The poor girl Episode 14 & 15
THE POOR GIRL
EPISODE 14 & 15
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The long awaited day finally arrived, the day students were waiting for to reap what they have sow in school for the past month. Golden gates school compound was filled with students both junior and senior as they hang around corner in groups discussing about who will take the first position as usual. Henry stood at the jss1 block were the school compound that be easily view from there, he was looking at the gate continually expecting someone to arrive but there was no sign of the person.
Melody had a severe headache that very morning and her body temperature was so hot that she just sat on her bed thinking whether to go and get her result or not.
Amanda too arrived the school looking neat and classically expensive, she alighted his father car and then walked into the school premises as the students watched her.
Desmond too was doing his duty by gathering all his perfects and assign duties to them, he looked and saw Amanda and he smiled remembering the plan they had the previous week.
The bell came on thereby making the students to know that it’s time, many students especially the junior students were seen praying to God to make their results a good one, though Golden gate school was known to be the best in town.
Students gathered in lines according to their classes singing as usual preparing to hear their names being announced.
Henry was still stretching his neck like a giraffe, he was in the line but all his thoughts were in melody thinking what could have made her absent from school. Mrs Hannah too was expecting to see melody in school and was also expecting good grades from her, she was standing on the podium looking beautiful than before.
The principal finally came on stage after a brief welcome speech he proceeded to the main thing of the day. He started from the least which was jss1 and 👏 claps and shouts filled the air when ever the first three is being announced in a class. He took the classes in turn and it get to SS1A which melody and Amanda class, everywhere was silent that instant waiting to hear whether there will be a change because Amanda always comes our first in that class. Mr Anuma adjusted his glasses just to make sure that he doesn’t make any mistakes.
“The first person in my list is Amanda Patrick ” Mr Anuma announced and students clapped for her while she emerged the podium feeling on top that melody is a no match to her. Gladys was fuming in anger deep in,side as her hatred for Amanda grew the more.
“The second person is Gladys Wills ”
“And the third person is Melody Armstrong “he said and everyone was waiting for the last person which was melody to come out but she was not found, just as the principal wanted to return others to their place, Melody was seen walking into the school compound through the gates and Henry smiled.
“The third person is melody Armstrong “he announced again as melody walked to the podium feeling disappointed that some one else has taken the lead. Amanda smiled at her and she smiled back.
Just then everyone attention drifted to Mr Ebuka as he ran in full speed from the staff room to the stage, everyone who saw him was so scared wondering what could have pursued him at that hour of the day.
Some students were even scared too thus getting ready to took on their heels incase of any thing. He finally stopped behind the principal and whispered into the principal ear 👂. which made the students to wonder what’s going on.
“I’m very sorry students, there’s a mixed up somewhere here in this ss1A results”Mr Anuma apologies
“The mistake is from me not the teacher, I didn’t understand his write ups ”
“The first person here in my list is Melody Armstrong “Mr Anuma said and Henry was in the crowd shouted so loud that his voice over power that of others and students what they share in common with melody that makes his shout that way. Mrs Hannah too was seen smiling that melody has made her proud, Amanda was not left out as her face expression changed instantly to an angry one and a surprise one.
“the second person is Amanda Patrick, and the third person is Gladys Wills “Mr Anuma said and went further to explain the coincidence.
“I know that some of you will make comments about this result, but I want to tell you that I didn’t look at the top part of it before announcing. Mr Ebuka started from the 3rd position as the first name in the list, and the 1st position as the last name in the list, so I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, try and understand. Melody Armstrong is the first person “he said and proceeded to other classes as Desmond took first position too in his class.
Everything finally ended as Henry congratulated melody and it was so poor that only ladies took the first three position without a single male in the line.
Mrs Hannah congratulated melody for a successful work, Gladys too couldn’t help than to smile and hug melody because she has defeated Amanda that none was able to defeat starting from their jss1 time.
Melody was pleased with her results, she looked and saw Henry after collecting his results sitting at the far end of the class looking down and so moody, she wondered what could have got him in such mode, she waved off the idea and wanted to leave. Her conscience struck her immediately telling her that it was that same Henry that helped her when she needed help, she later walked to Henry and tap on the shoulder.
“Henry? She called softly in a sweet and gentle voice and Henry looked up and that was when Melody noticed that Henry was so sad, she wondered whether he’s waiting for her response concerning what he asked her not knowing that it’s his result that got him that way. She looked down his hand and saw him folding his results in a rough manner.
“Henry, what’s going on. Why are you like this? Melody asked for the first time in history. Henry didn’t know the response to give her that moment than to hand over his results to her which made her to pity Henry that instant because of the red ink.
“Henry, what’s the meaning of this”?she scold like a mother and Henry smiled not for the fact that he is happy but for the fact that melody is scolding him like his mom which made him to smile.
Henry’s result was so poor that melody didn’t understand what happened but she had a plan in her mind on what to do.
The holiday was a long one thereby giving students the privilege to enjoy their holiday, Mrs Armstrong was already warned by the doctor and her daughter not to sell again in the street thus giving the family a tough time to feed themselves. Melody took over her mom’s duty to do the selling on the streets.
Henry was seen sitting in his room pressing his phone, the room was well arranged as if he was expecting a visitor but none was to come. The thought of hearing melody’s voice came into his mind but the problem is that she doesn’t have a phone and that’s the worst.
It was on a hot Monday afternoon, the sun was so high and anyone who passes on the road will have an umbrella that covers him or her. Melody was walking under the hot sun shaking her butt voluminously selling orange, she was really sweating as the results of the high sun. Henry was on his way to visit one of his friends when he sighted a lady selling orange and he needed some to store in his refrigerator so as to lick it anytime he wants.
“Drive to that orange girl”he instructed his driver who did according to his command.
“Tell her to give you orange of #1000 naira “he said to his driver while he was busy pressing his phone.
Melody put the orange just as she was instructed, she handed it to his driver. Henry brought out the money to pay, instantly Henry was shocked to see that it’s melody that was selling orange in the streets, Melody too though she wasn’t that surprised to see that it’s Henry that she sold to due to the fact that it’s her business.
“Melody! “Henry called and drop his phone and then step out of his car while melody adjusted backward.
“Henry, it’s me please give me my money so that I leave this place “she said almost immediately Henry step out of the car.
Henry didn’t know what else to say as he saw the one he love selling orange under the hot sun in the streets. He open the car door again and brought out a bundle of #500 notes and then stretch it to melody.
“I’m sorry Henry your money is #1000 naira and that’s what I’m collecting “she said
“I know but you have to take this too, this orange selling is not cool for you ”
“But this is what we do to survive and there’s no way to stop selling unless you want us to die of hunger “she finally opened up to Henry thus making him to feel the more for her.
“Please give me my money let me leave this place, customers are waiting for me”she broke the silence
“Please melody accept this token, it’s from my heart and I mean no harm “he said stretching the money to her but she looked down thinking whether to accept or not then she finally agreed to accept it.
“Fine I’m only accepting this because one thing, and sorry to say this. I hope you don’t want anything in return? She asked collecting the money. Henry giggled knowing fully where she driving to.
“Nothing, there’s nothing I want in return please just accept that token ”
“Thank you “she said and turned to leave but suddenly turned back as Henry wanted to drive away.
“Henry! “she called and Henry stopped and looked back at her
“Thank you for the other day, I mean that rainy night “she said looking at him
“You are welcome dear it’s my pleasure “he said smiling that finally she has realized his help.
Days turned into weeks as melody keep selling oranges on the streets just to survive with her family. It was Saturday morning as melody sat down thinking about her life and how she’s going to overcome her challenges in life. Mr Armstrong noticed her daughter was lost in thought as he tap her on the shoulder and she jerked out of her thought. Her father assured her not to worry because the future is bright and all this suffering will pass away in a twinkle of an eye.
Melody didn’t touch even a kobo of the money Henry gave her, just incase he wants anything in return then she will hand it back to him.
Night finally draw near as the sun began going down slowly giving space for darkness to resume it’s duty, Melody and her father and mother were seen sitting around a small local table they assume to be their dinning table eating together. Though there was not much ingredients in the food but the food aroma took over the house this making it to smell nice.
“Thank you my daughter for such a delicious meal”mr Armstrong said after the meal
“Dad, you have to thank mom because she thought me”she said smiling and her mom smiled along with her.
“Fine, thank you mother and daughter for the meal” Mr Armstrong said and they all end up laughing together. Soon the wind began blowing as never before and lightening began flashing, the laughter slowly faded away as the family remember their predicament if it happens to rain that night not knowing that the worst is about to happen. The wind was so strong this time around as it carries sand and dry leaves along in the process, doors that were opened were banked closed by the strong wind.
“11:00pm
The family of Mr Armstrong were sleeping peacefully and soundly when suddenly they heard a very loud sound as if the house as fallen which made them to jump out of sleep only for them to be soaked with the rain in the night, that was when they look up to see that there was no longer roof again in the house as the wind had blew it off. The rain directly fell in,side their house as it does in the outside, it was a very painful and tearful situation for the family to experience.
They didn’t have anywhere to move to talkless of where to sleep in the night as they stood in,side the roofless house and the rain keep on pouring on them as a shower of blessing.
The house was now roofless adding to the situation of the family. It was really heartbreaking in the morning as people came and checked the roofless house shaking their heads pitifully without anyone offering them help. Melody was lost in thought standing at a corner, she didn’t know what to do, just then she remembered the money Henry gave her that it was in a bundle and it was huge, she remembered that she didn’t count it after collecting the money, she ran in,side the roofless house to where she kept it and took out,she went into the backyard so as not to be noticed by anyone, she counted the money to discover that Henry gave her #30,000 she was stunned as she covered her mouth with her hands. She knew that instant that she owes Henry a lot because that was the same amount of money needed at that time to see them through the situation they found themselves. Melody put the money back in her cloth and then sneak out ofthe roofless house heading to the street without anyone knowing what she has in mind.
To be continued…
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