Chapter 4: The Self-Introduction Test

"Sir, you no curious where all these papers dey come from?" I ask.

I lean forward, voice soft but serious. I need answer, not just for me, but for my future.

"If those big brains no fit solve am, why I go worry? All I know, after this, people like us fit finally make am."

He smile, eye corner wrinkle. Hope show for face—hope for promotion, maybe better jollof for staff meeting.

I quiet small, then say, "Sir, I want to know who dey send these papers."

My voice low. Invigilator turn, eyes serious. He nod, like say him sef wan solve the riddle.

"Okay, since nobody dey disturb us, say wetin you wan ask—I go set test for you."

He stand, crack knuckle like boxer. I follow, butterfly full my belle.

We waka go office, sit for computer to type test paper.

Office smell like old book and disinfectant. Computer dey hum. I dey stare screen, blue light dey my eye. We type slow, make sure instruction clear.

"Make we use WAEC template," I talk. "For question, just write: Please write essay titled 'Self-Introduction.' No word limit, no poetry."

Invigilator eyebrow rise. He smile, sabi say this one get weight. He arrange margin, format well, print am.

"Na only that?"

He look me, biro ready like referee.

"Na only that."

I nod, voice strong. I feel strange excitement, like first rain for dry season.

"Alright."

He press print. Machine dey hum, paper waka out gently. We both dey look am, dey wait for miracle.

We return exam hall, invigilator announce rules—by now, he don recite am tire.

Voice almost musical, words just dey roll. "No cheating, no expo, obey all instruction." My heart dey drum.

"Exam start."

He clap hand. Sound echo, bounce for empty desk. I breathe deep, steady hand.

With announcement, I dey wait for answer for locker.

Eyes glue for locker, hope and fear dey mix. World slow down.

Sure, soon sheet appear. Unlike before, this one na handwriting, word neat and clear.

Writing fine, letters sit for line well, like dream.

I pull am out, invigilator join me, both of us dey eager.

We lean in, head nearly touch. I smell him aftershave and fresh ink. My finger dey shake.

I clear throat and begin to read the words on the paper:

And what I saw there, e shock me pass anything wey don happen that day.