Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Uyai had been learning how to sew with Mrs. Chance apprentices who encouraged her and found that she had a natural talent for fashion and style. Unknowing to her her sister Affiong was now a professional hairdresser. She'd been learning with Mrs. Ekpenyong while Uyai was away at the studio. She was so adapt at it that often women who frequented Mrs. Ekpenyong's salon had also requested for her magic hand, so she heard, drawing in more customers than before.

Mrs. Ekpenyong saw the need for Uyai to learn a skill. Modeling for her was not a long term job and certainly not a skill that will pay in the long run. Uyai saw sense in it and agreed immediately and now she found herself sketching out designs that were vogue worthy according to Mrs. Chance. In a week time she had learnt what other apprentices could not. One of her designs; a peach coloured ankle length dress with a slit on the side, a cape like lacy material hung around the bust line falling over the shoulders; it was a handless gown and was beautified with stones making it sparkle under light. It was being modelled for a shoot and the wearer was non other than Isabelle who flaunted it seductively unbeknownst to her that the designer was Uyai, the girl her snide looks had been reserved for.

"Uyai come here." Mrs. Chance motioned her forward to where she and Mr. Ken stood; His arms were folded, his stance intimidating and his expression as usual blank.

"Isabelle, postpone that for now and come here. You too Catherine." she called out to them.

They both sashayed with additional taunt in the sway of their hips as if trying to provoke someone and that someone might be her? Their disdain was becoming more obvious as the days passed.

Uyai shook her head to quell the thoughts of their sudden dislike especially Catherine the last person she expected to look at her with contempt.

"Now that you're all here, we need to have a meeting, so come with me to my office. Mr. Ken?" she averted her to Mr. Ken who nodded stiffly.

Together they quietly sauntered to Mrs. Chance office while passing the now lit corridor, the sound of their shoe heels deafening the silence.

Mrs. Chance and Mr. Ken took to their seats and faced them squarely. They weren't given permission to seat, so they didn't but stood with hands behind their backs like children expecting a scolding.

"Seat." Mrs. Chance gestured to the sofa opposite her and willingly they obeyed.

"You should suspect why I called you correct?" She placed her hand on the mahogany table that had on them neatly arranged folders and a flower vase that held artificial flowers. Her eyes roamed their faces as if expecting a response.

They nodded in unison.

"Well this is just to inform us formally that we'll be heading for camp on Thursday at the Ivory Resort in Abuja. Since it's Monday, we have just two days to be ready for this trip; I had mentioned this before hand so I expect a level of preparedness and I hope you're psyched up for this trip 'cause it's going to be a life changing experience for you. Before I proceed further, any question?" she paused

Uyai and the rest shared a look and then returned their gaze to Mrs. Chance.

"No questions then I presume." She swiveled her gaze to Mr. Ken. "Mr. Ken do you have something to say?"

"In fact I do." he breathed, then continued " remember this is a competition. The moment you arrive at the camp your competition begins. The list of items prepared for you are expected to be carried along." he said referring to the long drafted list of items they'd earlier distributed to the three of them. "It is important that you don't miss out anything. And also note for future reference, every contestant you meet is a rival, only don't let it show, always, note, always keep a friendly smile. This is about the survival of the fittest." He warned

"I'll like to add." Mrs. Chance spoke up arresting their attention. "As your manager, I advise each one of you to support each other no matter what. You three have to stick close to ensure there's enough leverage for success. What I mean to say is that you help yourselves to the top even if it's the top five. I hope I'm making myself clear?"

"Yes." they murmured a reply.

"And... Before we dismiss you. I'll like to clear up a few things." Mr. Ken spoke up, they all looked his way only to meet his hard eyes. "I hope to stand corrected but I've noticed a level of animosity between the three of you and it's mostly aimed at one person and I'm not sure the reason for such hostility amongst co workers, so correct me if I'm wrong but am I?" he daringly cocked his brows while he searched their faces.

Uyai felt like folding herself in a corner and just hide. She was so embarrassed that it showed on her face. Isabelle and Catherine shared uneasy looks and deftly spared Uyai guilty glances. Uyai didn't see it for her eyes were downcast.

"Good that you mentioned it. I was beginning to think I was the only one who noticed it." Mrs. Chance shook her head, a disappointed look etched on her face as she looked at the girls; her lips had stretched to a thin line and her hands had left the table and was now folded angrily beneath her breasts. You're quite observant Mr. Ken." she commended with a slight nod in his direction "Now is there any valid explanation for your unbecoming behaviour?" she demanded hotly reverting her full attention to the girls.

They all kept mute as they fidgeted.

"I do not understand why that has to be so but whatever issues you three have, fix it! Unless there'll be repercussions I promise you." she warned. "You're dismissed." she waved with a piqued look.

After they had left Mrs. Chance office, each of them scurried off in different directions. Nobody waited to apologize to any one and certainly their hostility was not lost. Uyai still had herself two enemies; she knew she was in for a hard time so she consoled herself with the fact that she was no stranger to hard times and fortunately she was made of harder stuffs so surely she would pull through.

Later in the afternoon, Mr and Mrs. Ekpenyong together with Peter, Affiong and Uyai sat in the living room discussing Uyai's trip to Abuja.

Mrs. Ekpenyong still was not in support of her participation in the contest and always found reasons to protest and Uyai hated to admit, but the odds were against her.

"Uyai do you have the necessary qualifications for this contest?" Mr. Ekpenyong asked calmly.

Uyai shrugged uneasily, "Mrs. Chance said that I do." it was the only answer she could give.

"I'm afraid to ask but do you know the necessary qualifications required for such a contest?"

"I-I have an idea?" she stumbled a reply although it came out as a question.

Mr. Ekpenyong shared a look with his wife causing Uyai to grow wary with worry.

"Dad, mom, let her be. She doesn't have to win the contest. The important thing is experience." Peter said understanding that the odds were not in her favour.

Affiong's mind was not with them for she was so engrossed in the book she was reading; a book about child bearing.

"The question we should be asking her is if she's ready." he told his parents, then at once turned to her with questioning brows "Are you ready?" Uyai was about to respond when he asked a follow up question that brought her prepared speech to a halt and think for the first time "Do you think you have what it takes to fully partake in this contest without a reasonable doubt?"

It was then, Uyai struggled with words. Her mouth closed and opened for a while but no sound was emitted.

Peter who had asked the question now stared at her doubtfully as she still couldn't produce an answer. He was beginning to agree with his parents.

Uyai was not ready.

"I-I-" she stuttered. "Honestly," she breathed,

"That'll be much appreciated." Peter chimed in.

"I think it's inappropriate for me to think I have all it takes without," she enunciated "a reasonable doubt to partake in this contest. I-I don't think it's right to be too confident." She told them with as much confidence she could muster.

Peter furrowed his brows and shot her a skeptical look, "I hate to disprove what you said, but I think confidence is a key trait to any beauty contest, so you have to be confident in your ability to win if not you might feel inferior and end up with low self esteem." he announced squarely. "and I might add, your rivals will try to intimidate you if they figure out that you're not confident."

Uyai frowned inconspicuously. Peter was right. She was not so sure anymore. Should she go or should she not? She warred with her mind; her thoughts in turmoil.

While she debated with her inner thoughts a knock resounded. It came from the door.

"Uyai get the door." Uyai arose from the sofa and went to the door. As she pulled it open, the sight that greeted her sent chills as well as made her feel faint.

"Uyai?" dual voices spoke at once. Both with surprise lacing their tone.

"Mama, Papa? Grandmother?" she said not believing her eyes. She clamped her eyes shut thinking they were apparitions that suddenly appeared. She must have missed them so much that she was imagining them standing by the door.

Tentatively she pried her eyes open only to meet squarely the vision of her parents who looked at her like they were seeing her for the first time.

She looked at them, really looked at them, They were impeccably dressed; both mother and grandmother wore a lace blouse, grandmother had on a purple coloured one while mother wore a pink. They paired it off with an ankara sarong which they had tied twice about their waists. Beads adorned their necks and wrists and their feet were clad in a black ballet flats. She moved her eyes to her father who seemed to have lost a few pounds but still looking great with a caftan made with an ankara material. Their dressing screamed money; money people like them had never been opportune to have. What had happened while they'd been away?

"What has happened to you?" Her father asked. His gaze perusing as he looked her over, examining every inch from the long braids she had on her head, to her dressing most especially. She knew she looked different, way... different from the last time they saw her.

"Er..." was that a question that demanded an answer? Uyai mentally thought.

"Uyai who is at the door? Can't they come in?" Mrs. Ekpenyong's voice echoed from the sitting room.

Uyai's eyes widened coming to the realization that she had kept her parents standing by the door. With a little bow, she stepped aside making way for them to enter the house. She saw father spun to grandmother and whisper something to her. Grandmother nodded. Father seemed satisfied with her answer and looked her way. Uyai looked away shyly only meet mother's eyes which were still round with disbelieve.

Uyai sighed with understanding and turned to lead them to the sitting room where Mr. and Mrs. Ekpenyong sat waiting.

Once their profiles came into view. Mr and Mrs. Ekpenyong jerked to a stand. They didn't look surprised by their guests instead they looked like they've been expecting them. Peter followed his parents move albeit confused and turned to look at the their guests.

Affiong who heard movements, peeled her eyes away from the book to look up at the guests that had just arrived.

Her face paled and her mouth gaped open. Was she dreaming?

She stood up as well, slowly without letting her eyes leave them afraid they'll disappear if she does.

"Mama, Papa, Mma?" she rushed out.

"Affiong!"

"My daughter is that you?"

"Your pregnancy, it has grown."

Affiong ran to the first person she could think of, her father and immediately engulfed him in a hug. "Papa you came." she cried, her voice cracked with emotion as she pressed her face to his chest and inhaling his familiar scent. Startled but pleased he returned her hug, giving her a light squeeze, his concern on the large bump she carried. He pushed her away after a while and carefully examined her. She looked well, she was well. He mentally sighed in relief.

"Go and greet your mother, she has missed you." he told her.

Affiong turned to see her mother. Her eyes shone with tears, mirroring hers. Without a moment of hesitation she went to her mother who immediately enveloped her in a tight hug. "Affiong! Eyen mi" She pulled away and held her face with both hands, searching her face as if looking for any sign of hurt. Her hands moved to her upper hand and pushed her back so she can inspect the baby bumb.

Uyai felt left out just standing there.

Nobody seemed to want her attention. She felt forlorn and would have continued to feel that if father did not cock an eyebrow in her direction while folding his hands.

Uyai smiled to herself and immediately pushed forward to give him a tight hug.

"Papa!" she cried with glee, as she embraced him, resting her head on his shoulder. A lone tear escaped her eyes as she sniffed.

"Now, now don't embarrass me." he consoled giving her a slight pat on her back.

Uyai chuckled softly and drew back from his embrace. "Papa how have you been? You have lost weight. Have you been working too hard?" she asked all at once.

Her father rolled his eyes. "How do you think your mother and I got to wear clothing like this?" he gestures to himself. "I worked myself almost to death."

"Papa!" she gasped. "why would you do such a thing? Are you that hungry for death?" Uyai frowned a him.

"Please--" he cocked a brow "Do I look like I would meet my end anytime soon? Don't tell me you've forgotten that your father is a strong man."

Uyai smiled this time.

"You look well but why do you still look skinny? I thought the change of environment will do you some good in that aspect." he frowned.

"Genes I guess." Uyai shrugged.

"Genes my foot. I bet you you didn't inherit that trait from either of us. Just look at your mother, in fact your grandmother..."

"Papa what about you?" she interjected.

"What do you mean?" a took to a defensive stance.

"Don't you think I look just like you?" she challenged

"Humph!" was the only reply he gave causing Uyai to smirk.

"Don't hug your father to yourself." Uyai spun abruptly to see Mr. Ekpenyong who smiled amusedly at the duo.

Father eyes glinted in recognition and he smiled slowly.

"Ete!" he grinned.

"Eyen eka mi (my brother)." Mr. Ekpenyong said giving him a firm hug like long lost brothers

Uyai smiled shyly and moved away but before she left she saw the two greet themselves again with their traditional handshake.

She went to greet Grandmother who was roaming her eyes about the house with a pensive look on her aged face but when her eyes collided with Uyai's

She went to stand with Peter who awkwardly stood as he watched his parents greet their guests.

"Mma welcome." Mrs. Ekpenyong went to hug grandmother who returned it with a bright smile. "Eyen mi. Idem nfo?"

"Idiokö. It's been ages Mma." she grinned releasing her from her hold making way for her husband to give grandmother a side hug "Ah! Peter come here." she motioned for Peter who at once heeded to his mother's call. "Mma you remember my son." she gestured to Peter.

"I almost didn't. You've grown so much my son." Grandmother said taking his hand.

"It's good to see you Mma." Peter greeted politely.

"I know you won't remember but I was present at your birth. You were such a little bundle of Joy." Grandmother's eyes glinted in a smile "I glad to see you grow to be such a handsome young man and just like I predicted, you do take after your father."

"Mbok let me greet my sister. Eyen eka..." Mrs. Ekpeenyong went to hug mother who returned it stiffly due to unfamiliarity.

Finally her parents had settled down on a sofa and Uyai had offered them drinks and food specifically fried rice and chicken Mrs. Ekpenyong had personally prepared alerting Uyia of the fact that her parents visit was expected.

"...that's so wonderful Affiong . I'm glad you're making yourself useful." Father applauded after he found out that affiong was into hairdressing and doing so well at it. The fact that she made money from it made it more commending. For the first time he felt proud of his elder daughter.

"And you Uyai what do you do?" father reverted his Uyai.

"I sew." Uyai said.

"And she's a model also." Mrs. Ekpenyong saw the need to add.

Uyai winced. She wanted to leave out that particular information.

"Oh!" Father ears perked up at the word model.

"Model? What does that mean?" Mother asked, confusion marred her face.

"It means you wear beautiful clothes and pose." Affiong supplied.

"It pays." Peter chimed in before they could ask what it profited.

"Oh. That's good." father nodded in satisfaction.

"And Uyai would be going for a beauty contest on Thursday." Affiong announced all of a sudden.

Everyone turned to her in surprise. She blinked, wondering why they were looking at her in such way.

"Uyai, our Uyai?" mother asked dubiously.

"Yes Mama. If she wins she gets to travel round the world." Affiong made known when she saw that no one else was ready to input.

Was it just Uyai? Because she felt Affiong was so talkative.

"Is that so? But the beauty contest, don't they have to dress in nudes?" Mother asked, her brows furrowed in speculation.

"Dress in nudes!" Father gasped aghast.

"N-Nudes...I-I don't think so. Do they?" Affiong stuttered as she looked to Uyai for assistance.

Uyai nearly palmed her face.

Uyai swallowed past the lump in her throat. She couldn't for the life of her say anything and it didn't help that everyone went silent in wait for her to give them an answer. She couldn't as well tell her parents and Mr and Mrs. Ekpenyong that bikini modelling was a major part of the contest.

"So...I presume they do." Affiong surmised.

"That is cancelled then, you won't be going." Father said in finality.

"I second that!" Mrs. Ekpenyong suddenly said.

"B-But--" Uyai wanted to protest but was was restrained by a secretive glance Peter shot her.

Uyai averted her gaze to Affiong who looked away guiltily.