“Next class, each group will be doing a topic defense for the research topics I assigned today. Each group should pick a topic and a representative who would lead their group and also execute their project defense well. Remember, this covers up for your C.A which is a total of 40 marks. Depending on how well you carry out your project defense, that is how your marks will be allocated. So, choose your representatives wisely. Have a nice day.” Mr James said as he packed up his textbooks and bags.
“Thank you, sir.” The whole class burst into uproar as each group converged in different spots in the class. I packed my books into my tote bag. I couldn't see any of my group members converging. So, I decided to call them to where I was sitting.
“Group 5 members, let's meet here.” I yelled at the top of my lungs and soon, my group members started making their way towards me. Every semester, our class governor always split the whole class into groups. If you were assigned to a particular group, they would be your group members for any course project or practical till the end of the semester. I was in group 5 and had been chosen as the group leader for numerous projects. Whenever I shouldered this responsibility, I ensured to always carry out these projects to perfection and they always ended well. I knew this wasn't going to be any different. I would definitely be selected as group leader and I would be the one to make the presentation. I smiled inwardly as I envisioned myself presenting to my lecturer and the whole class. I could imagine the ovation I would get.
When my group members converged, we started brainstorming on our selected topic. We took down notes and ideas. And everything was going smoothly. Soon, the time came for us to select who would defend the project. I sat back in silence as I didn't want to seem too eager.
“I think Teji should do it.” A girl named Anjola said.
“I agree too. Since, she has led our group well in other courses. She can definitely do this one too. We will just assist her in researching the topic and all that.” A boy named Chima added. Some of the group members nodded in assent but I still remained silent. Then, a girl named Chidimma spoke up.
“Everytime, Teji, Teji, Teji. What if she was not in this group? Wouldn't we look for another person? What if she doesn't even want to do it? We can't be waiting for her to lead the project everytime. What if she doesn't present it well?”
“She will present it well and she's not complaining na. Or do you want to do it?” Anjola countered.
“No, I don't. I'm just saying that someone else here might want to do it. We should give other people a chance to do it.” Chidimma replied.
“Abeg, Teji should just do it. We are sure she can do it.” Chima said.
The other group members looked at me with expectant eyes. I exhaled then said, “I will do it. It's just a presentation. Shouldn't be anything tough. Don't worry, guys.” I knew I sounded cocky but I was happy they had come to rely on me.
“Then, it is settled.” Anjola smiled. Chidimma just shook her head with a slight frown on her face.
The D-Day for the project defense came. I dressed up in a white button-down shirt and purple pant trousers. I polished my favorite loafers and combed my hair thoroughly before tying a black scarf. I looked in the mirror, applied lipstick and smiled at my reflection. “Fine girl,” I thought to myself, then chuckled before heading off to class. When I got to school, I realized Mr James hadn't arrived, so for the first time, I opened the compilation of our project and skimmed through it.
I had spent my weekend hanging out with friends and reading novels. I didn't dedicate it to thoroughly studying and practicing the presentation at home. Like always, I had procrastinated to the last minute. I thought that when I skimmed through it, I would pick out the key words and use my brain to figure the rest out. It had worked for me in the past. It would work now too. After skimming and scanning three times and getting a general idea of what our topic was about, I felt ready. My group members were sitted around me. They were also dressed corporately and they had this self-assured look on their faces. They trusted me implicitly. Except Chidimma who had this unsure look on her face. I wondered why.
Mr James strode into the lecturer room with a ledger in his hand. The class fell into silence as she sat at the front, opened his ledger and called on the first group. They stepped onto the podium and our class governor, Samuel walked out of the crowd.
“Start presenting. We don't have time.” Mr James ordered. Samuel introduced himself and his group members. It was going smoothly until Mr James stopped him and asked,
“How does phonological interference hinder communication?”
“Sir?” Samuel was surprised at the sudden turn of event.
“You think you will just come here and download what you have crammed for me?? You must be joking. Leave the podium, please.”
“Sir, please. We are not done.” The group members protested.
“I said leave the stage or else, you won't be allocated any marks at all.” He said calmly and knowing Mr James, they took their leave. There were murmurs here and there. I was feeling a little bit sweaty. I hadn't really studied in-depth. What if he asked me a question too?”
When the next three groups came to the stage to present, Mr James didn't ask them any questions. So, I relaxed into my seat. Maybe, he only asked the class governor. I was safe, I thought. Then it was my group’s turn and we all moved to the stage. My group members patted me on the shoulder and murmured words of encouragement. I stood in front of Mr James and his piercing gaze made my breath catch. I had forgotten what an imposing figure Mr James cut. He was one of the strictest lecturers in my department. He rarely smiled and was always meticulous in his lectures. He would brook no mistakes. My palms became sweaty and I wiped them on my trousers. I was nervous.
“I'm waiting for you.” He said in his calm voice. I looked at his bald shiny head and gulped, then started. I did the proper introduction of myself and my group members. Then I introduced the topic and have an analysis of subject of the matter. Our topic was Improving Crisis Communications during Emergency Situations. Things were going smoothly, then he held up his hand to halt me. I stopped. The air smelt of trouble.
“What would be done if it was a deaf and dumb person in an emergency situation? What if the person was blind? How would crisis communication be done?” He asked.
“Umm…sir. Ummm.” I stuttered. I scrolled through the words in my head. I had seen this context in the compilation but I hadn't concentrated on it. I hadn't deemed it important. I knew just then that I was in hot soup.
“From your presentation, I knew you didn't really understand what you were presenting on. You just came here to give me the general idea. You didn't make any research and you can't answer even these simple questions. Leave the stage.” He commanded.
I could hear the murmurs and complaints coming from my group members. I had failed them. I failed them. There wasn't going to be any 40 marks. Tears were gathering slowly in my eyes. I had been so self-assured which was why I didn't prepare adequately. I had thought that everything would work out since I skimmed through the project compilation. I had counted my chickens before they hatched. I knew my group members would hate me for this. I thought back to what Chidimma had said. Maybe she had seen the future and felt impending doom. When we returned to our seats, I could feel the dissent and I knew my group members were waiting for Mr James to leave the class before they ganged up on me and gave me tongue lashing. Fortunately, Mr James gave us another assignment again. He cancelled the first project defense because he felt the whole class had not prepared enough. That was what saved us. It didn't stop my group members from tongue lashing me though. It didn't stop Chidimma from having the famous “I told you so” look on her face.
Image designed by me using Flyerwiz/Background Image sourced from pixabay
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