~Two Months Later~

(Bell ringing)

‘Okay that’s it, time’s up, submit your answer sheets,’

‘Oh no!’

‘You can’t be serious,’.

‘Ha, I didn’t have enough time,’

‘No, no, no,’

...

  While the student screamed one after another, a figure stood up; holding two answer sheets, and walked up to the desk in front of the entire class.

This figure made everyone quiet down one after another as he walked up. Not minding the various gazes of everyone in the classroom, the figure submitted the two answer sheets and then turned and was about to leave.

  ‘Wait, I have an announcement for everyone. Get seated,’ the supervisor said.

The figure stood in front of the door. Without replying, the figure turned and went back to his seat. 

   ‘Alright everyone handover your answer sheets. Come on now,’

...

   ‘Okay, you all get back to your seats.’

   ‘First, as you all know, your result will be out tomorrow. I hope everyone has already prepared and has decided what college they would like to go to.’

‘Yes sir,’ half the class chorused.

   ‘Good. The vice principal has instructed me to announce that if there’s anyone unable to cover up their college fees, you are free to go to him. There is an organization that plans to help fifty students attend college.’

   ‘Wow, that’s nice of them.’

   ‘Thank goodness, I don’t have to worry, haha,’

   ‘Awesome,’

...

   Cheers came up one after another and several students were excited. Some couldn’t wait to get to the vice principal’s office immediately. 

   ‘Calm down, the second announcement is there will be a briefing tomorrow morning for all the final grade students. So, tomorrow you all and the various other final grade classes will gather in the school’s main hall.’

   ‘No! Seriously! Come on!’

   ‘The third announcement is that after the briefing, by two o'clock tomorrow will be you guys’ final year party and award ceremony for the top students. Everyone must be around,’

   ‘Yes sir,’ everyone chorused.

   ‘You are all free to go.’

   ‘Yes!’

‘Finally!’

‘Haha!’

          ★★★

   ‘I’m back,’ Huno said while taking off his shoes.

   ‘Welcome back,’ a sister replied.

   ‘Where’s everyone? Why is it quiet?’

   ‘Most of them aren’t back yet. You came back very early, the younger ones are sleeping,’

   ‘Oh, I see,’

   ‘Isn’t today the last day of your exams? Why didn’t you stay a little at school and have fun?’

   ‘I had a stomachache, so I wasn’t in the mood to play,’

   ‘Really now, you are lying.’

   ‘I’m not. Where are the other sisters?’

   ‘Sister Martha went back home. She had an emergency. Sister Rose and sister Roseline went to the market to get more groceries. Sister Lily and sister Rebecca went to pick up all the elementary kids, the others are preparing dinner,’

   ‘Oh okay, sister Sarai. I’ll be going to my room now. Is there anything you want me to do?’

   The sister’s face fell, and she said. ‘It’s alright, you can go. When it’s time to eat, I’ll call you.’

   ‘Alright thank you,’

   Huno picked up his shoes, turned, and went upstairs to his room.

‘At least call me what you used to call me. Why call me sister Sarai?’ the sister muttered quietly as Huno disappeared from her sight. 

   Huno’s room was small, only able to contain a small-sized bed and a table and chair.

Huno sat on the bed and stared outside through the small window. After a while, he bent down, pulled a bag from under his bed, and took out an envelope and a book from inside. He sat at the table, stared at the envelope, and then opened the book and wrote down.

  ~Today was the last day of the exams. I did the best I could do, but I’m still not sure about college. I may probably not go. Everyone still stares at me with pity in their eyes. It’s getting pretty annoying now. I need a fresh start, a new place, if possible. This place is suffocating me. My boss at my part-time job told me to take a month off. I should be happy about that, but now there’s nothing to distract me from unreasonable thoughts. Oh yeah, I’ve been thinking of that thing lately. I wish I didn’t make that promise, sadly it has already been done. You know how to keep me in check, don’t you? Oh well, the only thing distracting me a bit is the little ones. They bring back memories. That’s all for now and probably the last. Huno.~

  He closed the book and fumbled with the envelope in his hands for a while before putting them away and going to sleep.