Believe - Episode 10

 

How time flies? It’s already the 6th preliminary stage of the Mathematics Olympiad. Aside Ayo who qualified for the semifinal, Perfect had also qualified in the senior category during the 2nd preliminary and Funmi in the junior category during the 5th preliminary. Perfect did excellently well, leaving the runner-up 15 points behind which has been unheard of since the inception of the Mathematics Olympiad and answering a total of 16 questions in the 60 seconds of fame. While Funmi was only able to qualify after going through a tiebreak in the 2nd round.

“It’s the 6th prelim,” the quiz master began . “It is good to see your faces again after an exciting 5th prelim where we witnessed Damilola Oladapo, a student from Beacon High School break a record which was set in this year’s Mathematics Olympiad in the junior category by another student from Nightingale Academy.” He paused to take a breath.

“Isn’t that exciting?” he asked rhetorically. “She answered a total of 16 questions in the 60 seconds of fame.”

The audience applauded and the quiz master went over the rules and regulations of the competition again before allowing the contestants to introduce themselves starting from his left.

“My name is Zeenat. I’m from Qudratullah International School.”

“Oreoluwa from Nightingale Academy.”

“Bolaji, Lofty Heights Academy.”

“Moses from Greater Tomorrow’s College.”

“I’m Israel from Beacon High School.”

“I’m Ridwan from Zikrullah College.”

On the screen behind, the qualifying examination results of each contestants was displayed:

Zeenat 94%; Oroluwa 89%; Bolaji 92%; Moses 90%; Israel 96%; Ridwan 90%.

“Wow!” Oreoluwa exclaimed silently

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. ‘I’m going to see this through despite the odds.’

“Contestants, are you ready for round 1?” the quiz master asked.

“Yes, quiz master,” they all chorused.

“Alright. Question 1. The sum of…”

15 minutes later

“Do we have our three contestants who will join us for round 2 or we have a tiebreak?” the quiz master asked rhetorically. “Let’s find out.” He slid a finger across his screen and the scores for round 1 were displayed on the big screen.

Round 1 scores: Zeenat 60pts; Oreoluwa 60pts; Bolaji 55pts; Moses 50pts; Israel 60pts; Ridwan 55pts.

“We have our clear winners,” the quiz master announced after viewing the scores displayed. “Bolaji, Moses, Ridwan, I’m sorry to inform you but this is where your journey ends on this year’s Mathematics Olympiad. I hope to see you in the senior category next two years.” He always said that to all disqualified contestants in the junior category as they still have a chance of participating when they get to SS 2.

The three of them left the stage afterwards and the audience appreciated their efforts by clapping.

“This is round 2,” the quiz master said. “The Olympiad 60 seconds of fame. You know the rules but I’ll go over it again.” He stated the rules for that round for everyone to hear.

“Zeenat, you are up first.”

She smiled.

“Are you ready for your 60 seconds of fame?” he demanded.

“Yes, quiz master,” she responded.

“Your 60 seconds of fame starts now.”

***

“Don’t say I told you so,” Bukky said from the audience seat. She was seated next to Ayo.

“I did told you so,” Ayo responded.

“I asked you not to say it,” Bukky said, feeling hurt. “Yes, you told me Ore will qualify for round 2 and I disagreed. So…”

“I shouldn’t have convinced my dad to let you tag along,” Bidemi interrupted.

“Why?” Bukky demanded.

“Don’t you ever stop talking?”

“She doesn’t,” Ayo responded on her behalf.

“Oh! It’s as if you don’t know her,” Funmi added. “That’s the talkative of JS 3.”

“No wonder,” Bidemi said. “Just remind me next time not to include her name in the list.”

Bukky ignored them and hissed. She faced Ayo. “Ayo, have you seen Anu today?”

“No,” Ayo replied. “Why did you ask?”

“I want to see her face to face.”

Ayo looked around her for a few seconds. “I see her now.” She made gestures towards another section of the audience seats. “She’s the one seated over there.”

“Where?” Bukky asked looking everywhere all at once.

“Trace the direction of my eyes, dumb girl.”

“Oh! I see her now. Is it” – she pointed at Anu but Ayo quickly hit her hand – “her?”

“Yes, that’s her.”

***

During Ayo and Bukky’s conversation, Zeenat 60 seconds of fame had ended and Israel had begun his.

60 seconds later.

“Well done, Israel. You’ve done well,” the quiz master commended. “You literally took my breath away.”

“Thank you sir,” he responded.

 “Oreoluwa, are you ready for your 60 seconds of fame?”

“Yes, quiz master.”

“Okay. Your Olympiad 60 seconds of fame starts now.”

60 seconds later

“Wow! Oreoluwa,” the quiz master exclaimed loudly. “You have really done well also.”

“Thank you sir,” he replied happily,

“Well, you’ve all done well but remember there must always be a winner.” He looked down at his screen and looked up almost immediately. “You all had 60 points in the first round which made this round to be tight but still no tiebreak.”

The audience were quiet while the contestants were nervous. The quiz master was good at what he does.

Read " Hope " by the same author ( HABEEBLLAH DAMILOLA )

. He paused to examine the whole situation before he said, “We have our two clear winners who will be joining the others in the semifinals.” Even still, the stage was still as quiet as a grave yard. However, he continued, “Unfortunately” – he faced Zeenat – “you are five points behind at the end of both round which means only one thing.” He took a deep breath as tears were already flowing down Zeenat cheeks. She made no attempt to wipe them.

“Zeenat, I won’t be seeing you in the semifinals.”

Zeenat left the stage with tears as the audience applauded.

“Oreoluwa and Israel, well done to both of you. You’ve qualified for the semifinals with a total of 130 points each.”

Thereafter, the big screen displayed the combined scores for round 1 and 2.

“That was really close and interesting,” the quiz master commented after the contestants left the stage. “This brings us to the end of the 6th prelim for the junior category and the beginning of the 6th prelim for the seniors.

“Let’s clap our hands as we all welcome all six contestants for the senior category on stage.”

As the audience applauded, the six contestants walked to the stage and took their position each behind one podium. They introduced themselves at the instruction of the quiz master. Afterwards, the competition began and at the end, 2 students from Soundhope Schools qualified for the semifinals.”

In the next chapter which i titled hyprocrite, expect to see a bit of surprise where Bukky confronted Anu. I won't say more than that. Till tomorrow readers

Your reviews are still highly welcome. Confy-dencie and benedicta,your previous reviews were highly appreciated. Thanks to both of you.