Whatever It Takes - Season 1 - Episode 28

4 years ago

Whatever It Takes - Season 1 - Episode 28

I had never seen someone get so petrified in the manner that Ife did. When she heard that the results had been posted on the university’s website, she literally became sick. It was something I
couldn’t understand as I watched her develop fever, diarrhoea and menses all at the same time.

” Ife perhaps we should take you to the hospital.” I informed her

” No Suba don’t worry I will be okey. Just tell Amber to check my results for me. I can’t do it on my
own please.” She responded
” But I don’t understand you are so focused and I’m sure you have done exemplary well.” I tried to
calm her

” You don’t know. I always get like this oh. I’m just so scared of failing especially that those results
will determine if I get a scholarship or not. Chineke me!” She said in pidgin English as she got up
and run to the toilet. I stood there for a while shaking my head in disbelief before I decided to walk
to Amber’s room and informed her of Ife’s predicament. Fortunately Amber understood Ife’s
behaviour so well citing that she had a peculiar case of atychiphobia because most people with
atychiphobia allow that fear to thwart their chances of moving forward so they don’t even try. She
later accepted to check both our results on our behalf and I gave her our student numbers and
passwords.

When I went back to my room I found her bustling about the room her hands on her head. Ife was
a live comedy show and I couldn’t help but laugh at her.

” Eh Suba don’t patronise me oh.” She warned

” You know for an intelligent girl you are a fool.” I told her and continued laughing
” Look who’s talking mchewwwww .” She pursed her lips and loudly clicked in displeasure

” Well I do get nervous of course but your level is overrated.” I said as I went to the bed and sat
down. “Amber is checking the results. She will be here shortly so perhaps you can drink some
water and put yourself together. You are freaking me out.” I scolded her after I couldn’t take the
dragging of her feet to and fro the room.
Just then Amber came in carrying a little paper in her hands.

” Ife sit down.” She commanded after she found her still bustling about and she gingerly joined me on the bed but closed her eyes and put her fingers in her ears to block out hearing.

” Yeah!” I screamed jumping up and down as I run to give Amber a big hug and Sheridan walked in .

” What’s with all the excitement?” Sheridan asked

” Look!” Amber responded handing Sheridan the little piece of paper
” And what’s wrong with Ife?” She asked noting how she had blocked her ears and blabbered
continuously
” She is scared of getting her results.” Amber and I responded

” These results? Is she crazy?” Sheridan asked in disbelief before she walked to Ife and sat next
to her . She shook her and handed her the paper.

She screamed so loud the tables turned as we were the ones who covered our ears that time
around. She then proceeded to do the nkwa umu – agbo as well as the ekombi dances. She then pulled us to the open space and asked us to mimic her dance. From someone who had been sick most of the day, Ife was high spirited as she led us into song and dance. Amber and Sheridan
enjoyed it so much that they asked that we do some Zambian dances also prompting me to lead them into the two dances I was so good in .

We danced imfukutu and the poetic Kalela dance.

It was even more fun when I reached my favourite part of the kalela dance, if you have ever danced
kalela you probably know what I mean. Anyways for the clueless ones here it is. It’s the part where
you do the opposite of the instructions such that when one shouts ‘forward’ you do the reverse
moves and when its ‘ reverse ‘ you go forward. Hilarious right? But that’s why I love it so much
you do all sorts of funny stunts including braking and revving about. Oh that dance cracked
everyone up.

After about an hour we all lay exhausted on the floor.

So much had happened that day but the best news was the fact the both Ife and I cleared with distinctions something that was worth
celebrating and in the only style befitting..the African style…..

***********

Ife was offered the scholarship she so much desired and we went on with our exemplary
performances. The school was pleased with our performance such that everyone wanted to hear about where we came from and we proudly told them about our continent as well as countries.

We continued doing our part time work and sending money back home to our families. The third and final year ended so quickly that we couldn’t believe we were done with our bachelor degree just like that. I couldn’t wait to get home but I had to wait for the results and the graduation to take
place before I thought of returning home. All through our time we grew both intellectually and emotionally.

We cried and laughed. We tasted new things and made others taste our food too.

We opened our selves to new culture and spoke about our culture to others. It was a time so wonderful it felt so short at the end but it was a time that changed everything for the better.

That I was so sure of……….