Forgone Jewel

Chapter 2

Charlette goes home with excitement and moved straight to her room to read for the coming tests, her parents come in.
Mr. Badmus: Charlette, when did you come
Charlette: About four seconds ago
Mrs. Badmus: And, how was school today.
Charlette: Cool as usual
Mr. Badmus: And which slang is that one again
Charlette (confused): What slang dad?
Mr. Badmus: You have the guts to open that your filthy mouth to say school was cool, I can see that you have been badly influenced.
Charlette laughs hysterically
Charlette: Dad, it's just a normal way of responding to questions. Mum isn't talking oh.
Mr. Badmus: I can see that you are very stupid, so, because your mum isn't talking, I am making a noise, you must be stupid.
He brings out a cane, he flogs her, Charlette stays in her room crying all day.
Charlette: What have I done to deserve all this, yet every mistake I make, I am not corrected, but flogged for it, even when I am right, I am never praised, I am always insulted, but, no matter what, I won't give up.
Her mother comes in, she pretends to be asleep
Mrs. Badmus: Charlette! Charlette! Charlette!, Such a lazy ass, I am busy cooking, you are here sleeping, idiot.
She hisses and shuts the door, slamming it as she leaves.
Charlette hearing all this began to cry again, she spent the night reading her books. It was the 10th week, and she knew her exams were approaching.
********

The next day, Charlette wakes up early, she does all her house chores and prepared for school.
Mr. Badmus comes out, he is astonished at what he sees, he pretends and ignores it.
Mrs. Badmus: Charlette! Charlette! Charlette!
Charlette: Sir
Mr. Badmus stunned to see her dressed for school. And what are you celebrating today
Charlette: Just wanted to make everything snappy, and to make you happy
Mr. Badmus hisses. You can never make me happy, get that into your skull, c'mon let's go
Charlette: But Dad, my food
Mrs. Badmus emerges also bewildered, pretending not to notice the change in the house.
There is no food for you today
Charlette: But Mum...
Mr. Badmus: Will you keep your filthy mouths shut and get into the car
She goes, tears welling in her eyes
*********
At school, Charlette is worried, even during class, during the break, her friends approach her.
Ronke: Charlette! Charlette
Still deep in thought
Belinda: Charlette, what is wrong with you
Amanda: We have been watching you, during class
Sandra: You've been quiet all day, what's wrong
Charlotte: It's just that... It's about my parents, they've been really mad at me, I don't know what to do anymore, they are always complaining about everything I do, good or bad. She sobs.
Belinda: Don't worry, everything will be fine, they are your parents
Amanda: You can't disrespect them
Sandra: Charlette, cheer up
Ronke: Girls, let's get food over there
They have their lunch, they go back to their classes.
During the closing, the principal addresses them
Mr. Kayode: Good afternoon students
Students: Good afternoon sir
Mr. Kayode: And how were classes today
Students: Fine sir
Mr. Kayode: Your exams would be starting next week Monday, is that clear
Students already murmuring. Yes sir
They all go home, including Charlette and her friends, they discuss on their way
Sandra: This one that the exam is here already, we have to work harder oh
Friends: Yes o
Charlette: My advice to you all is to read and pray to God to grant you success.
Belinda: Hmmm! Charlette we would need to that advice
Amanda: Yes o
Ronke: Charlette, you are just unique in your own way, thank God for you
Charlette frowns
Belinda: Charlette what is it again o
Charlotte: It's just that, anytime you guys are with me, I feel different, I forget about my problems, am very grateful, thank you so much
Sandra: That was a speech, Don't worry, we will always be there for you
Light fades

Charlette is at home studying for her exams, her Dad comes in, he shouts at her
Mr. Badmus: Idiot, always reading, lazy thing, you will just run mad, ode oshi
Charlette: But, Dad
Mr. Badmus: Will you keep your mouth shut and go to the kitchen to help your mother
Charlette: Dad, we have exams on Monday
Mr. Badmus: Ehn, you must be very stupid, will you get your ass off that bed, and move to the kitchen
As she approaches the kitchen, she is received by a slap from her mother
She is devastated, she began blaming her self for things happening to her
Charlette: Ah! God why, why is his happening to me, why!, After all my sacrifices to make my parents happy, it's all in vain, well, I won't give up, not now.
She goes back to the kitchen, her mother hisses, instead, she washes the plates, her mum is dumbfounded, she continues her work.
*******
Soon, it was dinner time, but Charlette couldn't go to the dining, to avoid trouble, she goes to her room to eat, her parents discuss.
Mr. Badmus: This girl is giving me problems, I would deal with her in her way she won't like, with that her unruly behavior, so stupid a girl.
Mrs. Badmus: You know Charlette, see her now going to her room to eat, implying that we should make noise alone, she is now in the senior class, she thinks she can behave anyhow
Mr. Badmus: Exactly, in fact, I'm thinking of taking her to her cousin's place for the third term long holiday
Mrs. Badmus: Which of her cousins
Mr. Badmus: Cynthia, Raymond your brother
Mrs. Badmus: That's true, at least, we would be able to spend time together
Mr. Badmus: Yes Oh
Charlette is in her room reading, till
Light Fades.
At last, the day of the exam is j, starting with the toughest- Mathematics
Amanda: Of course we are
Sandra: Let's go to the hall to revise, before the exam starts
Ronke: Great idea, let's go
Belinda: Yeah
That all head for the hall, they began to revise, those who saw them began to read, they knew them.
********
The invigilator comes in, the exam starts
Invigilator: The exam starts now, no cheating, no borrowing of items, if caught, you will be penalized
The five friends look at each other and that start solving.
Soon, the exams were over, the girls head home
Charlette: How was the exam (smiling)
Amanda: Charlette, you know how it went
Ronke: It was great
Belinda: Let's use the word "superb"
Charlette: Exactly, but girls, this is not over, we only had the first paper, so we have to prepare harder, especially in our core subjects, Sandra, you and Belinda, you are both in science class, help yourselves, as well as Ronke and Amanda, you guys are in commercial class, I guess I have to help myself
They all smile at her
Charlette: What!
Amanda: You are something else Charlette
Belinda: Yes oh
Charlette: Hmm, guys, just make sure you are prepared
********
Soon the exams were over, the four notorious boys were talking_ Melvin, Kelvin, Jake, and Jones
Jake: Guys, now that they damn exam is over, what are our plans
Melvin: Nothing much, just to go clubbing, partying, have fun and go to the beach
Kelvin: Abi oh
Jake: That was what I had in mind, should we go for MK's bash tonight
Jones: Guys, that's true oh, ok what time
Melvin: 8 pm
Jones: We will be there
********

Who is thinking what am thinking😳, what's happening?, tune in to chapter 4 for the next happening.

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