chapter 18: The realization

By Tuesday morning, something had changed in Rita.

Not in a loud, dramatic way—but in the small, steady way the morning sun pushes back the night.

She walked into class with her head a little higher, her shoulders less tense. The lingering pain of Anne's silence was still there, but beneath it… something else was growing.

Clarity.

In Literature class, Mrs. Olutunushi returned their essays on "Should woman be the next president of the country" Rita hesitated when she got her paper—then blinked at the top corner.

18½/20

Mrs. Olutunushi paused near her desk. "Excellent structure, Rita. You're beginning to find your voice."

The praise was unexpected. And in that moment, warm pride blossomed in her chest.

She glanced around. Anne hadn't looked her way.

Maybe that's okay.

---

Later that day, the Mathematics teacher called on Rita to solve a difficult problem on the board—one that had left most of the class staring blankly.

Rita stepped forward, heart pounding.

But line by line, she solved it. Correctly.

The class clapped. Even the teacher nodded in approval. "Smart work, Rita."

As she returned to her seat, whispers floated through the class:

"She's actually very sharp…"

"I didn't know Rita was that good in maths."

"No wonder she came first."

Rita smiled to herself—not arrogantly, but with a quiet peace.

Maybe I've been standing in my own shadow all along.

---

During break, she saw Anne across the compound with Muftiat again. Anne was holding her English essay, clearly not pleased. Rita caught a glimpse of her score—14½.

It surprised her.

Anne was bright. But maybe… not as untouchable as she once believed.

For so long, Rita had placed Anne on a pedestal—brilliant, admired, always a step ahead. But now? She was seeing things differently.

Anne was smart, yes.

But so was she.

And just maybe… even more.

---

At closing time, Evelyn walked past with her classmates. She called out to Rita from across the walkway.

"You see what I told you?" she said with a smirk. "Some people shine only when no one else is glowing."

Rita didn't reply.

She didn't need Evelyn's voice anymore to validate her feelings. She wasn't angry at Anne. Just… free.

Free from the idea that she had to shrink to keep peace. Free from the thought that her light would only shine beside someone else's.

The misunderstanding with Anne still lingered like a cloud. But for now, Rita had something stronger than resentment.

She had belief—in herself.