The Scholarship

I was in school that afternoon when I got wind of the update.  The weather was extremely hot, it was as if that region of the Earth was being roasted in a fiery furnace. Seated in my project supervisor's office, I held an exercise book to fan myself, as the power supply had done us no good. He (my project supervisor) was nowhere close to sight — I'm used to my supervisor appearing and disappearing occasionally. So I waited. Sighed and shifted again. Refixed my gaze into the space. Mr Joshua, my supervisor, came in, a knowing smile plastered on his cheek. It was familiar — the last time I saw that smile was when he recommended me for a job. I gave him a knowing look, while in my heart, asking a simple question: “Now what?” “Delight, I have good news for you,” he said as he settled into his swivel chair. He didn't wait for me to ask before handing his phone to me. “It's a scholarship. Please don't let this pass you by.” Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, my eyes ran from the top to the bottom of the flyer. The deadline read: the 15th of July. That was the next day! “Sir, the deadline is tomorrow,” I uttered the only fearful words I could come up with. “Tomorrow midnight. You still have time.” I swallowed slowly. The requirements for the scholarship included a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, my undergraduate transcript and my academic resume. Mr Joshua didn't look at all that, he didn't think of the fact that getting all these could take me days. A thousand and one doubtful words danced in my head. I laid them bare before him. But he assured me that he would get me a letter of recommendation, and I could plead with my HOD for another and then... who knew? A miracle could sprout somewhere for the third. In a few minutes, the recommendation letter was ready. My HOD promised to send hers via my email later in the day. Truly, I didn't know if I should hold on to her words since I showed up with an impromptu request. While still scouting for the third letter, I realised that getting my transcript that day was an impossible feat. It was past three p.m. on a Friday, and I knew better than to expect those non-academic staff in their offices. With that piercing reality, I sank slowly back into my seat, worried. He saw it. And it was mutual. His only reply was, “We will try regardless.” That day, as I strolled out of the school environment, joy was far from me. I felt my hopes raised and dashed to the ground. Why hadn't I seen the update on the scholarship in time? Different thoughts took over the space in my mind. A week later, after I had gotten over it, I received the best news: the deadline had been shifted to two weeks later. That day was the best in my life, or maybe that was what I thought. I bounced to school and to the office of the Exams and Records. I was told that my transcript would be ready in a few days after I had paid. I paid the money. And exactly a week later, I woke up to my transcript sitting pretty in my mail. I completed the process and began my submission. I forgot to add that I also got the third letter of recommendation from my pastor, who is also a lawyer and lecturer. You can imagine the feeling that gushed over me after I clicked the submit button. It was like chilled water was emptied on me. I felt light again, ready to pick up life from where I left it. When I shared the news with my project supervisor, here's what he said: “Congratulations. I just had to write this. This extension was done because God said it's not complete. My daughter's name isn't there. You're the reason for the extension.”  Exactly two weeks later, the good news became complete — I'd been granted the scholarship. Yes, I, alongside seven other undergraduates, were awarded that golden opportunity. If you say I was joyful, you won't be far from the truth but I would rather say joyfulness was an understatement. Throughout my undergraduate days, nothing has given me as much joy as that day. And do you know the most amusing thing? I got the news of the scholarship opportunity on a Friday. I left my school that day, sad that my chance was gone. And here I was, some weeks later, exactly on a Friday, waking up to congratulatory messages in my mailbox. I didn't know what to say. After jumping and dancing till I was drained of energy, I slid to the bare tiles and remained there, letting the tears roll effortlessly down my cheeks. _____________________ **All images were generated with ChatGPT**