"Yes, my son." Mrs. Abi patted his son. "You're so brilliant, every members of the family knows that. I remembered that you went to secondary school on a schorlaship. And even, no one has to tell me that you're doing well in your University as well. So, considering all this facts, I conclude that you have to study abroad, to know more than you've known in Nigeria."
"But, why do you have to bother yourself, mom?" James asked pathetically "But, I'm just okay in Nigeria. Why do you have to carry so much burden on your head Ma'am?"
"It is the pride of every Nigerian mother to be able to say; I have a son abroad. Though, we're been struggling to live a good life as we are not a wealthy family, but to make my dreams come true, I've gathered some money for the trip. Currently, an organisation had set up an examination to pick students who will go to Canada to study on a schorlaship. I know you will pass this examination, that's why I'm throwing the offer to you. Please, don't reject this offer."
"Mom, this money you've gathered for the trip, why don't you set it up on a business at least."
"Are you telling me that I don't know what to do with my money?"
"No one is saying that, mom. But the fact remains that the Nigerian educational syllabus is in no way different from that of Canada. There is no difference between studying in Canada and studying in Nigeria."
"Are you comparing Canada with Nigeria? In every manner you might think of, Nigeria is just like a child beside Canada. Every mother wants something good for their son. And if you know you do love me as you do claim you do, do not turn down this offer."
Betty Better bought some butter
But she said the butter is bitter
"If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter."
So Betty Better bought another piece of butter. And this time, the butter is not bitter.
"Just imagine, is my situation not similar to that of Betty Better? Once I live for Canada to spend 5years, I will miss the chance to meet Janet who is gonna come back to Nigeria by next year."
"When will you stop thinking about this girl, James?" Alex broke in "Who told you that this girl hasn't gotten herself another lover there? America is a big country, with so many handsome guys. Even, handsome Nigerians over there might have wooed her, who knows? Stopbthinking about this girl, she has left you for the past four years, she would have forgotten about you."
"Hmn.... She loved me, I don't think she can ever forget about me."
"Four years? Infact, someone I don't see for four weeks self, I forget about them, not to talk of someone I can't see for years."
"But, we're talking about love matters na."
"And, am I talking about hatred matter? See, if you people are really destined to be together, you will certainly be no matter what the condition be. Infact, if you travel to Canada and spend ten years there, you will certainly be with only her later in life. Forget abiut her for now."
Alex words made James to keep silent for sometime. He was certainly thinking about what he told him, remembering a quote that says "Only those that are destined to find love will find it." He was now in a state of two minds. "Was he really destined to have Janet as his wife? Is Janet still thinking about him even till now. Well, whatever God has written will happen, how can something out of destiny happens by force?"
"Thanks so much, Alex." James appreciated "Nothing in life happens unless it's bound to happen. But, I love this girl. I pray we meet again. She is my world, I need her to fill the gap in my life."
"Well, you will surely meet her one day if you are destined to. Go tell your mom that you've accepted her offer."
"I've agreed to go and study in Canada mom." James told Mrs. Abi while both were sitting on the mat, eating a meal of Eba and Egusi soup ( a kind of food that belongs to the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria). It had become their habit to eat on mat as their were no enough enough space in the house to form a dining room. They were a low class type who were even struggling to have three square meals a day. That gave James a surprise on why his mother had raised money to send him abroad insyead of starting a business with it.
"I will write the exam and pass it ma'am." James said "And then I will study on a schorlaship. But is it true that you've raised some money to send me abroad, mom?"
"No"
"Oh!" He heaved a sign of releave. "How then will you send me abroad when you don't have the money.
"An organisation has organised an examination to pick students who will go to Canada to study on a schorlaship. So, all expenses are on them."
"Oh! But the money you need now is my pocket money for the main time. I'm so sure I will pass that examination unless the questions are not from this earth."
"That's my son, I trust you." She leaned forward to kiss him on his forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too mom"
The examination was conducted. He had gone for the examination and had come out in flying colour. He was among the fifty students selected for the schorlaship award to sudy in Canada. But the condition was once the students get to Canada, they would be offered a part time job in which fifty percent of the income earned every months belongs to the organisation that gave the schorlaship award.
In less than a month's time, James moved to Canada where a new life began.