Chapter 24: Chapter 24

"You're married?" The guy asked

"I am not!" I replied, "how could you even think of that?"

"Then you're engaged?" He asked, I shook my head

"You know what? Just forget about it, all you need to know is that I'm out of reach for you." I said.

He was about to say something when a woman spoke with a microphone, "All candidates writing English language, Literature in English and History should please queue up here. You will be checked into the examination hall right away."

We stood up and joined the queue that had already formed. We were made to move in one after the other while our documents were checked and we underwent a body search.

When it was my turn, I was a bit nervous, "why do you have a bandage around your head?" the security lady asked sternly. "I had an accident ma'am, I had to leave the hospital this morning to meet up with the exams," I replied.

"You know there is a doctor here who can take it off to be sure you're not with anything that could lead to examination malpractice, if what you say is true then your bandage will be replaced with a new one, if it's not as you say, you would be handed to the cops. So tell me, is this really to cover an injury?"

"Yes ma'am, check as much as you want but be careful, it hurts a lot," I told her.

I was taken to a corner while others on the queue were being attended to.

A doctor came with a first aid kit, I was given a chair and he started loosening my bandage, "please bear with us, if you're not hiding anything then there's really nothing to be scared of. This is just a formality that needs to be done, I hope you understand," the doctor said. "There's no problem with that, if you don't believe that I actually have an injury then go ahead and open my bandage, check to your heart content, just don't let me miss my exams please," I replied.

After confirming that I actually had an injury on my temple, the doctor dressed my wound up and sent me in. "Sorry for the inconveniences," the security lady said and gestured for me to get in. A tag was pinned on my cloth, it had "UDOFIA, UKPONO ETIM. Seat NO. 463" written on it, the hall was really long, candidates were already seated, some chatting, some resting their heads on the table, others doing one thing to while away time.

When the wall clock struck 9 o'clock, papers were distributed. English language first, it wasn't that hard, one thing I was grateful for the secondary School I attended was that they tried to the best of their abilities to teach us with American, British and Nigerian curriculum. It was bothersome then when we had to differentiate between some American words and that of British but now, it was helpful. The English language exams was an all objective questions exams with 100 questions which lasted for an hour.

Next was literature in English, it was pretty much the same as English language in terms of the number of questions and time allotted.

History was a tough nut to crack, about 80 percent of the questions were what I learnt here, I answered them with less stress. The rest... was by the grace of God. It was divided into 2 sections, American History and European History, it had 200 questions for 2 hours.

After the exams, I met Xiao Ling and the guy we met, at the spot we were sitting. "So, how was it?" Xiao Ling asked me, "it was tough, really tough. Especially History," I replied. "So on a scale of 1 to 10 how well do you think you've done?" the guy asked us. "7" I said, "yeah 7" Xiao Ling said. "Whoa, it really was that tough?" he asked. "Dude, didn't you write the same exams with us?" I asked "no, I wrote literature, English and History," he said "that's the same thing we all wrote nitwit," Xiao Ling said jabbing him on his rib with her elbow.

"Cut me some slack, you two look like you've been given a death sentence, cheer up, I'm confident we'll all pass." he said.

"I hope so, I really hope so," I muttered. "I have an idea, how about we celebrate, we're done with our exams right? I heard results will be mailed to us this Friday. How about we have some drinks, you know we're gonna be great friends right? I mean, we're not separating after today, right guys?"

"I don't know about you guys but I plan on studying education in New York University," I said

"me too, I want to be an English teacher," Xiao Ling said

"me 3. I think the 3 of us are fated to be together," he said.

"Well I have to be going, someone's waiting for me," I said and stood up

"you mean the guy that took you?" the guy asked

"I want to see him too," Xiao Ling said grinning from ear to ear.

"what's there to see, I'm tired, I need to rest, you guys will never imagine what I've gone through this past few days," I said.

"so how about the celebration?" Xiao Ling asked, running to meet up with me. "I think it's a great idea, let's do it,"

"I don't know, I've not really gone out just to have fun alone, I'm always with Jade and I just met you guys, it's a little odd don't you think?" I asked.

"this will help us get to know each other better," the guy said and Xiao Ling nodded in agreement, "I promise, no alcohol, we could have lunch tomorrow, I know a very good place."

"I'll have to ask Jade about it,"

"Ask me about what?" Jade said, walking up to us

"Holy mother of Pearl, UK is this the guy who took you? This creature is a specimen from God Himself," Xiao Ling said ogling at him.

"I'll take that as a compliment, wow UK, you've made friends already. I'm jealous, I thought I'll be your only friend," Jade said touching his chest dramatically, as if he was hit there.

"shut up," I said punching his shoulder

"oh lovers play, so cute. you know what? I back down, if this is your guy then I don't stand a chance," the guy said.

"well, well, well, UK won't you introduce me to your new friends?" Jade asked

"oh yeah, sorry. Jade this is my friend, Xiao Ling, we met earlier before the exams. Xiao Ling, this is Jade, my..."

"lover? boyfriend? you said you were taken. is he the one?" Xiao Ling interrupted

"I certainly am," Jade answered.

"Jade meet ummm... what's your name again? I asked

"Darren," the guy answered

"Jade, Darren. Darren, Jade" I rushed.

"whoa whoa whoa, slow down honey, you wanted to ask me something," Jade said

"oh it's nothing. let's go, my head hurts" I said. I didn't want anyone raising the topic of Jade and I in a relationship.

"actually we were talking about having lunch together tomorrow,"Darren said

"pfft, boring," Jade said. "let's go clubbing, tonight, 4 of us"

"what!" I exclaimed

"perfect!" Xiao Ling shrieked

"I love this guy," Darren said

"Today is Monday, clubs would be empty and besides, I'm sick and Jade has to go to work," I argued

"I don't mind skipping work tomorrow, after all I'm the boss. I also know a place that would be packed tonight, it's open from 8pm to 3am." Jade said

"I don't have what to wear," I cried

"say no more. here's my card, Xiao Ling dear, please take her out and shop to your heart content. I and Darren will have a little guys bonding," Jade said, giving Xiao Ling his credit card, she shrieked and dragged me

"wait, let me drop this envelope in the car and grab my phone," I said. This will be a long day...