THE ROAD TO ME

Chapter 4

When I explained my situation to her, she smiled warmly. “Happy, I’m so happy for you,” she said. “You’re talented, and I believe this is your chance to shine. Don’t worry about your class; I’ll find someone to cover for you. And about your father…”

She paused, thinking. Then, she continued, “I’ll talk to him myself. I’ll tell him a story—something convincing—that will cover your absence. But you must promise me one thing: whatever happens, make sure you’re back within three days. Don’t let this opportunity ruin the trust we’re about to build.”

Relieved, I agreed. “Thank you so much, ma. I won’t let you down.”

That evening, my headteacher visited our home. She spoke to my father, explaining that the school had arranged a special “elevation class” for a few select teachers to improve their skills. According to her, the classes were essential for our professional growth and would take place over three days at a training center outside the village.

My father hesitated, clearly uneasy about letting me go. “Three days?” he asked, frowning. “That’s a long time for her to be away.”

The headteacher assured him, “She’ll be under my supervision. I’ll personally take responsibility for her safety. Happy is one of our best teachers, and this training will benefit her greatly.”

Her convincing tone worked. After much deliberation, my father finally agreed. “Alright,” he said, turning to me. “But be careful, and don’t disappoint me.”

I nodded, hiding my true excitement. That night, I packed my bags and lay awake, replaying the conversation in my mind. Early the next morning, my father woke me for a final word of advice.

“Happy,” he began, his voice serious, “you’re going somewhere far from home, and I won’t be there to look after you. This is a big step, and I’m trusting you because of what your headteacher said. Since this is for your teaching career, I won’t stand in your way. But remember, you’re my daughter, and I expect you to make me proud.”

I nodded, my heart pounding. “Yes, Daddy. I won’t let you down.”

As he finished, I smiled to myself. If only he knew I wasn’t going to a training center, but to a movie location.

By the time we arrived at the movie set, my nerves were both calm and chaotic. The location was bustling with activity—directors shouting orders, actors rehearsing their lines, and crew members setting up equipment. It felt like a dream.

Mr. Chris greeted us with a warm smile. “Happy, I’m glad you made it,” he said. “This is your chance to prove yourself.”

The role wasn’t a major one, but it was enough to give me a taste of what I had always dreamed of. The moment the camera rolled, I felt alive, like I was finally where I belonged.

For three days, I poured my heart into every scene. I learned so much just by watching the more experienced actors. They encouraged me, shared tips, and told me to keep pushing, no matter the challenges.

At the movie location, I was surrounded by a mix of excitement and nervousness. The bustling energy of the set felt electric, but what truly caught my attention were a group of actors who stood out with their incredible skills. Their delivery was flawless, their movements fluid, and their confidence unshakable. I couldn’t help but admire them.

During a break, I worked up the courage to approach them. “Hi,” I said shyly. “I just wanted to say you guys are amazing. Your acting is so real—it’s like you’ve been doing this forever.”

One of them smiled. “Thanks! You’re pretty good yourself. Which school trained you?”

I paused, confused. “School? You mean my secondary school?”

They burst into laughter, not in a mocking way, but more in disbelief. “No, no,” one of them clarified. “We mean college or a movie academy. Where did you study acting?”

“I just finished secondary school last year,” I admitted, feeling a little out of place.

Their expressions softened, and one of them nodded thoughtfully. “That’s impressive. For someone without formal training, you’re doing great. But if you’re serious about acting, you should consider joining a movie school.”

“A movie school?” I asked, intrigued.

“Yes,” another actor chimed in. “We’re from Creative Media Art Academy. It’s one of the best in the country. Celebrities come to teach us, and we learn everything—acting, scriptwriting, directing, and even how to handle cameras. It’s like studying a course at the university. At the end, you’ll get a certificate and connections to bigger opportunities, like appearing on the big screen or in cinemas.”

The thought of being trained by celebrities and earning a certificate excited me, but when they mentioned school fees, my heart sank.

“Of course, you’ll need to pay school fees,” one of them added, as if reading my mind. “You’ll also have to buy books and materials. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it.”

I forced a smile, pretending to be more optimistic than I felt. “Thanks for the advice. I’ll think about it.”

But inside, my mind was racing. How could I afford something like that? My family could barely afford basic things, let alone pay for a specialized movie academy. The more they talked about the academy, the more I felt like a small fish in a very big pond.

Still, I couldn’t ignore the fire their words ignited in me. If I wanted to be more than just a local actor, if I wanted to make it to the big screens, I needed to improve my craft. The academy sounded like the perfect place to do that, but the idea of paying for school fees, books, and other expenses seemed impossible.

As the day ended, I thanked them for their advice and walked back to my spot on the set. I couldn’t stop thinking about their words. Could I find a way to make it happen? Or was I destined to stay stuck in my current reality?

One thing was clear: I had a lot to think about.

On the third evening, as the shoot wrapped up, Mr. Chris pulled me aside. “You’ve got raw talent, Happy,” he said. “If you keep working hard, you’ll go far in this industry.”

I thanked him, my heart swelling with pride. But now, it was time to go back home—to my father, my pupils, and the life I had temporarily left behind.

As the bus made its way back to the village, I stared out the window, silently thanking my friends and my headteacher . Their support had made this dream possible.

Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my journey.