Chapter 024 Going To America -2

Song Recommendation: Bad Reputation by Avicii

Robert kept his eyes casted down as the Hausa man continued to hail and adore Dilen and his donation; alongside the benefits of his actions.

Feeling a bit curious, he slowly rose his head to take a small peek at the class.

His eyes instantly locked with the little miss his master contracted—seated in the front row.

About to drop his head in respect, Delia waved at him. He froze. Subtly, she mouthed a 'Hello'.

He was quite shocked at her kind gesture, but then again, he was touched. He gave her a nod, but unfortunately, Dilen caught sight of them.

"Class, now that you are aware of his marvellous gesture to the school, please once again, give him a round of applause!" Hyped Dr. Suleiman.

For the umpteenth time, the class clapped once again for him. 'Make wuna just come cut off my hands be that na! (You might as well cut off my hands while you're at it)', she had on a exhausted look as her hands sneerly moved.

"Now! For the news that concerns you all!"

'Finally!' She internally rolled her eyes from invisible exhaustion. Dilen grinned, watching her every move, as she on the other hand ignored his eyes.

"Mr. Liam here, has offered to sponsor you people's field trip to the United States!"

"EHH!??!" The class couldn't contain their excitement.

Before Dr. Suleiman could add anything more, the class abused and tortured Dilen's ears with screams, claps and whistle of praises.

Their claps roared louder. Delia on the other hand, had her brows still high up, as she stared back at Dilen, who finally diverted his eyes to the others in the crowd.

They clapped harder.

"Tranquility! Tranquility!" Dr. Suleiman waved them down. The voices and claps died off.

"Everything has been checked, analysed and trusted. Your class rep will share to you all a document for you to sign. Also, you are to submit some national documents for clarification for your travel".

"You will be merged with another veterinary college in the States, where you will be receiving lectures from foreign lecturers. For three months!"

'Three months?!' Delia's eyes widened.

The class clapped louder, trying to control their excitement—so not to embarrass themselves. Students' hearts were bubbling with joy.

"You all are extremely lucky! This is a gift Mr. Dilen Liam wishes to offer to one of the biggest institutions in the country. And your class is lucky to be chosen out of all! Just 300 level vet class!"

A student rose a hand from behind.

"Yes?"

"Sir, when do we leave!!?" The boy asked.

"In one to two weeks time, depending on how soon you all submit your documents and a few arrangements are done".

Dr. Suleiman added, "Okay class, your class rep will brief you on a few more things. But before the end of your last lectures today, a staff will come and speak to you all, okay?"

"Okay sir!" The class clapped, as the men slowly walked out. Dilen grin, glancing at Delia's shock expression, which hadn't yet faded.

• • •

"AHHHH!!! YOU'RE GOING TO AMERICA!!!" Juliet glued herself to her sister, pulling Delia's head down with the suffocating hug.

Delia groaned.

Jacob sat on the chair at the dining table, smiling at Juliet's excitement. "Juli, is it you that is going? Calm down".

"NOO!!! BUT MY SISTER IS GOING TO WHITE MAN COUNTRY!!!"

Juliet attempted to jump on Delia's head, almost bringing her to floor. "Juliet– Stop!"

"I love you!!!" Juliet drew the 'v' in love.

"Juliet, don't kill her before she goes na", commented Rachel, who was staring at her kids through the laptop camera on the table.

Their father, Edward Alan said, "I have to say, the concept is really good. The university is really trying with the exposure of the kids".

"I know right!" Rachel nodded—whilst sitting next to him.

Jacob hummed, "It's going to be a good experience for her. Both academically and socially. New environment, new people. Except for one problem of course".

"Exactly! Those useless Americans", Edward hissed. Rachel rolled her eyes, brushing off he husband's word.

Juliet finally let go, pointing her index at Delia, "Better not go there and be doing like Village girl oo! Don't go and disgrace our family name!"

"Family name fire your face there!" Delia rubbed her aching head, scowling at Juliet.

"In fact! We need to start practicing your new accent and manners!"

"WHY!?" Everyone asked in an annoyed tone, making Juliet flinch.

Rachel started, "Please don't do that nonsense those fake children oo! Once they enter American, they forget their cultures and values! They start trying to be like the whites Instead of sticking to their real roots. Don't lose your identity!"

Delia gave a nod, having a bit of shame about what she was about to do. She was going there to do the exact opposite of what her parents had brought her up with—She was going to be someone she wasn't.

She was going to stand as a charade to the world. A black African one. 'Oh shet!'.

"Exactly!" Jacob turned, "It's just for three months, don't try acting out what you're not! We don't stand for that".

"You're not African American, my dear. You are African! Nigerian to be specific! Don't be ashamed of it", Edward said.

"Yes, daddy".

"But daddy, what if they don't understand her Nigerian accent?" Juliet asked.

"Then they should go! Is it not the same English? You don't see us asking them to change their accents for us to hear, right!?" He cocked his head.

Juliet thought for a while, "... Oh! Yes! That's true!"

"Yes dear", Rachel started, "Accents don't tell a person's intelligence, it just shows that they are using their language's rule to speak another language".

"Besides, it's their language not ours", Jacob rolled his eyes. "They just selfishly forced us to learn it. Wicked people".

Delia looked back at the laptop to her parents. Her father started, "Delia, make sure you are true to yourself. Most kids make the mistake of changing, thinking being African means you're less. You are Delia Alan Ada. Shout it. Don't let the evil white man mentality pull you back".

"Exactly! Don't pretend to be who you are not! No matter what, be firm!" Rachel backed.

'What is this feeling growing in my chest?', she asked herself, 'Oooh that's right... It's called guilt!', she sighed internally, pushing out a smile.

"You may be going there for three months, but you should make a change and not be changed, okay?"

"Yes, daddy".

"Good! We know you are intelligent enough to understand. Don't hide who you are, or pretend to be someone you're not. Okay?"

"Yes mummy".

"Good. Aw, it's unfortunate we're not in the States but China right now. We would have loved to see you before school".

"Aw, me too mummy", Delia cooed.

'Ah! My conscience!!!'.