Flashback begins…
In the small, sun-dappled village of Ijagbodo, life started every day with a rooster that crowed like it was being strangled — waking up everyone, including those who still wanted five more minutes of sleep. Farmers sharpened their cutlasses, fishermen untangled their nets, and mothers yelled at sleepy children to get ready for school. The scent of firewood smoke mixed with the early morning dew, creating a smell that was strangely comforting.
As for me, Mayowa, I was a young boy with a face some said "looked like I quarreled with soap and water." My classmates teased me endlessly. Maybe it was my rough hair or the fact that my uniform always looked like it had survived a war. But inside that scruffy head was a sharp brain.
Despite how I looked, I was one of the top five students in my school. I could answer any question faster than our teacher could open his mouth. Especially in our local language — I was like a walking dictionary. But unfortunately, the village people judged neatness almost like a sacred law. So while my books were clean, my shirt rarely was. Maybe that's why I wasn't crowned the best.
Biola was busy telling her best friend Ayo how excited she was for the upcoming class party.
Biola: "Can't you see I'm so excited for our class party today?"
Ayo: "I know, me too! I heard our teacher might let us play games."
I, foolishly hoping for friendship, tried to join in.
Me: "Game?"
You would think I had announced the end of the world.
Biola (rolling her eyes): "Who asked you to talk? We weren't speaking to you."
Ayo: "Mind your business o, a fish doesn't swim in every river."
Biola: "Yeah, some people are better off keeping quiet forever."
My face twisted like an unripe mango, fists clenching. For a brief moment, I imagined picking up a chair and—
No, calm down. I breathed deeply and turned away. But they still kept at it.
Ayo: "Don't bother coming back. You're not part of our crowd."
Biola: "Good riddance."
Ayo: "Exactly."
So I walked off, trying to keep my dignity. Meanwhile inside, my heart was dancing a sorrowful bata.
End of Chapter 1