Uncle Uchenna, aunty Chioma, and brother Kosi should have been in school that day. I made sure to tell my mummy to invite them. But while I was on stage reciting the Head boy's welcome address that I spent an entire week memorizing, they were still absent. 

And throughout the event I waited for their arrival, looking deep into the crowd at almost every moment. While the nursery 2 class were singing their welcome song and while the basic 3 and basic 4 classes were presenting a debate and even while the PTA chairman said the closing prayer I still stared into the crowd, hoping I would sight aunty Chioma smiling in her usual manner showcasing her gap teeth, or Brother Kosi giving me a thumbs up from somewhere right behind the attendees, or maybe Uncle Uchenna sitting at the front row, telling the uninterested parents that I was his nephew, but I didn't. So when the event was over and the many parents and teachers were patting me on the head for being the best graduating student, I remained indifferent and couldn't care any less, I was just so angry and sad and embittered. Every single effort I made as regards to this event was because of a set of people that didn't show up.

Later that night I asked mummy why they all decided not to come, and her response was shocking, and heart wrenching. She forgot to inform them!, and she made the statement so effortlessly and care freely, as though she didn't realize the weight of her words, or the weight of her forgetting. My young heart shattered. I wanted to run away to the small garden behind our house and kick the tall orange tree there non-stop, or throw stones into our neighbours house - although mummy had warned me not to -, but I didn't' do any. Instead, I entered my room and closed the door with a loud bang!.