Nikita popularly called Nike by her classmates and among others in the community felt a premonition of fear and began to sweat in cold weather as the examination paper was given to her. She felt something was wrong somewhere but couldn't figure out exactly what was happening to her. She was shivering profusely and couldn't give ear to the announcement that was going on in the examination hall, as the external supervisor was orienting the candidates about the danger of examination malpractices.
Why am I feeling unrest today? Isn't today suppose to be the best day of my life, as I'm about to pen down and move to the next phase of my academic life? Why am I feeling so discomfort now? Oh! I see, it may be the high fever I experienced last night. ( As she keeps pondering with her facial demonstration).
The external supervisor cut in, eehi! You! Stand up! Oh! You are cheating now. It wasn't up to a minute you began your exams and you have started cheating. May I have the book you are holding in your left hand? Everyone in the hall started looking at each other wondering whom the external supervisor was talking to.
The external supervisor, I'm talking to you! This girl sweating in cold weather. Stand up and hand me that paper in your hand else, I will collect your script and send you out right away. You are among the bad eggs in this school who goes around bring a bad name to the school. After dealing with you today, in your next life; when you hear of exam malpractice, you will run four-four- forty.
Nike, Sir, I am not holding anything in my hand and I am not indulging in any malpractice Sir, I can't figure out what is exactly wrong with me sir. I read intensively and I can answer any question given to me. I'm aren't with myself, I know something bad has happened as she fidgets the more. I can sense that, I am not cheating and will never cheat Sir. Shut up and hand that which you were holding on your left hand to me now! Do you think I'm a fool? Oh! I can see you want to prove stubborn or perhaps play smart on me. Now, I will do it with force on you.
The internal supervisor cut in, excuse me, sir, what is going on in this Hall? The internal supervisor asked looking directly at the external supervisor. External Supervisor, This girl is a bad image to this school. Didn't I give orientation on examination this exam malpractice before the exam commences? I caught her red-handed cheating, so tell her to bring out that paper she's hiding or else, she will face the beat said the external supervisor. Internal supervisor, Sir, with due respect, I know this girl too well and I am very sure and certain that Nike can't do what you are accusing her of? Nike is one of the best intelligent pupils in this school. She had carried the image and reputation of this school to some extent. The last gold medal which was given to our school by the Federal Government was as a result of this girl's incredible performance in that competition. So, Sir, I doubt Nikita can do this. The external supervisor; "Are you calling me a liar"? Oh! I can see you teachers here are encouraging your students for the offensive and outrageous act. Why the unmuted noise was going on here, please? The principal walked in.
The principal, Sir, may I know what is going on here please? Yes! Thank God you came said the external supervisor. I can see clearly what is going on in this school and I wouldn't hesitate to report your school to the WAEC board if this girl didn't bring out what I saw her holding.
The Principal, Sir, she doesn't have to cheat, that was just the truth. She is the best student in my school. "Stand up let me search you," said the head supervisor who just walked into the hall due to the controllable argument in the examination hall. That will be necessary said the principal of the school, Mr. Johnson. The external supervisor turned his head towards the head supervisor and the principal and said, " Sir, I will have to search her, she has been acting strangely and skeptically since the commencement of the examination and I have been telling her to hand over the paper I saw her with but she bluntly refused to do so.
The principal, Sir, please, stop creating a scene in the hall. These students are supposed to do their exams in a conducive atmosphere and not like this. The head Supervisor, I insist that we do our duty and search her. The principal, I can tell you that I know the reasons behind her fidgeting. ( As they talked, Nikita, turned her attention towards them and asked in fear: 'You know what Sir...?
Then she saw tears in the principal eyes. As she looked up at the entrance of the hall, she saw her mom's immediate sister, aunt Monica who had never for once in her lifetime visited her school. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. Nike's knees buckled and she fell to the ground, but the internal supervisor came to her rescue and held her from falling.
Bring some water said the principal, a student rushed to the water tap and brought water and they poured it on her. She sat on the floor as they allowed her. She looked at her aunt and asked:
" What happened, aunt? Has anything happened to my mom or Zube my kid brother? Are my mom and Zube alright? Finish your examination first and then we go home together" Said Nike's aunt. But I can't, I can no longer do anything, please God help me, don't allow anything to happen to my family she said. The aunt began to cry again. The principal took them all into his office including Nike's examination papers.
At the principal's office, she was told of the sudden demise of her mother in a fatal car accident on her way to Ofia Market at Nkwere axis in Okigwe, Imo State. She had died a few minutes later when there was no help to come to her rescue. The world had changed for Nikita said the principal. He felt pity for the girl. She was a good girl and having lost her dad a very long time ago under the same circumstance. What, in this world could be happening to this poor little child? Why was her destiny meant like this? Could it be her destiny? Thought the principal. Hmm! Some questions needed answers but who will give them the right answer.