EPISODE 3: The Academic Gauntlet
The Director of Studies, Mr. John, was a man of few words and fewer smiles.
Students swore he was born during an exam — and never recovered.
Teachers feared him too.
When he stepped into the staffroom, even the red biro pens stood still.
If he called your name, you didn’t walk to his office.
You ran.
You didn’t ask why.
You confessed everything from missing the Maths for Supper assignment to crimes you hadn’t committed.
He looked at Maimuna with intense academic X-ray eyes.
“Five papers,” he said. “English. Kiswahili. Mathematics. Biology. Chemistry.”
No greeting, no introduction, no explanation.
Just five papers.
Maimuna sat and wrote. Calm. Focused.
Her handwriting flowed like she had trained with calligraphers.
Four hours later:
- Maths: 95
- Chemistry: 89
- Biology: 92
- Kiswahili: 84
- English: 76 (her only ‘weak’ spot)
Mr. John simply nodded and wrote placement instructions without looking up.
“Form Three Yellow.”
That was it.
Approval.
Signed.
Stamped.
EPISODE 4: The Class of Legends — 3 Yellow
3 Yellow was no ordinary class.
It was a battlefield of brains, a place where:
- you either passed
- or performed
- or reshaped your destiny
- or reshaped your walking style as you went home in shame.
The class teacher, Mr. Kisaju, was a small-bodied man with the voice of a national stadium loudspeaker.
He occasionally addressed 2500 students without a microphone.
Birds flying overhead reportedly fainted.
Parents feared him.
Villagers respected him from a safe distance.
He welcomed Maimuna with a firm nod.
“She will be Assistant Class Representative — Academics,” he declared.
Just like that.
No introductions.
No debate.
No voting.
The class accepted silently — the way people accept lightning.
And for a while, everything about Maimuna was perfect:
- polite
- hardworking
- always first at 4 a.m. CU morning devotions
- active in class
- top performer
But perfection is suspicious.
Very suspicious.
Especially when it comes wrapped in navy-blue uniform and a mysterious transfer letter.
Next episodes
Maimuna: The New Girl | Episode 1 & 2
Maimuna: The New Girl | Episode 3 & 4
