Ike's New Word

Ike had just come back from school 

He has been excited about primary five since his father agreed he was going to allow him write the common Entrance in primary five 

Ike couldn't wait to join his cousins who always came home to tell him about boarding schools in town 

College of Immaculate conception 

The best school in the City 

Every boys dream was to school in C.I.C 

Ike heard tales of 'Semepe Fidelis' and H.R.C girls 

Football matches, 27th May and Inter-house sports competition 

He couldn't wait to leave the village 

He was so keen to learn 

Ike came home excited about a new word he learnt from school that day 

Running through the sitting room throwing his bag on the couch 

He didn't mind that his torn shorts were showing his white under pant. His mother promised to sew a new uniform for him this term before her 'shed' at the Eke market got torn down by the local government authorities who said they wanted to build a good road since six months ago, with no evidence that a road was being planned at all. Ike had to wait until his mom gets a new store before he gets his uniform, so for the time being, he uses his bag to cover the torn part of his shorts when going and coming back from school. 

"Mama mama, I learnt a new word today" 

Ike knew his mom wasn't home, he was calling out for his grand ma 

He calls his mother 'moomii' 

His grand ma was at the back yard peel yam so she can make food before his son and the wife comes home. 

Ike's father had invited his mom to come stay with them since she started falling ill frequently, so she won't be stressed, but Nnee Aladimma Ike's Grand mom even at her poor health state won't stop working, she enjoys working and even if it kills her, she can't stay idle. 

"Slow down boy before this cocoyam touches your body, it will itch you" 

"Mama I know" Ike continued "I learnt a new word today in school, they say it's the longest word ever" 

"What word is that my son?" his grand ma inquired 

"Antimonopologeographysicationalism" 

"Supuu" Ike's grandma exclaimed (meaning 'speak on') 

"Say it Mama" Ike urged his grand ma laughing at the look on her face with amazement 

Ike's Grandma couldn't finish standard 2, she concluded that Education wasn't for her, that she will stick to farming just like her parents. She couldn't pronounce a word in English and she wasn't going to try. 

"Don't worry your father will soon come back so two of you will Supuu Bekee" 

Ike's father was the head master of the primary school in the neighboring village, when school dismisses by 1pm, he rides for an hour with his bicycle before he gets home, but today he left before dismissal because he wanted to come home fast and prepare for the visit of his inlaws who were coming in the Evening. 

"What are you stressing my mother with this afternoon boy?" Ike's father asked walking from behind him 

Turning around to his father home this early, Ike ran and hugged him, so little he could only hug his father's leg, looking up to him 

"Daadii, I learnt a new word" 

Nnee Aladimma burst into laughter 

"Is it the word that is making you laugh?" 

"No o, your son's shorts" she continued laughing "it reminds me of when you were his age" 

"Ok mama don't go into that now" Ike's father don't like when his mom talked about his childhood in front of his children, they will always laugh at him. 

"Which word is that my son, don't mind your grand ma" 

Ike still smiling "Antimonopologeographysicationalism" 

Ike's father was puzzled, he didn't know how to react 

"Which teacher taught you such word?" 

"Not a teacher daadiii, it's Eddie" 

"Which Eddie? The Eddie I know?" 

"Yes Daadii" 

Eddie was the most stubborn boy in the village, he kept failing and repeating primary 5 while his mates were already in secondary schools. Eddie was the only boy in the village who didn't want to go to C.I.C. 

He wanted to attend G.T.C because he heard rumours of how G.T.C students were allowed to mold local guns in school. 

"Eddie? That's who taught you that word?" 

"Yes daadii" Ike knew he was already in trouble 

He had always been warned to stay away from bad boys, his father being a head master was a disciplinarian too.