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Short Story: The nosedive

Kelly looked at her classmate and crony, Amida, in her new senior high school uniform and shook her head as tears ran down her cheeks. The memories of that fateful day in school were still fresh in her mind.

It was the last day in junior high school for the JHS Three pupils of  Pearls Academy because they had just finished writing the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE). Hoots of laughter could be heard all over the school compound amidst shouts of joy. Plans had already been made by the pupils two months before they started the BECE.

“When we finish, let us have a pool party; what do you guys think about that?” Amida was heard asking.

“Where will we have it?” Kelly, the party freak asked.

“Where else than at Kris View” Amida answered.

Now, it was all over so they had the freedom to do whatever they could think of. No more studying for at least the next four months - this is the time they had been waiting for. The students were happily jubilating at the assembly ground when the proprietress walked in. She spoke at the top of her voice:

“Hello pupils, I guess you are all very happy that you have successfully completed your basic level education and will continue your life at the SHS level”. Well, my advice to you all as you go home is that you should use the next three months productively and not just go about having fun. As you go home, I expect you to make your parents see your worth so they will know that the money they spent on you has not been wasted. You must dare to be different in everything you do. Be yourselves and continue to keep up with the good moral principles you have been taught in school.”

The pupils were dispersed from the school after a brief moment of prayer for them. Kelly was one of the graduates. Her parents were abroad, therefore, her aunt  was her guardian. Because she was now a BECE graduate, Kelly’s aunt felt she should be allowed a bit of freedom. She, therefore, allowed her to go out with friends whenever she asked to be allowed to do so. Sadly, however, Kelly ended up abusing that freedom.

She took advantage of the situation and began to misbehave. At one of the parties she attended, Kelly ended up in the company of a boy called Andy. While they were sipping their soft drinks, Kelly left her unfinished drink to visit the washroom. When she returned and continued taking her drink, she started feeling dizzy. A few minutes after, she couldn’t remember what happened. She woke up hours later in a strange place.

“Where am I, oh my God?” Kelly asked.

“Of course, in my bed, this is my room,” Andy responded

“You raped me!” Kelly exclaimed, “Andy, I hate you!”

Kelly dressed up, got out of the room and rushed home. She cried all day. A few months later, Kelly realised she was pregnant. Her aunt noticed some changes in her and asked:

“Kelly, what is wrong with you?”

“Auntie, I am sorry.”

“For what?” she asked. “I was raped and I think I’m pregnant.” “What? Well, then you have to keep it. Isn’t that what you wanted? You can’t continue school any longer because you will be a mother now. Next time you will learn to take advice.”

Four months later, the results of the BECE were out and most students were scared about their grades. The most amazing news was that Kelly topped with the best grades in her zone. She had passed with distinction and gained admission to one of the best senior high schools in the country.

However, because of the pregnancy, she could not continue her eduction and had to stay home and take care of her pregnancy.

 

Theodora Kennedy-Smith,

Blessed Schools Complex,

Dansoman, Accra.

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