Chapter 12: Birthday Blues and Bitter Truths

Few days later, my eleven years birthday reach.

Palace decorated with flowers, musicians tuning drums, everyone high spirit. Cooks prepared my favourite stew, palace children lined to greet me.

Every year for birthday, coconut puff-puff go show, plus sachet and socks wey mama sew for me.

I waited, eyes scanning for mama’s bundle. The memory of her awkward stitches made me laugh.

Mama no sabi sew, sachet ugly, socks get hole.

But I cherished them, because they carried her scent and love.

But this year, nothing. Mama always dey look palace wall, dey think, dey sad.

From my window, I saw her by gate, eyes glazed, lips moving in prayer. I wanted to run, but walls stood tall.

She no dey chop well, come fall sick.

Aunties whispered about her thinness, laughter vanished. I worried, appetite fading.

Grandpapa loved her, called papa make he carry mama go, Guanguan follow too.

They left quietly, Guanguan waving through tears. I pressed face to window, wishing to go.

Na Tola Shun tell me all these.

He came, voice gentle, explained why mama couldn’t come. I tried not to cry.

See all fine clothes and jewellery queen mother gave, I just sighed say I be richest girl for capital.

The gifts felt heavy, their sparkle dull. I’d trade them for one more night in mama’s lap.

Tola Shun say I like money, I beg for birthday present.

He teased, eyes kind. I giggled, forgetting sadness.

He say, "You no need go Royal Hall read and write again. I go tell mama make tutor come academy for you."

I clapped, relief flooding me. The Royal Hall suffocated—academy felt like freedom.

I say, "Tola Shun, you too good."

He grinned, poked forehead. "No dey too praise me o, I fit grow wings."

He knock my head, "Ifeanyi Tangola, no dey call me by my name."

Voice stern, eyes dancing.

I say, "Okay, Tola Shun."

I stuck out tongue, making him laugh.

When I stop to dey call am Brother Tola Shun? E be like na when he do Oba three months.

I remembered the day he became Oba, how everyone bowed, how he suddenly felt far away.

No Guanguan to help, my brain just dey open.

Without her, everything harder. I missed her soft laughter, her clever ways to help me cheat lessons.

Then I realised, no matter how I miss mama, she no go come again.

The truth hit like harmattan wind, cold and sharp.

I vex for Tola Shun. Na because of am I no see Guanguan, na because of am mama no go come again.

I glared at him, blaming him for everything I missed. He took it, never argued back.

But his hug made me feel better. I hugged him, cried till I no fit breathe, "Tola Shun, I miss mama, I miss Guanguan."

He wrapped me, rocking gently. I cried until no tears left.

After, I no call him brother again. When queen mother saw, she just looked, "E good as e be."

Voice soft, almost blessing. I nodded, feeling lighter.