"Guy, I am after you oh!" Different voices from different corners and directions filled the air.
The siren was yet to be wailed and the school's closing prayer yet to be said, but it was a completely normal thing. It happened everyday. Everyone was prepared for closing time at least one period before the closing siren was wailed. Those who had the portion of sweeping or mopping the class always did so with the last period, if they were fortunate enough to have the last period as a free period on their days.
Everyone's minds was on how they'd rush to the hostel fast enough to have their bath and avoid being a part of the last five.
The siren wailed for the closing prayers.
Everyone was set for the race. Nearly the whole set was scattered on the Block corridor and I could envision some presently loitering around the Maltina stand, which was much more closer to the hostel. Only myself and about two other persons were within the class for the closing prayers.
"In the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy spirit." The closing prayer was concluded. But in the heads of the Ss3's, it was more like, One, two, ready? Run!!!
They all zoomed off in the direction of the hostel, emitting loud noises from the stamping of their feet and their loud chatterings. It was absurd that they never got caught by any teacher or staff. Not even Ms Nkem, who never minded her business.
I used to be a part of the race once upon a time, but after the disappointments of still being a part of the last five, I stopped. Hopefully, Sochi would get there on time and I'd be after her as always.
I backed my bag and stepped out of the class, strolling in solitude in the direction of the hostel. The past few days had been particularly difficult and definitely not one of my brightest days, well none of my days in the hostel were bright in the first place. It always felt as though I was carrying this huge cross which kept getting heavier by the day.
I hated the sight of the hostel with everything in me and everything about it too, but what I hated most about it was Ms' presence. There really wasn't any single day that passed without her lashing someone, myself especially. She lashed me for the tiniest of things, it was the same story with the others too, but I was on speaking for myself now. If I were confused she lashed me, if I didn't do something right she lashed me, if I didn't do something she lashed me, if I did something she lashed me.
I rolled up my sleeves and took a look at my upper arm. There was a reddish and lengthy lash mark there, from the week before. I hadn't been able to secure any plate of food on time and at the end of it all, it turned out that it had been a problem from the school kitchen. There was another lash mark on my right thigh, that was for not being early enough to my portion. She had threatened to change my portion too, like I cared.
I couldn't understand if she thought lashing with a cane when someone was confused or completely clueless would help fix the puzzle. It only yielded more confusion for me. I wondered if the lash marks would ever go but that was the least of my worries. I already had enough on my plate with the upcoming intercollegiate exams. I needed to make good grades, I couldn't afford to fail. The exams were a little less that two weeks away.
I opened the grey gates slowly and continued in the same pace till I stepped into my Apartment. I changed into my towel, put my house coat on quickly then headed downstairs with my uniform and my bucket in hand, my uniform for spreading and my bucket for fetching water. We weren't allowed to fetch water with our uniform's on. The line downstairs was long but nothing compared to the early mornings and the late night lines.
I dropped my bucket in the big bathroom with a quick glance at my bathroom door. The yellow house coat hanging on the door of my bathroom cubicle, made it clear that Kofo was the person in it. I walked in the direction of my room to arrange my locker. I hadn't spoken a word to anyone for half the day and I was enjoying it that way. I really just needed to be alone and in my own head.
