Mr Aloho is our form teacher and also the president of our science club. He is a strict disciplinarian with zero tolerance for insurbodination.
I remembered the last time, he beat the whole class for making noise, my palms were sore for 2 days.
After writing on the chalkboard for a while, he turned around and started asking questions.
who can tell me where we stopped yesterday? he asked briskly.
Davies the smartest guy in the class raised up his hands as usual.
Yes Davies, Mr Aloho called.
simultaneous equations sir, he answered.
That's correct, a round of applause..... Mr Aloho implored.
The whole class reverberated with the sounds of clapping hands.
The name of our school was kingdom knights secondary school, Abuja.. we are 30 students in each class, A, B,C. The students are all divided into cliques; the nerds, the popular guys and girls, the sport champions and the musicians.
You can all guess where I belong*** sigh**
That's right; the nerds. I wasn't very popular in school because I was very petite in size and not very beautiful so I tried to keep a low profile in school. I remember when I officially embarrassed myself by picking my nose on stage in a spelling bee contest. I did my best to perform averagely in all my school work, I wasn't one of the best but definitely wasn't one of the worst either.
Who can solve this equation? Mr Aloho asked.
3x + 2y=10
2x- y= 5... using the elimination method.
Davies as usual raised up his hand but it looks as though Mr Aloho wanted to spice things up today.
is it only Davies that must answer all the questions in the class everytime? he asked as he glared around the class. Enough is enough, today I'm going to be picking students randomly to answer questions.
The students in our class didn't really like maths and the teacher didn't make matters better but my uncle always told me, anytime I give an excuse that I failed because of the teacher, he would say and I quote" you are not there to like the teacher but you are there to learn the subject"
But nevertheless everyone strived to get a good grade because maths is one of the core subjects needed to graduate, class participation was just not compulsory.
I was lost in my own thoughts when I felt someone shake my shoulder. Mr Aloho was standing in front of me looking as cross as ever.
stand up and answer the question... he glared at me angrily. if there was one thing he hated it was being ignored .
I stood up immediately and Snickers and suppressed laughter from students followed.
what is your name? he asked.
Shewa, I answered.
Alright Shewa come and solve the equation.. he concluded, walking back to the board.
The equation wasn't really hard, I could already see the solution in my head.
I walked gingerly to the board and collected the marker from him.
The gasps and murmurs increased.
what's so funny? Mr Aloho growled.
Sarah Joseph, a fellow classmate came forward and took excuse from the teacher.
she wrapped her sweater around my waist as I stood there confused and ushered me out of the class and into the female restroom.
Your skirt is stained, she said matter of factly.
I was dumbfounded as I stared her, I didn't understand what she meant.
She smiled as she saw the confusion on my face. you are on your period, she explained.I believe this is your first time, she stated the obvious.
I nodded almost remotely.
just wait for me here... she whispered as she opened the door and walked away briskly.
I couldn't move, I have heard so much about menstruation from school, books the media and from my aunt but never did I think it would happen so suddenly and without any signs.
such a big change, I thought.
A few minutes later, Sarah appeared with a packet of sanitary pads, disposable panties and a new school skirt. she looked like she had just robbed a the school directory or convincence store.
Go and change quickly, she handed them over to me.
Do you need help, she asked sensing my hesitance. without waiting for me to answer, she took them from me and helped me put on everything while I stood there awkwardly.
Thank you very much, I said very embarrassed with flushed cheeks as she disposed of the stained objects in the incinerator.
just then the school bell rang to indicate the end of first period.
There is nothing to be embarrassed about, every woman must experience it. just ensure you know the next time and date so you can prepare against it adequately... she advised as we both washed our hands.
Thank you once again... I concluded.
Don't mention, she smiled as we both left for English class.
*******
After school bell rang to signify the close of the day around 3pm, I stood outside my class waiting for Tumi when I felt a slight tug on my shoulder.
I spun around and saw one of my classmate crush David.
it was normal for high school girls to have crushes here and there but David was just something else entirely.
Hey.. I stuttered.
I just wanted to apologize for how the class reacted this morning, I have reprimanded them. no lady should have to go through that, he said matter of factly.
David Akingbade was one of the most popular guys in the whole school, breathing the same air with him was a privilege talk less of him holding your hand or speaking to you. He was tall, athletic, smart, very handsome, rich and very sweet.... he was perfect in every way with the proper body build. Girls swooned over him and senior girls were not left out as he dazzled them with his smile.
it's okay David, I answered.. still in shock.
okay.... he muttered as he scratched his neck awkwardly, David Akingbade was nervous... well that was a first... I thought.
Can I have your phone number? he asked quietly.
My heart literally did a back flip and stopped beating.
David Akingbade, one of the cutest guys in the whole school, asking for my phone number... I screamed internally.
I wanted to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming.
Okay, no problem.. I took a deep breath as he handed me his phone to put in my number.
I will call you, he smiled as he tucked one loose braid behind my ear, casually brushing my cheek.
Then he waved and turned around and left.
I raised my hand slowly and pinched my cheek... I'm not dreaming so;
What just happened???? I asked myself.