I said. Well pretty soon you will change your mind, Said Timi. About what asked tobe with a disgusted look on her face. “Nothing” said Timi. Better! Tobe added. “hmm” I exhaled shaking my head. These two….I don’t know what I would do with them and without them. “Abeg lets go.” I said.

Picnic day and my bag was full of enough eatables, enough to feed ten people. I had issues zipping my bag after repacking my things from my mums picnic basket into my bag. “AkuChukwuna” why do you have to use a bag. Picnic baskets are for picnics, it is not old fashioned.” Yes it is… and tiring too, i replied.

I jumped down from the car and ran towards my friends who were already waiting. It took you long enough” complained Tobe. Sorry guys, I had to repack; God forbid I use a basket. And what’s in your bag? Asked Timi…do intend to feed the entire fellowship? They said bring for two! No wonder it took you long.” Abeg Timi, at least two they said... at least two” I replied. Okay o mother Theresa. Tobe said. Shall we?

We walked into the lush green field from where teens were gathering for the short hike to the lakeside where the picnic was to hold. Soon Gado was leading the way and we were following. At the lake side we all put our meals together and Doshima the vice president opened the event with a word of prayer after which papers were passed out to curious teens. “We have decided to reshuffle everyone” you will be paired with whoever you pick his or her name. Doshima the vice president said. You will pick alternately so only half of us will get to pick. Please you are not allowed to change your picks and if the person you have picked is not here please come to me. Whoever you picked is your partner for the day.

I watched excitedly as papers were passed round I wonder who I would pick. The papers came round Timi Picked, I got skipped but Tobe picked. What! Now I have to wait to be found….great!

“What?”Tobe said disgustedly … what is it?” I and Timi asked “MUSA it is” she said disgustedly as she glared at him. “TobS be nice” I said. “Okay Mum” she said. “O-bed! Came Timis excited voice as she scanned the place for him. There you are handsome” TIMI! I called in a warning voice what? she inquired.. Never mind, goodbye She said as she walked away. I shook my head as I stood there all by my self-waiting to be found. Then I heard his voice. Excuse me, Aku? Aku-chuku-na…na who de pronoun… I thought to myself. I was shocked to see Julio standing there smiling at me. Huh? I said are you lost? No, am not”, “can I help you?” by this time I was beginning to believe I was going to be need cardiologist to help my failing heart. Err I Em…” “uhun?” “I picked you….I mean you are my partner for the day” “Oh!” I said. Hey! This must be a conspiracy…hey! First Tobe now me…na wa o i reminessed in my mind. “Okay” I said with a shy smile now embarrassed at my initial rudeness. “So how do you pronounce your name…?” “Huh…” I said. “Your name…” oh Akuchukwuna” “what does it mean” “Gods wealth” “WOW” “yh” and you”? Where did julio come from? Well my mum is bi-racial. Half spanish half African. So I was named after her grand dad.” Oh… I never would have guessed.”

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Everyone seemed to be having fun even Tobe and Musa. But I was Floating in so, so much fun. The treasure hunt was fun even though we didn’t win…but fun.

“Okay Aku… see you around” Julio said as he walked me to my friends. Sure! i replied.

“WOW” you and Julio bonded wella! If I didn’t know better I would have said…” Timi said

I thought I was the only one…” “abeg babes mtchew. Let’s go…get into the bus.”

TIMI annoyingly “hummed Aku has a boyfriend….” I glared at her and they hysterically burst out laughing.

Retreat day. I was so excited. It’s been a month since picnic day. I and Julioi had become really good friends. Had met a couple of times after church to talk. Julio had asked if I would hang out with him during the course of the retreat. The truth is, I couldn’t wait to spend the week hanging out with him.

I got into the bus and reserved him a seat. The bus gradually filled up and I kept glancing anxiously at the window towards the gate but No Julio. I picked up my phone but realized I didn’t have his number. Hmm. Tobe rushed into the bus and plumbed down on the seat I had reserved for Julio. “Hey” I said. “Nice to meet you too.” she said. “Thanks for the seat. Had to take luggi to the vet”. “How is he?” “Fine thanks.” Luggi was her rabbit. “What?” “how do you mean what” you keep looking anxiously at the window…so what?” “Nothing” I had to cover my irritation and anger with a careless shrug.

Retreat will not be as much fun I know it…..

Retreat was supposed to be fun…but it wasn’t exactly fun for me because I went from disappointment to anger to worry over and over again. I was irritable, and unusually quiet, much to the disgust of my friends. The worst part is I couldn’t even tell them why. Well I was glad when it was time to leave.

Should be leaving for school by weekend. That means I don’t even get an explanation. Well whatever, It’s not as if I don’t already have all the friends I need right here. Am turning fifteen in two weeks’ time! and this of course is my final year in secondary school. I can’t wait to get into the university!

Glitch from the past

It’s exciting to be going home again after five years. I haven’t had the opportunity to go home my parents have come twice to visit me at school. Schooling abroad has its plus and minus. I can’t wait to be reunited with Timi and Tobe. We tried to go to the same school but we ended up scattered all over the place. Tobe went to study in the U.S while Timi ended up in Cyprus. Any way I studied in the U.K. we all would be back for the compulsory NYSC.

I just got off the phone with Tobe, and she should be here in any minute to get me 'cos we would be going to camp together. As for timi, she already left for camp. I quickly picked up my already packed bags and headed for the sitting room. “You sure you are not forgetting anything?” my mum asked “yep” I answered. Just then the blaring horn from Tobes brother’s car could be heard. I quickly walked out the door and to the gate. Coming out of the gate Tobe was already opening the door for me. “Good afternoon Josh” I greeted, “Aku how now?” “I am fine” “babes” I greeted Tobe “how far” she answered. “So josh did you get new horns or what?” I teased …and he horned some more. We laughed as the car pulled away from my house.

Camp is like boys scout…with more military touch I was placed in platoon 2, Tobe 4 and Timi 6. Three weeks down and the excitement of leaving camp was clearly visible. I secured a place to serve in a telecom company I was to start on Monday Timi got into a bank and Tobe a hospital.

One beautiful morning I was informed by my Boss that a customer was coming in for a meeting and I was to handle that meeting and reach an agreement. The company was coming to make us their service provider. I was informed that their Technical manager was in the conference room. I briskly walked into the room along to stand beside my boss who was about to make the introductions. Then I froze. He was smiling at me with surprise. I heard my boss call my name, I blinked rapidly trying to regain control of my emotion I was speechless. Then I stuttered my greeting. “Nice to see you again” “you too have met?” My Boss asked “yh…”Julio answered we grew up together”. “Well then that’s good” “let’s all get seated and straight to business”

The rest of the day was a blur. A thousand question ran through my head. A thousand emotions paraded themselves I couldn’t distinguish what exactly I felt. If it was shock, anger, disdain, joy, excitement and so much more. “The worst part he asked to see me? What nerve?” When I told the girls they all just laughed at me, and said “so? See him now” Tobe and Musa finally have worked things out and it took Timi acting as date to Musa to make that happen. I guess bells should ring soon.