Chapter Eight

The Government class came to an end as the bell for the change of lesson rang. Soon, it was time for the break. The students brought their snacks to eat in the classroom, and they were careful about crumbs for fear of attracting mice. Dera had brought a doughnut for herself from home, but she had no appetite to eat it. She unwrapped the bag, looked at the doughnut, and then wrapped it again. Jennifer, who sat beside her, looked at the doughnut and wanted a bite.

'If you don't mind...' Jennifer hesitated.

'You can have it,' Dera said as she passed the doughnut to her.

'Thank you,' Jennifer said happily. 

Due to the rain, the students couldn't go to the cafeteria for lunch as they would get drenched before reaching there. Having lunch in the classroom was not the most appealing option, but the rain left them no choice. The smell of food filled the room, and the students chatted as they ate.

'This doughnut tastes lovely,' Jennifer said through a mouthful. 'Are you sure you don't want to eat it?'

'If I wanted it, I wouldn't have given it away,' Dera replied with a watery smile.

'Are you feeling all right?' Jennifer expressed concern. 'You look like you're in deep pain.'

'No, I'm fine,' Dera said. 'I'm fine.' She was saying it more to reassure herself than to Jennifer who was busy taking another giant bite of her doughnut and savouring it. The doughnut was indeed delicious, and it seemed unlikely that anyone would give up such a tasty snack. But Dera did, because she wasn't in the mood for something delicious at that moment.

Jennifer, the eldest among her siblings, found herself facing a unique situation. While her younger siblings were enrolled in a prestigious boarding school, Jennifer had the freedom to choose between a boarding school and a day school. After carefully considering her options, she ultimately decided to attend Peach Secondary School, primarily driven by her deep bond with her best friend, Dera. Their friendship meant the world to Jennifer, and she couldn't bear the thought of being separated from Dera. Understanding the significance of this connection, Jennifer openly expressed her desire to attend the same school as Dera, and her parents fully supported her decision without any hesitation or questioning.

However, as Jennifer became more involved in Dera's life, she became aware of her friend's struggles. It all began three years ago when Dera's father, Emeka, lost his job. Prior to this unfortunate event, Dera's family, although not wealthy, managed to meet their financial obligations, including Dera's school fees. However, their circumstances took a drastic turn when the company Emeka worked for faced bankruptcy, leading to the unfortunate layoff of a significant number of employees, including Emeka himself. The sudden loss of income had a profound impact on Dera's family, causing financial strain and affecting their ability to settle her school fees.

Dera's bright smile may have masked her sadness, but Jennifer was acutely aware of the heavy burden weighing upon her friend's shoulders. She knew that Dera was not only burdened by the debt owed to the school but also the financial strain of WASSCE registration. Jennifer longed to alleviate this burden and lift the weight of debt from her friend's shoulders. She fervently wished for an opportunity to help Dera overcome this financial challenge and restore her friend's peace of mind.

Just then, Mrs. Nnaji entered the classroom, and the noise subsided. She gave a few instructions, 'Make sure to sweep out the crumbs and open the window to let in some fresh air.'

'But it's raining outside. We might catch a cold,' a student remarked.

'If you're cold, put on your sweater. Open the window at once! Were you so hungry that you didn't put away your books before eating? Next time, make sure to put away your books before you start eating.' Glancing at Dera, she added, 'Dera, can you come to my office after you finish your lunch?'

'Yes, Ma'am,' Dera replied. Although she wanted to go to Mrs. Nnaji's office, she didn't want to be reminded that she was the only SS3 student who hadn't registered for her WASSCE. However, she wouldn't blame Mrs. Nnaji. The form teacher had tried to help her, and Dera would be grateful to her for the rest of her life.

As Dera walked down the hallway, filled with students chatting and some going to and from the restroom, preparing for the next class after the break, she avoided looking at them. She didn't want to be the centre of their gossip.

When Dera entered the office, she saw Mrs. Nnaji on the phone. As soon as Mrs. Nnaji spotted Dera, she quickly finished her conversation and hung up. She nodded at Dera and said, 'Take a seat.'