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HARDER THAN EVER

Resist the devil, so says the scriptures and he will flee.   Conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it.

Harder than ever

Bolu and Lolu attend the same school.They both come from a very poor end.They share classes together during their nursery/primary days.Both are exceptionally brilliant students.Ironically, between these two duo, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.They hate to see each other's faeces in the sewage.Rats and cats are friendlier to each other than them.Theu both strive to always be number one.If Bolu goes home with first this session,Lolu,ll pick second.Next session,it,ll be Lolu that,ll pick first.No student has ever came in between them.At break time, while others go for break,Bolu and Lolu,ll b on their seats, studying.If question is asked by teacher,both,ll raise hands at the same time immediately and whoever is called will give correct answers.

Many at times the two have been summoned to the headmaster's office for distortion of peace in the class.  When entrance examination to secondary school is conducted and results are out,most students wish they gain admission to Gainesville secondary school,the best of all the schools around.Gainsville only pick students with 90%  and above cut off marks.

250 students sit for the examination.From City nursery primary school, only two students are admitted to Gainesville secondary school,Bolu and Lolu.On the resumption day, they both are not surprised to see each other admitted to the school.When putting the students into classes, unbelievable it is, they both are put into class 1A.Funniest of all, they share same seat.They couldn't fathom why fate has been bringing them close to each other.The students results for the common entrance is announced by the class teacher.Bolu scores 996 out of a thousand.Lolu score 998.Their scores so impressed Mr Jagun,he gives them two thousand naira each and advises they keep the flag, flying.

The normal scenario of hatred of if you don't give full measure,I won't take half is about displaying itself over an ink of biro Lolu mistakenly splashes on his trousers.She expects him to react indifferently,she says sorry and as she stoops down to clean it,Bolu grabs the hand, smiles at her.  "Never mind.Let's put an end to this long hatred.Let's be friends, henceforth.I see us both making a future.I see us been the feature of the world, the hope of the nation and tomorrow's people.Please, let's begin appreciating ourselves.Be my best friend"Still holding her hand,he raises it up towards his mouth and kisses it slightly.                       Lolu is speechless She makes no hesitation to put her two hands on his open hands.She draws him near and gives him a huge hug.They become a movie others are watching in the class.The first subject they have is English.All the students participate well.After comes in the maths teacher.They have break time by 11.45pm.Like other pupils do, they go to the canteen.

" What do we eat?",Lolu asks with keen interest."We are not here to eat, but to discuss you and I".he rests."0kay ,wat about us?.She responds in pure smiles."You and I know very well we come from backgrounds that are not ok at all.Because of our parents lacking,God gives us to them, that through us, they might experience better tomorrow.  Let me ask you how much is your break time money ",he looks straight into her eyes after the question.She raises two fingers up to say two hundred." Good,I receive daily as well, two hundred.Can we strike a deal?",he frowns his face, expecting objections from her."Anything for you.Your wish is my command ",she responds, smiling."We both,ll be saving three hundred daily out of that money.We won't touch it till the end of the year.If need be,we can touch it but, for me,we,ll keep it till we leave this school.What do you feel?",he holds her hands and sensing it might be difficult for her to comply,he educates her the more." Dear friend for us to achieve the goals before us,we have prices to pay.We must start now ".Lolu cuts him short"Wait Wait, wait,I don't understand you.I don't get it,we barely know each other not up to three hours,you are negotiating the future.Are you asking me to be your girlfriend, future partner or how ",she rests, laughing.

"I want you to be my everything.My friend, my mother,my sister and above all, my heartbeat ", she cuts him again. "Have you been having the feelings for me while at the lower school or what,tell me?". Still daze in surprise, she questions.Bolu says he doesn't have an inch of love for her,then.He says,if they don't meet in the secondary, they might be enemies for life,whereby,at seeing each other anywhere, they might be forced to stone themselves." But, neither you nor me know why God keeps making our paths crossed.And,as a xtain,we believe strongly that what God has joined together,no man can put assunder.Even,if we don't become friends and destiny makes us crossing path, still in our hostilities,it,ll take an eternity to break us and the chains of armaments couldn't hold us.So,am telling you here and now that I want to build my future with you.I want you to build your future with me.So,three hundred daily, nothing must make it fail a day.If you agree,your hand on mine ", With twinkle smiles on her cheeks,she puts her hands on his.

Minutes for the bell to ring and everyone will go back to class, message reaches them both that the principal wants to see them both."You are the students that steal all the teachers marks?",the principal teases as he welcomes them into his office.He congratulates them for the privilege of being admitted to Gainesville secondary school.He equally exalts their exceptional performance. "Because of your marks very excellent sent to us, attached to your admission letter,I have a present for you.Everyday,  at break time, come to see me.I owe you two hundred naira each to buy whatever during break time.                     She kneels.He postrates to appreciate the c.e.o of the school.They promise to uphold the school's honor and integrity."This is just the beginning.Am sure if you keep the performance on,the sky won't be your limit.You can go".

They couldn't conceal the joy.They hug themselves.They promise themselves to keep to be the best."The saving, how will it be now?".She asks curiously."Everything,ll be saved.Dont you get it".She renders salute"yes sir ". They go back to the classroom.

What happened next.Meet me in the next chapter.

Harder than ever.

Olufowokan Olugbolahan.

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