ONE WRONG TURN
EPISODE 7
The 6’o clock alarmed buzzed with It’s usual disrespect and insolence. I hated that alarm. It seems to go up during the sweetest part of my sleep.
Unlike most people though, I loved Monday mornings. It meant going back to school. It was my getaway, my only chance of leaving this cell and gaining my freedom for few hours before returning back to my parent’s den.
Today was a special Monday, I was going to do something I had never done before. I was excited and scared at the same time.
My day began like every other day, I jumped out of bed 5 minutes after the alarm, and dragged myself to the sitting room for morning devotion.
Once again, other than mumbling a few unintelligible words, I had no active participation in the prayers.
My mind was solely focused on getting to school. As soon as the prayer ended, I greeted every one, and headed straight for the kitchen to do my chores.
I finished up quite early, the zeal and speed with which I finished my chores surprised my mum, I was fond of lingering on chores.
I bathed swiftly, and got set for school. My white shirt and blue skirt were properly ironed. There was not a single stain on my stockings.
I looked as neat and tidy as possible, everything was in order. I came out of the house, and sat inside my mum’s car waiting for her to take me to school. She took me to and from school every single day of my six (6) years in secondary school.
As I sat there, my mind began to wander. I was about to do something strange and unfamiliar. How ‘ll this day turn out? Where exactly is Matthew going to take me? I was unsure of myself, but I just couldn’t wait to find out.
My mum joined me in the car few minutes later, it was already 7:45 am. She started the engine and we zoomed off. My day was just about to start.
The usual traffic in Lagos ensured that I was almost late for school. My mum dropped me off exactly three (3) minutes before 8 0’clock. She handed me a #200 for lunch, and zoomed off.
As I walked through the gate, I took time to examine the entire school compound. And kept wondering how I would be able to make it out without being noticed. Was I even ready to take this risk at all? I asked myself.
The entire compound was tightly secured. The perimeter fence was high, and lined with barbed wire. It was impossible to jump over.
The school had 2 entrances, and 2 security posts. One in front and one behind. Each had stern looking security manning the gates, with strict warning not to allow students out of the compound till the school closes.
The security arrangement in the school, coupled with the hostile nature of the gate-men made the school look more like a federal prison than a learning center.
I walked straight to the assembly hall with my bag firmly hung on my shoulders, as I was already late.
The morning assembly was like every other one. We sang some hymns, recited the national anthem and performed other daily routine.
The principal made an announcement, reminding all SS3 students of the commencement of WAEC and NECO registration, we were to part with the sum of 35 thousand Naira in all.
The announcement was welcomed with great happiness, it meant we would soon be out of secondary school. I can’t wait to be in the university, it would mean one thing….. Freedom!
We marched to our various classes, singing along.
As soon as we sat in class, I moved to Sarah’s seat. I couldn’t contain my excitement. I wanted all the details of the escape plan. How exactly am I going to leave this school compound?.
Sarah and Hannah looked at me with surprise and laughed hysterically. My naivity must have amused them. I looked like a curious lamb perhaps.
“Did you bring extra clothes?” Sarah asked
“Why? What for?” I asked, genuinely surprised.
“Haba you can’t be walking outside with your school uniform na, you want to tell the entire city that you escaped from school?” Hannah replied, a little irritated.
I didn’t know I had to, so what do we do now?” I asked, with a worried look
“Hannah will give you her own”
“Will you?”
Sarah obliged, she always comes in handy for evil deeds. She was like the devil’s assistant to me.
I was about to ask other questions, when the class suddenly became quiet. Our class teacher had just walked in.
I turned around and headed for my seat.
“Last period before break” Sarah whispered to me. As I approached my seat.
The morning lessons went by slowly. I barely understood anything that was said in class, thanks to the fear and excitement building up inside me.
The bell rang, to signify the end of the third lesson of the day, and the beginning of the last lesson before break.
The subject was geography, which I don’t offer. I got up and hurriedly left the class before the teacher arrives. Sarah and Hannah were right behind me. They were both holding their school bags, mine was still on my seat. (Still a novice).
They led me towards the security post behind the school. I kept wondering how we were going to walk past the gate-man.
.
.
Is this also the fault of her parents? Or her on inward behavior?
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 8
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