The Precious Gift

I sat down gently on my bed and stare blankly into nothing. At that moment, I was inside my head with thousands of thoughts swirling around. I didn't see it coming and it was huge. I'm not a cry baby I promise, but I couldn't help it. That was one of the sweetest thing I've received in my entire life. Especially with the situation.

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"Wow, I can't believe this" those were the words that came out of my mouth after I had stopped the tears from flowing. And I had carried it to my chest smiling sheepishly with my eyes closed, hopefully I would feel them. I could already feel the love from them and at that moment I doubted if my love was enough for them.

After my NYSC redeployment from Plateau State to Akure, I had found my way to a school. It was love at first sight and I got posted there. It was the beginning of the term and I resumed right on time with the staff of the school. I was warmly welcome and I knew my instinct were right. I loved all the kids but I was more conversant with the senior classes 1-3 because I teach them Economics, that was my major. I got to know the juniors as well especially the girls because I stayed in the staff quarters in the school hostel. My room was always their refuge after a long day at school and I have to listen to everyone gist and activities for the day even when I was tired. I always listen as I always encourage them to talk. I created a movie night routine every Friday and I made sure to download educative movies for them. Those kids were stubborn but amazing. And I love them all.

"Knock knock" I had expected that knock because I was planning on sleeping. They always come at that moment I want to rest. Tiring, I know but the moment were all worth it. "You people should allow me a breathing space please, I want to sleep" I had told them faking drowsiness. "Aunty, open the door, we want to tell you something". From the knock, I had guessed who it could be and I was right. My favorite girls. Barakat and A'isha. Those girls have decided to be bones in my throat since they've known me and I love them greatly. Barakat was in SS1 while A'isha was in SS3 but they were always together. The only different thing was they were not roommates nor classmates.

A'isha is reserved and cool. She is shy and the only female in her class. The only senior in the girl's hostel. She's pretty and intelligent. She only talk when need be. But with me, she became a talkative and everyone were like "A'isha now talk, there's a huge change in her this term", they would tease her endlessly and she would only smile and shy away. In the staffroom, she would seat at my table after closing hour waiting on me to round up so we could go to the hostel together along with Barakat and they would argue on who would carried my handbag and water bottle. Eventually, they agreed on taking turns to carry them.

Barakat on the other hand is a "madam no nonsense", she wouldn't think twice before calling you names if you open her bag and leave it unclosed, she would called you out if you messed up the hostel and the most lazy of all. She would cajole her senior into washing her "white" Friday wear and socks for her, she would skip duties intentionally and claim senior this or that would do it for her when asked. She doesn't like chores. She is one of the best student in her class and would have a gloomy face throughout the day if anyone scores above her.

Aside the regular gist about the days, we would study together and play together. I drafted a daily reading timetable for them and would evaluate them daily.
Fast forward to mid term test and exams, I would studying with them after school, and after prep, they would spend an hour in my room explaining what they read. They had little to no breathing space and they didn't complain. I think that trait came from my hostel mistress back then in my secondary school. She had studied with us and pushed us without breathing space to do better. She would praise us, gist and make us special delicacies outside the school food timetable. She was a good role model. I had made sure Barakat does her daily hostel duties, although she still find ways to escape but it wasn't like before.

My days of being a Corp Member was finally coming to an end and I would be leaving soon. I couldn't bear to tell them because I don't want to see the sad faces. I'm very bad with goodbyes, I can't bear it.
The term was ending and they would all be going home. Of course they were so excited but my girls always tells me how much they'll miss me. And they can't wait to practice the cooking I've taught them at home. Jokingly, I told them to snap and send them to me on WhatsApp when they make them at home.

"Auntie, do you have an idea of how much a set of glass cup is"? Aisha asked me one afternoon in my room. "I have no idea of the set you want but I would ask around for you. And why do you ask?" I had asked, curious about what a young girl of her age would think of doing with a set of glass cup.
"I'm gifting it to my sister, it's her birthday in few days and I don't know what to get her " she had answered me. "I'll get you the price before the day runs out, remind me if I forget " and she had shakes her head in response.

On the day they were going home, I was also going for my last CDS. They would have been gone before I returned. I needed to hug them before I leave, because when they resume, they won't be seeing me.
I was looking everywhere for them and they were also looking for me. At last, we found ourselves and I was dragged to a classroom. They were acting all funny and I was wondering what was up. They were pushing who would talk to themselves, neither of them were good with such words. Finally, they both turned back and brought out a wrapped up object in a purple wrapping nylon and they forwarded it to me with smiles on their faces. No words was spoken and I don't need a word to understand them. I understood their silence and gave them a big hug. Thank God none of us cried.

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I opened the gift when I got back from CDS and I saw a set of glass cup and a sealed earpiece. I didn't know how to react, and I had sat down gently on my bed staring at them with tears in my eyes. And at that moment, I wished I could hugged them again and tell them thank you.