© Judytex
*EPISODE 1*
(LOVE & DECEPTION)
Belinda and her childhood best friend Beatrice, were eagerly waiting for a message notification to pop up on Belinda mother’s phone.
They had both participated in the scholarship examination that took place in Unique high school. Unique high school was popularly known as the school of the privileged as it was mostly attended by children from well to do homes. The school was owned by a retired politician who had love for education. The school always organized scholarship examination in every three years.
Students from different schools were given the opportunity to partake in the examination which gave them direct entry into the school. The examination was mainly for those in their final year in junior high school and those in their final year in senior high school. After the examinations, the students who participated in the scholarship examinations were asked to go back home and wait for feedback as their results would be forwarded to their parents emails and phone messages. Those in their final year in junior high school were given admission to complete their senior high school education in Unique high school. While those in their final year in senior high school, were given admission to study any course of their choice outside the country. The founder of the school, saw these, as a means of helping students to achieve their dreams irrespective of their backgrounds.
Belinda and Beatrice had just completed their final year in junior high school and were ready to begin their first year in senior high school. They were both restless and anxious as they kept staring at the phone screen.
“I thought they said we will receive the notification today? What’s actually keeping them from sending the message?.” Belinda complained.
“That’s why I didn’t bother bringing my mom’s phone cause I don’t want to get high blood pressure at my age. I’ve told her to call me whenever mine comes in. And besides, I thought they said the results will be out at exactly 8pm today. Now look at the time. It’s 30 minutes past 8 already.” Beatrice lamented.
“And why is my girl looking so anxious?.” Belinda’s mom asked coming out of the kitchen carrying a tray containing their dinner. “Dinner is ready girls. I would advise you both to come and eat so you can have enough energy to wait for your results. Because from the look of things, you might both faint from waiting on an empty stomach.” She said dropping the tray on top of the center table that was in the sitting room.
Belinda was born and raised by her mom Felicia who was a single mother. And ever since Belinda was born, she had never for once set her eyes on her father. She wasn’t opportuned to know what he looked like and what kind of man he was and her mom didn’t like talking about him either. The only time she got to hear of her father, was whenever she provoked her mother. Only then would her mother not hesitate to tell her how she took after her father by being so annoying, stubborn and senseless.
Beatrice in the other hand, was better off than Belinda in financial aspect. She was the illegitimate daughter of a well known business man called Johnson. Who owned a multi million dollars company. Johnson already had a son from his first wife Mrs. Geraldine before he secretly started having an affair and making out with Beatrice’s mother (Grace) who got pregnant from their numerous sexual exploitations and later gave birth to Beatrice. And since then, he had been caring for them financially but he has never shown his face to his daughter.
Belinda and Beatrice became best friends in school after finding out that they were both raised by a single mother, and also had similar circumstances surrounding their births.
“Mom, I honestly do not have any appetite right now.” Belinda said feeling moody.
“You are joking right? Do you know how much energy I put into making this delicious meal? I won’t let you girls reject my special delicacy. So you better come and eat.” Felicia said.
“Mom…. not when we are yet to receive our result notification from unique high school.” Belinda insisted
“You wouldn’t want to turn down my food over a notification that can come anytime. Meanwhile, I have a surprise for you girls.” Felicia said folding her hands with a mischievous smile.
“And what’s the surprise?.” Belinda asked curiously.
“That will remain a secret until you agree to eat your food.” Felicia said.
“Okay If you insist. I will eat but first promise me you will tell me what the surprise is. And i hope it’s not one of your usual jokes mom?.” Belinda asked knowing fully well, how tricky her mom can be sometimes.
“Sure just eat first.” Felicia accepted raising her hands.
“Beatrice lets eat.” Belinda said turning to Beatrice who nodded.
When they were done eating, Felicia brought out two gift boxes and handed it over to Belinda and Beatrice who quickly unwrapped it revealing its content.
“Wow. A brand new white sneakers?.” Belinda asked in disbelief.
“Do you like it?.” Felicia asked.
“Yes Mom. I love it!.” Belinda said with excitement.
“What about you Beatrice? I hope you like yours too?.” Felicia asked Beatrice who nodded in affirmation.
“Yes Mom. I love your gift. Thank you so much.” Beatrice said fighting back tears.
Beatrice had always lacked one thing which Belinda had and that was mother and daughter relationship. Her mother was always about the money, good grades and good reputation just to gain her father’s love and support. Beatrice mother made her felt like she was expected to be perfect in order to attract her father’s love and gain his acceptance.
Few minutes later, a message notification popped up on the screen of Felicia’s phone.
Immediately Belinda heard the tone of the message notification, she quickly snatched the phone from her mom and opened the message.
“Congratulations Belinda Kennedy for passing the unique high school scholarship examination. Make yourself available at the registrar’s office on Monday morning to complete the process of your registration and other necessary requirements and informations. Thanks. Yours faithfully, registrar Unique high school.” Belinda read the text out loud.
“Yes…….!.” Beatrice shouted standing to her feet in excitement.
“I told you…..!.” Belinda’s mother said smiling profusely at her daughter’s excitement.
Just then a call came in from Beatrice mother.
“Hello Mom.” Beatrice said as soon as she picked the call.
“Congratulations child. Your father would be glad to hear that you’ve passed the examination. They just sent me an email.” Her mother said.
“Really?.” Beatrice shouted out in excitement. She turned and embraced Belinda tightly. “I passed too.” She said laughing from ear to ear.
“I’m so happy for you girls. Congratulations once again.” Belinda’s mother said with excitement written all over her face.
Later that night, Beatrice was outside the gate with Belinda waiting for her mom to pick her up.
“So we will soon become students of unique high school? Honestly, it still feels like a dream to me.” Belinda said in excitement.
“It’s more like a dream come true for me. My mom said I will get to meet my father if I passed the exams.” Beatrice said with happiness in her eyes.
“You are quite lucky my friend. Atleast you will be meeting your father soon. Whereas, I still don’t know if mine is still alive.” Belinda said looking sad.
“Don’t worry about it Belinda. Your father will show up at the right time. I think your mom is not ready yet. So I will advise you not to push or rush her into it. I strongly believe that things would definitely fall in place at the right time.” Beatrice said tapping her on her shoulder.
Few minutes later, Beatrice mom pulled up in front of them. Waving goodbye to Belinda, Beatrice entered her mom’s car and Belinda kept waving at them till the car drove out of sight.
Reaching home, Beatrice was about walking into her room when her mother said,
“Thank God you didn’t put me to shame this time. Not after I boasted of how brilliant you are to your father.” Grace said relaxing on the couch.
“Other mothers would celebrate their daughter’s admission by buying them gifts, cooking them delicious meal or even saying one or two congratulatory words to cheer them up. But my own mother would rather make it seem like she would have killed me if I failed. You have never cared about what I want for myself. It have always been about my father whom I’ve never seen for once in my entire life. The only thing I get to hear is, your father would like it if you studied business management like his son. Your father would like it if you passed the exams, your father this, your father that. When will all these come to an end? I want to have a mother I can talk to. I want a mother who supports my dreams not push me into some family competition.” Beatrice lamented.
“Was that how Belinda’s mom celebrated her? Well, it’s common for poor people to behave that way. Just know that you are not of thesame class. You are way higher than them. And by the time we’ve achieved what we’ve been fighting for, you will appreciate everything I’ve done so far for you. I don’t need you to understand everything now. With time, you shall grow to understand. So, Just go in there and start thinking of how to impress your father with an outstanding result. Goodnight.” Grace said waving Beatrice off.
Beatrice couldn’t help but walk away in pains.
* * * * * * * * *
Few weeks later, Belinda and Beatrice entered Unique high school wearing their new and neatly ironed school uniforms. They both rocked their white sneakers to school that morning looking all fresh like the fresher they were.
“It feels so good to be in a big man’s school.” Belinda said smiling.
“You can say that again.” Beatrice said laughing out loud.
After the morning assembly, the vice principal led all the newly admitted students to their various classes. Introducing them to the rest of their classmates.
When they finally got to the commercial class, the vice principal introduced Beatrice and Belinda to their fellow classmates who welcomed them to their class. The vice principal then called out the class prefect in person of Benjamin.
Standing to his feet, Belinda and Beatrice were both amazed on how perfect his looks were. He was so handsome and neat. His uniform was neatly ironed and well fitted on him.
“Is this what having a crush feels like? Then I guess it’s safe to say I have finally found my crush.” Belinda said helplessly to herself. She was lost in her imaginations and thoughts that she didn’t hear the vice principal calling out to her.
“Belinda Kennedy……..!.” She shouted at Belinda who woke up from her imaginations.
“Ma’am? Yes ma’am.” She answered totally confused.
“What exactly was going through your little mind at this time of the day?.” The vice president queried in annoyance.
The entire class burst into laughter at Belinda display of clumsiness.
“Nothing ma’am. I’m sorry.” She apologized with her head bowed in shame.
“I was pointing out a seat for you. Now go and seat next to Benjamin.” The vice principal said pointing at Benjamin’s direction.
“Unbelievable. How can she be so lucky?.” Beatrice said in her heart.
Belinda shamefully walked up to Benjamin’s seat. But before she got to his seat, Benjamin’s friend Felix, (who was known for his mischievous and naughty tricks), was sitting on the next row and on the edge of the seat that was beside that of Benjamin’s, as soon as he saw Belinda walking up to Benjamin’s seat, he quickly put out his leg causing Belinda to trip and fall on Benjamin’s body. She landed on Benjamin who detested having anything or anyone stain his school uniform. As he was usually extra careful with everything.
“Oops!. my bad..” Felix said blinking his eye at Belinda who was looking deep into Benjamin’s eyes in confussion and shame.
“Mom…..! Your child is already causing havock on her first day in class.” She cried in her heart.
Benjamin who was infuriated with Belinda laying on his chest, pushed her away from his body with full force and anger.
Belinda found herself on the floor with her books scattered all over the floor.
The vice principal was displeased with Benjamin’s attitude towards the new female student. She called him out and punished him for using force on a female student.
This made Benjamin to develop strong hatred for Belinda. He hated her with passion from that day. Belinda in the other hand, could not explain how they became seat mates and enemies on their first encounter.
” Could it be fate or a death trap?.” She wondered.
Don’t forget to comment, like, and share as it encourages me to write more episodes. And please minimize the use of comments like, “Hmmm, next, nice one.” As it weakens my spirit🙏💖
