Believe - Episode 17

 

“Wow! Unbelievable,” the quiz master said. Ayo’s Olympiad 60 seconds of fame had just ended. “Those last 45 seconds were awesome.” He heaved a sigh of relief.

“Thank you sir,” she said. The applause the audience gave her after, were deafening. She could only hope that with her awful first 15 seconds, she still qualifies. ‘Without a tie break,’ she hoped.

“I would say I’ve never seen such before.” The quiz master rubbed his fingers against his fore head . “I need to ask. Ayo, what happened in the first fifteen minutes?”

“I was distracted.”

“What made you focused and consistent in the last 45 seconds?”

“A friend’s advice.”

“Was it that of your best friend. The one you spoke of from four years ago,” the quiz master probed further.

“No.” She looked at Funmi briefly, then back at the quiz master. “She’s more like a new best friend.”

“Okay! Please let’s give the contestants a round of applause.”

The audience applauded at the Instruction of the quiz master.

“The contestants I’m about to announce their scores are bold” – he held out a fist – “brave and brilliant.”

The audience applauded once again.

“Oreoluwa.” He faced Oreoluwa. “How do you feel after competing against another student from school?”

Oreoluwa sighed before he said, “To be honest, I’ve always wanted to compete and win against her.” He looked at Ayo

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. “I was always sure I could win against her. After the first round, I was so sure but now.” He sighed. “After those amazing 45 seconds, I believe she is the best.”

Ayo smiled.

The quiz master sighed now and asked Oreoluwa yet another question. “If you did qualify for the finals and she didn’t. How would you feel then?”

“Really sad but I would want to trade place with her, because if anyone is going to win this competition from our school. It’s going to be her.”

The audience were so thrilled by his words and applauded his bravery. Ayo on her part was excited and moved to tears. It was the first time Oreoluwa would praise her or even say something nice about her.

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

. To top it all, he did it on national TV.

“Oreoluwa, you answered a total of 14 questions which awards you 70 points with your previous round score makes a total of 125 points which is impressive.” He slid his finger up the screen and the big screen displayed their score for round 2.

Round 2 scores: Damilola 85pts; Oreoluwa 70pts; Ayomide 80pts

“But.” He paused to observe Ore’s reaction. “Your score didn’t get you to the finals. Hope to see you in the senior category next two years.”

“Yes, quiz master.” Oreoluwa left the stage quietly. He however seemed fulfilled as he left the stage for the second time that day. The audience applauded until he couldn’t be seen anymore.

“Here we have the total scores after round 1 and 2.” He slid his finger across the screen again and the big screen changed its display.

Total scores: Damilola, 135pts; Oreoluwa, 125pts; Ayomide, 130pts.

“Congratulations, Damilola and Ayomide. See you both in the finals.”

They both left the stage afterwards.

“This brings us to the end of the first semifinals for the junior category and the beginning of…”

***

“The senior category,” Bukky said along with the quiz master. “I wonder why he has to say those exact words every time.”

“I do also.” Al-ameen chipped in.

“Ayo is supposed to be here by now.” – She looked around for a while and ended up looking at Anu as she stood up. She quickly took her eyes off her and faced Al-ameen. “Don’t you think?”

“That’s true,” Al-ameen agreed. “Maybe she’s discussing with someone.”

“Where are you going to?” Bidemi asked Funmi as the latter stood up to leave.

“Backstage.”

“I wish I could follow you but only contestants her allowed in.”

“Yes, only contestants are allowed in there,” she said and left.

“Where is she going?” Bukky whispered to Al-ameen as soon as Funmi left.

“I heard her say backstage.”

“That’s where Ayo would be.” Bukky thought out loud. “Let’s go.”

“She also said only contestants are allowed in there.”

“Then” – she shrugged – “we just have to wait.”

“Of course.”