A Loner's Journey Through Lemonade Making

Chapter 26|

Second term had flown by quickly. It was ending in three weeks, and in third term, we would finally write the exams that would promote us to senior secondary school and kiss our junior school uniforms goodbye.

However, we had to complete our projects and defend them before thinking about third term and being called seniors.

Our projects were very time consuming. It was even worse when we had to do them as a group or set. A few of our projects were individual ones and at least, each person would have their sanity while doing them. Group projects could either go well and end well or go badly and end badly, as with our Science project.

Mrs Ninalowo asked us to create the solar system and write on the planets, moons and stars. If division of labour had been adopted and people didn't allow the devil to use them, it would have gone well. But no, their stupidity reigned supreme. It was as if a wind of commotion and confusion blew on us, because it reflected in our preparation and project. Everything went south, with fights, arguments and missing materials. A total mess.

We had our Home Economics practical today and I hoped nothing would go wrong. Leilah had even held a night of prayers in the hostel, as I'd heard from the girls. And in school, she called for a set meeting and begged us to corporate for everyone's benefit.

We went to the Home Economics lab afterwards and waited for the kitchen women to return with the ingredients we'd requested.

The lab was a big room lengthwise, making it seem like it would never end when you walked down. It was separated into two parts by a wooden double door. On the other side of the room was the garment making section, with sewing machines and the likes. We were in the kitchen. By the sides of the room were gas cookers, freezers and other kitchen equipment and appliances. There were countertops and tools in the middle of the room.

Only the creaking of fans and multiple voices could be heard from our part of the room. While we waited for them to come back, we went over our plan.

My group was handling the baking. Leilah had said we either went big or went home, so we were making a chocolate cake. Thankfully, the management was funding the practical.

Group A was handling the frying, roasting and grilling of different foods. Again, on the management.

Group C was doing the boiling, stewing and steaming.

The kitchen women returned with our ingredients, which they arranged on the dining table.

Mrs Olotu asked us to wash our hands and put our hair nets and aprons on. We broke out into our groups afterwards.

We were given a stand mixer and other tools. I operated it well due to my knowledge in baking from Aunty Oma. Leilah and Charis handed the ganache, while Joju and Oba attempted making the decorations. Kari put the cake in the freezer to chill, and we were done! Temporarily.

"Good job!" we gave ourselves high fives.

Soon enough, a buttercream fight broke out and we made noise with it. However, I tried not to be part of it.. While having fun, they forgot where they were and unknowingly let the devil use them.

"Ehn ehn ehn! Nibo? In my kitchen?" Mrs Olotu picked a wooden spoon up and marched towards us.

Fear set in, as we realized how stupidly we had acted. Mrs Olotu was known for deducting students' marks over anything.

This project could end like our Science project.

History could repeat itself.

As if we all had that epiphany, we fell on our knees and started begging for forgiveness.