A Child's Struggle

~2~

   Bells High School
12:00pm
Raphael's classroom.

The teacher just left the class as the bell for long break rung. The students immediately engaged in different activities; some engaged in group discussions, others left the class while some just stayed on their own doing one thing or the other like assignments or copying notes.

Bells High School is among the ten top schools in Lagos, Nigeria. It is a school where every high intellectual parent would put their child. It runs a full boarding system and the students are well taking care of. Surely the school fees is not an average one, it's pretty high. Anyways, it matches the standard of the school. The school always engage in competitions both in academics and sport wise. The current principal of the school, Mrs. Omu Vivian is a very principled woman. She can never be swayed of by money because most parents love to use their money power to help their children escape from punishments like suspension and expulsion. The school has an active disciplinary body which every student fear. Entering their midst is like being locked up in room with no ventilation because you would literally not be breathing. Their judgement is always final. The magnitude in which discipline is held, is the reason most people send their children there. 

Raphael just finished completing his English scheme of work and was keeping his note book in his locker when his three friends walked into the class. Bright, Collins and Favour had been his friends right from Jss2. They had all been in the same class but since now is a time of separation they are now in science class leaving him in the business class.

"Have you guys heard the latest?", Favour asked. She was their gist bringer and Viber. They normally called her Minister of Information, MI for short. "I thought I should keep the gist till when we are together to avoid repeating myself", she added as she dragged a chair and sat down.

"What is it this time our MI?", Bright asked as he sat on Raphael's table.

"Well, there is a football competition coming up. The date is not yet certain but I think it would be after our CAT. ", Favour announced.

"Who are we playing with?", Raphael asked.

"Not certain too", she replied as shrugged her shoulders.

"Why the incomplete information Favour?", Collins asked as he stared at her.

"I'm not playing the match so how would I get the information. However, Coach Femi has announced that registration is ongoing for people that want to join. Training will soon begin and games will be played to get the final 11players. Sweet right", she said as she looked at their faces one by one waiting for their reply. She knew they loved football and had been looking for an opportunity to show their skills especially Raphael.

"This is Jackpot guys. Let's go for it. We may certainly reach the final 11", Raphael said as he hit his hand not to loud on his table, getting up and carrying his side bag. "Get up guys we still have 14 more minutes to break over. Let's go register", he added as he looked at his wrist watch.

"I just told you guys so you would know not so you'll ditch me here", Favour said to them, her voice a little bit high because they were already at the class door.

"To be early is not a crime, it would show our seriousness", Bright said to her without stopping.

"Seriously", she said as she rubbed her forehead. "Hey wait for me I'm coming too", she called out to them as she ran out of the class to meet them.

As they walked down to Coach Femi office the poster for the competition was already on the notice board that is along every class passage. It was the lastest gist among the boys and many of them were trooping to the office also. Funny enough some were already making bets on how many goals it would be. They praised Favour for bringing the information right on time. On reaching the office, there were lots of seniors inside registering their names. The office was big enough to accommodate such number of persons- glory to God. It was like survival of the fittest. They were able to register their names and waited for the next instruction by the coach. When it was about five minutes to break over he closed his office doors and addressed the ones that were inside already.

"You all are witnesses to how plenty you are. I gave an open check because I don't want to limit the number of talented people I will have. I believe that this method of choosing will leave me with all 11 players talented and skillful. So make sure to try your best in being among the 11. I would be eliminating through different means though, so be on alert. Tell your other friends also...", The Coach kept on talking to them and briefing them on what they would expect. He also told them that he will relate the kick off time to everyone when everything needed is set.

After the bell rung for break over all the students returned to their classes and continued the learning activities. Later on school closed and after the dining process everyone retired to their hostel.

Raphael laid on his bed as he recalled what the Coach said in his office. He felt that finally he would be able to achieve his dream one way or the other. He was happy he had gotten such an opportunity but he was sad he couldn't even share it with any of his family members most especially his mom. She had been his best companion till the argument of football versus business emerged. He was still angry with her and his dad for what they said that resumption day. It had already been two weeks into school resumption and he had not spoken to them since he came to school. Mrs Treasure had also come to talk to him concerning the matter because his mother complained about it. Even when she tried calling his mom for him to speak he adamantly refused. He brushed out all the thoughts and put his head to rest.

                        
Bamidele's House
3pm

Mrs Bamidele was just driving into the compound after picking up Toluwani from school. Toluwani had been talking non stop about how wonderful her day was at school. It was her normalcy though. She loved telling people about how she feels towards something. As her mum was still trying to park the car properly she didn't even stop talking.

"Mummy my teacher said when we go home we should make sure we ask all our family members how they are doing", she said as she was hung her school bag.

"Nice and you've asked me that already. I told you I'm doing great. When dad comes back from work you ask him too. Okay?" Her mum told her smiling as she pulled the car to a halt. "Get down from the car, I'm really tired", she said as she yawned.

Toluwani came down from the car and waited for her mom to come down and lock the door. "Mummy what about Racheal and Raphael?" She pressed on as they entered the house.

"I will call your sister today so you can speak to her. As for Raphael its not his calling time so just know his fine." Her mom answered as she locked the house door.

"But mum we left him unhappy. I still remember. Are you sure his ok? I did not even speak to him last week." She kept on complaining as she just kept looking at her mother trying to give her that unhappy face.

Mrs Bamidele will always fall for that face. "Don't be like that Tolu. He is fine. I promise you will speak to him this weekend" she said as she moved closer to her. "...so don't be sad, go wash up and come down for your meal."

"Ok mummy", she said as she went upstairs. She was seven years already. She could take care of herself properly. She is a smart child.

As she went upstairs, Mrs Bamidele sat at the dining table and recalled how Raphael face was so sad the day he went to school. "Are we really pressuring this boy? Are we doing the right thing?", she thought as she tried putting herself in her son's shoes. She immediately brushed out the thoughts justifying her actions with 'Parents always know best for their children.' She left the dining table and went into the kitchen to prepare their meals.

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CAT means Continuous Assessment Test.

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