Just at the right time... Creative Nonfiction Prompt

_{Image is mine}

"Hey B, you didn't hear what happened on Monday, did you?" This is one of the new corpers in my place of primary assignment asking very early in the morning at work and while we were still on the assembly ground with the students on Wednesday morning.

No, I replied as I tried to maintain my position beside her. What happened? I asked after what seemed like seconds of silence so it doesn't feel as if I wasn't willing to listen to what she has to say. Of course, I was not interested in the gist because that is one thing about me when it comes to unnecessary talks from people who seem not to know the next thing to do.

When I got no response again, I turned to the assembly ground while listening to the teacher who was on duty addressing the students on the topic "The importance of studying well"

Hey you, face your front and focus on what is being said, I told a student who was not paying attention but doing otherwise. While still scrutinising the place, watching out for the unruly behaviour of some stubborn students and trying to caution them, she tapped me and said, "We will talk later once we get to the office"

Okay, I responded while I took a step towards the assembly to ensure the right position of the students especially when it comes to singing their marching songs as they marched into their classes. If they aren't monitored, they are scattered everywhere and the lines are disorganised.

After the staff meeting which was always held after the assembly with the principal and vice principal airing their opinions and observations on how the school and students should be handled and appreciating the staff for doing their jobs to ensure the smooth running of the school, the next would be a short prayer by anyone being called to lead and then everyone dispersed into their staff rooms ready for the day's work.

I walked into my staff room and took the English textbook and my lesson note which I needed to go over again before going for my class. It was past 8 am that morning and I was having a class by 11 am. "I still have some hours to get myself ready and do a little engagement on Hive", I calmly said in my mind as I adjusted the chair to the edge of the table so I could be comfortable, then came in the corper who wanted to gist me.

Oh my God, she would delay me now, I muttered because I knew what was at stake for me. I was about to make a post for the day before going for my class but that won't be happening again.

"Corper B", she called out while trying to pull a chair beside me.

"So, like I said the other time, something happened on Monday which involved you and me".

Me? How come I am included? I retorted immediately as I was surprised that my name was being mentioned and at that point, the curiosity in me set in and I became eager to find out what really happened on Monday.

"One of the old corpers said that we are both arrogant. They emphasised on you being so arrogant and they were like "Is it because of the money you have that is making you feel so proud of yourself and not relate with them?"

At that point, I could see her eyeballs got red when she narrated her experience on Monday with some teachers and the old corpers who also added their observations while they gave her all kinds of names. She was sad!

What even transpired between you and them? I asked her because I wanted to find out what exactly was going on. She told me of how some teachers did not like her because they feel she was too full of herself.

That wasn't even my concern as all that was on my mind was how they could have the effrontery to say such a statement to me not knowing who I am. I felt pissed on one side as I didn't want to conclude on the matter based on what she said without verifying if it was true or not but when she kept talking about a particular corper, I had no option but to believe it was true because I also noticed some petty behaviours from this same old corper who would not talk to me since the day we resumed work and sometimes when I greet her, she would reply under her nose, not knowing she had had me in mind from day one. Perhaps her other old corpers' friends had told her about me and how I decided to rent a self-contained apartment which I don't see why someone should be feeling bad about it.

I heaved a sigh and tried advising her and one other new corper in my staff room like someone older would do. Of course, I am older than them by age and I shouldn't act immature around them. I told them to beware of people like those who were busy discussing my matter behind my back and are unhappy about their achievements because that is life. There are lots of fake people who disguise themselves as true friends but their hearts are filled with wickedness. I said all of that and encouraged them to be of good behaviour no matter what people say about them.

School closed for the day and I went home. On getting home, I decided to play a song on my phone and the first music that popped up was a song by a Nigerian artist "Adekunle Gold" titled "My Life"

_{A screenshot from my phone}

Wow...this is the perfect song for what happened today, I screamed out loud

At that point, the hunger in me disappeared as I danced to the music while singing along to the lyrics with Adekunle and smiling within me.

The song "My Life" is about the author trying to talk back at his haters for not being happy with his achievements. He was saying that all his success and what he has achieved were only by God's grace and it isn't his fault that he is rich because God has blessed him, but advising his haters to not feel bad about his life. After all, he can enjoy as much as he want to and it is no one's concern.

As I kept dancing to the music, I was saying to myself: I don't care what people say about me because it is my life. No one should feel sad or bad about my life and what I have achieved. I don't care if anyone calls me an arrogant person just because they only judge by what they see outside but haven't tried moving closer to knowing who I am really and how sweet and kind I can be.

I just felt peace within me because that song popped up at the right time and I was able to feel at ease within myself and to continue acting good even when I get to my work. The music came in at the perfect moment I needed one to clear my mind and head off what I heard at work earlier that day.