My bunky

I have always said that a person's birthday is the day they are supposed to be remembered and celebrated even if they aren't remembered on other days. So here it goes: ​Its impossible for me to complete the tales of my days at Feddy Onitsha without mentioning her. Infact I can't even forget it neither in my dreams nor imagination, talk more of in reality. I could probably write a book if ever I start going into details, my experience with her. I remember vividly the day I was assigned to be her bunkmate. As usual, I came back early, enthusiastic "aspa" jss2 girl, eager to have the new students, I was even angry because of the re-arrangement of the hostels making it Junior and Senior hostels when I walked up to her partners and her with my brother and she told me that I was in Jasmine...Then I was given the bunk A2, as I was still contemplating who I was going to "mount", our house cap shouted her name "Odera, see your bunky here oo", Gosh, my heartbeat skipped much more than I can remember. Different thoughts were running in my mind, you are to serve the headgirl, you will be ironing beaucoup clothes(when I don't even know how to make use of charcoal iron), you will fetch and fetch, you will bring out food, you will be arranging macho wardrobe, you will wash cloths etc and my mates didn't even help matters. They'd be like, "Anikwenze, who is your bunky"  and if I replied, they will just say "Heiyaa, sorry oo, you will suffer oo", "Kai, s.p", the good ones will manage and say that "She is a good person shaa", all the while instilling fear and uncertainty in me. Of course, I never let it show determined to enjoy my stay as 'Sir's bunky"

Infact, to minimize the long story, I really enjoyed my time with her. If ever I was told to go back to that time again, I would probably do that. I was like a chick while she was the 'mother hen', the things I dreaded on my first day slowly diminished cos she never let me iron her clothes, rather she irons mine like thrice a week, I don't even bother bringing out food(amakwanum ihe a na-ako), just wait for the day she enters dining to pass her plate, then sit patiently for her to call me up on stage to add more food to my plate, washing of clothes hahaha, she washed mine instead, she helped me improve on wardrobe arrangement which really helped me a lot in senior class...especially in ss3, about the fetching part.. I guess I was really a good fetcher but I remember the few times she came down to reservoir to 'chance', Omo, it was as if the students divided into two parts like the red sea and she was walking majestically through it with me in tow... She didn't even make any sound, they just made the path for her once they saw her. Kai, My head was swelling, almost busting... 😂😂... 

If I should talk about her duties, anyone that started jss1 with me will surely agree that she is the best best best headgirl we've had, Just her presence is enough to calm the whole dining cos you wont dare to allow her to deck you, even her style of doing it was always remembered whenever her name was mentioned years after she left (I made sure to say 'thats my bunky' whenever it was mentioned), her voice is commanding and she has a melodious alto voice, and her step portrays authority and elegance,  She always stood out, always wore her "Jasmine daywear". It should also be noted that despite all her decking, she was never hated, rather we were filled with admiration and respect for her. I always looked up to her a lot,  that my classmates would always be like "Kwekwe, you are walking like your bunky oo" I always felt proud. I almost forgot about the nick which literally took my name, then they'd say to me "Kwekwe, Sir Keke's bunky", and thats what they eventually continued calling me, both my seniors and mates till my graduation. 

Her spiritual life nko, she is really devoted to God and it shows in all aspect of her life... Her dressing, her speech,  her character, attitude towards people. Back then, she'd always be singing worship songs when doing things. She would remind me of praying, morality and discipline. I always take heed to what she says that even after her graduation, I always seek her when am confused over the right decision to make. Even when I wanted to vye for prefectship, I sought her advice and she encouraged me and I thank God I didn't disappoint... 

I respect her a lot back then and even now, to the extent that I rarely called her bunky, with the thought that 'Senior Odera' was better (it was when she graduated that I actually started calling her bunky), never brought my friends because 1: they wouldnt even come because they respected her, well 2: they would probably scatter my corner so I just told them that my bunky does not accept visitors except her friends and fams... Though I told her that they wont come because I had few friends (bunky gbagharam oo) 

I know I've always been meticulous but she made me improve on it, she'd be like "Bunky fill that water to the brim" or she does it herself, I hated it at first but I soon came to like it, or she would say "Bunky straighten the bedsheet well",  "Tuck all the parts in", "Bunky, Arrange this wardrobe well, its not all in order", "Bunky, after arranging the clothes, you set the hanger before cpvering it", "Bunky you didn't arrange the hangers under the bed", "Bunky, these buckets of water are not arranged under the bunk, bend down and do it", "Bunky, why is sand under the buckets, I dont want to see it again" and so on. The good part is that it made me more careful considering the training she and my family gave me, The better part is that she says it in calm authoritative voice, so gentle and harsh at the same time. It even got to an extent when I looked forward to hearing her correction and the best part is that she never thrashed me because of these clumsy mistakes... I was just her lil'sister... 

I remember your encounter with Mrs. Nzerem on stage, I cried on assembly that day. I was even waiting for transfer-of-aggression after school cos I didn't even get her food, but she just laughed and brushed it aside. I am forever grateful to have been your bunkmate. Oops..I've even forgotten that this is not my private diary... So I gotta stop here... 

Today is her birthday so I definately cant forget to wish her a splendid and well fufilled birthday. 

Words are so not enough to describe my wishes for you but I pray for God's grace which covers all gifts to be unlimited in your life. You deserve the best cos you are a jewel, a rare gem, a diamond... 

Happy birthday bunky

Age gracefully