Joyce

Maryam's tears

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    The day is very bright. Everyone is preparing to go out for his or her daily engagements. Mrs. Evelyn and Joyce are in the sitting room.

“Good morning mum, Joyce said as she walked to the sitting room.

“Good morning Dr. How was your night?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“It was fine mum. How about yours?” Joyce said.

“It was also fine. Let me go and start the cooking,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Okay mum. I will wash the plates and sweep the compound after brushing my teeth,” Joyce said.

“Alright,” Mrs. Evelyn said and walked out.

    Joyce walks to the bathroom, she brushes her teeth and goes outwards. Joyce starts the washing. She sings as she is engaged.

“In the morning, early in the morning.

Good morning Jesus.

I will enter his house with Thanksgiving in my heart.

Abraham blessing am I.

Praise the Lord,” Joyce sang.

    Soon, Joyce starts the sweeping of the compound. She ascribes the Glory to God in her songs.

“Well done, Joyce,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Thank you mum. Well done too,” Joyce said.

“Are you through sweeping?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“No mum. I will be through in a jiffy,” Joyce said.

“Okay Dr,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

    However, Joyce gathers the dirt and dispose them at the dump post. She walks inwards to take her bath.

“I have taken my bath mum,” Joyce said as she walked to the sitting room.

“Okay. I will go and take my bath after I have finished eating this food,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Alright mum,” Joyce said and walked to the bedroom to dress up for school.

    Mrs. Evelyn walks to the bathroom to have her bath after eating her food. She sings as she takes her bath.

“All I want is you.

Don’t be through with me yet Lord.

Holy spirit.

Do not allow me to go empty handed,” Mrs. Evelyn sang.

“What are you still doing?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Mum, I am finding it difficult to buckle my sandals.

“You better buckle the sandals fast so that you will not be late for school,” Mrs. Evelyn said as she walked to bedroom.

“Okay mum,” Joyce said.

(Someone knocks at the door)

“Come in, the door is unlocked,” Joyce said.

“(Enters) Good morning Joyce,” Maryam said.

“Morning Dr. How was your night?” Joyce said.

“It was fine. I thought I won’t meet you at home,” Maryam said.

“You are lucky to meet me at home. It’s because I am having difficulty in buckling my sandals, that’s what is delaying me. But thank God I have maneuvered it,” Joyce

“Good. Have you checked your WASSCE result?” Maryam said.

“Yes, I have checked. I did that at the cyber café yesterday,” Joyce said.

“How was it?” Maryam said.

“It was good. Three As, four Bs and two Cs,” Joyce said.

“Wow! You really tried. Congrats Dr,” Maryam said.

“It is God. Thanks Maryam. Have you checked yours?” Joyce said.

“I was at the cyber café too yesterday. I was unable to check my result,” Maryam said sadly.

“What happened?” Joyce said with concerns.

“My result has been withheld by the examination board,” Maryam said.

“Jesus!” Joyce screamed and Mrs. Evelyn rushed to the sitting room.

“Joyce, what happened? Why did you scream?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Good morning mum,” Maryam greeted.

“Morning Maryam. How are you doing?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Partially fine mum,” Maryam said.

“Why? Are you okay at all?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Mum, Maryam's result has been withheld by West African Examination Council (WAEC),” Joyce said sadly.

“Oh my God! What Happened?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I don’t know mum,” Maryam said in tears.

“Don’t bawl by daughter. God has a reason for everything,” Mrs. Evelyn consoled.

“Mum, let her cry. What has she done wrong to deserve this?” Joyce said.

“(Touches Maryam's back) My Dr, don’t mind Joyce. You don’t have to cry. Tears can’t bring your WASSCE result. It’s only prayers,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Okay mum. Thank you for your concern. May God bless you,” Maryam said.

“Amen Maryam. Cheer up. Joyce, you are already late for school by now, Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Mum, I am not going to school again. My classmate and best friend is sad,” Joyce said.

“(Smiles) I can’t force you to go to school. Please, I want to leave for shop now,” Mrs. Evelyn said and stood up.

“Okay mum. You will make sale beyond your comprehension,” Joyce said.

“Amen Dr. Take care of the house and your friend. Also, don’t forget to prepare something for us to eat before I come back from shop. (Faces Maryam) Please, take heart. The Lord is your strength,” Mrs. Evelyn said and walked out.

“Okay mum,” Joyce said.

“So you are not going to school again because of me?” Maryam said.

“Yes Dr. Schooling won’t be complete without you. You have been my smile keeper,” Joyce said.

“(Smiles) Thank you for all you do. May God reward you,” Maryam said.

“What are friends for? Maryam, you are hiding something from me,” Joyce said.

“I don’t get you?” Maryam said.

“Did you do anything wrong in the course of the examination?” Joyce said.

“I didn’t do anything,” Maryam said with tears.

“(Looks up as if she was mesmerizing) I remembered an invigilator, Dr. Clemson, once signed on your paper during English studies theory examination,” Joyce said.

“It has escaped my mind. Could it have caused this?” Maryam said.

“Nobody knows. You know how cruel WASSCE markers are. They could have saw the signature,” Joyce said.

“What will I do now? Did you register for National Examination Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECOSSCE)?” Maryam said.

“Yes, I did. What about you?” Joyce said.

“I didn’t register. My parents could only afford the charges for WASSCE,” Maryam said sadly.

“I thought you registered. We will have to pray for the release of your WASSCE result,” Joyce said.

“Do you think prayers will work?” Maryam said.

“Yes, it will. You now see reasons why you should be a Christian,” Joyce said.

“I don’t have any distain for Christian. You know my father is a cleric. He won’t allow me to leave the Muslim faith,” Maryam said.

“I pray God touch his heart someday. Can you follow me to our church on Sunday?” Joyce said.

“I can’t. My father will be angry at me if he finds out,” Maryam said.

“Okay. Mum and I shall intercede on your behalf. I pray God answer our prayers,” Joyce said.

“Amen,” Maryam said.

“Won’t you take something?” Joyce said.

“There is no need for that. I have taken breakfast before coming,” Maryam said.

“No problem,” Joyce said.

“I want to go now,” Maryam said.

“Okay Maryam. Let me see you off,” Joyce said and stood up.