Evergreen Emerald (Episode 3) BY VICKYBON

Etini was surprise when Kokomma told her that her parents didn’t bicker or talk her down for coming home late that day.

“I simply told them that I went to see my school mate.”

“And they didn’t ask you to take them to your schoolmate’s house to prove?” Etini asked in amazement.

“No. My parents are not like that. They trust and believe me.”

Etini was under house arrest for four days before her mother could let her attend choir rehearsals. She had reluctantly granted her permission to go for the rehearsals because Kokomma had come to call her.

“You people should hurry and come back o.” Her mother said.

As Etini walked along with Kokomma, she felt relieved and happy that she could feel the sunlight touch her skin.

“I didn’t tell you why pastor Jerry and I broke up.” Kokomma broke the silence, after a long walk. Etini found the topic of the conversation unnecessary, but gaze lingered in Kokomma’s mouth. “Why?” She asked.

“I caught him having sex with one of our choir members. You should know her, Judith. That tall, dark Judith that has a long butt.”

“_What? And he calls himself a pastor!”

“The only reason I didn’t report them to senior pastor was because he’d already had something to do with me. And I would have been exposed alongside too.”

Etini nodded to every conversation Kokomma shared with her.

Kokomma laughed about the size of Etini’s hair.

“This low cut fits you, but your head is too small.” Etini shook her head and smiled. She had not told her that her mother shaved it while she was asleep
Kokomma talked about her Virginity .

“When will you think of having sex?” Etini looked at her in amazement.

“Why the hard stare? You should think of having sex as soon as possible. You know we girls. I heard that women who marry as virgins usually have complications during childbirth.”

“It’s not true. My mother married my father as a virgin.” Etini retorted.

Kokomma laughed mockingly. “Where you there, or you just heard?” She asked playfully. “That is how my own mother lied about passing all her exams in high school and graduating with a first class upper, yet she ended up becoming a common civil servant, who works and earns peanuts from civil service.”

Etini giggled. “Maybe your mother wants to be a simple civil servant. You can’t say she is lying. Kokomma smiled and said, “I hear you. If she passed with such grades, she would have been a permanent Secretary or even sef, a head of department at work. Not a typist.”

Etini raised her eye brow, she could not help but smile at Kokomma’s words.

As they approached the compound, they could hear boisterous laughter and exciting noise from the main gate. It was a charming old place that was built by old missionaries. Each apartment had the typical structure of a British home.

Etini held Kokomma hands and walked hastily, almost running.

“What happened?” Kokomma asked a boy standing in the crowd of other young boys . “The list for the students admitted in the Snata theological is out.” The boy said and walked back into the crowd.

“Is my name there?” Kokomma asked anxiously.

“I don’t know. Go check the chapel.” The boy said.

The two girls ran helter skelter toward their different houses. Etini was breathing fast as she approached her house and saw her parents sitting on the verandah. She paused when she got to them.

“I heard the Snata’s theological school list is out mama…” She said, breathing heavily.

Her mother looked at her meanly, while her father’s eyes were still placed on the newspaper he was carrying.

“Your name is number seven on the list…” Her mother said.

Etini jumped up and ran to her mother, hugging and kissing her on the cheeks.

“What are you excited about?” Her mother asked rudely.

“I am going to Snata!”

“You’re going to snata enh? Is it not your mate that was number one and two on that list? Do they have five heads, or is it that the parents who bore them are superhumans?” Her mother asked.

“But I tried mama. I didn’t prepare for the exams, I would have done better.” Etini said innocently. She felt disappointed that her parents didn’t congratulate her for at least making it to the first list. She looked sad, as she walked passed to her room.

The fact that her name was on the list gladdened her heart. She’d wanted to know if Kokomma’s name was out too.

Moments later, she could hear Kokomma’s loud voice, shouting excitedly. “I am going to Snata!” She said.

“What number are you on the list?” Etini asked.

“Number thirty Three. My mother is making jollof rice, moimoi and fried beef to celebrate this. I am so happy.” Kokomma said delightedly. Etini gave a soft shy smile and said, “I am happy we made it.”

“Thanks to you. If not that the supervisor had changed our seats, I would have at least made it among top ten. You helped me so much.” Kokomma said as she hugged Etini again. They both laughed. Etini’s laugh was more sincere and real; and she felt good for a moment that someone was happy for her.

That night, before she went to sleep, she’d made list of the things she would be needing in school, including books. She placed the list in the center of her bible and prayed to God that her mother won’t be angry with her anymore.

She couldn’t sleep that night, all she thought about was Snata theological school.