Finding Strength in the Storm

I woke up to the bright rays of the sun illuminating my window. I wondered why I felt so happy, so free and so relieved. “Oh, I just waved goodbye to Secondary school” I remembered and the feeling of freedom overwhelmed me once again. It wasn't that I was totally free though, I still had my West African Examination Council (WAEC) papers and Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) papers to write. So yeah, at the thought of that, I subtly got a hold of my already flapping wings.

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I stood up suddenly to the shout of my name from my mom. “Chidinma!!” She screamed once again “You think this attitude of neglecting your morning chores will take you far?” she reiterated once more for the umpteenth time since I had learned how to do my chores. Well, that's my mom for you; always using consequences of actions, to drive home her point.

I began going for evening lessons since I needed to ace my papers and my parents were not smiling and were not the ones to smile at failure. I met Elizabeth on the day I enrolled at the lesson center and she became my greatest companion. We read together, joked subtly when a funny-looking teacher walked in, rarely argued over stuff, and be it as it may, she became my sole confidant.

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“Are you sure I'm going to ace this Biology paper?” I asked her one evening during Biology class. “I don’t understand this subject.” Biology as a subject has always been my greatest nightmare. The only time I found it interesting, was when we studied the reproductive system. It seemed to be what I could easily relate to as I've always been fascinated by how the reproductive organs work. Well don't blame me; no one taught me Sex education at home.

I often wondered how one could find studying animal anatomy and plants’ life cycles interesting. It did not make sense to me. Elizabeth however assured me that I would scale through eventually.

Oh yeah, that same week I enrolled, I had taken a liking to a particular boy, Micheal. He was dark in complexion, had a tall build, and looked fun. I had always fancied fine guys and it didn't take me time to find one. Lizzy as I fondly called my friend, Elizabeth, told me to stay away from boys but as the stubborn girl I was, I refused to listen to her.

One day, while sitting at the cafeteria with Lizzy, someone tapped me on the right shoulder “Hey beautiful, can I talk to you?” I turned and it was Micheal. Well, I wasn't surprised. I was among the finest girls in that class and I knew that.

We began dating and it was beautiful. How time flies, we wrote our exams and were awaiting results. The week our results were slated to arrive, Micheal broke up with me. It was a single-line statement, “I love you and you know that, but we need to focus on our individual lives to be better persons, so I need us to take a break” I was devastated. I never saw it coming or maybe I did but turned a blind eye.

One Tuesday morning, waking up with a storming headache, I received a call from Lizzy. “Dinma!!!!!” she screamed my name. “Oh, my head!” I winced in pain” “Sorry was I too loud?” she asked “Lizzy, why the scream? What happened ?” I enquired

Oh well, I got to know results were out and I rushed out quickly to a cyber cafe around my residence ignoring my pounding headache and my mother’s screaming inquiry about where I was rushing to. I don't remember what I said except that I mumbled something to get me access out of the gate.

Results were displayed on the computer and yeah it was bad for me. I didn't know what to do. I staggered back home nursing my emotional and physical pains. I wondered why everything was happening all at once and so fast.

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For me, it had always been that it never rains but it pours when it comes to misfortunes and as such it felt like I was made for misfortunes.

My mom encouraged me; which was surprising and made me understand that it was okay to experience failure at some point in life. My friend Lizzy got admitted into the university but we still kept in touch. I missed her but she told me to keep hope alive.

After my second trial, I finally got admitted and my joy knew no bounds. I realized that failure is not the end of the world but a stepping stone to success. I got to understand that although I suffered some misfortunes at some point in life, it made me stronger, more experienced, and more mature.

As I settled into university life, I began to see the world in a new light. I made new friends, strengthened my faith, and started to pursue my passions. I realized that there was more to life than just academics, and I began to explore my interests and talents.

Looking back, I am grateful for the journey that I have been on.

Thanks for reading 💕