Broken Boundaries

Chapter 4: Unspoken Words

Dominic

The morning air is crisp as I park my white phantom motorbike in the school lot. My Mum insisted on the all-white look today—white bike, white helmet, the whole thing. It's a bit much, but saying no to her is never an option. I take off the helmet, running a hand through my hair, and feel the stares from some students. It’s nothing new; they’re always curious when a teacher shows up on a motorbike.

“Good morning,” Mr. Kunle grunts as he rushes up to me, swinging his suitcase like it's a part of his morning workout.

“Morning,” I reply, nodding.

“How was yesterday's tutorial?” He jumps right in. “You think Celeste will cope?”

I hesitate, matching his stride as we walk towards the school building. “We just started,” I tell him. “Isn't it a bit early to know if she's coping?”

He gives a tired chuckle. “My niece can be quite a handful,” he admits. “She’s hard to deal with sometimes.”

I let a small smile play on my lips, trying to keep my tone neutral. “I think she’s interesting, actually. Based on my experience, girls her age can be that way sometimes. Celeste just doesn’t express herself much. Her face is like a blank slate.”

“Tell me about it,” he sighs. “Teaching her at home feels like I'm talking to a wall. I show her the rules, the techniques, but she doesn't seem to get it. Back in Nigeria, she used to smile all the time. Now, I don’t know… ever since she moved here with her mom, she’s just… different.”

We pause as some students greet me like I’m the only teacher in this whole school. “Good morning, Mr. Dominic.”

I nod back at them and glance at Mr. Kunle. He continues, “But she’s a good kid. Loves to study, smart, and kind-hearted. I just don’t know what's going on with her.”

I think about his words as we reach the classroom. I don’t want to admit it, but I find myself a little curious about Celeste. There’s something about the way she looks at the world, like she’s hiding behind a wall only she can see.

Later, during the lesson, I’m not surprised to find her already waiting for me in the classroom. I toss a small book on the desk in front of her, and she flinches slightly, eyeing it with suspicion.

“This is an audiobook,” I tell her, “for English starters.”

“English starters?” she repeats, raising an eyebrow. “I understand English just fine, thank you.”

“Prove it, then.” I place a larger book next to the first one and flip it open. “This one breaks down parts of speech for you. See? Each section has example sentences and quote cards to help you get the context. It’s about understanding how English works, not just memorizing rules.”

She frowns, crossing her arms. “I don’t think I can do it, Mr. Dominic,” she mutters. “If I don’t know the rules, nothing sticks.”

“That’s why I brought this.” I pull out a pair of headphones and place them over her ears, carefully adjusting them around her full afro. “Close your eyes if you need to,” I say, pressing play on the audiobook.

She does just that, her eyelids fluttering shut as she listens. I watch her for a moment, half-expecting her to fall asleep, but there’s something peaceful about her expression—almost like she’s in a world of her own.

When I take the headphones off, she looks up at me, her eyes steady and bright. “I have to shut my eyes for proper understanding, sir.”

I can’t help but smirk at her determination. “Alright then,” I say. “But you also have to read what’s in the book. Listen and read together—it’ll help you catch on faster.”

She nods, and I move to the front of the classroom, giving her some space. “Start reading aloud,” I call back. “Practice with the examples and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”

Celeste’s voice fills the room, a little hesitant at first, then stronger.

Welcome, dear student, to this journey of listening, learning, and growing your English skills. As you read, allow yourself to relax and absorb the rhythm of the language. Listening carefully as native speakers share their words with you is like opening a door to understanding how the language flows, how the sounds dance in conversation.

Take a deep breath and enjoy each word. Don’t worry about catching every detail right away. Focus on the sounds, the way the words connect, and let your ears become familiar with English as it's naturally spoken. You’re not just reading—you’re experiencing the language in motion. With time, your understanding will grow deeper, and your confidence will follow.

Feel free to pause, reflect, and listen again. Remember, this is your journey. You are learning at your own pace. Enjoy it, and keep moving forward.

I scribble notes on the board while she reads, but I can’t resist glancing back now and then. She’s so serious, her brows furrowed as if she’s battling each word. For a moment, I wonder what changed her—what could make a person seem so… guarded.

Suddenly, whispers drift from the hallway. I turn, catching a glimpse of two girls—Hyvin and Aria—darting out of sight. “Did you see how he looked at her?” one of them giggles. “Like, really looked?”

Ignoring the chatter, I walk back to Celeste and gently tap her on the shoulder. “That's enough for today.” She frowns up at me, clearly annoyed that I interrupted her flow.

“So, what did you learn?” I ask.

“A lot,” she replies, flipping through the book and pointing. “I got up to here.”

“Impressive,” I say, genuinely surprised. “And what do you understand so far?”

She takes a breath and answers with a confidence I haven’t seen in her before. “The passage encourages students to relax, listen to native speakers, and absorb the language naturally,” she explains. “It’s about learning at your own pace and building confidence.”

I nod, feeling a little bit of pride welling up in my chest. “Good. Now, take this book home,” I say, tapping on a different section. “Read aloud tonight and bring it back with your notes. I want it on my desk first thing tomorrow.”

She nods again, and I sense the exhaustion behind her eyes, but she doesn’t complain. I turn away, hearing soft giggles outside the door again.

I catch sight of Hyvin, Aria, and another girl, Yara, peeking through the window. “What did she do to get Mr. Dominic’s attention like that?” one whispers, not realizing I can hear them.

I glance back at Celeste, who’s still bent over her book, completely absorbed in her task. There’s definitely more to her than meets the eye. What happened to change that girl from Nigeria who used to smile all the time?

I wonder if I’m just seeing the surface of a much deeper story, and as I walk out of the classroom, I can't shake the feeling that whatever it is, I’m about to get pulled in a lot deeper than I ever intended.