chapter 38

On the day of their mid-term break, all the students were waiting at the front of the assembly hall. Kamal wanted to go to his village for his mid-term, but Peter insisted that he must remain in Abuja and spend it at his home."Come on Kamal, is just a one week break. Why can't you just stay with my family? Besides, I really enjoyed it last term when you stopped at my home. And it will save the money you are going to use for transportation" Peter insisted. The students entered the assembly hall and arranged themselves according to their classes as usual.

And soon, the Teachers came into the assembly hall. After the prayers and the national anthems, the principal walked up the stage."Good morning members of staff, good morning boys and girls" the principal greeted."Good morning sir" the students shouted."Today is a very beautiful day for I can see a lot of smiling faces, I hope to see these smiling faces when you resuming next week" the principal taunted, and the students started laughing."Our final year students will start their external examination in the next few days, we hope that God will guide them throughout their examination" the Principal declared."While they are engaged in their external examination, new acting prefects will be selected based on their academic achievement and social behaviour. Any student found disobeying the acting prefect shall be dealt with seriously by the school authority" the principal warned."Your mid-term break starts today on Friday and ends by Sunday next week. I wish all staff and students a successful mid-term break" the Principal concluded.

After the assembly, Kamal and Peter went to the garden of the administration building and sat on a park bench waiting for Peter's parent to arrive. An hour later, most of the students' parents had come and picked them. Kamal saw Maryam sitting in one of the park bench ahead of them."Hey Maryam, so you are also around" Kamal said when he approached her."Oh yes I am, I called my mom and she said my driver is on his way" Maryam replied."So she even has a driver" Kamal wondered how rich her family is."So how are you doing?" Kamal asked."I'm doing okay, how about you?" She inquired."I'm doing just fine" Kamal replied."Looks like Fatima and Hafsat had already gone" Kamal continued."Oh yes they had" she said."Why is Fatima so harsh towards me?" Kamal asked."I don't really know" Maryam answered." In all my life, I've never met anyone so complicated like her. I spoke to her twice without any problem, but the third time I spoke to her she rebelled against me like I was an enemy to her" Kamal complained."Actually, I don't know what her problem is" Maryam responded"There is my driver" she said as she stood up."Until we meet after the mid-term break" She smiled. As she was walking to her driver, she stopped for a moment and turned to Kamal."You should have tried and understand her before judging. Is true that she is not an easy person, but if you know her situation, you will really have pity for her" Maryam said, and she continued her walking to her driver."What situation could some like Fatima be that I even  will pity her" Kamal wondered.

Peter's Parent arrived around 10:30 am. Peter held Kamal by the hand dragged him to his parents who were standing by the car."Good morning sir" Kamal greeted."Good morning Kamal, how do you do?" Mr John asked."I'm doing okay sir" Kamal replied."And you, don't you know how to greet?" Mrs John asked referring to Peter."Oh please mum, I was just waiting for Kamal to finish greeting you before I start mine. I don't want to interrupt" Peter elucidated."You never run out of excuses" Mrs John argued."Kamal how's your studies?" She inquired."Is okay Ma" Kamal replied."I hope you will maintain the good result you had previously" Peter's mother continued."By God's willing Ma" Kamal assured."Mum, Kamal is going to spend the mid-term break with us" I told him you are not going to mind but he kept insisting that he will bother us" Peter said."Oh Kamal, you are just like a family to us, we'll be glad to have your presence" Peter's father assured."Besides, why will you bother us? You are such a good boy" Mrs John added."Come on let's get going" Mr John said, and the all entered the car. 

When they got to Peter's home, Jane and Ben ran out and hugged Peter and Kamal."Kamal it's you, you came to our house again" Jane said."Yes Jane, I'm here to take you to my place" Kamal joked."Oh really? I heard that your place is so far away" Jane revealed."Oh yes it is, and will you go with me" Kamal asked and Jane nodded her head."Let's go in Kamal, you can talk inside" Peter said and he pulled Kamal by the hand to his room. Peter jumped on his bed as soon as they got into the room."I missed home so much" he said, and Kamal sat by edge of bed and smiled as he watched Peter. 

They talked in the room for about 30 minutes until when Jane walked into the room."Mum is looking for you in the dining room, she said to tell you that she has prepared a food for you" Jane announced."Okay tell her that we'll be there in a minute" Peter replied. They went to the dining room and found out that Peter's Mum had prepared chicken soup for them. They ate until they were full. They returned to their room and played video game until it was night."Let's go to the backyard" Peter suggested. The backyard was filled with beautiful flowers and trees that produce fruits.

They went and checked on wolverine before going to a bench under a mango tree and sat down. They talked under the tree while Peter uses his phone to chat on whatsapp at the same time."Oh I remember that you got Fatima's number, should we check if she is chatting on whatsapp?" Peter asked, and Kamal's heart started beating fast."Not now Peter, maybe we should leave it until tomorrow" Kamal suggested."Maybe you're scared" Peter laughed."No I'm not scared" Kamal replied."Ok then prove that by giving me her phone number right now" Peter challenged."Oh my God! She does chat on Whatsapp" Peter exclaimed after Kamal gave him the phone number."Wow! Really?" Kamal asked happily."Yes of course, but she hasn't appeared online since in the afternoon" Peter revealed. About 20 minutes later, Peter handed Kamal the phone."I'm sleepy Kamal, here is the phone in case she comes online later" Peter said and he went to bed.