“Don't worry, I will support you when you are out of school. I promise to take you abroad when you are out of secondary school to complete your education," Mr. Jeff, my lovely uncle, said. My mood is even higher than that of that person who has won the world's best football player of the year.
I came from a poor background, and my parents always struggled to train me for school. They were not ready to ask for money from Uncle Jeff, as they had seen it as a burden. Before they could find the money for my school fees, it was not a child's play. They would have to go to the farm to work so hard. One day, I had to tell my parents to take me out of the private school to a public school where they didn't have to pay a dime for my school fees. They were not ready to let me out of the private school, as they thought it would be an added advantage to my studies.
“Child, why do you think we are struggling?” My mom would ask.
“Do you think it is for our well-being?” My dad added his version of his question.
“Dad, Mum, I know you are working seriously and relentlessly just for my well-being, but each day I see the way you grow old. Working and farming tirelessly keeps me in a state of confusion. I want you two to remain healthy," I replied to them.
“Don't worry about us; we have found farming so interesting and also something that keeps us agile. If we just sit at home, I'm sure you won't like the outcome,” my mom said.
“Alright, Mom, but still take me out of the private school. I can cope anywhere, anytime, and any day since I have the passion and zeal to study hard,” I said to my mom.
They worked so hard, day in and day out, just for me to become a better person.
I had put all my hope in my uncle, Jeff, who had promised to take me abroad to complete my studies. His statement always gives me hope, and I was not ready to lose that hope burning in me.
After deep thought, my mom had to summon my dad into her room for discussion.
“Honey, we need to talk.”.
“Hope no problem?” My dad said, as he never jumped over my mom's call. My dad is the type who loves my mom to the last level. He can never joke with my mom and her marvelous words.
“You know, when you call me this way, I always think something is not right. What is it, my wife?” My dad asked.
“I want us to rethink what our daughter has said. We have truly been working tirelessly and without stopping. I know it is just for our daughter's well-being, but then we have to take care of our health just for her to have hope of having her parents sound and healthy. Most people had lost their lives to struggling and hard work. I saw reasons why we must accept our daughter's words. At least she can do well in any school we send her to since she has the courage and knows what she wants," my mom quoted the words to my dad just for him to see reasons for what I had told them initially.
“You know I have not jumped over your words before, and I cannot do that now. I have been thinking as well. We have grown so thin working and farming. You are right. Remember what my younger brother said to our daughter—that he would take her abroad to complete her education? This word kept our daughter burning in the mood of seriousness," my dad said after being convinced by my mom.
A week later, I was withdrawn from the private school to the public school. This gave me joy as I met new friends who love reading just like I do.
It's my final year, and I have prepared seriously for my final exams. I read so intensely just to pass my exams. In public high school, I was taken as the best student and most serious among all my classmates. My classmates started imitating my reading habits. This made my teachers love me so much, and even the parents of my friends always gave me gifts to pave the way for their children to read. I later made friends with Lauwrenta. She was so ready to read. I never knew she was the daughter of the state representative from our community.
On the other hand, seeing various students from rich homes in public schools gave me hope of scaling through the thick fence between private and public schools.
When the results came out, my name was placed as the overall best, while my friend Lauwrenta was the second best. She was so happy and thanked me so much for making her serious.
“My dad had lost all hope in me after disgracing him at Richmond Private School. This was why he brought me here. He thought I would not make it here, but now he is the happiest man on earth. I told him about you and how you helped me to always read my books. Please give me your address; I will come to visit you someday," Lauwrenta said.
When I got home just to break the good news of success to my parents, I met the unexpected. They were in deep grief. “What happened, Mom?” She was not ready to let the cat out of the house, but she had no choice, as I would still get to hear later.
“Your uncle had a fatal accident and died immediately.” Hearing this news gave me heartbreak.
“Oh, my hope is gone. My dream is my last hope. But why now? Why did death take him away from me?” I cried loudly and was not myself. The good news was just left within me, as I was supposed to tell my late uncle my result.
“Don't worry, it shall be well. We will send you to the university here in Nigeria, and you will find hope someday to go abroad," my mom reassured me.
Four days later, Lauwrenta came to my house with her dad and mom. I was surprised to see them in one of the latest Benz.
*Dad, this is my friend, the one I told you about," Lauwrenta said to her dad.
“Oh! You have been in my daughter's heart and our hearts when she told us the way you made her serious. Thank you so much," her mom said.
“Thanks, kid," her dad added as he told Lauwrenta to bring the gifts they brought for me. It was a load of foodstuffs and a tangible amount of money. My parents appreciated them and thanked them for what they had brought.
“I have another surprise for you, kid," Lauwrenta’s dad said.
“You have made my daughter have a reading habit and made her second in her exams, so my wife and me, as well as your friend, Lauwrenta, had agreed to send the two of you abroad to the same university to further your studies. “It was just as if God knew my heart and sent someone to fulfill my lost hope. It was merely as if I were dreaming and was not ready to wake up.
“Thanks, sir and ma. I'm so grateful," I hugged Lauwrenta as we parted.