True to her words, she stood outside as she heard the woman shout on top of her voice.
"Helen!"
"Yes ma" She replied and entered her office.
"If you think you will bring down the name of my husband's school, you must be joking" Her principal started.
She bent her head.
"Mr Ben, how do you hope to perform a miracle on this girl?" The woman turned to ask her teacher.
"Ma, she is the only qualified student"
"You want to tell me that there are no speakers in my school?"
"I doubt that ma"
"Then you brought this useless girl. I am highly disappointed in you!"
"Ma, just give her this one chance"
"I will because if she fails I will have to withdraw her from the scholarship." She said and confirmed Helen's greatest fears.
"Helen, don't forget, practice this Saturday". Mr Ben told her. She turned and left with dropped shoulders. She told her aunt the story as soon as she came home.
"Don't mind that candidate of hell" Aunty Eva said to her as she picked the vegetables.
"Well, she believes she's the best Christian ever!"
"She thinks Christianity is by wearing assorted clothes" Aunty Eva replied in contempt.
"So, can I go for practice on Saturday and Sunday?" Helen asked her.
"If you can finish all your chores on Friday" The young woman responded.
"You are the best ma" Helen replied happily.
"By the way, who's this young man you're practicing with?"
"Just a teacher"
"Is he married?"
"No he isn't"
"Is he available?" She asked with a smile.
"I don't know about that, ma" Helen replied her blushing.
"I hope this doesn't end in nine months"
"Holy Christ, Aunty!"
"We can't tell" she replied as she started washing the vegetables.
*******
"Welcome, Helen!"
"Thank you Mr Ben" She replied as he led her to his study.
"Woah" She said when she noticed the well arranged books in shelves.
"Sit down" He said bringing her out of her wonder.
She sat looking at him as he checked his books and brought out one and placed it on the table.
She looked at the book expecting to see a title that looked like "SECRETS TO PUBLIC SPEAKING!" but all she saw was a book by Napoleon Hill with the title...
"Law of Success?" She asked with suprise.
"Yes, we will start from there." The man responded.
"Will I read this whole book?" She asked him incredulously.
"Well, not all. To start with, open to the first page after the table of contents and read the story. I will be back to ask you what you've read"
"Okay Sir" She replied and immediately started reading.
He came back 20 minutes later.
"Are you done?"
"Yes Sir"
"Okay, that will be all for today"
"All?" She asked, this time more suprised than ever.
"Yes, but before you leave, take the book and make sure you go through lesson 5 thoroughly"
"Okay Sir" She replied with doubt because She wondered how this would help her face the crowd and overcome her fears.
"Don't forget practice tomorrow by 6" He said to her as she walked out. The tall skinny girl who had a large book in her hands.