HER WORTH ✓

1~Last paper

Habiba's POV:

It was 5 am when the call to Fajr prayer woke me up; I hurriedly performed my prayer and did my house chores, and then I went to bathe; after bathing and slipping into my school uniform, it was already 8 am.

In a flash, I dashed into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, where I met Mom already dishing out our meal.

"Good morning, Mom," I greeted her, giving her a light kiss on her cheeks.

"Good morning to you dear," she replied with a tiring smile.

"You should have called me to set the fire; you know inhaling this smoke isn't good for your health." I sighed while sniffing the aroma coming from the dished dan wake (a Native Hausa delicacy) my mouth salivated while I heard her talk.

"Do you listen to me when I always ask you to rest? So why should I listen to you now?" She frowned in her usual soft tone.

"Mom, you know I need to read for my exams and...

"I'm not questioning your studying, all I'm trying to say is that you should create time for rest. You're always staying up late to make those snacks, you hawk, and I don't like it." She scolds.

"Mom...

"I'm unable to provide you with the best you deserve, but you should remember that your body isn't a machine, take rest sometimes...  She paused staring at me for a while before she continued.

"Just assure me that you will always remember to rest?"

"Mom, I promise, and I have said it severally, and I'm still going to repeat it; your love is sufficient for me, not some materialistic things." I smiled while taking her hands into mine, I squeezed them briefly.

"I love you," She smiled.

"I Love you more, Mom," I replied pulling her into a hug.

Mom has always been insecure about what she's able to provide for me as a parent, but how do I explain to her that those kinds of things didn't matter to me at all? Her love was all I needed.

I thought calmly as I inhaled her Turare (Native Hausa perfume). My eyes saw the clock.

"Ahh!" I gasped as it clocked 9.

"I'm late, I need to leave now!"

"Your last paper?" She asks.

"Yes, InshaAllah I will be through with my final WAEC exams today, and with that, I'll see you later."

"Take care and write well," Mom waved as I rushed out of our hut.

"Bye!"

The distance from my house to school was far especially since I had to trek.

But thankfully I still got my running skills, and by the time I reached the school premises, exams had already commenced.

Once I collected my question paper and answer sheet, I immediately began to attempt the questions, knowing I had little time left. surprisingly, all the questions I had studied the previous night were just the same as the questions before me.

From where I sat I could see some of my classmates cheating. As some were exchanging their answer booklets, some copied directly from their notebooks without any fear. The thought of being caught instantly spread goosebumps all over me.

"If you're through with your papers feel free to submit!" Our invigilator, Miss Paulina announced.

After cross-checking and being satisfied with my answers, I left the exam hall.