The air was heavy with moisture as Olivia left the school compound. It had rained a storm the previous night, and mud, and a line of fallen branches littered the ground. Already, she heard children yelling and laughing and running every which way.
Miss! Miss! Look!" a boy shouted, pointing to a little stream of water that was about to flood the classroom.
Olivia's heart dropped. It had flooded, and the school yard was a complete mess. She took a quick survey, water edging its way towards the classroom, children slipping in the mud, and books and learning equipment scattered everywhere.
Chidera emerged, walking past puddles as if walking on air. "Looks like Mother Nature tried to test you out today," he quipped. "I don't need tests from Mother Nature!" Olivia complained, rolling up her sleeves. "I need a mop and a little sense from these kids!"
She started to usher the children to higher ground, shifting books and papers, as Chidera gathered sandbags and cleared a path for the water. Though she was tired but she had a wave of resolve. Now was her time to demonstrate that she was capable of handling something beyond lessons—of handling a disaster.
The next hour was a whirlwind of activity. Children carried water buckets out of classroom, stood in lines to stack sandbags, and worked under Olivia's commands. Mud splattered everywhere, further staining her dress. Chidera stayed calm throughout, trying to help her out wherever necessary. Once, he intercepted a child slipping in mud and gave him a firm but gentle correction. Olivia observed how he did it so naturally to command respect, not with aggressiveness,but with silent proficiency.
Lagos girl, breathe," he told her, "You're handling them well. Trust the process.
Olivia stopped, brushing a drop of sweat from her forehead. "Easier said than done!" she cried, but a tiny smile spread to her lips. She knew that as long as she had Chidera beside her, even the madness became tolerable.
By noon, the water was generally contained, classrooms secure, and children drained but elated. Olivia collapsed onto a bench, mud-soaked and dripping, as Chidera gave her a bottle of water.
"You survived the flood," he said simply. "Not many could have done this."
Olivia smiled thinly. "Just. but I managed it."
As the sun began to emerge from behind the blanket of clouds, drying out the mire and warming the classroom, Olivia remained motionless, observing the children at play and the villagers continuing their daily routines.
"Today was intense I wont lie at all," she admitted, looking at Chidera.
"Tough, yes. Worth it, too," he stated, his eyes unwavering. "You witnessed what it takes to be a villager, patience, leadership, heart. You passed today."
There was an odd warmth that migrated to her chest. For the first time, she truly belonged to this place—not a visitor nor a Lagos girl thrown into chaos, but an individual who could make a difference, lead, and connect.
And. thanks," she finished softly. "For being there to help me out.".
His gaze locked onto hers, calm but amused. "You would have found it sooner or later. But I prefer to be handy."
Olivia smiled, pulling a hand through her hair. Yesterday's disaster had made her worn her out, and humbled her—but taught her something important too, surviving out here wasn't about bearing hardship in a lone, individualistic sense, but about networking, trusting in humanity, and accepting the unexpected.
As night drew in, and the village returned to stillness as usual, Olivia sat out in front of her hut, thinking about the day. Mud-splattered, hot, and beyond tiring, but she managed a pale smile. In spite of it all, she was no longer merely surviving… she was starting to thrive.
And Chidera, standing nearby in silent observance, was a constant focus—a friend to the turmoil, a guide to the testing, and maybe, just maybe, something she had yet to recognize.