It was on the 21st that I heard the most shocking news of my teenage life. On the 21st of the month of July, 2014. I was at home as usual watching television when I got a call from my mom that I was to be in Benin on the 26th for my post-UTME examination into the University of Benin.
If that alone was to be the issue at hand, it would have been good. But as you would have it, I had already made plans for the week and the days to come as it was my graduation from my secondary school. It was to be my crowning moment, that very day when I finally can say that I have graduated from matching uniforms, late bells, prefect duties and the host of others that made life in school annoying and unbearable. It was also the moment of truth, that final moment that I was to see the smile on my mom’s face as I walked down to receive my certificate and gifts for my successes in various subjects (if any).
But the news with great magnitude had struck down all my plans, preparation, aspiration, and dreams of that day. I thought to myself, what to do? I couldn’t forfeit my chance of going to a university over a few pictures with my friends and I couldn’t believe that I was going to miss this once in a life time event. It wasn’t like I was going to come back and graduate from there next year. I had to make a choice and as hard as it was, I decided to forfeit the graduation for the post-UTME exams. The next day I informed my friends about the unfortunate event, and the choice I had made. They were saddened by what I told them, and they expressed their thoughts towards how they would miss me on that day.
On the 24th I was to leave my residential town of Minna to Benin. I had to wake up early and leave town. I had arranged my things the night before and I was to meet my brother in Abuja for us to go together. I took some books to read along and some textbooks to read concerning the exams. On getting to Benin, I took residence in my uncle’s home as I was to get ready for the big day. The next day, I and my brother went over to the main campus of the university, for me to get a feel of the school and to know the examination venue for the next day. We met with one of his friends, who instructed us on what we needed. I was to write in the Social Sciences faculty and I was taken to where that was.
On the 26th I woke up and got prepared, and by a few minutes after 6:00 a.m., I was on my way. I got to school and the day was graced by unsuspected and unwanted personnel, rain. The rain had started before we got there. I was the only one that went in and my brother was left behind outside the gate. Because of the rain I was too confused to find the building and I had to run with other candidates to the place. The tension in the air was tight as I got into the hall. I was the first to be called in so I was already feeling uncomfortable. Coupled with the fact that I was shivering and soaking wet from the rain, I was to be of sound mind and to still write the exams.
After the examination, I was still too dazed and confused to find my way out, and so I got lost again. But fortunately I found my way to the gate. Upon getting home I was too tired to recall the stressful events that had led to that day and I hurried off to have a long awaited nap.
I thank God for how everything went. Although I would have wished it went another way, I know it went the best way. To the glory of God I got the admission into the school to study my dream course of computer science but till today I still wish I was there for my graduation.
This entry was submitted as part of the Nigerian Voices competition organized by YNaija.com.
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