A Loner's Journey Through Lemonade Making

Chapter 31| Bursting

By I'll look into it, Mr Obadina meant he yes, he would play music for us. He probably didn't want to give a definite answer so he wouldn't seem soft, because he was punishing us, after all.

Although he often came off as bothersome and wicked, Mr Obadina was actually a very good principal. He cared about us and understood that as teenagers, we went through things we didn't always want to talk about, which was why he did moral talks and was a part-time motivational speaker. Punishing us and increasing our after school lesson time was his way of showing love, tough love.

Music was played through the speakers around. Students occasionally came out of their classes to see if we were having a surprise party. We would tell them there was no party, and they would enter their classes, disappointed.

We had decided how we would paint the wall, because as the saying went, too many cooks spoil the broth. Some people would repaint with white paint. Another group of people would add the second coat. Lastly, my group would paint the motivational quotes on. We had googled some in the library and gotten templates from the Art teachers. It would be fun and therapeutic. At least we were doing something good, getting rid of all for bad words and energy the wall bore.

I was resting under a mango tree close-by. From where I stood, I could see the people repainting the wall and the others who stood around.

Curiosity took over me, and when I couldn't keep it at bay anymore, I decided to ask questions. "So, Joju, do you know anything about the Vera girl?"

He looked up, in thought. "I've heard about her from my brother. When he was here, his classmates decided to dig and get information on her. So one day when the teachers were in a meeting, and the SS3s were writing their exams, they snuck into the file room in the admin block and went through the folders from 1994, which is the year people say Vera's classmates graduated. They found her folder. She was a straight A student, never got into trouble, good girl and all. I don't know much, but legend has it that she pricked herself with a needle and used her blood to write 'Janet Aigbe is a bully. It shall not be well with her and her household. Suffering is her portion for the rest of her days, Amen' on the wall of the then SS3B. After that, people say she went to Janet's seat in SS3B and stabbed herself, so she would be found dead there. They looked at Janet's file too. Her records were dirty, with numerous suspensions and visits to the disciplinary council. She got expelled."

My hands went cold and fear spread through me. "Oh my God." I could suddenly feel the metallic taste of blood on my tongue. My throat went dry. "That's bad."

"Yeah." he looked on, running a small comb through his hair. "Hey, have you ever wondered why there are a lot of classroom bungalows around school, and why they are empty?"

It was something I had never thought about, until then. "Until now, no. Why'd you ask?"

"When parents found out about Vera's death and what she wrote, they held protests and made the school build another classroom block entirely for their children. They didn't their children to leave RPSS, so they asked for another set of classrooms. I wish our classrooms were bungalows though, climbing stairs is tiring."

"Seriously." I chuckled and looked away.

He moved closer to me and nudged my shoulder, making me look at him. "Yeah?"

"Do you still want to know about my heart condition?"

I was surprised he asked, and I was sure my facial expression showed it. Although I wanted to know, I didn't want him to feel pressured to tell me. "If you want to tell me. It's quite personal."

He plucked a leaf from the tree. "Nah, it's okay. Just, don't tell anyone okay? Don't spill."

"I won't, I promise."