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'No it can't be! I can't believe this! How could they do this? How could they?'
These lamentations came from the Principal's office, from Emma. Her result had not been released., and she had gone to the Principal's office for the umpteenth time to make enquiries.
'You have to be patient Williams', Mrs Ajayi consoled. 'There must be a reason for it, and I promise to find out soon, I'll continue trying and your result will be released...'.
All those words made no sense to Emma, she had heard them several times, and this time, she almost never heard all the oval-faced woman was saying, she could only see her lips moving.
Feeling weightless in the chair she sat opposite the Principal at her table, all she could see is her world crumbling and her dreams vanishing before her eyes. JAMB is around the corner and most of her class mates had already registered for the exam, even Mabel and Dimeji. She is the only one left.
'....and I'll do that as quickly as I can, before your awarded scholarship lapses'.
Oh! The scholarship! Emma could hear that one. That was the more reason she felt miserable! When she won that scholarship that is supposed to last two years into her tertiary education, she was grateful to God and had hoped it would relieve Aunty Nurse of some expenses and the school levy, at least for those two years. But now, even if the scholarship lapsed and the opportunity was lost, the WASSCE result which is her key into the university is nowhere to be found.
'Thank you ma', she murmured almost inaudibly as she rose to take her leave, mopping her face with her handkerchief, even though the tears were not there. For the past one month, she had cried her eyeballs out, fallen sick and recovered, had sleepless nights, prayed and fasted. What else was left? The tears were not even coming anymore.
She had made it halfway to the door when Mrs Ajayi called. 'Williams'.
'Yes ma'am', she stopped, turning to face her.
'I know how you feel, and I'll make sure you get your result, ok? Meanwhile, you should get your hands on something worthwhile for the meantime'.
Emma inclined her head and quietly walked out. Even though she was sure the woman doesn't truly care about her, at least she has been showing concern, despite the differences between her and her daughter; Oyin. Kudos to her for that.
She recalled the last fight they had in the dining hall. Mrs Ajayi had summoned her after school that day.
'Emmanuella Williams', the woman had started almost immediately Emma walked into her office. 'It came to my hearing that you put up a fight with Oyin in the dining hall today'.
Emma knew well enough not to take a seat, this was obviously no friendly discussion, so she had better remained standing. 'Ma, I didn't...'
'I don't want to hear it Williams. I don't need any explanation from you, because I'm not going to punish you for fighting'.
Emma heaved a sigh of relief and silently thanked her stars.
'But', Mrs Ajayi continued, '`I just want to make some things clear to you'. she cleared her throat as she adjusted in her seat. 'You see, you are only better than my daughter when it comes to academic performance, but status-wise and in all other ramifications, Oyinkansola is no match for you. You see that?', she pointed at a photo-frame hanging on the wall. Emma inclined her head as she looked carefully at the picture and looked back to the Principal. She had seen the picture several times before, but had not really understood the caption. Noticing her curiosity, Mrs Ajayi continued, 'That was Oyin and her brothers in Italy two years ago. I mean to say, she has also toured to different places and met different people, that implies that she has more experience than you do'.
Emma nodded her head understandingly as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other nervously. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
'So you should know Williams, that Oyin is far above your cadre. and need I remind you, that her father is the Commissioner of Education of this state? And then I can't remember ever meeting yours'.
Emma's eyes reddened at the mention of her father, but she struggled hard to withhold the tears that were flowing into her eyes, she didn't want to give this woman the satisfaction of seeing her tormented.
So you see, my daughter doesn't lack anything, and you wouldn't want to compete with her, would you?'.
Emma shook her head in response. She need no one to interpret the message the woman was trying to pass across. Her eyes had turned crimson. She knew what Mrs Ajayi was driving at, and it had to stop immediately.
'I'm sorry ma, it wont happen again', she said quickly.
'I am not through yet!', Mrs Ajayi cut in. 'Now, Miss Williams, My advice to you, is to steer clear of my family's issues for the rest of your stay in this school, is that clear?'
'Yes ma'am'.
'And remind your mother she is yet to pay up your fees for last term, while this term is running to an end, or else you wont be allowed to write this WASSCE exam with your colleagues. I wonder why she couldn't have sent you to a more affordable school'.
Those words had pierced into Emma's heart like a double-edged sword, but she promised herself not to cry as she hurried out to join her friends at the gate. As far as she is concerned, her mother had been trying her best to give her qualitative education and training, that is what that loud-mouthed principal would never understand. And Oyin's character can't be questioned after all, it runs in the family. Moreover, the woman was not to blame, she owned the school, and for the fact that they were indebted to her, she had the right to do and undo.
But here she is now, the same woman offering to help her out of her predicament, but how much could she trust her? She had actually helped her once before, but that was on her first day at school, when she fainted and she had carried her to the hospital in her car. That is the only good thing Mrs Ajayi had done for her so far, and as a matter of fact, she only did that because she hadn't discovered what Emma was made of, that her daughter didn't and would never have.
Emma got out of the office and set out for home, pulling the hood of the jacket she was wearing over head. It was definitely going to rain anytime soon, as the sky had turned grey and the wind was beginning to sough.
-Temi
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