CHAPTER SIX. HE MIGHT BE THE ONE

 

CHAPTER SIX

The principal gave the mic to Mr Samson the exam officer, he opened the paper and started calling out the names. "From JSS 1 the 3rd position goes to Eniola Ajao, please a round of applause for our little shinning star." Everyone started clapping as she went and collected her gift and a hug from the vice principal, her parents also went with her. "They must be very proud, I wish I can also make my parents proud today." I said to myself as I watched the happy parents hug their daughter. 

Mr Samson continue calling the names. Ibrahim Sada from JSS 3 got 1st position, a round of applause for Ibrahim. Everyone cheered loudly. "Ibrahim is a very brilliant boy, born into the family of twelve children, his mother is a Christian and his father is a Muslim, his mother ran away with Ibrahim and his little brother because she didn't want to be in a polygamous marriage, she raised her children as a single mother."

Mr Samson kept on calling the names, I quietly prayed to God to please help me to be among those that will be called so that my parents will also be like those proud parents. "Now we have come to those who passed their waec so well and got our school an award from the governor. Lets welcome Miracle Adedimeji one of the most brilliant student in the whole school as well as in sports, she didn't allow her disability to bring her down. All students should follow her footsteps and for this the school has decided to award her the sum of ten thousand naira (N10,000)." Everyone started clapping for her, she received a standing ovation from all the parents and teachers. 

After they all sat down, Mr Samson called out George's name as the second person who has made the school proud. I was so happy for him, his mother ran out from the audience to where George was standing and gave him a tight hug, her eyes was filled with tears of joy. 

"I shall now call out the name of the first person to receive an award from the governor."

I didn't think I could be the one even when I know how much effort I put into the exam.

Mr Samson cleared his throat very well. "Now we shall know who is the best student from the last class of our school." Everyone keep quiet and listened, "The person is..... The first person who got our school an award is..." Everyone quietly waited to hear the name of the person. Mr Samson looked at the paper again and again, then finally. "The first position goes to.... Atinuke keturah Demilade." I could hear everyone screaming, my mind was blank and I couldn't even speak. 

My friends were the ones that dragged me to the podium, I just followed like a fool, my mom and daddy Zee came running from the back to the podium where I stood staring at the other students who were cheering for me and gave me a hug. I was so happy and shocked at the same time. 

After I collected my gift and prize money (N40,000), the principal announced that the school has been given a holiday starting from today till after a month but as for the last class of the school, we were now graduates and won't be coming back. 

The Vice principal also gave a word of advice that students shouldn't laze around, they should spend their time helping their parents at home or reading. She dismissed the students with a school song. 

"Goodbye teachers, goodbye friends, we are going on a holiday. Do pray for me and you to return safely, oh Lord guide us and give us the will to be good children to our parents. Goodbye." 

At the parking lot of the school, I saw George with his parents they were about to leave. When George saw me, he excuse himself and came over to me, he smiled and said to me. "I guess this is goodbye, when will I see you again?" I squeezed my face. 

"I am not sure."

 "Ughs alright. I will leave now." He said and started walking towards their car.

"Wait...." I said running after him. He turned and looked at me. 

"I have an idea" I said with excitement. "What is it." He asked.

I smiled and said "Come with me." I held his hand and we went to my mom. 

"Mom! You promised me this morning that you will do something for me and my friends because you couldn't make the food you usually bring to my school every year." Mom looked at me confused. "Yes I did." She said with a frown. 

"I want you to please arrange a small picnic at the park for me and my friends today."

Mom smiled. "Off course, that's a wonderful idea and I know the perfect place for this picnic instead of the park." I turned to George. 

"Will you like to go for a picnic with me?" George laughed. 

"Yes I will." He replied.

We were having our picnic in our neighbors garden. Mom was wearing a black short and a white T-shirt. Daddy zee came with fruits and cookies, soon George and my other friends came there and we all sat down having fun. 

Actually my mom isn't much a fun freak, she prefers sitting in her bamboo chair and reading anthology compiled by Mary Higgins Clark or Joyce Mayer or drinking her morning coffee and looking out her window, "I wonder what she sees when she looks out the window." She is also a church girl. 

But daddy Zee was the complete opposite, he is the king of fun. He is always going out to parties or dancing to hip hop music in his mini sitting room, he also loves to do crazy things and play football or video games. 

"They are just too different, I wonder how they met themselves, dated and how they even got married." 

I was playing with my friends and everyone was happy. Everything seemed normal, not until a young lady wearing mini skirt and white top walked in and went to my dad. 

She wispered into his ear, he got up and followed her. Everything was happening so fast, I saw myself running after my dad calling him to come back and not to go away from me and my mom. 

The next minute I saw mom patting me on my on my back and trying to calm me down and she said to me "I will never leave you alone Atinuke mi." When I looked around, I didn't see my dad. In the distance I heard loud noise sounding more like music. It grew louder and I screamed out "noooooo."