Anthonia took her daughter’s bath and dressed her with her fitted school uniform and take her to school that very morning, giving her daughter the best sponsor in her academic pursue was her desire since she got married to the man of her life. She believes that education is the bedrock of greatness in life, and she is ready to give the academic sponsor to her daughter even if it means to press water from the rock. Since I was not opportune to be educated, and that has been my mystery in the phase of my life. “What then will give me joy then seeing my daughter going to the most out understanding school so far in this vicinity?!” Nothing at all…
Ann got admission into excellent academic primary and nursery school, her mother was happy for her. Every day she came home happily reciting what she was taught in school. She love school so much as of her age, sometime she will stay in school till I have to go and pick her home. Her headmaster loves her so much and was proud of her enthusiasm towards education.
Some years has gone by, yet Ann was still in primary school, I think she love staying in school as excellent academic primary and nursery school was one of the most outstanding school in otukpo as of then; she truly love the school but today she finally graduated from primary. "glory be to God Almighty" Their graduation party was one in town as Ann was honored with a lot of awards best in English, social study, Literature, and also as an overall best graduated pupil in the school. Her parents could not hesitate to take her to secondary school, the best secondary school so far in the state
Ann was a gentle and book loving girl who step back for anything neither giving up on anything nor accept defeat. She is a cute little girl with her natural black and her virgin beautiful hair. Everyone envied her and wishing to be like her but she never see that as anything, neither let her beauty persuaded neither her nor her small nature, she stand out among her equal. people called her "small but mighty " she was married to her book from the very moment she reads a book written by natty tittle: "The principles of success " and she key to it, I learned how be hard working, to avoid procrastination, never to give up no matter how many times I tried and failed, to be strong and believe in myself, and to be focus and determinate.
She hardly is mingling with people who don't go in her direction. Her kind were infrequent in that city, she was too concentrated to be defeated; the only thing on her was her study.
One evening she came out of their house and was sitting outside the fence with a story book tittle: "the blood of a virgin by Idris Ehi Natty" she so much like the book and felt pity for the virgin girl when she came across the place the King sacrificed her to the strange gods', and was comparing to herself. Tears were raining down her cheeks Harvey because she is too emotional mom her was strolling down the street that very evening and was coming back to the house as he got tired, Ann embrace her mom and she went inside with Mom.
Mom she called from the background and pretended as if she was not the one that called, yes my angel mom answered as she carry her on her lap and opened the leather and brought out pizza and chicken and gave it to Ann as mom that Knows her daughter's favorite. Ann was so happy with Mom when she received it from her, she went inside the room and showed it to Dad not knowing that dad bought juice and yogurt for her; "this is a plan work, yes. I thought as much", how will I appreciate them? Okay! Let me thank dad first then go to mom and thank her too. She appreciated her dad and left immediately to mom outside and thanks her also, she was trying to brief mom about the book she read and how tragic it was. My daughter don't worry yourself about that too much it is just a book' just learn your lessons from it and be a good girl.
Ann got admission into jss1 in St John's secondary school Amoke on the 11th days of the month of September; she resumed with her father helping her to carry her into the school compound. They allocated to her own room, she joined them on the assemble ground immediately while the principal was addressing the challenges facing the school presently. Ann joined them but before she could get to the assembly ground, her walking step stole everyone's attention even the principal and the rest of the staff and corper; the principal smiled as if he picked money on his way to school. The whole students were happy to see a gentle girl like her, everything about her was totally unique and special, some were wishing she is their friend already; but she never relates with anyone because she was caution of the fact that her parents warned her from home to be very careful and mindful of the kind of company she will keep.
The assemble was over, each student took their direction to their classes but Ann was stranded in between the last jointure and could not located her class; grace acted like a good Samaritan, came out and asked her Where she was going, I believe she noticed Ann was a new student.
Grace: hi!
Ann: hello, "good morning"
Grace: morning, sorry! Are you waiting for someone?
Ann: no, actually I was going to my class but just can't locate it right now
Grace: OH! What class are you?
Ann: I am in Jss1
Grace: okay, I am in Jss1 as well; are you in a, b or c which of the jss1 class are you?
Ann: I don't really know, this is my first time of being here
Grace: all right, let's go we are in the same class jss1 c.
They went inside and met Mr. Matthew their English teacher who was already in their class close to the Chalkboard challenging the whole class of failing his subject in their previous text. He was so angry when Ann and grace entered. Good morning sir, they greeted and Went straight to their seat; seat here grace said to Ann and Ann sat with her till English teacher left. Shortly after the English teacher went out, the time keeper stroke the bell and rang for the next subject.
Grace introduced me to the whole class and asked me to seat down; I sat with her still but so many things were running through my mind 'is she a good friend or she is coming to initiate me into an evil society or influence me negatively, yet I kept quiet and was looking into everyone in that class into the eyes. Till they ring me bell and she asked me to come with her but I was so scared not to be punish by any teacher or senor perfect. She looked into my eyes and said let’s go! to me, is as if she noticed it in my look that I am scared. I came out with her and she took me round the school in tact I almost know every corner of the school that very moment. when we got to the break ground, she called her friends Ochanya and Linda and introduced them to me and they said "we are your friends" we hugged and I was so surprised the moment I sighted Ochanya from afar; she almost carry my character likes, she is indeed a friend to be trusted but I never concluded on the matter because people are sometimes like.
It was getting late that fateful evening, Ann and two of her friends were busy arranging their books in the classroom; they came out and was walking majestically like a pregnant tortoise through the hallways coming down towards the main entrance. Ann looked straight to the sky and her eyes were twinkling and Deming like a thunder flash which make the whole environment brighter like the morning sun who just resumed duty. The atmosphere was conveying the pleasant message to the earth; everyone was surprised as her look forced rain that evening.
The rays of its look grooming the whole places, the birds could not hold their peace so they perched on every tree within the school compound; the melody of their songs purified the sinners in that school. Ann wishes she could invite them (the birds) to join the rest of the chorister in their church; the redefined voices of the birds could raise a dead person and heal the deformed ones. The wrinkling of her face was too often due to the jealousy of the beautiful day before her, she wished it could be her wedding day only for her to discover that she never wanted to be committed to anyone at all but.... Been a rev sister and remain single was the greatest war in her mind since she came in contact with that inner handsome looking guy that mesmerized her the things of love. How pathetic of "me" she think aloud, this decision is too paradoxical affirmations of my dreams' should I shift my grand or hold my stand? Soliloquizing she asked herself.
Ann came back from school, took her bath and brought out her cosmic bag opened it and brought out one of them, she applied foundation and begin her makeup till the aroma of mom's food caught her attention; she smiled and turned her head and pipe through the open door and discovered that it was her favorite mom was cooking. She rolled her eyes it and at the same time she robbed her tongue on her lips again and again as if the food was in her mouth already.... She dressed up and came out and met her mom in the kitchen but the food was not ready yet she wrinkled her face as If mom poured her hot water on her cheeks. she remain standing for a while and change direction to the store room, her look changed as she was angry that very moment. It wasn't my fault that was the reason why I am hurry up so that you can eat on time and go where you wanted going; I sorry, mom pet her and she smiled and nodded her head on the sofa decorated chair and stood up and followed mom to the kitchen.
Mom hurry up and fetch her food for her as time was against her..., the atmosphere was calm and cool as the air conditioner in the dining room was on, Ann was enjoying her favorite music "if I could the hand of time by Saint Paul" as she continued enjoying her meal. Suddenly, she heard some footsteps coming towards her direction from the main entrance, at first, she thought it was mom and dad that are coming to seat with her but somehow the footsteps was far the best room. Knock! Knock!! Knock!!! The knock came again so softly as if it was a bird that was playing on the door; yes, who is that? She asked. It’s me Ochanya your friend. OK. Come in! Ochanya open the glass door and stepped in with some kind of look that brought joy and force smile from my face. I ushered her in and we seat together in the dining room enjoying our meal as she joined me. Ochanya looked up and smile with heavy breath and said Ann I have been waiting for you patiently under the sun what have you been doing at home? It was the grace of God that makes me locate this place hope we have to start going now so that we can do tangible thing the night comes. Yes, lets go! She stood up from the dining hall to meet her mom in the living room while Ochanya was busy arranging the table waiting for her so that it will save their time, without wasting time Anna came back from her mom's room and picked her bag and hang it as usual and they took off to their reading place.
You know Anna was not too good in mathematics so they never wasted more time on maths; they continued catching fun as they were busy reading and teaching each other, Ochanya who love details was discussing on English language especially on the part of speech as a grammarian you know what she is capable of doing! The class came to an end approximately 6:30pm Ochanya went her way but Anna was gaze at her till vanished from her sight it is only God who can tell what I was thinking that very moment; I really wishing I could be like her. But just couldn't I have to bear it in mind and in all I can't really tell why I want to be like her. Each time I looked at her, she convinced me of whom I really want to be and I must be proud of that. The day was running out of hand and I have to consult my books more research on the Previous lectures as the exams is at the corner, I left home three hours before the my lunch.
I really enjoyed the shorty while studies, I came out and the zoom off down to the house and mom was not happy with me staying out that long but I have to let her understand what kept me outside. She hugged me and apologized "I’m sorry. My sweetheart, hope you are not angry again? “Yes mom I responded. And I went straight to the dining hall for our lunch.
How to be the best in my doing was the only thing in my mind all through the night, this kept me on pressure and the night was sleepless and worries. "What do I do?” this question came while I was soliloquizing on my bed “the best is with those who associate themselves with the best” now I should know what right?! Yes… I have to live ready I must be the best that I ever desires. I must put my best into my school hour If I really want to achieve the future because the bedrock of greatness education and this lies within the ‘school hour.’ My best lies within the decision I take here and my worst also lies on the foundation I laid here. Now the ball is my court.
I laid my head on the dusk and I was lost out in thoughts “what will become of me if I miss this great opportunity my parents gave to me to study on this grand, no. I say no! I will not mess up with this chance given to me on the platform of gold. I cannot turn down my hour of greater tomorrow by own hand, never!” hmm…! Let me sit ready for the next class before Ochanya comes. I opened my locker and brought my English textbook and I was going through it, suddenly I felt a soft and chill hand on me, I don’t need a seer to tell it was Ochanya I turned with smile to confirms it was Ochanya laid her holy hand to tap anoint from me.
Ochanyo: good moening bestie
By Idris Ehi
To be continue.......
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