The Game Before the Grades

adese (72)in Project HOPE • 9 months ago

I can still remember vividly the very first day I was labelled as not being serious. Of course, that kind of remake came from my roommates in Kwasu Solomon. Solomon is the guy who lives his life in detail and excellently. He put everything into consideration, whether it is something big or small.

"Tope, if you continue living your life like this, you will perform woefully in your academics. Those hours that you used to watch movies, if you used them to study your books, I believe you will be leading your department today." He always teases me, I can still remember vividly

"Solomon, life is too short, sometimes it is expected to be enjoyed", I always responded.

Apart from that, I love pranking people a lot just to practice my MC skills. I am known all across my department as MC Tope.

Whenever there are events like a birthday ceremony or a fake prank, I am always contacted. For some people, they always study late, just as my friend Solomon, but I prefer to spend some time watching movies to improve my MC skills.

It gets to a time. I was labelled by people as "The Fun And Games Guy", and that name became so popular that it was like a nickname.

But there was this particular week I will not forget. The week started on a good note and somehow ended on a bad note.

We were submitting our final year projects. My fellow coursemates were actually doing everything possible to get their APA formatting; I was at the drama department rehearsal hall for the end-of-the-semester play.

"Tope, I must be sincere with you, you need to be careful with all these play shows you are attending. You are in your final year, guy?" Solomon advised me that very morning.

"Solomon, don't worry, my supervisor always likes me,, so no issue," I responded to him

But the reverse was the case. On that submission day, I was trying to get to the departmental office where my supervisor happened to be,, afraid.

The worst has happened. Rain. And it is not just a little rain, I mean heavy rain.

I was rushing along the road to the departmental office and in a bid to dodge it, I slipped and both I and my project fell to the floor. The muddy floor.

At that particular time, I was confused about what to do. I felt shame, I felt defeated as people walked past me, laughing at me.

Standing up and walking to the department office, as I had no choice. That was our submission day. Handing it over to my supervisor with my project pages stained.

"Tope, so this is finally what your finances and games have brought you to", my supervisors told me.

That fateful night, Solomon was trying to console me.

"Don't worry, Tope, everything will be fine. And I guess this is the time for you to take life more seriously." Solomon said.

"Yes, you are right, Solomon, I think I will need to take life more seriously than I have always viewed it to be," I responded

At the end of the semester, my grades in my project were affected by that incident, which affected my result when graduating. I didn't graduate with first-class honours. But something I graduated with, I left with memories. It makes me understand that, as far as you know, when the real game of life begins and how you can play it, you are bound to succeed. Probably if only I had taken life more seriouslyly.