BECOMING GENEVIEVE-Episode 7

                                                                                   Episode 7

“Why is he staring at me like that? I wonder what he is thinking” Genevieve muttered to herself as she stood in a corner and observed as Ebuka Okeke stared at her from across the hall. He was surrounded by Cynthia and her friends. After about thirty minutes, he sauntered towards her.”Oh my God! He is coming over here. Where is Amanda? Why did she leave me alone?”muttered Genevieve as she scanned the hall frantically for her friend. Of course, Amanda being the sociable one of the duo had easily mixed up with the partying crowd as soon as they got there. She had gone round easily greeting and chatting everyone up and had advised Genevieve to do the same before leaving her alone but her natural shyness took over that night so she remained in the same spot preferring to observe the activities in the hall.

“How are you doing babe?”asked Ebuka in a deep and attractive voice as he stopped right in front of Genevieve.”You look exceptionally beautiful tonight. You totally stand out.”He complimented flashing his pearly whites at her. All Genevieve could do was stare at him blankly. The rate of her heartbeat had accelerated. She was sweating profusely on her palms and she had the biggest butterflies in her stomach.”Ebuka Okeke coming all the way to talk to me; calling me babe; giving me a compliment; telling me I look beautiful. I must be in heaven.”She thought to herself.”I…I…I…I….thank you was all the poor and nervous Genevieve could mutter.”What’s that your name again? You are in my class right?”asked Ebuka extending his hand to her for a handshake.”Yes I am in Banking and Finance; Year three. My name is Genevieve Maduka and I know you very well. You are Ebuka Okeke; the class representative of my class and the departmental association’s president.” said Genevieve quickly.”Yes, that’s me so would you like to dance?”Asked Ebuka as the M.C announced that it was dancing time and the D.J turned the music up.”Yes please. I would be honoured” said Genevieve as he took her two hands in his.

As they danced, Genevieve did not fail to notice the looks of raw envy on the faces of Cynthia, her friends and many other girls in the hall. Still, she did not care. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Who knows when she would get this close to her crush again or have this kind of experience again? She would just have to enjoy the night and have the time of her life. That was all that mattered now.

“Tell me about yourself Genevieve. Tell me everything. Who is Genevieve Maduka?”quizzed Ebuka as he and Genevieve sat in his black air-conditioned Toyota Camry. He had managed to convince her to follow him to his car. Of course, the too-excited-at-the-wonderful-opportunity Genevieve did not hesitate at all.”What do you want to know?”asked Genevieve in a flirtatious tone of voice.”Do you mind if we drive down to my house and spend some time alone together?”asked Ebuka flirting back and looking into Genevieve’s eyes.”No I don’t mind at all. In fact, I would be delighted.”She said staring even deeper into his eyes.

………………………………………………TO BE CONTINUED

BECOMING GENEVIEVE-Episode 6

                                                                               

“You have no idea how glad I am that you finally agreed to go with me to the party Genny. I don’t know if I would have been able to go on my own. Maybe I would have gone still but it would have been less fun without you. You know that you are now a big girl. You are 18 years old for crying out loud. It is about time you started dating, going out to parties and maybe even having sex if you want to. A little fun won’t kill.” Amanda blurted as she carefully applied make-up on her pretty face in front of a mirror on the wall.  

“Geez Amanda! That was too blunt. Please don’t corrupt me O.” said Genevieve laughing.” Aha! What did I say now? I am only speaking the truth. You are no longer a child. You need to start doing adult stuff.” said Amanda turning slightly to look at Genevieve. She was dressed in a short black gown on gold high-heeled sandals and gold accessories. She had ditched her signature dreadlocks for a long and shiny human hair weave. The whole outfit had been picked out by Amanda who was the fashion-conscious one of the duo.”You look beautiful. Come and sit down at the mirror so that I can make your face up.” said Amanda excitedly. She was dressed in an even shorter black gown on gold accessories as well. Her weave was a sharp mixture of black and gold and her gold make-up was glaring.

“Babe, we are going to be the cynosure of all eyes tonight. We are going to grab the attention of all the guys at the party tonight.”Amanda said as she excitedly applied foundation on Genevieve’s face.”Take it easy O. Don’t apply too much abeg. I don’t want to show up at the party looking like a masquerade please.” cried Genevieve as she reached for some face-wipes to wipe off some of the make-up.

“Relax jor! What do you know about make-up? I am the fashionista here and not you. Your face has to stand out. It is a night party, remember.” advised Amanda still applying the make-up and pushing Genevieve’s hand away at the same time.”Make sure you have lots of fun and dance with a guy tonight O. Don’t dull yourself.” said Amanda.”I have heard O. Can we go now before we get there late?”said Genevieve as she scanned the room with her eyes for her clutch purse.”Don’t worry; we won’t go late. I am through.”Said Amanda as she picked up a bottle of perfume from a table and sprayed some of it behind her ears, on her wrists and on her clothes before handing it over to Genevieve who did the same.

……………………………………………TO BE CONTINUED

                                                                                  

BECOMING GENEVIEVE-Episode 5

"Genny look!The posters and invitations for the Departmental Night Party are out.We need to go O.We are going to make a statement that night.What am I going to wear?I need to start preparing."Said an excited Amanda shaking Genevieve as they stood in front of the departmental notice board reading some information pasted on it

"Amanda calm down!You are shaking me up too much.You and parties ehn; it is only God and the holy spirit that can deliver you."Said Genevieve teasingly."What are you going to wear to the party Genny?"Quizzed Amanda as they walked out of the department and  towards the cafe."I don't know.I don't think I would go."Replied Genevieve casually.

"Why now?You mean you want me to show up at the party that night all alone?that's not fair now."Grumbled Amanda pouting her lips in protest."Please now Genny sweetheart.It's me your bestie. Go with me to the party now."Pleaded Amanda making a pitiful face at Genevieve.

"You don't have to go alone.You are a fine girl so you can always get a date to the party."Said Genevieve teasingly."Okay,let us get home first then we can talk about it.We are in a public place remember.Also,stop making that babyish face.It does not fit you at all."Said Genevieve pulling Amanda along."Let us go jor. I am hungry."




............................................................................TO BE CONTINUED

BECOMING GENEVIEVE-Episode 4

"Hey fat one."Called a familiar voice.Cynthia and her gang confronted Genevieve and Amanda on their way to the weekly departmental meeting."So you still haven't taken my candid advice and burned down your disgusting fat?My dear,you look so shapeless.Can't you look at me?Look at us."She spited turning around and making a gesture of showing off her slim and elegant stature to the shame of Genevieve.

"Listen stupid bitch!Respect your senseless self.You may be slim and attractive but you are empty.They say only empty vessels make the loudest noises.You are also dumb.Let us check your G.P and check Genevieve's then know what really matters."Replied Amanda in Genevieve's defence.Genevieve looked at her and smiled her appreciation."Let us go Genny."Said Amanda as she grabbed Genevieve's hand and pulled her into the departmental hall where the meeting was going to be held.Cynthia and her exchanged embarrassed glances amongst one another and walked into the hall awkwardly.They knew they had failed this time around.




"Stop giving her the power to always make you feel bad about yourself.You are unique and beautiful just the way God made you.Be strong and confident.Love and accept yourself for who you are.Find the strength to become you.Find that strength to become the Genevieve that you really want to be."Advised Amanda when she and Genevieve got home from school that evening."I know but this is Cynthia Odinaka;the most beautiful girl in school;the most popular babe in school;the richest babe in school;the classiest babe in school;the......................"Praised Genevieve."Ehn!It's enough abeg. Stop praising that stupid girl.She is nothing.I don't care if she is Miss Nigeria or even Miss World.That girl is nasty,mannerless and forget her wealth;she has no class at all.Truly classy people don't put others down to feel good about themselves rather classy people bring others up. Infact I strongly feel that she is very insecure and hates her miserable self.Money is not really everything afterall. Some people can have all the money in the world and still feel sad and lonely on the inside."Replied Amanda completely annoyed.

'Amanda,you are strong O babe."Said Genevieve staring at her slimmer and fairer friend with admiration."I just can't imagine myself replying Cynthia in the manner you did."
"Why?"Quizzed Amanda."Is she God?Is she Her Royal Majesty;the queen of England?Is she the Fist Lady of Nigeria?Who exactly is she?She is human just like you and I.She has feelings and emotions.She eats.She sleeps.She farts.She goes to the toilet.I am sure she even drools and snores in her sleep."Said Amanda gesturing wildly as she talks.
"Oh Amanda,please stop.Do you want my lungs to burst out of laughter.You are very funny.Imagine Cynthia Odinaka farting,drooling and snoring?What a sight!What with all her shakara."Laughed Genevieve.

"Still,you are right.I need to start standing up for myself from now whenever she or anyone else tries to put me down."Said Genevieve determinedly."Now that's my best friend"Said Amanda excitedly giving Genevieve a high five."Please let's forget about Cynthia and her issues.What's for dinner?I am famished."Advised Amanda yawning and rubbing her stomach.




...................................................................TO BE CONTINUED

BECOMING GENEVIEVE-Episode 3

                                                                     

“Genny, wake up!”cried Amanda Cole; Genevieve’s only friend and roommate. She shook her but she did not budge. She then proceeded to pinch her but still got no response. Then she got a cold bottle of water from the fridge and poured some on her face. She slapped her cheeks as she did that; gently first then aggressively when she did not wake up

Genevieve grabbed Amanda’s slim wrists in her fat hands to stop her from slapping her further. ”Ok, I have woken up now. Stop slapping me.”She grumbled. Then she turned over on her stomach and continued sleeping; snoring noisily.

Amanda sat on the bed sighing frustratingly. She looked at her sleeping then got an idea. She grabbed her feet and started scratching under the soles vigorously in an effort to tickle her. She knew that was her weakness and obviously the only last resort. That was it. That did the trick. Genevieve jumped up and pushed her hands away. She sat up on the large matrass lying on the clean purple and pink carpet in their room and frowned at her best friend.”Why did you do that now?”She questioned.

“Look at the time Genevieve. You would be late for lectures. Aren’t you going to school today?”She said pointing at the clock on the purple-painted wall.”No I am not!” Blurted Genevieve. ”Why?” Asked Amanda. ”Don’t you have a test today or something like that?”She quizzed giving her a surprised look.”Genevieve, you love school. If there is anyone that should play truant; it should be me and not you. What is the matter?”

“It’s that wicked witch Cynthia Odinaka. She humiliated me yesterday. I don’t want to have to run into her today again please.”Cried Genevieve and she picked up her Android phone and browsed through her notifications on Facebook.”No!”Blurted Amanda and she grabbed the phone from Genevieve’s hand.

“How can you decide to stay away from school and even forfeit your quiz because of a fellow human being?”Is she not a girl like you? Does she have two heads? That is nonsense Genevieve. You are going to school today. Now get up and go and get ready. We are going together.” Reprimanded Amanda.

“Stop it! Old woman. You sound just like my mother.”Laughed Genevieve. Amanda gave her a look.”Ok ma. I am going. Please don’t beat me.”Begged Genevieve playfully. She got up from the bed and went into the bathroom .

An hour later, Genevieve and Amanda left their off-campus hostel and got a taxi straight to school.

……………………………………………………………….TO BE CONTINUED