Elena rushed to take her bath, She quickly dressed up and told her parents that she has an urgent call to attend to.
what kind of call is that? her father asked. I thought you were on holiday.
"This man is a thorn in my flesh, what will I tell him now? Elena thought.
it's just a little meeting with my course mates, we were given an assignment we couldn't do last semester so one of us has gotten a solution to it and that's why there's a call for this meeting. she lied
Are you going outside town? her father asked again
No sir.
it's okay then, you can go but make sure you take very good care of yourself and most importantly, you must be very watchful. is that okay?
yes Sir.
Immediately her father gave her a go-ahead, and she almost flew like a bird. Elena arrived at the bus station and detailed Davis's number to plead with him not to come to visit her but his line wasn't connecting.
what a big mess! Elena exclaimed as she sat down.
she got distracted by the shouts of two passengers. I have to know what's going on there, she said as she rose to leave.
she must be sentenced!
she must be sentenced!! the second girl wore a blue colored t-shirt on blue jean trousers.
she can't cheat on me this time around.
Elena just stood looking at the faces of those who had also come to witness what was happening.
Why will her friend do such? a lady who looks like a teacher asked aloud.
Who do you blame? another woman quickly asked in a louder tone.
It's her sister I blame, how can a sister betray her sister, that's not nice.
Elena who was still confused, moved closer to the crowd to get first-hand information from one of the girls who was already being interviewed.
**********************************************
Wake up!
Wake up!!
Elena woke up in shock. why will you hit me so hard? don't you know I was so deep in my sleep.
I'm sorry Aunty, her cousin immediately apologized. My mummy said I should wake you up so that you could help do something.
okay, just tell her that I'm coming.
okay, aunty.
Oh my goodness! she exclaimed as got up from her bed. I can't believe this. have I been dreaming? Or is it a reality?
still confused if she was still in the dream world, she went outside to look at the environment she was in, she was still in the southern part of the country; her aunt's place to be precise.
Elena had just written her final exams in secondary school and she had come to spend the holiday with her Aunt before she will continue her education.
Thank God it was just a dream, how did I even get myself into such? from frying pan to fire? I'm just so happy it was just a dream.
Aunt Alvina?
Good morning Elena. how're you doing and how's your night.
it was great and yours?
It was fine too. I noticed that you didn't wake up early today, hope you're fine?
yes, I am fine. Elena replied quickly replied.
That morning, before her aunty left for work, she assisted her with the chores and her kids so that she could go to work early. As Elena saw her Aunt off at the bus station where she usually goes to board one, she walked home Rather Sluggishly. Whenever everyone has gone out, she was the only one that stays in the house.
She looked around the house, she looked up and then down again. A thought came to her mind, "I think I should put my dream into Writing". Elena thought. But she had a chore to do before doing all that she had to do.
As she went outside to wash the remaining clothes, her neighbor came to her.
I had come to look for you before, Stephanie said as she walked towards her.
I saw my Aunty off to the bus station, she replied.
You look worried, hope you're fine? Elena asked Stephanie.
Elena, there's a lot on my mind, I don't know what to do or where to start. I think I'm gradually dying, with no one to share my feelings with.
Elena felt bad, she knows how it feels when you don't have anyone to talk to, she had had that kind of feeling before. But in this case, Stephanie was far older than her, what if she tells her what is going on in her mind, and she doesn't know what to give her as advice?
But I don't know what her to start feeling bad, I just have to tell her that I'm here for her.
Can you share what's in your mind? Elena asked more concerned.
Yes, Elena, I can tell you what's on my mind.
okay dear, I'm listening.
it all started when I was still a kid, my parents so much loved me and it got to a point when my mother started acting so funny.
How was she acting funny? Elena quickly cut in.
She avoided me the most time, she no longer cares about me the way she usually does when I was much younger but my Dad never left my side, he was always there.
There was a day when my Dad asked me to get something from his room, when I entered the room, I immediately went to where the file was located. I picked it up from the first section of the wardrobe but something caught my attention.
what was that? Elena asked curiously.
I saw a file with my name written so bold on it. I picked it up out of curiosity and I opened it, the first words I saw was 'Adoption Documents".
what! Elena exclaimed in great shock. You don't mean it, she said again.
Although, at that time, I couldn't check the file because my Dad called on me.
That was what I continued to think about until my 10th birthday. On that day, my parents had gone out for my birthday preparations so I went into their room to check for the documents, I brought them out neatly and I read through the entire document. Elena, the documents confirmed that I was an adopted child, I continued to shed tears throughout that day, my parents tried to Know the reason behind my tears but I said nothing, I just told them I was overwhelmed because it was another year for me.
on my eleventh year birthday, I asked my parents about it, but before I did so, I had already had a photocopy of all the documents. when I brought it out, they were so shocked. I asked them to tell me the truth that I had the right to know who I am.
My father was so confused because he couldn't explain what was going on, he asked my mom to explain.
my mother just bowed her head in shame for she didn't know where to start her explanation from. She told my father to give her some time to put herself together but he didn't agree with her. and so she started telling us the origin of me.
She started from where she had faked a pregnancy and had lied to my father that she will be traveling to deliver her baby in another country. On her return, she came with me.
At this point, Stephanie was already shedding tears, Elena went to get her side to comfort her.
it's okay Stephanie, I understand how you feel, it wasn't your fault that you were adopted, you just knew by chance.
My Dad couldn't believe what he was hearing from my mother, he just stood like a log of wood as he listened to my mother.
Stephanie but I have a question for you, Elena quickly cut in.
what's that?
How is it that your mother was pregnant and your father wasn't aware of it? I don't get that part of the story, how was she able to deceive your father without his knowledge?
I can't even explain because I wasn't there, but my aunt told me some time ago that she was able to do such because my Dad was working in a faraway country.
Stephanie heard her Aunty's call and then she zoomed off.
Let's continue our discussion later please, I need your advice on something.
there's no problem Stephanie, I'm here for you.
********
Two weeks later, Elena received a call from her father that her results were out and she should come home to check them by herself.
She was scared, her father had warned her times without a number before the exams that she should study so hard to pass her exams so that she could go to the university but she studied with laxity, and now her results were out. what will happen if she didn't do well this time around? this is not the first exam she is Writing.
Elena felt a cold sensation down her spine, she could recall all her father had told her " if you don't study hard to pass your examination this time around, I will not enroll you for another one, I will leave you to choose your fate since you don't want to be serious, this is the last exam I will pay for your enrollment, so if you don't pass, it means your educational diary has been closed in this house" her father had told her.
"what will become of me if I fail again, where will I start if I don't get enrolled again, that is if I fail for the third time". Elena thought.
On her Aunty's return from work, she informed her of the new development. she was granted permission to go home. She had thought her aunty wouldn't permit her to go immediately, maybe she would have delayed her going for some weeks because of her son that wasn't fine. But to her surprise, she allowed her to go.
The following morning, she woke up early so that she could finish her chores in her Aunty's place before she would leave. When she was done, she took her bath and reluctantly got dressed up in preparation to leave.
Opening her wardrobe, she picked up her bag and folded her clothes and other things she has brought. She thought of Stephanie and all she had been through. "I'm the only one she has as a friend but I'm about to leave her, what if I come out with good grades and I proceed to the university, it means I won't visit Aunty's place any time soon".
She went outside to the spot where she usually meets her every day, but she wasn't there, Elena wanted to bid her goodbye before leaving and also to share her contact with her in case she needs someone to talk to.
So you're about to leave me, Elena?
I'm not leaving you, Stephanie, it's just distance that will make me not be close to you. I'm with you, I'm not leaving you. I will also be visiting my Aunty from time to time to check on you too.
Elena dipped her hand in her pocket and brought out a neatly folded piece of paper.
This Paper contains my home address and my phone number, if there's anything you want to talk to me about, you can always reach me.
Thanks so much, Elena, you're such a great friend.
Both girls had a tight embrace and then Elena left for the bus station.
*****
How're you doing Elena? the caller asked from the other end.
I'm fine and you? Elena asked as she looks confused. she was trying to figure out who the caller was.
I'm okay Elena.
The caller mentioned her name again but still trying to figure out who he or she was.
who am I unto? she managed to ask.
it's me, Vincent.
oh! how's it been with you?
I've been good. I learned that our results have been released, have you checked yours?
No Vincent, what about you. have you?
Not yet, but I'll do that hopefully by tomorrow.
it's okay Vincent, just hope that this time, the sun shines on us
Me too Elena.
Anyway thanks for the update, I'm grateful.
it's okay Elena. we'll talk later.
Vincent is a long-time classmate of Elena. they attended the same secondary school until their exams came up two years ago. On the first attempt, they didn't make it, they tried again and they're just hoping for a better result.
His parents had already told him that if he didn't pass this time around, he would be sent to take care of his grandparents In the village.
Vincent had dreams of becoming a medical doctor someday but he was almost getting frustrated because of his results that weren't good and the threat he was receiving from his parents.
Elena prayed so hard as she alighted from the bus that she will smile home with good grades this time.
You're welcome home, my daughter. her father said as she entered the sitting room.
good afternoon sir, she greeted as she walked close to him.
Hope you're fine?
yes sir
How was your journey?
it was great. I enjoyed it.
it's okay. Keep your bag and come so that we will have a little discussion.
Elena already knew what her father wanted to tell her, it was her results. As she walked into her room, she just wished that something will happen so that her father will be distracted for she doesn't want to hear anything about the results until she comes home with it.
I want to welcome you home again, her father started. the major reason why I asked you to come from your Aunty's place is for two major reasons. Firstly and most importantly is your result, I have already told you before that, if you don't make it this time around, you already know what we agreed on so, the ball is in your court, if you play it well, I will send you to further your education but if you don't play it well, you have yourself to blame because I have played my part already.
Then the other topic is this. It is even a question I want to ask you. The reply you give will determine the topic of the discussion.
What could it be? Elena thought within her.
Before you left, I have always been seeing you with Wilson, he was here some days ago and he asked me to ask you what was happening.
Elena opened her eyes so wild, what will I say now? she asked herself.