Believe - Episode 23

 

It’s Saturday evening, a week after Ayo and Bukky misunderstanding. Ayo along with Funmi and Oreoluwa just arrived at the Heart city shopping mall, where Anu had promised to meet with them. Ayo dialed Anu’s number to let her know they were waiting for her.

“Go into the restaurant section, I will meet you there in 5 minutes.” – Anu had told her over the phone.

They walked into the restaurant and found a table near the glass wall. Ayo picked that spot because it would allow her see everything going on outside . They settled on the seats around the table leaving one empty for Anu.

True to Anu’s word. Less than 5 minutes after they settled, she strolled in and walked straight to them. She had seen them while walking into the restaurant through the glass wall.

“Where is Bukky?” Anu asked, as she joined the trio on the table. They had already ordered for chicken fries and started enjoying the meal.

“She went with her parents to visit her grandma,” Ayo lied. She didn’t know how to tell the group that she and Bukky aren’t friends anymore. They would have asked why and she wouldn’t want to tell them about Bukky’s ridiculous accusation of them. “She sent her regards to you all.”

“I rarely saw her in school this week,” Funmi said

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. “I hope you didn’t quarrel with her.”

“No! I didn’t.” Ayo was unsettled on her seats. She wished they would stop talking about Bukky. “She was busy with her class. You know… as the assistant class captain.”

“Aside that sef,” Oreoluwa added. “Going up and down the stairs is a bit stressful.”

“Ayo hurriedly agreed and Funmi nodded her head slowly.

“Congratulations on qualifying for the finals today,” Anu said.

“I congratulate you also,” Funmi responded. “You almost broke Damilola's record.”

“I would have if I didn’t drop my pen mistakenly.” She smiled.

“Even so. You tried,” Oreoluwa said. “I mean now you are both on draw level.”

Ayo was glad Anu changed the topic. Now, she could contribute more freely without feeling tensed. “Of course,” she said as she chewed on the fries. “17 questions in 60 seconds.”

“What about it?” Anu queried while the rest of them stared at her.

“That’s the amount of questions you answered in today’s semifinal” Ayo said. “Same with Damilola in last week's semifinal.”

“Yessss?” the group stressed.

“I can answer 20 in 60.” Ayo winked and continued enjoying her meal.

Oreoluwa choked. He grabbed a glass of juice and gulped the whole content.

“I will watch you try,” Anu said. “You, that the highest you've answered is 16 questions.”

“Abi oo...” Funmi agreed. “16 questions in 60 seconds just like I did today also.”

“45 seconds actually,” Oreoluwa objected.

Ayo made an okay sign to Oreoluwa and he winked at her.

The group looked at one another and ate the rest of the meal in silence and afterwards went to the city park which was just opposite the city mall. They all sat on the grass in the open, as they experienced nature at its peak.

“Whom do you think would win?” Oreoluwa broke the silence. “Amongst you three.”

“It’s not just three of us in the finals, you know?” Funmi opined. “Damilola is also there.”

“And I bet Israel would also qualify next week.” Ayo said.

“Who is Israel?” Anu asked.

“He is a student of BHS also.”

“BHS again?”

“Yes, BHS. He was in the same group as I was in the prelims,” Oreoluwa added.

“So, the question is who is going to be the 6th finalists and which school would he be from?” Ayo said as she laid her body on the bare grass.

 “He or she, actually,” Funmi said.

“Whichever gender. I don’t care,” Anu said. “As long as he…”

“As long as she,” Funmi stressed.

“Keep quiet joor,” Anu said playfully. “As long as the person won’t be a problem.”

“Come on. We all want to win,” Ayo said. “I would prefer a boy actually.”

“A boy?”

“Yesss. Why do you all look surprised?”

“Because a boy would even be a tougher opponent,” Oreoluwa opined.

“You say that because you are a boy,” Ayo replied. “How many boys have qualified for the finals?”

“None in the junior category but three in the seniors.”

Ayo sat up and crossed her legs. “Mr. Man. I’m only talking about junior category.”

“Okay none.”

“What does that tell you?”

“I’m sure Israel will qualify.”

“Answer my question na.”

“See, leave Ore alone.” Funmi said. “He’s in love with Damilola. Why won't he support a student from her school?”

Oreoluwa was unable to say anything so he faked a cough.

“That’s true Ayo,” Anu said. “It seems the boys in this year’s Olympiad are not mathematically good but I’m certain Samuel would also qualify.”

He coughed again. This time, to remind them he was still with them but they seem to have forgotten about him.

“Exactly,” Ayo agreed. “If two boys are to join us for the finals, it creates better chances for us. So just pray Israel and your Samuel qualifies.”

“My Samuel?” Anu laughed. “He was my seat partner when I attended Soundhope and he was really good in maths then.”

“You know almost everyone in this Olympiad o,” Funmi joked.

“Haba! It’s just senior Perfect and Samuel.”

“What about me?” Ayo smiled.

“And me too,” Funmi added.

Oreoluwa stood up and announced his departure.

“So soon,” Ayo queried.

“Yes, I promise to meet with someone later today.”

“I hope it’s not because of what we said about you boys,” Anu joked.

“Orrr you are going to meet Dammy again,” Funmi teased.

“Not at all. See you guys on Monday.” He ran off.

“Girls!!!” They chorused after him.

After Oreoluwa left, the three girls laid on the grass watching as the sun sets.

“If three of us are to qualify for the second round in the finals,” Anu began. “What do you think will happen?”

“The usual thing na,” Funmi laughed. Ayo and Anu looked at her in surprise. She added, “One of us will come first, the other, second and the last, third.”

The two girls joined in the laughter as they just understood what Funmi meant.

“Jokes apart. What do you think will happen?” Ayo repeated Anu's question.

“We’ll just work it out and see who is better.” Funmi smiled.

“I would sacrifice my dreams for any one of you,” Ayo offered.

“You would do that?” Anu quickly sat up.

“You don’t need to,” Funmi said.

“Yes, you don’t need to,” Anu said, contrary to her thoughts. “We will just work it out as Funmi said.”

“It might work so well for you two.” Ayo looked sideways. She was in the middle of the two girls. “Not for me. Both of you are the reason I qualified for the finals. You’ve both contributed in your own ways.

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

. So I’ll gladly give up the gold and silver medal for both of you. I’ll gladly settle for bronze so you can both fight for the gold.” She smiled.

“I see I can’t get you to change your mind but promise me one thing,” Funmi said.

“The only promise I’m going to make is what I’ve said earlier.”

“Anu, won’t you say anything to this?” Funmi asked.

Anu didn’t answer. She was in deep thoughts. She doubts if she would be able to go through with her intentions. Ayo’s word got to her and she felt she shouldn’t repay her that way. But, she really needs to win this competition in any way possible. ‘Ayo shouldn’t have told me about her altruistic nature.’

“What did you say?” Ayo asked, thinking she had Anu say something.

“Oh! Nothing. Just a thought,” she said without revealing her thoughts. “We should get going. It’s getting late.”

“Yes we should,” Funmi agreed.

Ayo also agreed with them. As the last ray of sunlight vanished from the sky, they went their separate ways to their homes, happily.