Ade's Chronicle 41-45

Ade's Chronicle 41

Going back to our house is out of the equation for now. Shola had been badly beaten and abused by an ingrate she had set up to a substantial level in life. We could not leave her alone in that state to be alone, who knows if that idiot was even planning on coming to her house for further assault.

Rotimi was shaking his head all through the journey back to Shola's house.
''Ol boy ye, this guy na beast o. Me wey I dey talk sef nko. Like say I never beat woman before, but Shola don suffer for we guy hand o. Me first hit am cos I no get patient to hear her tory come still wan break her head ontop say she wan give me water. This animal come panel beat am ontop say she tell am her past. That guy no too do well o. But sha me I see am I get hope o. I been dey think say na me bad pass. I no fit do am lailai ontop all wetin she don do am for him life. But sha I gbadun as you take batter him body pass Shola own too. Ol boy, na SSS 2 you don fight last o. So you still sabi that hand, I see as you take am destroy Tokunbo o. You do well my guy!'' Rotimi said amusing us all, including the almost blind Shola.
I was happy to see her laugh. It was a good sign. Nevertheless, I never intended on leaving her for a second.

When we got home, Shola and I went in while Rotimi went with the cab to our house to get fresh clothes for us. He would take clothes that would last us for a week and return to Shola's place.

I took Shola to her room after preparing a light meal of noodles and egg for her which she ate before taking her drugs. It was the first time I would set foot in her room. The room was lovely. It spoke of her personality, gentle, caring, loving and tender. The colour pink dominated the room with touches of light blue. On her bed was a giant teddy bear that sleeps and wakes up with her. On the wall was the picture of all her family members including her step mum. I could not but marvel at the peace the room gave on entering it.

I laid her on the bed, tucked the duvet around her and told her to flash me if she needed anything and left the lovely room which invited me to sleep.

Rotimi came back sooner than I expected. He was on the phone with his fiancée narrating all that went on to her. They were like Siamese twins and I was happy for them. Nothing happened to us that she doesn't know and vice versa. A difference from 'Dara who hears mine and give scanty tales about hers. He told her that I was falling in love with Shola which I vehemently denied but deep inside me, I knew it was true. I eventually snatched the phone from Rotimi and spoke to 'Ranti confirming the incident. I told her what her fiance said and did and she laughed that only God can save Rotimi from that flaw of his, quick and fast anger like Sango (Yoruba god of thunder) which subsides faster than the foams on the waves of the atlantic ocean. I asked when she would visit us from school and she promised to come down to Lagos to see us as soon as they have a break. Ranti schooled in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. They had met during our service in the East. She also said she could not wait to meet Shola who was yearning to meet her too.

We ate a light dinner and slept after checking on Shola who was fast asleep. She looked like a baby in her sleep and I had to force myself to leave there lest I watch her till daybreak.

We woke up and prepared for work and by seven a.m we woke Shola to eat and take her drugs then we left for school. In school, we explained to the principal that she had a minor accident and would take time for her to heal before resuming for work. He generously granted her leave and told us that he too would check on her after school hours, which he did.
Through out that day in school, parents continued to throng into the principal's office to thank him for the couselling session the students had. He in turn kept directing them to us. We left school that day with enough cash to pay our salaries for three months each. It would have been more had we not rejected others. We also went home with foodstuff and other valuables which were given to us as tokens of appreciation. I called Shola to tell her about it and inquire about her health, she was happy. We also talked to Dr. Tanimowo who said it's our for the keeps and he also said he had received numerous calls and thank you texts from many parents over the weekend. Bunmi, Bimbo and Bola came to say hi to us. Folake and Ronke too were full of thanks. Our heads was well swollen.

School closed and students and staff thronged the house to greet Shola. After they left, We were happily sharing gist with Shola in the sitting room around five in the evening after eating our lunch, when Shola's phone rang. She looked at the screen and her countenance changed. I noticed it faster before she cut the call. I did not talk. It rang again but I told her openly to pick it not knowing who it was. She stared at me and picked it.

''Hello Tokunbo,'' She said...

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Ade's Chronicle 42

''Consider this relationship over o. You came to my house with that thug to beat me up abi? After coming to tell me all your shameful acts. I corrected you and you slap my face only for your thug to beat me up like someone who had an Okada accident. Shola, it is over between us forever, don't bother trying to beg me o. Just stick with that your thug, okay?'' Tokunbo ranted and raved.
''You know what Tokunbo? You are a shameless fool. I know it's already over even before you said it. So, I just want to thank you for saying it. Move on because I am moving on. And please, don't bother returning all you owe me. You fool.'' Shola said bitterly.

I was happy she could give it to him as he brought it to her.
''Eh eh! That boy is giving you liver abi? Then it is final. But you will regret this okay? Anywhere you and those boys go, just watch your back because I will strike back.'' Tokunbo threatened.
Shola had wisely at that point begin the recording of the conversation.
''So if anything hits you, it's me. You have the effrontery to come to my home and tell me rubbish, slap my face and unleash thugs on me! Ah! You will never try it again, I will make sure I spoil that your fine girl and that no man find you attractive, goodday!'' He said obviously pained at Shola's boldness and terminated the call.

Shola dropped her phone and explained how it went despite my insistence that she shouldn't.
She said she had met him in the room sipping his wine. She had apologised for coming late and had helped him prepared a brief meal of rice. He was eating when she started her story but he was non chalant. After she had explained how she became a paedophile, she had gone on to explain how she hid it from him and her conscience won't let her rest hence her confessing to him and seeking his forgiveness. She said he had not bothered to allow her end it to the counselling part and our role in it when he got furious that Shola was giving 'his own honeypot' (as if he had married her) to young boys and girls. She had tried to calm him down to listen to him that it was now in the past but he had flared up the more and slapped her. She had protested and he had slapped her again which she replied. Then he had started beating her up saying she dared slap him back. She had run out after he had punched and hit her with a glass cup.

Tears streamed down her face again. I stood up and went into our room. Rotimi had followed me and had seen me getting dressed. He did same thinking I intended going back to Ojuelegba to beat the living daylight out of Tokunbo again.

When I got to the sitting room, I told Shola that we are going to the Police Station and she had to go with us. Nothing must happen to us. She went in to change her clothes and took her phone and we got out of the house.

We got a cab which took us to the nearest police station where we lodged an official complaint of threat and assault on Shola. The D. P. O of the station happened to be a woman and on seeing Shola's face, she ordered the arrest of Tokunbo. We took the men to Ojuelegba and fortunately for us, Tokunbo was at home. I pointed to him and some witnesses who I could identify from the previous day. They were interrogated and all attested to the fact that he assaulted Shola. He was then whisked away to the station. He spent the night there.

After school the next day, Shola prevailed on the DPO to release him after he had signed an undertaking if anything should happen to the three of us, he would be held responsible. The battered Tokunbo looked at us scornfully and signed the undertaking. He had beed beaten up a little in the cell by those he had met there. The DPO warned him sternly never to touch a woman again in his life and that he should be grateful that Shola did not press charges against him. She dismissed him with the instruction that all things taken from him should be returned. We thanked her and left her office. At the counter, I gave one of the officers who I had become familiar with two thousand naira. He was happy and thanked me profusely.
I was surprised that the Police could be of help to us in such a just manner and without collecting a dime for discharging their duty. Really, I was impressed.

Outside the station, Tokunbo met us waiting for the cab we had called. He came to my side, looked at me and said,
''You don't anything about that bitch, right? She told me some things about herself which made me angry. I know she won't tell you cos you are her new toy. No problem, I wish you luck and when she finds a new toy, she would make sure you visit the station again but as the vanquished and not the victor.''
I scoffed at him and hissed. He was a very bad loser and to me, a nonentity.

I told Shola and Rotimi what he said and Shola laughed and *yinmu at him. Our cab arrived and we left him standing there with Shola thanking God for taking him out of her life forever...

N.B. I don't know the English equivalent for that word o. Pls, bear with me.
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Ade's Chronicle 43

Shola resumed immediately her wounds got healed. She was happier than she was before the incidents. She had become a role model to all the students in the school. The more the day broke, the more Shola increased in goodness. I had taken time to be observant of her. I saw that Tokunbo's absence in her life had added to her joy. It radiated all over her. I was getting hooked.

Shola's house had become our second home. We shared our stay in both houses and we were never found wanting in the race to catch our fun. Our house too was not too far for her. If we stayed too long for her liking, she would come down and she would not leave for days. Our understanding of one another grew by the day and we were more or less triplets. But I yearned for more than friendship.

Bunmi, Bola and Bimbo were our best students ever. They came to our house and Shola's at will and introduced their boyfriends to us for assessment. A 'no' from us was their no and our 'yes' was theirs. They almost worshipped us. Their parents entrusted them in our care and we never disappointed. Things really got better between us.

The term went very fast and exams came and went by. The holidays were very eventful for everyone as we all had little or nothing to do. Rotimi and I travelled home for a week and Shola had insisted that she would go with us. We had little or no option than to go with her. She stayed in our house. My parents liked her right from the word go. My mum had called me aside to inquire what I intended doing with her and I had told her that she was just a friend. Mum begged me not to let such a good and homely girl slip away from my grasp. I told her that I was taking my time to study females generally after what 'Dara did to me. Mum eventually left me to my thoughts because she believed I knew what I wanted in a wife and would surely get the best possible. The truth was that I had begun to develop a kind of love for Shola but I would hate it if she turned me down because she kept telling us that she is waiting for her dream man to make the move. According to her, this dream man of hers had captured her whole essence and given her life since the demise of her relationship with Tokunbo. Still, when we ask who the man was, she always said that the man was not far from us.

Rotimi's parents had been briefed by that garrulous friend of mine. So, when Shola and I eventually visited them for two days, his mum had called me aside and repeated what my mum had told me and I had told her what I told my mum. She prayed for God's guidance for me.

After a week and half, we left our parents place and headed to Zaria to complete the other half of our holiday with Dr. Tanimowo. We travelled by road since that was what Rotimi and I could afford and were familiar with. Shola had suggested that we pay him an unscheduled visit. She had also offered to pay for our flight tickets but we had refused on the premise that the road journey would also be full of fun, thrills and excitement especially for her since it was her first time of travelling outside the south western part of the country. We made jest that she was conversant with the skyline so it was time to familiarise herself with the greens.
She was outnumbered hence her revolt was minimal and to Zaria we headed on the roads.

We had called Dr. Tanimowo when we got to Zaria on a Friday and he had said he was in his office in school. We headed to school and got to his office. I knocked on the door and he answered that whoever it was should come in. Rotimi opened the door and Shola stepped in followed by Rotimi and lastly, I.
Dr. Tanimowo raised his head and was shocked to see us.
''Una wan kill person? Una no fit say una dey come abi? Oya comot my office na na before I throway sand sand for ya body.'' he said in mock anger.
''We no be spirit, throway sand sand we no go vamoose. We tanda gidigba full ground gadagada.'' I said as we all laughed.
He stood up and greeted us. Each with a big bear hug. He was surprised when we told him we would be his guest for a week. He packed his bag and we headed home after he had finished what he was doing.

His wife welcomed us and made our stay memorable. Rotimi and I took Shola round the places we knew with nostalgic feelings. It was a really memorable time for us all.

After a week in Zaria, we headed back to Lagos by road again, this time, Shola had suggested it saying it was more lively than flying. We got to Lagos at night and we had to sleep over till the next day at Shola's.
The following morning, we all took a long stroll to our house to see what had happened in our absence. All our nighbours greeted us and lamented how they missed us. When we got to our door, Shola caught sight of two brown envelopes at the door and called our attention to them. We looked inside and found what made us shout out in a loud voice...

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Ade's Chronicle 44

Everyone in our compound heard the shout and came out to know what is happening to these ‘two mysterious guys living in our compound.' They needed to satisfy their curiosity.

The letters were from one of the many companies where we had gone for interviews. We had even forgotten about this particular one. But the offer was just too juicy to reject. The letter read thus:

Dear Mr. Ade Aderemi,

APPOINTMENT LETTER

Following the successful interview you had with us, we are pleased to offer you the post of a FINANCIAL ANALYST (Rotimi was employed as an Accountant.) with immediate effect.
You will be placed on a basic salary of 1.5m naira per annum. You will also be entitled to the following allowances:
Transport: 1m
Housing: 1.5m
Leave: 20% of basic salary
Medical: 900,000 and
Wardrobe: 750,000...
Other terms of your appointment are stated in the company's conditions of service... Congratulations.

Rotimi's letter also read the same. We were to resume the following working day for a pre-employment medical at the company's medical centre. They were an auditing firm and one of the biggest in the country. We were to work in their Lagos office on the Lagos Island.

We had also called our parents who were beside themselves with joy. Rotimi's mum had been very happy. They asked if we were employed separately and we replied that we would be working in the same organisation but in different capacities. My mum also had pointed to me that it was time to tidy up things with Shola.

Shola asked us what the next thing was and we told her that it was time for celebration. The letter had come the previous morning before our arrival from Zaria. The celebration was done for everybody who cared to take part in it.

After the celebrations that day, we decided with Shola that we would still be living in that house and continue shuffling between our house and Shola's. Only our wardrobe would be changed.

We drafted our resignation letter and went to the Principal's house to tender it. He was sad to lose us. He said we were change agents in the school and that the school would forever be grateful to us. He also said that he would make sure a befitting send forth programme was organised for us when the school resumed. We were paid all the entitlements due to us and with it; we headed to the Yaba market to buy what we needed.

We had bought clothes, shoes, ties, cufflinks, and two complete suits each. We also bought things for Shola. She was the one who selected all the things we bought. She refined our fashion sense, especially mine which was very crude at the time. She selected the right materials and the correct colour combination for us. She also made sure we bought accessories such as starch and another steam iron. Our previous dressing had mostly been Tee Shirts and Jeanswear and a few shirts. We had a few native wears too. Hence the need for the shopping we did. Shola had again struck another bell in my heart. Yet I fear her dream man who was my greatest competitor and had so far refused to surface.

We went back home with our booty and settled down to eat another deliciously cooked meal from the hands of Shola. The one we ate before going to Yaba had digested. Rotimi remembered that we had not told our adopted children and their parents.

We called Bunmi's parents, then Bola's and finally Bimbo's parents. They were all happy for us but they were sad that we were leaving their daughters' school. We promised to still be around and that we would still be the big brother figure we had always been. They prayed for our continual success and upliftment in our new challenge.

The next to be told was the girls themselves. They were virtually weeping over the phone. None of them was around because they had all travelled for the holidays. They said they would miss us a lot in the school. We had to reiterate what we told their parents before they stopped crying. We also gave them the consolation that Shola was still in the school and would be our eyes and representative to them. Hearing that, they calmed down and wished us well.

Dr. Tanimowo was as mischievous as he could. He was also very happy for us and he reminded us that we should not forget our Masters programme which we too had thought about. Then he said that we needed to develop ourselves by writing professional exams as much as possible. We too agreed and promised to begin the process involved in them. He gave us a target of six months to get advanced certificate in our fields. He then spoke again to me privately. I asked if he knew who Shola's dream man was, he laughed for a while before saying,
''I sabi am wella and na somebody wey you been dey see. I no go tell you. Na you go fight am collect the babe. The guy strong and get brain wella. So make you soji your life before him go carry the babe patapata.''

I thanked him and thought about his words and then I resolved within me to find this guy who is trying to win Shola from me...

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Ade's Chronicle 45. (Episode Finale)

Monday finally came and we had left home at five thirty in the morning in a bid to arrive at the office early. Shola had done us the pleasure of selecting what we wore and she had ironed them for us while we slept after a heavy meal of eba and efo riro. She had slept in our place the previous night and had woken us up by four thirty a.m. She made sure we ate a breakfast of bread and tea before leaving home. She was a darling.

We got there at seven forty-five a.m and we were directed to the office of the Human Resources manager where we were further directed to the medical centre not too far away from the company itself. We were tested for blood sugar, eyes, ears, malaria, genotype, height, weight, and many others. We were asked to go back to the office where we were told that we passed. I marvelled at the speed with which the test results came out. Everything was under five hours.

At the office, our individual department heads were shown to us and still we were not separated. The auditing and accounting departments of the organisation were fused. It was only our offices that were different.

My office was a sight to behold. It was very comfortable and spacious with the relevant things which made work easy. Our laptops and mobile internet modems had been waiting for us in our offices. I was glad I got the job. I had a secretary whose office was just outside mine. Rotimi too said he had one.

By the time we were introduced to the major and minor members of staff of the organisation, it was time to leave for home. We were asked to take our laptops which we thankfully did and behold, we had one or two files on them to work on and which will familiarise us with our individual designation. Work had really started!

That was how we became full time workers leaving home everyday at five a.m and returning home at eight p.m to the waiting arms of Shola whose love continue to grow in me by the day.

Shola had decided to be a teacher for the rest of her days. She said the job would avail her the opportunity to care well for her family and children and I had said that lucky is the husband who marries her and she had laughed at my statement.

After a year of working and bagging two professional certificates each, Rotimi and I decided it was time to begin preparing for married life. We had rented a four bedroom flat in our area. It was a new house and Rotimi had picked the second floor while I took the last floor. We furnished and moved into the house with the ever reliable Shola with us.

It was then I decided to take the bold step that will decide my fate with Shola, whose dream man still eluded us.

Rotimi had helped me get a diamond engagement ring without Shola's knowledge. We had both organised a house warming event with a few friends including Rotimi's fiancee, Ranti, who was by then serving in Lagos and Dr. Tanimowo, who was also in the know of things, in attendance. The party had gone on smoothly until I had asked Shola for a dance. We danced for close to an hour and she was very happy as she gracefully stepped around the dance floor in her red dinner gown. I could not but shiver at the fear of failure in such an event of such magnitude.

The M. C announced that one of the celebrants had an announcement to make. My heart pounded wildly as shakily took the microphone. I greeted everybody present and thanked them for coming then I said,
''This is to thank everybody as I had said. But most importantly my friend Oluwarotimi wha had been a pest and a brother to me in all things. His fiancée, Ranti who is now back in Lagos with lots of Ibo language and my beloved mentor and helper, Dr. Olumde Tanimowo who flew in from Zaria. And finally to God who has made today a reality. I had fought this for a long while and had battled to keep fit. I just believe that if I lose today it will be on record that I tried to win but came second. With this I want to implore you al to help me beg that lady in flowing red dress, Oluwanishola, to marry me. Shola, will you please marry me?''
Then I dropped to my knees and held out the ring.

Shola turned blushing, crying and smiling as she approached the point where I was. She took the microphone and said.
''Yes, Ade, I will marry you. Why did it take you so long? You were my dream man I had been talking about. I had waited for this day day and night. Ade, I love and will always love you.'' She gave me her hand and I slipped the ring into its place firmly never to remove it again.

The compound roared into a rapturous applause as I swept her off her feet and gave her a long kiss. One I had been dying to give her for a long while. Rotimi took his own too and we all danced to the beat of Sunny Neji's 'Oruka'.

We shall invite you to our wedding which I think would hold the same day at the same venue. Yes, we can do it....

STOP CHILD ABUSE, IT RUINS LIVES AND DESTROYS GENERATIONS...


THE END...

N. B. All comments and reservations are welcome as usual. Thanks.

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Ade's Chronicle 37-40

Ade's Chronicle 37

The students trooped out of the hall immediately th principal and guests stood up. They had headed to Dr. Tanimowo's office. The teachers too lurked around, mostly the junior ones. By the time Dr. Tanimowo arrived at the office, he could hardly find the door, they all loved his lecture and yearned to have a private session with him. The principal then knew that indeed, a counsellor was needed in the school.

The Dr had barely settled down in his office when the patients, as he called them began trooping in. Each spent like thirty minutes and they usually came out smiling and thoroughly relieved as against the scared faces they went in with. I and Rotimi were the gate keepers who made sure that the air of strict confidentiality was maintained.

The teachers and other members of staff including the principal arrived for their turn around four in the afternoon and after three hours of consultation; I announced to the remaining students that they should come the next day. They grudgingly left. These were mostly students who barely waited after the official closing hours of four p.m. They had waited till seven p.m that day and were willing to wait longer just to see the Dr. Priority indeed lies in the mind.

Dr. Tanimowo came out at around seven thirty p.m. He wished to see Bunmi's parents and that of the other two girls. The three girls had gone home but we all entered his car and zoomed off to Mushin.

Fortunately for us, Bunmi's parents were around and were surprised to see three teachers from their daughter's school and a complete stranger. They welcomed us and Dr. Tanimowo wasted no time in addressing what had brought us. He expertly blamed Bunmi's parents for their love for material things at the expense of their daughter. He however, did not reveal all the girl's crimes but he advised them to create more time for her to avoid a calamitous ending for her. He then took the startled Bunmi into her room for a private session. When they came out of the room, she was a changed girl. She held Shola and wept at her feet and did likewise for Rotimi. I stood aloof and watched as she cried on her parents' laps. Her parents were grateful for the visit and promised to adjust.

Bunmi took us to Bola's house where almost the same thing happened before we headed to Bimbo's home. She was also surprised to see us. Her parents too were stunned at the revelations made about their angelic daughter. They wept and wept. The session was not too different from the previous ones. But the difference was that we ate at Bimbo's house after her parents had seriously insisted on it. They said they would forever be grateful for what the school and the Dr had done for them and their daughter.
I was very happy at the way Dr. Tanimowo solved the mountainous challenge that had bedevilled us in the weeks past. He had not told us we would do a family counselling but he had done it and now we only suffered slight inconveniences. The man is a genius!

We got back to Shola's house at around two thirty a.m having stayed longest at Bimbo's house. Rotimi got a text message from Bunmi thanking him for bringing Dr. Tanimowo to the school. She also said that he should thank me for her because she is afraid that I might be hostile towards her. I received a similar one form Bola nd Bimbo. They had apologised and thanked me for making them realise their mistakes and making them sensible teenagers.

Shola set up a spare room for Dr. Tanimowo who refused to sleep until we had entered our room. But the curiosity in me got the better of me as I left the room after fifteen minutes and tiptoed to the door linking the sittingroom to the bedrooms. I gummed my ears to the door to eavesdrop on the conversation between Dr. Tanimowo and Shola. Shola thanked him profusely for coming to our aid. He, in his characteristic manner, told her all thanks belong to God. He said that it is now time for her own couselling. He adviced her to keep our company as we would always be her watchdog. Then he told her to confess her past actions to her boyfriend to have a healthy relationship with him, else, she would be as guilty as anything. He also told her that whenever she sees teens, she should remember that she is their role model, thus, she would get over her paedophilic instincts gradually. She thanked him again and asked that what if her boyfriend takes it the other way. He smiled and asked who she truly loved to get married to. Her reply was hushed and I was not able to hear that but I heard the Dr say, that it was a good choice and that the person was right for her. She was happy and prayed it would go well between her and her boyfriend and if not, it would pave way for her to get the man of her dreams.

They came towards the door and I ran back to our room. Rolling over and over on the bed wondering who Shola's dream man was...

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Ade's Chronicle 38

Sleep overcame me due to weariness from the activities of the last seventeen hours or so. My alarm never woke me up much to Rotimi's relief. He never set alarms, I was his alarm. Hence we both slept like wood logs till a knock woke us around six thirty five. It was Shola. She came in with breakfast and told us that Dr. Tanimowo was ready to hit the streets. It came as a surprise to us because I wondered if he slept at all. We rushed the breakfast of toast and tea and rushed to get set for school.
At 7:05 a.m, we stepped out of the house after convincing Dr to leave his brother's car at home. We trekked and chatted all the way to school asking if he slept at all. Shola said that she too had wondered because she had thought that we would all get to school late but she was surprised when Dr knocked on her door at six already dressed and asking for a spare toothbrush. We all laughed but he said it wasn't his fault because life as an academic usually robbed him of sleep once in a while till he got used to it. All our conversation that morning was in pidgin.

We got to school and headed for his office but it was from the gate that we noticed lots of cars parked. Parents were around. The principal came in some minutes after us and told the Dr that parents had come to see him and thank him for the spontaneous changes noticed in their wards under twenty four hours. He told the principal to gather them all in the school hall for a brief session before the assembly.

The brief session lasted an hour and all the parents who were there never remained the same. They all got imparted one way or the other.

After they left, Dr. Tanimowo attended to the students I sent home the previous day before attending to any other person. His rule was 'first come first served.'

He then requested the presence of the remaining of Shola's casualties. Folake and Ronke, then Kunle, Remi, and Dolapo. He spent an hour each with them and at the end of the sessions like those before them, their eyes and faces told the tale of what went on in the office.

He attended to other students who kept trooping in in their multitudes. I still think till date that the advice and attention he gave them that day made the students come as they did. He was nothing but a father and a mentor.

He ended the day that friday around eight p.m. The school generator had to be put on because some students had left earlier to call their parents at his request. Also, he had told all Shola's victims to stay behind till he finished. What he wanted to do he never told us till everyone had left and it remained them (Shola's victims) and Rotimi and I. There in front of his office, he told Shola to apologise to them one after the other. Tears flowed again ceaselessly from each of them as they all forgave her and themselves for the kind of life they had lived prior to that day. Rotimi and I looked at ourselves and gave ourselves a 'hi five' because right before us was our solved problems. We were gay and ecstatic; happy was not the right word for what we felt that night.

After the tears session, they all left and we once again headed home after the principal had profusely thanked Dr. Tanimowo and offered him a cheque of fifty thousand naira which he vehemently refused. He had said that the principal should use the money to set up a counselling clinic as he had described in the manual he left with him (the principal). He said also that we, Rotimi and I, are his boys and we are not rich enough to pay for his services, so taking the money, to him, is like collecting money from his poor students. He, however, told the principal to feel free to call on him for consultancy services and training for the counsellor who the school will employ and he jokingly added that by then, he would 'charge' the school for the service. He then rounded off by saying that the standard he had set in the school, should not allow to fall and any parent who needed his help should be given his number to call him anytime, anywhere.

With that we left the school and happily went back to Shola's house who stuck to my side like a leech calling me her life's saviour.
She prepared a dinner of rice and stew- which was very palatable, even better than 'Dara's cooking of same- with ice cold bottles of J&W sparkling non-alcoholic wine.
By ten p.m, we sent Dr to bed because he has a nine o'clock flight to catch and has to drop his brother's car at home. After the headlines, we all slept like babies till the cockcrow woke us.

We left Shola's house by 7:30a.m and headed to Dr's brother's house. We dropped the Camry and got a cab which took us to the local wing of the MMA. After he had checked in and his flight confirmed, we all thanked him immensely and chatted till his flight was announced and we waved him goodbye with tears in our eyes promising to call him in about two hours when we were sure his plane would have landed safely.

On the way home, Shola dialled a number..

© Yettocome™ 2013

Ade's Chronicle 39

According to Shola, her boyfriend, Tokunbo, was a cantankerous and aggressive individual whose tenets and view of life could be said to be warped. She had met him at Oyingbo in his younger sister's shop. Nike, Shola's former course mate, had taken to selling provisions at the Oyingbo market immediately after service and her business was doing fine.

She had happened to be visiting Nike that day, two years before then, when she had met Tokunbo almost beating up his younger sister because she had refused to give him some money he requested for. Shola had played the Good Samaritan and had given him the money to sue for peace. He had collected her number and later called to say thank you and then things had progressed from there till that time.

She described Tokunbo as a fair and handsome young man who was already in his marriageable age, - every girl's dream man- tall, muscular with six packs abs, hairy with a neat goatie and always spotting a clean shaven skull. She had stuck to him because she thought her actions can't leave her if Tokunbo should find out and leave her, hence, she had been putting up with all his ill manners. Tokunbo had read Business Administration and had squandered the capital given to him by his parents to set up the business he had dreamt of owning. After Shola came into his life, she had also set him up twice, the first one going down the drain while the second is now what he is managing with three employees to his name. He deals in electronics and mobile phones at the Alaba market. He adored Shola who in turn had been coping with his deeds till her dream man entered her life, she had said.

She had refused to tell us who her dream man was. She just added that she was fed up with Tokunbo and his antics. He had almost beaten her up on four occasions and all he could say was sorry. She said she had stuck to him because she was getting happiness elsewhere (that was in her pedophilic acts) but now that those had stopped, she needed to take a decision on her life with Tokunbo. She then told us what Dr. Tanimowo had told her the previous night I had eavesdropped on them. She concluded saying that he ought to have proposed to her to show his seriousness but she did not know what had been holding him back and each time she had broached the subject with him, he had always called her a desperate chic, which always hurt her. She prayed that he gets annoyed and breaks up with her after telling him her past action because if he should do otherwise, he would torment her with it all through the rest of their lives together. She said she preferred to be single and free of guilt than living with someone who will torture her to death with extant memories which she was trying to bury.

Rotimi and I had just been looking at her as she talked as if she dropped from heaven. Shola was indeed free. My heart tingled at her prayer. I prayed it was answered and that her dream man come for her. Then I chided myself for the prayer. ''What's your business?'' I had said to myself.

Then she had brought out her phone to call him.
''Hello dear,'' Shola said as she touched the speaker icon on the screen of her Samsung phone.
''Hello ma boo,'' Tokunbo shouted.
It seemed that he was somewhere where he could not hear her properly.
''Where are you?'' She asked.
''I am in the market o but I will soon leave jare. Those boys I told you about complained about the new product I just ordered, so I want to go to those people's office today and complain too.'' He explained.
''And I need to see you o and it is very urgent. Can we see today?'' She asked an obviously wrong question.
''Mba o. We can't see today. Since you said it's urgent, let's meet at my place tomorrow after church service. Is that fine by you?'' Tokunbo offered.
''It's okay. Tomorrow then. Take care of yourself o. And don't do what I won't do.''
''You too take care o. I will do what you won't do o. Cos dem no even born you wella make you try am.'' Tokunbo said jokingly.
''I know say I no fit o. Love you dear.'' Shola said.
''I am at work. I won't reply that sentimental bullshit. You are too romantic. Bye bye jo.'' He said ending the call.

Shola heaved a sigh and gave me a 'didn't I tell you' kind of look. She smiled and shook her head.
''Why are you shaking your head now?''
''Tomorrow won't be holy, Ade, how I wish you guys would go with me.'' she said sounding worried.
''We would go with you, but we would hang around while you go in to meet him.'' Rotimi said and she brightened up.

We got home, freshened up and had another decent meal before hitting the streets in the evening cool air for a stroll that eased off all tensions of the last few weeks totally out of my being. How I loved that cool evening breeze!


Night came and so was dinner. It was eaten, forgotten as we played games.

What Shola had said about Tokunbo seemed to me like a child's play and I never understood what her fears were until the next day after the meeting with Tokunbo.
© Yettocome™ 2013

Ade's Chronicle 40

It is Sunday morning and we are not in a haste to get out of bed. We all eventually met to the sitting room around ten o'clock. None of us was in a hurry to go anywhere. We had not even brushed less having a bath. We were really hungry.

The three of us headed to the kitchen and after one hour of cooking and frying amidst bantering and chatting and even backslapping, we came out with boiled plantain and fried eggs with steaming mugs of beverage.
We settled as usual on the rug, in front of the cable teevee and tucked in the food while watching the programmes they had to offer. After eating, we were sweating like Christmas turkeys. We all sprawled there and slept for God-knows-how-long.

We woke up to the loud ringing of a phone. It was Shola's. Tokunbo had called her thrice and she had not picked his calls. Immediately she picked it, she put it on speaker as usual.
''Hello dear,'' She said sleepily.
''Don't dear me, what did we agree on yesterday, you have refused to pick my calls since.'' He complained bitterly without a pause.
''I was sleeping...'' She tried to explain but he cut her short.
''What sort of sleep is that? Did you die? Ah ah! You will burn in a house with that your foolish sleepiness. Your phone's ringing was not enough to wake you abi? And you expect someone to marry a bad sleeper like you. Okay o, you have found a husband o.'' He tongue-lashed her.
''Are you now at home?'' She said after sighing.
''Mba, I am in your house sleeping like you. If you won't come lemme know o. I have places to go.'' He said and ended the call.
Shola looked at us and smiled. Her mind was made up. What sort of a man would not listen to his partner's excuse? Tokunbo was far worse than my friend in terms of anger. While Rotimi will listen to yours before exploding, Tokunbo just blew up without listening to anyone's reasons. Too bad for a man who claims he will get married.

We went to speechlessly after the call to the bathroom to shower and prepare hastily for the journey ahead. By the time we came out to the sitting room, it was well past two in the afternoon.

Shola was looking very cute in the long green dress she wore. Her feet were in a black slippers and she draped a black scarf round her neck. She was just too beautiful. I could not help but stare at her. She caught me staring and smiled, I felt ashamed of myself. To cover up, I complimented her dressing and she said I wasn't looking bad too in my green and black striped tee shirt on my dark blue denim wear. Rotimi and I loved plain materials, we believed that those with drawings or too many writings on them are for touts and exuberant teenagers. Hence we go for plain tee shirts, polo, and round necks. Rotimi on his part looked at us and laughed at us he had also caught me staring at Shola and knew that I was getting more interested in her by the day. I was just being cautious and biding my time before making any move. That day, Rotimi's fiancée would be proud of him in his plain white round neck tee shirt and his black jeans wear on his beloved black moccasin. He dresses better than I do, I give him that.

We stepped out of the house and hailed a taxi which took us to the Ojuelegba residence of Tokunbo. Shola had a car but hated driving and we are still learning to drive hence the need to charter cabs around town. All on the bills of Shola.

She told us to stay in the local cafeteria not too far away from the house as she made her way to the green three storeyed builing which had black gates. The area spoke of the mixed statuses of its residents. Tokunbo's house seemed to be occupied by middle income earners and the rich ones who are waiting for their houses to be completed.

We had been at the cafeteria for close to two and half hours and counting nursing our second bottle of malt drink when Shola came out of the house eyes puffed and nose bleeding. Hot on her heels was the guy I believed to be her Tokunbo shouting at the top of his voice for her to wait and receive more beatings. The neighbours were restraining him and he was shouting to be allowed to deal with her the more. He shouted obscenities at her and exposed as much of what she had just told him as possible.

I stood up from my seat, headed towards her, walked past her and cleared the crowd. I met with Tokunbo held his shirt and gave him a head butt on his nose. We were separated but I left him with a cut mouth and bloodied face and a lesson not to beat up a woman again in his life. The bastard could not fight his fellow man.

I rebuffed all those holding me, joined Shola and Rotimi at the cafeteria. By then, people had gathered to know what happened but I told the crying Shola not to utter a word. Her wounds were cleaned at a nearby pharmacy where the idiotic Tokunbo lay as one who had had an Okada accident. I never looked at him twice as people pointed at me some saying he deserved it and others hailing me.

We got another cab and headed home...

© Yettocome™ 2013

Ade's Chronicle 33-36

Ade's Chronicle 33

I had met 'Dara at a time when I people had been doubting my prowess as a man. I had not been a saint all along but I was not a player. It was just that my heart had refused to go along with anybody. Girls and ladies swarm around me but I had always tell them I was not interested. Some had even called me impotent and I had shown one or two of them that I was not. They had left my room then in school crying.

Oluwadarasimi was a three hundred level student of Economics in our school then. I had met her when I was in the office of one of our lecturers. My heart had skipped a beat as she came in to ask of Mr Adeola who was not in. I had chatted her up as a sharp guy and we had become friends.

I asked her out when I was leaving for service and convinced that what I felt for her was love and not infatuation. She had agreed and after I finished service, she had gone for hers. She was still serving when I proposed marriage to her and she accepted not knowing that she had been double dating.
I never knew also that she was a great actress and pretender or was I blinded to the facts and reality because of the love I had for her? To me she was perfect except for the too much make up she wears and some attributes I admired in Shola that she does not have. Maybe I was really at fault. Or she was just a devil in an angel's cloak.

I came back to reality to see Rotimi still pacing nervously. His mood was foul. He had called his fiancee and told her what happened. She had requested to speak to me and I had said no. But I never knew I said it.

I went to the kitchen to get water. I looked around and got our first aid box where we put our drugs. I took out the pack of Indocid- we bought it in packs because of the rats in our compound- then I got six tablets of paracetamol after emptying six capsules of Indocid on my palm. I got six tablets of piriton- that was also in abundance because we mixed it with the Indocid- and seven tablets of folic acid.

I had closed the box and was sitting on the bed thinking of swallowing them down when NEPA flooded the room with light and Rotimi caught a sight of what was in my palms.
''Eewoooh oh! A n wona m!'' Rotimi shouted as he slapped the palms holding the deadly combinations. The drugs scattered around the floor all over the room. He sat near me on the bed and began lecturing me on how it was sinful to take one's life. He said if I die, what will become of him.
'' you no know say, if you kpai cos of one elle, na plenty elle go match where dem bury you put? Ol boy, she don do her own, God go do him own na. See, if you kpai now. Who go come be my madman friend? Bros I no say e pain you wella, but im no be the end for the world na. See you be fine boy, plenty elle dey wey go do with you na. You know as e take be for school back then. No be dem dey come toast you? Forget am, she no worth am. If you kpai na im she go dey form James Bond for people say man kill imself cos of am. No be you talk am say she no even fine reach Shola say if Shola never get guy you for try work im levels? You go see babes jo. Make we stroll find something chop cos I dey hungry o and I no fit leave only you o.'' He said.
I looked at his face and saw the fear and anguish registered in it. I burst into another round of tears. He never told me to stop because he believed that crying purges you of emotions.

Twenty minutes later, I was ready to hit the streets. I switched on my phone and the first call to come in was 'Dara.
''Hello,'' I said in a cool, calm, and collected voice.
''Hello Ade, I am sorry please. I was worried when your phone was switched off...'' She was saying when I interrupted her.
''I am okay, thanks. It's alright we will be at your wedding. Regards to your fiancé.'' I was about to end the call when Rotimi asked to talk to her.
''Hello madam!'' He said.
''Rotimi, please I know how sad he would be. Please don't let him hurt himself.'' She begged.
''Hurt himself you say? Please spare me those talks. My friend is alright o. He didn't even cry for your info. He was just surprised at your cruel wickedness. That's all. We will be at your wedding as he said. And please regards to your fiancé and parents. Good night and happy preparations.'' He ended the call and we both laughed at his lie that I didn't cry. Who knows where I would have been by then had NEPA not restored power. I looked back at that day as a whole and I laughed. How much more can a man get in a day? From being very happy at solving someone's problem to being heartbroken and almost in the jaws of death.

We got the suya and La Casera we needed and headed back home. We ate and watched the news on Channels TV before I my mum's call came in to confirm if I had not done anything stupid. I laughed and asked her to thank God and Rotimi for helping me. I didn't tell her that I almost killed myself lest she runs to Lagos the following day. I spoke with my dad too and he prayed for me also.

I went to bed feeling very empty...

© Yettocome™ 2013

Ade's Chronicle 34

Sleeping after a heartbreak has a kind of healing power that I cannot describe. Though it had been argued that even sleeping after a heartbreak could prove disastrous as you could experience nightmares which might compound your heartaches. But it is also said that the latter occurs mostly if you think much about it before going to bed.

The former was the case with me. After the cold hands of death's brother caught me under the watchful eyes of Rotimi, I remembered nothing till my phone's alarm woke me up feeling very refreshed and light headed. But immediately I sighted the ring on the table, memories of the previous evening came flooding back but I swept it off as I sluggishly prepared for work.

Rotimi managed to prepare noodles that morning but I had no appetite at all. He left me but made sure I drank enough water to last a lifetime after which we left for work.

In school, the principal announced on the assembly that a guidance counselling unit would soon be established in the school. He also added that, ''From tomorrow till Friday, a psychologist will be in school to address all staff and students on some acts that I have noticed among you all, staff included. This expert too will have private counselling sessions with some selected members of staff that have been noticed to have the said acts as well as some students with questionable traits. Then he will have private sessions with any other person who might be having any challenge. Either academic, professional, marital, domestic, or psychological challenge, all will be addressed and tackled by the expert. He will be around on the assembly first tomorrow, then the private sessions will take place in the office that we have created for him. It is the office behind the canteen. Just go there to see him. I implore you all to take this opportunity to solve one or two things that might be hindering you in any way. The school time table has been suspended for the two days, normal academic activities resume on Monday. Lastly, this was done in conjunction with two brilliant members of our staff, Messrs Rotimi and Ade as you know them. They are instrumental in getting the renowned doctor of psychology to pay us a visit without taking a kobo from the school's purse. We say thank you to the two of them.''

With that, the whole hall roared into a big applause. Our heads swelled twice their sizes. We had not expected the principal to talk about our involvement in the planning of the sessions. I thought in my mind, 'If somebody rejects us as theirs, some others will accept us as theirs.' That also lifted my spirit a bit before the students marched to their classes to receive their lectures for the day.

Shola saw my countenance at the assembly ground and immediately we got to the staffroom she demanded to know what happened to one of her new found trusted friends. I told her nothing was wrong with me and we all left for our classes.

By break time, she came with a full force firing an all cylinders demanding again to know why my face wore such a sombre look. Rotimi was seated at his corner attending to the three girls who wanted to know the details of the principal's announcement and the level of our involvement. They had started with me and when they had got no favourable response from me and my bad face, they switched to Rotimi who was patient enough to answer their questions untiringly. They had poked and poked him to tell them when they would 'see' me and why I was in such a mood as I was that day. Rotimi had told them that things happened for a reason and all things in life are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that gets fixed after many trials and errors. He also told them that one cannot be happy everyday, so my day was like that because it was time for me to be sad. I did as if I never heard them. Rotimi is a friend.

Shola refused me space and peace all through the break time because I rejected all her avenues to tell her what was wrong with me. I still by then had no appetite and when I saw that I needed peace, I followed her to the canteen where I told her what happened. She was short of words at first, but she later pacified me and told me almost all what I had heard the previous night except the parts of Rotimi's advice about our stay in school.
Shola promised that I would stay with her till I recovered from my heartbreak. I tried to disagree but she would hear none of it.

School closed for the day and Shola accompanied us home to pack our bags and things we would need for four days. It would be the first time that we would be sleeping outside our house apart from travelling home.

We went back to Shola's house with me still in my sombre mood and Rotimi and Shola chatting away as Shola prepared what she said would be a surprise to me since I had refused to eat since the day's morning.

As the smell of vegetable soup wafted into my nose from the kitchen, I could not but battle the Dara's sweet and sour memories from my mind...

© Yettocome™ 2013

Ade's Chronicle 35

After what seemed to me like ages and amidst lots of banter between them, Rotimi and Shola emerged from the kitchen bearing the 'special' meal. It was vegetable soup and pounded yam. She had used the electric pounder and not the mortar and pestle. Technology had indeed made life easy.

We sat down and ate the food and I must say, it was delicious. Shola was a good cook. She forced me to eat much of the food and I was grateful for it. Thirty minutes later, we settled in front of the television for the normal dose of news. This time on NTA because I had told them I need to sleep early. Thirty minutes into the news, I dozed off and was woken by Shola who guided me to the room where our things were already placed. She was talking animatedly on the phone to someone I thought had to be her boyfriend. I cared less; sleep took me as soon as I hit the bed.

My alarm woke me at its normal time. I got up and wiped sleep out of my eyes wondering where I was. Rotimi was sprawled on the bed with his hands and feet pole apart. I observed the room well and remembered where I was. I got out of the bed and in the process waking Rotimi who said something inaudible and went back to bed.

I had my bath and prepared for work. I was saying my prayers when the door opened after a light knock and Shola came in beaming with smiles. She greeted me and woke Rotimi who reluctantly got up and dressed for work too.

I reminded them that it was a Thursday and they told me that they had not forgotten what would happen that day. Shola went out and came back fully dressed for work and with a light breakfast of bread and tea. I attacked it with a lot of gusto. I had gradually become myself after all the events of the past two days. I was begining to like Shola the more but I was cautious, else, I embarrass myself. She was not really the kind of picture we had prior to knowing her fully. She was just a right person with the wrong experiences. One of life's ironies!

We left home and headed for school around seven a.m. Shola called Dr. Tanimowo immediately we got to school and apologised for our inability to call him the previous day. She explained what happened to me in brief and he requested to talk to me. He joked over it and told me to cheer up as a broken relationship is way better than a broken marriage. I thanked him and told him I had begun to go back to my normal self. He added that he had thought we would not call him and that he had planned to surprise us by coming to the school without calling us. Dr. Tanimowo had arrived Lagos from the North where our school was the previous day and had gotten the direction and location of the school from its official website.

We asked the hotel he was lodged in and he told us the name. It was just twenty five minutes drive from the school. Dr. Tanimowo was preparing to come to the school. We gave him directions again and he said he would be there by nine thirty. We ended the call when we heard the pleasant recorded voice of the network provider's machine telling us that Shola's airtime is to finish in a minute.
The assembly came and went. The principal re-iterated his statement the day before and asked if the students were prepared. They all answered in the affirmative. He dispersed them after telling them to get ready for date with Dr. Tanimowo.

At nine a.m, the Principal called us to his office to inquire about the Dr's arrival and we told him that he was already on his way. He took us to the place where would be the Dr's office for the two days and we were satisfied with what we saw. The place was well organised and befitting for a counselling session. He said all other things would be added at the Dr's request. We went back to the staffroom and he left for his office. All through, I was nervous, so was Rotimi, we were the center of attraction.

The trio came to our office and asked their questions again. We told them that their lives would change after the encounter with the Dr. They never understood what we meant.

At nine thirty five, my phone rang, it was the principal summoning the three of us to his office. As we stepped out of the room, th emergency bell rang. I knew it was time.

We headed to the office in our usual fashion, Rotimi, Shola, Ade. In front of the administrative block was a Toyota Camry car which looked familiar. It was the Dr. Tanimowo's younger brother's car that he drives to our school then. I smiled and tapped Rotimi who also noticed the car. We explained to Shola wondering why Dr had lodged in a hotel rather than staying with his brother. His brother was a rich trader who deal in textile and gold which he buys from the north. Our oga is an enigma!

As we approached the office, we noticed that all other offices were open and they all seem to be captivated by the visitor they had. We went in and we came face to face with my lecturer who I had last seen two years before then but who had not changed much and had come to help, Dr. Olumide Tanimowo...

© Yettocome™ 2013

Ade's Chronicle 36

Dr Tanimowo sat on one of the chairs facing the principal. He did not see us when we entered because the door was left opened as the school's principal officers trooped in to greet him. So when he saw the smile on the face of the principal, he turned to look at the people who had just come in. He saw us, smiled as he stood up to give us a hug each and said,
''My two troublesome boys, how una dey?'' It was sure he was happy to see us after two years.
''We dey o. No be you teach us how to shoot wahala?'' said I.
He slapped our backs and said again, ''Una still never shange o. Una just go become big. Ah ah! Wetin una dey shop?''
''Oga mi, you too no shange jo. That ya wife dey do better work for ya body o. Na only small remain make we no sabi you again. But sha, you do well. Welcome sir.'' Rotimi said as we all cursied.

The Principal stood watching us as we chatted, laughed and bantered in pidgin. He was surprised at the camaraderie we exuded. Shola was not in the least surprised as she had witnessed much of it before then and had even participated in it.

After greeting his boys, Dr. Tanimowo said, ''And you must be Shola?''
She replied in the affirmative.
''Wow! You actually are more radiant than the way you sound on phone, I must say. Hope you didn't mind my not recognising you earlier and hope these boys haven't troubled you much?''
Shola smilingly thanked him and said imitating us, ''Dem no fit trouble me sir, I be dem mama.''
We all laughed at her joke.

Fifteen minutes later, a teacher came to tell the principal that the assembly hall had filled up and the students were waiting for us. Immediately, we left for the venue of the action. I carried my lecturer's briefcase while Shola carried his laptop bag and Rotimi had to make do with his jacket. The principal walked in front while we followed in the rear after Dr. Tanimowo.

We got to the hall at exactly ten a.m. All the students had an expectant look on their faces and rose to greet as we entered the hall. The principal took the microphone and introduced the guests.
''The day I have been telling you about is finally here. We have amidst us from the great Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a great man and a Professor of Psychology. He flew in from Zaria last night and is here this morning to help us tackle our challenges as he calls it. Give a round of applause to Dr. Olumide Tanimowo.''
The hall roared in response to his command as Dr. Tanimowo stood for recognition. The principal invited Rotimi, Shola and I to the high table where all other senior members of staff were seated. We really felt like VIPs.

Dr. Tanimowo finally took the stage and started his lecture. His laptop was in front of him but he did not switch it on. Only the three of us knew, he hated reading his prepared notes.

''Good morning ladies and gents, sorry, boys and girls or should I say, miniature men and women?'' The students laughed at his statement.
''It's not funny o. What you are is different from what people see you as. That is the begining of our individual challenges. And language doesn't help at times, you might be something that you want to express but the right word for it might not exist in language. Now, the language say you are boys and girls but I know some of you won't like that tag. Am I wrong?'' He asked.
''No sir!'' chorused the obviously excited students.
''So I want you to know that perception is the greatest instrument to individual psychological challenges and solutions. There are many ways to fall into teenage and adulthood crises as had been highlighted to me. Some might be through rape, through peer pressure, through indoctrination, through influence, etc, but it is the way you perceive yourself that will determine the way you respond to other means of these challenges. For instance, a victim of rape might see him or herself as an outcast and as such believe that the best way is to do such to others and thus, the trend continues. While another victim of such might just perceive him or herself as a victim of circumstance and see it as a wake up call to end such ill. So my dear listeners, though it is arguable that individual perception does not work in all cases of our societal challenges, such as the case of those forced into prostitution, it still remains that your mind belongs to you and you have virtual control over it. You choose what to believe and what not to believe. So believe in your positive abilities and all negativities will fall by the wayside even if you had been forced to do them. It is your positive mind that will create a way out for you.
I am still around and look forward to seeing you all individually as we chart a way out of your individual challenges. Thank you.''
Everybody including the principal who had been shaking his head all through the lecture gave a rasping applause to him as he left the podium.

Questions and answers followed and the personal sessions began in his makeshift office. The students trooped in...

© Yettocome™ 2013