CENSORED

CHAPTER 3

But unfortunately, she did. A court issue was declared and they were divorced. She wasnt able to get Ayomi but got his little sister.

It was more than shocking that Steven didnt tell him the truth. But what if she told Ayomi herself? Would he even belive her? But yet again, she didnt want to make Ayomi afraid. Therefore she kept quiet and just waited till he came back.

The bell rang that morning. Math class was over and everyone was packing up their stuff preparing for their next class. Adora didnt bother to stand up and pack. She wanted to wait for everyone to finish before she did. Besides, their next teacher was one who wasnt punctual so whats the point in arriving early?

Ifeoma and her friends stood up to leave too when they noticed Adora still on her seat.

Is she not going to class? Seyi asked loud enough for Adora to hear.

Whats my business with that one? Ifeoma rudely replied. Besides I heard her parents were not able to pay the whole tuition fee, she added.

In case you forgot, Im on a scholarship you couldnt afford, Adora absent-mindedly replied.

Ifeoma seemed angrier when Adora made that ironic statement.

She remembered the day she sat down for her junior West African Examination (WAEC) at the grand hall in her school. Before the exams commenced, the school had announced that a scholarship would be given to anyone who came out the best in Nigeria. Whether the person was a student of the school or not.

Ifeoma felt excited and told the great news to her parents and later brought up the discussion when they were having dinner.

I know youll do great, her dad, whom seemed like Ifeomas biggest supporter, said.

Dont give her hope dear, her mum spoke as she sipped from her glass.

But shes been doing wellright from start, her dad defended.

Its not good enough for me, her mother continued. Look at her sister, her mum added.

No need to compare. Theyre both fine and considering Ifeomas health condition, Id say shes doing better than average, her dad spoke again.

Whether shes sick or notI dont care, her mother calmly spoke. Ife, if youre not able to get that scholarship, after all that your father and I have done for that ridiculous school then consider yourself a school drop-out, she warned.

Ifeoma felt threatened and utterly useless at the moment. She wandered of what importance was the scholarship to her when her parents could easily afford her fees. She left the table and went straight to her room ignoring her mothers harsh words that kept taunting her. So when the results were finally out she felt anxious but happy at the same time.

Ife na boss, Lisa would always say. She did pass. She was the highest in the school but not in the country. Her happiness died when she realised that she didnt have the best grade in the country. But she was more angry when she found out that the person who had the best grades didnt even attend a proper school.

See, what did I tell you? her mother said when Ife handed over her results to them.

But you still did very well Ife, her father smiled as he took his car keys.

Well, her mother started, at least youve got the looks, that Im a bit proud off, she added before she stepped out of the house with her husband that morning.

Ife, Seyi called snapping Ifeoma out of her thoughts

Sorry, she said before walking out of the class with two of them trailing at her back.