ALL FOR NOTHING…

episode twenty two…

As I sat in the midst of the other students who had come for the scholarship exams too, I was nervous. It wasn’t thesame way it used to be whenever I had an exam to write. I knew I wasn’t really prepared and that I may not eventually get the scholarship but all thesame I was confident because Mama’s prayers were with me.
The exams finally came to an end after an hour in the hall. Lola was in the second hall writing and it appeared we finished before them. After another five minutes, she came out.
“How was it?” I asked.
“I did the best I could do. I’m leaving the rest to God now.” She said.
“How was yours?” She asked.
“It wasn’t bad. The result will tell.” I said.
Mr Omotayo came around to take us back home.
“How was the exams?” He asked as we drove back home.
We answered based on our individual experiences in the hall. We stopped by a restaurant to grab a bite and as we sat down, I got the prompting to tell Mr Omotayo that he had to put an end to the casino business he was running.
I told him of my encounter with the man who was wearing a crown and even if I felt it was stupid and might sound ridiculous, I still had to say it.
“But that casino is fetching me alot of money. You don’t just expect me to close it. What will I do afterwards?” He asked.
I told him to leave that to me that I’ll come up with something which he agreed. Lola was just staring at me and I could tell she found my story quite unbelievable.

The week ran very fast that it wasn’t very long that we heard that the results for the scholarship exams were out. I read in the newspaper that fateful morning that only five Students out of almost the 200 students that sat for the exams were awarded the scholarship.
Unlike before when I would be a hundred percent sure that I was one not just one but the best, I was even more nervous.
I was still in deep thoughts over what the outcome of the exams will be when Lola called me up.
“Guess what Ayo?” She said over the phone sounding really excited.
“What?” I asked pretending not to know why she had called even if I was certain it had something to do with the result.
“I got the scholarship!” She exclaimed.
“I just can’t express my joy right now. Thank you so much for being a friend to me. I don’t know how I can ever repay this favor.” She said.
“Congratulations!” I said with all sincerity. I was really happy for her but at thesame afraid.
“What if I don’t get the scholarship? What if I don’t pass the exams?” I asked in deep thoughts as I held the phone.
“Haven’t you checked yours? How was it?” She asked.
“No I haven’t. I’m scared.” I replied.
“Scared? You don’t have to be scared. I know you’ll definitely pass the exams.” She said.
“Did you see the newspaper this morning? Only five Students got the scholarship and those were the students with the best results of which you are one of them. I’m not sure I’m among the other four.” I said expressing so much emotion.
“Listen Ayo, I know if there is only one person to win that scholarship, it’ll definitely be you. Brace up and check the result then call me to break the good news to me.” She said.
I still couldn’t believe that it was thesame Ayo who’d be the first to check a result once it is out that is now afraid to check his own result. I finally learnt humility.

I logged into the site and entered my details. I shut my eyes tight and could hear my heart beating fast. I opened one eye slowly and the first word I saw was “congratulations!”
I opened the other eye to read and after reading I didn’t know when I shed the tears of joy.
“Congratulations Akintunde Ayomide. We are happy to inform you that you have won the grand scholarship to study overseas having emerged as the best candidate who sat for the just concluded exams. Below are your grades.
Mathematics 98%
Physics. 98%
Chemistry. 96%
Further mathematics. 99%
English studies. 91%

I couldn’t believe my eyes. It must have been a mistake of some kind. I knew it was not my efforts that gave me that results. Those grades were too high to be scored by me. I knew God was working behind the scenes. I called Lola and broke the good news to her and she was overwhelmed with joy.
“I knew you will make it.” She said.
I fell on my knees and started worshipping God. I knew it was him he did it and not the fact that I was intelligent. I was beginning to realize why God allowed me to pass through those though times. I was beginning to take the glory of God for myself and he had to show me that it was not my intellectual prowess that was making way for me but his grace. I finally appreciated the fact that Timi told lies about me and framed me up. It was a blessing after all. If none of that happened, I wouldn’t have learnt obedience and humility.
Mr Omotayo was so glad when he learnt of my brilliant performance. He encouraged me to keep believing in God and never to forget his grace upon my life.
Mama almost danced to stupour if there is anything like that. She prayed for me and told me to always remember God in all that I do.
Mr Omotayo finally shut down the casino and turned the place to an event center. Since republic town was a place where parties are held almost every weekend, I suggested he turned it to an event center and when he did, he realized it was a better way of getting money than having it as a casino where he was promoting the devil’s agenda.

Few days later, we heard that a group of young guys who were returning from a midnight party drunk got into an accident and all of them died. It was not too long that I learnt that it was Sodiq and his gang. They had gotten so drunk that they ran head on into a trailer that was packed by the road side with petrol in it. The impact caused a spark and there was an explosion. Not a single soul survived. Having heard of the story, I fell on my knees and wept. If God had not delivered me, probably myself and Lola would have gone that party too and would have died too. I finally realized that vanity upon vanity all is vanity.

As preparations were being made for me to school in Canada, I decided to go to uncle Kayode and make peace with him. I have promised to make peace with all those who have wronged me and whom i might have wronged too.
“Mama, how is uncle Kayode doing?” I asked that fateful evening. I had travelled all the way to Utti just to free my heart from the grudge and hatred.
“My son, your uncle is fine oo. Something terrible happened to him not quite long but he is fine.” Mama said.
“What happened to him?” I asked.
“He was swindled. All his life’s earning were taken away from him by some smart guys. I heard they tricked him into investing in a kind of business which resulted to nothing at the end of the day. To make matters worse, his eldest son, Muyiwa sold his two houses right under his nose.” Mama said shaking her head.
He had a heart attack and almost died but God intervened. He’s currently bed ridden and has moved to the village. His office had to stop the contract they had with him since he wasn’t fit to work anymore. I really feel sorry for him.” Mama said.
I felt like crying but I couldn’t. I had no time to travel to the village to see him as I would be leaving for Canada in two days time.
Lola was to study here in Nigeria and she was really happy. I knew I was going to miss her because she had really been a friend to me.
I was hapoy that I’d be able to give mama a good life once I graduate from the University. She prayed for me and told me to go and excel.
The night before I would leave for Canada, I received a call from someone.
“Hello, am I speaking to Akintunde Ayomide?” The voice asked. It was the voice of a lady but it didn’t sound familiar.
“Yes, please who am I speaking with?” I asked.
“This is Tijesuni Oluwatoyin.” The voice answered. At the mention of the name Oluwatoyin, I froze. I wasn’t expecting her to call me and I didn’t have a single idea why she had decided to call after all those times….

Pardon all grammatical and typographical errors.

Episode twenty three loading…

Vicky’s stories…
Touching lives….
Changing people…

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