Believe - Episode 26

 

“It’s another weekend and another exciting episode of the mathematics Olympiad TV quiz show,” the quiz master began that sunny afternoon in the Ace studios. The six contestants for that episode were already on stage. “This is the third semi-final stage of The Mathematics Olympiad and there are two spaces left in the finals for each category.”

The quiz master looked around before he continued, “We have our junior contestants already on stage, ready to battle for the last two positions in the finals. Let’s meet them.”

The audience applauded as the contestants introduced themselves one after another.

“Alright,” the quiz master said . “We go straight into question one, round one. Are you ready contestants?”

“Yes, quiz master,” they chorused as usual.

“Question one, find the value of…”

***

“We should go and see Anu now,” Promise suggested to the group, as the quiz master began reading the first question. The group consists of Promise, Funmi, Oreoluwa, Bukky and surprisingly, Bidemi.

Bidemi had decided to join in the quest after Funmi told her everything, hoping that she would add Promise and Bukky to that weekend's audience list. She had not only done that but also decided to help in reasoning with Anu.

“Yes, we should,” Bidemi answered

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. She was seated in between Promise and Funmi while the other two, directly behind them.

“I wouldn’t suggest that,” Bukky said, not facing the group but in another direction.

“Why?” Funmi whispered.

“Ayomide is seated beside her,” Oreoluwa answered.

“You know I told you not to include Ayo's name.” Funmi sounded frustrated. “Now see.”

“The principal wouldn’t even hear of that.” Bidemi scuffed. “What reason would I give him for removing Ayo's name?”

“Enough of this talks,” Promise advised. “We should find a way to separate those two.” She looked in the direction of both Ayo and Anu.

“They seemed happy,” Oreoluwa murmured. “It would be hard to separate them. Not Just physically but emotionally, provided she doesn’t trust us.”

“But Anu might,” Funmi said. “So we just need to get her attention.”

Bukky leaned forward and whispered, “What makes you think Ayo wouldn’t have divulge all we discuss to her?”

“True. Ayo would have,” Promise agreed.

“I think I might have a way,” Oreoluwa interrupted their thoughts. “Give me 5 minutes.” He stood up and left without waiting to hear their opinions.

Oreoluwa went straight to where Beacon High students were seated. He didn’t have trouble in finding the one he seeks.

“Hi, Dammy.” He waved, while standing beside her.

“Hi,” Damilola replied. “Sit.” She moved to the empty seat to her left and Oreoluwa sat on the one to her right.

“I need your help with something.”

“What?”

He mustered some courage before he said, “I need you to make Ayo leave that seat.” He pointed to where Ayo and Anu were seated just two seats ahead of them.

Damilola scuffed. “And why should I do that?”

“My friends needs to talk to Anu privately.”

“They could just ask Ayo to excuse them na. I presume you are all friends.”

“We were.” Oreoluwa's face dropped.

Damilola was shocked. “What happened? I hope it wasn’t because you left them to meet me on Saturday.”

“No, it’s not that at all. It’s much more complicated than that.”

“Then…”

“Just make Ayo leave that seat,” Oreoluwa pleaded.

“Only if you promise to tell me everything when we meet this evening.”

“I promise,” Oreoluwa answered hurriedly. He definitely didn’t mean it or maybe he actually did.

“Okay. You and your friends should go backstage. Anu...”

“For what?” Oreoluwa asked impatiently.

“Because Anu would meet you there soon.” This said, she stood up and walked straight down to where Anu and Ayo were seated.

Oreoluwa took the cue and left hurriedly. He went to inform the group that they should head backstage, of which they didn’t agree to, mainly because Promise, Bidemi and Bukky wouldn’t be allowed in. They however urged Funmi and Oreoluwa to go backstage and persuade Anu to come up and meet them. Funmi and Oreoluwa agreed.

By the time the two got backstage, Anu was already waiting.

“Where are the rest?” Anu smirked as she saw the two approaching her. “Oh! They are not contestants.”

“What!” Funmi tried to hold her temper, not because she wanted to but because of Oreoluwa's tight grip of her right hand.

Anu sat down afterwards while Funmi and Oreoluwa were still rooted to their previous position. There’s no way Anu would come up with them. They had thought.

“I actually hoped to see Bukky and Promise,” Anu began. “But you two will do.”

The other two still kept mute.

“I know both of you don’t see me as the enemy here.” She looked up at them. “Or do you?”

They still didn’t answer.

“Irrespective of what Promise and Bukky had said about me. You still trust me right?” She looked down at her feet and said slowly, “You don’t believe I’m going to do that to Ayo right?”

Oreoluwa moved closer to Anu now. “I don’t want to believe so but you are acting otherwise.”

“You trust her now?” Funmi asked. She smirked.

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

. “Promise was right. She would try to convince one of us.” She turned to leave.

“Funmi,” Oreoluwa called. She stopped but didn’t turn to look at him. He however continued, “I know you trust her also. Deep down, you want to believe her.”

She turned and her eyes met with Oreoluwa’s own.

“Remember, you also had that intention.”

“Oh! My God,” Funmi cried. “What do we do now?”

“We just have to hear her out and see if we believe her or not.”

“Okay! She walked towards Oreoluwa and Anu. “Okay.”

“Good.” They both took a seat beside Anu.

“Okay, Anu begin,” Oreoluwa urged.

***

On Stage

The first round had ended and three contestants had been disqualified with three left on stage for the Olympiad 60 seconds of fame.

“Would anyone of you break the Olympiad's record today?” the quiz master joked while the contestants smiled. “The two famous Olympiad are currently on 17 questions. So, let’s hope one of you would go beyond that today.”

“Okay, Israel. Are you ready for your 60 seconds of fame?”

“Yes, quiz master,” he responded.

“Your 60 seconds of fame starrrts now.”

***

Audience seats

“They are supposed to be back now,” Bukky grunted.

“Let’s be patient. Maybe they eventually decided to talk to her,” Bidemi advised.

“Yes, we should be…” Promise began.

“Hi, girls,” Ayo interrupted.

The three girls stared at Ayo in disbelief.