BILIKI

During my later years in Primary school towards my years into high school I can remember I scarcely had a school bag and if I eventually had...there was always a story that will accomplice my bags. I will start from telling you about my school bag and the event that surrounded it and lesson learnt from it while I was in primary four.

I was nine years old while I was in primary four and it was stage of my life that encountered a sudden change as I and my elder brother who was a year older than I was were taking to the boarding school. Oh I remember my first night in the dormitory, I cried my eyes out..it was the first time of my life I ever slept without my mum. I doubted if I was going to see the light of another day 😊 of which I did. All glory to God. The separation anxiety realisation from my mum (story for another day.).

I braced up and faced the reality of my new school in the interior of Ikenne remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. My new primary school was a wierd one as all my Juniors were far older than me age wise and I had to call them *Auntie* and my seniors could pass for *mummies* no exaggeration at all...am talking of an eighteen years old in Primary five and their likes.

Since no man is an island , I had to make friends and unfortunately friends that came my way was one of a kind. I met Yinka who introduced me to Biliki. I wish Yinka never had to introduce me to her because she was nothing but a nightmare . So the friendship started not a cordial one at all , Biliki came up with a silly idea that we should bring our provisions together and that the three of us would share anytime we want to eat. We agreed to her terms and conditions. Her hostel was upstairs while I and Yinka were downstairs, so for anything as little as toothpaste we have to go to her upstairs but we always met one story that touches the heart or another. Biliki was a serious and intentional bully and was very good at what she does. She didn't have a school bag and I did...she took my school from me and I couldn't decline. The school bag was very precious to me, I don't know how she did it but made us believe that school bag shouldn't be for me and I was cool with carrying  my books on my hand. Biliki turned herself to a diva...she was older and also bed wet while we did the spreading of the bed for her. I don't know what she did to us but I stopped feeling good about myself and felt every goodies should be for Biliki....it was a traumatizing experienced as I became so fearful of Biliki she will cheat at various occasion especially with our provisions leaving us with stories that it was stolen. 

Like the prodigal son , one day I came to my senses...when I saw the stress of carrying books on my hand while I had a bag...I saw the stupidity of having provisions and going hungry while I had my own provision in the hands of a bully....I remembered that in my previous school ...no one cares me as little as we all were then...so what happened to me I questioned myself...so what if she is older than I am ....am not doing this again....I am taking what belongs to me...Biliki will cheat me no more.

Some students/pupils that have been observing my relationship with  Biliki reported me to my brother but there was little or nothing Femi could do .

So one day I made up my mind that I will no longer be a toy in Biliki's hand...I told Yinka about it ...she chickened out that BILIKI can fight and that she will beat us....Bible says while we were yet sinners Christ died for us ..

Because I know He gave me the boldness ...So I took the step and told some few good aunties around and they said they will follow me but I have to say what I have to say to her with my own mouth....

It was difficult one for me but I moved ....for every step I took my heart will race...but I didn't stop. Alas!!! I was right in front of the dreaded BILIKI with the three aunties that followed me....she looked surprised...she wanted to talk...I said in Yoruba...mi o Fe gbo nkan nkan ba mi gbe Bag mi ati gbogbo provisions mi.....(I don't want to hear anything hand over my bag and my  provisions to me)she looked at me with the look of are you high? I stared at her and told her in my little girls parlance then that I am done with the friendship and all. She saw the seriousness in my eyes and voice and the aunties that followed me re echoed what I said to her clapping on her and booing her....she instantly did as I requested....

Watch out for the concluding part and the morale of the story.

Thanks for reading.

Olamiju Olajumoke.