FLOWERS IN SAHARA

' 🅂🄴🅅🄴🄽 '

"The second stage of the competition is almost the same one as the first. Baskets are as well been passed around the hall right now. By now you should be holding both a plain sheet and a folded sheet of paper. You are to write a 400-word essay on the topic in the folded paper you are holding"

"You have 50 minutes and your time starts now"

Lolade briskly opened the folded sheet of paper in her hands and wore a small smile seeing the topic in her hands.

A Girl child or a Boy Child, who has more importance?

For such a topic, Lolade had way too many things to write. Her biro moved swiftly on the sheet of paper without stopping.

"I got 'Nigerian at independence and Nigerian now'" Christopher said as he shrugged.

"What the hell am I supposed to write?" He asked as Tofi glared at him.

"I got something on whether white collar jobs or independent jobs, which is more lucrative" Tofi said as Christopher burst into laughter.

"Good luck amigos" he said as he started writing.

Jesse had begun writing the moment he opened his sheet of paper. He had a topic on the rich culture of Nigerian, something he absolutely had zero problem with it.

After fifty minutes, the timer went off and as usual, the students started throwing their papers into the baskets.

"I wasn't able to write anything" the other girl who had qualified in Lolade's school cried as the others comforted her.

"Its okay, don't worry" Mr Ilesanmi said as Lolade pursed her lips patiently waiting for the results.

"The results will be ready in about ten minutes, while waiting, do enjoy the snacks" the host said as one of Davido's popular hit songs JOWO started playing while the students sang along.

My baby jo, jo
Jo, jowo
My baby jo, jowo
My baby jo, jowo, jowo

One time three gbosa for the two person wey born you
I no go wan to try lose you chai they no born me well
I no fit tire for your matter, lai lai say I no do
Suddenly man ah calm down, man down for only you, yeah

Lolade wore a small smile as she collected her tray of snacks. The girls had made sure they had stuffed her with bread and coke that morning so that her stomach wouldn't embarrass her, Tolani's words not hers.

Looking at the tray that was filled with two big biscuits, a hollandia yoghurt, a bottle of Sprite and a plate of small chops, Lolade didn't think twice before stuffing the biscuits and Sprite into her school bag. While nodding her head to the song that was playing, she started eating the small chops one by one.

Many, many man they try to whine you
I no really mind they just dey whiney
Many, many gyal they try to whine me
Baby no go mind dem just be whiney
So me say jo o jowo
Look into my eyes oh baby jowo
Will you be my wife oh baby? jowo
Baby, oh ya raga, raga, raga for me
Jo o, jowo
Look into my eyes, oh baby , jowo
Will you be my wife? Oh baby...

By the time the song ended, the host was back on stage with a huge smile. A smile that made Lolade want to scratch her bones.

"And our results are out. Looks like, a lot of us aren't that good with essays" he said as Lolade sucked in her breadth.