A GLITTER THAT TAKES THE HOPE

chapter four

Greenstar secondary school was reputed for its discipline an academic excellence. The school was a  complete science school. The school was well furnished with classrooms, well built administrative block, laboratories, standard library and all that was required of a school to be paraded as excellent.
It wasn't like the school to delay students' results, and so terminal results were already ready when the school resumed its new academic session the year when Khaleel was promoted to SS2.
Khaleel's result -  "A" in English language, "C" in Mathematics, "D" in Chemistry, "C" in Physics and "C" in Biology - didn't come with a surprise to him. He didn't have the slightest interest in the core science subjects, and it had never disturbed him. He was to pursue Journalism, he had thought. But since his school was science based, he had felt it a constraint for his achieving his dreams. He truly knew Journalism wasn't a science course, and knowing that his school, science based that it was, hadn't Art nor commercial subjects that were prerequisite to getting Journalism course sickened him.
Going by his father's words, he knew quite plainly that his efforts at switching to Art or Commercial School would only prove abortive. Regardless, Khaleel had more than once tried to persuade his father to change his school to where he could take Art or Commercial subjects.
Khaleel wasn't going to go into a field he had no interest in, his mind had assured him, but another mind was adamant, just like his father's. Khaleel, you must follow what your father had told you, it would suit you marvelously, his other mind had offered.
Anytime Khaleel envisaged himself wearing doctor's clothes, with handgloves and mask about his mouth, he would force his mind to conjure up a picture of his either writing a news report or anchoring a television program.
Slowly Khaleel had grown used to his father's shouting "you must study MBBS, willy-nilly".
Time was moving fast, and Khalee's days in high school were drawing to a close.
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Aqeeb's making progress with his academic chores. When his result was out, he had made tremendous achievement. He was among the top five.
But the fact that he couldn't make an "A" grade in both chemistry and physics pained him. With an "A" grade in English language, "A" in Mathematics; "C" in chemistry; "B" in physics and "B" in Biology, did I stand the chance of becoming a Doctor or an Engineer? Aqeeb thought to himself.
Subservient that Aqeeb was, he had never refused his parents' words.
"Have you ever pondered on what you'd like to become in future, Aqeeb,? Fatima, Aqeeb's mother, had inquired.
"Yes mum, it was MBBS at first, but now Engineering is the passion with me. I just want to be like my brother. And besides, Chemistry and Biology are playing trick on me. I was told the subjects are core if one is to study medicine. Engineering is simply my option, mum." Fatima had barely closed her mouth when Aqeeb spoke.
"No, that would look awkward for us. Your brother is an engineer in the making. Aqeeb, why don't you consider going for Medicine?", Fatima paused, her eyes meeting Aqeeb's.
"Mum, but medicine isn't for lazy students, I was warned."
"And neither Engineering." Fatima corrected.
"Don't you, mum, have any idea how boring I find chemistry. I was told I had to do a lot of chemistry if I was given MBBS," Aqeeb announced, sounding as calm as was possible.
"What are you two discussing?" It was the father, Abdulkareem, who had spoken as he made his way to their direction.
Aqeeb was trying to find words to answer his father when his mum, fatima, bailed him out. "You see, I was just asking him about his ambition." Fatima said, stopping to find more soothing words to keep Aqeeb at ease. "I thought we have agreed that Aqeeb is going for MBBS. Aqeeb, any two words about that?" Abdulkareem turned to Aqeeb and asked. They want to force me study what I think I can't, Aqeeb found himself entertaining different thoughts. He was afraid he couldn't afford it if he were to study MBBS.
"Dad, going for medicine means I must know chemistry and Biology very well. I'm afraid they are kind of giving me hard time, father" Aqeeb explained with low, steady tone.