She Almost Didn't Graduate

She wasn't just a pretty girl but also an intelligent and ambitious lady who believed in hard work and resilience. Noela was brought up by her grandmother after the demise of her parents who tried her level best to bring bread on the table despite them being poor.At the age of thirteen just like other girls ,she started to experience womanhood and her grandmother could not provide some basics so she could use old clothes as an alternative.This did not shutter her dreams or dim her ambition instead she kept her head high.In her studies she registered good grades and marks until in final exams where she passed very well and got admission to the best university in the country.

Months passed by and the day of joining the University had arrived.Being her childhood friend I accompanied her grandmother to admit her.we enjoyed the whole journey chit chatting our child hood stories and even promised to work smart to join her someday there.Upon arrival there was a long line which she had to follow inorder to carry out registration as pertained by the institution.Her grandmother and I waited her patiently until it was too late to bid her good bye and both of us could not hold tears since we were not going to see each other for months but it was the high time to adjust to new normal.

Noella;her grandmother called"remember where you come from and let no one deprive you your innocence"she concluded and hugged her tears rolling down her cheeks.

We went back and the following year was my final year in highschool and as I promised my friend noella I did very well and joined same institution but noella was almost done with her four year course.she had beat all odds of perseverance and hardwork, nights of studying and holding into hope even things were not easy . Graduation ceremony was here with us and it was a proof that she had made it.Then reality hit her in the most unexpected way that she did not have enough money to clear her graduation fee and at the same time she had a missing mark in one of her units and without the two it was clear indication ,that she could not appear in the graduation list.

I watched her slowly break, her voice changed the excitement she had disappeared and she began to regret saying things like " maybe it's not meant for me and I'll just try again another time" but I knew the truth this wasn't just disappointment but pain.Deep pain of almost reaching the finishing line and being told you cannot cross it.

Being my friend I couldn't let her give up like that.I started with the simplest thing of reminding her first the journey mattered and she deserved that graduation and that this was not the end of her story.words alone were not enough,we took action and went back and forth to the administration offices to ask questions,following up, refusing to be ignored about the missing mark. It was exhausting, frustrating and at times discouraging but we kept on going. Eventually the mark was found and updated.

There came the harder part,the fee. I reached out to some few people, explained the situation asked for help.Though it wasn't easy to ask for it,peopl showed up little by little we gathered enough to clear the graduation fee

I will never forget the moment she called me crying saying everything was finally sorted.She was crying not out of sadness but relief that comes with the carrying burden for long.That was the moment that I realized that what people need most is not just miracle but someone who stays by you when you need a shoulder to lean on.

On the most awaited day,she wore her gown and walked towards the stage.It was more thanjust a graduation,it was a testament to her resilience,courage and a reminder of what it means to persevere.

The story did not end ,rather the experience changed her .Today she believes deeply in showing up for others.She often says"I know what it feels like almost losing everything at the last minutes .