A month and some days had passed by staying at home. During that period of time, Benjamin, Chuka, Amaka and I had our retreat. We went to so many places in the whole of a week. Benjamin and Chuka sponsored the outings though. That week we spent going out together was fun and eventful. I sure did enjoy myself.

Now we were in a new week and today was Monday. The day I'd know my fate. The waec results came out yesterday, which was Sunday, but I decided not to tell anyone neither did I want to check it that day. I was a little bit scared. I didn't want to fail a second time.

The jamb results came out a week after their exams and they did quite well. Rachel got 251, Benjamin got 243 and Desmond got 257. Kudos to them!

I stood up from my bed and went straight to the toilet to excrete. After which, I brushed my teeth and had my bath. I intentionally wasted time in bathroom. I was so tensed of the outcome of my result.

Immediately I left the bathroom, I prayed silently to God to help me with my result.

"I heard that waec results are out." My heart skipped instantly at Rachel's statement.

"Yeah." I said rather nervously.

"Have you checked yours?"

I heaved a sigh. "Nope. I wanna check it today."

"Let me help you check it."

"No, don't worry." I said swiftly.

She gave me a mischievous look. "Are you scared?"

I chuckled in a somewhat nervous way. "Of course not."

"Hmm, okay o. I'm out. Meet us in the dinning room."

I nodded my head as a reply. That said, she walked out of the room.

Done dressing up, I went downstairs to have breakfast. Everyone excluding dad was present in the dinning room. They were eating.

"Good morning ma." I greeted mum.

"How are you?" She asked.

"Fine."

"Have you checked your result?" She didn't even let me sit down before asking.

"Not yet." I had my seat.

"Okay. So when are you gonna check it?"

"Today. After I finish eating." I told her.

"Better. I'm off to work. Richard you can have my food." That said, she stood up and bade us bye before scurrying off.

After she left, the rest of us ate our foods silently. There was no power supply, so the house was very quiet.

Done with my food, I went upstairs to check my result. As soon as I took my phone from the bed, it started ringing. I checked the caller ID and it was Benjamin. Maybe he was calling to tell me he has seen his result. Quickly, I picked up the call.

Hello.

He said.

Hey.

How are you doing?

I'm...

I thought of what to say.

I'm fine sha, you?

Good. Have you seen your result?

I sighed.

Nope, you?

Yeah. I passed.

Aw! I'm happy for you.

Yeah, thanks. I heard a lot of people failed physics. Thank God I'm passed it sha. I got a C5.

My heart started pounding heavily when he told me that. I hope I just didn't fail the subject.

Seriously?

Yeah. Check yours now.

Later jare. So how many A's? See just fill me with the details on your result.

Well, I got two A's in maths and civic, four B's in chemistry, agric, data processing and biology, while C's in geography, English and physics.

You tried o. Nice result. What about Chuka?.

Thanks. I don't know if has seen his. I would chat him up.

Okay, bye.

Bye. When you've seen yours, call me, okay?

I smiled.

Okay, Benjamin.

He cut the call. Immediately, I turned on my data connection and went online on WhatsApp. I clicked on Amaka's thread. She was online.

Me: Hey, have you seen your result yet?

It took some seconds before she read my message. Then, she started typing.

Amaka: Yes, you?

Me: Not yet. How was your result?

Amaka: Was very nice. In fact, I'm so happy now.

Me: Aw! Fill me the details.

Amaka: Okay. I got four A's in chemistry, maths, civic and biology. Three B's in English, data processing and agric. Two C's in physics and geography.

Me: Wow! Very nice. I'm happy for you.

Amaka: Thanks dear. Later. I wanna go do something.

Me: Okay.

And then she want offline. I then clicked on Chuka's thread but be wasn't online, so I didn't bother to message him. I swiped to my statuses and saw that some people had updated. I clicked on Chuka's because he had also updated. I viewed it finish, and I was happy for him. He posted his waec result and he passed. He got one A in civic, five B's in chemistry, maths, agric, data processing and geography, three C's in physics, biology and English. Seemed physics was really hard. I just hope I pass.

Done using my phone, I was a bit relieved. Since my friends passed, I must pass.

"Have you checked it yet?" Rachel opened the door ajar and asked.

"Not yet. I'm about to." She ignited the anxiety in me again.

"Check na." After saying that, she shut the door and left the room.

I heaved a sigh before turning my data connection on again. Let me even check this thing. What's the worse that could happen? I wasn't scared of what my parents would do to me if I failed, I was scared because I didn't want to fail a second time and look like the dumb child in the house. If I hadn't failed before, I wouldn't be this nervous.

I went on opera mini and clicked on the website. As the website was running slowly, my heart kept giving out different beats that I haven't heard before. Running slowly, running slowly, it crashed. The fucking website crashed. Thank you lord Jesus. Lord I'm grateful. Thank goodness it crashed.

Minutes later, my phone started ringing. It was dad.

Hello daddy.

Have you seen your result?

He didn't even greet me.

Not yet.

Check it now!

He shouted. Calm down abeg

I have. As I was checking it, the website crashed. I guess a lot of people are using the website.

Okay.

Yeah.

If you've checked it, better just tell me if you failed.

Jeez! Dad! I was angry with him already for even thinking that.

I've not seen it.

I said frostily.

Okay o. Na you sabi. Sha check it.

Dad could be so annoying. He was even making matters worse.

Okay.

Bye.

I cut the call immediately his last word. I was pissed already.

The day was finally over and I still haven't seen my result. Although I have checked it, but the website kept crashing.

It was 11:51pm, and everyone had gone to bed except me. I was chatting with Benjamin and the rest.

Benjamin: Check it now. Maybe it would open.

Me: Okay.

I went to opera mini and clicked on the website. Instantly, it opened. My heart skipped when it did. I didn't want it to open just yet. I filled all the necessary details and logged in. I closed my eyes as the portal was loading. I was more than nervous. I wasn't settled at all. I sighed heavily before opening my eyes again. Finally, it popped up. I scrolled down slowly to see my grades.

I...

I passed! Oh my God! I passed!

"Yes!" I screamed, making Rachel jolt up. "I passed." Quickly, I screenshot it to show my parents in the morning.

"What is it?" She asked tiredly.

"I passed, Rachel. I passed!" I stood up and started dancing.

"Let me see."

I shipped her my phone.

"Nice result. Now can I sleep?"

I collected my phone back. "Yes."

Immediately, I dialled Benjamin's number. He picked up fast.

Hello.

I passed Benjamin. I passed!

Aw! You see. Shebi I told you you'd pass.

Thanks dear.

How many A's?

I got no A, but I got six B's and three C's.

Nice one. So we'd see tomorrow. I wanna sleep now.

Okay. Night then.

Sweet dreams baby.

I smiled and cut the call. Minutes later, mum walked in. "You haven't slept yet?"

I turned to look at her. "Mummy, I've seen my result. I passed!"

"Seriously?! Eh...!" She started dancing and singing praises to God. "Let me go and call your dad." She rushed out of the room.

Sooner than expected, they walked in and dad had a beautiful smile on his face. I knew mum had told him already. "Let me see your result." I showed him and he congratulated me. "Ruby, ruby!" He said joyously.

"We'd celebrate tomorrow." Mum informed.

"Sure now."

And that's how they left my room happily.

# # #

THRESHOLD OF A NEW LIFE! 😁

In our lives, we all experience a threshold of a new life. It could be us gaining admission into the university, or us getting a new job, or us working in a place we ain't familiar with, it still a threshold. So this isn't the end of Ruby James' journey. She still has a lot out there.

Thanks for reading this awesome work of mine. God bless! 🙏🙌👌😘

Next update is an author's note and a review, so stay tuned guys. Much love!