BUT Episode 9

 Episode 9

"Come to Silicon street along Fidemal road, you will see a cream colored building with a blue roof and a red gate. You have to be there as early as possible on Monday morning. When the person said that, the whole kidnap experience flashed through my mind again and i suddenly became scared. My hands began to shake and my feet suddenly became cold. Mum rushed in and asked me what was  going on. I was torn between telling her for security reasons and not telling her, so as  not to ignite fear in her heart."

"I narrated the part of how the guy that helped me that night gave me the card and asked me to call the number on it. My mom collected the card and read what was on it.  I did not even pay attention to the details around it, the only thing on my mind was calling the number and  knowing what would happen." 

"Thompson Immaculate Consultancy is the firm while the C.E.O name written under it is Gabriel Thompson. My mother said we would go together as she cant afford to loose anyone again. Dad had gone out as usual to sort out the schooling of my siblings which had been  partially on hold."

"On the morning we were asked to come, we woke up early and set out of the house. Since we were not too familiar with the area, we didn't want to get in late. On the long run,It wasn't so hard getting the location. We took the first cab and alighted at a junction where we boarded another cab that was going directly to the area. We met the building just exactly as it was described. Initially, we thought it was going to be a live - in  house, not knowing it was a work place."

"The security man asked us who we wanted to see,  but before I could answer, my mom just mentioned the C.E.O's name as if she knows him. The security man directed us to the lobby where we registered our names and other details such as: who we wanted to meet with, the purpose of the meeting and the likely duration of the meeting. Since everything is timed with all consciousness in the firm."

"We waited for about 35 minutes before it was our turn. The secretary  came to the lobby to call the next person in. When we entered the office, the man was standing close to the shelve, looking for a file. He wasn't facing us when he asked us to take our sit and that he would join us shortly. The minute he faced us, my mother shouted Thompson and the man called my mothr's name Esther. He was repeatedly asking Esther is this you? I sat there confused, wondering what was going on."

"He asked my mom if I am her daughter and she said yes. They started talking and doing some catching up. I was trying to connect the dots, until my mother said to me that Thompson was her former hostel mate back  at the  Polytechnic. When they talked to the point of what my mother was doing at the moment, the man felt pity for us with all we had gone through."

"He told us about one of his 3 bedroom apartments he was looking to either sell or put out for rent. He said to my mother that if she wouldn't mind, we could move in there. He also promised to help in anyway he could. My mom broke down in tears, she couldn't believe what was happening, she couldn't believe things were finally falling in place. That meeting was the beginning of our breakthrough."

"Days  turned into weeks, we left the church compound and moved to the new house. Things started getting better for us. My siblings went back to school at a nearby school and my mother started selling provisions and drinks in a small kiosk beside the house. Mr Thompson also directed my father to one company around the area. The company  loved his experience because it was a perfect match for the available position."

 Before I round up, we had the opportunity to visit Mr Saka at the prison. He was given 7 years imprisonment for being a part of the evil, while majority of those involved were given life Imprisonment.  Mr Saka told me that he didn't pick any man on polo that day, I was confused and I tried to remind him that maybe he forgot or something but he said we didn't." 

"Maybe the person was your angel oo, who knows." Selina said. 

"To cut the long story short." Deborah said and they all laughed at her that which story is she cutting short after she had cut the short story long. 

"Anyways, you understand what I'm saying. That was how I went to write my senior exams again and my university entrance exams. I met Christ through my roommate in year 1 and since that time, i dedicated my life to God, that come what may, I will never take his grace and favor for granted".

"This your story really touched me and I know that sometimes, God takes us through some things just to show forth his glory in our lives." Beatrice said.

"That reminds me, Selina you said you know about Royal mill company where my father was laid off? Tell me about it. Deborah said.

"That's true o, I almost forgot too" Beatrice added.

Selina smiled as she drew her seat closer to the table.

What did she know?

Find out in the next episode.

BUT Episode 8

 Episode 8.

"Jesus Jesus was what my mother was shouting, they poured water on my head and they rushed to call the first aid people in the next building. I finally opened my eyes and I was totally weak, I didn't know what to even say or do but I saw people rallied round us and they started asking me what happened. I told them I just need to eat and rest because I can't explain how I was feeling that night"

"My mother couldn't sleep all night and she was praying that God should see us through this phase. My father too was worried but no one was worried as much as Mr Saka's wife. It was her shout and cry at the door of where we stay that woke us up and that's when my parent begin to connect the do of what might have gone wrong"

"Mr Sakas' wife was asking about her husband and I didn't even know how to explain because I was not sure whether he was alive or not. People started coming close as they saw her cry and shout. My parents asked me to say something at least so that everyone can know what next. I narrated to them how we were kidnapped and all that has happened but I didn't tell them what I saw based on the agreement I had with the guy on polo. I summarised and that's when Mr Saka's wife started running towards the gate of the church. People tried to follow her so she didn't harm herself. They suggested they go to the police station to report as well as radio stations''

"As everyone moved out of the church to be of help one way or the other, I remembered the complementary card I was given. I am not too sure if I brought it home or not. I started looking for it, my younger sister found me where I was searching and she asked me what I was looking for. I told her and she said that she kept it for me, she went to bring it out from one of her note book and she handed it over to me"

"I picked the card and dialled the number on it using my mother's phone. I dialled the first number on it and no one picked, I found 3 numbers on it and assumed the first one should be the hotline or the one that will always be reachable. My curiosity to know what's happening outside the church wasn't making me pay attention to the call again since the person wasn't picking up. I rushed out of the compound to join those outside"

"After 3 days, Mr Saka came back home but not alone, he was being escorted by the police and this became a shock to me as well all have seen him as a very good person with no record of evil. For the whole of that 3 days, the incident of how we were kidnapped and how I was saved kept on ringing in my head. Sometimes the flash and fear from it will be the one to wake me up at the midnight" 

"But what did Mr Saka do wrong that he was being escorted by police?" Beatrice asked 

"My dear, it's the biggest shock to me as well to realise that Mr Saka always delivers for these people once in a month and I never knew. I have just been following him out for a short while and maybe he ought to have delivered for them but because of me, he couldn't deliver on time. It was when he was beaten by the police that he confessed everything. When we first saw that he had been beaten and his face had been disfigured, we thought it's from the escape of the kidnappers''

"But wait, how did the police find them?" Selina asked.

"That morning, remember I said we carried a man in a suit too? He texted the number plate of the bus that was written on the glass to his wife and friend. He said that is what he is always doing whenever he picks a bus since the last time he had a kidnap experience. The phone was tracked and then the bus was found. The police waited for the driver to come out. Mr Saka spend the next 2 days with the police and not with the kidnappers, it was when he confessed that he wrote statements and he beg to say a final word to his wife before they will finally push his case for the necessary judgement"

"For that 3 days, I kept on calling the number on the card and no one was picking up and had already concluded it's time I move on and look for other things to help the family with. Our days in church were getting longer than planned and the church management were beginning to tell us directly to leave the church. Before they were saying it like if they have guest from the headquarters, they don't get to lodge them and all of those"

"Until the 5th day of the incident of being kidnapped, mom's phone rang very early in the morning and before I rushed to where she was charging it, the call had dropped. I tried calling back and luckily, the person picked up"

"What did the person say abeg?" Selina asked.

"You are always inquisitive ehn" Beatrice said, facing Selina.

What did the person say?

Catch up in the next episode

BUT Episode 7

 Episode 7

Deborah would love to hear other people's story, but it seemed she was taking too much time already, so she tried to hasten up.

"Na who bring this minor come here?" Someone who seemed like the boss shouted and everyone startled. I looked around and realised that it's a well organised market place."

"Market place? For what?" Selina can be so inquisitive and that's one of the unique things about her.

"They sell human parts actually.

" Jesus!!!" Beatrice and Selina shouted in shock.

"  My dears, I was shocked. I was so scared that my legs were shaking vigorously. I saw people, I mean big big people coming in and out of the main building with their bags and sack. So all along that I was perceiving something unfamiliar, I never knew it was the smell of dead bodies and all of that."

"I threw up 2 times in the space of 5 minutes, so they kept on changing my location and cleaning the mess I made up. The last room I was taken to, I met other young people like me there. Only God knows how long some of those people had been there. Some parents would have given up the search for their children, not knowing that they were being kept in a building far away from town."

"Few minutes later, someone dressed like a chef entered the room with food and started sharing it to the young people there. I couldn't even take the food because I lost appetite already. Also, the fact that they might be serving them human meat turned me off completely. The hunger on the faces of some of them,  wouldn't even let them turn down such food. Besides, I don't know how often they ate."

"By mind calculation, I could guess that we had stayed in the building for nothing less than 3 hours. Some of the people in the room I was, had laid on the floor and slept off.  I wondered how long I would be here, would I make it out or not?"

"The day kept on running tinto noon and the night was  crawling in already. I heard the door open, so I struggled to look through the door to see who it was. Guess who? Deborah said 

"We weren't there with you, tell us who it was" Selina said

"And you know I am bad at guessing" Beatrice added.

"The man on polo walked into the room, told me to stand and follow him. He told me his mind was not at rest and he felt like helping me. I was wondering what kind of help he was going to offer. He took me through a door that led to the back of the building, I looked around and followed him. He knew that if they found out that he had betrayed them, they might kill him, so he said to me that if he dies helping me, he has lived a good life for the first time in a long while."

"He told me he knew that I wasn't sleeping while in the bus and that the moment he saw me at the entrance of the bus as a conductor, he was moved by the state of hopelessness that would have led me to do that kind of job. He dipped his hand into his bag and brought out bread, he asked me to eat it, that he meant no harm. I collected the bread and took some bite as we walked. He said he might not be able to help me walk the way out to the main road, but he would see me through a path where I can find my way home."

"He told me as well that he never wanted to join this body parts selling business, but his uncle who is one of the leaders, took him in when his own parents died many years ago. He always follow mama out to source for people that can be kidnapped and sold to those in need of body parts. He suddenly stopped talking about himself and asked what led me to become a conductor, so I narrated my family issues to him. I asked for his name but he refused, with the excuse of security purposes"

"There was silence for a few minutes, but the silence was broken by the sound coming from the zip of his cross bag. He dipped his hand into the bag again and  handed me a complementary card. Then he said it was  time for him to go back before they started looking for him. He pointed to me the way out and I kept going."

"By the time i got to the church compound, it was dark and the church gate was already locked from behind. I knocked with the last strength left in me and the security man opened the gate. I went straight to where my parents were. All I could hear were just echos of their voices. I couldn't talk or hear anything they were asking me. In no time, I passed out and everything became blank"

"That's a whole lot, it can be traumatic having to pass through all these" Beatrice said.

"So what happened when you passed out?"

Watch out for what next in the next episode

BUT Episode 6

 Episode 6

Deborah dropped her drink, picked a serviette  from a small round jar at the center of the table and wiped the corner of her mouth as she continued the story she was saying.

"I was sitting close to the door, so if anything was going to happen at all, it should definitely start at the door, but one way or the other, I was ignored. The elderly woman in front stepped out of the bus. Shortly after, 4 well body - built men came out of the building and started talking with the elderly woman. Although I couldn't hear them well, but it sounded like they were all working together."

"One of my initial concerns was why Mr Saka couldn't even say no or do anything at all. The elderly woman and the men started moving closer to the bus and that was when I heard her say  that she already placed her hand on the driver and so he is not conscious of his environment. Immediately she said that, she laughed so loud and my heart started beating faster than before. Deep down, I knew we were in trouble and we've picked the wrong set of people."

"My fears got confirmed, when the man on green polo who entered with the elderly woman  opened his eyes and greeted one of the men. That was  when I knew that this woman and the man on polo worked together. He struggled to pass over the person beside me, who was  deeply asleep and then he moved my legs so he could pass as well. As soon as he came down from the bus, the 4 men split themselves and started carrying everyone one after the other."

"They had carried everyone in, remaining myself and Mr Saka. I couldn't pretend I was sleeping again, so out of fear, I opened my eyes. It was the man on polo that found out and that was what saved me, because had it been it was the elderly woman, I don't know what would have happened."

"I hope they didn't hurt you knowing that you didn't sleep" Beatrice asked. 

"That's exactly what I'm about narrating oo" Deborah rolled her eyes as she smiled. 

"We are with you" Selina added.

"The man on polo brought out an handkerchief and tied my eyes with. He held my hand and told me to come along. He would tell me where to raise my legs and where to jump. I wasn't sure if I should regard him as helping me or hurting me. My head couldn't even process everything going on around me."

"If I should guess in my head the number of minutes we walked, it should be about 5 minutes. The closer we got to where we were going, the more we could hear different sounds and perceive a kind of offensive smell"

"My legs were already shaking and my waist was beginning to ache. I wanted to push the man, but at the same time, I didn't want to die in the process of struggling to escape. Also, I didn't know where Mr Saka was. I was thinking about my family and what they would be going through knowing that their daughter is lost and dead"

"You are welcome here was what I heard from an unfamiliar face and the man on polo that I felt has been holding me since, whispered to my ears that whatever I see or hear, I should never say it out. I nodded my head to show that I agreed to whatever the demand was. I kept hearing people talk here and there but I couldn't figure out the smell."

"Immediately, the man removed the  handkerchief from my eyes. What I saw ehn,  I really don't know how to even put my emotions into words right now."

"What did you see?" Selina shouted. 

"You love stories too much, stop interrupting na" Beatrice said jokingly.

What did Deborah see?

Find out in the next episode

BUT Episode 5

 Episode 5

"I am sorry once again about the other time. Can I take this away now?" The waiter apologized as he packed the table. 

If not that the day was already scheduled for the hangout. They may not have been patient enough to listen to this story that seems not to have an end , but it's a free day and it's the start of a new phase for all of them.

Another advantage they had was that they were at one of the biggest eateries in town, with a wide space that can accommodate a lot of people at the same time without anyone being in discomfort.

"Oga abeg, I fit get toothpick?" Selina asked the waiter as he walked past them to the next table.

"No problem, I will pass it to you" the waiter said.

"So back to what I was saying." Deborah continued.

"We are with you" Beatrice replied. 

"We left home earlier than the usual that morning and we started moving towards the main road. There is this sharp corner that leads to a narrow road. The road is so narrow that it can only take a car going and then another one coming. More like a single lane kind of road. The day wasn't fully formed, but with the help of the front lights, we were able to see clearly at least."

"As we approached the corner,  we found some people standing beside the road, like they needed to get on a bus. There was an elderly woman on blue checkered gown and flowery scarf, next to her was a middle-aged man on black Jean, green shirt and sandals. A young fair chubby lady and another man on suit, holding a brief case."

"The man on suit was standing apart from the others, but he is the first person you would see  when approaching the corner. He waved at the bus to stop. My bus driver, thinking whether to help them or not, eventually stopped and  picked the 4 of them. I opened the door and the elderly woman got on the bus and sat in the front with the driver while the others entered the back seats."

"We hadn't moved too far, when I realised that I was feeling this discomfort within me but i didn't know why. As we moved, we picked other people on the way. I knew when we got to the last bus stop, everyone would get down. One major observation was that, as people were coming in, they didn't stay awake longer than 3 to 5 minutes. Before you knew it, everyone was already hitting their head against another's. At first, I assumed they were all tired, but I noticed that my boss too was already struggling between sleeping and staying awake."

"At intervals,  the elderly woman at the front of the bus would look at me through the side mirror. I didn't know if she needed to make sure  everyone was sleeping, or maybe my mind was over calculating it. When she noticed that I wasn't sleeping, she would greet me and I'd do the same. In my mind, I was already thinking that I may probably need to fake sleep, to see what she is up to, and that I did."

"Few minutes later, I overheard her directing the bus driver. I knew that was not where we were going but I couldn't talk since I didn't want her to know that I was still awake. What left me confused was why Mr Saka couldn't decline all the instructions this woman was  giving him. We kept on moving and  after a while, I heard the old woman tell the driver to stop in front of a building. "

"Building? Wait, what's going on?" Selina couldn't hold it again, she wanted to know what was happening.

Deborah carried her remaining drink and sipped it.

What happened next?

Find out in the next episode

BUT Episode 4

 Episode 4

The waiter came to pack the plates and mistakenly packed Selina's plate which had small meat left there. The waiter assumed that she was done and also, the eatery doesn't like to keep people's table unkempt.

"Excuse me, I am not done yet" Selina said and the other friends started laughing at her.

"Where did I stop sef?" Deborah asked so as to continue from what she said before she was interrupted. 

"You said something happened one afternoon like that" Beatrice tried to remind her.

"Yes that's it, that afternoon is just one afternoon that so much happened at the same time. It was a Friday and my younger siblings were playing in the church premises while I went to lessons. I was going to a lesson close by to help me with preparation for exams and dad as well had been trying to go around to see if he can find a school to volunteer or any means he could get money. Mom as well wasn't finding it easy as she was going around to see if she can secure a small apartment for us to stay"

"Although that morning, mum brought us one fufu like that and told us that she couldn't afford to get stew. My younger ones took the fufu with water while I had tears for breakfast instead. I couldn't bear all that was happening, I didn't eat and I left home for the lesson just for me to get to the church compound and was told my sibling had been rushed to the hospital"

"What? Hospital ke?" Selina, who was sipping her drink, drops the cup on the table as she screams out in curiosity to know what happened.

"We were told someone saw them while playing around and asked them to take money to go help him buy food and they should take the remaining change. They ended up using the money to buy this sachet drink not knowing that the drink has been expired and contaminated. They were rushed to the hospital when they realized that Isaac my baby brother was rolling on the floor with something foamy coming out of his mouth and Becky was purging blood"

"Jesus christ" Beatrice shouted. 

"The remaining money that my parents were able to raise, mostly my dad, he eventually used that money for siblings hospital bills and as at that time, we were close to the deadline of payment for the final exams. In fact, if we didn't pay that week after, I may not be able to write the exam with them but what is more important at that moment than seeing that my siblings stay alive? I saw tears rolling down my mother's cheek but she's always acting strong"

"The doctor gave them some prescription and my siblings started responding to the treatment. We were assured that they will be fine in days and back to their feet. I was angry deep down that why is my dad not wanting to beg for help and why do people see us going through all we were going through and help isn't forthcoming. It's indeed a moment in my life that broke me"

"Unfortunately, I couldn't meet up with writing the exams with my mate and this started running me into depression gradually. I asked myself how I can be of help to the need of the family and an idea came through my mind"

"What's that? What's the idea?" Selina asked. 

"There is this man whose house is very close to church, the wife is the one selling provisions, drinks and the likes directly opposite to the church fence. The husband is a bus driver that leaves home very early in the morning and comes back around 8pm in the night. The bus is all this 18 passenger bus and I concluded that I won't tell my parent about the move cause it may not be a cool way to go for them"

"Wait, is it that you want to be the bus conductor with him or you want to ask for dad?" Beatrice asked. 

Deborah started smiling and this left them wondering what's going on. 

"I actually volunteered to go and be helping this man. I only told them at home that I got a small job that I will be managing in order to assist the family and help to cater for one or two things. I was able to talk to the wife as well as let my younger sister be working with her at the shop and anything they can afford, they should please help us. The first thing the wife asked me was what's our church people doing to help us? I was speechless till she rounded it up with saying she knows that our church members don't like helping themselves. That's why you will see someone changing car every now and then while they will see their fellow members suffering and begging for food"

"The first day I followed the man, he already gave me some orientation on how to call places, how to ask for money and how to bypass the unit that always wants to task the bus driver. Deep down, I was scared because I'm a lady and I'm not sure it will be that easy but I gave it a shot and zero my mind that whatever happens, I will face it. I need to survive and I will do anything possible to make it"

"It was stressful the first day and gradually I was getting used to it. My younger sister always finds a way to bring something home for my parents too. The wife of this man had been giving her food and sometimes provision to give to my family"

"Mehn, you have gone through a lot in that age oo" Selina said.

"One of my outings with the bus driver. His name is Mr Saka and I will always be grateful to God for his family. I was out with him and that day, we left earlier than the usual and we started moving towards the main road, I was met with biggest shock of my life"

"What's that again? The way you everything is just happening eh?" Beatrice cuts in.

What happened?

Find out in the next episode

BUT Episode 3

Story by O'nezer

Episode 3

"I am from a Christian home attending a bible believing church" Deborah started talking.

"My father is an easy going person who doesn't like public displays. He tries everything within his power to avoid anything that will show him off to the world. 

"My mother is the direct opposite. There is virtually no department you won't find her. As she is leading in the children's department, you will see her in the welfare department. Before you know it, she is attending to sick people at the first aid unit and many more".

"The company my father worked with was sold out, so they had to lay off their staffs. As a result, my father lost his job. This new development really affected my family. My father was downcast. To make matters worse, my mother was a full house wife, so she could not provide financial support".

"We are 3, you all know that part and there's 4 years gap between me and my siblings. Part of the privileges we had back then was that once you are a member of staff of the company, you get a discount in school fees charge at the staff college owned by the company."

"Wait oh, is it Royal Mill?" Selina interrupted and for a minute, there was silence.

"You know the company?" Beatrice asked to clear her confusion.

"Yes its Royal Mill, what's up?" Deborah asked.

"No, continue what you were saying" Selina said with a smile on her face as she paid rapt attention to what Deborah was saying.

It was obvious that Selina knew something about the company, but we can't be so sure until she talks about it. 

"I was in senior class 3, while Becky my immediate younger sis was in junior class 3 when my father lost his job. As a result, he couldn't afford to pay for our final exams. In no time, we were asked to move out of the company's house. We were no longer entitled to any benefit.

"People can be wicked oo, they should have at least allowed you to live in the house nau." Selina cuts in

"My dear, that's not all oo" Deborah replied immediately 

"Continue, we are with you" both said as they kept munching their food at intervals. 

"So we moved into the church compound and we were only allowed to stay there for a week. We were hopeless and the struggles and pain was telling on my father. He will put on his suit every Sunday to carry out his ministerial duties, pretending all is well. 

"Dad tried running around to make sure that I at least finish from school and have my result but all to no avail. My mom had to sell some of her jewelries and cloths so as to feed and cloth us for a while. Dad was already looking older than his age within weeks"

"I was beginning to develop this hatred for the church because I was wondering how no one could come around to help us during our struggles. 

Activities inside the church varied. We would quickly wake up before people starts coming in and also be the last to leave church so that people won't know. Days like that made me wish mom didn't leave her job after giving birth to become a full house wife. She would have been an alternative to assist dad in his broke days"

"At a point, eating became a problem. Mom would starve so we could eat, I would also eat little so that my siblings could eat and not go out to beg. My dad loves his self esteem so much that he will rather die of hunger than beg for food and he will rather do all he has to do alone, so that no one will tell him they helped him. These and many more were the humiliations we had to go through, but as the usual saying, what doesn't kill you will make you strong"

"Yes! you are right, I am really trying to picture all you are saying right now. I may not feel your pain as much as you did but this is painful mehn" Selina said.

"See don't let me bore you with my story jare" Deborah said. 

But Beatrice definitely would not want a half story. Everyone knows how much she loves stories and this time, she had all the time to herself.

"Babe, continue it isn't boring" Beatrice said.

"Anyways, one afternoon like that, something happened" Deborah continued. 

"What happened?" Both chorused out of curiosity.

What happened?

Watch out for the next episode.

BUT Episode 2

Story by O'nezer

Episode 2

The convocation hall became silent that no one could believe it was the same room that was as rowdy as a marketplace a few minutes ago.

Beatrice opened her left palm and unfolded a small piece of paper which some words had been inscribed on it. She started reading immediately she acknowledged God for seeing her through her school life. 

She started narrating the struggles it took her to get into school after writing the entrance examination about 6 times. 

"There is a way in which the family paints the failure on one's face so much that you will feel like the most hated person on earth.

At every single mistake, the song from my mother's mouth was the song of "that's why you are still home." Days when I feel so sad and angry at the whole situation, I would reject the food but dad will always come around to make me feel a bit better"

"Whenever I start to eat, mother will start with one of her songs that if you had worked harder the way you are eating now, maybe your grade would have been better and I will angrily leave the dining room to my room" 

"On many nights, I wet my bed with tears and my pillow with sweat that accompanied the tears. Many a times, I kept on asking if God has forsaken me but trust me, God never forgets"

"I was at the dining one of the nights with the family when a family friend called with her mother's number and my parents hurriedly picked the call. My friend Bolade requested to talk to me and that was when she told me to go and check the school portal the following day"

"Lo and behold, my name came with the last list and I'm finally getting to study one of the most competitive courses in one of the best school in town"

"I want to appreciate God for the family that God used for me. On the other hand, brilliancy isn't enough but hard work with burning of midnight candles also added to this" she said as she tried to look at the clock right above the podium. 

"I wish my parents were here today to witness all that God has done for me but I will always be grateful to God for all He has done for me" 

"I know I don't have all day. I want to make a shout out to my roommates, Selina and Deborah, to brother Phillip, the fellowship coordinator, every member of Light of Hope Church- student wing and everyone who contributed to this journey. I pray the good Lord of heaven bless and keep you all, see you all at the top" she concluded and everyone in the hall started clapping.

She walked down the podium and she was able to manage the minutes given to her. Some other activities of the day took place and pictures were taken to keep the memory alive.

It's a memorable day as people moved from one place to another to get food packs and make connections with different families and friends. 

"Hello Beatrice, I am moved by your story and I will like us to meet sometimes soon so we get to know each other better" a deep unfamiliar voice said.

She was confused as to connect if the person is someone she has once met before or seen but after a few attempt to recall, she realised that nothing seem coming at all.

"But excuse me sir, I am not sure I know you sir" Beatrice said 

"I know right" he dips his hand into his chest pocket and hands over a complementary card to her.

"Call any of the lines here, we will take it up from there" he said as he made his way out of the canopy close to where photo session was ongoing 

"Baby girl come let's snap" Deborah called out to her to join their other friends and they moved from one place to another to have different snap shot.

"See, don't clean my makeup jere" Selina snapped out when Deborah tried to cover her eyes from the back just like their usual way of playing whenever they get to see. 

Deborah was the eldest amongst the 3 friends and she was the most reserved while Selina was the youngest but as they always say to themselves that "age is just a number," this has helped them to shove off any age difference thing that should come between them.

They became roommates in year 3 and spent the last 2 years of their time together till the graduation day. They knew that Beatrice rarely went home during short breaks or holidays and she always either hide under fellowship work or just don't feel like going home cause she needed to study.

The convocation day was the first time they heard her mention that she wishes her parents were to be alive.

"Baby girl, what's your plan tomorrow, we should hang out oh, Is 10am okay?" Deborah said

"Yes, that's fine by me and we will love to talk about things we don't know about ourselves" Selina added 

"Well, school is over and we are only waiting for our call up letters so tomorrow is fine by me too" Beatrice said.

They all bid each other goodbye. Everywhere was getting less crowdy as many cars had left the compound. Everywhere was littered with disposable plates and cups while some people were beginning to pick the used plastic bottles along the line. 

Beatrice got home tired that day with excitement written all over her but deep down, she was not totally happy. 

She put off her heels and fling the wig she was putting on across the bed. She shifted the cloth scattered on her bed to one side and she slept off.

The call that came through the phone was what woke her up...

"It's 9am already!" she said as she used her left palm to wipe down her face. She rushed to the bathroom, showered and few minutes later, she rushed out of the house.

"I am on my way already, that eatery right? Okay then" Beatrice said and ended the call.

With excitement, they all hugged each other as they secured a space that could take up 3 people at the corner of the eatery. They made order and since school days, Beatrice was the picky type and rarely ate much. She requested for sausage roll with Hollandia yoghurt while Deborah ordered her usual Jollof spaghetti with salad and Selina requested for fried rice mixed with plantain and chicken.

"So who's going first, cause I feel there are things we don't know about ourselves despite staying together for 2 years in the same room" Selina started the conversation.

"Well, Deborah is still the eldest here, she should start" Beatrice suggested and they laughed it off. 

"If it is money now, they won't say I'm the eldest ooo," Deborah said.

"Mummy Deborah, oya oo. We are listening" Selina said.

Deborah cleared her throat as she was about to share with them things they didn't know about her.

What would she say?

Watch out for the next episode.

BUT Episode 1

Story by O'nezer

Episode 1

"The best graduating student is...." the vice Chancellor was about to call out names when the noise in the graduation hall started in hush tones and quickly it became loud to the point of interrupting him.

Oh, not a noise from anything else but excitement of graduands finally having to leave the four walls of the university after several years of different mixed experiences of joy and sadness.

Some were excited that they were finishing strong, some on the other hand were excited for the fact that they struggled to graduate with their mate while some people were not happy because they had one issue or the other that delayed them and hindered them from not graduating a year or 2 before that day.

The transparency with no hidden privacy was why everyone else in the departments had access to each other's results as it was always pasted on the notice board close to the office of the Student Advisor's office. 

It was as worse that people in other levels can as well see your result if they have anything to do around the offices close to the notice board.

It was so easy to know who is doing well and those that are struggling to get an average mark. Directly or indirectly, everyone knew the matric numbers of the ones that were doing well in the class and they can either use the best students' results as yardstick or consolation to themselves.

On many occasions, the staff adviser had repeatedly robbed the best students on our faces as the pride of the department and this comparison either made the average student feel bad or less of themselves.

It is exciting to know that it was graduation day and out of 150 students in the department, 85 students were graduating while others have one issue or the other that was making them stay behind while others were graduating. 

One of the major things that can make a student have an extra year is the mismanagement of students' scripts. Many times, some Lecturers get so careless that they misplace students' script and the only song they keep telling the student is to "try again the next session".

Only on a few occasions does a student with cases of missing script get to be helped. If the matter should now get out of hand, you should be that student that the Lecturer doesn't like at all or the lecturer likes you with the aim of sleeping with you and then you turn him down.

We have many students who later had to change University after repeatedly failing a course because the Lecturer wanted to sleep with them or have a relationship with them and this was almost becoming a tradition in the department.

As much as everyone craved to leave university so they can start a new life, the more the memories from the school will never leave their mind. It's a journey that definitely needs to come to an end and that day is finally here.

Many parents graced the occasion in different catchy expensive clothing. From those on matching cloth to those on flying gowns and colourful native wear while some were on suit and others on casual wear.

The parking lodge was filled to the brim and some other parents were asked to park close to the road side with the assurance from the school management to send security officers to look over their vehicles. 

Talking about food, snacks and drinks. Everything was in excess that at the end of the day, we had some student that didn't get any award but went home with plenty pack of foods. 

Aroma of foods were calling each other, as you turned to the left, you will see porridge garnished with dried fish and crayfish while turning to the right you see pounded yam wrapped in leaf laying calmly inside a well packaged container with varieties of seven-in-one-kind of vegetables.

The pack of rice with different styles were moved from one place to another and the drinks were so much. Some families came with cake and snacks while those that didn't come with anything at all still ate till they were filled.

As we saw some people sharing handkerchiefs with their names on it, some sharing pens and jolts and some others shared keyholders, Handfan and many more.

The vice Chancellor had been calling names per department of the outstanding student across the campus, claps and cheers from the audience also added to the beauty of the roll call.

"The best graduating student for this academic session is Beatrice Ali a student of Accounting department" the vice Chancellor finally called the name after the noise was reduced but immediately after the name was called, the noise, cheers and clap doubled the initial one.

Beatrice walked down from her seat to the podium and she was going to be giving a speech in a few minutes before they moved to other things left on the order of the program.

"I want to give God the glory because this is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice in it. I am giving just a few minutes to talk but I'd love to share a bit of my story with you" she said and the whole room became silent.

What does she wants to say?

Watch out for the next episode.