EPISODE FIVE

The phone kept ringing on the other side but there was no response. It was a Friday afternoon and Mr. Ajayi had just called Mr. Ikechukwu, the Admissions Officer at Russell College. He wanted to find out if they would be open the next day, Saturday, being a weekend. He thought it would be a great idea to visit with the entire family but that would have to change since there was no response. 

“Thank God I have not even mentioned it at home; the children would have been disappointed,” Mr. Ajayi sighed with relief.

About half an hour later, Mr. Ajayi’s phone rang. It was a return call from Mr. Ikechukwu, who informed Mr. Ajayi of his availability the next day and how he would be happy to host the courtesy visit of the Ajayi family at their school. Mr. Ajayi was even more pleased with Russell College, as many schools wouldn’t go out of their way to be available on a weekend, especially for a parent who wasn’t even ready to start with their school.

Kemi still have about six months before she would be finally enrolled into their school, he thought.

                           . . .

“Okay, ladies and gentleman, now that we have all finished breakfast, I would like everyone to go and get dressed, I’m taking you out,” Mr. Ajayi announced to the house.

“Where are we going to?” Bimbo asked first, and then Kunle and finally Kemi asked the same question.

“Well, it’s a surprise!” Mr Ajayi responded.

“I know I know,” Kunle yelled in excitement, “We are going to the Cinema.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out so go on everyone, go and get dressed.” Mr. Ajayi waved his hands in dismissal so they could leave.

“Oh my goodness! This is not happening! Wake me up someone.”

Kemi could not contain herself as she saw their car approaching Russell International School. Her mother smiled too while Bimbo and Kunle could not really understand what the fuss was about. Kunle was really hoping they could go and see a movie or go-carting but somehow, they ended up at Kemi’s dream school.

“Come on K, put a smile on your face because this will most likely be your school too in some few years to come. Don’t worry, we can still see a movie before heading back home,” Mr. Ajayi affirmed, noticing the disappointment on his face from his rear mirror.

“Yippee, now you’re talking, let’s just hurry up and leave here”, he chuckled.

As the Ajayi family walked through the security post towards the reception area, they were welcomed by a group of teachers from the school. It looked like they had been informed of their arrival. Kemi was most pleased at this gesture; she had started to imagine how her first day at school would be.

It would be wonderful, she thought to herself. The welcome would be like the return of Moana after encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds in a bid to fulfill the quest of her ancestors which was to return the heart of the goddess in other to bring back peace upon the sea and land. Everyone in the kingdom welcomed her with smiles, laughter, songs, drums and dancing. She would be celebrated and treated like a princess as she get ushered into the school.

Kemi could imagine play time with her friends: It would be like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The way they had fun, jumping around everywhere, singing songs together and sharing their lunch. She would have friends from different tribes so that she can also learn new languages, play games together, go for sports together and form a reading group where they can share books and talk about what they have learnt.

What about the boys? Hmmmm, I would only be friends with the most handsome and intelligent boy in my class….nobody wants to end up with a blockhead, she thought.

In class, she would make sure she has the front row so she can see and hear clearly; she would make sure she wins the heart of every teacher and probably get awards for the best student overall.

That would be so super cool, Kemi reasoned again.

And when the closing bell rings, she would majestically walk into the school bus with her friends, get to gist about everything that happened in school that day, sing songs and make the journey home very interesting. Going to school the next day would something to always look forward to.

“Kemi! Kemi!! Kemi!!!”

Mrs Ajayi shook Kemi as she sat, lost in thoughts. “We are going for a tour round the school, wouldn’t you like to come?”

“Yes of course, I would love to,” she responded as she hurriedly stood up and ran towards her dad who was already much ahead with Mr Ikechukwu. Apparently, she had been daydreaming about her first day at Russell School.

It was nice though, she thought to herself and giggled as she slipped her hands into her dad’s.

Going round Russell College was AMAZING! The school had everything she had imagined and couldn’t wait to actually be a student. The walkway, classrooms, labs, music room, play area were impressive.

“Thank you Daddy for bringing us here today, it is the best surprise ever!” Kemi said as she hugged her father from the back seat. 

“You’re welcome darling. Now who’s ready to see a movie?”

 “Yay!” everyone echoed in unison.

To be continued...