HER WET PILLOW

MY NEW FRIEND

CHAPTER 4
MY NEW FRIEND
I looked at my right and I was shocked. Guess what or who I saw! It was Fatima. She fell on the ground and she was panting heavily. I immediately stood up to see what was wrong with her. Her heavy pants took the attention of both the teachers and the students. Then she was pointing at her bag but I didn't know what she was trying to say. I grabbed her bag and started to check the things inside. The teachers also rose from their seats to check out what was actually going on. I brought out the things in her bag and she pointed at something like a container; it was small but it was different with it cover. I have never seen it before but I didn't waste time to continue staring at it. I handed it over to her but a teacher collected it, opened it and placed it in her mouth, closing her nose and pressing it. Then like magic, the heavy panting actually reduced and she was better than before but still couldn't say anything. I and the female teacher who collect the object rose her up and took her to the sick bay.
Although there was a little distraction, the orientation continued as the vice principal continued his lectures but I wasn't opportune to listen to the remaining lectures. I was with Fatima and the teacher. The school nurse asked the teacher some questions and she responded explaining what had happened. She wanted to leave and asked me to come along but I requested to stay with Fatima. It wasn't easy convincing her but she finally agreed. Fatima was seated on the bed and two pillows were placed at the back of her head. She couldn't say a word or would I say she didn't say a word because I didn't know if she was intentionally silent. But the face I was seeing wasn't just a face that showed pain but a face that was also worried. Before I knew it, hot sorrowful tears rolled down her eyes. She was so grieved but to me falling ill wouldn't be a reason for this kind of sadness. There must be something wrong but I couldn't ask her questions in that state.
There were a thousand and one questions that were unanswered in my head. I finally calmed down and got the thoughts erect. I was just looking at her as she was staring at the wall. Then her pillow got wet. When I saw it; all my bad memories started to flash back. My eyes too were full of tears and I started to weep. This wasn't usual; the sick bay was more like a mourning room. Her attention got diverted to me and she looked at me with a surprising look. She then rose from the bed and came to sit closer to me. She then gave me a very tight hug. That hug was tight, the feelings were deep and the bond was strong. We just knew each other that very day but our souls were attached. We both broke down into tears still holding unto each other. After all the crying, we wiped our faces and looked at each other. We then busted into laughter but that wasn't just any type of laughter, words can't express what we felt at that moment. She then got up and went back to where she was before.
"Are you feeling better?" She asked with a smiling face.
"Yes I am. What about you? How are you feeling?"
"I am also fine."
"I want to ask you a question. Is it ok if I ask?"
"Sure, you can."
"How are you able to hide your feelings behind that smile of yours? Why or should I say how do you do that?"
"Obviously, It actually not easy but smiling no matter the difficulty of the situation is one of the best things to do. You just don't keep showing people how you feel inside you; they will use it against you in the future. A smile solves a lot of problems, a smile carries a lot of feeling, a smile heals one heart, a smile brighten up your day, a smile beautifies your thoughts and your world, a smile creates a beautiful garden in your heart; a garden filled with roses and flowers of joy and happiness, a smile is what we all need. Behind a smile are different emotions you can't explain. A lot of people face different types of problem every single day but with the smile on their face; they can face any problem. A smile gives us hope and it heals."
"Woow! That's great. For me, I had always lived a boring life with no friends. I prefer to face any obstacles the way they come. Thanks for sharing your little secret with me. So, what was wrong with you and what is that thing that was put in your mouth?"
"I am asthmatic and that thing you saw was my inhaler. Sometimes I get this kind of attack, making it difficult for me to breathe well so I use my inhaler. Most times it's provoked by cold but sometimes I don't know what causes that for me. It's actually generic; I inherit it from my grandmother."
"Wow! So you black out unexpectedly. That must be very tough for you. So, why are you sad and what made you cry that hard?"
"Hmm! This illness has caused me lot of issues. I used to have lot of attacks and it embarrasses me in public. Can you imagine I had an attack on my graduation day for primary school? It was so embarrassing and I get a lot of stigmatization for that. Some people even say I was just making it up, some do say it was jinn attack, some say I am a drama queen trying to get attention. It really hurts as I actually cried a lot. I don't have friends because most people around me stigmatize me. I just prefer staying alone, it's kind of better to be alone when the people around you don't recognize you. It's not only that, my family is a poor one. My mom is a housewife and my dad is a trader. I used drugs before but it seemed it wasn't that effective for me, so they bought me an inhaler. If this inhaler should get empty, it's another thought to buy another one which is urgent. Thank God we are only two; I and my younger brother things would have been more difficult. I actually got a scholarship into this school and that is part of the greatest gift I and my family were blessed with. This attack just reminded me of everything. I face a lot everyday and part of it is what just happened."
"You've really endured a lot behind this your smile. Believe me, if it was somebody else that told me this; I would never agree. I just want to add something; a smile is good and in fact, the best. But you don't have to keep dying in pain and smiling it off. It's not good for your health; physically, mentally and psychologically. I think you should attach hope to the smile, then your smile will be most beautiful. Having hope that everything will be fine and knowing that problems and obstacles only make us strong. There is light at the end of a tunnel. After every hardship comes ease. So keep living with hope and keep fighting and most especially, keep smiling; you look good in it." I said to her smiling.
"Thank you so much or the advice. Its nice talking to you, at least I feel relieved. I wish I had people like you in my life; life would have been easier for me. You were also very sad, why were you also crying?"
"Well, I am also a sad girl. I have a very poor family with lot of family issues. My mom is a trader and my father is a driver. He has always made life difficult for us, he is more of a liability to us. He suppose to be the breadwinner but no, he is the problem causer. Unlike you, I have three siblings. My mom takes care of us all, including my dad. I have faced a lot of domestic issues and depression. You wouldn't believe me if I told you that my father is a drunkard and a gambler. We rarely see him in a week and if we do, he brings a lot of trouble with him. We are also poor; we barely take three square meals. My mom suffers every day, she tries everything possible to provide for us. I am here to make her proud. When I saw you crying, I don't know why but I just remember everything. I just feel insecure."
"Oh! I am sorry. You have also faced a lot. I guess we are bunch of two poor girls learning from life. You don't have to be so sad, I got you. Let's be friends, friends!"
"Friends; Always and forever." We then shake hands. I couldn't believe I got my very own first friend on my first day at school. I guess having problems is not that bad; it got me a good person as a friend.
We were really happy and we continued to gist and gist about our experiences. We were incredibly happy being with each other. Then, I understood that a problem is not actually bad because sometimes it brings good luck; just as it did now. I never knew today would be that incredible after all that have happened that very day. Pain is actually a complex feeling; even happiness is not as wonderful as pain is. It was that moment that I learnt that pain attaches different souls, pain brings us together, pain is the only feeling that make us want to do more because of the things we lack, pain teaches us the act of endurance, pain makes us stronger, the ability to handle pain in various methods is part of want makes us unique and different from each other, pain might cause a lot of damages but it's very important in our lives. It is a gift to actually feel pain; at least you can relate to what others are going through. I was a bit proud and happy but I never knew more was coming, even worse than what just happened.
After the long chat, the teacher returned to see how Fatima was doing. She was surprised at what she saw. She saw us sitting comfortably chatting and laughing.
"Wow! I guess you are now fine. I can see."
"Yes ma." Fatima said smiling.
"Then let's go back to the hall to continue the program since you are now better."
"Ok ma." We both said and stood up.
I and Fatima, alongside the teacher then left the sick bay and went back to the hall. It seemed like we have missed a lot as we saw a different teacher making his own lectures. He was actually rounding up when we came in. the same thing happened when we came in earlier, all eyes on us. We went back to our seats and the teacher also proceeded to hers. After that, the teacher who was making his lectures went back to his seat and everyone clapped for him. We were then given some snacked and drink to cool our nerves after the long orientation period. I already had water in my bag; I just took it and replaced it with what I was given. It would be great if I shared it with my siblings, it has been long we ate snacks and took soft drinks. I noticed Fatima also dropped hers in her bag and other students ate theirs. We were like two weird children doing weird things in the crowd.
After the break, the teachers were introduced alongside what they were going to be teaching us. Two teachers took us round the school to show us how the school looked like and what it comprises of. The classes, the laboratories, the library, the offices, the sport centre, the cafeteria and more. The most mind blowing place was where the medals, awards, certificates and trophies were being kept. I was so inspired and motivated to be among the ambassadors of the school. Close to it was a glass structure where the pictures of the best students and the students who did great works were placed. It was beautifully decorated with their names and their works. I thought to myself: "I can also do it, even more than what they did." I was so happy I was in such school. I have always loved to attend competitions and win medals and this is my chance.
After the visit, we were directed to our classes. We were sixty in number so twenty in each class. I was opportune to be in A class as well as Fatima. Since we were in same class, we sat near each other. I could remember seeing strange faces everywhere; none of my classmates were present in the school. As we settled down, the teacher came in and..............