RESILIENCE

~7~

GISSELLE

I watched with satisfaction as Miss Tracy brought out a marker and wrote down today's topic on Christian Religions Studies

GOD'S LOVE FOR MAN AND MAN'S LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER

I paid full attention to her explanations on how she gave instances with bible reference of how God demonstrate and prove his love to people of ancient times in the bible

She then switched to explain further about the Man's love for one another aspect

"You know," She began in a loud voice
"Love is really a good thing. The bible itself implores us to love our neighbor as ourselves. It doesn't have to be lust or infatuation. There's this joy that comes with knowing that you're loved by the people you're surrounded with. It pays to love and be loved. "

She paused to look at us. Probably to detect if her explanations were sinking in

" Excuse me ma, I beg to differ"

The class erupted in low murmurs. I turned my head to the back, the direction from where that voice came from
It was Ifeanyi. The guy who rarely talks to anyone except his friends in the Science class

"Enough of the murmurings!" Miss Tracy instructed

"Yeah, Ifeanyi. Can we hear your opinion? I mean, why you beg to differ"

Ifeanyi got on his feet _ You dare not answer a teacher's question while sitting on your chair in Winston High.

He pocketed his hands in the pocket at the both sides of his trousers

"It doesn't pay to love and be loved ma"

Eh?

The whisperings of the class erupted again. Ifeanyi continued nevertheless

"I mean, things have changed. Gone are the times you love someone with all your heart, soul, body and mind. You might love someone, to the marrow this minute. And the next minute, the person is gone. Leaving you to sort  out things by your self alone and adapt to the whole situation.It doesn't pay to love ma. I don't see anything beneficial in loving your fellow human"

"You guys should calm down" the CRS teacher shouted at the class whose whisperings were now louder

"Ifeanyi, I get your point but I'll tell you this. No one under the surface of this earth is bound to stay with us forever. People come and go. It's the cycle of life. Love increases feelings of happiness and reduces anxiety and depression. " She revealed to Ifeanyi who doesn't seem convinced

She looked around the classroom with a smile on her face

"And this, is an open discussion. I need the opinion of you all on this matter"

"Excuse me ma?" Gabriel shouted as he shot his right hand up in the air

I can bet my life that this dude is not going to say something reasonable

Well, seems Miss Tracy doesn't know him too well as she nodded and told him to go on. Gabriel adjust his blazer before getting on his feet

"Actually" He began. "This Love of a thing pays ooo. Take Romeo and Juliet for example. I've been in love with my girlfriend for like five years_"

"_Young man?" Miss Tracy interrupted him amidst the laughter that erupted from the class

"Yes ma'am" Gabriel answered respectfully with a mock bow

This boyy

"Shut up if you don't have anything reasonable to say" Miss Tracy ordered which made Gabriel sit in his seat quietly. Like a humble cat