code 460104

How it all began

Narrator's pov.

In a three bedroom flat in Abuja. A young lady in her late 10s, stood upside down. Her veins popped out dramatically displaying how much she had endured in this her current condition.

Her phone chimed. A notification had dropped in.

" Ow!" Young Sarah exclaimed as she crashed down onto the tiled bedroom floor. Hitting her hips in the process.

" Ow!" She whined further, unable to hide the pain from the impact.

" Dear miss chikwado Sarah, congratulations you have been selected as one of the prestige students for the N.W.A.S.C.E

Sarah read through the message carefully. She read through it once more; going back and forth on the congratulations and her surname.

"Ahhhh!!" Then it came, the scream of excitement and delight.

Sarah kept screaming as she jumped around happily.

She finally made it in.

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After the huge scandal involving W.A.E.C.

N.W.A.S.C.E (Nationwide academical student congress examination) had become a subject of public interest. It was allegedly expected to replace W.A.E.C. in the nearest future.

N.W.A.S.C.E; simple offered more opportunities to the student than W.A.E.C.

Sarah had just completed the SS 2 final exams where she wrote trial jamb and scored 247, which she considered low for medical school.

As many others, Sarah also dreamt of becoming a doctor. To her it's not just a dream but a reality she has to put in motion, with delicate preparations.

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Later that evening, at exactly 6:30 pm.

Mr chikwado Matthias, Sarah's dad, arrived home. He walked in after Sarah opened the door for him.

The couch slowly sank under the weight of Mr Matthias.

" Aw! Dad, you look awful" Sarah exclaimed as she brought a bowl of warm water to massage his feet.

" Do you want to eat now? Or do you want to go to your bedroom and rest, first ? " Sarah asked her dad as she gently messaged his feet.

" Get me the remote, please" Sarah's dad replied.

Sarah's dad changed the channel to another, which played an advertisement.

It was the N.W.A.S.C.E advertisement.

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It's content.

" Hi, I'm Mr bailey ojiofor.

With all these educational system scandal; which is sad.

Regarding that, I believe that Nigerian youth have so much potential but are quickly weakened by lack of proper educational background.

( This includes teaching and availability of classrooms.)

They are so much we can do by learning. A very popular phrase but not a very well executed plot.

So we the elite team have carefully thought of a solution to all this and found out that; N.W.A.S.C.E is the solution.

We understand that money can be a problem to poor learning and exposure. But from our series of research. We discovered that teaching is a factor too.

We have researched different child learning pace and found out a proper teaching method for each child. Whether slow, medium or even fast learners.

We ought to give our best in not just in teaching, but in opportunities like scholarships.

Sponsored for top students giving them good networking opportunities and high class experience. Hence preparing them for precollege.

We have so much to offer. To learn more, check out our website. W.W.W. elite team. Com.

Important notice: This message has been approved by the federal government of the Republic of Nigeria.

For more information please contact/call: 0715566812—"

Sarah's dad turned off the TV.

" I'm going to bed now" he said as he made his way to the bedroom.

" Dad wait! I got in. I got in, into N.W.A.S.C.

Now can I take the N.W.A.S.C.E" Sarah said excitedly.

" My daughter, I don't get your excitement for this thing. But I'm proud of you, my dear. Get the payment requirements for me and send it to me in w******p. I will pay for everything " Sarah's dad replied flatly.

" Thank you so much daddy. You are the best " Sarah replied as she hugged him.

" Ok dear, anything for you my little princess. You should tell your mom" Sarah's dad said as he pecked her on her head.

" I'm in the bedroom if you need anything" Sarah's dad said as he went to the bedroom to rest.

As a government project engineer. Every rest matters alot to him. Especially, the fact that he just came back from Enugu two days ago. After concluding a very important project.

Sarah had called her mom and informed her about the good news. Sarah's mom was very excited and proud.

Sarah's mom ( Theresa ) was an international theatre nurse who resided in the UK with Sarah's sister, Marie.

Theresa gave plenty advices to Sarah on abstinence, avoiding bad friends, praying, going to church and staying out of fights.

Lastly,she prayed for Sarah. After that, Sarah and Marie talked for awhile before they call it a day.

After Sarah cut the call; It was already 30 minutes past 8pm.

She quietly messaged all her loved ones about the good news. Read for a while, then slept.

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The sun rose and stood boldly in the sky.

Sarah's phone ranged as early as 6:45 am in the sky.

Half asleep, Sarah picked up the call and placed the phone to her left ear.

" Sarah!, my baby! You will soon be an Owerri babe" Sarah's Godmother and aunt screamed from the other end of the phone.

" Aunty! Good morning ma'am" Sarah replied.

" My baby, you are all so grown now. I love the way you grew up so fast. Very soon I will come for your oath taking ceremony as my doctor!" Sarah's aunt said in excitement. While Sarah smiled delightfully at her aunt fantasies.

" Sarah. Don't grow up to fast. You will leave me with no little baby girl anymore" Sarah's aunty said a little sad.

" What!!! Of course I will grow up but I won't stop being adorable. So hence you still get your little pretty angel ". Sarah reassured and they both laughed.

" Please give your dad the phone, I will speak to you later my love ". Sarah aunt replied and Sarah did as she was told.

N.W.A.S.C was structured in a setting. Whereby, whatever university you are aspiring for you will stay close to the vicinity of that university. So one can see and experience; what university life is like.

Once in a while, the congress will transport the aspirant to their desired school for a school tour.

For the 12 states they are situated in, they have structures where student come to learn. It's basically a prep for pre-college high schoolers.

N.W.A.S.C, haven't officiated in many states because W.A.E.C is cheaper.

Because of this reason; the federal government let's student to pick between W.A.E.C and N.W.A.S.C. whichever suits your budget and desired outcome. You pick.

" Sarah!" Sarah's dad screamed calling for her.

" Yes sir" she replied

" Pack your bags Sarah. You are going to Owerri in a week time " Sarah's dad concluded.

On the 25th of August, Sarah's plane touched down the runway of imo state airport. Her uncle came to pick her with his wife.

Throughout the drive teh wife made small take with Sarah. Sharing with her the names of the street they passed by and experiences she had in those streets .

They finally arrived to the edochie's house around 5:30pm after a long drive.

" Welcome to Owerri once again my dear, I'm glad you are staying with us" Sarah's aunt spoke up as they were taking Sarah's things from the car to the bedroom.

" I'm glad, I'm here" Sarah responded.

" Honey, I have to go now, emergency at the hospital" Sarah's uncle interrupted.

" Ok dear, take care" Sarah's aunt responded.

" Mommy ! " Sarah's aunt (Stella) son ( kayima) ran downstairs and made his way to Stella's arms.

" Sarah, this is my son, kayima. You probably haven't met him before" Stella said as she introduced kayima to Sarah.

Sarah bend down to kayima' s height and said

" Hi kayima!".

Kayima smiled knowingly at Sarah. she found his action strange because she had never met him before.

After their encounter. They all ascended upstairs. Stella went to the kitchen to prepare dinner while Sarah arranged her things In their spare bedroom.

At around 7:02 pm, Sarah sat silently in the parlor resting and watching the cartoon which was playing on the television screen.

Kayima, Stella's five year old son came and stood next to her and smiled.

" I know you " he said.

Shocked Sarah asked; " How do you know me kayima and where have you seen me before?"

" Well mommy talk about you all the time. I have seen pictures of you. Mommy said you were at her wedding with daddy" kayima replied.

Sarah smiled sweetly. She felt it was really nice of Stella to talk about her with her kid even if they haven't officially met.

The wedding— how could she had forgotten the wedding, even though she slept through half of the ceremony. She would never forget how grand and elegant it was.

" Can I sit here" kayima asked, wanting to sit close to sarah.

" Yah sure" Sarah responded.

" You know, this is paw patrol. I love paw patrol. Have you watched paw patrol before?" Kayima asked striking up another round if conversation with Sarah.

" Yeah I have. But barely, I watched it when I was younger" Sarah responded. Kayima leaned closer to Sarah.

" Really, who's your favourite?" He asked seemly impress at Sarah.

" I don't really have any, who's yours?" Sarah asked continuing the conversation.

The conversation went back and forth as they both enjoyed each other's company while paw patrol played in the background.

Around 8:00pm dinner was ready. Mrs Stella didn't hesitate to make a feast upon the arrival of Sarah.

Sarah felt so at home and loved at the generosity and some how she was reminded that she was a guest.

Around 8:30pm, Sarah mom ( Theresa) called.

" Good evening my future doctor " Theresa said excitedly.

" AHH!, Manifesting" Sarah responded as they both laughed.

" It's really happening. You are growing up so well. it all feels like a dream to me. I'm just glad I get to see you take this journey. It's not an easy one, but I swear it would be worth it. That is except the late night calls and the headaches. Apart from those the medical field is a career worth pursuing" Theresa said reassuring and letting Sarah know what is ahead of her.

" No problem ma. No matter what, I will be a doctor even if an apocalypse happens" Sarah replied reassuring.

" That's my girl. Keep that fighting spirit burning you will need it in the long run. Talk with your sister, she's been silent lately. She's been preparing intensively for pre-law school. I just hope she gets in though; it will be an honour" Theresa concluded before handing the phone to Sarah's sister, Marie.

" Hello sister " A calm yet stern feminine voice ranged out from the other end of the phone.

" Hello sissy. What's good " Sarah asked.

" Oh, everything is fine just preparing for a debate. I know I will crush it. But, for now. I'm clearing the gaps for perfection" Marie replied as she rearranged her flash cards.

" Oh right sissy. Dad mentioned it. You got this! Crush it baby cause you deserve it. You have worked so hard for it" Sarah replied trying to motivate Marie.

" I know Sarah but sometimes things don't always workout because you deserve it and you are right I have to work more hard, so my previous effort won't just result to:

" Oh sorry dear, I knew you worked hard. Get 'em next time " Marie replied sarcastically.

Overwhelmed by the turn of events Sarah was left short of words.

" I... I don't know what to say " Sarah said.

" No problem sis. I'm just nervous. Bye I will tell you how heavy the first place award was when we speak again" Marie said.

" That's the spirit girlie. You do that" Sarah replied happy at Marie determination.

" Ok, Sarah I have to go to work now. I got the night shift. Bye pray before sleeping and greet aunty Stella for me and her son too " Theresa said.

" Ok mom bye" Sarah replied as the call dialed off.

Sarah sighed heavily as she went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Afterwards, she opened her biology textbook and read for 3 hours.

" Ah aha, I love your determination. I have been watching you. At first I didn't want to come here to disturb you. But I couldn't hold it to myself. I'm proud of my girl, keep it up" Stella said admiring Sarah's behaviour.

" Thanks ma'am. Ma'am forgive me please for forgetting. My mom had said I should greet you and your family members, sorry!" Sarah said.

" Ahhh, no problem my dear it's ok. By the way, Sarah. I what to offer the generator since NEPA refused to give us light today.

* Stella exhales*

Hope I'm not inconveniencing you at all" Theresa asked.

" No not at all ma'am. I wanted to call It a night anyways . I will just read later in the day" Sarah responded.

" Ok dear, please turn off your lights and pray too. I'll off it now" Stella responded.

With Stella instruction, Sarah off'ed her light, close her windows and then prayed before falling asleep.