We were four friends, boys who promised to give our best at the university because we knew what it took to sponsor a kid to university in a country where the economy kept falling and the inflation rate rose.
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"Fash, the 100 level was much easier than this 200 level. Now we are writing our final exam for the second semester. I already feel like giving up." This was Akeem, the optimistic one among us. I wondered to myself: If Akeem is saying this, what should the rest of us do? I always seemed to understand every question because I began to read at the start of the semester, but I knew my friends were smart too. I couldn't talk because I answered all the questions, and I didn't want them to find out. "It is well," was all I could say. Then Idowu butted in, "Let's just do our best and leave the rest to God."
Demola kept quiet throughout our conversation because he wasn't someone who worried too much about grades and passing exams. His parents were well connected to some of the best-known politicians, so even with poor grades, a job was waiting for him. He was quite the chatterbox, but when we talked about exams and grades, he always kept quiet.
After the examination, our results came out, and they weren't what we were all expecting. I did better than my friends, but the difference wasn't significant. Akeem and Idowu seemed down after seeing my result. I actually showed it to them after showing it to Demola, and he seemed unbothered. So why were Akeem and Idowu getting angry over my result?
The 300 level came swiftly; the semester started with assignments upon assignments. Tests were set on different days, but something felt different. I hardly saw Akeem and Idowu in class like I used to. We were still friends, but I could sense the distance between us.
One day after class, my friends and I decided to visit the eatery inside the school to have food since none of us had eaten before coming to class that morning. While we were eating, I decided to ask the question that had been lingering in my mind: "Idowu, what's wrong? I haven't been seeing you in class like I used to, and Akeem, even if Idowu is doing this, I didn't expect it from you." I said this while looking at Akeem because he was more reasonable than Idowu. The response I got that day wasn't what broke my heart, but the person who said it did. "Fash, you're just wasting your time going to class and stressing yourself when you can pay the lecturers for a good grade." Akeem said this with pride; he said it like all the time we had been reading and studying together was a waste of their time.
"I see no reason to study when I can just pay and get what I want. For real, I have a contact that can help us get these things done, so there is no need to put in too much effort when you can get it done with ease," Idowu said with a smile on his face, thinking I would buy the idea. "Are you guys mad already? Demola, can you hear what they are saying? Why are you guys like this? Don't you think the knowledge gained is better than all that rubbish?" I was talking angrily this time without realizing it.
"I don't think my presence here is appreciated anymore. Idowu, come, let's go." Akeem and Idowu left us that day, and we never spoke again.
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It was exam time again, and we all did our exams without speaking to each other. The results came out, and they both did better than me this time; the gap between our grades was very wide. The next time we saw them in class, the smile on their faces told me all I needed to know, and this time I felt discouraged to study. I was about to walk out of the class when Demola pulled me close and said to me, "You might think your effort is a waste, but it's not. Keep doing what you're doing because it is better to take the road less traveledthan the one with a multitude of people."
In the end, your effort will speak. Those words gave me all the courage I needed, and from that day forward, I made sure to pass all my examinations with my own effort.
