After the first week in camp, everything took a new turn as competitions between platoons kicked off, featuring football, volleyball, sprint races, and dance battles.
Platoon commanders selected top performers from the platoon march past to join the team that would march on the final day.
A lot of people became members of different groups, due to rumors that active involvement in camp activities might result in being posted to the state capital.
I chose not to join the marchers. However, upon hearing that members of the band crew were almost guaranteed postings to the state capital, I decided to try out for the band.
Unfortunately, the large number of hopefuls waiting to be selected was discouraging.
I also attempted to join the camp media team, known as OBS, but their list was already crowded with applicants.
After numerous attempts to join a group that could improve my chances of being posted to the state capital, I eventually decided to remain independent.
Sandra and Evelyn were selected to represent their platoons in the upcoming pageant, while Daisy was chosen to represent her platoon in the Miss Bold and Beautiful category.
Pascaline, just like me, stayed out of all the groups, simply observing and cheering others on. She continued to keep her distance and avoided talking to me, so I chose to respect her need for space.
Yamani had attended a military primary and secondary school, where he became skilled at marching, making it impossible for his platoon commander to overlook him for selection.
As for Yamani, he quickly found a girl from his platoon after realizing he wouldn't be able to win Daisy over. He couldn't stop talking about his new girlfriend and eventually introduced her to me.
He mentioned to me that he was planning his approach to win the girl over. On the Wednesday of our second week, my platoon played a football match against Platoon Four.
I was at the Pavilion watching the football match when someone suddenly covered my eyes from behind. One thing I’m particularly good at is remembering the scent and cologne of a person.
I raised my nose as the scent of the cologne wafted into my nostrils, but I couldn't identify it. I tried to recall where I had smelled it before, but it eluded me.
“The perfume you are wearing smells familiar but I can’t place it”........I mumbled, touching the hand and raising my hands up to feel the person’s face which she dodged.
“Why not guess”........she said, forming a base voice.
As soon as she said that, I immediately recognized her, despite her attempt to disguise her true voice.
“Chiamaka?”........I mentioned.
“Noooo!”.......she replied in her fake base voice.
“Chiamaka, it’s you”.........I said with confidence.
“Who is Chiamaka?”.........she asked with her fake bass voice again.
“Doctor Chiamaka abi nurse Chiamaka”.........I replied, and She uncovered my face.
“How did you know it was me?”.......she asked, sitting beside me.
“I was trying to remember who I met with the scent of the perfume you are wearing, till I heard your voice”........I replied.
“Hmmm, you are good then.
Lest I forget, so after I did you a favor, you ran away without repaying it abi?”.........she teased.
Everything about Chiamaka had slipped my mind after the dramatic events in my platoon that day. I had completely forgotten that I had taken her contact until that moment.
“I'm so sorry my dear, let me not lie to you, I forgot. That day as I left the clinic, my commander called me. If you see the kind frog jump wey I do that day Ehhhnnn, you go pity me......Upon say I tell the man say I dey sick oh, he still didn't spare me”..........I complained, and she bursted out laughing after I said that.
“So what happened with the election?”.........she asked amidst laughter.
“Of course they elected me, but I had to plead with them to give it to another person.
After pleading like say I wan die he come carry am give another person”.........I replied.
“Why are you sitting out here alone, aren't you in any group?”.......she asked.
“I tried joining the one that would take me to Uyo, but unfortunately, the kind of crowd I witnessed, is so discouraging.......that's why I decided to sit back, after all it's not compulsory for everyone to go to Uyo......What about you, aren't you in any group?”..........I explained and inquired.
“I’m in one already, or do you think working in the clinic is an easy thing?”.........she replied.
“That reminds me, are you a nurse or a doctor?”.........I asked.
“Doctor”.........she replied.
“Hmmm! Small girl like you”........I teased.
“Who be small girl? Na you come be big boy. You senior me?”........She retorted, hitting my shoulder.
“You be small Pickin na, abi I lie?”........I said playfully.
“You are not serious”........she replied, and we both laughed heartily.
I grew bored of watching the football match since Platoon Four had already scored three goals against my platoon.
“Why don’t we go to Mami so that I can repay your favor?”.........I offered to her.
To be continued...........
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