There is something about a mother in a group of other mothers. They are very confident, loud and aggressive. Especially to their children. You will pass -by and they will burst out laughing about how they were all there when you were born and now you walk like you own the world. You will only hear ‘Hmm. Hmm. Hahaha,’ followed by whispers as their eyes follow you until you get out of their sight. But you will soon realize that they mean no harm.
My friend not having any shame, covered her mouth and whispered to me “Ah, Kwani amevaa velvet?”
We kind of established a friendship. I can’t remember his name at the time but I remember telling him that my parents are from Nigeria and my name is Ade Ochuku. It just came randomly. I guess I chose a name that’s close to my name so that I don’t forget it. I was so committed to being a Nigerian that I would throw in the randoms “A, a, abeg, stop lying to me’’ and all those little Nigerian remarks.