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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

LOVE BIRDS, A Novel Cont'd.

CHAPTER TWO
THE CHALLENGE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 10:30 AM

        It was another sensational day at Thomas Jefferson High School and a sizzling Math quiz was about kicking-off in the 10th grade class. The teacher Mrs. Patience Sparkles had divided the class into three different groups. The group was to choose their representatives. For group A Henry was chosen, for group B, Naomi was appointed and Esther Davis was the leader of group C.
         ‘Alright now let’s get started. Group A your question; what is the third angle of a triangle with angles 60 and 70. You have 2 minutes’ Ms. Sparkles said. After a few seconds of computation, an answer finally came.
         ‘The answer is 50 degrees Ms. Sparkles’ was the reply from Henry.
         ‘That is fast Henry, and you have 5 points for that’ Ms. Sparkles said pretty surprised.
         ‘Group B your question; the square root of 2 times a certain number, divided by 2 is 1. What is the number?’ Ms. Sparkles said.
         ‘Now take your time group B, this is pretty difficult’ Ms. Sparkles warned. At this point shivers ran down the spines of members of group B, for they had concluded their representative will screw it. But Naomi was confident and undisturbed. After about 30 seconds, surprisingly, an answer came, earlier than expected.
          ‘The answer is 2, yes 2’ Naomi said confidently as if anyone disagreed.
          ‘2-2-2, are you sure’ Ms. Sparkles questioned, trying to pull her legs.
           ‘Yes 2, I’m sure’ Naomi maintained.
          ‘And it’s correct’ responded Ms. Sparkles to the surprise of everyone, including Henry who thought she couldn’t figure it out. The next question was for group C, but it was not answered. Thus the next went to group A. Ms. Sparkles had taken Henry unawares who seemed only prepared for calculations. Abruptly, the question came.
         ‘Group A, what is statistics?’ Ms. Sparkles asked with a smile knowing the students least expected that. Henry had seen the subject while studying but didn’t stop to consider it. After the first minute Henry became nervous and thus could not answer the question. It was then considered a bonus question and passed on to group C, instead of group B. Ms. Sparkles had done this intentionally in order to give an advantage to group C, who was lacking behind. They too couldn’t answer the question, so it was passed to group B. Naomi who is keen at paying attention to details had carefully considered the topic and so gave a quick response.
         ‘Statistics is the collection, analysis, presentation and complete storage of data, which by definition are unprocessed information. That’s it’ Naomi summarized with a smile. With an air of silence moving through the classroom, Ms. Sparkles muttered.
           ‘2.5 points for that’
      The rest of the competition continued with a string of losses and wins and finally, group B emerged winner. As a result of this Naomi became better appreciated for her intelligence. At the end of school that day, Naomi found Henry happily chatting with some girls in the hallway, and became irate. Henry observing her reaction went after her.
           ‘Naomi, Naomi, Naomi, I’m calling you’ he said as he pulled her hand.
           ‘What is it? Why the hell are you bugging me? Go have your fun and leave me alone’ she retorted raising reactions from other students in the almost crowded hallway.
           ‘Look Naomi, it’s you I love, and it’s not what you think. I was only being friendly’ Henry said trying to win her over.
           ‘Oh spare me that! Go and tell it to the first graders. I’m out of here’ she said as she dashed downstairs. Henry stood there for a while before slowly walking downstairs and then to the bus station where he boarded a bus home and didn’t talk to anyone until he got home.
      Back at Naomi’s home, she couldn’t eat or drink anything. This elicited concern from her mom, who detests seeing her only child, worried.
              ‘Baby, what is the matter with you, you’ve been like this since you got back? Is everything alright’ she asked.
              ‘Mom, I love him, but he keeps cheating on me’ she spoke up tearfully, as she sat up on the bed sobbing. Her mom looking surprised at her daughter then sat at the edge of the bed close to her daughter.
               ‘Love h-i-m, who are you talking about? Honey you never told me you were dating’
               ‘Yes, I know, and I’m sorry mom. His name is Henry. He is 18 and is from Fairfax. He had the highest score on the Entrance Examination. First I thought it was my classmate Jane, but today I saw him happily chatting with Philomena and other girls after school. I hate it when he talks to other girls in that manner’ Naomi complained expressing her bitterness.
                 ‘Look honey, I understand how you feel, but the truth is, what you are experiencing is mere infatuation. True love is never jealous, and for all you know, he may not be into those girls. He may just be a guy with a habit of socializing. Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll come back to you if he truly loves you. It’s okay, stop crying. It’s lunch time, and I don’t want your dad to get panicky over your refusal to eat’ her mom said assuredly as she led the seventeen year old to the dinning room downstairs, in the magnificent one storey building painted in a brilliant white and light shade of green; a combination reflective of the favorite colors of Mr. and Mrs. Graham and their lovely angel.
                     ‘Moreover, honey, your exams are fast approaching. Just two weeks away. That needs your attention more’ her mom continued reminding her of the importance of her exams.
      The next day, Naomi found Henry chatting with Esther Davis, the girl who messed up in the Math quiz. Up until now, Naomi had always thought Henry was a guy of class, but now she was beginning to come to terms with the fact that he is just characteristically sociable like her mom said. But just before Henry came up to her, she ran into Mark the second time.
           ‘Hi gorgeous, we um meet again.’
           ‘You again, why don’t you just leave me alone, we don’t belong to the same class’ Naomi said in an irritable voice.
           ‘You know class has nothing to do with this. You are beautiful and I just want to get to know you better, besides I’m just a class ahead of you. So, what’s your name?’ Mark asked.
            ‘Naomi, Naomi Graham’
            ‘Naomi Graham, are you in any way related to Vivian Graham of Vivian’s Styles in New York City?’ Mark asked anxiously.
             ‘Hmm, I see you are pretty well-informed. Well, she is my aunt, my dad’s junior sister’.
             ‘Impressive. I’m Mark Blake. My dad controls the New York Times printing press. Um, nice to meet you’ Mark said stretching out his hand towards her for a hand-shake.
           ‘Nice to meet you too’ she said as she shook his hands, which he clasped around hers and was hesitant in withdrawing.
            ‘I have got to go now, see you around. It was nice meeting you’ Naomi said as she withdraw her hand in a rather awkward moment and ran up the stairs of the 100 acre Thomas Jefferson High beautifully painted in brilliant shades of white, Gray, blue and green combinations.
            ‘Good morning Naomi, who was that?’ came a nervous question from Henry as he followed her up the stairs.
            ‘Oh he’s just some 11th grader’ she responded without details.
            ‘So, how was your night?’ Henry continued.
             ‘Fine and yours?’ was an abrupt response.
             ‘It was hell. I stayed awake all night thinking of you. Naomi I love you, I truly do. Please be my girlfriend’ Henry asked emotionally. Just then Naomi beamed revealing her well arranged dental structure with a slit at the middle. She seemed to have been waiting for this, and she looked more beautiful with a smile, Henry thought.
               ‘Your girlfriend, don’t you think it is too early; I mean let us get to know each other better. I’ll just be your close friend, not your girl friend, okay?’ she responded as she held him by his hands.
                 ‘Perfect, I mean I’m okay with it’ Henry said smiling, his eyes glowing. Just then the bell rang.
                  ‘Let’s hurry, it’s time for English Language’ Henry said as they both walked away hand in hand. The attraction that existed between both of them was more like a gravitational pull, and in no time mere friendship was swept under the carpet. Mark soon got to find out the relationship between Henry and Naomi, and vowed for the rest of his stay at Thomas Jefferson High to keep him away from her.



 TO BE CONTINUED

All rights reserved
Copyright Lysious Ogolo

































LOVE BIRDS, A Novel.

PROLOG

      The story explores the love life of two High School teenagers who found themselves in a romantic and blissful relationship that was truncated by their individual health problems, and myriad of unavoidable pains, miseries and sorrows that made it seem like the universe was not in support of their live for each other. In the book, we see them battle life’s curbs as they fight to save their love which grew with them as they transited from teenage age to adulthood. Their intelligence and the wealth of their parents could not save them from the pangs of death; and death itself could not end their love for each other. Perhaps they shared the same star with cupids, find out in this thrilling romance, and what becomes of the love birds.








































CHAPTER ONE
SCHOOL BEGINS
Monday, September 23, 9:00

        The entrance examination into Thomas Jefferson High School had just been completed and it was the beginning of another School year. In the principal’s office, a conversation ensued between the principal and the assessment and head teacher of the 10th graders.
               ‘Good morning Mr. Brookes’ greeted Ms. Peters.
                ‘You sent for me’ she added.
                 ‘Oh yes Ms. Peters, I sent for you. But first, how is your husband and daughter’ Mr. Brookes asked solicitously as he does to every teacher at the beginning of a new school year.
                   ‘They’re all fine’ Ms. Peters responded with a smile that revealed her well-spaced perfectly squared teeth.
                    ‘Thanks for your concern, Sir’ she added.
                     ‘The pleasure is mine’ Mr. Brookes responded.
                      ‘Actually, I called you to inform you that this year’s entrance examination into the 10th grade was really very commendable, and the students with the highest scores were; Henry Philips, Jane Colgate, and Naomi Graham. Put an eye on those geniuses’ Mr. Brookes said in an official tone.
                      ‘Alright Sir, can I have a copy of the results?’ Ms. Peters asked stretching her right hand.
                      ‘Sure, here’ Mr. Brookes said handing over a copy of the result, which Ms. Peters collected and left the office.
                       ‘Do have a nice day’ Mr. Brookes added as Ms. Peters stepped out.
                       ‘And you too Sir’ she reciprocated.
            It was the first day of school, and as usual first on the list was the roll call.
                       ‘Good morning class and welcome to Thomas Jefferson High School where your future is secured. I am Ms. Peters, your head and assessment teacher, and I’ll like you all to listen to your names and put up your hand when you hear your name, and I’ll also like the bearers of the last three names on the list to rise to their feet upon hearing their names-Paul Cleveland, Carol Anderson, Jacobs Jakes, Hamilton Young…Henry Philips, Jane Colgate and Naomi Graham. Henry Philips you scored highest in the exams. Congratulations’ said Ms. Peters stretching her hand for a hand shake.
                       ‘Thank you Ms. Peters’ replied Henry as he shook her hand. Henry was a very light-skinned, dark-haired boy from Fairfax County in Virginia, in his late teens; and looked and sounded much younger than his age. His brightly colored eyes gave his countenance a more handsome look, adding to its chiseled nature. He had an amazing muscular physique and his skin was so light skinned, it looked pale in the heat of the summer sun. His height did not also match his age, for he was of average height. He was the first son of a family of four; composed of Mr. and Mrs. Philips, his parents, and Rooney, his kid brother. His Uncle Mr. Fred, a bright skinned young man in his late thirties, whose skin had patches of red to it, lived in New York and managed the New York headquarters of the Philips Group of Companies, dealers of clothing and cosmetics, owned by his brother, Henry’s father. All the members of Henry’s family were all natives of Fairfax County.
    The mere mention of Henry’s name by Ms. Peters and the sight of him pulled a string in Naomi’s heart. She instantly fell head over heels in love with him. She was just having a bout of infatuation which was however, may be, soon going to develop into full blown love.
              ‘And you two’ Ms. Peters continued looking in the direction of Jane and Naomi.
              ‘I am proud of you. Congratulations. And for the rest of you congratulations and once again, welcome to Thomas Jefferson High’ she said shaking the hands of Naomi and Jane simultaneously.
                ‘See me in my office right away. The rest of you prepare for the orientation teacher. Good bye for now’ the pale-colored, plump assessment teacher of the 10th grade concluded leaving the class, the girls following after her. Ms. Peters had called the girls to further congratulate them, and encouraged them never to feel inferior before Henry or other guys because they were girls. She also them she believes men and women have equal rights and privileges in every society. She happened to be an Egalitarian.
      After school that day, Henry was in the hallway putting his stationary together when Naomi came by. She was a chocolate-skinned girl of Henry’s age grade, though a year younger. The blonde- bobs she kept did well in revealing every attractive feature of her smooth and tender looking face, decorated with ever glowing eyes, pointed and dainty nose, and  well-arranged, closely occurring teeth with a middle slit that sparkled each time she smiled, arousing her deep dimples. Though relatively young, her feminine frame swayed gracefully from left to right as she walked, supported by her straight spotless and hairless legs. She was a ravishing maiden and the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Graham, natives of Washington DC. She had inherited a skin-color typical of her mom’s family, but opposite to her father’s very-light skin that almost seemed to lack pigments. Her aunt, Vivian was also resident in New York City where she owned and controlled a fashion empire. As she got to Henry’s locker, she started up a conversation.
           ‘Hi Henry’
           ‘Uh hello Naomi, how are you and how was your day’ he replied with a smile on his face.
           ‘F-f-fine’ was the reply with a pulse of excitement and nervousness moving down her spine, all at the same time. He likes me she thought to herself. But as it turned out, Henry was just one of those social dudes who got on well with everybody.
           ‘Can we be friends’ Naomi asked after taking a deep breath and stretching her hand.
           ‘Sure’ was a lively reply from Henry as he took her hands and kissed it. At this point Naomi developed goose bumps and her heart pumped a little faster; again she become nervous, but excited still.
           ‘Can, can, can I get your number’ she asked.
           ‘No, not today, Jane is waiting outside for me’ he responded to her utter dismay.
           ‘Oh Jane, I saw her outside but never knew she was waiting for you’ Naomi spoke up looking dismayed. Just then;
           ‘Come on Henry, it’s getting late’ was a shrill cry from the entrance of the hallway. It was Jane calling on Henry, but looking in a different direction and so did not know he was chatting with Naomi.
            ‘Alright Naomi, we’ll see tomorrow. Bye’ Henry said hopping out of the hallway.
              ‘Bye’ Naomi responded, disappointed.
              ‘So it’s Jane he loves and not me. Was it because she scored higher than me in the Entrance Examination’ Naomi soliloquized as she padded down the hallway, her day being a mixture of good and bad. What she did not know was that Henry and Jane lived in the same neighborhood and had known each other since the first grade. Naomi was also a humble girl for though her father was wealthy enough to transport the whole of Thomas Jefferson High to their respective homes, she had insisted that she be treated like a normal average kid and be given fares with which she boarded the bus home every day. But just as she shuffled down the hallway, she was intercepted by Mark Blake, an 11th grader. He was a stout hairy boy, whose pointed nose matched his elongated jaw-bones, adding to his already prominent facial features. His father controlled the New York Times printing house, and his mother owned a string of clothing lines on
Broadway Street
in New York. He had rented an apartment off campus and drives to school everyday in his red Porsche.
        ‘So, is this your first day beautiful?’ He asked in a flirtatious and confident manner.
        ‘Yes, but I am not in the mood for a discussion right now. Just leave me alone’
        ‘Uh I think someone’s had a bad day. But hey, I’m not also in the mood for a chat’
        ‘So what do you want?’
         ‘Just your number baby, your number is all I need, and I bet we will have a lot to talk about. It’s a promise’ Mark said beaming confidently, his right hand in his hip pocket.
          ‘Sorry, but I do not give my number to strangers. I’ve got to leave now’ Naomi said as she hurried down the hallway.
          ‘Wait, you didn’t even tell me your name’ Mark shouted as she hurried down.
           ‘And you didn’t ask!’ Naomi responded as she left out the door.
           ‘It was nice talking to you. See you around!’ Mark replied. By this time, Naomi was already out of sight.
      
        The next day the 10th graders would be having their first class with Mr. Johnson, the Geography teacher. He was a tall, athletic-bodied man in his late forties. Mr. Johnson is known by old students for his characteristic bald head, rimless spectacles that rested on his pinched nose, a little distant from his eyes, and his corporate dressing.
              ‘Good morning class’ was a greeting from Mr. Johnson’s deep voice, deep enough to input respect in the students.
                ‘Good morning Sir’ the class chorused.
                ‘Call me Mr. Johnson, not sir. Mr. Johnson. Is that clear?’ he asked slightly tilting his head and looking through his specs.
                  ‘Yes, Mr. Johnson’ they all responded again.
                  ‘Hmm, good, today we shall be looking at the Earth as a peculiar planet in the solar system. By the way, can any one outline the names of the nine planets of the Solar System, in order of their distance from the sun?’ Mr. Johnson paused for his first question.
                   ‘Sir’ was a confident call from behind. It was Henry.
                   ‘I like your guts kid’ commended Mr. Johnson.
                   ‘Y-e-s’ he said asking for the answer to his question which Henry was hesitant in answering, not having fully digested Mr. Johnson’s first compliment.
                    ‘Sir, sorry Mr. Johnson, they are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Those are the nine planets. Thank you Mr. Johnson’ responded Henry smartly.
                     ‘Excellent! I mean bravo! What’s your name boy?’ Mr. Johnson asked adjusting his specs which was now sliding down his pinched nose.
                      ‘Henry, Henry Philips, that’s my name’
       At this instance, cupids appeared in the atmosphere above. But now it was Cupid Henry shooting an arrow of love into Cupid Naomi’s heart. Naomi was lost fantasizing how this Fairfax genius would be her boy friend. But with Jane on the way, she thought it impossible. Just wishful thoughts she imagined. At the close of school that day, Henry gained fame and friends and since Jane had gone home earlier that day, he thought he would go home alongside his new friends. Just as Naomi was about going home, she saw Henry leaning forward against his locker in the hallway, looking perturbed. She thought it altruistic to inquire what the problem was.
                      ‘Hi, Henry, what’s up, why the frown?’
                      ‘I kind of lost my transport fare’ he answered raising his face to take note of the round-faced, pretty girl standing beside him. He could not ignore her feminine features. She became irresistible to him; ‘Naomi is ravishing he thought. How come he never noticed this all along’ he thought to himself. Now he admired and desired her. However, Henry could have just called his dad to come pick him up, but like Naomi he prefers living as a normal kid; he rather treks home than beg, or have his dad come pick him up.
          ‘Not to worry’ Naomi said as she dipped her hands into her hip pocket.
          ‘Here,’ she continued presenting him with some dollar notes, and having in mind she was going to trek home.
           ‘Will that be enough’ she asked as if she had more to give to him.
           ‘Y-yes, thank you Naomi’ Henry said looking cheerful; his brightly colored eye beaming with joy.
           ‘Oh anything for you Henry’ she replied.
           ‘Eh, here is my phone number you asked for the other day. Give me a call’ Henry said slipping a piece of paper on which he had scribbled his number into her hand.
           ‘Here is mine too, I’ll call you’ Naomi said with a smile as she wrote her number on his right palm. It was an instant chemistry; now Henry gave Naomi his number requesting she calls him not really for the fare she gave him but for the instant fire of love, or may be attraction that now burnt within him. He was not just going to socialize with Naomi as with other girls, but was going to treat her differently.
           ‘But how do you intend going home’ Henry asked.
           ‘Oh don’t you bother your cute head about me, I’ll be fine. See you tomorrow’ she said as they parted ways in the hallway.

 TO BE CONTINUED...

















 All rights reserved
Copyright 2009
Lysious Ogolo.

It's A Battle of Hope!

Considering the downward slope our society is taking,
The economic recession the world is plagued with,
The ravages of war, and the resulting jeopardy in which international relations have gotten,
And the need for peace and stability,
We can hear the war drums thundering!
It's a call to battle, and we are the soldiers!
In the midst of this catastrophe,
From deep within comes a message of hope,
Heralded by our instincts,
Sounding loud and clear to the outside world,
Announcing; It's a Battle of Hope!

As we witness a global metamorphosis, born out of the natural tendencies of man,
Nurtured by parental and societal negligence,
And complacency about high standards,
We observe the inimical effects of youthful exuberance on our children,
As spelt out in drug addiction, rape, sex, pornography, violence and crime,
And as we live with the reality of our teenage daughters becoming mothers before they turn fifteen,
Or our little girls being deflowered shortly after their twelfth birthday,
Even without our knowledge or premonition,
Following an increase in contraceptives, offered by a somewhat negatively advancing science and technology,
We are assured of an increase in abortion, infant abandonment, teenage-pregnancy, and abortion-caused deaths,
For this reason, we could hear the war trumpets sound,
It's a battle alert,
And we are the contenders,
In the midst of this disaster,
From far within the soul,
Is a sermon of a brighter, happier, safer and healthier future,
Resounded by our hearts,
Ringing resoundingly across the continents,
Yelling; It's a Battle of Hope!

As our universe becomes stricken with poverty, famine, the pandemic of AIDS, malaria, and global warming,
We could feel the pangs of pain around our necks,
And as we hear the continuous tales of nuclear creations and explosions, and terrorist attacks saturating the media, we are turned fear-stricken,
And we realize that our world is on the edge of a precipice, even as we witness its pillars crumbling,
We could still hear the thunderous marching of the veterans,
It's an invitation to war, and we are the combatants,
Even at the forefront of this global unrest,
From the roots of our spirit,
Comes a promulgation of victory,
Unveiled by our tongues,
And reaching far to the utmost part of the earth,
Shouting; It's a Battle of Hope!