Believe - Episode 14

 

“I really liked it as Ore and Ayo are placed together,” Funmi said as they settled in their seats ready to witness the first semifinal stage of the mathematics Olympiad.

“I wish both of them good luck,” Al-ameen said. He sat down in between Funmi and Bukky.

Bukky had intentionally left that seat and sat on the one after it. She doesn’t want to sit beside Funmi as she had added her to her blacklist.

“Good luck?” Funmi shrugged . “What will good luck do here? It depends on how brilliant they are. And I wouldn’t mind seeing Ayo and another person other than Ore qualify.”

“That’s unfair,” Al-ameen said. He could hear the contestants introducing themselves.

“He would have said the same thing. I’m sure he wish Ayo should be disqualified so he would have reason to run his mouth.”

“That’s not true.” Al-ameen shook his head. “He told me in school yesterday that he wish he and Ayo would qualify so they can make a name for the school in the Mathematics Olympiad.”

Adura who had been listening to their conversation chuckled, “I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Why would you say so?”

“Because Damilola is among the contestants,” Funmi answered.

“Who is Damilola?” Al-ameen asked. Curiosity written all over his face.

“She competed against Funmi during the 5th prelim,” Bidemi chipped in.

“I wasn’t here then.”

“Oh! That’s true.”

“So who is Damilola?” Al-ameen asked again.

“Let’s just say she’s a student of BHS.”

“Beacon High School!” he screamed

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/believe

. He did because he knows how BHS students were when it comes to mathematics quiz competitions. In the Olympiad history, BHS has always taken the First to Third positions for 5 consecutive years now. Also, they are known for always having two of their students in the finals.

“Yes, Beacon High School,” Funmi said slowly. “She had 99% in the qualifying exam.”

“Really!”

“She was also the one that broke Ayo’s record, so it’s likely…” Funmi was saying.

“It’s likely what?” Bukky interrupted. “Better mind your tongue before I mind it for you.” She hissed.

Funmi turned her head to the left to be sure who was talking. She knew it was Bukky but she needed to be sure before she said anything. She thought, if she was to be a friend of Ayo, Bukky has to be her friend too.

“Hear me out Bukky,” Funmi pleaded. “I was going to say its likely Ore doesn’t qualify.”

“Better.” She hissed again. She looked to her back and saw someone she has been searching for since she took her seat. She decides to walk up to her and say hello. So she did walk up to meet Anu.

“Hello!” She pointed to an empty seat beside Anu. “Is anyone here?”

“No,” Anu said briefly and focused her attention back on the heating competition as the quiz master made to say something.

“It’s the 6th question of the first round and none of them has missed a question. That’s wonderful!”

Bukky sat down as the audience clapped their hands. She heard what the quiz master said but she doesn’t feel the need to clap. She was more concerned on how to begin a conversation with Anu.

She looked at Anu and saw that the latter was looking straight at Ayo. Then, she knew what to say. “Isn’t she great?”

“Who?” Anu looked beside her. She was startled by the question. “And who might you be?”

“I’m her friend.”

“Whose friend?”

“Ayo… Ayomide.”

Anu looked at the girl from her head downwards and looked away.

“So you recognize her?” Bukky asked a real question this time.

Anu didn’t respond. Bukky didn’t really need her response. She needed to see her reaction.

“So you did fulfil your promise?”

“What promise?” Anu looked puzzled.

Bukky kept quiet. She didn’t know what promise Anu made to Ayo and she needed to make Anu say it one way or the other.

“The one you made to Ayo before you left Lizben.”

“How well do you know Ayo?” Anu asked another question. All she has been doing since the conversation started was ask questions without answering any.

“I’m her best friend in Nightingale.”

Anu laughed. “Best friend? You’re deceiving yourself if you think that.”

Bukky was the confused one now.

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

. She looked at Anu with the corner of her eyes and kept mute. Yet, she wasn’t going to give up.

“You promised her you would allow her take first position and you fulfilled that?”

“What!” She choked on her own breath.

“So you didn’t?”

Anu thought for a while before she responded. “Of course, I fulfilled my promise. Why else would she score higher than me in the prelim? That has never happened before.”

“But you acted otherwise.”

“Thought you said something else.”

“Okay.” Bukky shrugged. “You really need to talk to her. She misses you.”

“Okay. I would.”

Bukky stood up to leave but was stopped by Anu. “What’s your name?” she asked.

“Bukola.”

“Okay, Bukola. Bye.” She waved and smiled at her. Bukky left to seat amidst her classmates afterwards.

Now, seems confusing right and suspense filled. I bet yoi have al ot of names if whom the hypocrite might be?

Next chapter: Hidden Intentions.