It's called Gap tooth! Gap tooth!!😬. I would always yell out to people insisting on “open teeth”. At least my Secondary School English teacher helped me with a much better name. The open in the “open teeth” gives me this rat teeth identity. I can't stand being attributed to a rat please. Thank you.

Growing up with two teeth which was meant to line side by side now widely separated all in the name of gap tooth trait gave me so much taunt that sometimes I wished I never had any. I got the name open-teeth from my hommies. Sometimes I wondered why I couldn't have mine just the normal way.
Must it be this big and obvious? Why should my so called God given treasure (ebumputa ụwa) bring so much taunt and sorrows to me?😥 He should never have given me any, besides I can't remember asking for one.
As if it was a punishment to me, I couldn't hide it. Except I'll resolve not to open my mouth for the rest of my life. I wouldn't have to neither talk nor laugh. Once it shows itself, I would always receive the sarcastic compliment that follows,
“Hey, Look at that, Ezeogu?",

Nawaoooooo, this kind open teeth.

“Ahhhhaaaaa this one resembles Ezeoke ooo.

Next would be questions upon questions,

What happened to your teeth?
Is this one open teeth too?
You lost a tooth?
It can't grow back?
Yen yen yen...

I got tired answering questions and even getting to convince people that this is my own “ebumputa ụwa".
You can just stop using it against me, This is the way it is!
As a Child, When I get into arguments with my mates, the center of attention would always be my open teeth and oftentimes I would let things be. Of course I wouldn't want to feel much bad than I already had.

After my High School, I had to go stay with my grand parents for a while because my mom wants me to have another view of life. I left for Aba in Abia State where my grand parents resides. Life in Aba Was much different than I thought. I unlearned, learned and grew. One of which was my treasure. I learnt to cherish what I have and who I am.
I do stay at my grandpa's shop to help out with the sales. I avoided engaging in much conversation with people, firstly because my grandma warned me to be careful and secondly I can't risk being embarassed by this hole of a gap tooth in this my new area.
One faithful day at the shop. A woman walked into our shop with her beautiful gbazaqueen of a daughter. I guess they were coming from the market and stopped to rest a little. This little girl around 9,10years old, on describing a robbery incident to her mum, talked and talked and talked with all the demonstrations and character she exhibited, I couldn't help it but laugh out loud, she quickly turned to my direction and as usual, my gaptooth 😔😔...
I quickly seized my laughter and forced them in, thanks to God I didn't get choked up by my own laughter but it was already late. I was waiting to hear the unimaginable from the queen of highlights herself. Had I knew it would be the revolution of something great in my life.

Hey, Auntie your teeth is fine.
Eehhhee? I turned back to see if anyone is behind me.
Me? My teeth? Yes auntie, it's very fine especially when you laughed.

Ahhhhaaaaa! I couldn't believe what I heard. How?
She ended up telling me how desperate she wanted a gap tooth. She wished she could have one. I smiled and told her to wish for a normal one or better still a dimple but she quickly shunned it saying she wants not just a gaptooth but a big one that will bring out her beauty like mine. As I was still pondering on what exactly to say to her, her mum came to my rescue. She said the very words I needed to hear at that point in time..
Like she clearly saw what happened.

“Nne, you don't need to choke on your own laughter. Your gap tooth is fine and charming, it brings out your beauty too. This is your identity, it's who you are. This gaptooth is your treasure and will fetch you good fortunes. Flex it like it's no man's business. Laugh and talk whilst you leave it to fetch the luck it's destined to bring you. Never you hide it again. Be proud of what you have and who you are!”

These words hit me back to back. I was transfixed. As they turned to leave and waved with smiles on their faces, I couldn't hold myself, I just had to let it out so freely for the very Ist time. Alas, It coincidentally caught the attention of Another customer who just walked in almost immediately. My first luck clicked!

From then onwards, it's been on fleek and it's been my blessing. Sometimes my saving grace.


© Methuselina