Wild West of the Heart

"Good morning sir"

He cleared his throat into the microphone, as if gathering his words in his head. He clearly seemed the opposite of guilty as he stepped forward.

With so much more confidence, and authority in his coarse tone, it showed there was no single sense of remorse that he felt. But anyways, the students of Hillway High looked to him with so much eagerness and suspense, awaiting what he was about to say next- -and why the need for a sudden meeting.

"As you all know, you have just a few months left in this institution" There were a few sighs of relief at the thought of that. "And" He interrupted, raising his voice. "And whilst most of you already have plans for university, a handful of you still don't" He started, as they still stared, unsure of where this was going. "That's why as a school, not only have we set aside a career day for most of you to speak to some experts about your futures—"

"There has always been a career day" Someone rudely peered from the crowds with a rising boo. It was unsuccessful as it died down after a few seconds. "Well, but things are going to be different this year" Collins didn't take offense to the interruption. "Different like?" Abdul whispered.

Obi shrugged his shoulders, desperate to start a conversation with him since he got here. But Abdul had his eyes fixed on Collins. "This year, we will be opening our doors to representatives from not only state wide universities but also interested organizations that might be granting scholarships abroad" Those sighs of relief were now of shock.

And surprise. And perhaps, interest.

Silence fell after a while, giving him more room to speak. "We have institutions of arts and drama. And world renowned tech representatives coming here by next month. And interested participants will be allowed to drop their names on a form after this meeting. Right on this table, there are segregations, options of the different majors you will be considering. Let it be known that today isn't a deadline as such, as some of you might still need to consult with your parents. But know that, you do not have the luxury of time as the saying first come, first served is well applicable here" He added.

"This is one of the many initiatives that are to come under the Professor Collins regimen. I am as well, inclined into creating better futures for you as i am in your present" He said, after the applause he very much expected. How can one person be so terrible, and-

And good? Perhaps there was only a thing line between the two. And that was secrecy. The fact that no one knew about the terrible things people behind closed doors. Locked doors.

"As promised, this meeting will only eat into your first period, so i'll give you time to sign up with your names, those that might be interested" His voice echoed through the room.

"Maybe he isn't as bad as he seems?" Ola said, his eyes locking with Obi's for a quick second. And then they both looked away. "Yes, i guess" There was doubt in Abdul's reply which made him scoff.

"Do you have any plans on signing up?" He added as Ola turned to him. "Me?" "Yes, of course" Abdul replied and he just shrugged his shoulders.

Back in Texas, he always had a plan, talking to his uncle James about tech school since he was some sort of guru in the computer science field. It was how he had more than enough to take care of Ola and put him through school. Afterall, everyone talked about how computer science was even the future of the world. So that was a plan, to get a degree in it and set his footing.

And maybe after that, he could settle on his writing or his art. Take them seriously once he got the money, because to alot of people, those were far from the usual white-collar jobs they were used to.

But ever since he got to Nigeria, he hadn't given it much thought, now that his future was here. Ever since he was a little boy, Mary wouldn't shut up about how he would make a fantastic doctor. About how he would make the family proud, finding a cure to maybe cancer or something as fascinating as alzheimer's. She'd imagined that life for him, the life of being a doctor. And for herself, the easy life of being the mother of a world renounced doctor. Like Ben Carson.

She'd ensured he read his books, and she got him medical toys with the little savings she had. All of this was investment into his medical future. Now, though he was well aware and he would nod at such incredible ideas, not for once had Ola ever envisioned himself in a white coat, solving ground breaking medicine. He never wanted to be that.

He never wanted to be a doctor, not that there was even room for thoughts like these. And now that he was back, even when they were watching a show on tv and a doctor would come up, Mary would smile, hitting him softly. And seeing it, he would know.

But he didn't have the guts to tell her that wasn't his plan. It was her plan, for herself. And then for her son. When she was younger, she would talk about how she wanted to be a nurse but somehow settled on midwifery which was a close second.

But he would never hear the end of that story. Because she never got the chance to pursue anything, she met Akin. And she fell in love, and then got married. And somehow, that was it.

She didn't have any regrets. But sometimes she thought of maybe going back to school. Maybe her life would have been better than it was now. Maybe having a second source of income wasn't so bad.

But Akin wouldn't let her, not after the birth of Ola.

Then, finance wasn't a problem. The real estate business was thriving and Akin was just fresh out of school, which meant with a first class, he was hot cake in the business. It's funny how things had changed now. It's not that he forcefully made her stay home, it was just an advice_

-and Mary detested the idea of leaving her new born in the hands of nannies and what not. Not with so much kidnappings that had been happening.

She overthought everything, and eventually a few years passed. And then more, and more, till she had only one son at forty five, and nothing else.

It was too late now anyways, for school and for any more children, she thought.

She didn't have any regrets, i said.

But maybe more, was what she wanted. More than where she was in life right now. But i guess it's common human emotions to want more. It wasn't that big of a deal, because she was happy though.

But then that only fueled the pressure she put on Ola to be that doctor. That person she didn't get the chance to be. And she didn't plan on taking a no for an answer. When she would rattle to Akin about the opportunities Ola could get abroad, he'd just nod.

He wasn't as pushy when it came Ola's future as Mary. And maybe that was because he was away. As long as he was with James, he didn't have to worry, until when he did. Anyways, why Ola was in Nigeria, is a story for another day. Now, however-

—he was struck with that question.

"Do you have any plans on signing up?"

And he realized, he didn't have the comfort of time anymore, especially now that he was in a different place, he needed a different plan. A back up, which he never had. But who would blame him— -he didn't think he'd ever come back here, until maybe his traditional wedding or something.

That's the thing with life, constantly showing up with surprises, and then sweeping the rug from under your feet once you got comfortable. He was a final grader in Nigeria, and he needed a plan, soon. "Maybe" He just gave Abdul an indefinite answer as Collins walked down the podium. Maybe, was a much better answer than the anxious thoughts that ravaged his head. "Alright cool" He responded. "You?" He turned to Obi, who as well, was whisked from his thoughts. "What?" He asked, at the tap.

"What about you? Any plans on signing up?"

Ola awkwardly plucked his eyes off him and scanned the crowds for Fiyin. Perhaps he had missed her, but to no avail. And then worry crept to the back of his mind, knowing the last thing she ever said to him was, can't hang. Especially after saying she had plans on seeing Principal Collins.

There was that uneasiness that came with that memory but he was quick to brush it off, yet again as his eyes fell in Obi. "Nope" Obi plainly said as he stood. Ola wanted to call him back, knowing how well he would excel in Drama and Arts. Or maybe even in a debate. He remembered how passionately Obi used to talk about serious issues even though they were just seven, maybe.

And talents like that, would make a college essay flourish. But alas, add that to the gazillion things they both didn't say to each other. Because of the stupid fact that they weren't talking to each other.

Obi walked away, with his bag in his arms, and a book. As much as he hated the second periods on Tuesdays, he was glad to be out of there at least.

But Mira's words of earlier struck him as he made his way out. He had done the exact opposite of what she asked. For him, to speak his best friend, Ola.

To be continued...