My School Saga

Tom accepts a dare. It was a new academic year and as usual we were all excited to secure good beds in our dormitories male and female students alike. It was a custom for us to welcome new students and make them feel at home in their new school. 

As boarders, we had just us. No contact with the outside world except on visiting days. There was much competition amongst students. Not academic competition though. Almost everyone in my class, lower sixth had a boyfriend. But there was a new trend of happenings that year. My school had seen so many new students in to lower sixth most especially females. 

Meanwhile, there was this exceptional girl in class. She was bound by several rules. Even when she had spent some time in school and got to associate with us, she did not follow the dating trend on the basis that she is a Christian and it is against her standard.

Of course it is a Christian school owned by the catholic author meaning most if not all of us are Christians but we did not value that aspect as she did.

After three months in school when it is assumed that the food stuffs most students brought to school are finished, boyfriends will always escape from school to buy food for their girlfriends. Meanwhile, the girls will always stock food for moments as these.

After evening preps, we package already cooked indomies with sardines and “ship” them to the boy’s camp for our boyfriends. This was a custom for us and some of our teachers especially dormitory masters were aware girls send food to the boy’s camp.

Sometimes in class, the boys most especially will dare their friends to say something irritating while a teacher is in class just for the fun of it. Dares such as these were normal for us. After such happenings we know the entire class will go down on punishment because we had a custom never to betray anyone. We usually called betrayers “Babylons”

The competition of whose shipping is heavier became fiercer in the girl’s camp. Little did we know the boys were not very much interested in the competition. The new religious girl, Saunda in my class was their target. 

Most guys who did not have dates wanted to go out with Saunda but she will not give them a chance. She always stood her distance. This got the attention of the guys in my class and they were out for an adventure.

Tom, a tall, light coloured guy, our class’ finest claimed he could win Saunda over. He was thereby dared to make the damsel fall in love with him and date her for a period of two months then break up with her. He went in for the bet.

Tom had a girlfriend in our class no doubt. Because we hated “babylons”, his girlfriend Rose could not tell Saunda was coming her way. Rose parted with the plans they boys had made. She was the lone girl who knew what fate had for Saunda is she plays weak given that, it was her boyfriend to execute the plan.

Rose and Tom decided to pretend as though they were no longer lovers. It was news to the entire school because they were everyone’s “ideal couple” little did we know it was all a scheme.

Day one of the dare came so fast. The atmosphere in school was very suspicious but we could not place our hands on what was to happen or is going wrong.

Tom approached Saunda after our morning class and they began talking. Shockingly, Saunda quickly got acquainted to Tom. It was a good signal for the boys who knew what Tom was up to. As days went by, they became even closer. It was headline in school. All students both junior and senior could not get the story off their heads.

One Sunday morning, Tom “shipped” to girl’s camp for Saunda. The package had several candies, biscuits, cake, yogurt, and a pallet of soft drinks. Alcohol was not accepted in school. It was news in the girl’s camp. Dear Saunda was so filled with love that her heart could not hold. 

All Saturdays she ensured she did Tom’s laundry and ironed his uniforms. Washed his plate after meals and assigned a junior student to take it for him to the refectory whenever it was time for meals. 

Rose was not bothered much though. She and Tom had attained that level of trust where she knew undoubtable that Tom will come back to her after the dare. Although she feared for Saunda, class rules prevented her from warning Saunda.

One month of the dare quickly ran out. Saunda was so in love. She spent most of her time out of the dormitory with Tom. They always studied together and ate on a table just the two of them. Yes, it was possible because lower sixth was a “ruling” class so they prefects made it happen.

Time ran so quick than we could imagine. All Saunda will talk about while we were in the dormitory was Tom. Even though friends tried telling her it was wrong to immediately date your friend’s “ex” after their break up, she could not reason then.

Last Sunday of the second month quickly came in. Tom invited Saunda down school on the basis that he had something important to tell her. We all thought Tom wanted to make their relationship official as some brave students will do. Saunda was so excited that she wore her most fitting uniform and best leader slippers. 

We all went out, as we got down school the boys were already gathered. Then, Tom started by apologizing to Saunda for what he was about to say. We were all confused

Tom; Saunda! I’m sorry for what I am about to say.

Saunda; Tommy, I love you, just ride on. Make our relationship public (smiling)

Tom; These two months we spent together was planned. I do not love you more than I love my girl Rose. Yes, you are a nice person but, I am putting this to an end. The time of my dare is up and I am reuniting with my girlfriend Rose… hope you forgive me someday!! Bye Saunda

Saunda burts in to tears, the entire school was so calm. We all spoke to Rose bitterly but it could not turn the hands of time. Saunda wept throughout the week. The news went round school. All teachers learnt of what happened. What amazes and still worries teachers and students alike is how some students could hurt another so badly all because of a dare. The story is still told to every batch of students that comes in.