Chasing Greatness :A Journey Of Hope

chapter 36: miracle

The graduation day continued buzzing with energy despite the drama. I sat down under the canopy with my friends, still fuming from the encounter. Laura sat beside me, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Mimi, you really went to challenge the owner of the school? You no dey fear?” she asked, half-scolding, half-laughing.

“What fear?” I shot back, the alcohol still fueling my anger. “She ruined everything. How can we end our secondary school life like this? It's not a crusade now; it’s graduation!”

Gift sighed. “Mimi, you’re lucky it didn’t escalate o. That woman no dey play. If she decides to hold it against you, na wahala.”

The boys, meanwhile, were still laughing and hyping me up. “Mimi, you be boss babe! No mind them, abeg. Na wetin dey your mind you talk, no fake zone,” one of them said, handing me another drink.

I took it, but Laura snatched it from me. “You don do. Abi you wan enter another trouble?” she said firmly.

I rolled my eyes but kept quiet. The alcohol was wearing off a little, and the reality of what I had just done started sinking in. My heart pounded as I imagined the consequences. What if the owner of the school decided to punish me? What if it got to my parents?

But then, I pushed the thoughts away. It was our last day in school. What was the worst that could happen?

“Let’s just finish this boring event and go party somewhere else,” I muttered.

Laura and Gift exchanged glances. “Mimi, you really need to calm down. You have too much fire,” Gift said, trying to lighten the mood.

“I have fire because I care!” I replied dramatically, making them laugh.

As the event dragged on, the performances wrapped up, and it was time for awards and speeches. I stayed seated, avoiding eye contact with my teachers and definitely with the owner of the school. But deep down, I couldn’t shake off the embarrassment of how I had acted.

“Sha, after this graduation, we move,” I said under my breath, as the principal gave her final remarks. Laura nudged me, smiling.

“No matter what, you made this day unforgettable,” she said.

“Unforgettable ke? More like chaotic,” Gift added, laughing.

Looking around at my friends and the lively crowd, I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe this wasn’t the perfect ending, but it was my ending—and I’d own it.

And I decided to apologize after all. Deep down, I knew I couldn’t let the day end on such a sour note. After the closing of the graduation ceremony, I gathered my courage and walked towards her car, standing firmly in front of it. Then, in a dramatic move, I knelt down as she was getting into her car.

She stepped out, her face a mixture of surprise and amusement. "You again?" she asked.

"Yes, ma, me again oo," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Ma, I'm sorry. It's not my fault—it’s the devil, ma. Please forgive me. If you don’t, I won’t leave here oo."

She looked at me, then burst into laughter. "I’ve already forgotten about it. You don’t need to apologize. Stand up."

I stared at her, shocked by how easily she forgave me. "So easy?" I thought to myself.

"But don’t try that again," she added sternly.

"Yes, ma," I replied, saluting playfully.

The teachers standing nearby couldn’t hold back their laughter as she walked away. My art teacher approached me, shaking his head.

"So, as you apologized, did you die?" he teased.

"Ahh, yes oo! My chest hurts," I replied dramatically, clutching my chest like I’d been wounded.

He chuckled. "Mimi, sometimes an apology solves more than we expect. A simple ‘sorry’ can end a whole problem. Don’t forget that."

I nodded, appreciating the wisdom in his words.

Then, he continued with a smile, "Since the owner of the school has left, you guys can play any music you like now."

"Really?!" I exclaimed, my eyes lighting up.

"Yes," he confirmed.

Without wasting a second, I ran toward my friends. "It’s party time!" I shouted excitedly.

The DJ didn’t need any further prompting. As the beats of the latest songs filled the air, we stormed the dance floor, ready to end the day on a high note. The disappointment of earlier faded into laughter, music, and unforgettable moves. For the first time that day, it truly felt like a graduation party.