Nnena returned home looking unhappy, and her mother could tell from afar.
Mrs. Chioma stopped displaying her goods inside the kiosk just outside their house and focused on Nnena, who was walking like someone who had lost something very important to her.
"Nnena!" Mrs. Chioma called, as she couldn't wait to know why her cheerful daughter had disappointment written all over her face.
Nnena realized her mother was watching, so she hastened her step.
"Good afternoon, mama," Nnena knelt and said before offloading the mountain of books she was carrying in her bag.
"Welcome, my daughter. Did anything happen at school today? You don't look happy," Mrs. Chioma replied as she tried to help her daughter up from the ground.
"Mama, please let me remain this way. I have let you down, and I am deeply sorry," Nnena replied as she rubbed her palms against each other.
"What have you done, this girl?" Mrs. Chioma asked.
"I didn't make it into the last round for the scholarship," Nnena stuttered, and she couldn't hold back the tears that had welled up in her eyes.
Oh my goodness! Mrs. Chioma exclaimed and wasn't happy about the news.
"I am sorry, mama," Nnena apologized, holding her mother by the leg.
""It's okay; you don't have to be sorry. It wasn't God's plan for you,"* Mrs. Chioma replied, helping Nnena get up.
"Wipe your tears now and go freshen up" Mrs. Chioma added as she patted Nnena on the back.
She started sobbing immediately after her daughter left, and she wept because the scholarship was Nnena's surest way of furthering her education. Mr Chidi, her husband died when Nnena was a kid, and she has been responsible for her daughter's upbringing and wellbeing since then.
About three months ago, Nnena came across a scholarship program that could help her further her education with ease, and it made Mrs. Chioma happy.
The initial plan was for Nnena to pause her education for a year or two so the family could gather some money, but the scholarship changed everything. Mrs. Chioma withdrew all her savings for Nnena to apply, but she was unlucky despite her preparation.
"Mum, are you crying?" Nnena asked her mother immediately after she returned from the house.
Mum! Nnena called again and hugged her mother as tears poured profusely from her eyes.
"Oh, you are back. I was just relaxing," Mrs. Chioma stuttered.
"That's not true. I have been here for up to a minute, and you didn't even notice me," Nnena replied.
"I was just thinking about your father, things would have been different if he was here. I miss him," Mrs. Chioma replied and continued sobbing.
Nnena tried comforting her mother, but Mrs. Chioma couldn't prevent those memories from coming.
The day didn't end as expected, but Nnena was relieved that the next day was the weekend and she would be around to keep her mother's company.
Mrs. Chioma wasn't feeling too good the next day, so Nnena went to the market instead of her mother since she ran out of some products in her shop.
Mama! Mama!! Mama!!! Nnena came back, panting heavily.
"She had barely gone for 30 minutes, what could have happened?" Mrs. Chioma thought as she rushed out to see what was happening.
"Mama, I found another opportunity. I can go to the university," Nnena said, still panting heavily.
"University? Tell me," Mrs. Chioma replied.
"The University of Benin is recruiting athletes, and the winner of the upcoming competition will be granted a scholarship," Nnena replied.
"Thank you, my creator!" Mrs. Chioma stuttered while looking at the sky.
She turned to Nnena and said, "Your father is not sleeping in heaven."
"I am so happy, mama. I pray this works out well," Nnena replied.
"It's all well and good. You should head back to the market to get those things before people start coming for them," Mrs. Chioma replied.
"Okay mama. I was just too excited and couldn't wait until I came before sharing this with you," Nnena replied.
Days passed, and Nnena started practicing for the competition after successfully completing the registration. She is a born athlete, and she took after her father with that.
Mr. Chidi was a great athlete before he passed away. He represented and put his country on the global news headlines every time he competed internationally, but the system failed him while he was struggling with illness. He didn't survive, and even his family was even neglected.
Every evening, Nnena practiced after school. She took the opportunity seriously, and Mrs. Chioma was hopeful that her daughter wouldn't miss out on this time, even though it reminded her of her late husband.
The competition started, and Mrs. Chioma always accompanied her daughter to the University of Benin Sports Center.
The early stages came with easy wins for Nnena, and the competition surprisingly got attention beyond school expectations. The country sports director, Mr Bajo came in search of new talent, and this motivated many competitors to put in their best. Nnena on the other hand, just needed the scholarship to study medicine, and she didn't have any reason to become an athlete after what happened to her father.
Nnena gave her best and found herself among the finalists in the 600-meter girls race. She was excited, but the final wouldn't be easy because all the finalists were great athletes.
"What if one of them beat me to the line? Wouldn't that be the end for me?" Nnena thought while lying on a mat a few meters away from her father's grave two days before the final.
Nnena's eyes were fixed on the stars above her, and tears gently rolled down her eyes.
"I must win this, papa. This is my only chance now because I don't want to waste a year at home before gaining admission to the university," Nnena muttered.
Mrs. Chioma, who was fast asleep after a stressful day, woke up and realized that Nnena wasn't beside her. She grabbed a wrapper and checked the whole house but
Nnena wasn't in the house, so she rushed outside.
"What's happening? I have been calling your name," Mrs. Chioma said immediately after she got to where her daughter was lying.
"Mother, I am scared. What if..."
Shhhsssss! Mrs. Chioma stopped Nnena from talking and sat beside her.
"Don't say negative things under the stars," Mrs. Chioma replied.
"I am really scared because any of them could beat me in the final," Nnena muttered.
"It's okay to be scared, and now you just have to make a wish upon the stars like your father always did," Mrs. Chioma replied.
"Isn't that a superstition?" Nnena asked.
"No, it's not. It worked for your father always," she replied.
Nnena sighed heavily and fixed her eyes on the stars.
"Okay, I really want to win this race so that I can gain the scholarship, study medicine, and take care of my mom." Nnena made a wish and hugged her mom.
The big day came, and Nnena's heart pounded heavily before the race. While she was introduced to the spectators, the sports director stared at Nnena for a while and requested a background check on her immediately.
It was time for the race, and Nnena was set for action. She took off pretty badly immediately after the gunshot, and Mrs. Chioma just shut her eyes because she was scared to watch.
The spectators suddenly screamed after a few minutes and Mrs. Chioma quickly opened her eyes. She saw Nnena on the floor crying while the other athletes were clapping.
Mrs. Chioma was confused and was about to ask when she heard Nnena's name being announced as the winner of the race.
She screamed with joy and rushed down to join her daughter on the track. The sports director also left his seat to join Nnena.
"Are you Nnena Obiora, the late Mr. Chidi's offspring?" Mr. Bajo asked immediately, and he got to Nnena and her mom.
"And who is asking?" Mrs. Chioma asked.
"I am the state sports director and have been looking for the Chidi's family since I became elected," he replied.
"Oh, congratulations," Mrs. Chioma replied.
"You must be upset, but I am here to make things right. The administration betrayed your husband's loyalty and it is sad," he replied.
"If you are trying to make my daughter run for this country, that's a big lie. She won't," Mrs. Chioma replied.
"No, I have a token from the board for you. More will come while I work on getting more compensation for Chidi's family," Mr. Bajo replied while handing over a cheque.
Mrs. Chioma couldn't believe her eyes and just burst into tears. Nnena tried comforting her, but she was too emotional.
She eventually collected the cheque and accompanied Nnena to the podium to celebrate her victory.