"I don't like boarding school daddy," Chioma lamented. "Please tell him mum."
"You're not getting my support on that one," her mother said. "I think it would be good for you especially your morals. Besides I hear the school has performed very well in WAEC and as you're about getting into your final class, I think it will be very good for you."
"That's exactly my point," Chioma's father said. "I don't know what they teach you at The Crest but it's high time you take your academics very seriously and the teachers at St. Alice will certainly help shape you into a bright student."
Chioma Nneji is the daughter of multimillionaire businessman Christopher Nneji.
Despite his very busy work schedule, Christopher has always made out time to be with his family especially his children.
Being a teacher once upon a time, Christopher would help them in their studies whenever he was at home even though he still hired tutors for them.
Chioma have not been performing very well in school despite the home tutor her father got for her and Christopher felt the need to pull her out from her current mixed school, and send her to the Catholic owned girls school with a track record of academic excellence.
"I promise I will do better this term," Chioma pleaded.
"That was what you said last term," her father said grabbing some files from the table and putting them into his briefcase. "And the term before. But it seems you keep getting worse if not better. Chioma, this matter is not up for debate, I have spoken with the Mother Superior and she's expecting you next week.
"Your mother will help you get your provisions and everything you may need. I've sorted out your fees and your uniform will be given to you when you get there.
"It is for your own good we are doing this. If you were doing as good as your brothers and sisters were, you wouldn't be going to St. Alice Catholic Girls College. I don't like boarding schools myself but you've left us no choice than to see if this step we are taking would work.
"That school is very competitive and difficult to get somebody admitted to it especially at this time when the school year isn't yet over. I had to pull some strings with the Bishop to get you accepted."
"Write a list of things you think you'll need," her mother said getting up from the chair she had been sitting on. "I'll look at it later. By the way let me get food for your father."
Chioma stormed out of the living room in frustration. She hated the idea of going to a new school. She was going to miss her friends and all the plans they had made together.
Chioma knew she wasn't doing very well with her studies. She wanted to do better but she just wasn't getting there. Her siblings were all doing well and impressing her parents while she struggled to maintain an average score.
"The new school might just be what I need," she thought to herself as she slammed the door of her bedroom behind her. "But it's unfair, I'm going to miss everybody at The Crest. Except that wicked Mr. Donatus whose always looking for an excuse to flog me."
The door of the bedroom opened and her siblings poured into the room.
Chioma is the second child of five children in the family. She has two brothers and two sisters. A girl came before her while the boys came last.
"So what did they say?" Chioma's elder sister, Ifeoma asked.
"Boarding school," Chioma replied mournfully.
"What," her younger sister Chidera exclaimed. "But Daddy has always been against boarding schools."
"I guess he changed his mind after all."
"What school are they sending you to?" one of the boys, Uchenna asked.
"One St. Alice Catholic Girls College."
"I've heard about that school," Ifeoma said. "Isn't that the school that had the stories of one Madam Koi Koi?"
"Madam Koi Koi?" Chioma said. "Which one is Madam Koi Koi?"
"I heard the story from a school mate from Uboma," Ifeoma replied. "They said long long ago, a teacher killed herself and her angry spirit started terrorising the place."
"Angry spirit," the second boy Fabian laughed. "Chioma is going to a ghost school," he sang.
The others laughed.
"So what later happened?" Chioma asked.
"She said the spirit was contained," Ifeoma replied. "She said her grave is within the school compound and they guarded it with some kind of chain or so."
"I don't believe all these ghost stories," Chidera dismissed the story. "We used to hear Owerri Girls was haunted once upon a time. I think they are just stories used to scare little children."
"I'm not finding anything about that online," Uchenna said. He had a new Samsung Android phone and was already surfing the web for any mention of a ghost at St. Alice. "But the academic records of the school is quite impressive. I think it would do you a lot of good."
"Shut up," Chioma threw a pillow at him.
"No seriously," Uchenna batted away the pillow. "Their performance at WAEC has been the best in the state for four years in a row. Whatever they're doing there can rub off on you positively."
"I hope so," Chioma agreed. "I've not been doing too well at The Crest."
"So what now?" Chidera said. "How are you getting ready? As the first and only person in this family to attend a boarding school, I think it's quite a big deal, what are going to school with?"
"Mum asked me to draw up a list," Chioma replied. "But I don't know what to write or where to start."
"I'll call my friend Grace," Ifeoma said. "She attended a boarding school. She'll give us an idea of what you'll need."
A week later, her father drove the big Mercedes Benz SUV through the gates of St. Alice Catholic Girls College Uboma.
Chioma got down from the vehicle and looked around the very large compound.
The Catholic girls college exuded a sense of timeless tradition, its architecture adorned with symbols of faith. The church, an integral part of the campus, stood as a spiritual anchor, welcoming both students and parishioners. Its spire reaches towards the heavens, a symbol of aspiration.
Adjacent to the school grounds lies a tranquil graveyard, where weathered tombstones silently tell stories of those who once contributed to the community's legacy. The graveyard serves as a contemplative space, encouraging reflection on the passage of time and the continuity of faith through generations.
Within the school walls, the classrooms resonate with the hum of learning, guided by the principles of Catholic education. The corridors echo with the footsteps of students in uniform, a testament to the discipline instilled within the nurturing environment. The presence of dedicated educators reinforces the values of compassion and service.
The school with it's church and graveyard, contributed to a unique tapestry of tradition, faith, and the ongoing journey of education.
"A graveyard," she gasped.
"What?" her father asked.
"Nothing sir."
The Principal of the school, a middle aged nun came to meet them.
"Mr. Nneji I presume?" the nun inquired.
"Yes," Chioma's father replied.
"I'm Sister Agatha the principal of St. Alice," she introduced herself. "We spoke on the phone earlier."
"Yes," Chioma's father replied. "This is my daughter Chioma."
"How are you my dear?"
"I'm fine ma," Chioma replied.
"Let's go to the office," Sister Agatha led the way. "She'll pick up her things after we are done with the registration."
In the thirty or more minutes the registration process lasted, the House Mistress who was summoned by the principal, meticulously examined the contents of Chioma's bags, ensuring a comprehensive inventory.
Some items were identified as missing, prompting the House Mistress to provide recommendations to Mr. Nneji while some others were removed as they were in violation of school requirements.
Without hesitation, Mr. Nneji promptly provided the necessary funds for the missing items, entrusting the House Mistress to procure the essential things Chioma would require.
"Your House Mistress will show you to your hostel," the principal said after Chioma had closer her bags. "Mr. Nneji, be rest assured she's in safe hands. We pay very close attention to all our girls to make sure nobody steps out of line or bullies any student here. I run a very tight ship here."
"I wouldn't have it any other way Sister Agatha," Chioma's father replied.
He hugged Chioma then got into the Mercedes Benz and drove away from the school.
Chioma was led to a building which she later found out to be "House B". The House Mistress led her through the corridors, unveiling the residence's identity.
Upon reaching Chioma's assigned room, the door swung open to reveal a meticulously arranged space.
The House Mistress gestured towards the bunk bed, where crisp linens and a hint of personalization hinted at the care taken to make Chioma feel at home.
The thoughtful preparation not only spoke to the House Mistress's dedication but also set a positive tone for Chioma's experience in her new surroundings, fostering a sense of comfort and belonging.
"Here you are," the House Mistress said. "Let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you Miss..."
"Charity."
"Thank you Miss Charity."
The House Mistress left the room and Chioma was suddenlysurrounded by other students in the room who wanted to welcome her and get to know her.
A big girl pushed her way through the other girls to stand in front of her.
"All of you should go away," she shushed the other girls. She turned to Chioma. "I'm Chinasa but you can call me Nasa. We're in the same class SS2. Welcome to St. Alice."
"Thank you," Chioma replied.
"I'll give you the run down of things you need to know like meal times, or time for chapel," Chinasa started. "You don't have to worry about the SS3 girls, they're preparing for their final exams so we're now in charge of the school. Too bad you came just a week after posts were apportioned."
"I'm not interested in getting any, I don't like the attention."
"My kind of girl," Chinasa laughed. "Who wants to be reporting to the teachers all the time? Better keep our heads low, face our studies and get out of here."
"My plan exactly."
According to Chinasa, the girls wake up everyday by 5:30am and go for a thirty minutes Prep.
Afterwards, they are given another thirty minutes to go about their chorus such as sweeping the compound.
Every student is expected to have taken her bath and report to the refectory by 6:30 for their breakfast which they have thirty minutes to finish.
Chapel and assembly starts by 7am and last for an hour afterwards the girls head straight to their classes.
Classes dismisses by 2pm daily and every girl is expected to be at the refectory in their day wear thirty minutes after for their lunch.
Siesta starts by 3pm and another round of Prep starts by 3:30pm.
From 4pm to 6pm, the girls are free to do whatever they want to do within the confines of the school in accordance to the regulations. They could engage in sports or reading clubs or just sleep if they want to.
The girls are expected to take their bath by 6pm and report to the refectory by 6:30pm for their dinner.
By 7pm the girls will head to the chapel for the evening prayer afterwards they head straight to their classes for a one hour Prep.
On Saturday, after the morning chapel and assembly, the girls have all day to themselves and can engage in all forms of games and personal activities till lunchtime. After the afternoon Prep, the same routine continues.
On Sunday, the morning church service is a bit longer as they are joined by people from the town who like to worship in the old church. There's a new church at the other part of town but some parishioners still prefer the old church on Sundays while some come for earlier morning mass around 6am during regular days. The town people usually come through another gate and leave through it after worship.
On Sunday, no other activity is allowed after the church service. The girls stay in their rooms and only leave when they are going for their meals or Prep.
Lights out starts from 9pm every day.
"Very regimented," Chioma said.
"Yes," Chinasa agreed. "Like military school without the military drills. We the senior girls have some leverage but you still have to be careful a teacher doesn't catch you where you aren't supposed to be at the wrong time."
"I'll have to unpack now."
"I'll help you do that."
Chioma lamented over some of the things she was made to leave behind.
"They didn't allow me come with my phone," Chioma complained.
"Yes they don't allow phones here," Chinasa replied. "But don't worry, we smuggled in a few. I happen to own one of those phones. We hide them very well because if you're caught with a phone, you'll be suspended immediately."
"I noticed we have a graveyard in the compound."
"Oh that," Chinasa waved her hand dismissingly. "Years ago, parishioners used to bury their dead there. That is those who didn't want to bury their dead at home. They no longer use it now but the old graves are still there."
"What about this story of Madam Koi Koi?" Chioma inquired.
"We all heard that," Chinasa laughed. "I'll show you the grave later. But I think the stories are tales to scare kids. Some years ago the native doctor in this town used to come here and visit the grave. But the Bishop put a stop to that immediately he heard about it."
"Do you know the story behind it?"
"Yes everybody here does," Chinasa replied. "Used to be a close guarded secret before now until the Bishop heard about it and the story came out.
"According to what we were told, there was this teacher called Miss Evelyn but students and even teachers called her Madam Koi Koi behind her back because of the high heels she loved to wear.
"Now they said she was very mean and some girls planned with their brothers to rape her to loosen her up.
"The story goes that she hung herself after that. They claimed that her spirit came after the men who raped her and killed them. I know for a fact that the girls who did that were sent to prison.
"The story claimed Madam Koi Koi's spirit was contained within her grave by the chief priest back then which is why they put a chain around her grave. But it's not strange to see graves with chains around them in these parts. There's always the story of warding off or containing spirits with such graves but no one has ever seen such spirits before have they? I don't believe them. I think those rapists were killed by the dead teachers relatives or even the villagers and the girls confessed to the crime."
"But nothing strange have happened here since you came to this school?"
"Are you scared of a ghost story meant for kids?" Chinasa laughed. I've been in this school from JSS 1 and nothing out of the ordinary have ever happened here."
Chioma mused a moment over what she had heard then dismissed it. It was probably what Chinasa said it was, tales to scare little kids.
"You best hurry up," Chinasa said. "It's almost lunch time, I like the egusi soup very much."
Chioma wasn't feeling like eating anything yet let alone food prepared by the school kitchen crew but she knew she had to start from somewhere.
"If you're not eating," Chinasa said. "You can collect yours and give it to me."
"Ok."