Destined

Sholademi, a widow was in her kitchen, she's a typical local woman who is found of killing two birds with a stone at a time. She was cooking eba in a pot which is properly seated on the traditional triple stones that were logically separated and firmly arranged to accommodate the scattered fire wood in between the stones. There was another three stones in another corner of the kitchen where she is heating up okra soup. As she was getting her local delicacy ready, she was also waiting for the arrival of her son from school. It was a Friday , always a half day in school. Shortly she heard the footsteps of children who were on the way to their various home. This make her anxiously expecting her son too just like other parents . She began to imagine what could have been keeping Anjola for so long. Soon she heard the voice of her son in the midst of many children, then she sigh of relief as she placed her palm on her chest. Her son came in and greeted her as his shoulders could not hold his shaking neck. Anjola is a child born with disability. His vague voice, shaken neck and his dangling left leg were enough proof. One special thing about him is that he do virtually all works done by his able bodied age mates. Sholademi ask her son to go take his bath and come for his food. While eating he requested an approval to attend a friend's party. Sholademi advised him not to be depressed towards the impending actions of his friends and other people that would be present at the party. She approve it.

Anjola was filled with joy and happiness has his mother has approved his request to attend the party. At the party, activities commenced in the evening following the set up of the public sound system by the hired operator. Soon the invitees began to dance with the celebrant one by one. Indeed the occasion was full of excitements. When it was Anjola's turn, he walked towards the celebrantto dance with him in the presence of his mother. When she sighted Anjola, she grew in nasty temper, she ran towards him and shouted 'who are you!,who invited you,where did you come from,and what is your mission here?". She embarrassed Anjola. All the these questions were to much for Anjolato withstand. He backwardly walked to his seat and began to weep. He recalled his mum's advice on the eve of the party and felt calm.

At bed time late in the evening, after the party, the celebrant mum called her son to the room and tell him reasons to stay away from imbecile he called a friend. She emphasised that anyone who plays or eat together with anjola would share a whole or part of his disabilities. She said all sort of things to scare her son away from anjola which she did successfully. The warning really scared her son and he was already determined not to exchange a mere greeting with anjola let alone having one thing in common with him. The next day during sport activities in school, he appreciated his friends that graced his birthday party, they discussed about the funs they had. Then he launched a fresh discussion about anjola. He cautioned them all not to be friend with him and not to be allowed in their midst. He poisoned their mind against anjola. One of them (bayo) who Could not keep his anger to himself expressed his emotional feelings for anjola and admitted that he would prefer to stay glue to him as long as their resolution remain unchanged. He left their gathering in annoyance as other friends brawled at him.

Anjola became isolated, no-one but bayo was ready to associate with him among his friends. Bayo became his only bosom friend and were know to be artificial twins by all in their school including the teachers. One can easily noticed the rejection gestures in his former friends as they were bragging around the school premises without being mindful of Anjola's condition.

Not all the royal princess ascend their forefather's throne, only the destined ones become Kings. Indeed,success is not accurately measured by one's physical ability. Som9e may be lucky in his undertakings that influence fortune, such would flourish in all his endeavours dramatically, and his sequential steps towards breakthrough would therefore become unbelievable occurrences in the faces of the doubtful people he grew together with .it was an examination period and every student was preparing an dangerous to put to paper what they were taught in class. The principal announced that first three students that score the highest percentage would be awarded scholarship to study abroad. The examination commenced I earnest and ended two weeks later. Collation of results followed and ended two days later. Anjola's teacher and the examination officers of the school could not believe their eyes when it appeared that Anjola came first in his class and became the overall second in the school. They were surprise how Anjola a disabled child came second and wins the scholarship to the white man's land.

The astonish news has spread across the school within a short period, and letter of invitation was issued to his mother through him. Sholademi was scared when she received a letter, the clue of the letter was nor stated in the content. Many thought flew through her mind like maybe her son has poor academic performance.

To be continue...........