The phase one of the competition has ended and Sharon was among the finalists that were choosen.
Sophia in a her room, staring at the ceiling when her mother came in, "where is doctor Donald, Sophia?", she asked, "I don't know, it seems like he stepped out for something, but I don't know", she said as she looked down, with tears forming in her eyes, she said,"we have got to go Mum, the phase one of the competition has ended and there's no way they will still accept me. I really appreciate what you and doctor Donald have done for me, and I am sorry that I didn't see it then when you said that it was much of a stress, Mum", "don't say that, honey", she said as she sat on Sophia's bed and held her hands,"this is not a stress to us, what we have done is all for good, nobody will see an intelligent girl like you and refuse to allow you join this contest, Sophia, you are a bright child, and I don't see any reason why they would say no", Mrs Owomorsale added, "I am physically challenged, Mom", "sweetheart?", Mrs Owomorsale called, tears rolled down Sophia's eyes and she said, "it's true, it hurts, Mom, but I am okay, I have come to see the difference and the distance between the world of the physically fit and the physically challenged, but I'm happy whenever I remember Mr Robert, he.. "who is Mr Robert?" Sophia's mother cut her in, "Mr Robert who appeared on the show, the one who was sitting on a wheelchair, but he believes that we can fight back, Mom, his words gives me hope", Sophia said with a smile.
Doctor Donald walked in and sat on the sofa, "good morning madam", "good morning doctor", Mrs Owomorsale replied, "good morning doctor", Sophia greeted, " how are you Sophia? " I am fine", "I am happy to hear that, Sophia, do your mother and I a favour please?" "what's that Mum?", she asked eagerly, "we are going to try and convince the judges one more time, and we will like you to stay here and wait for us, it might take time, but stay here and wait for us", the doctor said, "well, it's something I can do, okay, I will wait, but doctor, do you still believe that this will work out? the phase one of the competition has ended and there's no way I will be accepted", Sophia said, "let's not conclude yet, but let's try and know if it works, just this one more, and we will definitely give up", "alright, I will wait, but please,can you help me go down the stairs, I want to go to the reception hall", Sophia requested, "why would you go there?", Mrs Owomorsale asked, "I don't want to stay here all by myself", Sophia replied, "okay, we will do that for you, okay?", said Dr Donald, "thanks", Sophia replied with a smile.
In the meeting room where the judges were discussing about the competition and deciding on the finalists, Dr Donald and Mrs Owomorsale knocked and entered, "good morning judges", Dr Donald greeted, "you are still here? I thought you would have gone back by now", asked Mrs Johnson surprised to see them, "if it's about the crippled girl, forget it, she is not fit for this competition", she added, "madam, I understand how you see this, but Sophia is a bright child, you can trust her on this, she's very intelligent, she i... "does it really occur to you, madam, that the phase one of this competition has ended, and there's no way your child can participate again? Mrs Jeobor interrupted Mrs Owomorsale, "we wish we can help you, but so sorry, there's nothing we can do for, doctor Donald and Mrs Owomorsale, we advice you go back now", Mr Stanley added.
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At the reception hall, Sophia is watching the television when Mrs Williams, a lecturer of psychology at Lagos State University. Mrs Williams is a woman who knows how to balance her responsibilities at work and at home efficiently, and she is the judge to see and write a report about the competition, so she hurried to the meeting hall, taking the staircase, she came up to the reception hall, "good morning madam", Sophia greeted, Mrs Williams turned, "good morning darling, what is your name?" "I am Sophia Owomorsale, I came with my mother and doctor for this competition", Sophia answered, "wow! you are a bright child, I am Mrs Rachel Williams", "thank you", Sophia replied, "so Sophia, what are you doing here all by yourself, where are your guardians?" Mrs Williams asked out of concern, "they went to speak to the judges about me, but never mind, you seem to be in a haste, I am sorry to stop you, but can I borrow your newspapers?" Sophia asked, "sure darling, do you know about newspapers? this is about politicians", Mrs Williams asked, "yes, I do watch and follow the newspapers about politicians and I know a few of the American politicians", "wow! then can I ask who the president of America is?", "yes, he is Mr President Joel Biden", Sophia answered, "wow, you are impressive, well yes, you can borrow my newspapers, but some other time, we will get to talk about the politicians and their games, okay?", " thanks ma'am, I am looking forward to that", Sophia answered, "then see you darling", "you too ma'am", Mrs Williams smiled and continued where she was going before Sophia's greetings interrupted her.
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Back in the meeting room, Dr Donald and Mrs Owomorsale were still arguing with the judges, when Mrs Williams came in, and exchanged greetings with other judges and so with Dr Donald and Mrs Owomorsale. "What is going on here?" Mrs Williams asked confused, "well, this people has been giving us headache ever since, and all this is about this crippled child of theirs who they came with for the competition, but that child, truth is, is not fit for the competition, she is crippled, and we believe that she's not mentally fit too for this competition, so we have advised them to go back, that there's nothing we can do about it", Mr Stanley answered, "so sorry, madam and Dr Donald, right?" "yes", they both answered, "but who is this little girl that is crippled, not mentally fit, this ..that... who is the girl?" Mrs Williams asked, "there's this girl they came with and sh..." Mrs Jeobor was still talking when Mrs Williams interrupted her, "hold on, there was a girl on a wheelchair that I met at the reception, her name is Sophia Owomorsale, and I guess she's the girl?", she asked, "yes", Mr Stanley answered, "did you just said that she is mentally ill?" she asked again, "yes yes, she's not fit for this exercise", Mr Stanley added, "wait a minute, that girl, I met her when I was coming up here and we spoke a little concerning politicians, that girl is very intelligent and she is mentally fit, forget about her physical challenge, she can do this, I believe", Mrs Williams said, "well, we wished that we can do something for them, but the phase one of this competition has already ended, and there's nothing we can...", Mrs Jeobor was still talking when Mrs Williams cut her in, "I don't care whether the phase one has ended or not, whatever you have to do, all I care about is that you register that child, I don't care how you do it, but, I want to see that child on the phase two of that competition, that she didn't participate in the phase one is you people's mistake, so get it done right away".