Her Mistake

∆ TWENTY SEVEN ∆

Mrs Adebayo walked on the podium dressed in a purple lace. We all applaud her as she moved slowly to the center where she's going to address us.

When the applause died down, the microphone was given to her by the female assembly prefect. The principal opens her small book which she usually addresses us with and reads from her glasses what she has for us this morning.

"Morning students!" She greets glancing at a few students then back at her book.

We all chorused, "good morning, Mrs Adebayo."

"The vice principal, Mr Jackson informed me of two SS2 students , who were caught in the JSS1 toilet involving themselves in rubbish." She began then continued after a short pause. "Many of you thought I was joking when I said there will be a stop to indiscipline both amongst students and teachers as well. The punishment will be starting with these two students."

The principal's words interests many of us thereby making us quiet so we can all hear her.

"I heard their names are;" she reads from her book, "Seun Aderopo and Joseph Ojo. You both should come out here." She demands their presence.

Seun who was at the back walked slowly her head facing the ground as she is abashed. Joseph also joins her on the podium, he  looked unfazed by the whole situation. Murmurs break out as soon as everyone began to register their faces.

"They would be whipped ten times by Mr Raymond," everyone shouts knowing fully well what that meant. Anyone whipped by Mr Raymond wouldn't be able to use effectively whatever part of the body he whips .

I remember when he whipped me back in JSS2 for coming late to school, the mistake I made was giving him my right hand which I use in doing all things.  I couldn't use that hand for two consecutive days, it wasn't until the third day before I was able to use the hand.  Throughout that term, I ensured I came early to school.

"Seun will cry today." I heard a familiar girly voice say from behind. Her words are followed by sniggers,  mocking Seun.

After the sniggering from the girls died down, another voice, a much more tinier one said, "any little spank from any teacher, Seun will begin to cry almost immediately."

I turned around to get a view of the girls mocking my once best friend. It was okirika and Esther. "Keep quiet, I would like to hear what the principal is saying." I hiss then avert my gaze back to the principal. The girls hiss as well but they stopped talking.

"They would also be going on one month working suspension, they'll be cleaning the toilets, sweeping classes and doing the work of the cleaners for a month." At this point, Mr Raymond joins the principal on the podium, a thick long cane and most of the students gasp in shock. I  couldn't help but pity Seun.

Mr Raymond whipped Joseph on his palm, he didn't cry neither did he flinch. He just wiped his hands on his uniform's trouser, like it would ease the pain as he walked back to the to the SS2 Ruby line where his classmates are assembled.

"So impudent! He doesn't even look remorseful." The principal shook her head in disappointment after Joseph had joined his classmates. The noise increased as chattering came from the side of the assembly Joseph returned to.

As soon as Mr Raymond's cane touched Seun's hand on the first whip tears began to flow from her eyes. This causes most students to laugh. When Mr Raymond is done flogging her, they both step down the podium. Seun joins our class line. She went to meet Pauline who is the last person in the line to console her.

"Let me inform the SS2 student that all eyes are on you. We are watching you all, this would enable us pick the best prefects and not students who would embarrass us like these two have done."  After saying this, Mrs Waliu, the vice principal for academics joins her and whispers something into her ear then leaves.

"The school will be going on midterm from Wednesday which is tomorrow till Friday. You all are to resume on Monday."

This announcement which majority of us already knew about gets mixed reactions as some students are excited, others are not. I am in the category of student who do not want the midterm because my parents would send me on errands nonstop.

"Attention everyone!" This stops the chattering. "Some teachers have been complaining about the insufficient time for teaching due to the interhouse sport practice. Teachers have agreed for some students to come to school, the senior school particularly. Your class teacher would inform you of how this development would take place. Also, you are to come in mufti, and make sure you are all dressed decently especially the girls, most of you who wear bum shorts, short gowns and other skimpy dresses would be sent home. Same goes for for the boys who sag their trousers."

The junior students shout in victory and the prefects begin to punish them for shouting. After this the Principal makes a few more announcements before dismissing us to our classes for teaching to begin.

Sauntering to our classes, Joyce and I discuss about us coming to school during the midterm.

"I had plans for the midterm but these teachers like to disrupt people's plan." Joyce started.

"I didn't have plans oo, I am glad we are coming to school else my parents will make me run endless errands for them especially now that my elder sister is away in the university." I tell her playing with my neatly knotted tie .

"....Daniel can I seat with you for geography?"  I turned back to see the owner of the familiar voice . I shot a glare at the owner of the voice before returning my gaze back to Joyce.

Okirika pushes me as she walks past me. She turns around quickly and says; "sorry! Forgive my clumsiness." The smirk on her face gave her away. It's all intentional.

Scowling at her, I hiss at her act of stupidity. Daniel who Okirika was standing close to like a leech didn't say or do anything.

"Did you guys break up or what?" Joyce whispers to prevent other students who are going to their various classes just like us hear.

We see Zara waving her hand at us through the crowd as she approaches Joyce and I. We halt in our tracks so she can easily catch up with us.

"Girls, what happened during the assembly? As much as I tried to come early, my naughty brother Emeka spent hours in the bathroom." She complained with a frown on her face.

Joyce starts, "you need to have seen Seun. She was crying as Mr Raymond whipped her."

"I pitied her." I add glad that Zara's presence changed the topic right away.

Joyce scoffs, "I didn't pity her at all. She deserves it because it's her fault, she's the one that chose to join Pauline and let her influence her negetiv-"

Joyce stops when she sees Pauline and Seun. Pauline had her hand around Seun's shoulder as she comforts her. Guessing through our stares that we were gossiping about them, Pauline glares at us this makes us burst into laughter.

A/N
Who remembers Okirika's real name?