A Child's Struggle

~3~

It was the middle of the second week of school and school activities was going on in earnest. Also, at the same time, extra curricular activities were not neglected most especially the football team because of the upcoming competition. The training started on Monday afternoon and eliminations have been going on through different means. The day the training started all late comers to the football field were eliminated. That day about 10% were eliminated. The exact date of the competition had not yet been announced but Coach Femi said it will take place immediately after the mid-term break.

Coach Femi is a disciplined man who cares about character mainly in the life of a person. He is very principled, timely and a man of his words. He was dark skinned and of average height with a nice body structure fitting his career as a coach. He did not only eliminate the footballers on the field but can do it anywhere. He was walking down the stairs one day when he sighted one of the footballers arguing with a teacher. He immediately sent for the boy to his office and told him he has been eliminated. The footballers got to know about this elimination method, so at least everyone is trying to be on their best behaviour.

Practice held on Wednesdays and Fridays. Then for some weeks he may come on Saturdays. It was another training time today by 4pm. Raphael and his friends quickly prepared on time so as not to be eliminated for late coming. Surely they reached on time. The boys were really determined to be among the 11 finalist. As usual Coach Femi arrived right on time and the unlucky ones got eliminated. This time, he shared the boys into four groups and paired them into two batches. The first batch played a penalty kick game wherein all the players from each of the game will give a penalty shot. The team with the highest number of goals stayed while the loser team gets eliminated. This was how Bright got eliminated. His team lost the game. The other batch also played their game too and Raphael and Collins were on the winning team. The training ended up around 6pm and everyone started retiring to their hostel for wash up.

Bright was not happy his team lost. Now he couldn't participate in the game. "What's making your face down man?" asked Raphael as they walked to the hostel.

"You forgot he lost", Collins said jokingly.

"Aaaah! I actually forgot", Raphael said as he hit his hand repeatedly on his forehead. "That's not a reason to be sad Bright. Other opportunities will come, better ones at that" he encouraged his friend.

"I know but it's just annoying because I got all my shots. Just because my teammates were not good enough I have to share in the elimination. It would have been on individual level. It's not fair tho. Coach Femi should know that", Bright complained.

"Let him not hear u ooh", Collins said as they all looked around to see if there was a staff near them.

"You made me scared. I actually thought he was here.", Bright said on seeing no one near them.

"Did u hear about that...", Collins stated saying as they walked to their hostel. They refreshed their bodies then went for dinner later. They were a bit late but were exempted because they are from the football competition team.

                                           ***

Mrs. Susan Ibitayo, the financial accounting teacher entered the staff room complaining about Raphael. Most times, Raphael did not attend classes. He was always in the library reading novels or some inspirational books. He loved reading tho. Since he was forced into the class, he never enjoyed any of the teachings. He always felt bored and unhappy. Mrs Ibitayo started noticing since her last two classes and it repeated itself today again. Unfortunately for her, his class teacher was always not around when it happens. She had asked the class prefect to tell him(Raphael) to see her when he comes back from wherever he went.