3 years later
Everything had changed, my first year at the Royal school was hard but due to time and patience, I was able to push through.
Life gave a shit but if you were able to push through, you would make it.
Our campaign team have had many branches all over the country while I supervised them.
The awareness was over the place, and the person found breaking the rules, would face the court.
We showed every once in a month on TV and twice a week in the newspaper.
The violence must stop.
Bullying must end.
Depression was real.
Depression killed.
Life was good.
No one was greater than another except if you want to.
I was no longer living in the market or hawked again. The system of government had changed over time. The new law made sure all the children who always hawked at the roadside were given proper education and had awaiting job for them after school. Schools also had vocational periods to teach students about hand works. Not all students would have a white collared job. The disabilities were also were given education, they all had potential. They just need a little push.
Corruption had been lessened in the country, the salaries of the uniformed men had been increased to eliminate the police from taking money from the citizens. Police were our friend, they did their job, how they were excepted.
When noticing anything in the community, just give a call to the police they are available in the blinked of an eye.
There was nothing like weak to the oppressor.
The medical system too had been changed, there was nothing like payment before service or short of doctors.
Teachers salaries had been increased, the teachers were the builders of society. They helped to nurture the kids.
I couldn't believe, I had used three years in a place, I never knew but Lagos state held my good and bad memories.
Graduation day was fast approaching. The King - Zaid's father had summoned me to the palace. He said I should come to see him. I'd been lying on schoolwork, project and assignments. With now that I would be an undergraduate there was nothing to say for me except to go.
He had planned for I and Zaid to complete our BSc at the state but I would humbly decline it when I get to him.
Why must we leave the country to study?.
There were some best universities in Nigeria then why travelling out?.
It always baffled me, how we Nigerians thought. Any little thing, abroad. Why not use our facilities, why not appreciate our things when it was among the best. Why did we prefer foreign goods over ours?
The white enslaved we black at the past by taking us from our countries to work for them but now we were slaving ourselves to them by moving to their countries. Whereas we could develop ours and made it one of the best. We could never be the best because there was nothing like best. Because best meant perfect and we humans weren't perfect, we were just trying. Then why don't we try our best? We might not be the best but we would try to do our best.
We black had let the poverty to chain our mentality, goals achievement. Let's open our eyes and we shall change the world. Let's work under pressure with little or no supervision.
That was why I dwelled myself in some writings. Writing to change the world because the pen was greater than the sword. I wanted to open the eyes of people not all glitters were gold. To make awareness. The child, you aborted yesterday could be the key to salvation.
After school, if there was no campaign. I freelanced for some companies and students who were in need of articles, reports or anything related to writing.
I, Sumaya and Chidima became the best friends. I wished to study medicine in school to save the world. Sumaya wished to study law, to defend the weak and those who were oppressed on while Chidima wished to become a professional teacher and writer.
~~~
"And the overall best student is Adiya Amir" all the students erupted in noise. They were hailing my name from everywhere. I'd almost collected all the gift presented at the graduation.
I was given the punctuality, best in mathematics and science. Best in socializing and best among the perfect. When I was called on the stage to receive my last gift, the Mc asked of my parents and I felt disheartened. I was an orphan.
I'd no one come.
I did know whether my uncle was alive or not but I'd forgiven him.
"Emm, my parents are..." my voice was heavy. I felt sad because there was nothing like parental love. The crowd turned around and looked at the person which heels were clicking on the podium.
Sumaya's mother. I felt a wave of tears washing over me. She was beautiful, she was a highly respected woman and an elegant woman.
Her head was high, she collected the mic, "well, her parents were not around but I represent her parents" she smiled at the crowd while everyone hollered.
After everything, I was given the mic to have my last speech as the ex-head girl of the school. I talked about suicide because I knew that was what common among teens.
When the party ended, Zaid drove us to the palace. I was nervous, I'd never been to the palace except seeing it on the TV.
Would his parents like me?
I knew Zaid's mother was dead but the King had remarried.
Will the new queen like me?, I thought
We arrived at the place and it looked magnificent. The TV images weren't compared to the one standing before me. As I entered, I waited to appreciate the work of the architecture. The chandeliers were fixed at the ceiling.
"Are you done?" I heard Zaid asked behind me. I knew he would have that his signature smirk on while I internally groaned.
I embarrassed myself the first time coming to the palace.
I turned to give Zaid a snarky comment when I saw the other version of Zaid or the replica of Zaid except he was older with grey hair. He was putting on the red beads and a golden crown. He never looked a minute pass forty when he was actually in his late forties.
I was looking at the King in eyes, I panicked when what I did overwhelmed me.
"Issokay my child" he smiled softly at me. His voice was deep, one of the deepest voices.
The King sat on his throne, waving him whisking his tassel.
"My boy never stop talking about you. I never see him so serious about something or someone before. You are the first" he chuckled when he saw me cringed on my seat. Who wouldn't cringe, facing the royal?.
"And I swear why you can't stop talking about you because you are one among gazillion" my palms were sweaty. I was dying of embarrassment where I was.
Where the heck is Zaid when I need him to save me?. I thought.
I was always awkward to talk.
The King's eyes brighten when a sophisticated lady walked elegantly inside. The servants were trailing behind her, helping her with her long gown. I thought she was another cousin or niece of the king before the king called her 'Olori*' (Queen).
I was shocked because this lady or woman would be nothing less than twenty-five years old. She was so young. I knew the king remarried but not to a lady.
No wondered none of her pictures was out.
She smiled back at the king but when her gaze found mine, she scowled at me. Checking me from toe to head.
"Who is this?" she snapped at me, making me stood quickly from my seat.
"Oh my sweetheart, sorry this is Adiya Amir, Zaid..." She snapped at him.
"I know, she's that orphan poor kid," she said with disgust while I winced.
The king turned to me and smiled apologetically at me. "that's not a way to talk to the guest especially if she means so much to Zaid" the king whispered in hushed voice but I heard.
I stood up to take my leave that was when Zain came in, "I'm sorry Dee, I went to.." he said, "When are you going?" he asked, looking at me to the Queen who was glaring at me.
"emm, I want to do..."
"Both of us know that that was a lie" he smiled down at me.
"Dad, this is the lady I talked to you about and I wish to marry her before going to school" he announced while I gasped.
What?
I am not ready. I shouted but my vocal cord didn't help to pass it out.
"Awww" the king cooed, "Boye" the king called and a messenger came in. "Go announce to the world that my boy is getting married next week and start to prepare" the King ordered.
"What?" the Queen voiced what I was thinking out.
"No way, he can't marry her"She sneered.