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YASMAN'S POV
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"Y'all, whose parents are coming to visit? I'm homesick," Ramadan asked as soon as we lay our lifeless bodies on the assembly ground after the parade inspection.
"Man, are your parents coming over?" He asked, directing the question at me.
To be precise, my Dad has never visited; he's always busy with his business, giving one excuse or another. Only my Mum visits, and I told her not to bother anymore since I am now a senior student. I only said that because I didn't want her to find out about my suspension, but deep down, I want to eat homemade food more than anything at the moment. I'm tired of eating at the dining hall or tuck shop.
I sat up and scoffed, "Who, me?" I asked. "I don't care as long as those two honorable old men represent them," I said sarcastically, referring to the "two honorable old men" as thousand Naira notes.
"I've never seen any two old men visiting you before," Sultan commented, with others nodding in agreement.
"Come on, you mean you've never seen me with these two old men before?" I asked, raising the thousand Naira note to them. I could see their initial disappointment, which later turned into fits of laughter.
"Man, you're not going to make heaven," Adnan joked.
"Look who's talking. What did you tell your parents to pay for the last time? Was it assembly money or what?" Ramadan said amidst laughter, and we all followed suit.
I guess we've all billed our parents in the most ridiculous ways possible, but Adnan is a pro at that. He could bill his parents for even the cheapest thing like a pen. I mean, who does that? I don't blame him anyway; his father is a well-known business tycoon.
"As if I spend the money alone," he said with a smirk, and we all laughed.
"You guys are snitches; I don't want to see your faces at the visiting ground when parents arrive," he warned jokingly, folding his arms.
'Oh no, his parents are coming?'
"Count me out," Sultan protested, raising his hands in defense.
Adnan signaled to Sultan, and they started to walk away silently, which turned into a run. Ramadan and I realized what was happening and decided to chase after them. They took a turn toward the college tuck shop, and we followed. One could think we were being chased by a wild animal, but in reality, we were only chasing our only source of homemade food.
We reached the tuck shop, and it was really empty, except for the two SS3 student lovers we met leaving. Most students were either at the visiting ground or still preparing in the hostels.
We sure could splurge and eat like kings, as we bought almost all the available snacks left and sat down to eat. Huzzy came in, looking tired and hungry.
He didn't pay the slightest attention to us as we went ahead to place his orders.
"Hassana, Abani Coke," he said to the female attendant.
We looked at each other and almost burst into laughter because we had bought all the remaining cokes.
He seemed disappointed and went for Lacasera instead.
"Hey, betrayer! Don't you know your presence here irritates us? Can you go already? We don't want to be jinxed," Adnan said irritatingly, and we all laughed, but Huzzy didn't even look our way. Who did he think he was exactly? This modeling he's into is really getting to his head.
"If you could actually let down your pride and ego, it could save you a place in the BAE. Then maybe I will decide whether or not to forgive your audacity," I said, and he looked pained by my comment, with his expression changed.
"Did you just hear yourself? Pride?" He asked, and I could tell he was angry, but that didn't scare me because it's what I wanted; to make him angry and feel pain.
"And I can see you're jealous of my career. If that actually pains you as much as you sound, you can decide to kiss your nose," he said, and the statement "kiss your nose" really annoyed me. Like how does he expect me to do that?
I was about to give him a reply when Bassa and Jibo walked in, announcing that they had come for Huzzy. He left immediately, and I was left standing there with words in my mouth.
But was I really jealous of him?
MINAL'S POV:
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"Gimbiya, aren't you guys ready?" Suffy asked immediately after they walked in, all dressed in white and blue.
The SS3 students normally wouldn't allow anything apart from the usual housewear, especially on a day like this, while they get to wear whatever housewear they want. Sometimes I really wonder who runs the school, the SS3 students or the school itself. I'm not sure the school is even aware of some of the rules these girls are making. But we really want to look our best, and housewear isn't really our best option on a visiting day. We prefer the outing uniforms, a pair of white and blue.
My girls and I agreed to go for the white and blue. I was still in my housewear when they arrived.
"Why are you still not dressed up? Are we changing the dress code?" Zainab asked as she sat on the bunk edges.
I got up and pulled on my long MSSN white Hijab and put it on, passing my knees. I brought out the small backpack that contains our makeup kits and slippers. You won't believe we're not even allowed to wear slippers to the visiting ground, only school sandals, let alone put on makeup. And the seniors always dress to their utmost satisfaction.
For reals, this life no balance!
But who does that? I'm not taking any punishment for looking my best.
"Oh yeah, she'll be our honorable Ya-Ameerah for today," Suffy said as she saw me putting on the long Hijab, and they all brought their slippers to be included in the bag.
"I'm sure everyone would be surprised to see Minal all dressed up in a long Hijab on a day like this," Grace said jokingly, while the rest laughed.
"I'm actually saving your butts right now. You should thank me," I protested.
"Senior Minal, they have come for you," a junior student announced as she entered the room excitedly, with her Ghana-must-go bag full of provisions.
"Wooooooo!!" We all shouted.
"Oya, oya, let's go, let's go," the girls got on their knees while I hugged the backpack and covered it with my long hijab.
I was going to pretend to be sick when we got to the hostel gate, and also lie that I'll be staying at the school's mosque to avoid being alone in the hostel. The old method of throwing the backpack over the hostel building isn't working anymore; we got caught the last time we tried it, and now security has been installed on the building every visiting day. This is our first time trying this, and we hope we don't get caught. I know lying isn't good manners, but it's a "do or die" affair here. I'd rather serve punishment for the rest of the term than go see my parents looking like a servant. Never.
"Ah ah, Gimbiya Minal meyafaru? Are you sick?" Our matron, Gwoggo Mata asked immediately she saw us approaching the hostel gate, seeing the way the girls were holding me as if I were paralyzed.
"Gwoggo, it's fever, and she'll be staying in the mosque," Suffy replied in her meekest voice, hoping she sounded convincing.
"Eyyah, Allah sarki. Why not take her to the school clinic? I think it would be better," she said with a concerned look on her face.
"Yes, I think that would be better," Zainab added as well.
Gwoggo Mata is either in her fifties or sixties. Even though she might be our gossip partner sometimes, she takes her work seriously, mostly on a day like this. She searched my friends, leaving me standing, believing I was sick and not going to attend. Not knowing I am the chief host.
'God, I pray I don't fall sick after all this drama,' I prayed within.
"Don't forget to bring my own share of the goodies," she called after us as she allowed us to pass through the gate after the search.
"Yes, ma'am," the girls chorused excitedly.
We hurriedly made our way to the classroom areas when we unfortunately bumped into Senior Maryam and Senior Fatima. I could literally hear our hearts racing as we froze the moment we saw them. How can someone be so haughty and scary?
"And why are you lot dressed up like that? Did you sell your housewear or what?" She asked, sneering, and I could tell she despised our appearance already.
"And why is that one dressed up like a masquerade? Wait, are you girls nuts? Didn't you hear the orders we gave?" Now Senior Fatima was asking, referring to me as the masquerade.
I wished to strangle her neck at that moment, but I had to be sick for the meantime.
"She's sick, and we're among the team going out for the excursion," Zainab quickly said, and they sneered at her response.
"I wonder who chose these ones to go for an excursion," Senior Fatima said with a scoff.
"Allah yaraka taki gona (to give someone a negative farewell)," they said and left.
"How I loathe those girls," Suffy said as we entered the classroom.
"I thought Senior Maryam was the worst, but Senior Fati proved to be no less as well," I added as I changed into my white and blue and began to apply my makeup.
"She sure is. But how did you think of such an excuse in such a short time?" Grace asked Zainab as we finished getting ready.
"Omo, na God oooh!" She exclaimed, and we all laughed.
We left the backpack in my locker and went straight to the visiting ground.
We were walking majestically that one would mistake us for the SS3 students, not even they could match how elegant we looked.
We bumped into another set of seniors at the visiting ground, but they could only send us glares, as no prefect is allowed to punish any students in front of their parents. That would be disrespectful and unethical. We'd pay for it after the visit is over.
"Isn't that Huzzy with his family?" Grace pointed out as we walked through the visiting ground.
What I saw nearly blinded me. All eyes were on them as they positioned themselves under a tree, sitting on a well-furnished carpet. I could tell the man sitting on the chair was Huzzy's father. They looked alike.
They're the real definition of beauty; they looked so foreign as if visiting Nigeria for the first time.
As we got closer to where they were, we stopped to greet them. It's a tradition to greet your classmates' parents.
"Ina wununku," we greeted, bowing down in respect.
"Lafiya Alhamdulillah. Ya karatu?" The mom answered, surprising me that she could speak Hausa. She doesn't look like someone who can. The father greeted us in Hausa as well, while the twins just waved.
Huzzy dropped the Apple phone he was holding and introduced us to his parents. We got on our feet to leave afterward when his mother stopped us.
"You're not planning to leave without taking anything, are you?" She asked as she reached out her hands toward the heavy food flasks.
"Actually, our parents are waiting," Suffy said grinning, scratching her neck.
"Then maybe some snacks would do," the father said, giving a sign to Huzzy.
Actually, I had wanted to refuse them again, but the mother insisted, and the side eye Huzzy gave me was the last thing I remembered before I saw the snacks packaged in our hands. I pouted as I glared at him.
Who does he think he is?
We all rushed to hug my mother immediately we saw them at the parking lot, and we greeted them afterward. The maids arranged the place, and we sat down to eat.
First thing I asked for was my phone, to which we started making videos and taking pictures when shortly after Suffy's parents arrived, then Zainab's as well.
All the girls left to their parents, leaving just me and Grace, whose parents were staying in Lagos and visited once each term, but they always made up for each visit they missed.
Today is actually one of the best days in a boarder's life, where you get to feel at home once every month's end. The feeling is priceless and therapeutic.
While some people are making it their life's mission to make our lives a living hell, I vow to always make myself happy no matter what. The consequences can come later.
It's time to enjoy now.
HUZZY'S POV:
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Immediately after the Zuhr prayers, we went back to the visiting ground in anticipation of our parents' arrival. The school was filled with different faces, all looking bright and happy as they sat with their families. I wonder when my own parents are coming, and to be precise, I was nervous all over.
Is that how you feel when you're expecting someone? The thought of whether they're going to show up or not alone is killing. I had this uneasiness within me as I kept going back and forth, raising my head to every car that entered, thinking it would be my parents, but I was welcomed with a different car each time.
Even though I was hungry, I refused the food offered by most of the students there. I wouldn't want to miss even a bite of my mum's food, plus I probably lost my appetite because I was nervous.
I went to the tuck shop to get a drink before my parents arrived because I was thirsty at the same time. I met the BAE's boys occupying the whole place. I tucked in my hands with my head held high as I walked inside, ignoring their presence.
"Hassana, Abani Coke," I told the female attendant as I brought out the money.
"Saidai Lacasera," she said, and I tapped my forehead, to which I heard the boys murmuring some words and laughing afterward.
I still ignored them as she went inside to fetch me the available Lacasera.
"Hey, betrayer! Don't you know your presence here irritates us? Can you go out already? We don't want to be jinxed," one of them, whom I remembered as Adnan, said, and if that was a threat, he sure failed woefully at giving threats. He sounded as if he were pleading.
I played dumb and pretended they never existed in the first place, which enraged them even more.
"If you could actually let down your pride and ego, it could save you a place in the BAE. Then maybe I will decide whether or not to forgive your audacity," Yasman foolishly commented, and this actually sounded like a threat, but not to me.
Is this guy normal? Forgive me how? And pride? All I see is jealousy, and the guy's pained.
"Did you just hear yourself? Pride? And I can see you're jealous of my career. If that actually pains you as you sound, then you can decide to kiss your nose," I said and looked away, caring less about whatever expression he was giving. Just then, two of our mates walked in.
"Hey, they have come for you," one of them announced, and I hurriedly left the shop.
There's a joy only boarders can relate to, and that sentence; "They have come for you" is such a masterpiece and a mood changer.
I didn't realize I was running from the tuck shop until I almost tripped and fell when I got to the visiting ground. I was already panting by the time I reached.
"Marhaban bikum," I welcomed them as I went to give them a hug.
Hammed and Hammad rushed to me and enveloped me in a big hug, while we shook hands with my father. Zeenah had resumed school so she couldn't make it.
"I missed you, Mum," I said as I went to hug my mum for like the third time in a row.
We spread the big carpet opposite the Admin block, which was very close to the mosque. Hammad immediately brought out my phone and gave it to me, while Hameed handed a wrapped gift, saying it's from my friend Abdul.
"Hope you charged my phone," I asked as I began to switch it on.
"He charged it like a thousand times on our way," my Dad says, and we all laughed.
We sat down, and I began to tell them of my first day here. How I lost my things on the first day, the hostel and parade inspection, the prep, how the Borno-scholars are treated differently, and almost about everything.
"You see, that's my whole point of sending you here. I want you to see life outside of your comfort zone. I want you to experience a different life, apart from traveling around the states and countries in the name of modeling," my Dad says and stopped to sip from his Kunun-aya, one of his favorite local drinks.
"I just want you to focus here and know what you're doing in life. I promise to sponsor any career you decide to pursue in the future," he added, and I felt so emotional at that moment.
I hated myself for almost thinking my father's action for sending me was out of love.
"Thank you, Dad," I smiled broadly and changed the topic to the recent fight we had with the BAES when Minal and a group of classmates came to greet my parents.
I introduced them and continued to press my phone, eavesdropping whether my mum would ask if I was misbehaving, and luckily they stood up to go, to which my mum offered to give them snacks, and they refused.
I gave Minal a pleading stare as I handed over the snacks to them, and she accepted.
I heaved a sigh of relief as they left because I knew my mum was seconds away from asking them about me. Okay, that was just my thoughts, but I did nothing wrong.
"So what happened to the boy afterward?" My dad asked, referring to the Yazeed's case I was telling them about.
"I reported the case to the school. I was given a week of labor, while the other boy was given two weeks of labor and was suspended for a week as well."
My parents actually liked the part where I reported the case to the school, but they cautioned me never to fight with anyone.
"Bro, don't you have any male friends?" Hammad asked, raising his brows at me.
I gave him a slight slap on the head playfully and said, "Of course, I do, or are you forgetting who your older brother is?" I asked.
"I am a celebrity," I said the last part in a whisper, and they all laughed.
And now I realized I never had any close friends apart from my regular classmates and housemates.
A thought told me to introduce Yazeed to my parents as my close friend. I had no better options, so I went to look for him in their hostel.
The Rima-Niger house complex was a bit scanty, as most students were outside at the visiting ground. I went to Yazeed's room and was lucky to find him on his bunk, engrossed in whatever he was writing. I wouldn't want to interrupt him, so I stood by the bunk side for him to acknowledge my presence. I was still unnoticed, so I moved closer and called out his name.
He seemed to be startled, or rather not expecting to see me.
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