Against All Odds

Chapter Twenty Six :IT Only Comes But Once

"There are some things you don't experience twice, like this feeling of anxiety we are getting because of this first paper, so I try to relish moments like this" Chioma promptly began as the girls were being called into the examination hall.

Confused with her statement Obi enquired what she meant "What exactly is there to relish in this moment? We are just lined up with our School identification card, a mathematical set, waiting to be called in. The two of us likely to be among the last people that'll be called because of our surnames. And I'm very sure that our legs will be aching before we get into that hall. Just look at how many S. S. 3 students that are present. From A to F. The only moment I want to relish is the moment I write my final paper".

A student who was called in stepped on Obi's toes before entering the hall.She shrieked her feet away out of pain
"Let us relish this moment away from the hallway before they end up wheeling me into the exam hall, this is the sixth time someone is stepping on my toes"

They made their way to one of classrooms not too far from the examination hall and they could still hear Mrs Akachukwu's voice as she called students in. "Chijioke Amarachi!, Chukwukadibia Matthew! Chibueze Akude!

" Just look around you Obi, very soon everyone we're seeing here today will just become memories. We won't see Cynthia and her troublesome friends, or Timothy, we won't see the class prefect and our teachers. That's why I'm trying to enjoy this moment"
Obi couldn't help but feel the same way, Chioma was right. Very soon a lot of the students that were running around to get themselves ready for their exams would just become a part of her past. She wouldn't see them like she did everyday, some would move away, get married. She might not even see them again till she dies. Obi relaxed and began to watch her classmates intently. She saw Timothy talking to one of the girls in their class, they seemed to be discussing something very important and the girl kept leaning into him.

Obi tore her gaze from them and focused her eyes on Chioma who seemed to be affected by what was going on.
When she finally realized that Obi had been staring she forced a smile. Obi folded her arms and gave her questioning look.

"Ọ gịnị? Why are you looking at me like that Obi?"

"like what biko?"

Chioma rolled her eyes "The way you are looking at me right now. Your hands are folded and your brows are arched up. It's like you want to ask a question but you're letting your eyes do the talking"

"I don't know what you're talking about Chioma" Obi spoke still in the same posture

"We are two different people, I don't think we're compatible" Chioma began

"You and who?"

Chioma became irritated with Obi's approach and decided to tell her everything.

"Timothy and I. We were getting close and I realized that even though he had his good looks and slightly sharp brain, he's one of those boys who let their ego trample every other thing. And he's also a play boy. The whole good looks brings girls his way and he exploits them. I think he has slept with a quarter of the girls in our class and he used to flirt with you"

Obi acted surprised and raised her voice "me? Ịdị sure?"

Chioma mentally rolled her eyes "Obi you don't know how to act at all, you knew he was flirting with you. But you never paid attention to him plus he found out about you and my brother from me so he gave up. I did like him but I just had to think of the bigger picture. I know there's someone much better than him in the future and when I do see him and I won't tell him I love him when he's sleeping and not say it again when he's awake"

Obi laughed at her statement clearly noting the sarcasm. "I don't know, it feels different now that Obiefune is getting better. I.. I.. think it's easier to show it than to say it. Besides the fact that your father heard me is constantly bothering me. What does he think of me now?" Obi buried her face in her hand