Don't break the Bank: A not-so-perfect financial journey of a Nigerian student.

CHAPTER THREE

The following week at school, news of a strike was on everyone's lips. The students bristled out in uncertainty following the earlier fake rumours they heard last semester about a strike happening. Melissa and her coursemates sat in class, contemplating the sudden undesired break.

"Guys! this time, the news is not fake; oh, It's on ASUU's Twitter page; I checked this morning, and to make matters worse, it's an indefinite strike," Zeenah, one of Melissa's, friends affirmed the validity of the news.

"Gosh! Not again", Tara muttered.

"Omoh! Can they just allow us to finish this school in peace?" Oladele said (he Sat three seats away from them, but he could hear their conversation from a distance). He continued talking — These constant strikes would delay our graduation. I'm tired of this phase of my life.

"Imagine? Me that has planned out my life. Now I'll stay in school longer than expected," Tara cried out in a distressed tone.

"They've pasted circulars in the hostels, asking everyone to vacate on Wednesday. I don't know where I'll stay if they close the hostel, oh! And I don't want to go home now," Zeenah interjected Tara.

"Zee! what are you saying? You can move in with Mel and me. That's not an issue, Tara said to her."

"Hmmm, Wahala for who Dey go federal school Oh," Oladele yelled. They noticed how quiet Melissa had been. "Mel watsup, are you okay?"

Melissa sighed in exhaustion — I am okay, she said in an uncertain tone. I'm just thinking about this strike. The last one lasted for eight months. I got so bored staying at home every day, oblivious about what to do with myself. My anxiety level grew. I got easily irritated and provoked by my younger sister; I got uncontrollably fat cause I ate like a glutton. I was always glued to the news channel, hoping to hear that the strike was over and getting disappointed each time I saw no latest update. I can't possibly experience that again. Something needs to be done concerning our education system. Everything is just curdled in lethargy. This back and forth between the government and the ASUU committee is sickening. Melissa made tired gestures with her hands as she spoke.

Mel, we are all tired — Zeenah said, gently placing her hands on Melissa's shoulders. You are lucky yours was only boredom. My cousin told me about a coursemate who got pregnant during the last strike.
It is disheartening, but the lecturers will continue these acts of terror if the government gives a deaf ear to their request. If we provide a good thought to it, their actions are justified. We can't blame them because they too have families to feed, plus our schools need proper funding and infrastructural facilities.

"Do you guys know the annoying part? We are the ones at the receiving end," my dad would always say this proverb; —

"When two elephants fight, the grass gets trampled."

"Let me guess. The students represent the grass in this proverb abi?" Melissa asked, moving her head from one end to the other.

"Exactly! these men send their children abroad or to fancy private schools here in the country, but they trample on our education. They don't care how long we stay in school." Zeenah said. Rolling her eyes in disgust and then exhaled deeply — "I don't want to talk about the employment facet. Most of these big companies have outrageous requirements for their prospects, making it extra difficult for graduates to get hired. How do they possibly expect a fresh graduate to have three years of working experience? Isn't that a vicious requirement?"

"Of course it is. That's appalling! No wonder the rate of unemployment is equally at its peak." I feel like slapping sense into their heads- Tara said, swigging her hands in the air and moving her body as though she wanted to beat or fight an invincible being in front of her.