Hope - Episode 24

That same day after the school bus dropped Ayo in front of their house. She ran inside the house with glee to share the good news with her parents. She has been thinking of home since the moment the principal announced her percentage, to share the good news with them. She knew they would be at home because her step-dad didn’t go to work that morning. He had taken her mother to the hospital as she was complaining of fever earlier that day. ‘So definitely they should be at home’, she thought. 
As she opened the door to the sitting room, the scene she met surprised her. Both her parents were dancing to a music by a popular musician. They were so engrossed in it that they failed to notice her. On the table were 2 empty bottles of wine and another half empty. Also the couple are each holding a glass of wine and sipped from it as they danced to ‘Joy’. 
Ayo thought that the principal had called her parents and told them about her performance in the examination. ‘But that cannot be the case or can it be? The scene before me is more than just qualifying. It seemed like I have won the competition itself. There’s something else behind this happiness’. She kept thinking while walking closer to her parents

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/hope

. It was not until she reached them that they noticed her presence.
“Sweetheart, you are back”, her mother called. Mr. Badmus went ahead to turn down the volume of the music player.
“Yes Mom and I have good news”, Ayo said excitedly.
“Good news!” her parents exclaimed and looked at one another.
“Please share with us”, Mr. Badmus pleaded, excitement written all over his face.
“We also have good news for you”, Mrs. Badmus added.
‘Good news? What could it be? It’s now obvious it’s not about the competition at all’
“Okay dear, you go first”, Mr. Badmus urged. 
“No! You go first”, Ayo argued. At first she couldn’t wait to get home to share the news with her parents but now she can’t wait to hear their good news.
Mrs. Badmus knew that neither of them would want to go first, so she did. “I’m pregnant”, she said. “I’m pregnant, Ayomide”
Mr. Badmus and Ayo stopped arguing at once. No, it was Ayo who stopped. She jumped and hugged her mom tightly. She was very excited and kept asking questions after questions forgetting that she also had news to share.
“It’s okay dear. We don’t know if the child is a boy or girl. This morning, at the hospital…” Mrs. Badmus tried as much as possible to answer the questions she could.
“Okay! How many weeks now?” Ayo asked yet another question.
“Ayomi”, Mr. Badmus said as he fondly calls Ayo. “Calm down”.
Ayo collapse on a couch full of excitement. The couple watched her in amazement. They could tell she was very excited.
“I qualified”, she said after a while.
“Qualified?” Mrs. Badmus screamed. “Wow!”
“You mean you qualified for the Math Olympiad competition”, Mr. Badmus asked just so he could be sure of what she was saying.
“Yes Dad, I did”, Ayo responded.
“What percentage”, Mrs. Badmus asked.
“94% ma”.
“Wow! Daughter you nailed it”, Mr. Badmus praised. “That’s impressive”.
“Thank you dad”.
“Ayomiposi”, Mrs. Badmus said with tears in her eyes. It was tears of joy.
“Surely, our Joy has increased”, Mr. Badmus said and wrapped his hand around her waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“Let’s celebrate”, Mr. Badmus said.
“Before that.

Read " Believe " by the same author ( HABEEBLLAH DAMILOLA )

. Let me ask a question”, Mrs. Badmus said. “When will the competition start?” 
“Probably in August”, Ayo replied. “After our third term examination”. ‘I just hope I make it to the finals’, she thought.
“Okay, enough talking. Let’s celebrate”, Mr. Badmus repeated and hit the play button on the remote control. The sound of music filled the room once again.
‘Always joy, nothing but joy
Made it in life, nothing but joy
Promotion at work, nothing but joy
Success at school, nothing but joy… ‘
The trio danced happily till they could dance no more. It surely was nothing but joy for the Badmus family. 

THE END
Note: Thanks for reading up to this part. I'm really grateful. 

Gracefully,a that Ayo hoped for was fulfilled. Anyway I've been thinking if this should be the concluding part or if there should be a sequel to this book which I will gladly work on if you so wish but I need to know your thoughts if I should proceed or not.

What to you think esteemed and valued readers?

Well a story I'm currently working on is Adura's side of the story which I'd love to title 'Hopeless'

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