Chasing Greatness :A Journey Of Hope

chapter 25: miracle

After our bus screeched to a halt, an eerie silence filled the air. Everyone was either praying silently or stealing glances at each other, trying to process what just happened. The bus finally parked in front of a fuel station, and the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

I looked at my phone in despair; the screen was cracked beyond repair. It felt like a punch to my chest. My new phone! I held back tears, not wanting to make a scene.

“Laura,” I whispered, leaning toward her. “My phone don break.”
She looked at me with sympathy. “Oh no, sorry oo. This journey just dey anyhow. If the teachers plan am well, shebi we for don sleep overnight somewhere safe instead of this wahala.”

I nodded, too upset to even reply. As we sat in our bubble of disappointment, one of the teachers stood up and addressed us.
“Students, please listen,” she said. “Apparently, there are some issues ahead. We’ve been advised to wait here until the road is cleared. If you need to call your parents, please go ahead now.”

I sighed, thinking of my mom. “Laura, I’m heading to the front to see Kyla,” I said, standing up.
“Ohh yeah, go ahead. Tell her I said hi,” Laura replied.

I made my way toward Kyla, who was seated at the front, looking worried but calm.
“Hi babe,” I said, sitting beside her. “Mimi, hope you’re okay,” she replied.
I sighed. “My phone screen don scatter. Can I use yours to call my mom?”
Kyla smiled slightly, handing me her phone. “No problem, but no need to stress. I already told my mom to call yours. She’s been informed.”

That’s Kyla for you—always looking out for others. I smiled back. “Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.”

I called my mom to reassure her, and as expected, she was already worried but kept her faith. “Mimi, just stay strong, okay? God is in control. Kyla’s dad is coming for you both, so don’t worry too much. You’ll be safe.”

“Okay, Mommy,” I replied, feeling slightly better after the call. I returned Kyla’s phone, thanked her again, and headed back to my seat.

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After what felt like hours, cars started moving along the road, and our teacher announced that it was safe to proceed. “Students, we’re moving now. Let’s keep praying for a smooth journey,” she said.

As the bus started moving, a wave of relief swept over everyone. To my surprise, even Blessing and her gang joined in the praise songs. The bus turned into a mini-church as we sang and clapped, thanking God for safety.

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By the time we arrived in Benin, it was almost midnight. The school compound was packed with worried parents, their faces lit up by the headlights of their cars. Some were pacing anxiously, while others looked ready to explode.

The moment we stepped out of the bus, chaos erupted. One angry parent stormed toward the male teacher, grabbing his shirt.
“How dare you endanger our children’s lives like this?” the man shouted, his voice shaking with rage. Before anyone could intervene, a resounding slap echoed through the air.

Gasps filled the compound as the teacher stammered, “Sir, I’m sorry… It wasn’t intentional…”
“Sorry for what?!” the parent thundered. “Is this how to plan an excursion? What if something had happened to them?!”

I watched the scene unfold from the shadows, feeling a mix of fear and pity. Parents yelling, teachers apologizing—it was a mess. Then I heard Kyla’s dad’s calm voice cutting through the commotion.
“Mimi, Kyla, enter the car,” he said firmly.

We didn’t waste a second. Once inside, the atmosphere shifted. Unlike the other parents, Kyla’s dad was calm but firm. “This will be the last time you go on any excursion,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of finality. We both nodded, not daring to argue.

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When we finally got home, I barely made it to my bed before crashing. The exhaustion from the trip, the fear, and the relief all caught up to me at once. But despite everything, I couldn’t help but smile as I drifted off to sleep. The trip to Idanre Hills had been an unforgettable adventure, one that would stick with me forever.