Amanda was a friend of my cousin, Esther. They were both apprentices in a fashion design outlet a bit far from where we lived in Agege, Lagos.
Amanda was beautiful. She mesmerized me, in fact. As young as I was, I had a crush on her. The way I acted around her was way too giving. Apparently, I didn't know what I was feeling, just blushing all the time whenever she came around. I would be my cousin to let me come along when she was going to see Amanda off. I would then be stealing glances at her and smiling like a clown.
Amanda was in her 20s at the time, same as my cousin. Clearly older than I was. I was about 9 or 10. One afternoon, Amanda came to our house. I was playing with some kids in the compound when she called me, in her usual way, "Uko darling". I blushed so much that my face literally turned red.
I was the only one at home at that time. My cousin had stepped out without telling me. I didn't know her whereabouts. Amanda picked a fine day and time to visit.
I started imagining crazy things. The carefree Lagos life had in some way smeared filth on my juvenile mind. On several occasions, I had bumped into adults, and teenagers, making out in rather odd places. My mind was just creating scenes of myself and Amanda. What if she wanted us to go under the sheets? Good heavens! That would be lit.
What took place, however, was a counseling session I didn't see coming. For the first time and adult talked freely about nude stuff with me. I can't recall most of the details but this is how the conversation went:
"Have you ever seen a naked woman before?" Amanda asked.
"What?" I was shocked at the question. Perhaps, her straightforwardness.
"I mean, a woman who isn't putting on any clothes...?" She rephrased.
"I...I think so" I stuttered.
"Did you stare?" She asked. She sounded firm but calm.
"I didn't want to...but.."
"Do you think it's a good thing for you to stare?" She interjected.
I shook my head. I tried to contemplate where the interrogation was coming from. At that point, every crazy imagination and thoughts had dissipated.
"You're a smart and charming boy, Uko. But you must be more than that. You must be a good and decent boy, at all times."
I didn't know what to say. I was dumbfounded. Was I to take it as a compliment or counsel?
She perused my countenance and asked, "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
I shook my head again.
"You will make many friends. But not all of them would be decent. Some of them would want to teach you bad things not good for your age. You must always remember that you are a good and decent boy. Decent boys don't do indecent things. Do you understand?" She said, as if she was concluding a lesson.
I nodded my head, unsure whether I got the message.
She was about to say something again when my cousin walked into the house and our counseling session was brought to an abrupt end. That day, I didn't see Amanda off. I didn't want to. My crush on her had turned into awe.
Today, I'm a grown man. Amanda's words still echo in my head. I have had similar experiences she had with me, with young girls mostly of secondary school age. Some of them are already exposed to adult stuff. Some even have audacity to talk and act naughty.
Amanda's words have been a sort of watch word, "...you must be more than that. You must be a good and decent boy at all times. Decent boys don't do indecent things."
She didn't take advantage of me. She acted decently with self respect, and so would I with these girls.
Thanks for reading