The Ilorin Shock EPISODE 22
Episode Twenty-Two: Respect Without a Title
After the decision was made, the class did not return to normal immediately.
Something lingered in the air.
When the teacher said I couldn’t be class captain, some students exchanged looks. A few turned back to face the board quietly. Others stared at me for a moment longer than usual, as if they were trying to understand what had just happened.
No one laughed.
That surprised me the most.
During break time, a few classmates came close. Not in a loud way. Not in a dramatic way.
One of them said, “You were our choice.”
Another added, “Even if they didn’t give it to you, we know.”
Those words stayed with me longer than any title could have.
Some students treated me exactly the same still greeting me, still sitting close, still sharing food and jokes. But I noticed a change in others. A few who had competed with me avoided eye contact. Some became quieter around me, unsure of where they now stood.
And then there were those who respected me more.
They began asking me questions. Not because I was a leader by position, but because they trusted my judgment. They asked about homework, about lessons they didn’t understand. They listened when I spoke.
Even the new class captain acted differently around me. Careful. Almost respectful. As if the role belonged to him, but the confidence belonged somewhere else.
I realized something then:
Leadership isn’t always announced.
Sometimes, it’s recognized quietly.
By the time school closed that day, the disappointment had softened into something stronger. I walked home knowing I hadn’t lost anything. In fact, I had gained something deeper the knowledge that people believed in me, even when authority didn’t.
And as I climbed the stairs back to Iya Okeami’s place, I felt lighter.
No badge.
No title.
But respect stayed.
To be continued…. Episode 23
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