THE ROAD AHEAD 4

Chapter .4

Weeks later, the Principal of Atlantic College announced on the assembly that all the students who have the intention of going for the UK trip should submit their international passports to their class teachers, and tell their parents and guardians to do all the necessary payments.

Before the assembly was over, he called out Jide to see him in his office immediately. Some of the Senior Secondary School 2 students became worried that Jide was summoned to the principal's office.

Bukola and her friends could not hide their anxiety. “Why do you think he summoned Jide? I hope its not to ask him to leave the school.” She asks Susan and Bibi.
“I hope so too.” Susan answers her wondering what the news will be when Jide returns.
“But it’s not fair...” says Bibi.
“I'll ask my Mum when we get home.” Bukola tells them, “or better still, we can ask Jide when he gets back to class. Let's go to class.”


Back in class, Ken and his friends discuss what was said on the assembly with uttermost happiness. “Ken why do you think they summoned Jide?” Lucas asks.
“I don't know...”
“May be to tell him he's not wanted in this school anymore.” Andrew adds.
“That's true.” Says Amed.
“But I heard someone can't be sent away till the end of the session.” Ken says without being sure.
“That's true.” Lucas confirms his statement, still with doubt.
“But what other reason could it be if not to send him away?” Andrew asks them. “The school is at the verge of taking a drastic decision that affects him, so I believe it should only be about his expulsion.”
“That's true, but what I'm still happy about now is the fact that whoever does not have an international passport will not go for the competition.” Ken says, adjusting himself on his seat. “So if its about the trip, he still can’t go”
“Yes, I'm so sure he doesn't have an international passport.” Andrew assures them. “I don’t think he as even travelled to Ghana before, talkless of the UK.”
Ken turns to Andrew “You're going too far, you should have said someone who cannot afford a new school uniform. Travelling to Ghana should be more expensive.”
“That's true!” Lucas says, laughing.
“It’s good he won't go!” Amed adds, laughing too. “Then we won't hear his praises!”

Tega, another student seated few chairs away from them, has been listening to their discussion quietly wishing he could shut them up somehow. The moment he got tired of hearing them, he finally interrupts, “and then the school can lose the competition, right? Because I can't see any of you getting one question correctly talk-less of winning the competition for us.”
Andrew and the others were almost enraged at the interruption, they stood up at him, “hey! Who called you here? And what's my business if the school wins or loses?” Ken shouts at Tega.
“What's your business?” Andrew comes in, “and how do you even know who we're talking about?”
Tega chuckles and answer them, “do you guys ever stop picking on him? Of course I know its Jide you guys are talking about....”
“So? What's your own?” Ken cuts in wishing he could jack Tega by his shirt but Tega is heftier than him.
“You know what?” Tega asks them, “Its jealousy that will kill you guys. That boy has done nothing wrong to you, yet you can't stop picking on him.”
Andrew moves closer to Tega, “come, what's your own?”
“Come on Drew, don't mind him,” Lucas calms Andrew, “I'm sure Jide tutors him, that's why he's taking sides with him.”
“What if he does? He helps me when I don't understand something in class and I'm happy about that because I'm better than you all...” Tega says, pointing at the four of them, “…in all the subjects. But you guys, you're too proud to ask him for help, yet you don't know anything, that's why your F9 keeps increasing....”
Andrew cuts in “hey, shut up! Who has F9?”
“Wait there and keep asking me.” Tega answers him and returns to his books.
“Look, mind your business!” says Ken.
“Nosy neighbor!” Lucas adds but Tega ignores them.
“Ignore him,” Andrew says, returning to his seat, “Let’s keep enjoying the fact that, that church rat won't spoil the fun we'll catch on the trip.”
“Yeah yeah!” says Lucas.
After thinking for some seconds Amed turns to Ken “hey Ken, is Bukola coming?”
“I don't know yet, but I'll sure ask her.”
“Carol is coming.” Andrew tells them, smiling heartily.
“Hmmmm.....I see...” says Amed.


Afterwards nothing was heard about what the principal discussed with Jide.

******************************************************************************

Anayo had discussed something about GCE with his parents during the weekend. They told him he will have to take the exams. Knowing his low capacity in learning he thought of what to do to save himself.

The following Monday, he hardly waited for the lunch break when he walked up to Jide, pulling him aside, “Jide are you taking this next General Certificate Exams?”
Jide chuckles and answers him, “me? GCE? Where will I get the money for that? No I can’t”
“But why not?”
“Anayo, my parents can’t afford to buy me a form. I will just study hard for my Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and pass it.”
“Hmm…” Andrew says thinking of what he can do. “Okay.” He walks away thinking of how to manipulate the situation.

Anayo hardly did any examination without asking for Jide’s help, even after Jide must have tutored him and explained everything possible to him, sometimes, especially during mathematics, further maths physics and chemistry, he would still ask for Jide’s help. He knew he may never pass the GCE exams without Jide’s assistance.




The following Saturday, the Proprietress Mrs. Baker called a meeting with some of her staffs in other to discuss the pending issue that is affecting the school. She picked a day that students will not be around in order to have adequate time to trash issues and make a decision.

The moment all the teachers converged, they did the opening prayer and set to the pending issue immediately. “Yes, I heard about the issue discussed at the last PTA meeting. I was surprised it was basically about Jide and nothing else, not even so much was said about the trip to the UK.” she turns to the Principal, “Why?”
The principal stands up, “ma’am..."
“Please sit down Miss Loya” the principal tells her, “I’ve told you not to stand up when you want to address me. You have been working in this school for over ten years. You have been made the principal for about two years now after Mrs. Degbe left, yet you behave like an ordinary teacher. This is the same reason why you could not stand up to some of the parents during the PTA meeting.”
“Ma, I’m sorry, but that’s really not the case.” She says still standing.
“Sit down and explain what happened to me.”
“Thank you ma” she sits down. “It was one of the parents that brought up the issue. She said she saw Jide at the market working as a load carrier. She said she was ashamed to see that such a boy attends the same school with her daughter, ma. Afterwards some other parents complained about having seen Jide selling sachet water on the road. They said they do not like it. In conclusion ma, they want Jide out of this school.”
The proprietress cuts in before she could continue, “Mr. Chris?” looking around for him.
Chris who was seated at a corner stands up answering his Boss, “ma.”
“Were you at the meeting?”
“Yes ma.”
What do you think about the whole thing? Because I didn’t just hear about the meeting alone but some of the parents called me and told me to expel Jide from the school. I actually thought he did something wrong.”
“Ma’am,” Chris says standing on his feet, “the only thing Jide did wrong was being poor. I called Jide and asked him if he was actually working as a load carrier in the market and he said yes. This is what he had to do to help his mother out since his father is ill. So ma, the question is, should we send this boy away from this school for doing something honest to earn a living? If he had subscribed to stealing or something even worse, I believe we would have a good reason to send him away. But with this? What will the society say of us? Do we prefer he joins a group of armed robbers and rob the same people that wants him out of here, in order to learn a living? I rest my case ma.” He sits down as other teachers start murmuring to each other.
“Can I have some decorum please!” the proprietress shouts and there was silence in the room. "The question before us is what should we do?” she noticed some hands raised up and she calls one of them, “Miss Barbara, let’s have your suggestion.”
Miss Barbara stands up in the midst of the teachers, “ma, I would say we allow the boy to finish. He is already in SS2. By this time of next year, he will be on his way out, so why sending him away?” she sits down after making her point.
Mrs. Haastrup whose hand was also raised up was asked to talk and she stands up, “ma, I was at the meeting and I saw how agitated some of those parents were. But we refused to note that some other parents were against the boy leaving, while some were indifferent. That is apart from the fact that most of the most important parents were not even present for the meeting, pardon me for using that phrase. So with this ma, I will advise we ignore them and move on.” She sits down and immediately Mrs. Salisa stands up without being called upon. “Ma, please allow me to say this. I disagree with what Mrs. Haastrup just said. Do you know what this school stands to lose if those parents withdraw their children from this school? Ma, I don’t think you would want all you’ve worked for to go down the drain all because of one boy. I know he was given a scholarship ma, but instead, why not give him some money to go to another school. Someone else can take his space and bring us the 3million he doesn’t pay every year, just a million can see him through the whole six years in some secondary schools out there. That way, you earn more and won’t even have to lose any of your students.” She sits down.
Thank you Mrs. Salisa” Says Mrs. Baker, she sees another hand raised up, “yes Fola, tell me.”
“Ma,” says Fola a young graduate who had just joined the school less than two years ago, “I met this Jide boy after hearing a lot about him and I must confess that I was so overwhelmed by his intelligence and shrewdness, that I made some inquiries about how he came to be in such a school as this and I was told he won a spelling bee competition and did not miss a word. Well, ma, coming from that juncture ma, I know the spelling bee competition was founded here in Lagos and funded by the Governor’s wife. Therefore ma, since the issue of parent’s complaints are coming up, why don’t you seek the assistance of the governor’s wife. I’m sure she will want to help Jide in other to boost her husband’s political career. Secondly ma, giving Jide a scholarship now, I believe is a future investment. Who knows, your children may want to go into politics in the nearest future, I believe this single act of yours will boost their acceptance by the masses. So ma, my point is, don’t look at what you stand to lose with this, because at the end of the day, you may not even loose anything at all.” He turns his eyes from the Proprietress to the teachers,” Let’s be positive. Whatever the proprietress did for that boy was an act of generosity. To those people in Jide’s locality, this woman here is seen as a philanthropist. Removing him from this school will make those people who already sang her praises become disappointed in her.” He returns his gaze to his Boss, “So ma, I believe you did whatever you did in good faith. With God behind you and that boy, no student will be withdrawn from this prestigious school. Thank you ma” he sits down and was surprised to hear an applause for him by some of the teachers.
“Hmm, thank you Fola. Thank you for the long speech.” Adjusting on her seat. “After hearing what you all have said, I will decide on what to do. Now, let’s move on to the next topic. The trip,..." she turns to the principal, "...how far have you gone with the preparation for it? How ready are the students for the competition?”
“That’s another thing ma” she says sitting on her seat. “Ma, we really need Jide for the competition ma. He is the only one that can bail us out, as far as I know ma.”
Mrs. Salisa raises up her hand and she was allowed to talk. “Ma, I think we are being very pessimistic. How can we say we need Jide? How can we say he is the only one that can bail us out? Don’t we have other students? Let’s teach them enough to be able to march up to those they will be competing with, for God sake and stop talking like this school can’t do any competition without Jide. What if Jide is not in this school, won’t we cope somehow?” she sits down.
“Hmm…” the Proprietress gestures and sees another hand in the air, “Mr. Chris, tell me.”
“Ma,” Chris says on his feet, “well if you ask me, I’d say the Principal is only been realistic. We have gone for this competition so many times and we have always gotten nowhere except being recognized as one of those who participated. We know the kind of students we take there, we know their capacity and what they face over there. We also know the students we have in this school right now, we know their capacity and what they can handle, so if the principal is telling us that we need Jide, it's a fact, it’s not about being pessimistic.” He sits down and another teacher stands up, trying to adjust her skirt, “ ma, I think we’re not looking at this whole issue well at all, now that everybody is saying Jide this, Jide that, we need Jide, we want Jide, how will Jide go for the competition? A boy who cannot afford to buy just the school uniform of N30,000, how will he afford the passport and the plane ticket? Please let’s just know how to prepare the other students for the competition and go for it. Thank you.” She sits down.
The proprietress takes a deep breath, “thank you Mrs. Kokoma.” She noticed that Fola’s hand is in the air, “Fola again?” she chuckles, “okay let’s hear it, but I hope it’s not a long speech this time?” everybody laughs as Fola stands up, “Ma I just wanted to make a suggestion but I guess I will have to come and see you later on for it.”
“Okay. I was going to tell you and Mr. Chris to see me after the meeting already.” She turns to the others, “I have arranged for some refreshments for us. Let’s go for a break then come back to discuss the upcoming examination.”
Their refreshment was served.

After the meeting, Mr. Chris and Fola walks with the proprietress towards her car. Mrs. Baker had taken a special likening to Fola when he came to the school as a young copper. He boldly approached her, telling her he would love to do his service in her school because he had always wished to be a student but his parents could not afford the school fees and had to go to another school. The proprietress discovered that the school he ended up going was the same school she had gone. She was happy to see another product of her own secondary school, who finished with a first class in the university, that she gladly deployed him, promising to give him a good pay during his service year. After his youth service, Mrs. Baker was happy with Fola’s work that she employed him.

As they walked to the car the proprietress beckons on Fola, “what suggestion did you say you have?”
“Yes ma,” trying not to speak out too loud, “I was thinking you could add the expenses for Jide’s trip to other student’s bill.”
She gives him a stern look, “How do you mean?”
Noticing her eyes, he tries not to hold back, “don’t get me wrong ma, what I mean is that, since we need Jide and he cannot afford to go for the trip, we can divide his own expenses on the others. I’m sure paying an extra five or ten thousand naira won’t do the parents any harm.”
The proprietress thinks about what he just said and before she could utter a statement Mr. Chris interrupts, “I think he’s right ma. Thank God we have not sent them the bill just yet, so I believe doing that won’t hurt.”
“And they won’t know what we did.” Fola adds.
“So, in other words, we should make them sponsor the same boy they want out of the school?” says the proprietress, looking at both men.
“Well…” Mr. Chris says looking away.
“Thank you for that good and terrible suggestion Fola, I can see that you have so many dubious things in that head of yours.” She gets to the car and her driver opens the door for her to go in. “Both of you should get ready. You will be the ones to accompany the stdents to the UK. Enjoy the rest of the week.” She says, as she closes the door.


******************************************************************************

The following monday, the school alarm for closure goes off and the students did not waste time to pack up their books into their bags. Anayo gets to the gate and was glad to see his mother waiting for him there with the driver. He walks up to her, wondering why she had come here herself. “Mum, are we going somewhere?”
“No. where is Jide? Go and get him. I have gotten him the GCE form.”
“Wow!” Anayo jumps up happily, “you’re the coolest Mum ever! I’ll go get him.” He drops his bag in the car and runs back in to their block looking for Jide. Jide was just leaving the class when Anayo saw him. He runs to him pulling him, “I have a surprise for you! Come let’s go!”
“What is it Anayo, why are you dragging me?” trying to hold himself from falling due to the strength of fat Anayo.
“Just come along!” still dragging Jide.

They finally get to the car and Jide was surprised to see Anayo’s mother. They had met on several occasion when he went to Anayo’s house to do their assignments together. Sometimes, she would not only give Jide lunch, but she will also give him money for his transportation back home.

Jide got to the car and prostrates before the woman, “good afternoon ma.”
“Good afternoon Jide, how are you? And how was school today”
“I’m fine ma.”
“How are your parents?”
“They are fine ma.”
“Good. My son said you would like to take the next GCE, is that true?
Em…” he looks at Anayo who sighs at him to talk. “I don’t have money for it ma.”
“And if someone should buy the form for you?”
“I will gladly do it ma.”
Anayo’s mother reaches for the brown envelope that is right beside her and stretches it to Jide. “Here, take it. That’s a GCE form. I got one each for you and Anayo.”
Jide was surprised at what he was hearing. He collects the envelope from the woman happily, prostrating again before her in gratitude. “Thank you so much ma. I don’t know how to thank you…I don’t…”
“It’s okay.” Anayo’s mother cuts in, “just continue being a good boy, okay?”
“Yes ma.” Standing up, he wishes he could open the envelope immediately but holds back.
“You will need an internet connection to fill the form, so come to the house tomorrow. Someone will be coming to the house to help Anayo, okay?”
“Okay ma. Thank you very much ma, I’m really grateful.”
“You’re welcome. Are you going home?”
“Yes ma.”
“Then come in, we will drop you along the way.” She enters into the car and shut the door as Jide also follows Anayo into the car through the other door.


When Jide got home and told his mother what Anayo’s mother did, she was happy. She decided she had to go to their house to show gratitude.

The following day, Jide arrives at the Nwankwo’s mansion with his mother. The security men did not allow his mother in, till they put a call through to their Boss’ wife, asking if she would like to see her. She was allowed in.

Chinwe Nwankwo is a woman in her late thirties. Although her husband loves her and can take care of all her needs, Chinwe still has a passion for cooking, hence she followed a catering dream even before she got married to her husband. She has a catering company that gets contracts from multinational companies to serve both traditional and continental dishes. She got married to her husband at an early age but was not so fortunate with child-bearing as she has only Anayo. She gave Anayo whatever he asked for and would do almost anything for him.

Few days ago, Anayo had confided in his mother, telling her he cannot do his GCE exams without the help of Jide and being a weak mother, Chinwe had resulted to buying Jide a form and making him fill the form at their place, by someone they chose so that both boys can be placed side by side.

Abike walks into the majestic building amazed by its beauty and land space. The exterior of the house is painted with colours white and grey. There is a garden on both sides of the drive in, one where residents can relax with their guests. Behind the building is a swimming pool and another relaxation spot, where Chief Nwankwo usually bring his guests on Saturday evenings when he is in the country. At the far end of the compound is the boy’s quarters, where the cook, driver, gardener and the housekeeper stays. They are not to come towards the area of the pool except to clean it.

Jide leads his mother to the entrance of the building and were met by Chinwe who was surprised to see Abike. Immediately Jide saw Mrs. Nwankwo, he tells his mother that she is the one they had come to look for. Abike did not waste time in going on her knees, “Aunty, thank you so much…”
“Oh, come on,” Mrs. Chinwe Nwankwo cuts in, “please stand up, it’s nothing. Jide is like a son to me.”
“No Aunty, let me kneel down, you don’t know what you have done for me.”
“Please stand up,” she moves towards her, pulling her up, “stand up.”
“God will bless you abundantly. Your children will never suffer, they will not lack helpers…”
“Amen. It’s okay. How is your husband? Jide told me he is very ill.”
“Yes ma, he is at home.”
“But how do you cope with the expenses of the house since he can’t work?”
“I usually clean people’s houses and also cook for money.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes ma.”
“Then I will let you know when I have any kind of work. I’m a caterer you know…”
“Oh I will be happy to work for you ma.”
“No problem, I will get in touch with you whenever I have to cater.”
“Thank you very much ma, I’m really grateful.”
“You’re welcome.” She turns to Jide, "Jide you can go inside, the man who will fill the form for you will be here anytime soon.”
“Yes ma.” Says Jide as he leaves his mother and walks inside.
Chinwe later saw Abike off to the gate and came back inside.



As time goes on, Jide's mother started working for Chinwe. Apart from working with her whenever she wants to cater, she would introduce her to some of her friends who need her assistance with cooking traditional food.

Few weeks before going for the UK trip, Atlantic College’s cultural program was organized. A program where different Nigerian cultures are celebrated. Students were to wear different cultural attires, sing different traditional songs, and eat different traditional food from diverse cultures; celebrating their different cultures.

Some of the Parents were actively involved in the program, while others are too busy to come. Some sent representatives like aunties and uncles while others are not even aware that such a program is taking place.

Chinwe has always been the one to cater for any of Atlantic college’s events, from the student’s year- end parties to their graduation parties, prom nights, and class parties etc. this is because she is one of the parent’s planning committee and all of these programs are sponsored by parents.

Jide did not plan coming for the program, because he has no presentable traditional clothes to wear, but he came to help his mother who is around to cater with other workers of Chinwe. Although he knows that he will be mocked by some of the students who do not know who his mother is, as she never comes to his school, but Jide does not care.

Traditional dishes like banga, afang, ogbono, efo-riro, nsala, bitter leaf soup, groundnut soup, orunla, ewedu, okro soup, amala, ekuru, eko, egbegiri, moimoi, alapa, mosa, lafun, ojojo, akara, ikokore, ebiripo,  nkwobi, asaro, pupuru, pepper soup, akpu, pounded yam, eba, were made. Jide's mother was in charge of pounding the yam.

The program was organized in a very big way, guests were invited, traditional dancers, and some traditional leaders were present to give few speeches about their cultures. All went well at the program.
At the end of the program, as Chinwe was ensuring her workers clean up properly, Mrs. Silvia Silva works up to her.
“Mrs. Chinwe,” walking up to Chinwe who is looking at the time on her wrist watch.  She turns around to see who her caller is “Yes?”
“Good afternoon.”
“Oh good afternoon ma,” realizing it is one of the minister’s wives, she moves closer to her, “Hope you enjoyed our dishes?”
“In fact, that's why I came to see you.”
“Hope no problem ma?” Chinwe says, wondering what went wrong with the dish.
“At all. I really love the pounded yam.” She could see the relief on Chinwe’s face. “Was it artificial or real yam? I mean powered yam.”
“Oh no, it was real yam, in fact that's the person that pounded it.” Pointing at Abike who is busy cleaning the mortar.
Silvia looks at the direction at which Chinwe pointed, nodding, “very good then.” She turns back to Chinwe, “Please, I need to know that person. I need her to help me with pounding. Our cook does not really know much about pounding yam, so I need someone who can do it. My husband comes to Lagos every weekend and he really loves natural pounded yam. I'll be happy if she can be coming to help every sunday.”
“Oh that's no problem. There she is,” pointing at Abike, “I'll call her for you.”

Silvia made an arrangement with Abike that she would come to her house every Sunday to prepare pounded yam for her family.


Towards the end of the term, approximately after the 2nd term exams, the students were told that the trip to the UK was set for a fortnight and the names of the students who submitted their passports will be pasted at the notice board.

Excitement and anxiety was written all over their faces. Some of them because they are happy to be going to the United Kingdom for the first time without their parents while others are happy to spend some time out of their parent’s reach.

Carol is with her friends, all excited. “It’s good the trip is set for after exams.” She tells them.
“Yeah.” Says Bukola.
Susan noticed Bukola doesn’t seem to be so excited about the trip, “Bukola, aren’t you going?
“I am, my Dad paid for me.”
“Oh he did?” asks Carol.
“Of course.”
“Because I can't remember you bringing your passport.”
“Haha!” Susan revokes her, “is her Mum not one of the teachers? She will just add her passport nau.”
“Leave her Suz, she's too dumb to know all that.” Bukola hisses and turns away from Carol.
“Who is dumb?” Carol asks grudgingly.
“Look, I have better things to do.” Bukola tells her and looks around for Bibi. “Hey Bibi!” Walking away from the other two.

At another corner is Ken and his friends, all excited about the trip. “You know why I'm so excited about this trip?” Ken asks them.
“Why?” says Amed.
“Because there are no parents there, so we're free!”
“Hmm...”
“I don't think we'll be that free o.” Lucas tells them.
“Why not?” Ken asks him with the excitement cut off from his face. “The competition won't take the whole 3 weeks! So why won't we be free?”
“Apart from that,” Andrew adds, “the girls will be there...we can sneak into their rooms at night and make out….you know.”
“Sneak into their rooms? We should do better than that. We should sneak them out of the hotel.” Says Ken.
“Ken!” Lucas shouts.
“Of course!”
“And if we get lost?” Lucas asks him.
“Get lost my foot! I know the whole of London like the back of my hand! I've been there like a million times!” Ken tells them.
“Yeah right!” Andrew says laughing out loud.
Ken looks at him with disgust and asks, “What’s funny? You think I'm lying? Oh, you think you're the only one that goes to UK every summer?”
Andrew turns to the others “don't mind him o.”
“I've been there like three times, we usually spend summer in the US, though Mum said she used to take me to the UK when I was a baby. But I can remember going like 3 times.” Says Amed.
“I do go to the UK and US every year but with my Mum,” says Andrew, “but this time, I'll be free.”
“I also go. But we don't spend much time there. May be just a week.” Says Ken, trying not to be left out.
“Then how come you know the whole place?” Lucas asks Ken.
“Don't worry, you'll see. Anyway, I can't just wait for next week, I want to know those that will be going.
“Me too.”


******************************************************************************


The following week, the students were informed that information about the UK trip has been pasted on the notice board. Immediately Ken and his friends heard about it, they rushed to the notice board see the list.

After scanning through the list, Ken was the first to make his comment. “Yes! That nonentity is not going!” Dancing as he leaves midst of the crowd at the notice board.
Andrew who waited for Ken for reassurance asks, “Are you very sure?”
“Of course! I made sure I check through very well. You can go and check it yourself.” Pointing at the direction of the board.”
“Yes!” says Andrew. “Where is he?” looking around to catch a glimpse of Jide within the crowd at the notice board.
“He's not here.” Lucas assures him.
“Haha,” Ken says, looking around, “why didn't he come and check for his name?” Laughing scornfully.
“Why will he come here when he didn't submit his passport?!” Amed says laughing.
“I wish to see his face,” Ken adds, still looking around, “Where is he?”
Still looking around for Jide, Andrew exclaims, “Carol is going!” He says dancing happily.
“Bukola is going too, I saw her name.” says Ken.
“Susan is also going too.” Lucas says.
“Everybody in SS2 is going except the church rat! Hahahaha.!" Ken shouts jumping up.
“Let's go and look for him.” Andrew says and they all follow him.

Unknown to them that Jide had been summoned by the proprietress and had gone to see her while the list was being posted on the board.

Jide knocks at Mrs. Baker’s office and was asked to come in. The proprietress’ office is tastefully furnished. The office is more spacious than that of the principal's. The wall can hardly be seen as every where is covered with very expensive curtains. There's a set of beautiful grey coloured couch after the proprietress' desk and a glass table in the middle. The floor was made of grey marble, which is sparkling clean so much that Jide thought of removing his shoes before stepping into the office. He steps in anyway.

Jide enters into the office with the fear of the uncertain; a feeling that triples the one in his classroom. But immediately he saw the proprietress’ face, his fears return to him. “You called for me ma.” He seem to have forgotten his greetings.
“Yes Jide, come,” the proprietress says, pointing at the seat by her desk, “sit down.”
“Yes ma.” As he was about to sit down he remembers he has not greeted the elderly lady. “Good afternoon ma.” He says prostrating before her.
“Good afternoon, please sit down Jide.”
“Yes ma.” Jide complies, pulling out the chair to sit. He sat quietly at the edge of the chair in anxiety, getting ready to hear the outcome of the last PTA meeting that was held. Mrs. Baker’s voice snaps him out of his thoughts.
“I'm sure you've heard about the trip and the competition.” Mrs. Baker says, adjusting her spectacles further on her nose, in other to see Jide’s face without the glasses.
“Yes ma.” Wondering where the topic is starting from and leading to. “I don't....”
“It’s okay,” the proprietress cuts in, “I know. I called you because I want you to be in school next Friday by 3pm. Once you get to school, come straight to my office.” She says, searching for something on her table.
“Yes ma.” Waiting for the next thing Mrs. Baker will say.
“And take this,” Mrs. Baker tells him, handing out an envelope to him. “Give this to your parents.”
Jide stands up and collects the envelope from her, “yes ma.”
“You can go back to your class now.”
“Yes ma.” He stands up wondering if she had not forgotten anything vital as he walks to the door, expecting to hear her calling him back till he was out of the office.

As he walks back to his class, he kept wondering why the Proprietress never brought up the topic of his expulsion, a news that has been going round the school. He was still thinking the letter he had been given may be the one that contained the information when he heard Ken call out his name closely, “Jide, why didn't you come and check for your name on the list?” Ken asks him in laughter.
“Why will he? He doesn't have a passport!” Andrew adds.
“You see, people like you are not expected to enter airplanes, talk-less of being in the UK.” Ken tells Jide while pushing him backwards.
Andrew also moves close to shove him, “the streets of London are cleaner than you.”
“That's true. He'll just mess the whole place up.” Says Amed.
As they were jesting, Ken looks at his hand and sees the envelope he had been given. “Oh look, what's that with you?” Trying to collect the envelope from his hand but Jide hides it away from them. “Hey, why are you hiding it?”
“I'm sure it’s the letter the school is sending to his dirty parents, telling them their son can't be in this school again.” Andrew answers Ken, while laughing.
“Hmm...That should be right. Too bad!” Lucas says shaking his head.
Ken looks at Jide, shaking his head, “you're a double looser! You can't go on the trip and you can't continue with the school.” Then he turns to Andrew and the others. “What other revenge could be sweeter than this?”
“We didn’t even have to do anything after all…” says Andrew.
Jide stands up in other to escape the situation before they will try to snatch the envelope from him, “excuse me.” Trying to walk past them but Ken pulls him back.
“Hey! hey, come back here, we're not through with you.” Ken says, holding Jide by his shirt.
“What?” Jide says as he staggers back.
“Yes come back here, because once you leave now, we won't ever come across you again!” Andrew tells him.
“Please let him go. He smells like a dog.” Amed says trying to cover his nose.
“Don't worry we'll take pictures and send it to you...are you on facebook? I know you can never be on BBM.” Lucas tells him while laughing at him.
“This one? How can he be on facebook when he has no phone?” says Ken.
“Does he even know what facebook is?” Andrew adds.
“He's always doing his assignments at the school cyber-cafe.” Says Amed.
“Church rat!” Ken says as he pushes Jide by his forehead.

Jide finds a way of leaving the place as they laugh at him. He goes to his classroom, thinking of the content of the letter as he walks to his seat sluggishly.

Bukola and Susan who had seen him entering into the classroom, walk up to him. “Jide, I saw those naughty boys bothering you, Bukola tells him, sitting beside him.
“Don't mind them, okay?” Susan comforts him while patting him.
Jide nods, “thanks.”
“Come on Jide, don't let them affect you, lighten up nau.” Says Bukola.
After saying all that, they notice he still did not lighten up. Then Susan breaks the silence facing Bukola, “maybe he's like this because he won't be going for the competition.”
Bukola looks at Jide, “eyah..Jide its okay, don't be sad nau. I know you'd love to...”
Jide cuts in, “It’s not because of the trip.”
“Then what is it?” Bukola asks him, looking at him in the face. Then Jide brings out the brown envelope. “This is it.”
“What is that?” Bukola tries to collect it but Jide holds it back from her.
“No we can't open it. It’s addressed to my parents.”
“What is it about?”
“I think they're telling me not to come back to this school again.” Jide said feeling the sadness in his heart.
“What!” Bukola looks at Susan and back at Jide shocked.
“Are you sure?” Susan asks him.
“Why else will the Proprietress ask me to come to her office to collect the letter? And I'm the only one she gave.”
Bukola looks at Susan again then Jide, “Oh my God..but they can't just let you go like that. What of your scholarship?”
“I don't know.” Says Jide.
“This is not fair.” Susan says pitifully.
“May be your Mum should come and beg the Proprietress to reconsider.” Bukola tells him.
“She was the one that gave me the scholarship, right? So she can as well take it back.
“Eyah.” Says Susan, wishing she could help out. “Does that mean you will go to another school?”
“No. I'll just take GCE because I don't think I can go to any other school.”
“Shit! This is not fair, I hate the fact that those boys got their wish.” Says Bukola, looking out through the window at Ken and the others.
“Me too.” Says Susan.


When he got home, he reluctantly he brings out the letter.

To be continued....