MY NAME IS AISHA, I Will Always Stand Against Bullying

CHAPTER ONE ~ Dayo's Excitement Goes Sour ~

     It was a Monday morning, the first day of a new academic week. The morning assembly meeting on the assembly ground had just been concluded. Pupils of Bright-Hills Primary School matched orderly to their respective classes, line by line. It was the fourth week since first term resumption. The secondary school department, Bright-Hills High School, is located just two blocks away.

     Dayo was excited and matched eagerly towards his classroom amid his classmates. He could not wait for lunch hour to come. His only sibling and elder sister Yetunde had prepared his favorite food [fried rice] and had carefully filled his lunch box with most of it before leaving for work. Dayo was drooling over the thought of the content of his lunch box. He sang gleefully and swung his hands left and right.

     Dayo's sight went through the window right adjacent his classroom and caught someone moving about in his classroom. The smile on his face was replaced with a curious expression.

     Onome was in the first position among his classmates on the marching line. She was a diligent pupil and also the class leader. Dayo was the third pupil on the line as they matched in a single file.

     There were thoughts running through his head like, "No one dares to defy the rule and break the line, not while Mrs. Ekwere is still watching us from behind."

     Mrs. Ekwere is his class teacher and a strict disciplinarian. Dayo however tried to make inquiries from the second pupil on the line. "James, James," he called out with a low voice, trying to draw his attention.

James heard his name and twisted his head halfway as if he was looking over his right shoulder. His right ear well-positioned to listen to what Dayo wanted to say to him. "Yes?" he uttered sharply, also in a low-pitched voice.

     "See inside our class," Dayo whispered.

     "See what?" James asked
They continued whispering to each other as they got closer to their classroom." Somebody is inside our class." Dayo revealed curiously. "Who?" James simply retorted, not making real effort to find out whom it was in their classroom.

     Then, Dayo saw his schoolbag on his desk and became very curious. He was quite sure he did not leave his schoolbag on his desk before going for the assembly meeting. On a closer look through the window, Dayo saw that Abdul was eating his food again, whilst sitting next to his desk. Abdul's desk has always been among the last row desks in the classroom and about five yards from Dayo's sit.

     Onome had gotten well close to the classroom door and was about to throw her left leg into the room. Speedily, Dayo overtook James and forced himself into the classroom. He had entered almost simultaneously with Onome.

     Dayo's forceful entry made Onome stumbled.

     "What is wrong with you?!" She yelled at Dayo with a frowned face. Dayo was rushing to take his belongings away from Abdul as fast as he could. He did not notice he had offended Onome, let alone bothered apologizing. He saw the lid of his lunch box on his desk, next to his school bag. The central part was on Abdul's laps. He supported it with his left hand while holding a spoon on his right hand.

     "Stop eating my food" Dayo shouted, his face wrinkled with anger. Quickly, he snatched what remained of his lunch from Abdul's laps and covered it.

Abdul behaved like he had had his fill of Dayo's food. When he saw that Dayo was coming for his spoon, he dropped it carelessly on his desk. It landed on Dayo's desk, bounced, and fell on the floor.

     Dayo became livid with rage. He went and pushed Abdul." Ole; thief, you go and eat my food! Don't eat my food again," Dayo bellowed, stretching his right hand, the index finger was pointing at Abdul emphasizing the warning. Abdul returned the push as soon as he regained his balance. He had pushed Dayo with greater force from behind. Dayo crashed on the classroom wall, hurting his right arm.

     At this point, more than half of the pupils were already in the classroom. Dayo moved fast and angrily towards Abdul, threatening to attack him again. A classmate of theirs - Ibrahim suddenly stood in his way, preventing Dayo from reaching Abdul.

     "If you want to fight, fight me instead. I am not afraid of you." Ibrahim said jeeringly, an intimidating smirk on his face. Abdul face also held the same look, but he is pleased with Ibrahim who had come to his defense once again. He would undoubtedly reward him with free lunch and a sachet of ice cream.

     Ibrahim had performed very poorly in the previous year. His father refused to allow him move to the next class, he insisted that Ibrahim should repeat the class. He was the oldest and tallest pupil in the class. He bullied all his classmates, except Abdul.

     Dayo stood in front of Ibrahim for less than a minute, then returned to his desk and sat there. He crossed his arms on his desk and bowed his head to rest on his crossed arms. Dayo was saddened, he hid his face to avoid being called a cry baby again.

     About three minutes later, a teacher was coming to the classroom, "she's coming, she's coming, everybody should go and sit down, fast!," someone in the classroom softly warned others. Dayo heard this and raised his head. He saw Mrs. Ekwere coming into the classroom. Onome followed behind her. The whole pupils in the classroom stood up.

     "Good morning Ma, we are happy to see you, God bless you, God bless our beloved country Nigeria, Amen!" they all chorused. Their faces were beaming with smiles, which seemed in a hurry to go away.

However, Dayo's mood could not permit even a fake smile on his face.

     "Good morning, and may God bless you too." Mrs. Ekwere answered, she then asked the pupils to sit down. "I hope every one of you had a good weekend," she added. They all responded in the affirmative.

     "Good!" she faced Onome, who was standing by the front door." What subject do you have in the first period?" She asked in a lowered voice.

     "Mathematics," Onome answered.

     "Mrs. Eze was at the assembly this morning," Mrs. Ekwere admitted, looking at Onome.

"Yes Ma'am," Onome confirmed."
Then she's probably on her way now." Mrs. Ekwere said and instructed the pupils to get set for the subject. She looked at Dayo and was about to say something. Just then, the pupils rose from their seats and began to chorus the same greetings again. When Mrs. Ekwere turned towards the door, she saw Mrs. Eze. They both smiled and exchanged pleasantries.

     "You!" Mrs. Ekwere said, pointing at Dayo. The smile on her face had suddenly disappeared. "First thing at break time, come and see me in the staffroom." she said and left the classroom.