Introduction.
Hello everyone in this beautiful community, I recently learnt of this community and I wish to be one of you. This is my first post in this community.
On this day, I would like to share with you about the drama that took place on my first day at the boarding school.
Growing up, my Dad had always told me that I would be a boarder during my secondary school days. And whenever I ask him if the rest of my family will move to school with me, he said yes, and I was happy about that. I didn't know what awaited me. Hahahaha.
When it was time, my parent took me to write an entrance examination of a seminary school; "St Peters Seminary, Okigwe, Imo State Nigeria". I wrote well in the exam. The first part was object with theory as the second part.
My parents had also wanted me to seat for a unity school, but we didn't know when their exams held.
One day, Dad went to our mail box (P.O Box 23, Okigwe) He brought home letters including my entrance result. Fortunately, I performed well. Dad and Mum were very happy, a special dinner was prepared for the whole family to celebrate.
Dad and Mom started preparing me to start school. The result Dad got from the post office had the prospectus, where the school had written down all am required to return to school with. They included school uniforms, books, locker, cupboard, foam, provisions, bucket, broom, cutlass amongst other things. The letter had also specified that the resumption days was September, 23rd 1999.
Dad took me to abakpa market in Okigwe, bought my school uniforms according to the specifications as on the prospectus. I was taken to a tailor for measurement.
After that Dad took me to Eke Okigwe and bought my sandal and bathroom slippers.
My peers, have heard the news and most of them knew the progress so far, some were sincerely happy for me while others were jealous.
At that time, I sell groundnuts and water at a bus stop on holidays, weekends and after school. Because my admission was confirmed, my mother told me to start taking my younger brother (Paul) to the bus stop, so that he will familiarize with my customers and "modus operandi" of the business. At this time, l only had about two weeks before resumption date.
On 22nd September the day, preceding the day I was supposed to returned to school, everything was set. All my bags was packed and positioned in different parts of the room.
Instead of giving me money to go cut my hair, mum sat me down in-between her legs and soaked my hair with soap and water, then used razorblade to scrape my hair.😭😭😭
That eve, we had another mini party to send me off. awhile it lasted, Dad and Mum adviced me to listen to the authorities at school, respect my seniors and to take my studies seriously.
At bed time, I couldn't sleep. I was anxious about the day ahead. I wanted it to come quickly. It was a very long night. I eventually fell asleep around 4am.
My First Day At A Boarding School.
Finally, 23rd September is here. I got up in high spirits. Everything went on well till around noon, when I was told to go take my bath which I did. Dad dressed me up and there was a little family moment where Dad and Mum had to talk to me again.
At this time, everything started to become clear to me. I was the only person dressed. My brother and sister were not dressed. Remember I had thought they where all going to live in the school with me? When I asked Dad, he told me my siblings will be home with mum while i go to school with him. At this point, I broke down into tears.
Dad had arranged with Mr. Okpara to use his 504 saloon car and take me and my luggages to school. Mr Okpara was our very good neighbor and a production manager at Limca bottling company, Okigwe.
At about 2pm, Mr. Okpara stationed his car in front of our house and all my things were loaded.
When it was time to say goodbye, I cried even more that mum and my siblings also started crying too. Dad was the only family member that didn't cry. He was busy with Mr. Okpara, making sure that everything was in order.
Dad now told me to get into the car, but I couldn't, I ran into the embrace of mum, my siblings came and joined us. At this point, I was shaking because of how much I had cried.
Dad had to use a very harsh voice to separate me from mum and siblings. I sat at the back seat while Dad sat just besides Mr. Okpara in front and we drove off.
After a little drive on the highway, Dad told Mr. Okpara to branch into a petrol station so that we can buy some fuel. We continued after the buying the fuel, soon we were in school. We got to school at about 4pm. As expected, other parents were also bringing back their children. I checked in, after Dad had paid all the necessary fees.
I got a bed and arranged my things. Surprisingly, some of the students returned a day or two earlier. They had already familiarized and were telling stories and playing around. I also discovered that they had known each other from their primary school days and from the city of Okigwe where most of them lived.
After arranging my things, I told one of the prefects that I wanted to fetch water. He told the other students that had settled in to take me to "spring" so that I can fetch water. Sping is a name for where students fetch drinking water in the school.
When we came out of the hostel, I discovered that Mr. Okpara's car was no more parked at the usual spot. I looked for my father and I couldn't find him. I asked everyone around, but no one had seen him. I broke down and started crying again. The two boys that were to take me to the spring started consoling me.
We were still at it when we heard a sort of collective exclamation from one corner. I wiped my eyes and we went closer, lo! A student whose father had just dropped off at school was seriously chasing after his father's car as he drove towards the gate, this was a very funny moment. The sight caused a huge scene and I strated laughing.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The authorities immediately sent other students to go after him to catch him and bundle him back before he escaped from the gate.
When order was restored, I became moody again while I walked down to the spring with my new friends. When we returned, I continued to look at the gate hoping that maybe, Dad and Mr. Okpara went to town to get me something, but they never came back till dawn.
This was the first time in my entire life of spending a night away from my family. I went to bed on empty stomach, crying and thinking about my parents and siblings.
Conclusion.
That was how my first day at the boarding school went. It was not a funny experience.😢
The subsequent days came and went till after about two weeks, Mum visited me on a visiting Sunday. It was an emotion filled encounter.
I continued with the school from one term to another till I wrote my senior school certificate examination in the school. That's to say that I eventually spent six years in the school.
I appreciate my parents for all they did for me and my siblings. They are my pillars and am ever grateful to God that am their child.
And to you, thank you for visiting and reading through my blog. Am grateful.