Dreaming big is an admirable trait. Striving to grow is a great goal. Fighting to succeed is an outstanding quality, and the determination to break barriers and come out of the woods is a survival strategy every human should possess and master.
Nonetheless, as you attain these heights gradually, step by step, let it be your utmost resolve not to become sidetracked and miss out on the force that once drove you.
May you not become so insatiable that your aim for big things goes out of control. May you not allow greed and trends to juice out the sense in your brain and turn you into an empty barrel (isi komkom).
First, I have someone to show you. Do you want to know her name? Take it easy, you will soon find out. Come, follow me. Let’s hear her side of the story.
The story begins
I am tired of being a child. Seeing how everybody touches my head when they talk, I want to grow. I need to start wearing lipstick and mascara. Some eyeshadow, and longer earrings just like Aunty Oma, our neighbour, who is a banker.
Moreso, I want some mature hairdos, high heels, and bone-straight wigs. I am fed up with being referred to as the girl next door. I want to be referred to as a lady. This girl needs to grow.
So, I fast-forward my years, live less in the twelve, and zoom through the thirteen. I embrace fourteen and hasten fifteen. Alas! Welcome, sweetest sixteen. How good it feels to be in you and you in me. So let’s wine and dine, for the fruit is ripe and ready to be devoured. The time has come for ladies’ talks and boyfriend stories. Let’s celebrate and give a big welcome to all-time glory.
At last, sixteen and counting, everything is greener, less stressed, and zero migraines. Time is my next-door neighbour. No pressure, no attacks. My hips form into that lady-like hourglass, and my breasts are pointed and stand like ivory towers. I have got my looks; no acne, no pimples.
Again, I have mastered my walks. The gait is of great poise, my shoulders high, my legs always ahead of each other, awesome cat moves. When I walk, people wonder. When they see me, they whisper, “That girl is a cutie; she is turning into a cookie,” another damsel to grace our parties.
“Not Lizzy, but sweet 16.”
Call her Lizzy. She responds without even a glance. All you hear is “not Lizzy, but sweet 16.” My buttocks are soft; they swing and sway; they clap and drop. It’s my time. Yes, I am a sweet sixteen.
Did I just turn seventeen? No worries, I am in my first year of college. Here comes adventure and enough time to be merry with little or no supervision. Wild parties and nightclubbing, sex experiments, and heartbreak accounts. Did I forget missed periods and flushed babies? It’s our time! Hurray! It’s a lady’s world.
Cheers to eighteen. I am legally recognized. I live my life precisely the way I deem fit. I owe no one an apology or explanation.
In our conversation, Bimpe mentioned that we would turn nineteen in October. Aah! How time flies. Just seven years back, we were twelve and praying for adulthood to envelop us. Well, we are growing.
Hail, dearest twenty, it’s time to be responsible. Adenike just married last week. We are all age mates! I don’t even know why she’s in a hurry; who is pursuing her?
Is this twenty-one? That’s still fair. I am young, promising, and I have a career.
Well, when I travelled to visit Maa. She was glad to see me ‘nwa m etogo’ (my daughter is grown). She asked after Tunji. I told her he was fine and we were cool.
“Since you two are serious about the relationship, don’t say no if he asks for your hand in marriage,” she advised. He is a decent young man with lofty goals. “Oge nwanyi na agakwa aga (a woman’s time is not always on her side)” “Thank you, ma,” I said. I didn’t want to get into an argument. How could I be considering marriage at the age of twenty-one? My life had only just started.
Twenty-two came and left
Then, twenty-two came and left. She didn’t delay. Was she chased? Fast forward to twenty-four. My mummy has been calling, but what for? I just registered for my master’s. I need to secure my grounds, become a CEO, and mummy ma pa mi (mummy don’t kill me).
It’s your birthday, Elizabeth Ukochukwu (Lizzy Chuks on Facebook), and your gracious silver jubilee. Congratulations!
No parties, no cakes, why? Ewo! You broke up with Tunji, after which you gave Eze a chance, and now it’s Yemi. Ahbi, he is gone too?
You’ll always claim that you have your life under control. You have some time left, but is it because of Alhaji? He lavishes you with cash. He treats you as if you are a baby. These young men have no idea how to treat women. They only want to be in charge. Abeg! Nobody should imprison me.
Oh! Is today the 27th?
Oh! Is today the 27th? Wow! Almighty twenty-seven, I think it’s time to settle. I am done exploring. Mama’s calls are becoming incessant: “Eliza, come home; let’s go and see Father Festus.” Believe me, only 20 novenas and men will flood your door. Don’t doubt me. I am your mother. I know better. This is just an attack from your father’s people. But my God is a consuming fire; no daughter of mine will be her father’s wife (Nna ja anu)”.
Emeka and I met when I was twenty-two, but I was so young and he wasn’t my spec. Ajai came at twenty-three, but he was too local, always calling, so clingy, abeg! I didn’t have time.
Meanwhile, don’t forget Ayo, Oko, Ben, and Dan, who were fighting a world war to get her attention, but she wasn’t looking. Her breasts were still standing, her figure top-notch. Nwanne, what is the rush? I will take my time and choose a tall, dark, and handsome God-fearing Yahoo boy. I deserve the best.
Today, she is thirty. Tired of praying, weak from searching, Ogbeni, what changed?
The conclusion
Beauty is a momentary asset; enjoy it, but never forget that it fades. Good things will always come into vogue. Don’t go only where your eyes lead you.
Always better yourself, but don’t become so obsessed that you lose track of time.
Be adventurous, be a goal-getter, but in all things, be the best you can be and always better your best.
Finally, your most significant competitor should not be the latest girl that’s trending with expensive Versace and Louis Vuitton but the girl you were yesterday.
Never forget where you’re coming from.
Wait! Do you still want to read more? Haba mana! You know the rest of the story.
To quote Jessie Reyez, “… legacy should be my focus, not here playin’ wife”
Nice one👌👌