Unconventional Love - Chapter 1
Xenia Snyder-Collison@xeniasnydercollison751687
17 days ago
A HARSH MORNING
The sun rose over Kasoa, bathing the town in a warm golden glow, as if nature itself was putting on a grand spectacle to herald the beginning of a new day. Inside Greater Good Senior High School, a hive of activity buzzed through the hallways and classrooms.
Amidst this vibrant setting, Ursula stood tall and poised near the whiteboard in her Economics classroom. The air hummed with youthful exuberance as her students, like eager explorers, delved into the depths of economic theories and concepts.
Ursula, a woman of undeniable charisma and intellect, commanded the attention of her pupils with ease. Her expressive eyes, the colour of rich mahogany, sparkled with a passion for teaching and an unyielding belief in the potential of her students.
Her smooth, ebony skin seemed to radiate an aura of wisdom and experience, earning her respect among her peers and admiration from her pupils. Today, however, Ursula’s mind wandered elsewhere, her thoughts consumed by a recent incident that had left her feeling vulnerable.
Despite her best efforts to focus on the lesson at hand, she found herself grappling with a nagging distraction that clouded her usually sharp mind. “Madam, you wrote ‘defecation’ instead of ‘deflation’!” a student called out, unable to suppress a giggle.
Embarrassment flushed Ursula’s cheeks, contrasting beautifully with her deep skin tone. “Oh, my goodness! Thank you for pointing that out. Let me fix it,” she replied with an endearing mixture of humility and composure, mustering a polite smile to conceal her chagrin.
Walking up to the whiteboard, Ursula gracefully erased the erroneous word and confidently replaced it with the correct term, “deflation.” However, the hushed whispers and stifled laughter among the students served as a reminder that the incident had not gone unnoticed.
“Did you see that? She wrote ‘defecation’!” one student whispered to a classmate, prompting a series of muffled chuckles. “I know, right? She must be exhausted or something", the classmate replied, his amusement evident.
Despite her efforts to reclaim her authority, Ursula’s self-consciousness threatened to linger, casting a shadow over her once unshakeable confidence. ‘Focus, Ursula. You need to focus’, she silently urged herself, determined to rise above the momentary stumble.
As the students completed their exercises and left for a break, Ursula’s phone interrupted the silence, jolting her back to reality. She swiftly answered the call, hoping for a brief respite from the day’s challenges. “Hello?” she said.
“Hey, sis! How are you?” the voice resonated through the receiver with warmth and concern. Ursula’s exhaustion gave way to a small smile upon hearing her sister’s familiar voice. “I’m okay, thanks. How about you, Rachel? How is Samuel doing too?” she replied.
“Samuel and I are doing well. How about our parents? How are they?” Rachel inquired, her concern shifting to their parents. Ursula hesitated for a moment, her mind returning to the recent challenges their family had faced.
“Dad had a severe asthma attack. Mum had to rush him to the hospital. He’s okay now, but it was terrifying,” she explained. Rachel’s alarm was palpable, evident even through the phone line. “Oh no, that’s terrible! When did this happen?” she asked.
“Last week Fri –”, Ursula began, but her words were cut short by her sister’s sudden frustration. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Ursula sighed, understanding her sister’s reaction.
“You’re in your seventh month of pregnancy, sis. We didn’t want to bother you until things calmed down a bit. So sorry about that,” she explained, hoping to assuage Rachel’s concerns.
A sense of sadness permeated Rachel’s voice as she replied, “I wish I could be there to help.” “We’re managing, don’t worry. Mum is just upset with dad for not taking care of herself. But thanks for checking in,” Ursula reassured her sister, grateful for the connection despite the physical distance between them.
“Of course. Let me know if there’s anything I can do, okay?” Rachel offered. “I will. Take care,” Ursula responded, as she bid her sister farewell. As Ursula hung up the phone, her thoughts lingered on the loving bond she shared with her family.
The challenges they had faced had tested their resilience, but the support and care they showed one another had strengthened their unity. A soft knock on the classroom door interrupted her reflections, pulling her back to the present moment.
She turned to see her friends, Laura and Abigail, entering, their faces filled with genuine concern. “How’s it going, Ursula?” Laura asked.
She offered a weary smile, appreciating the presence of her dear friends. “It’s been a long week. But my dad is doing better now,” she replied. Abigail’s eyes lit up with relief. “That’s great news!
We were worried about him,” she said. Ursula nodded, appreciating their care and support. “Yeah, he’s been discharged from the hospital,” she confided. Abigail’s face softened with empathy.
“Thank goodness,” she said. “I’m lucky to have friends like you. Your support means a lot to me,” Ursula expressed with gratitude. Laura smiled warmly, a testament to their enduring friendship.
“Well, we’re the only female teachers here at the school. " We have to stick together,” she quipped, a playful glimmer in her eyes. Ursula’s appreciation deepened as she replied, “I’m grateful to have you both in my life. Thank you for always being there for me.”
“It’s what friends do. Now, have some lunch. " We brought you something,” Abigail said with mischief. The two placed a pack of deliciously aromatic fried rice and chicken on Ursula’s desk, accompanied by a chilled “sobolo” drink.
The tantalizing scent filled the classroom, enticing Ursula’s senses. “Enjoy your meal. " We’ll catch up with you later,” Laura added. Ursula’s weariness momentarily lifted as she surveyed the thoughtful offering before her.
Gratitude welled up within her as she realized the depth of their friendship. “Thank you,” Ursula said with appreciation and affection. As her friends left the classroom, she found herself alone, surrounded by the comforting aroma of the meal they had prepared for her.
She took a moment to savour the camaraderie that surrounded her, feeling rejuvenated and blessed. ‘With friends like these, I can get through anything’, she thought to herself, a sense of determination settling within her.
'I’ll make the best of the rest of the day', she resolved, determined to face the challenges ahead with renewed strength and resilience. She uncovered the meal and began to eat.
As she enjoyed her lunch, the worries and weariness of the day began to fade, replaced by a renewed sense of hope and the knowledge that she was not alone in her journey.
#uncoventionallove
#novel
#chapterone
