You made me

It's been three months since Henry graduated from high school, he has been so worried, not because he's not intelligent enough to go to college or he doesn't have the money. No he does because he has saved so much money for college but his greatest fear and problem is how to face his peers. Henry was born in a small village in Rome, he has lived all his life with his grandmother. His father abandoned his mother when she was pregnant. After Henry was born, his mother left him in the care of his grandmother and travelled to New York city in search for greener pastures. Henry has never been the social type and this affected him so much amongst his peers. Even after he moved to New York with his mother, he has always been a loner and he had little or no friends. Now it's time for him to go to college, he is scared because for the very first time in his entire life, he will be living alone, away from the caring eyes and arms of his mother and this gave him sleepless nights. As Henry was pondering over this issue, A knock came to his door, which brought him back to reality. 'come in' henry said as his mother Gladys made her way into her son's bedroom. She looked him in the eyes and asked ''are you ok son?,  yes mum I'm fine' Henry replied immediately. Gladys was not satisfied with that answer but she did not want to ask him further questions at least not now.  ''alright lunch is ready''  she said  ''okay mum I'll be with you shortly'' Henry replied. As Gladys was living the room, she turned and stole a quick glance at her son before she left shutting the door behind her. Henry stood up from his bed, picked up his phone and walked out of his room. ********************************************************************************************************* In the dinning room, Henry ate slowly, while his mother kept looking at him at intervals, she knew quite well that something was not right with him but she really cannot place her hands on what the problem was. At last Henry was done with his meal and was resting on a sofa in the sitting room so Gladys decided to use this opportunity to find out what the problem is. ''Darling'' she called as Henry lifted his face from his phone and looked at his mum ''yes mum'' he replied. ''I've noticed the gloomy look on your face and it has triggered curiosity in me so do you want to tell me what the problem is? Gladys asked looking her son in the eye. ''mum it is nothing to worry about'' Henry replied, ''oh son don't say that, the look in your face says otherwise'' well if you must know, I'm worried about going to college'' henry said as he look down on the floor. I don't know how to survive without you, I rather stay back and manage the poultry farm than leaving you. Henry said and breathed heavily  ''Oh dear that should not bother you, I will be fine. You should worry less about me, and focus more on your career and future'' Gladys replied. I know that you will be fine mum but you know that I have always been a loner, making friends has always been a big problem for me, I don't even know how to deal with it especially now that I will be leaving alone'' At this moment, Gladys stood up and went to sit beside her son, she held his two hands and looked into his eyes. She could see and understand his fears, but she won't let that come in between him and his future. She smiled as she spoke '' Henry love, I understand perfectly how you feel, I also understand that it has not been easy for you, but one thing you should understand is that you're growing into a man now and as such, there are things you should not give a chance in your life, One of them is social unrest, you should be able to stand up to your peers, they won't hurt you at all. It won't be easy at first but trust me, you will get used to it. Another thing you should know is that, you will not be loved by everyone, it is normal and very ok to have haters but do not let them pull you down or distract you. You're very intelligent and smart and I know that you will be fine'' Gladys said. At this point, Henry felt relived, he felt like this were the exact words he needed to calm his spirit. He looked at his mum and said, ''Thank you so much mum, your words is the only thing that has kept me going. I will go to college, graduate and become a lawyer, I promise to make you proud'' Gladys wiped the tears that has clouded up in her eyes as she pulled her son into a tight hug. Thank you so much son, I've always been proud of you and I will always be, I love you'' I love you too mum'' Henry replied. Gladys released Henry from her grip and asked so are we going to get you enrolled then? Of course mum'' Henry answered excitedly.  Henry went to bed that night feeling fulfilled and ready for college. The next day was Monday, Henry was woken by his alarm clock. He was about to switch it off and go back to sleep when he suddenly remembered what that day was about, he was going with his mum to Royal college to get him enrolled. He immediately Jumped out of bed, knelt beside his bed and said a short prayer before he took his towel and left for the bathroom. Henry has made prayer his lifestyle, he never leaves his room every morning without praying and he never goes to bed without praying. His grandmother used to say to him that once he makes prayer his habit, miracle will become his lifestyle. Henry believed in God so he heeded to the advice of his grandmother. After taking his bath, he came in and got dressed then walked down to the dinning table for breakfast. ''Good morning mum'' Henry greeted as he took a seat. Good morning son how was your night? Gladys asked. Fantastic and yours? Henry replied  ''Great now have your breakfast while I go and get ready. Henry began to eat while his mum walked up to her bedroom to get dressed. *********************************************************************************************************** Royal college was two hours drive from their house and with the traffic, the Journey was rough and stressful. At last, their car pulled up in front of the big gate that read ''Welcome to Royal college''.  Gladys halted at the gate and then she wined the glass of her car down, she pressed the intercom at the gate. Then the gate was opened, she drove in and parked in a space at the car park then they both alighted. Henry looked round the compound, indeed it was a very big school and looked expensive as well. After his mum locked the car, they both walked up to the reception. Inside the building was even bigger and more beautiful than the outside, as Henry was looking around in amazement, a very beautiful and well dressed lady walked up to them with a beautiful smile and said ''Hello and welcome to Royal college, how can I be of assistance to you?   ''Oh hi, I'm Gladys and this is my son Henry, we're here to get him registered into the college'' That's great'' the lady said as she turned and looked at Henry who in turn looked away then she said ''come this way please'' Gladys followed the lady while Henry trailed slowly behind them. They got to a door that read ''Administration'' then the lady stopped and said, ''knock and go in'' she smiled at them and then she walked away. Gladys knocked at the door and waited for a response before she opened the door and walked in with Henry following closely. ''Hello please have a seat'' the woman inside the office said. as she gestured them to the seat in the room. The room was well furnished. They both sat down and the woman said ''Welcome to Royal college, my name is Mrs Williams and I'm the principal of this college.''  Okay, Gladys started my name is Gladys and this is my son Henry. We're here to get him enrolled into the college.''   Oh hello Henry, how are you? Mrs Williams asked. Henry raised his face and said I'm fine thank you ma'am.  Good! Mrs Williams replied now she faced the mother and said, here in Royal college, we accept students based on their capability not just academically but socially and otherwise. There is a lot of competition in this college and we believe that any student accepted into this college must be able to carry the weight. Nevertheless, We have rules and regulation that govern this college and we expect every student to abide by the rules and their are punishments for anyone who is going to default or go contrary to the rules. Our hostel is big, and very comfortable to accommodate every student. The safety of your child or children as the case maybe is assured because our security is top notch. You will be given a form which you will fill and return today afterwards, you will be given the opportunity to take a walk round the school. The last thing you will do before you leave is to make every necessary payments with the cashier then, a school magazine will be handed over to you, alongside a small pocket booklet which contains the code of conduct in this college then a welcome package.'' Do you have any questions? Mrs Williams asked.  ''No we understand perfectly well'' Gladys answered. What about you? Mrs Williams asked Henry, ''I understand ma'am'' Henry answered. Good! Mrs Williams answered, then she brought out a form and handed it over to Gladys as she said '' this is for Henry to fill, his acceptance into the college is based on his answers in that form, you can wait in the reception while he fills it, I will call you once he is done. Gladys stood up, gave Henry a hug and wished him luck, then she left and walked out of the office. After about twenty minutes, Henry handed over the form to Mrs Williams, who has been waiting patiently for him to finish. Mrs Williams took her time to go through the form and after a while she looked up at Henry and said ''Congratulations young man, You've done well. Welcome officially into Royal college, you're now part of us ''she smiled as she took a telephone and called the receptionist to invite Henry's mum back to the office. Every other process went perfectly and smoothly. Finally, they finished every registration process and on their way out, They were handed the Magazine and every information they need including when school will resume was inside the magazine. The principal had warned Henry to go through the booklet containing the code of conduct and he should also bring it with him on the day of resumption. Henry and Gladys walked out of the building, entered the car and drove home. It was indeed a stressful but fulfilling day for them.