Daneen

CHAPTER TWO

DANEEN

Flashback

"Zahra look, isn't that your sister?" Sarah said pointing at a particular student with stripes on her sleeves, indicating she's in senior school.

"Nah, she's not", Zahra replied. We were currently in the school's multiple purpose hall. After the one week of orientation, the older students of Air force Comprehensive School, Kaduna's students (from JSS2 to SSS3) were resuming today. Due to the deep contrast between our cerulean blue house wear and the navy blue of the uniform of the resuming students. I and my set mates stayed quite a distance away, in a secluded area in the hall, so we shouldn't be noticed.

"Oh", Sarah said. All five of us, Zahra, Sarah, Halima, Favour and I were on the look out for Zahra's sister, who was supposedly resuming SS2. Sanaullah, my foster brother was also resuming JSS3 today but I didn't bother to tell them anyway.

"Why are you so excited anyway, don't you what will happen if they resume?" Halima asked Sarah who could not stand still on her feet.

"Yeah, we are supposed to be getting ready for the hell they'll put us through. We are the youngest, right at the bottom of the food chain. You can't imagine how we'll be treated." Favour added.

I knew exactly what they were talking about, I can remember how Izhar reacted on his first visiting day and vacation. He simply didn't want to return to the school.

"I know, my sister did tell me about it but she also said if I get a good school mother. My stay will be bearable at least." Sarah replied. I've heard that too.

"Just hope... " someone began again but I tuned out their conversation. I focused my interest on the activities and the noise in the hall. I watched how students with their luggage and relatives moved about. Making crooked lines in front of each squadron representative. How some, mostly female exchanged hugs in delight of seeing each other again. How some flaunted the stripes on their sleeves to show that they are resuming as senior students. I laughed inwardly at that one, Izhar acted the same way. Slowly, I found myself walking away from my group of 'friends' and towards the busy end of the hall.

I remember all the arguments I put through before my parents would allow me come. I was going to attend a school for the first time and I insisted on going to one like my brother's. Surprisingly, my doctor had supported the idea, claiming that I might actually need it else I'll become too fragile, both body and mind. What can I say after the surgery, it's a dream come true. I was going to prove my strength, I have to survive this, seniors or not.

I suddenly felt a tug on my dress and I looked down to see a little girl with the hem of my gown in her small hand. Her other other hand was busy with her mouth as she was sucking on her her thumb and she looked not less than five years old. I gently loosened her hold on my dress before squatting to her level.

"Hi, what's your name?" I asked smiling at her.

"Daleeyah," she removed her thumb to say before returning it.

"Where are your parents?" I asked her and she pointed behind her. I looked over her head but no one seemed to be paying attention to her.

"Come and show me" I said holding her hand. She nodded before pulling me along with her. I followed as she waded through people and I had to keep apologizing at the slightest bump. I surely didn't want to enter any one's bad book on the first day. She pulled us to a halt and I furrowed my brows at her as she looked up at me. She clearly didn't know where they were.