“Oh, you’re on a mission. Let me know the outcome,” he said.

I reached the corner of Wara Market before making a left turn to the education office.

There were students and parents flooding the street and there was a crowd encircling the noticeboard showing the Grade 11 selection list for six secondary schools.

I peeped through the crowd to read the list for Yauwe Moses Secondary School. My name wasn’t there and my heart beat faster.

I moved to the list for Mt Wilhelm Secondary School but the list did not contain my name. I felt uneasy and humiliated.

Some of the students whose names appeared on the list were excited and their face glowed. Those unsuccessful were upset and their faces dull as ashes.

I went to a list on the other side of the wall. ‘Muaina Secondary School’. As I scanned, I saw the names of classmates. I was at ease and thought that soon my eyes would catch my name.

Suddenly I saw my surname. Was it really my name? I rubbed my eyes as if seeing a ghost name. For the second time I directed my eyes to the list. It was my name not someone else’s.

My heart jumped with joy.

I strolled away from the crowd, pulled out my cell phone and dialled my dad. I told him I was selected to do Grade 11 at Muaina.

“You made me proud. You are my superwoman and we will celebrate at home. Take a ride home bow,” he said.

I walked to Wara Market and bought a betel nut. I’d never chewed before.

I chewed the buai without the proper calculation of mustard and lime and felt the sweat running like a stream all over my body. My eyes turned bleary and I walked like a drunkard towards the stone wall.

I leaned against the wall for some time and then clambered aboard a JM Back bus and rode home with the great news.