INỌ

The annoyingly aggressive knocking on his door awakens him. He sits up from the floor, fully awake, he didn't even want to respond, he just stares into an endless dimension at a corner of the wall as the nonchalant and aggressive knocking increases rapidly. He just didn't wanna... Wait a fucking minute, It could only be one person...

He gets up quickly, enraged, he marches to the door.

"Who?... Why the?... Who be that Okpo?" He opens the door, fists clenched and ready to strike. Chizoba stands there right in front of him and his extended fist unhinged.

"Good morning Ezigbote Nwanne m Nwaoke!" She lowers his fist with her index and middle fingers and proceeds to give him a hug. He doesn't reciprocate. She goes back to her former position, hands behind her back, legs a bit apart, she stares at him eye balls to eye balls, "Kedụ ụzọ (way) gị nụ?" Chịụkwụemeka seems to be staring into her soul, his right eye twitching as he seeks hard to find the right words.

"What do you want?" He manages to ask.

She maintains her smile, she knows he is raging red at her but she also knew her nigga couldn't do shit to her. E get why. She knew for a fact that this particular action was enough to receive a whooping from her big brother in any uncivilized society, good thing they were civilized people. Besides, he had swore never to raise his hand at any Woman just like their Father had taught him. He would always flex about respecting Ladies so Chizoba knew she's gonna get away with this one and continues. "Nwanne m, gini dey happen nu? This is so unlike you, its half past ten am but you're still sleeping, I just came to check up on you." She says with her sweet, innocent and charming yet mischievous and annoying smile, or so it looked to Emeka her elder brother.

Chịụkwụemeka knew his little Sisters a little too well. This level of disturbance had to mean they had something serious to request and with Chizoba leading him to the Breakfast table, it was most certainly a good one. It always meant Uju was the one in the kitchen. He wanted to be mad though because his sleep had just been abruptly interrupted but he just decided to play along. It was always a special something whenever the actual baby of the house was in the kitchen. Besides, not like it's anyone's fault anyways, after watching some Gaddaflips late into the night before, he grew tired but the bed was so uncomfortable. After various twists and turns on the bed trying to find a good spot, the right and comfortable angle to dose off but to no avail, he sought refuge finally, on the bare floor, always super convenient and a lot of good things attached.

"Una no go gree me go baff?" He queries. "Won't you like it if I had a shower?"

"Nwanne, Jilikene nwanyọ ah! Be calming down, She says clenching his palms in hers. He stops thereby causing them both to stop. He stares at her a while.

"Bịa nwata a, this child! Don't you know how old I was when you were born? Ọkwa you no get respect?" She frowns a bit.

"Sorry Nwanne m," She lets go of his hand slowly. He swipes his palm slowly on his hair. He pockets them and rushes down the stairs. She moves slowly behind him.

"There's my baaabbby!" He exclaims as he opens his arms for an embrace and Uju comes running in. He lifts her into the air in an embrace and spins her around a bit.

"Nwanne m Nwọke, good morning." She says hugging him again after he had dropped her. He lowers a bit and plants a kiss on her cheeks.

"Ke ụzọ gị nu Nne m?" He inquires still on his knees.

"I'm fine Nwanne, your night nkọ?" Uju reciprocates.

He glances at an already seated Chizoba. "It would've been fine." She sticks her tongue out to him and he throws her a middle finger right behind Uju's back. "So what's for breakfast? I'm famished." He asks glancing over at the table while rubbing his palms together.

Uju pulls out a chair for him adjacent to Chizoba and as he sits, she responds. "Pancakes, milk and a slice of apple." He laughs out loud.

"Nwa Nnaa, Ọgini bu this? Which kain foreign dish be this one?" He asks. Chizoba makes to hide her laughter.

"See Chi. Stop laughing o, this was your idea." Uju notions.

"Me kwa? Bikokwa aka m ma ụkwụ m adịrọ na ya o. No be dat kain person I be!" She responds immediately, "My hands no dey there, Makachị Nne m!"

"Wait, we're three, why a fourth plate? Is one of the servants coming to sit with us again Chizoba?" Chịụkwụemeka asks.

"No. But if they are, you got a problem with it?" Chizoba replies. He squints his eyes at her visibly offended.

"Chizoba! Chizoba! Chizoba! Your mouth, that scissors in my room." Emeka says as he's seated across the table from her.

"My body, my FUCKING choice..." She replies confidently extending her middle finger in the process, causing Emeka to give her the stare a bit, eyes still squinted.

"Wait, where have I heard that line before?" He asks.

She, on realizing herself replies. "Yes o, I don't know o, I've forgotten. Ok, yes! It's from some early 21st century hate speech slang directed against Women by Men in which the fools called out "Her body, my choice" hate speeches on social media.

"Sick Men." Emeka calls out.

"Indeed. To which the Ladies skillfully turned around to their benefit against the useless Men. They replied. "My Body, My Choice!"

"Gbam! As it should be."

"I love Ladies, I love Mayowa Mami Wata! Men are dumb." Chizoba says.

"Eziokwu. Makachị!" Uju concurs.

Emeka looks at Chizoba in bewilderment. "And you're saying it to me? Like seriously."

"I mean you're a Man you deserve to be insulted some more, that's all you guy..."

"Ngwa Obị Chizoba, jili nwanyọ!" Obianuju interrupts, "The fourth plate is for..."

One of the two doorguards opens up the main door and Uncle Akaji comes through fully kitted with his Igbo tribal regalia. The entire staff who had disappeared being here and there all came out to honor his presence.

"Why does he always do this? Tryna reap where he didn't sow," Chizoba remarks to the hearing of the trio. Chịụkwụemeka throws a murderous glance at her.

"Chi baby be calming down na. He is of course not just only our Uncle but a Father figure to our sibling trio." Uju says trying to pacify the situation. She taps at Chizoba and with her face notions at Chịụkwụemeka's sudden change of demeanor. Chizoba rolls her eyes nonchalantly.

As Chịụkwụemeka stands to go welcome his Uncle. Chizoba says to Obianuju. "Girl, Emeka's just being an ass licker. He's fan boying over the old Man. What a piece of cock." Uju gasps and she hisses.

"Chizoba, na ejị kwa nwanyọ. Be calming down o. May you no enter trouble. Besides all Guys do that shit, always trying to either kill or lick each other's ass to get to the top. Men are dumb you get? We all know that. Just let them be in their folly as long as they ain't in our way."

"Never o! Did our founding parents, the revolutionary voices calm down about the unification of Africa?"

"Ada Ibido kwa!"

"No. Never, they didn't! Though they were calm for a good number of years. It was simply the colonizers and the missionaries' religions, propaganda and indoctrination that was used to convince our Africans that they could endure any form of sufferings, any hardships, and that they could thrive in any economic state.

But with the advent of the awareness on the dangers of religion and politics, emphasis on the dangers of religion, through the social media platforms, books and the mental mobilization of youths across the continent now a country, we're now able to enjoy the Africa you see today. Yes thanks to our founding parents, our founding Mummies and Daddies' generation and the ones before them, Nkrumah, Lumumba, Gaddafi, Sankara, Traore, Mandela, Sekou Toure, Nasser, Njinga, Amanirenas, Nefertite, Cleopatra, Amina, Moremi and Yoko..." Uju yawns loudly.

"Is Chizoba boring you with her vast knowledge of akụkọihemereme (history)?" Uncle Akaji asks as he approaches the table. She yawns again as Chịụkwụemeka pulls out a chair for uncle Akaji to sit.

"Ah ah! Nsogbụ adịrọ. Nne Nne ya, the Mother of her Mom, don't mind them o? They don't know that knowledge is power!" Uncle Akaji says as he extends his palm for a high five.

"And that's on periodt!" She says as she jams his palm with hers. "Good morning Ako."

"Ụtụtụ ọma Nwa m Nwaanyị, kedụ ka ime?

"I'm fine Ako." He nods and turns to Uju.

"Ụtụtụ ọma Ichie." She says. He stares at her coldly a bit.

In a mock voice he responds, "Ụtụtụ ọma Ichie!" Chizoba and Chịụkwụemeka bursts into a self suppressed laughter. They're both cupping their mouths in their palms as they stand up and begin pacing around in suppressed laughter. Chizoba further hitting on Emeka's biceps.

"You want me to greet you or answer your greetings?" He asks with a bass intonation. He chuckles and continues. "What ever you do in this life, never forget that, 'The one who fails to learn from history..."

"...Is definitely doomed to repeat history." Chizoba completes the saying.

"How do you say it... And that's on periodt my princess."

"Clock it!" Chizoba says tapping her index and thumb repeatedly.

"Nne, clock that it ọịsọ." Uncle Akaji says.

"Yes, just like her darling Mom." Chizoba sits with pride as Uju glances at Emeka now sitted adjacent her. He smirks and she pulls out a big laugh.

"Sorry..." Uju says.

"Stop apologizing too much, you're a Girl, a Woman. It makes you look weak." Uncle Akaji comments. Uju nods and he continues as normalcy is now restored.

"So you Girls, you Ladies rather sent for me, why?"

"Oh! I wanted to even ask you sọ why you even came around." Chịụkwụemeka throws in.

"Well, as your legal practitioner and Parent under the law for the mean time, your guardian that is, I suppose I have as equal rights as you to this Ụzọka property amongst other ọrọ nya?"

Chizoba scoffs and under the table, Emeka kicks her on the shin but not faster than Uju who had already stepped on her foot. "Ouuuch!"

"Yes Ichie, you're correct." Chịụkwụemeka replies as if nothing happened.

"Anything the matter Chizoba?" Uncle Akaji asks with concern.

"Nothing o Ichie," She replies.

"Yes Ichie. It's probably just her play with Uju. You know, kids, Ụmụ aka kịta eh! Ha na eme ka ndị ntụ kụ pụ na isi." He replies his Uncle as Chizoba eyes him in the most disrespectful manner she can conjure up.

"Ok Ladies, can you mind telling me why I was invited? Now look, I have a business meeting in Mai-Ndombe in the DRC region of the UMR in two hours. I have a plane to catch and you have fifteen minutes more."

"Ok Ichie. So we want to go to a real school, we're tired of home schooling." Chizoba calls out.

"Yes Uncle Ichie. We want real school education." Uju adds.

He glances at them a long while and then turns to Emeka who avoids his gaze. He turns back to the Girls. "Why?"

"Ichie, we wanna socialize..." Chizoba clarifies.

"No, I know. Your request is a good one. I have no problem or objections with your request. It has long been coming. The Lesson teacher is tested and trusted. I can't fault her now can I?"

"No Ako." Uju says. "She's been awesome."

"Yes Ako, she has been. But we need real Life adventure not being cooped up in the house all day." Chizoba confirms.

"I guess you're both right. It's well deserved."

"Yes Ako." Chizoba says.

"I only have a problem that the alleged Man of the house decided to be incapable!" Chiukwuemeka almost chokes on the piece of pancake he's on. He knew he is being referred to.

"Ichie..."

"Chịụkwụemeka nwa Onyebuchi nwa Uzoka nwa Mgbèké na Ụmụezearoli. Your Father was a leader, he listened to your Mother that's why he was a success he would always say. A great Man, he was, he still is. I can go on and on but no, no time... You should be like your Dad Man! How can you be around and they are seeking Ichie Nnezụrụoke Akaji Onyeọbọdọ nwa Ọsọbọdọ, the Akụnnejịnzụkọndịnna one! Of Abiriba land in Abia province of Biafra, abụ m Nwa (I am the child of) Onyeọbọdọ nwa Abadom nwa Mgbonkwọ nwa Iyom Melunwa of Abiriba land in Abia province, is that clear? No na!" He says glancing around, "It's not proper that I should be disturbed!"

"Never forget, the African person's pride is greater than their achievement." Chizoba says to her self.

"But ọkwa we have let go of pride and Africa is the greatest again?" Uncle Akaji adds much to Chizoba's bewilderment.

"African girls and sense are like five and six." Uju says.

"And that's on periodt betch!" Chizoba replies Uju with a high five.

"Ok, no betching, biching or bitching on my breakfast table. Now! Chịụkwụemeka!"

"Ichie!"

"First of all, anything they want, handle it like the Man of the house that you are, you are greater than them, you are wiser than them, you're a man..."

Chizoba clears her throat." Ichie nneabịa." Chizoba stands up excusing herself. "I'm coming."

"Ebe ka ina eje?" Emeka queries, "Where are you going?"

"Ka mje nyuo amiri." She replies, "Lemme go take a tinkle."

"Why, maka why?"

"Emeka ịna akupuzị na isi? Is something wrong with you?" Uncle Akaji asks.

"No Ichie, ndo! Sorry! Sorry Chizoba."

"Nne m, je nyụpụrụ onweghi amiri o?" She nods in response. As she stands to leave, he continues. "So tomorrow, I'll be sending you a few million Egonne (Afrozx) so you can go change them to Nnefes and make sure them both are in school ok Chịụkwụemeka?"

"Yes Ichie. You know I had actually just said that I'll wait on you..."

"Don't wait on me for anything. Yes I'll be here to guide you but make your own mistakes, take your corrections and win. You're just 19 hypothetically speaking, logically you're 20 and that's the first stage of making mistakes and receiving corrections, you learn, and you win. When you get to my age, experience is at its peak and your fame too and wisdom."

Chịụkwụemeka rests his back on the backrest and shuts his eyes for a while.

He glances at the Boy by his side, at the Girl on his other side and the other coming back from the visitors' restroom. "If I don't leave now, I'll be fifteen off the clock. Have a nice day, thanks for the pancakes. Of course, they hit a spot." He belches loudly, "Excuse me guys." As he stands up he adds, "Chịụkwụemeka nwa Adamma nya na Onyebuchi, you're logically twenty, meaning you're an adult, so act like one... That proves you're better than your sisters who are Girls," And with that he takes his leave, Chịụkwụemeka stands to escort him out. Chizoba scoffs again. Uju gives Uncle Akaji the stares but says nothing. Chizoba makes to want to say something but Uju gives her a pleading stare. Chi reads her lips. 'Let the sleeping donkeys lie.'

"Nne, anyị emego ya (Babe, we've done it,) that your plan nice sọ." Uju compliments her Sister as she arrives down the stairs.

"Ichie na gboo o!" They chorus after him. He turns back and waves them a goodbye and continues on his way.

"So what happened na?" Chizoba inquires.

"Chi, he told Nwanne that he'll send him some money dọ na nde (in the millions) so he can enroll us in school tomorrow." Uju exclaims excitedly jumping around Chizoba , hugging and touching her.

Chizoba smiles and remains still. "Emeka should be in charge of the family wealth to be honest. Not for anything o but just because he's older than us, forget him being a Guy, Men no get sense normally, we know that. But seriously why's an outsider handling our family wealth like this? Family friend my left butt cheek." She says.

"Sis, catch a break, give it a rest ah!" Chizoba shakes at her. Uju continues either ways. "We're off to a real school, babe and that's all that matters right now." Chizoba smiles half-heartedly and they begin to pack up the plates on the table to hand over to the maids. Chịụkwụemeka always told them to wait for the maids to do their job but they actually really loved doing shii by themselves.

"Fast before Emeka comes back o," Chizoba adds.

"Ọkwanya? Before he fires one of these maids again," Uju adds.

"Nya, emesianu (So, Las Las), which school nu?" Chi inquires.

"Ah, you don forget?" Uju asks as they hand the plate to one of the maids at the kitchen entrance.

"Okaaaaay, African Savannah high school, Awka, right?"

"Yes, formerly British Spring college." Uju says to Chizoba who smiles broadly.

"I love the Motherland!" She says to Uju and exclaims, "The Union of the Motherland Republics, Usoro ụmụ Anịọha Anịnne. My Africa! Anịnne m!"

"Ka nchalụghị kịta! May I comot go one side before you quiz me some new history now... For some reason..."

Chizoba pulls out her phone, "Nooo, it's just that Akwụkwọ Osagyefo nọ na Sankara (A segment of the UMR journalism block based in Sankara) put out this Morning that Ụnọ Lumumba (The UMR Parliament) announced that the reshuffling of the UMR parliament will be in a few days."

"What the hell is that one about?" Uju asks.

"Girl, are you even a citizen?"

"E no really concern me. I'm just happy that the UMR is functioning properly without interferences from outside organizations in the name of investors, missionaries or foreign aids." Uju says.

Chizoba nudges at her biceps. "Look who's learning from her big Sister," She exclaims with a chuckle. Uju stares at her a while and she continues. "Ah, why are you looking at me like that. Ngwa, wait, sorry, we're age mates."

"Akịkọ! As how nu? Me wey commot outside before you." Uju replies.

"Oooook, if it's like that then my Leg came out first, the doctors tied my leg with a white rope, you know that na? Nne anyị ọzọ (Aunty) Oluebubendinanne, that idiot Man's beautiful wife verified it, she was there."

"Leave our sweet Ebube Nne anyị ọzọ (Aunty Ebube) out of this. I still came out first..."

"I introduced the world to you..." Chizoba retaliates.

"Nope, you saw the world and went to hide for months on months... Coward!" Uju says.

"You stayed in the incubator for months but I'm supposed to be the weakling?" Chizoba retaliates.

"Instead of you to be thanking me every day for waiting for you like a good Big Sister, Wicked girl." Uju says sitting on the stairs.

"Taa! Big Sister my black ass. My one leg came out first ọịsọ, I'm older than you."

"My entire body came out before your own. Your one leg may be older than me, but my entire body is older than you."

"That may be the case, but it doesn't matter because you went back to hide for a few more months." Uju counters.

"You're drifting from the point, we were talking about the Motherland." Chizoba says.

"See you, you don accept the defeat." Uju exclaims in laughter.

"Ujunwa, you sọ rest okpo!"

"Oooooo, sorry, I have heard you. So, It's common knowledge. And we only have our founding parents to thank, the Ancestors, our fallen but eternal heroes!"

"No cap, you're so for real right now but I'm still going to explain to you how Sankara and the parliament works." Uju covers her ears, stands up and begins running up the stairs as Chizoba loud and explanatory races after her spitting facts.

"Nne bikozienụ! Leave me the hell alone..."

"No, you must learn. You can't be my Sister, my bestie, my partner in crime and not know what I know..."

"Chọ chọ chọ chọ chọ..." Uju keeps running up the stairs with both her index fingers in both ears. She's making the sound to block out her Sister's voice but she forgets that they Ladies are the loudest beings in the Galaxy. It's a good thing because one can hear them scream from miles away.

"Chi, please now, ayịyọ ka nnayọ gị, na beg I dey beg you, I beg of you..."

"No Obianuju, you must learn!"

"Chai, anwụanalụ m le o! (y'all, I don die o!)..."

"Nooooo, not before you finish listening." Uju quickly runs into the semi open room and shuts Chizoba outside.

"Chizoba, mmeeegị!" She mock her Sister, "You can educate the spirits of the woods there, okpo!"

"Ọkwa Nne anyị don save you from this one? No fear, next time still dey. Ọkwa na me and you get room? You go still mechaa (Las Las) open am nu."

"Taa! Get out! Waa ebea biko!" Uju exclaims from the other side.

"No nsogbụ nu, one nought gị..." Chizoba says moving to another room.

"Taa! Waa ebea ọịsọ!" Uju exclaims proudly.

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