Even an anosmic patient could smell the euphoria in the air when the school bell rang after the last period. This was because this time, the bell indicated the end of the session and not the end of any classes whatsoever.
"Finally, I can now focus on my basketball training". Bisola let out a happy sigh as she arranged her books into her bag. "Four months holiday, Belema, do you know what means?"
Of course, I knew exactly what that meant. No more waking up by six a.m to prepare for school, three hours searching for x and y, stupid assignments, tests and all of school stress. Four months of freedom to do whatever I wanted that doesn't relate to school and that includes internship I applied for in my favorite Museum in Calabar.
"I know right. We can finally taste heaven on earth".
"Make sure you remember the welcome test after your heaven, girls. You get less than 10, you'll go back to SS2". A familiar voice announced from behind us, making us startle.
Any student of Sterling High could tell who owned that voice whenever, wherever. That's because it belonged to the nosiest and most annoying teacher ever who thought creeping around students was cool.
"Yes, Mr. Andrews". We chorused. At that point, we would do anything to make him leave. Only the devil will remind you about school when the holidays are about to begin and that devil was right here in Sterling High.
"God, sometimes I feel like punching that man in his throat so he'll never have to speak again". Bisola groaned with her fists clenched in a tight grip. As small as those fists were, the wonders they could do was capable of bringing a dead man to life. I quickly grabbed her fist and lowered it before Mr Andrews would turn and see it. I wasn't ready to start forming a lie now, I didn't have the energy for that.
"Forget about that sorrowful man, sis". I flung my arms around her shoulder as i started leading her out of the hallway. "Look at the bright side, we won't see him for four good months. Let's just focus on the happy memories".
"Yeah, you're right. Speaking of happy memories". Bisola turned to me with glee dancing in her eyes as she clasped her hands in front my face. "Mene is coming back on Friday!". She sang and did some gwara-gwara dance to back it up. I feigned a smile as I watched her dance with everything in her. Mene had been dating my best friend for a year now and while she believes that he's her prince charming, I think he's just a two-faced guy with a very useless sense of humor. He also has attitude problems but Bisola never sees that cause he always treats like a queen. As long as he opens the door and kisses her on the forehead and cheek, in that order, I'm imagining whatever I say.
"When will you ever smile when I mention his name?". Bisola arranged her blazer and shirt, giving me a glare that could met ice.
"I smiled". I defended myself. I hated talking about this guy just as much as I hated him. You think heartbreak hurts, try living with the fact that your best friend who is also your cousin and your neighbor, is dating someone you loathe.
"Whatever, Belema. Don't just get angry when I start acting this way towards you when you start dating someone".
I snorted. "You still have faith in my love life. How interesting". I'd given up on that word 'love'. I don't care how people, romance novels or k-drama paint it as a strong feeling blah-blah, for me, it was just an illusion. No one is capable of love because its deeper than we think.
"Let's just go home". She sighed, probably not wanting to have this conversation with me for the umpteenth time. Trust me, the feeling was mutual. The last thing I wanted to hear was how some guy would come and sweep me off my feet.
******
My mother was exactly where I knew she'd be when I got home. Today was a Friday so she sprawled on the couch in the living room watching The Nancy Isime show.
"Good evening, mummy".
She sat up at the sound of my voice with a huge smile plastered on her face. "Evening baby. You look happy today".
"Every child attending Sterling High is happy today, mummy. It's the last day of school". I shrugged as I sauntered over to where she sat. "How is my baby brother?"
She smiled as I rubbed the small bump visible through her pink blouse. "We don't know if it's a girl or a boy yet, Belema".
"It's going to be a boy". I stated, staring at her stomach like I was prophesying.
"How are you so sure?". I didn't miss the amusement playing in her tone. She probably thought I was trying to be funny but I was serious. Left for me, I didn't even want any younger one at all, they're too much drama and trouble.
"Your daughter is a seer".
The wide smile vanished from her face and a horrified expression replaced it. "What do you mean seer?. That is witchcraft, Belema!".
"Ah, mummy. I was joking".
"Stop making those sort of jokes, especially around the baby".
I shook my head. Nigerian parents were too spiritual about everything. "Okay, mummy. I'm going to my room now".
"Okay". Her tone had an edge of seriousness to it now. She hadn't still recovered from my seer joke. Note to self; never ever crack jokes in front of mum.
******
I was seated on my bed that night, staring at my laptop screen, praying that my expectations wouldn't be cut short. They told me they would be sending me a reply to my request by ten p.m and I've been shivering ever since I got that message.
What if I don't get accepted?
"No, positive thoughts only Belema, just positive thoughts". I chanted to myself making sure it sank into the deepest parts of my mind.
At exactly ten p.m, I got a mail from Marina Museum, Calabar. I dialed Bisola's number immediately because I was too tensed. She picked on the second ring.
"Who's dead?". Her voice was laced with sleep. She was sleeping by this time? Seriously?
"My internship request reply just came, Belema". I tried my best not to sound worried or tensed but my tone betrayed me. I sounded like a toddler who had just misplaced her father's laptop.
"Oh that internship shit, you still applied". Whether she was asking or saying I didn't know, but I replied anyway.
"Yes, I still applied for that internship shit and the reply just came. I don't know why but I'm just too tensed. What if I don't get accepted?" I asked but no received no reply. The only sounds coming from her end were soft snores and sighs, the bitch slept off!
With an annoyed sigh, I hung up on her. I don't need her ginger anyway.
"It's just an internship, I can still apply again next year if I'm rejected". I assured myself and then clicked on the mail. There were too many words, I couldn't even process most of them because the first sentence had my attention in its firm grasp.
Congratulations, Miss Belema Isaac!.
I scrolled down to the bottom of the email with shaky hands and what I saw made me forget how to breathe.
As promised, you'll be entitled to free accommodation, food and some incentives to spice it up. Thank you for choosing us!
Kufre, Blog Editor @ Marina Museum
"Oh my God". My voice was low and my vision was blurry from unshed tears. All I felt then was bliss. This was probably how Oprah Winfrey felt when she became the richest African American in the 20th century.
"Mum! Dad!". I screamed at the top of my lungs. 'We're going to Calabar!".