Hope - Episode 4

 

After that moment of triumph, the vice principal, Mrs. Smith, read out the school’s rules and regulations from the school's handbook among which are; lateness and laziness are not allowed, obey your senior at all time. 
“Failure to comply with these rules attract punishment to the deterrent… I mean appropriate punishment from the disciplinary committee”, she concluded her speech.
Ayomide knew she has violated two of those rules just this morning, her first day in school.
“If o only my mom had enough money to pay for my school's transport. If only I didn't have to change my school, if only we didn't move from our old house, if only my dad was still alive”, Ayo muttered to herself taking herself down the memory lane on why she was late that morning . But here she was with no choice. Her mom had told her that she would have to be trekking the distance to and from school everyday as she couldn't afford to pay for transport. Ayomide doubts if she could cope. “If only school wasn’t a necessity”.
Ayomide's mother, after the death of her husband had managed to secure a job as a clerk in an organization a bit far from their new home. She was employed based on the knowledge of computer training she acquired during her pre-university days

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

. Before her husband's death, she never bothered to work because her husband provided all that she needed. Things has changed since then, she now have to fend for herself and her beloved daughter.
Due to the distance of her workplace from where she resides, she always leave home at exactly 5:00 AM and comes back between the hours of 7 O’clock and 9 O'clock at night depending on the traffic she encounters. Although this morning, she didn't go to work early just so she could go to get daughter’s school to pay all necessary dues. She already took permission from her boss at work, he was however considerate 
Mrs. Cole left home 30 minutes after her daughter did and headed straight to the latter’s school. She got there while the students were just marching into their classroom. She entered into the cashier's office where she met Miss Bimpe, a young lady in her mid twenties.
“Good morning ma”, the cashier greeted with smiles on her face as soon as Mrs. Cole entered her office.
“Good morning”, she responded.
“I’m Miss Bimpe”, the cashier introduced.
“Erm I’m Mrs. Cole”, she reciprocated.
 “What can I do for you ma”, miss Bimpe demanded politely after offering her a seat and welcoming her to the school.
“I came to pay my daughter’s school fees”
“Okay, may I know your daughter’s name?”
“Ayo… Ayomide Cole”
The cashier looked up the name on the laptop in front of her
“JSS 1 student right?” she demanded from Mrs. Cole
“Yes JSS 1”
“Okay, her bill is 35,000 naira with additional 6000 for transport if you're willing ma”, Miss Bimpe explained.
Mrs. Cole paid a sum of 30,000 naira to the cashier and promised to pay the balance of 11,000 before the months runs out.
“I hope you do know that your child will be sent home if she doesn't balance up within the first four weeks after resumption”, Miss Bimpe reminded.
“Oh! Yes I’m aware and I promise to pay before then”, Mrs. Cole said. She initially wanted to pay the whole sum of 35,000 naira at once but after trekking the distance herself, she realized it's really far from home and wouldn’t want her only child to continue. She then decided to pay for transport but the money with her couldn't cover all the expenses just yet.

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

. She hopes she can pay the rest before the end of the fourth week. Her thoughts were interrupted by the cashier.
“Ma, your receipt”, miss Bimpe handed over the receipt to her.
“What about her uniform?” she demanded.
“That would be given to her along with other necessary things”
“I can take my leave then?”
“Not yet ma”, Miss Bimpe responded and handed over a piece of paper to her. “You still have to fill this form”
Mrs. Cole filled the form hurriedly while constantly checking her wrist watch. Miss Bimpe noticed this and advised her on an easy way to pay the fees without having to come to the school.
“You can pay the fees via mobile transfer or by going to the bank”, miss Bimpe advised. “The account number is below the receipt”, she added while collecting the filled form from Mrs. Cole and handed it over to her almost immediately “Ma, you have to sign here”
“Thank you so much for your assistance”, she appreciated after appending her signature on the form.
“You’re welcome ma. Enjoy the rest of your day”
Mrs. Cole hurriedly left the cashier’s office. At the gate, she glanced at her wristwatch. It’s past 10 already.