“...and our school is one of the very best, so we must make it proud. Remember our watchword is keeping the candle burning bright for others to see. Am I right?!”

While the sun blistered its burning rays on the school compound, Folake blankly stared at the podium where the head boy stood to address the younger students. It was the first day of school in the year, and he wanted to make an impression.

Not that most of the administrative staff cared. They were all busy trying to sort out fees, inter-house sports, shortage of teachers, and the proprietor's sudden death, plus the economic inflation. None of the students knew it, but most of the teachers had embarked on a seven-day dry fasting for quick payment of fees. Their January pay was dependent on it.

Folake declined the offer, but it wasn't for lack of faith. She hadn't fasted for one day after her fainting episode five years ago when her family doctor harshly diagnosed her of stomach ulcer. But it didn't stop her from praying, things were tough and the people she was owing refused to let her be.

“No gree for anybody,” they all sang when she tried to plead for extra time. There was no doubt in her mind one would come to the school premises with police.

Tears stung the corner of her eyes, and she quickly used the collar of her shirt to wipe it off before anyone noticed. Especially Mr. Davies. He was her favourite person in the school, and though there was obvious chemistry between them, Folake refused to act on it. Starting a relationship with a co-worker was bound to cause issues, and with her current situation, a romantic entanglement was the last thing on her mind.

Her main focus now was–

“Everyone, say it with me,” the head boy suddenly called out, and Folake turned to him with a frown. “New year, new beginnings.”

Now he was definitely doing too much. From the looks on people's faces though, it seemed she was the only one who thought that way. All the staff and students present cheered and repeated after him. They did it two more times, before the principal called for everyone to sing the school anthem.

New years did not mean new beginnings to Folake. It just meant the January contribution had started again, and with that, new debts to gather and more money for her alcoholic mother.