A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

"Joshua, Joshua, the deputy wants to see you after break." A fellow student told me. "What is it? Has he known?" I asked him. " I don't know" he replied. I wondered who could have told him.

Little did I know what awaited me. I was very anxious and nervous too. Not knowing what would happen next. My heart beat unceremoniously. Everyone coming near me would clearly see that I was uncomfortable. Very restless, I wished no one would talk to me so that it remains my secret.

I was just seated on the pews in the school hall, right at the back left corner. Fellow form one students came past me and saluted me but I made sure I didn't answer back by word but just waved and nodded.

For about thirty minutes, I stayed in the very same place. Fear gripped my heart and now circulated up to the nerves. Tears lingered in my eyes as the clock ticked.

Finally, the bell rang. That was one thing I thought would not happen. I wish God held the time so that it could not reach but it reached. I had no otherwise but to take the bold step.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and stood up. Trying to gain confidence to face the reality. There was no other way to get out of this but to go through it.

At first I made small steps out of the hall, telling myself that it's going to be once and for all. Step by step, I took to the deputy principal's office. I checked whether my tie was well done, cleared my eyes using my handkerchief and moved on.

On reaching at the deputy principal's office door, I felt a cold breeze but just said to myself, "it will be over." I gathered courage and knocked. Without much ado, I heard a voice from the office, "come in." The door swung open. I trembled with fear like a leaf during a whirl wind.

Seated at the centre of the room was the deputy principal, in a sky blue shirt and a black tie. This was like his uniform. He was known for that dress code. As usual, he was not a man you would want to look at twice. He looked violent and to be feared.

"Do you know why you are here?" He asked. " Sir, I am very sorry, I will never ever repeat that again I.. I " I replied while panting. "What wrong have you done? I called you here to inform you that you have been awarded a bursary from the Constituency Development Fund of our town. This is because of your obedience, hard work and passion in education. Your fees has been paid in full. "

I was astonished. It seemed to me like a dream. Was this the deputy principal talking such softly? No, I rubbed my eyes and put my fingers inside my ears to ascertain that I wasn't dreaming.

"Go to the bursar and he will give you a receipt for the fee payment." He continued. "Thank you sir" I hurried my way out so that he doesn't turn to punish me. Before I locked the door, he called me again. "Joshua, just a minute," I was shocked, did he know that I disobeyed the letter that required me to go home since I had not cleared my fees? I thought I was done with it. " You will also get new uniforms on Monday" He continued. "Thank you very much sir"

I pulled the door to close it and burst to tears. Why me? Why did it have to happen to me this way? I realized and remembered that that was my prayer to God. I thanked God for this favour.

I went to the bursar's office and sure enough I was given a receipt that stated that all my fees for the term was paid. I was very happy and knew that God works in ways we cannot see or understand.

At that time when we feel we are down, he is there to help us out. So it was a blessing in disguise.