A woman's dilemma - Episode 16

 

Amy:

"Amy! I'm going to be late. Where are you?!" Claudia's voice rings out through the toilet's door. I literally shake with nerves.
"Amy?" I hear my room's door open.
"In here!" I squeak. I flush the toilet even though I didn't even make use of it for the long while I've been sitting here. I wash my hands and let myself out the door.
"There you are . Come on, zip me up and let's go." She turns around to give me access to her dress's zip. I hold the tiny zip and pull it up.
"You're shaking." She notes as she turns around to face me again.
"Nerves I think." I try to smile through the nerves. I must look weird and Claudia doesn't fail to point it out.
"You are like a constipated monkey. Come sit. I think I have a few minutes to listen." She pulls my hand and sit on my bed. I sit beside her.
"Okay, spill."
"I don't think I'm ready for this. I mean yes I've been thinking of a career choice since my brother made me promise I'll go back to school but I didn't expect it to be this soon. I was actually thinking next year will be better. Maybe I should get a job instead y'know?" I ramble.
"I admit Frances did surprise me with getting you a spot so easily but sweetheart this is your chance

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/a-woman-s-dilemma

. You deserve this shot at a new life. I think you should grab it." She pat my hand slowly.
"What if-- what if I fail. It's been too long." I say my fear and Claudia shakes her head at me.
"If you become a negative Nancy what's left for the rest of us pessimistic bitches in this world, Amy?" She says in her no nonsense and matter of fact way.
"You have always been a ray of sunshine. Taking life with stride. Believing in the good of things. Why stop now?" She asks. I let my eyes slip shut to block her face out.
"I'm afraid life is going to good for me to be true." I almost sob out. I let my eyes slip back open.
"Amy--" I let my body hug Claudia's side for comfort. She pat my shoulder.
"This is your break in life. I believe it." She says. I pull away a little to stare at her. She gives me a reassuring smile.
"School is your thing Amy. You're gonna kick ass!" She grins at her unusual show of enthusiasm.
"Okay that's enough sappiness for one day. Move your ass from that bed or I'm dragging you to that admission office screaming and kicking." She pulls up to her feet and raise her brows at me.
"So? Should I start dragging you?" She asks me. I roll my eyes at her.
"I'm afraid you won't get the satisfaction of being a bitch this morning, Claudia." I chuckle at her and take her offered hands to stand up.
"Dang it." She grins as we both walk out of the room.
"Thank you, Claudia." I say.
"Yeah, yeah. Just get your thin ass into the car while I get my bag." She deflects to her room and leaves me to grab her car keys and my documents from the counter.

****

"You know how to get back to the house right?!" Claudia calls from the call as she starts to reverse out. She acts like my mother sometimes but I know she would frown as such a comparison. I wave her on with a grin. She motion for me to give her a call when I'm done and I nod. I watch her car exit the premises before I turn around to face the building.
"Okay, Amy. Let's get this over and done with." I grab my documents to my chest as I make my way nervously into the building. Frances already sent me how to find the administrator's office so I don't stop to ask any one. There's no one in sight anyways. Just a row of offices when I enter the building. I'm supposed to enter the last on the right. I make my way slowly down the hallway till I get to the last door. I take in a calming breath and mentally stabilize my breathing. I nervously brush down the beautiful gown Claudia lent me so I can look presentable. I should knock. I tuck my file under my armpit and raise my hand to knock only for the door to pull open suddenly, my fist almost hitting the wide shoulders of a man backing me.
"I'm not teaching a student who doesn't deserve to be in my class!" He snaps at the older woman behind the desk, who looks a little tired for so early in the morning. I let my hand fall to my side. Is he referring to me? As if he hears me, the angry man turns around and freezes me with his hard stare. I visibly shrink when his eyes appraise my clothing. He snorts and marches out with a shake off his head. I'm still plastered to the door when the woman speaks.
"And that'll be your anatomy professor. A real ray of sunshine." She says wryly, pointing out the door. I nod slowly. He looks too young to be a professor. I keep my opinion to myself. I peel my self off the door and stagger to the desk to drop my file.
"I'm Amy Amadi." I stretch my hand for an handshake.
"Of course. Mrs Francesca told me all about you. Have a seat." She says and I do as asked. With my mind still reeling from the man who just left the room. He'd been staring down at me but I was able to get a good enough look at him before he marched out. For some insane reason, I think he looks familiar. I rack my brain for where I've seen him before. It's a face that shouldn't be forgotten. Even with anger oozing from every pore of his body, he had managed to steal my breath away. He isn't what anyone will call handsome in the usual sense of the word. He's striking. And that ominous scar snaking through his left brow just makes him more attention grabbing. And his eyes, they'd been an unusual color of brown.
"Are you paying attention, miss?" I look up at the woman frowning lightly at me. I shake my head of my thoughts and nod at her.
"I'm sorry madam. You were saying?" I ask and she shakes her head in disapproval.
"We don't usually take students at this time of the year. But Mrs Francesca and her husband are huge contributors to this school. And she assured me that you're quite the intelligent student." She appraise me with her glasses. I nod quickly.
"So you should be able to catch up then. I'll advise you to reach out to your classmates. Gabriel should be able to help you with the notes they've taken so far."
"Gabriel ma'am?" I ask.
"He's the top student so far. I already sent for him. He'll be here to give you a tour." I am a bit uncomfortable with the special treatment but still grateful.
"Thank you ma'am." I say sincerely. She waves me off as she study my files.
"Your WAEC result is outstanding and your few years of studying in the University of Lagos doesn't hurt either."
"Thank--"
"Mind you, this is far more complex than a few years of University schooling." She interrupts me and I nod.
"I will try my best ma'am." I assure her.
"Now that's what I want to hear." A quiet tapping on the door pulls both our attention to the door.
"That should be Gabriel. You can leave now. Pick up your uniform and books before you leave the premises." She instructs.

Read " Star-crossed " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I take this as my cue to leave.
"Thank you so much for this opportunity." I say as I stand up.
"Study and show your lecturers that you are not just a spoilt brat with connections." I wince a little from the words. I have a feeling those were the exact same words my anatomy professor must have said about me. I'll prove him wrong if anything.
I make for the door and pull it open. A cheeky face greets me as I look up.
"Take care of her, son." The woman calls from the office. I see the smile falls off the guy's face and get replaced with a faint blush.
"Okay Mom. Please don't tell anyone about that." He pulls the door close behind me and pin me with his eyes. I raise my hands up in surrender.
"My lips are sealed." I draw my fingers across my lips like it's a zip and the guy who looks about my age chuckles.
"I'm Amarachi by the way. Amy if you will." I stretch my hand for shake.
"Amy." He says like he's testing my name on his lips. My attention are drawn to his full lips and I find myself biting on mine. His boyish good looks contrast with the striking look of the young professor from earlier. Why am I comparing both of them? I shake my head and follow behind Gabriel as he points to various places in the building.