EMMA CHAPTER FOUR

Chapter Four

Six years had passed since Emma finished secondary school. It was her
graduation today- her graduation from the fashion designing training
institute. Having waited with long-suffering for her pending result, she
had re-registered and sat for the exam the following year, but the story
was the same; result withheld. Mrs Ajayi had refused to allow her sit for
another exam in the school, claiming it would spoil its reputation, since
there had never been such occurrence before.

Emma had lost hope already, but Aunty Nurse encouraged her to take the exam
one more time, but in a different school. Unfortunately, the Ministry of
Education later claimed the school was not an approved centre for WASSCE,
therefore the examination was cancelled. That was it! Emma swore she wasn't
destined to be a graduate after all, thus she gave up. She resorted to
taking the advice the principal had given her the other day- ''get your hands
on something worthwhile'', which of course, she did. Now she was graduating.
The common term for the ceremony is actually ''freedom'', but Emma would never
embrace that term. She had told her instructor point-blank that she isn't
about to get freed, she is about to graduate, because she enrolled at the
institute for training, not for bondage- only a bound person gets freed.

'I must say, Miss Williams is a very gifted lady', It was her instructor
(or boss as they term it) giving her speech that day. 'She is a very fast
learner, and an inquisitive one too'. The guests smiled and inclined their
heads, while some nodded in the affirmative. 'Although', the woman
continued,

'When at first she came to my institute to enroll for training, I doubted if
she would concentrate, because her enthusiasm was focused on going to
school, continuing her education, and she would always come to the
institute with books to read'.

Emma smiled at this remark. That was when she was hoping a miracle would
happen and her results would get discharged and acquitted. She had kept
preparing her mind for university; to study to become the journalist she
had always dreamt to be, embroidery was only a side-attraction. But she
finally had to embrace it, as reality dawned on her that Journalism was
probably not her calling.

'But today, I present to you, the best graduating student in Trend It
Fashion Institute so far. And to this effect, we gift her an electric
sewing machine and a cheque of two hundred thousand naira to proceed on her
entrepreneurship journey', the woman ended her speech.

Everyone jeered and applauded at this announcement. They had barely heard
of anything like that before. It was really a depiction of divine favour,
because there is hardly any 'boss' that would do such thing, and Emma must
have truly done well to deserve it. The clapping continued as Emma in her
graduation regalia; a graduation gown and cap, rose from her seat and went
forward to embrace her boss, while 'paparazzi' flashed from East, West,
North and South. She felt like a celebrity! Her instructor had never told
her there was something special in store for her, and she hadn't expected a
party that elaborate. The institute had planned and taken care of the all
the expenses for the event. Indeed, there was greatness in store for her
just had Mabel said.

Aunty Nurse on her own part was grateful that something great had come out
of her daughter's life. The devil had tried all he could to restrict and
discourage her, but God hadn't turned a deaf ear to her prayers.
Nevertheless, there was one request she still wished could be granted; and
that is nullifying the doctor's conclusion and preserving Emma's life. Her
health crisis had become less frequent through the years, in fact, she
barely fell sick anymore, but the fact still remained that Emma is an SS.
She was a very promising child, that was obvious, and doesn't deserve a
limited life span. 'Lord you have spared her life as a baby, and even till
now, Please don't stop, not just yet', she prayed silently in her heart.

'Hey, graduand!', Mabel tugged at Emma's gown from behind, trying to get
her attention, as she was busy receiving congratulatory remarks and
appreciating everyone that came. 'You have a phone call from India', she
handed the phone to her.

'Yay! Dimeji! It's so good to hear from you!...Of course you missed a
lot...yes...I really wish you were here...'. the conversation continued.

Mabel had studied Banking and Finance, graduated from one of the best
universities in the country, and now works with a reputable bank in Ibadan,
which came up with the 'Native Language Customer Service Initiative', thus
her native accent was not a barrier, while Dimeji had gone abroad to study
Medicine, and would graduate and be back in Nigeria in the next few months.
She was really glad for Emma; even though she is not where she dreamt to
be, she is where God wanted her to be, and in fact she was glad none of
them lagged behind.

'Small Madam!', Musa, the gatekeeper came running up to Emma with one of
the photographers following behind him, 'I never picture you and me
photo o...', he positioned
himself beside her, assuming a snapping posture.

'Come on get back to your post!', Aunty Nurse threw him a disapproving look.

'No mum', Emma smiled, putting her arm around Musa's shoulders', 'Please
let him be. He is right, I'll need a picture of both of us to remind me of
my mallam friend'.

'Walahi, Small Madam, my head I dey there!', Musa bubbled with joy as he
shinned his stained teeth in anticipation for the snapshot.

'Of course, it's obvious my head is still intact Oga Musa', Emma jested as
she smiled too.

The photographer gestured, notifying them he was through, but Musa
protested.

'Kai! Walahi! Oga foto, I no picture me masamasa! I say I snap me photo,
and fluorescent I no show for me!'.

Everyone in the vicinity burst into laughter. Musa had actually thought he
was deceived, as he had expected a flash when the picture was taken.

'Oga Musa', Emma explained, trying to catch her breath, 'This is a digital
camera, and there is no need for a flash, or fluorescent as you said'. She
paused, trying to read him but Musa wore a blank expression. 'Ok then, you
can go back to your kiosk'.

Musa didn't budge, he just stood there, embarrassed and hurt, as
disappointment drew wrinkles on his seered face.

'Alright', Emma motioned to the photographer, taking the snapping position
again, 'Please snap us one more time, and remember to use the
*fluorescent*', she signaled to him with a wink. The photographer got the
message and flashed his analog camera in their faces.
Amusement gleamed in his eyes as Musa strolled back to the gate, obviously
satisfied.

*********************************************

By 7pm, the ceremony was over and everyone had left. Emma, Mabel and Aunty
Nurse relaxed in the living room, gisting.

'Mom, I'll like to leave with Mabel to Ibadan tomorrow', Emma informed.

Aunty Nurse was perplexed! Emma had told her she would love to set up her
business in Ibadan and live with Mabel, but not that soon.

'If I stayed with you here in Lagos, I won't get serious', she added quickly,
noticing the change in her mother's countenance.

'You didn't tell me you'll be leaving me this soon Enitan', Aunty Nurse
lamented.

Emma bit her lip on hearing Aunty Nurse's protest. She should be over this
by now- she should stop being a mother goose. This woman should start
getting used to not having her around. 'Come on mum, you are married now,
Uncle Dapo is here for you, unless you would like to live with two husbands
in the house', Emma teased, making her laugh.

'Oh, I see', Mabel contributed. 'Well, it's natural for every woman to want
to find her own Dapo too'.

'What?!' May! you are out of your mind, and that's not funny!'' she frowned
as Aunty Nurse continued laughing and Mabel joined her. 'Whoever thinks I'm
going to Ibadan to find any man is making a big mistake! I'm never
going to do that! I'm just twenty-one, and there is time for
everything. Mind you, this
present time is for my career and nothing else'.
This was another problem. Aunty Nurse just hoped the girl wont misplace her
priorities. It seemed she had totally forgotten; that she doesn't have all
the time in the world, that she needs a legacy, and that the said 'time',
for her, is limited. 'Well Enny, just set your priorities right and...'.

'Ok Ok, fine, I've heard you! Happy now?', Emma surrendered, turning to
Mabel, 'May, when is Dimeji returning to the country?', She asked, changing
the subject.

Aunty Nurse shrugged and shook her head. She knew Emma was very clever and
witty, she would not refuse to obey instructions; she would agree with you
and then turn around and do her wish.

-Temi