MY LENS STORY

“Is today your birthday?” “I like your lens” Different people said from left and right as I struggled to find my way to the entrance of the classroom where we were having the exams amidst students who clogged the space, simultaneously answering their questions and curtsying to greet everyone at the same time. 

Just as we are all aware of how time in Africa is never taken seriously, so is the time set for exams. Not even a computer based exam starts at the stipulated time. 

And like some would call it, at the “African time” which was apparently later than the time fixed for the exam , we all sat down to write the exam. The dreaded one. ETL 202.  Heaven knows I can’t even remember the course title anymore at this moment. I’m not so sure I remembered it at that moment either. 

Well, I’ve never been the one to be bothered about sitting beside an intelligent person in an exam. One who was referred to as “shana” in my school. Now , don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t dumb though but me not sitting beside an extra intelligent person wasn’t because I thought I was more intelligent but because I had extra sharp senses. Like my ears, nose , and most especially my eyes. One which was the most useful in this kind of scenario. 

I could see your answer sheet from almost anywhere and this usually helped me a lot. I could keep my pride intact and not ask. And I’ll still get what I want. Well, as far as your writing is not like Ifedayo’s.

Anyways , let me not digress. We sat for the exams. It took place in a kind of classroom that the rows are higher than the later. It was like a staircase setting. 

Quite alright there was a seat or two separating me from the next person but who cares about that? How else could God butter my bread than making my seat higher than the person in front of me. 

Little did I understand that there’s a reason I actually don’t eat bread in real life. 

The questions and answer sheets were distributed and I wasn’t fazed even though I barely read. I had so much confidence in my eyes that weren’t just attractive to look at. 

“Start!!” The invigilator announced. 

I picked up my pen and wrote my name. I then looked in front of me to see the name of the person I would be copying. At least if someone would be helping my life. The least I can do is know his name or her name. I think it was a her though. 

That was when it hit me. I couldn’t see shit!! 

I knew there were writings but I couldn’t make out what was written down at all. It was like Arabic!! 

Wahala!! 

Am I getting old??

Why is my vision blurry??

And at a time like this? 

Oh, lest I forget. The hall was full of invigilators. That has never been a problem though because I couldn’t be caught if I was cheating. This time around, I felt beads of sweat all over my body. 

I looked around. I couldn’t see what anyone was writing ? Where was OLA when I needed him? This course is supposed to be an A course. , I can’t afford a C. !! 

Then I rrealised it was the stupid contact lens I was wearing!!!! 🥺

The battle of removing it now begun. 

I’ve never removed my lens without the aid of a mirror.  It was an exam, I couldn’t bring out my phone.to see my face. 

Wait, what would be my excuse? Sir, please I want to remove my contact lens? Haa!! Extra year is dancing on my head. 

I spent about twenty minutes of the exam trying to remove the lens o. ! 

And I wasn’t able to. 

“20 minutes more “! Sweat trickled down my back ! 

So I just decided to calm down and write what was in my head. At least like I said earlier ,I wasn't dumb. 

Well, don’t ask about the result , I haven’t had the balls to check it yet. Oh, I forgot. I don’t have balls. Anyways I don’t even know if it’s out. Anyways. The bottom line is.  Please never wear lens in a place that you’ll need your eyes. Please!! It ended in tears for me. 

I removed it immediately after the exam and people who saw my tearful eyes thought it was because of the lens that they helped me remove. 🥺.