MY DAYS
AT CROWN
SCHOOL
#EPISODE_15
.Exactly four o’clock on Sunday evening, I arrived at school. I intentionally did not call Kunmi, nor Victoria to tell them I was on my way. Quietly, I entered the room. There was no one in the room except Benedicta who was lying on her be-d with her eyes closed. I was sure she had no idea I entered because of the earphones she has on.
I immediately dropped my travelling bag in my corner, and went back to where Mom parked her car. Yes, it was Mom who brou-ght me to school. Dad had called to inform us he would not be able to make it by Sunday. That very night he called on Friday, Mom had instructed me to pack my things and get re-ady the next day. Before seven in the morning on Saturday, we’ve taken our leave down to Lagos, but we stayed at sister Blessing’s place. Mom was very excited to see her. I saw her too, and I saw some changes in her.
As I got closed to Mom’s car, I saw Victor and Yomi with some girls. I looked away as if I didn’t see them. I brou-ght out my school bag and hung it on my shoulder.
“Mom you should leave now. Thank you so much.” I ti-ptoed, and k!ssher two cheeks.
“Don’t you want me to greet your house Mistress?”
“It’s not necessary Mom. You should get some rest at sister Blessing’s place before leaving tomorrow.”
She smiled. “Mommy will rest. Make sure you re-ad well, and do better this term. That’s the only way you can get to be at Mercy’s p@rty.”
Oh! That was true. How come I forgot completely.
“Mom did you talk to Dad alre-ady?” I was eager to hear her reply.
She s£nt a warm smile at me.
“I trust you. Just re-ad. If you make him proud by performing excellently, you’ve got no problem with your Dad.”
I hvgged her with excitement. I could not contain my happiness. “We have a deal Mom.”
“Deal.” She smiled lightly. “Now close your eyes.”
You can’t ever take that away from my Mom. Her love for God encourages me every time to know there is a great man who never let anyone down. I will keep saying it. The influence of parents in the life of their children is very important. Whenever I see mom starves herself just to fast and pray to God, I always want to the same and even do better than her. She held onto my hands and began,
“Father lord we bless your name. We give you all the glory, honour, and adoration. We thank you for your protec-tion over us. We thank you for your love, care, provisions, and for bringing your daughter back to school…. We have nothing than to say ‘Thank you Lord’. We bless your name Lord…” She continued, taking most of the time. While I was also praying for her to just put her prayer to an end.
Like some of my friends at the church, when the pastor is taking so much time on the pulpit, you will see them praying. ‘Abeg! God, make this pastor commot for pulpit.’ That is when they will know that the pastor talks a lot because he took so much time. I always shake my head at them.
Finally, Mom uttered those words I’ve been waiting to hear. “For in Jesus name we’ve prayed.”
“Amen.” I said with a grateful heart. She entered into the car and waved at me. “Mercy’s birthday, re-ad!” She said louder for me to hear.
I laughed. “I will Mom. Trust me. I’m re-ading alre-ady.”
She made a funny face. “Love you dear, bye.” She started the car, and drove away from where I stood, while I just waved my two hands. I turned around to leave, when suddenly, someone drew me back.
“Victor!” I placed my hand on my che-st in fear. I’ve actually forgotten he and Yomi and some girls were there.
“Yes, it’s me.” He smiled sheepishly, while I just rolled my eyes. I looked around to search for Yomi and the girls I saw earlier, but they were no longer there.
“What is it?” I really do not know how that c@m£ out from my mouth. His look changed, and certainly he was hurt by my tone. I wonder why I’ve spoken in such manner. I wasn’t angry, and there was nothing there to be jealous of.
He finally found his voice. “You just c@m£ back, and here I am standing at your front to welcome you. But it seems I made a mistake by stooping so low to come do this,” he dropped my hand. “If my pres£nce bothers you that much, you should have just asked me to leave.” His phone rang, giving him the opportunity to walk away. I was left alone with my school bag beside me. Every p@rt of me was feeling bad. Why have I spoken that way at first? I wanted to call him back. Also felt like bringing out my phone and text him, but I knew he would be back soon.
I went back inside the room, and soon after, Victoria ran in and we both hvgged each other so ha-rd . God bless those friends that give you so many reasons to be happy, to love them, to act crazy with them and tell them your de-epest secrets. Victoria was one of them. I’ve grown to like her so much. We both sat on my be-d, smiling at each other.
“Why didn’t you call Suzy? God! I thought you won’t make it today. You should have called me.” She kept repeating the same question while all I did was smiling.
I allowed myself to laugh. “Victoria you know I never miss this Sunday. But my aim was to surprise you guys.”
Victoria laughed. “What a surprise. To be honest with you, I was so happy when my room mate said, ‘do you know Suzy is around’. Actually, that took me by surprise.”
I laughed with her. “Where are the rest. I can’t wait for them to see the surprise. Is Kunmi, Debbie and Temi not back yet?”
“Temi is around, but she’s Ill. We both c@m£ back yesterday, but this morning when she woke up, her b©dy bec@m£ h0t, and she doesn’t want to make use of the school clinic.”
“Oh!” I felt sorry for her. “Where is she now?”
“In my corner,” she replied.
“And what about Kunmi?” I asked, though I’ve tried calling her.
“We’ve not seen her, and she isn’t picking her calls.” Victoria said.
I took the opportunity to ask at once. “So, is the ss3 students having any paper left?”
She adjusted her position. “The science students has just one paper left, while the art and commercial still has two more left.”
Her eyes landed on something because she screamed. “Oh my!” She went after what she somehow found in my opening travelling bag. “Suzy where did you get this chocolate. Do you know its Victor’s favourite chocolate?” She picked it, staring at me. “It is too cost. And I really don’t know why he waste money buying this stuff.”
I withdrew it from her hand. That was the look Mom gave me when I told her to get me the chocolate from shoprite.
“I know.” I returned it back inside my bag.
She smiled. “Hmm,” looking directly at me. “Where is our own chocolate?”
I brou-ght out a pack I bought for her and the rest, handing it over to her. She took two and returned the remaining which I kept back in the traveling bag. I noticed I saw some new faces, so I decided to ask.
“Do Crown school accept new students during third term, because I saw some new faces.” I asked her.
“Only the ss3 girls that registered to write their WAEC exams here. I think one of them was put here in your room. You should meet her soon.”
I got up, and Victoria did too. “I should go check on Temi before I start to arrange. ” I told her, and we both headed to her room.
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The next day, as usual, everyone was neat, and re-ady for clas-s on Monday morning. And I know them for one p@rticular thing. They always take their time every first day of resumption to snap with their friends before heading to clas-s. Getting to clas-s, I felt so lonely without having Kunmi in the clas-s with me. Even though, she doesn’t sit with me all the time, we always manage to communicate from wherever she choose to sit.
Knowing I was her friend, a lot asked of Kunmi from me, and even the teachers felt her abs£nce when questions was thrown to us, and there was no Kunmi to answer. I took small quantity of food just because we just resumed. It was always my way of starting a new term. I glanced around for a free table, and gladly took my seat at the end of the dinning. since I arrived, I’ve been myself. I wondered if it was because of Victor or because Kunmi who we both sit together every long break was not around.
Somehow, my two eyes found a familiar table that you just can’t ignore. Ever since I’ve known them, I’ve never seen any other girl sit with them except Temi and Victoria. But it was a surprise seeing a p@rticular girl sitting close to Victor. I could only see her back. She has a long hair which falls back to her shoulder. She was laughing at what Victor was saying, comfortably resting on his shoulder. I was completely insignificant. I couldn’t stare at the two.
To be sincere, it hurt me so badly. I could not un-derstand why I was feeling that way. Tears felt like coming, but I would never allow myself cry. He never even bother to take a look at me. The Victor I knew would find any opportunity just to wi-nk at me. I guess he doesn’t waste time finding himself a replacement. I found my eyes going back to the direction, but this time, they landed on a pretty two pairs of eyes that made me held my breath. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his. Why? I wanted to ask him. I find it ha-rd to look away, but slowly I swallowed my saliva and looked away with a tear rolling down my face.
God! Why was I hurting?
“Suzy.”
I know that voice. Without looking up, I know it was Victoria’s pretty voice calling. I wiped away the tear, and smiled towards her direction. She wasn’t alone. She was with Debbie as the two marched towards my table and took their seats.
“Why sitting alone?” Victoria asked. She saw something I wish I could hide.
“Nothing,” I murmured, and shook my head to reply.
“Attention everyone!!” Yomi’s voice was loud and clear as the dinning hall bec@m£ quiet.
“Who knows the latest couple in town?” He asked, and some of the guys whistled, while some girls shouted, “wooowoooo!” I guessed it was the ss3 girls. Followed by a p@rticular name which immediately registered itself in my br@in.
“It’s Daniella and Victor!”✔
“Ella and Victor!”✔
“Dani girl and Victor.”✔
“Is the lucky Daniella.”✔
Most of the ss3 girls were doing the shouting.
I didn’t let that affect me. I listened with my ears, while I kept on eating my food.
“Suzy.” Victoria’s voice laced with pity, but I didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for me.
“So have you guys heard from Kunmi?” I used that to cover up what Victoria was going to say.
“That reminds me. We’ve not been able to reach her.” I couldn’t thank Debbie enough for flowing well with me.
“I should ask from Dr Okorie for her Mom’s number then.” She mentioned the principal’s name by his Doctorate degree. Again, I glanced around to see what was going on in the dinning, and the only person I saw was Victor walking out of the hall.
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Few minutes later, the long break was over, and I returned back to the clas-s. I took my seat, and closely next to me, a girl was also sitting there. Since I’ve been in the clas-s, there were some people I’ve never talked to. I didn’t even know some exist in my clas-s. Kunmi was my only friend, and the only one I talk to most of the time in the clas-s. I never bothered asking the girl who took the seat next to me her name, knowing she left her seat to come sit close to me.
“Hi,” she finally greeted.
“Hi,” I politely replied her.
“I’m Rose Badmus,” she introduced herself. “Don’t worry about introducing yourself.” She quic-kly added. “I know you’re Suzy James. I was just wondering if we can become friends. You ha-rd ly talk to anyone except Kunmi, but I really do like you,” she concluded.
I s£nt her one of my friendly smiles. Really love when someone is bold and able to say his or her mind out. She actually just won herself a ticket to be my friend. I just have to watch out.
“It’s nothing Rose. I actually love that boldness in you, and have got no reason to say no. It’s a great plea-sure finally talking to you.”
She gave a light smile. “I think they’re right about everything they said about you, that Suzy is a nice girl and always fun to be with.”
I couldn’t contain my smile. “Really!” Couldn’t believe people are saying that about me. “Thank God for his holy spirit that didn’t let me down. I’ve just being tested.”
She laughed. “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, and for every where they go, they are the light that shine above the brightness of the sun.”
“Wow!” I cl@pped my hands to praise her. At that very moment, I was so proud of her. She was not shy from speaking the word of God.
“There is no greater joy than serving God.” We flowed together.
“And that is why I say,” she smiled. “My God, My Everything. When you have him, you’ve got everything.”
There was no other way I could express my joy for having a conversation with Rose. She wasn’t shy from talking about who God is to her. Just to let her know I’m proud of my Mom who has taught my sister and I so many verses in the Bible. And for her to know, I just don’t go to church for fun but also know God’s word for his children.
“To what you just said, I agreed with the scripture which says, ‘seek first the kingdom of God, and all other things shall be added unto you’.”
She laughed, and also cl@pped for me. “I’m proud of you alre-ady.”
I couldn’t hide my smile. It was our first time of talking, and she was happy being around me. It was nice talking to her, and I was indeed proud of her for the boldness she has for talking to me about Christ. I guess there were many wonderful Crown students I haven’t met yet. If anyone says talking about God is boring, let him see how wrong he is. It was fun, and it free my mind away from worries at that p@rticular time.
“He’s everything one could ever wish for,” Rose said.
I agreed with her.
He’s the greatest man I’ve always known.
But all thanks to Mom and Dad who had been a great teacher and a good example to their children.
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Story_Continues✔