EPISODE THREE

It was Mrs. Ajayi’s day off from work and she thought it would be best to take a nap before the children returned from school. Working as a nurse is quite demanding, especially in a public hospital where you have so many patients to attend to. She had always dreamt of taking care of people since her childhood.. She remembered her first day at work, which was perfect.

Mrs. Ajayi’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Who’s there?” She yelled. It was their next door neighbor, Mrs. Kamsin. She was an affluent, sophisticated full-time house wife. She had a maid who did all the chores while she just worried about her looks.

“Hello Mrs. Kamsin, are you fine today?” Mrs. Ajayi quizzed thoughtfully, as she opened the door.

“Hi Mrs. Ajayi, I am doing very well, thank you. I just feel a little bored in the house and saw your car parked outside so I thought to come have a chat with you.”

Before Mrs. Ajayi could reply, Mrs. Kamsin was already inside the house heading straight for the sofa.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be long, just need to service my interaction skills a bit,” she giggled as she sat softly on the sofa.

“What is all this now? Not when I’m trying to catch some sleep before the children arrive,” Mrs. Ajayi murmured to herself. 

“My kids would soon be back from school so I will soon be gone besides, I haven’t seen you since last week. Your work really is stressful. I hope you find time to rest?”

“I was about to take a nap when I heard your knock on the door.” Mrs. Ajayi gave her the ‘like you care’ look.

“Wait a minute, what’s the name of your children’s school again?” she asked abruptly, 

“Is it Russell International School?”

“Yes, it is,” Mrs Kamsin responded, “Why do you ask?”

“Well, my daughter Kemi, says it’s her dream college and I was hoping you could tell me a bit about the school.”

 “Oh really, that would be great!” she exclaimed in response. “I for one value my children’s education a lot and personally discovered the school when we just moved here. It’s everything you desire for your child…the classrooms, facilities, curriculum, teachers, environment, name it! They go all out to help every child, I repeat every child, to develop to their full potential. I’ve seen a lot of significant improvement in my children since they started there.”

“Wow, you have really said a lot. Tell me then, how much is their fees?” Mrs. Ajayi asked with one of her eyebrow raised.

“Well, it’s quite on the high side depending on the class but I don’t think you should focus on that at all. They have a very convenient payment plan but most importantly, focus on the value you will get. Trust me, it’s one of the best decisions you’ll ever make for Kemi and even Kunle,” Mrs. Kamsin gently explained.

“Oh! I think it’s time to go, the school bus will be arriving soon,” Mrs. Kamsin stood up to take her leave.

Are you serious? They even have a school bus? Mrs. Ajayi thought to herself.

“Ok, no problem, thank you for stopping by anyways, I took pleasure in our brief conversation. And like you said, I will discuss with my husband and make a decision about the school.”

“Please do, you won’t regret it! Mrs. Kamsin answered loudly, as she climbed the stairs towards her apartment.

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“Welcome my darlings!” Mrs. Ajayi smiled at Kemi and Kunle as they dragged their feet into the house. “Hope you both had a great day? Go on and take a shower. Kemi, I have news about your dream college!”

“Really?” Kemi’s face immediately lit up, “Tell me, tell me mum!”

She was already sitting next to her mother. “Yes really, but first, go take a shower then come back and I’ll tell you.”

Kemi was back in less than thirty minutes. Her mother doubted if she really took a shower as instructed but then she could understand the excitement. She went ahead to tell Kemi all that Mrs. Kamsin had shared with her and even about the school bus. 

She knew Kemi would like that because she currently walked to school with her brother. Finally, she mentioned that she wasn’t sure they would be able to afford the fees unlike her sister’s school.

“No mum, don’t worry, God will provide for you and dad before that time comes so you will have the money. Besides, you still have till next year to save up,”  Kemi said to her mother with an appealing face.

“No worries darling, let’s see how it all plays out,” Kemi’s mother responded gently squeezing Kemi in her arms in assurance.

The rest of the evening felt different for Kemi. She felt some bit of hope that her dream college was becoming a reality. She was excited to narrate everything about the school to her father after dinner and he also assured her that he would discuss further with her mother. Kemi was even more excited, at least both her parents seemed convinced that it was a good school. She had no idea Tochi and Sammy, Mrs. Kamson’s children attended Russell International School. They were mostly indoors and go out most weekends; besides they had just moved in about a year ago into the building.

Finally, it was bedtime, Kemi didn’t forget to say a prayer for her parents:

“God please bless my daddy and mummy so that they can have enough money to send me to Russell International School. I promise to make them proud. Please God, I would be the happiest girl in the whole wide world if you can make this come true.”

To be continued…