TAMUNO.
Doing a pre-degree program launches you into a different world entirely. Being fresh from secondary school made me more confused as the setting was not what I was used to- It was a terrific experience. I still talk to three persons out of the fifteen or so friends I made then and that is OK.
“SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL”
I knew a girl. Wouldn’t call her my friend -nothing brought us together or made us become one but she was always around, you know; on my radar . I’d turn randomly to see her talking to my friend or a friend’s friend.
She was beautiful- she had a pointed nose, sharp eyes, charming smile and a tiny voice. She looked soft yet exuded strength which was there in her words, you could hear it if you listen. In my head she was a character in a novel. But being a protagonist for a bestseller in my preoccupation wasn’t what drew me to her . It was her name; Tamuno. I loved it.
Later I will call Tamuno at the slightest opportunity, half the time I did, there was nothing important to say, it was plain lovely. I would also ask her for the meaning she would say and I’ll go on to forget lol.
We all lived in an enclosed hostel space, I’ll call her at the tap, during classes, I’d shriek her name on our way back from mass from St.Dominics. It wasn’t weird , no one noticed, but I did. You see I was never and still not the overtly friendly type so yes I knew I was overdoing it for my own personal pleasure.
I have another friend; beautiful soul, total douche bag (I’m sorry if you see this). Just like Tamuno his name is always on my lips also at the slightest opportunity — Chinedu, I call him”Nedu” because it sounds good to me. Chances are he has no idea I love his name, perhaps people call him that too.
All I’m trying to say is that with me names aren’t just names. It is also more than an endearment, just like soft oven fresh bread, it is something I enjoy.
I will call my cousins little daughter Chinaemelum “ma-ma” because she’s smart and funny and sweet and beautiful and more so expresses herself in ways that I never did when I was her age, but on days when on my way out she holds my hands and says “Aunty Ebere you are beautiful” I want to crush her with my hug lol.
P.S: I wrote this while “Ozioma” was making my hair. She made cornrows- Isi aka. We aren’t far gone yet but from what I see from the little yellow mirror she passes to me occasionally to see her progress, it will turn out just the way I want it — Beautiful
