Chapter 6: TV Camera, Thunderstorm, and the Truth

After the result, I tell my class teacher the good news.

She replied with so many prayers and blessings that my eyes blurred from reading. Her pride in me was loud and clear.

Amaka! My daughter! You too much! God go lift you, ehn! I dey proud die!

She send me seven chop money, total 25,000 naira.

She said, "Use am buy small treat for yourself—you too try!" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I no wan collect, but she insist, say I be best arts student for the school and she go get big bonus.

Her voice was fierce, her joy real. I felt like I had finally done something worth celebrating.

She say I fit even be best arts scorer for whole state.

My hands trembled as I read her message over and over, the words too big to believe.

So far, I never hear anybody score pass me.

My phone stayed silent, no news of a bigger score. For once, I dared to hope.

I never tell my parents all these. Them just believe say I get 180.

It felt like a secret victory, sweet but lonely.

Three hours pass since result come out, dem never ask me about my score.

I waited in my room, listening for footsteps. But the questions never came.

All their attention still dey my sister.

Her tears echoed from the parlour, Mummy's soothing voice trailing behind.

My sister still dey cry, say she want recheck.

She begged for another chance, her hopes clinging to small mistakes on the result page.

Weather report say rain go fall that night, and I get doll wey dey dry for rooftop.

I remembered my small rabbit, sunlight fading. I grabbed my thin jacket, preparing to rescue it from the coming storm.

So I wear thin jacket, go rooftop.

My slippers slapped against the cold concrete, the old stairs creaking under my weight.

Our compound old, and the stairs to rooftop narrow and steep. As I cross, I see cloth dey dry and some green plant for ground.

The scent of wet cement and flowering ogwu leaves filled my nose. I tiptoed around the puddles, careful not to slip.

The summer night hot but still get small breeze. As I look, I see Seyi.

He was leaning on the railing, a shadow against the city lights, looking both familiar and distant.

He wear black windbreaker, tall, just dey rest for railing. Ifeoma stand for front of am.

Their heads were close, voices blending with the distant sounds of generators and music from a neighbour's radio.

Ifeoma dey cry, her voice low and shaky: "Seyi, wuwuwu, I no do well, I mess up, wuwuwu..."

Her words tumbled out, broken. I pressed my back against the wall, unseen.

I just stand for where I dey.

The generator noise below mix with rain smell, the whole compound dey quiet except for far thunder.

The darkness wrapped me up, hiding my face, my feelings. I became part of the night, silent and still.

Normally, I suppose waka go.

But my leg no dey hear word. I stand dey watch, like spirit wey no fit rest.

But I just stand like person wey dey addicted, dey hope say Seyi go talk something harsh.

A part of me wanted him to be angry, to shatter the perfect image I had carried of him all these years.

But he no be that kind person.

His gentleness was a curse and a blessing, always making it harder to let go.

"No wahala. 200 still good. You fit go grad school later."

His words were slow, soft, full of assurance. I could almost hear the smile in his voice.

His lazy voice float come my side.

The sound drifted over to me, comforting and cruel all at once.

Ifeoma sob, "But, Seyi, like this I no fit go your school."

Her voice cracked, desperation raw. My chest tightened for her, for myself.

Seyi no talk again. Suddenly, rain start to fall small small.

The first drops were gentle, but soon became a steady drumming on the rooftop.

I blink.

My lashes caught a drop, mixing with tears I didn't know were there.

"Rain don start."

His voice broke the silence, soft as the first sprinkle.

After Seyi talk am, he remove him windbreaker, cover Ifeoma head.

He moved close, sheltering her from the rain, his hands gentle on her shoulders.

Ifeoma look touched, stand tiptoe, reach up hug Seyi neck.

Their faces drew closer, their embrace tender and full of secrets.

Their head come close, lips almost touch.

In that instant, the world disappeared. My heart shattered quietly.

I sharply turn away, wait two seconds, then waka go.

I hurried down the stairs, my feet heavy. The rain hid my tears as I melted into the shadows.