Childhood Envy

A lot of things have happened in the past and even though we don't place any importance on them, the other people involved might still hold on to the memories.

I was just a young girl in primary school who loved to speak her mind and that has gotten me into trouble several times. I don't care whether you are older or younger than me, I will dish out whatever is on my mind to you. I looked smaller compared to my peers but you can't cheat me or look down on me because I will use my greatest weapon which is my mouth to help myself.

A new girl joined my class then and she became a competitor not just in academics but in many other things. She was very beautiful and always appeared neat in school, you can't see her looking dirty or stained and I envied her a lot.

I was my class teacher's favourite student but immediately this girl came, she stole my teacher's heart and it was so bad that Master Wale barely behaved to me like he always did. He didn't call my name in class or even make me an example for my classmates to emulate instead, he would always tell them to appear neat and study hard like the new girl.

Every morning, Anu always came with snacks to school because that's what her mom sold. Her mom would package the snacks for Master Wale and he always enjoyed it judging by the look on his face whenever he was munching it.

I and Anu never got along in class, she knew I didn't like her and she didn't cross her boundaries so there was no reason for me to use my weapon against her. That term examination was approaching and Anu barely left the classroom during break.

She was always glued to her book and I also faced my studies squarely because I didn't want a new student from nowhere to take away my shine completely. We always had revisions a week before the examination and it was there I realised that Anu was more prepared for the examination than I was.

She answered every question Mr Wale asked during the revision correctly including the one I don't know.

"We will do some revision again tomorrow so you guys should study hard or don't you want to answer questions like Anu?" Master Wale asked after the revision and I didn't like that because it used to be my name before Anu came.

I was inspired to prepare harder for the examination and was able to compete with Anu for the remaining revision. I was rest assured that Anu wouldn't top the class after the examination just because of how I had improved during the revision.

Examination started and at the end of every paper, we always gathered to discuss the questions that were easy or tough. I was always eager to tell my mates how many questions I answered correctly but it was the opposite for Anu, she didn't say a word and would just return to preparing for the next examination.

"How was the exam?" I asked Anu just to know if she had problems or if it was easy.

"I just did my best and left the rest," She replied and that was the perfect response I wanted to hear because, in my head, that response meant that she had challenges.

The examination went one after the other and everything was pretty easy for me. I was anxiously waiting for the result because it would put my name on the lips of every classmate but the unexpected happened.

I got my report card on the day we were vacating and I came second in the class. I checked the name on the report card again to be sure was mine and immediately I confirmed it, I just started weeping.

I was so pained and couldn't control my emotions as I cried with my report card firmly held because I didn't want anyone to see my position.

"Who came first?" I asked myself and immediately wiped my tears while I went to ask around for my classmate's position.

I had barely asked five of them when I saw some students gathered around Anu. I rushed to check what was happening and discovered that Anu had come first in the class.

"Everyone knows you didn't work for it, your mummy's snacks got you the first position," I said to Anu in front of everyone.

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"You are just jealous of me," Anu replied and I went from using my mouth to using my hand.

I pushed her and Anu taught me a good lesson by beating me. Master Wale interfered and I got more punishment but I succeeded in making some classmates believe that the snacks Master Wale got every day were the secret to her success.

From that day, Anu and I became enemies and we competed fiercely to top the class.

Primary school passed in the twinkle of an eye and we met again during our Junior waec because I left the school after relocating from my grandma's place.

I had grown and understood that I was just a kid but approaching Anu was difficult because of what I did when we were younger.

While hesitating, Anu approached me and I didn't know what to do.

"Hi Omolara," Anu greeted.

"Anu, it's been a while. Are you here for the examination?" I stuttered. It was the wrong question because we were there for the same purpose.

"Yes, I came for the Junior Wace examination too." She replied.

"Sorry for how I lied about you bribing Master Wale. You know we were just kids," I apologised.

"Oh, you still remember? Common, that lies had become water under the bridge and I don't remember them anymore," She replied.

I stretched out my hands for a hug to be sure she wasn't angry and she embraced me.

"Thank you," I said and she hugged me tighter.

Our paths didn't cross again after the examination but I was happy she forgave me.