Resuscitated Hope - Episode 17

 

Ifeoma registered for jamb and started preparations for it.

She read overnight and slept during the day when the kids had gone to school after she was done with little chores she had.

The day they were scheduled to write the examination came and she went for it.
After the examination, Ifeoma made a new friend Shade whom she chose same University and course with.
They made University of Lagos and Lagos state University their first and second choices.
"By God's grace, we would both be admitted in our first choice", Ifeoma said to Shade as they bade each other goodbye.

Ifeoma was expectant that the result would be okay after she had gotten home.
"How good is your WASSCE result?", Mrs Coker asked.
"I had eight A's and a C4 in.......".
Before she could complete her sentence, Mrs Coker interrupted.
"Girl, you are good. You should be in with any scores above 200", Mrs Coker said.
Ifeoma smiled, "thank you Ma, I appreciate".
Mrs Coker was off from work and decided to take Ifeoma out for shopping.
She drove her to a boutique and ordered she made her choice, and she would pay.

Meanwhile,
Emeka, jnr and Mama had relocated to Lagos from the Village, so Emeka could make end meet and become successful according to Mama. 
Emeka was fourteen years and had stopped going to school after his primary six education in the village.
Mama rented a face-me-apartment where they lived and sold petty items in a cupboard made with a net facing the roadside and planks on the other side.
Emeka, jnr was kept under the apprenticeship of Mama's relative.

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The following week after JAMB examination was completed, the result was announced by all TV stations and newspapers carried it as a headline.
"UTME result 1998 is out and ten people scored above 300; they had been awarded scholarship by Minister Adeleke Ajayi".
All intelligent students became tensed on what they had scored.
The next day, Ifeoma went to a cafe to check her result, there was a queue and she had to wait in line.
Just then, Bose entered with her friend who want to check her result and they were after Ifeoma as others entered after them too.
Ifeoma and Bose's eyes did freeze tag and Bose hissed . Ifeoma didn't care.
Bose could see the expensive cloths Ifeoma had on, and the hair she made as she continued staring at Ifeoma.

Ifeoma didn't care about her stares

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. She continued concentrating on when it would be her turn.
"I'm too classy to get entangled in their mess", she said to herself.

Bose tapped at her friend.
"See this girl o", Bose said.
"Yes, I'm seeing her. All kitted and a big girl now", her friend said.
"Big girl indeed abi runs girl?", Bose said.
They both laughed.

Most people checking their results scored below 200 and some were crying, others were sad and the rest didn't care.
Minimal number scored 200 and above with a girl that had scored 254 so far.
It got to a girl before Ifeoma's turn to check, they imputed her details and clicked, it was 282.
She jumped for joy and there was congratulatory greetings and handshakes from everyone to her.
She did an unbelievable feat.
Ifeoma was getting annoyed by the whole stuff, as it's delaying her result checking but was still happy for her.
"Next", the cafe attendant said.
Ifeoma stood.
"You again? But you are just too brilliant", the cafe attendant said.
Ifeoma wasn't ready for his talks.
"Your details?", the cafe attendant asked.
Ifeoma handed it over to him, he imputed it and clicked.
It was taking time to load due to break in a network coverage.
Ifeoma's was becoming tensed.
Just then, it loaded and 334 was staring at them.
"I can't believe this. The overall highest and one of the scholarship benefactors is here", the cafe attendant shouted.
"You say?", they asked and laughed.
He printed double of the result, gave Ifeoma one and started showing all of them, Ifeoma results.
Bose was green with envy. Her friend was wowed.
Ifeoma ran outside and started running home for joy.
To her luck, Mrs Coker was at home.
She got to the door, calmed her nerve to show she hadn't been ecstatic, so Mrs Coker won't figure what had been making her happy.
"I know you made me proud, baby girl", Mrs Coker said.
Mrs Coker continued, "I can't be deceived by your straight face".
She dragged the result off from Ifeoma's hand.
"334?", Mrs Coker screamed.
"Yes!", Ifeoma jumped happily.
"I'm just happy for you, and I wish my children will take after your intelligence", Mrs Coker said.

**********************
Ifeoma stayed with Mrs Coker till JAMB offered her admission on its website.
She was waiting for when she would be resuming.
Mrs Coker buys engine oil from the shop where Emeka, jnr was learning apprentice to service her car.
So, she drove Ifeoma along with her to get engine oil one day.
After they were done, she drove off.
"That boy is so nice", Mrs Coker said facing Ifeoma.
"Awww, it's good to be nice", Ifeoma replied.
"He is always like, my name is Emeka, jnr", Mrs Coker said and laughed.
"Emeka, jnr?", Ifeoma looked and shocked.
"Any problem?" Mrs Coker asked.
"No ma", Ifeoma said.