Student of the year

APTITUDE TEST

The aptitude test was scheduled for the second Wednesday after mid term break. As our seniors had told us, the aptitude test usually consisted of hundred questions coming from different subjects. It was the same question for each and everyone of us, and it had questions from all science subjects, commercial subjects and art subjects alike, in fact it included current affairs.

I was sure if I didn't even prepare, I would not be out , but I didn't just want to be part if those who moved to the next level, I also want to be at the top, and this unlike other tests or exams includes questions from Commerce, Government, Accounts, Literature, History, Economics, CRS and maybe even IRS.

At school,I prepared with Matthew who gave me hints on Accounts, Government, Commerce and Economics. And in return I gave him clues for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Further Mathematics.

At home, I researched through figures of speech and other things I can grab in Literature, History and CRS and most importantly, I revise my Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Further Mathematics.

I was sure if I tackled all science questions that came my way, I was twenty-five percent assured, if I talked general questions like Mathematics, English, Yoruba, Civic education and Computer studies, I'll be another twenty-five percent, but the remaining fifty, I needed to go above thirty.

It wasn't easy for any of us, taking in something that wasn't in our department, things we've never heard of, but we knew if we really wanted to make it to the next level, we have to, because if we don't, someone else surely will. It's not a question of pass or fail, it's a question of not losing for everyone else, but as for me, it was a question it excelling.

I felt so stupid when I realized by the weekend that o was still leaving our two subjects,they were subjects I dropped in SSS2, Agricultural science and Geography. I added them to my time table,and throughout the weekend,I barely slept. Even Monday night I didn't sleep at all,but in Tuesday night,I slept like a baby and all thanks to the alarm,I may not have woken up early enough. When I refused to take breakfast,my mum coaxed me into taking it with me to school which I did. She told me I'll regret it if I started the exams on an empty stomach,I may even lose concentration. And she was right.q

We were scattered around the hall. Seventy-two of us distributed in a hall of one thousand plus capacity. There was no how anyone could get in contact with another person. Everyone of us was on his/her own. I was in the middle of the hall,as in the centre,and the closest person to me,Ladi,who was sitting adjacent to me, was about two feet away.

The first question that stared at me gave me a very good assurance. It was something we received everyday in my former school, African countries and their capitals.

The capital of Burkina Faso is______________? I underlined Ouagadougou without hesitance.

The next question was the meaning of GOOGLE. No options,but I knew the answer thanks to my acquaintance with Indian movies. Global Organization of Group Languages of Earth.

I counted ten mathematics questions,ten English questions,ten current affairs and other subjects had four questions each. I smiled at my first Yoruba question I saw. It was Aáyan Ògbufò. We did it in SSS2 third term. And the question was one of our teacher's examples.

The literal Yoruba meaning of 'when we get to the bridge, we'll know how to cross' is not 'táa bá dórí afárá,àá mo báa se máa sodá' it's simply 'táa bá débi sísu ,fùrò á là. It was kind of twisted but that was it.

At the end ,I was sure of about eighty questions. This test was more like UTME than any other examination,but it wasn't objectives althrough,there were some without options,about twenty-five of them,a teacher of mine had once called it German questions. We had three hours for hundred question unlike jamb where you had two hours for a hundred and eighty questions.

Honestly I was expecting the questions from each subject to come separately,but they weren't differentiated. It wasn't Junior secondary school anyways,I shouldn't be disappointed.

By the time we submitted I was expecting my classmates to start chatting about what they did,what they were sure they got and the ones they weren't sure about.,like they normally do after each examination but to my utter dismay,most of them withdrew into their shells and without any discussion everyone returned to the class. I was totally befuddled. Maybe they weren't so sure of what they did afterall.

For the rest if the day and the following day as well,my classmates all turned suddenly taciturn, everyone anxiously awaiting their fate. If they stood a chance for the next part of the competition on they were already disqualified even before the competition kicked off.

Towards noon on Friday,Mr Lanre ambled into our classroom. On his heels were Mr Paseda,the vice principal,and our class teacher,Mr Olorunda. There was a sheet of paper in our principal's hand and I could tell by the black ink that it was printed.

" I know you all looked forward to knowing who and who are moving to the next level of this competition. As you know,you can't all quality for the next level,but I want you all to know that I appreciated your efforts, because no one failed, everyone tried awesomely well and I'm very proud. The lowest score here is 44%, I think we should give ourselves a round of thunderous applause."

After the clapping subsided,Mr Lanre continued ."I know those that are disqualified here will find it really hard to be happy with others who are qualified,but I want you to know that this competition is only for one person,and you all cannot be that person. The earliest you accept that fact the better for you. I want you to accept whatever comes your way,do you promise to?"

Everyone chorused" yes,sir" and I knew they only gave the principal what he wanted.

"Now,let your class teacher step forward and read out to us all the names of those who qualify for the culinary skill test."

Everyone was shocked. Culinary test is next? It's new on the agenda and it's the very second challenge? It wasn't like I was scared. I could cook,but I know those things they'll consider and if anything,I wasn't the hygienic kitchen type,so I wonder if I'll move past that level at all.

"...............with 52%, we have Oladotun Olabode on the thirty-fifth position........" If I would choose the forty according to my assessment of my classmates, Bode and Ladi would not make the list but Ladi held on to the thirty-first position.

A lot of girls I would have looked down upon that they wouldn't make the list ,were called and I was gobsmacked. If they were this enthusiastic about their studies,they wouldn't as far to the top as they are. The student of the year award was what they all wanted.

"On the eighth position here is Omotosho Daniel with 71%, with 72% Ayegbola Oluwabusolami is the seventh. And sixth here is Frederick Christian with 75%, 77% James Nelson is fifth,then with 78%,Adebowale Adewale holds tight to the fourth position.

I know I got above 80% but my heart started beating too fast. It doubled,or perhaps tripled.

" 82% is what our head girl got that got her the third position."I wasn't so sure how far I was from a cardiac arrest anymore. What if my answer sheet got misplaced,or somehow my answers got invisible? My handwriting was very legible,in fact better than Matthew and Georgina's,although my handwriting wasn't the best in the class.

Mr Olorunda began looking from everyone to everyone in the class without uttering a word. What the hell is going on?" I didn't even care that o was silently cursing anymore.

As if he'd read my mind,he began looking from Matthew to me. Well second position is fine,at least I threw Georgina the the third position. There was no prize for this anyways,it was just ..........

"With 85% we have........" The man went off again.

This man had plans on giving me an heart attack. He stopped mid-sentence and fixed his gaze on me. Everyone including me was looking at him and he was looking at me. Did he choose to tell the class nonverbally that I was second?This man surely knows how the put someone in suspense. He should just say the name!

But what if the second was someone else and I was nowhere to be found?

Mr Olorunda suddenly broke his gaze away from me and was suddenly interested in the sheet of paper in his hand."........we have as second position,Matthew Peters.

What? Did I hear that well? Of course no one else can beat Matthew,or can they?

" I believe we all know who carried the day then?"

" Yes,sir" everyone chorused. They all knew for sure,I was the only one who had no clue.

" Well,our second-to-none today with 88% is the one and only........" He was looking at me now. Now it hit me." Harrison Adedimeji"

I practically fell off my chair. How I got on my knees I had no idea,but I did know I was crying." I did it!" I exclaimed silently.

I saw the flash of enviousness the crossed Matthew's face,and I could tell he was battling some feelings." I......I'm happy for you Harry"

I didn't keep the thought that came straight to me. I stood up and sat down then said straight at him without mincing words. " Stop been ironic. You're not!"

The moment the words were out I felt so guilty. They were just like thorns and swords piercing right through him.

An unbelieving look of pain flashed again on Matthew's face and then I knew he was trying to fight back tears. I'm been a very bad and selfish friend. Of course I said those same words he said when I don't mean them too,but why did I speak so harshly to my friend? It's hard enough for him to accept the blow of losing the first position,but to hit him with those words were callous.

The tears dropped,and this time,it wasn't teacher s of unbelievable joy,instead they were tears of guilt. Noticed Matthew was crying too. Why was I been so unreasonable?

"I'm sorry Matt,I really am....for been unreasonable."

" No you're not sorry. And you're not been unreasonable. This was premeditated. I wonder what other words you still have deep down. You really should say it out." Matthew said amidst tears.

I was rendered speechless. And everyone was looking at us. The principal,Mr Paseda and Mr Olorunda were still in our classroom,and they were also looking at us. There was pindrop silence and I felt really embarrassed to be the epitome of this entertainment. Matthew was right about my words been premeditated,but I had no other words of steel deep down in me. I just knew that he didn't mean the words he said because I've been there too,but I really shouldn't have thrown the words at him. I'm been unreasonable and deep down I wished I could do or say something to right my wrong,but there's nothing I could do or say.

"M..... Matthew,please I really shouldn't have said those words,I was been overwhelmed and unreasonable. I meant those words but not the way it sounded. I know you're not happy with the fact that I can first. I've been there too,you only accepted it because there's no other choice."

" But you're my friend,I should be happy for you. At least I lost to you,it would have been more painful if I'd lost to someone else." Matthew was sniffing now.

" That's the point. You're supposed to be happy for me but you're not because you could be the one too. Look I'm sorry let's put this behind us. Please forgive me."I apologized.

" Matthew didn't say anymore words,he barely looked up at the three elders in front and us. And so did I .

"I guess that's all for now. I know this is going to be very tough for you all,but the culinary assessment will commence on Tuesday." Mr Lanre said with a tiny need of finality,and as the trio filled out,I heard the vice principal say" this is going to be a really hard and tough hell of a competition."

" I bet it will." The principal replied and Mr Olorunda nodded in accordance.

Some people started crying. I felt really stupid. Matt and I were at loggerheads with each other, quarrelling over the first position when there were others who didn't even make the fortieth position!

Matthew left the class almost immediately and as I made this follow, trying to make up for my mistakes, Georgina intercepted me. " What's up handsome?" Did she just say handsome? I just had to let that slide. This is not the moment, and she didn't mean it.

" Hi, Gina, ex........."

" Wait, did you visit an herbalist? " She did not even allow me say a word. I had something important to deal with for crying out loud.! I was on Matthew's heels. Of course she knew and she knew that was exactly what I was going to say. "Visit an herbalist? For what? Why did you say that?" I needed to know because I was confused.

" Wanna take a walk with me?" As much as I wanted to turn her down,I couldn't. Ladies charm against men I guess.

We were out of the class without me saying a word." I was sure I wouldn't be queen but I had no idea I would be behind two people."

I was perplexed and annoyed. How dare her? " So you thought I wouldn't have been able to claim first position without visiting an herbalist?"

" Did you took that personal?" She sounded humorous but I didn't see the humor. " I was only trying to get an opening with you."

" And that was the best you could come up with?" What the hell was happening to me today?

Georgina stopped suddenly. " Something is obviously bothering you. It's so unlike you to give sharp daggers as response to harmless words from people who care."

Wow! What was she implying? We've spent over three years in the same class but we've never spoken to each other. Adding herself to the list of people who care is definitely not what I was expecting." This is the first time you and I are having a conversation." I tried to let her know what I meant without spelling it out or using piercing words. I had to stop doing that.

" Of course I'm privy to that,but you and I never speaking is not my fault."

"Pardon?"I stopped and she did too

"Yes,you never look my way. You're intelligent and so am I. We're part for the top three in the class but you don't even consider us friends."

Ouch!" If I must confess,I hate the be embarrassed and I thought you were this snub or something."

" And for three years,your perspective did not change?"

" I'm the type of guy you call shy. You know I didn't want it to look like the was desperate for your attention."

" You didn't even consider pretending to borrow a note,a pen ,an eraser, just anything."

I laughed." Well,I never considered that. But you could just have done so too."

Georgina took my hand and we began to walk again. Her hand felt comfortably cool. Of course that's how any pretty comfortable, female teenager's hand should be. " It's always unlike the ladies to take the first step,but when I realized we just might never talk till graduation,I had to say something."

" Wow. That's pretty heroic of you. Not shy like me." I confessed.

" Well,I'm been heroic because I go after what I ..........you know I like you." She stopped again,this time taking a nonchalant ninety-degrees turn to stand in my way and she boldly looked into my eyes.

The moment of silence that followed her declaration was awkward to me. I was lost for words." I........ What did you mean?"

That was obviously not what she expected me to say. She was disappointed." You know what? Just forget it." She stepped back and maintained her position beside me.

I was about to tell her I understood what she meant, though I didn't know how to put it into words,but again she started talking." So what's the atmosphere between Matthew and yourself?"

" I've offended him big time and I don't even know how to make up for what I did. I'm been a jerk for throwing his failure at his face like that when he's nursing the wound already. I was going to go after him when he stumbled out of the class,but the was when you came along."I reported.

" I guess as much. Haven't you guys ever quarrelled before?"

" Of course we have, but besides when I came to this school afresh and we were in Junior secondary school,I've never beaten him to a general examination. I think I was overexcited by that,and it got into my head,so I spoke harshly to him. Those words were out of turn, I know they're true but I shouldn't have said any of those."

" Yeah you shouldn't. But I don't think the words are the big deal here. It's the fact that Matthew,more than me just got an unspoken threat from you. You haven't gotten an higher percentage than any of us in senior secondary school,you know. This is a first."

" Yeah,I know." I was trying to sound proud. "But I don't understand what you mean by the threat. "

" You just threw it in the air that you're extra prepared for this competition. I mean we be there know you are but you just threw in a Red flag. You're dangerously prepared. "

"Oh. " I wasn't sure if I was dangerous, but she just said the truth." But I can't lose Matt. He's the best thing that has happened to me. I don't even know where he is right now. "

" And you don't have to find out, either. Just give him time to cool off, ok. He'll surely come around. " She advised.

" Thank you so much. It was great speaking to you." I confessed.

" Oh, come on, stop flattering me? " She laughed.

" I'm not. I meant it. " Retorted.

" Oh, you're such a good company yourself. I think we should go back to class now. " She was already turning one-hundred and eighty degrees.

I turned too. " So are you prepared for the next step?"

"I was wondering if I needed any preparations, but then, it's a competition, they may decide to step out of yorubaland and ask me to make a non-local dish, and that is my fear. " I liked the fact that she was open with me, and I felt comfortable with her too. We were classmates, but thirty minutes ago, we were complete strangers to each other.

" Well then, I guess you're prepared for anything you're asked to prepare, as long as it's a yoruba delicacy. " I figured.

" Yes I am, what about you, let me guess, you must be one of those guys who don't know their way around the kitchen. "

" Well, you guessed wrong, because I'm a momma's son,so I spend time with her in the kitchen,and nowadays I'm the one who makes breakfast because she doesn't get up early like she does when I was younger. But like you,I'm out if they plan to step out of the southwest."

" Well,let's just hope they don't because if they do,I think they'll find their student of the year pretty quick,earlier than they imagined because almost all of us grew up in Lagos and I'm not sure many can make their hometown delicacies."

" Let's just wait and see." We were in class now. Georgina winked at me as we went our different ways to our seats. We both sat in front,but she sat at the front row of the first column which was by the door while Matt and I sat at the last column and I was the one who sat by the wall.

There were eight columns in all,and nine rows,but I've never sat as far as the second row. I always occupied the very front row. I'm part if those who believe that the most intelligent kids sat in the front row while the dullards sat at the back,and our class was a living proof. The top ten in our class are in the front row. And only one person from the front row got disqualified from the student of the year competition today. She's the only prefect who got disqualified from the very beginning.

Matt did not return to class till the day was over and when he did,all my efforts to placate and plead with him turned in deaf ears. He gave me the cold shoulders and I considered the best option for me was to follow Georgina's advice. I let him be. It was Friday afterall. I didn't go to his place that weekend and he didn't come over to mine either,which was very unusual. Our Saturdays were normally spent together.

When my parents asked what happened,I barely shrugged and told them I was learning how to make non-yoruba dishes because our next step in the student of the year competition was the culinary. But in truth,I barely scrolled through without concentration. I had no idea what tribe I should pick. I figured the best thing was to wait until Tuesday when we got the update,but for now I was learning how to clean up all utensils immediately as well as my surroundings when I prepare a meal so I won't be disqualified by been unhygienic.

I tried to imagine what it's going to be like. Of course they wouldn't want us to take it home and prepare,we sure would have to prepare it in school under the surveillance and supervision of our teachers and maybe Mr Lanre and Mr Paseda,but how in heaven's name will forty people prepare the same meal in different places in the school?

Of course there was space, enough space,but I doesn't sound right. Well, maybe we won't prepare the same delicacy afterall,there surely wasn't enough Yoruba delicacies to go round. What if I got some urhobo dish? Or igbo? Or maybe even efik or Fulani?

Instead of giving myself a migraine,I decided to wait until Tuesday.