The Externals Reloaded - Chapter thirty

 

On a Saturday, master Segun invited everyone to his house to discuss about the results of the test they conducted. His kind mom offered them just baked doughtnuts with zobo as soon as they arrived and they enjoyed it with their eyes on the high school movie that was showing on a huge television screen. Fortunately, the person he sent to get the test results came in when they finished eating and PHCN interrupted power supply so there was no distraction.

Before unveiling the results, Master Segun pleaded with each of them not to let a word of it go outside his home and promised to punish whoever does that. He also admonished them to let peace reign in their midst and forget about past incidents once they get know. They agreed reluctantly because they wanted him to finish his story on time and tell them what they really wanted from him. Many of them had no other intention than to torment Quinn about his test result till he gets frustrated and leave Nigeria for good.

The results of the tests Quinn and Zach had was a shock to whoever heard it. Zach requested that the result of his test should be unveiled first. He was confident about his being a good one and normally to him, good news should precede the bad ones. However, he almost fainted when the results of his test showed he was gonorrhea positive. On the other hand, Quinn was tested positive for alcohol but he had no hard drug in his blood or any sexually transmitted disease. He also requested a virginity test which turned out positive. Lily was more than proud of him.

"Is there anything else we should look into?" Master Segun asked when he was done announcing the test results.

"This is bullshit!" Zach tore his test results and walked out of the house angrily.

"Geez! We're so sorry for how we treated you", Omma spoke on behalf of everyone.

"No, it's fine. I would have preferred being seen as a tough guy", He replied.

"What a relief! I was so scared!" Lily sighed heavily.

"Come on, babe. Why should a minor thing like an STD scare you? I know a happy couple with HIV who live few blocks from us", Quinn switched to talking in an American perspective.

"Are you ready to deal with this for the rest of your life?" Khadijat teased Lily in a whispering tone.

"Never been so sure about something", Lily smiled.

"I think I'm liking this celibacy vibe. How could would it be to be the first couple on earth who never had sex" Quinn said enthusiastically. Lily's phone dropped from her hand.

In the days that followed, everyone started acting normal with Quinn and Lily again. They even organized a small get together to celebrate the start of their new relationship. However, Zach was never the same after that incident. He refused to associate with anyone even when his brain was void of ways to answer questions in the examination hall. Lily, who noticed all these and wasn't quite pleased with it decided to do something about it. On a Friday, when Quinn went to the Lagos polo club with his dad and Khadijat stayed longer at the mosque, she decided to pay him a visit.

"Hi, Zach", She smiled broadly at him.

"You didn't need to come here and remind me of how terrible I am", Zach couldn't bear to look her in the eye.

"I'm not here to talk about who was right or wrong, Zach. I'm sorry but even if was Quinn that was in your shoes, I would have picked him", She was being honest.

"That's the worse thing someone's ever told me. Would you mind giving me time to get ready before you drop more lines", His eyes slowly turned red.

"Look, Zach. Regardless of what happened, I think you're an amazing person and I'm really sorry it couldn't be you. I'm sure you'll find someone that perfectly suits you someday", She felt bad for him.

"It's fine. Thank you so much for your motivational speech", He returned to the living room and slammed the door.

When Quinn heard about the visit to Zach's house, he acted angry about it at first, then commended Lily for having the courage to do the right thing. However, Lily blocked the chance of him asking about Zach's reaction to her visit by bringing up a discussion about how his day went at the polo club so he wouldn't get mad. Anyways, his response to her question was positive. He had a great time with his father's friend even though his hands weren't so great at the game and someone had accidently said he was an illigitimate son over that.

The last day of WAEC wasn't much of a great deal. It rained massively so the finalists couldn't get to celebrate like they wished after thrashing out marketing. Parting wasn't so interesting but thankfully, everyone could handle it. No one actually broke down in tears. Even lovers who knew their relationship status would change when they see each other less and higher learning would keep them further apart were cool with just parting over hugs. Zach also apologized to Lily and Quinn for everything that happened. Each of them felt both excited and gloomy that it was their last day of high school yet had hopes of seeing each other later.

In the days that followed, everyone saw the huge transformation that occurred in Grace Model College because the minister sponsored its full renovation. Besides that, he renovated Grandma Allen's house where Lily was staying and constructed world class laboratories across the country where science students could have access to both simple and advanced lab equipment. After high school, Quinn and Lily worked at the Lagos branch of the lab. It was named, "The Love Lab". To Mr. Kunbi, that name was perfect because Quinn's love for Lily was what led to the movement against inadequate educational facilities and what brought about the lab.

When their WAEC results came out, neither Quinn or Lily had issues even though one result surpassed the other. Quinn had straight As while Lily had three Bs but the problem was that he didn't write JAMB, remember? Khadija didn't have a result suitable enough to make her a law student so her mom ordered her to gave up and start being a fashion designer's apprentice. However, the ever defiant Khadijat refused to yield to her mom's wish. On the verge of killing herself over depression, a law student from the prestigious university of Ibdan rescued and promised to help make her dreams come true.

Aza gained admission at the college of education in his mom's native town. He was so happy he got into school earlier than everyone else but was sad because Jess didn't have a good result and had to travel down to her village, hoping to meet with family members who'll still be interested in sponsoring her education. Omma needed rewriting chemistry to make her result useful. Even the unserious John everyone thought was going to have issues with his results got six Bs, two Cs and one A. Victor got C all through but wasn't interested in schooling just yet.

Janet made her papers. Aishat made grades enough to get her into the nursing programme she wanted. Kaira and her bestie had issues with a subject so they resolve to gather enough to travel out of the country for hustling. No one got to know what was going on with Joe and David because they were silent about their results and not quite social. On the other hand, Johnson College students had good results except for some minor flops. They had the best foundation anyway. If they didn't come out with those, their proprietor might have driven himself to death but he needed no such thing when they made him proud.

"Good morning, distinguished masters and mistresses", Omma told her ex-classmates the first day of her training at the love lab.

"Really, omma. You know we don't mind you calling us by our first names", Lily felt awkward about the way she addressed them.

"No. That's not appropriate. It'll be unfair to other students. Besides, it's just a title, not much of a big deal. Here, you'll be the playing the role of teacher, you'll be the one instructing..", Omma insisted.

"That's it. Instructor is fair enough", Quinn suggested.

"You're right, pumpkin", Lily blushed, getting a new form of satisfaction from his white flawless face. It was like she was always falling in love with all over again each day.

"Hmm.." Omma faked a cough. "Excuse me. I also need to talk to my baby before you kill me with jealousy".

"Okay, bye. Take care", It took a while for Lily to process what Omma said because she was too engrossed in observing Quinn.

"It's just the way you like it, madmossielle", Quinn handed her the coffee he made her in one of their matching cups.

"Thanks, monsieur", Lily couldn't stop smiling as she brought the cup slowly to her mouth.

"Hello, guys. Here's to inform your first practical is starting in ten minutes", Their assistant came to inform them.

"Alright. Thanks, Bose", They took their drink within a reasonable amount of time, rested for a bit and walked to the lab.

On the first day of July that same year, the students started preparing for their valedictory service. The planning committee met to decide what to wear for the event and if there were going to have a special performance for it. As much as Khadijat who was the head of the committee wanted everyone to be around, only a few showed up. While they were looking for all possible ways to make their graduation ceremony memorable, the management of both schools met to decide whether to have the ceremony together or separately. Even though the minister had expressed his desire for both events to be hosted at the same place for Quinn and Lily, they still had to put some things into consideration.

Considering the fact that the minister was willing to sponsor the event, the schools finally agreed to have their valedictory service together whereas Quinn and Lily served as their valedictorian. The most delightful part of the event was that they decided to give their speeches together. Lily started by appreciating God and the management of both schools for the honor conferred on them then Quinn appreciated their classmates and parents for their teamwork which made their academic journey successful. In the latter part of the speech, Lily talked about how hard work, resilence and patient brought her to her current position, encouraging her juniors to imbibe these qualities as well.

In his usual manner, Quinn spoke on the vital role education plays in the development of every country and how he intends to put in his best towards ensuring the academic standard he's managed to upgrade never goes down. Yet, they took turns to talk about the upsides of teenagers harnessing love for great exploits instead of embracing the dark sides. In conclusion, they promised to remain good ambassadors of their respective schools even beyond its building and took their final bow. Immediately, everyone in the hall gave them a standing ovation.

Still, the minister held a private dinner in his residence later in the evening to celebrate his son's success. Two weeks ago when his party planner asked the young couple the theme they wanted, it was hard to pick a side so Quinn had to pull up in a purple aso-oke agbada with Sokoto while Lily wore iro and buba in honor of her ancestral Yoruba mothers. When asked who rocked the outfit better, the audience shouted Quinn. Lily couldn't believe her countrymen could betray her so cruelly because they also said he danced better.

Many assumed the Lily who later came in with arms interlocked with Quinn was an entirely different person but there was still an element of her old self deep within. Earlier in the guest room, she had lamented to Dija that she was scared after preparing for the past three weeks for that just one night. Then came her first dose of confidence when she laid eyes on her tux wearing Quinn. Afterwards, a question lingered on her mind, "where will she get the next shot?"

A weave of uncertainty blew over her when she heard the first verse of the song they chose for their first high school dance:

I've seen the world, done it all, had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, and Bel Air now
Hot summer nights, mid-July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?

Soon, the feeling was replaced by an outburst of confidence which improved her dance steps when she heard the next verse:

I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?

I've seen the world, lit it up as my stage now
Channeling angels in the new age now
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you'd play for me at your show
And all the ways I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?

Dear Lord, when I get to Heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes, tell me that you'll let him in
Father, tell me if you can
All that grace, all that body
All that face makes me wanna party
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?

Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful?

That confidence wasn't just for that night. It lingered on even after she was declared the best dancer for that category and they went on to different colleges. It stayed until she graduated top of her class at the international Aviation College and Quinn received his letter of ministerial appointment, not even from a member of his Dad's political party. It was there, smiling with her the morning they tied the knot, had their two kids and began spotting grey hair on each other!

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I want to use this opportunity to thank everyone who has stayed with this book from the very beginning to the end. God bless you all. Please don't forget to drop your comments below and support my future works. I love you all😍

Yours truly,

Eniola Oluwamuyiwa.