Yeah, I was shocked but I felt really sorry for her...
' Janice,you shouldn't have a thought like that you know? Don't let words like that from Gladys get into you,they absolutely have nothing to do with who you are. . .'I said, I knew I was starting to talk like a motivational speaker.
Just then,Janice had stopped crying and all gestures from her shows she's feeling uncomfortable already.
' who are you to even motivate or talk anyways?'.My thought from her reactions though.
I started feeling uneasy and stopped talking as I bent over to give her an encouraging hug as I Pat her back. She unavoidably hugged in return.
I had to flatter her with my words,' I understand that feelings like that come as a teenage girl,you want to be loved and complemented by everyone,you always want people say, 'Oh, you're so beautiful!,nice curves, and all that. . . It's nice to hear anyways,but they don't determine who you're,you define that.All you need is 'loving and cherishing yourself first'.When this is justifiably done,other people will definitely do.Love yourself first!. I said softly as I drew closer to her.
'look at me,silly'. I said as I smiled.
You're beautiful,perfect and elegant.The only daughter of the Lumas, the smartest and most brilliant girl I have ever met... you're really more,you know naw?.I said as I giggled.
The cheery smile on her face,the glow in her eyes and the peace and comfort that enveloped her face showed she was pleased with my relief speech and we were back together again.
Me:when your emotions start talking,saying negative things about people you love or people that loves you,talk it out with theme and puuff! You're done.
I returned from school feeling so fulfilled,of course, it's worth it.Funny enough,I was still battling with my own emotions,always thinking and blaming myself for being the cause of my family's death.
When I couldn't bare the sight of the incidence ,Mrs Davis had to relocate to another estate to make things get better and yes, I was able to wave it off a bit;cos can such memory be erased totally?
The few weeks of resumptionwent on smoothly as presumed,but as soon as we were getting nearer to the end of the term,it got tougher.
' You all should summarize and analyze the prose in 10 pages and submit before closing time'.Mrs Tacha said as she walked briskly out of the class with her books placed under her arms.
'Oh....oh...ma'am, it's too much. How do we do that within just few hours'. We all mumbled.
It was really annoying.'So,because we're almost leaving College,man no go rest?'. A girl behind me scoffed.
It was even more frustrating as other teachers did the same. Holding longer classes,late assignments and classroom tasks plus prefect duties.It's really no joke.Even worse for day students like my friends and I, having to go home later than time and submitting assignments early the next morning. Thank God,Mrs Davis made it easier.Unlike women who would maltreat children who are not theirs,she treated me like a gold,I mean like a baby.I had no duties to do in the house, everything was done by the housemaid and she even makes out time to gist with me;coupled with the stress of work for her and my own school stress.Gisting and cooking with her in the Kitchen were moments that I cherish,She would tell me of her teenage years,how she was so in love with her husband. She spoke joyously about their fortnight meetings by the bank of the river behind the village. How she was stupidly in love to the point of eloping.(smiles).
' who would do that in this 21st century?'. I thought as I smiled.
How she would tell a lie to Mama on Sundays that she was going for Sunday service or even Friday vigils but ends up at their secret meeting place,because his parents were not also in support.All of this,she regretted doing now.
But,she was smitten. Her dreams,desires and ambitions had been caved during those years,all because of love.She would say; 'this kind of love doesn't last forever, don't let them deceive you, Mira.'All her stories usually end up in admonition. I love those moments.
The term even got tougher,with having to write series of exams for final college year and meeting up with friendship duties. . .
Sometimes,we wouldn't even talk much.Janice and I were in Arts while Gladys was in the Sciences. I feel she even suffered it most,because she still had practicals to deal with. So,most times,we manage to make up for that at night.
Janice and Gladys practically became my sisters .We became inseparable,never to let our feelings and emotions impede our friendship.
Bracing up in strength and never giving in to our weaknesses.Fighting through the term and winning.
And yes,we were finally done with the term,done with college,done with high-school life.The beginning of a new Dawn is setting in.
College's stress is no joke, really. . .
Our graduation from college is yet another event in my life that cannot be forgotten.
Let's keep riding.