MALADY

CHAPTER ONE

"Catherine, come take a selfie with me," Paulina said to me excitedly. It was my graduation day, I just graduated from the University of Kently, the best university in the Uk. I'm proudly a graduate of medicine and surgery.

"And the award for the youngest doctor in Kently goes to Catherine Banks, " I was expecting this award anyway, they all applauded me and gave me ovations.
I was born in Africa, Nigeria precisely. I was very lucky or let me say I earned it, I was favored to get a scholarship in the University of Kently, here in the Uk at age sixteen, I was very pleased with myself because I was breaking records academically and hopefully, I might also receive another award.

After I received the award as the youngest doctor in Kently, every graduating student in that hall was anticipating for the award of all awards. Well, not every though, many worked hard for this and some aren't even expecting to be given the award because they didn't work for it, and I? Well, to be honest, I was expecting the award, this award determines every graduate's future as a medical doctor. With the award, you would definitely run the best hospital in Kently, UK, or the world in total.

We were given sermons about the outside world and not giving up when trials come in our careers. Truth be told, I wasn't focusing, my eyes were fixed on the last award with real gold and a big ribbon. It was in a transparent box and everyone was staring at it.

"For the moment we've all been waiting for?" The commentator said and everyone started murmuring.

"It's yours Cathy." Paulina smiled at me and gave me the well-done look. Okay fine, I knew there's eighty-five percent certainty that the award is not mine but the remaining fifteen percent crazily gives me hope.

"Damian! Damian!! Damian!!!" Few graduates started lauding and yelling his name, Damian is also a graduate of medicine and surgery at Kently University, he went for numerous competitions and he won most of it. I was summoned most times to go for these competitions but I declined, I don't like to stress myself. He might as well achieve this award, how come I didn't see him as an obstacle before, there's no way I'm getting this award.

The University of Kently is vast, estimated we have up to fourteen thousand Medical graduates, the graduation service was divided into forty services and held forty times but with different graduates. I was getting really scared when my name wasn't in the previous ceremonies, I waited for two months before my name was seen in the last ceremony. I was told that this graduation service is for the best 350 graduates.

Out of three hundred and fifty best graduates in this auditorium, is it possible for I, Catherine Banks, to be the best out of all? Out of fourteen thousand graduates? It's definitely not possible, I mean I worked hard and my grades were perfect but I don't think I'm getting this award.

"And the award for the best graduating student in medicine and surgery faculty is..." Everyone paused it was like the earth was so anxious to hear the name. My best friend Paulina was one of the best graduating students too but I was way ahead of her, academically.

"The award goes to, Catherine Banks,." Everyone paused to see who that was, I wasn't sure of what I heard so I didn't bother standing up, I wasn't going to embarrass myself in front of these amount of people.

"Again, the award goes to Catherine Banks." The commentator said again, this time I was sure of what I heard.

I stood up and the big light was on me, I think it's called the spotlight. Oh! The spotlight was on me, I walked up to the commentator to receive my award, I wasn't lucky, I earned it. Paulina yelled and screamed, I winked at her.

"Do you have anything to say?" The commentator asked me.

"This award goes to my parents and family back there in Africa, and this award goes to my late grandmother who forced me to take The University of Kently scholarship exam, and to my fellow graduates, this is for y'all," I said and they applauded and gave me ovations.

"How do you feel to be the youngest best graduate out of fourteen thousand people?" The commentator asked.

"I feel so happy and fulfilled, I'm just twenty-three y'all!!!" I screamed and everyone gave me standing ovations.

I also won a huge prize of fifty thousand pounds in total. I have to figure out how to use this money. I'll be resuming at the hospital next month by the way.

The ceremony was finally over, everyone headed home. My family video called me and it lasted for two hours. They watched how I got the awards, my mum was so happy.

"When are you coming home, Catherine?" My mum asked.

"Coming keh? Don't disturb her, when she's ready to come she will. I have to go now Catherine I'll call you personally when I'm less busy." My dad said. My dad is a lecturer in one of the universities in Nigeria, my mum owns a mini-mall which I intend to make bigger with the money I have.

"Soon mum, very soon. I have to visit before I start working officially, and that means I'll be visiting soon. But mum, why don't y'all come over to stay here? We can start a new life, and be together. I'm getting tired of being apart from you guys, it's been how many years now? Six? Seven? C'mon mum." I uttered.

"Okay fine, I'll think about it. There's a lot to consider." She said to me, my brothers were shouting and I could see them fighting for the phone.

"Catherine, how are you na? You've forgotten me abi? Send me money o." My immediate brother Tony said.

"Yeah, before I forget, I got a lot of cash prizes from people. It's up to fifty thousand pounds. I'm thinking of starting a small hospital or what do you think?" I asked.

"Oh my God! That's like twenty million naira here in Nigeria! Come home let's build the hospital here in Nigeria."

"No, mum. I have to stay here, I'll call you back. I love you all."

My family gives me joy and happiness.

Hey guys!!!
The first chapter, third book.
I still remain your favorite author. iam_fisaj

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