Ade's
Chronicle 28
We got to school the next day and
resumed activities as usual. We went about our duties with a kind of flair that
I knew the other teachers would have been thinking that either of us had won a
jackpot. The students too would have likely thought it was the birthday of one
of us. We were so light headed and full of smile that we surprised even
ourselves. Rotimi who was on duty that week left all latecomers to go scot
free. That was how we do after getting out of troubles. But were we really out
of this?
The morning assembly came and went likewise the daily staff briefing. Then all dispersed to the classes where they had the first period while the others left for the staffroom. We left for the staffroom as we both had second period that day.
As we entered, we found Shola at her desk and greeted her. She was looking for something under her table and as such did not see us until we greeted. Her face beamed into a smile as she replied our greeting. But I noticed that she had a tear-stained face. An evidence that she had been crying all morning. Little wonder she was absent at both the assembly and morning briefing.
I tapped Rotimi who was looking at Folake who also was wondering why Rotimi took a sudden interest in her. He smiled at her and followed me to Shola.
''Why the tears this early morning Shola? What happened again?'' I asked as I settled my bums on her table.
She knew her cover had been blown, hence, little essence for lying. She could not look up but instead of talking, she burst into another fit of crying. Rotimi bent down and took her hands from her laps where she had placed them into his and began soothing and pacifying her.
''You don't need all these, Shola, you should be happy that you got it off your mind and into the right hands. We are now your friends and we share your sorrow. Just let us help you and you won't regret. But that would only be possible if you stop being apologetic and you stop shedding this tears.''
''Rotimi, thank you but I don't think there can be solutions to this my urge. I had it again this morning and I had almost called Bunmi when I saw you both. It was hard to fight that was why I couldn't leave this room. I am tired of my life. I feel like dying.''
I stood up from the table and joined Rotimi in the squatting position. It was time we played our trump card. We could not afford to let her die. She had begun to show signs of depression and we needed to help her fast. I hoped that could cool her before we talked to the Doctor.
''Shola,'' I called.
''You don't need this talk of death, okay? We are here for you and guess what?'' Her face wore a scowl as my words hit her consciousness.
''What's it Ade? I can't guess anything now.'' She replied.
''We have found a way to help you overcome the urge and feelings. Not only you, everybody. Including that one over there and her friend and Bunmi and the rest.'' I said pointing at Folake.
''I don't believe you. You are trying to get me happy, right?'' She said not believing my words.
''Babe, it's the whole truth. We would call a psychologist who would talk to you and help you get out of this mess, Shola. We battled through thoughts yester night before getting that solution. Just trust us and don't do anything silly until our efforts have failed. It would kill us if we see you hurt yourself without trying to get help first.'' Rotimi pleaded looking straight into her misty eyes.
She was happy. She jumped up and hugged us and gave us each a peck.
''Thank you guys. I promise to foot all the bills and I promise to wait till it fails before killing myself. Though I pray it works. You are good guys. I will owe my life to you if I get over this mess.'' She ranted on and on in appreciation while I prayed that it works out well. It would all amount to waste of things if Shola should end up dead after all our efforts. I pray it works.
''When am I talking to the Doctor?'' She asked an obvious question.
''Today. We shall call him today and the three of us shall tell him all what happened and all those involved. I know he will get a solution to this challenge.'' Rotimi said.
Shola manifested a sign of speedy change from the moody and dull Shola to one full and bouncing with energy as she ran to the tap to wash her face before dabbing a little powder which is synonymous with her. Another thing that captivated me about her. She never used make ups. The maximum she wears of make ups are the brown and white powder and the lip gloss. Despite these, she was still very beautiful. She was unlike my fiancée, who painted all paintable. How I dislike it!
We all went to our classes and agreed to meet during the break time to make the call we hope would change the life of some individuals who we have come to see as victims of circumstances and societal inadequacies.
Break time came and the three of us gathered in the staffroom. Rotimi brought out his phone to make the call. He had dialled the number with Shola and I waiting...
© Yettocome™ 2013
The morning assembly came and went likewise the daily staff briefing. Then all dispersed to the classes where they had the first period while the others left for the staffroom. We left for the staffroom as we both had second period that day.
As we entered, we found Shola at her desk and greeted her. She was looking for something under her table and as such did not see us until we greeted. Her face beamed into a smile as she replied our greeting. But I noticed that she had a tear-stained face. An evidence that she had been crying all morning. Little wonder she was absent at both the assembly and morning briefing.
I tapped Rotimi who was looking at Folake who also was wondering why Rotimi took a sudden interest in her. He smiled at her and followed me to Shola.
''Why the tears this early morning Shola? What happened again?'' I asked as I settled my bums on her table.
She knew her cover had been blown, hence, little essence for lying. She could not look up but instead of talking, she burst into another fit of crying. Rotimi bent down and took her hands from her laps where she had placed them into his and began soothing and pacifying her.
''You don't need all these, Shola, you should be happy that you got it off your mind and into the right hands. We are now your friends and we share your sorrow. Just let us help you and you won't regret. But that would only be possible if you stop being apologetic and you stop shedding this tears.''
''Rotimi, thank you but I don't think there can be solutions to this my urge. I had it again this morning and I had almost called Bunmi when I saw you both. It was hard to fight that was why I couldn't leave this room. I am tired of my life. I feel like dying.''
I stood up from the table and joined Rotimi in the squatting position. It was time we played our trump card. We could not afford to let her die. She had begun to show signs of depression and we needed to help her fast. I hoped that could cool her before we talked to the Doctor.
''Shola,'' I called.
''You don't need this talk of death, okay? We are here for you and guess what?'' Her face wore a scowl as my words hit her consciousness.
''What's it Ade? I can't guess anything now.'' She replied.
''We have found a way to help you overcome the urge and feelings. Not only you, everybody. Including that one over there and her friend and Bunmi and the rest.'' I said pointing at Folake.
''I don't believe you. You are trying to get me happy, right?'' She said not believing my words.
''Babe, it's the whole truth. We would call a psychologist who would talk to you and help you get out of this mess, Shola. We battled through thoughts yester night before getting that solution. Just trust us and don't do anything silly until our efforts have failed. It would kill us if we see you hurt yourself without trying to get help first.'' Rotimi pleaded looking straight into her misty eyes.
She was happy. She jumped up and hugged us and gave us each a peck.
''Thank you guys. I promise to foot all the bills and I promise to wait till it fails before killing myself. Though I pray it works. You are good guys. I will owe my life to you if I get over this mess.'' She ranted on and on in appreciation while I prayed that it works out well. It would all amount to waste of things if Shola should end up dead after all our efforts. I pray it works.
''When am I talking to the Doctor?'' She asked an obvious question.
''Today. We shall call him today and the three of us shall tell him all what happened and all those involved. I know he will get a solution to this challenge.'' Rotimi said.
Shola manifested a sign of speedy change from the moody and dull Shola to one full and bouncing with energy as she ran to the tap to wash her face before dabbing a little powder which is synonymous with her. Another thing that captivated me about her. She never used make ups. The maximum she wears of make ups are the brown and white powder and the lip gloss. Despite these, she was still very beautiful. She was unlike my fiancée, who painted all paintable. How I dislike it!
We all went to our classes and agreed to meet during the break time to make the call we hope would change the life of some individuals who we have come to see as victims of circumstances and societal inadequacies.
Break time came and the three of us gathered in the staffroom. Rotimi brought out his phone to make the call. He had dialled the number with Shola and I waiting...
© Yettocome™ 2013
Ade's
Chronicle 29
Rotimi dialled the Dr's number and
we watched as he anxiously waited for the connecting tone. My chest was
palpitating madly. Anxiety was written all over Shola's face.
''Mtchewwww.'' Rotimi gave the longest hiss I had ever heard from him.
''My credit don finish sha, I no know say money no dey there.'' He said looking angry and distraught at the same time.
''Let's even get out of here. I wouldn't want anybody to chance upon our call or disturb when it is on. Let's get to one of the old classes and we would get a recharge card on the way. Don't worry guys, the bills on me.'' Shola said and led the way out of the staffroom which truly by then was begining to fill up. I agreed with her decision to let us make the call outside the room. Who knows, one of those three girls might get so brave to come in due to the incidents of the previous night which I knew Bunmi would have relayed to the other two.
We got the recharge cards and headed to one of the abandoned classes in the school. One good thing about the school was that despite their non usage, the classes were kept clean and tidy always. Their doors are also closed but not locked. A lot happens in those classes which are unprintable.
We got in and settled severally. I on the first chair I saw, Shola on a table in the second row and Rotimi on another chair in the third row of seats. Graveyard silence took over as Rotimi minded the phone while we looked at him with our hearts threatening to come out of our mouths.
''Hello sir!'' Rotimi said into the mouthpiece after the phone connected. He eased his Samsung Galaxy into the speaker mode and placed it on the table. It was loud and we all heard the crystal clear voice of Dr. Tanimowo, playful as always.
''Ah! Rotimi Ogidiolu, omo nla. How you dey o? Abi is that not how you and that crook twin of yours say it?''
''Sir, you dey correct. He dey fine and he dey hail you.'' Rotimi replied in pidgin.
Dr. Tanimowo admires the ease with which Rotimi and I converse in pidgin and mocks us with it each time he has the opportunity.
''Sir, I called you because we have a problem...''
''Nah! I have told you that problems don't exist, we have challenges. Problems don't exist. Okay? If it's about problem let me out of it.'' Dr. Tanimowo cut in emphasising his all time cliché.
''Sorry sir, don't mind my chicken brain.'' Rotimi said laughing.
''What's your challenge? I am all ears.''
Rotimi went into the details of how it all started with Bunmi, his escapades with her, their advance towards me and the ultimate link with Shola and her revelations.
All through the conversation, in which the Dr. interjected with expressions of surprise or pity, Shola and I were silent.
Then when Rotimi talked about Shola commiting suicide, Dr. Tanimowo requested to speak to her. That was when she was given the phone.
He asked us to take the phone out of its speaker mode and as such we could not hear what he had said to her. Only short answers of 'Yes' and 'No' was what we could hear. But by the time she dropped the phone and we put it back in speaker, she was obviously light hearted. Then Dr. Tanimowo said,
''On the three girls, they would carry out their threats but as my boys, you must not allow them. Go straight to the Principal's office and tell him everything.''
''Sir?'' I shouted.
''Ade! You will never change. Wait and let me talk.
Go to him, and tell him that you have noticed some ill acts among his staff and students that needed to be nipped in the bud soonest through counselling.
Don't tell the girls anything. Just don't do anything other than teacher-student things. That will tell them you are no more interested. They will head to the principal to blackmail you but it won't work.
Tell the Principal that a counselling unit is needed in the school and that you have invited an expert Psychologist who will be around for two days to help, Thursday and Friday, all you need is his permission and adjustment in the timetable.
By that, I will be able to talk to the parties that need help, Shola, Folake and her friend, Bunmi and her friends and other little people. So the girls will be able to leave you alone and the principal will respect you more.
What's today?''
''Tuesday sir.'' Shola replied.
''Expect me on Thursday. Run to your Principal now and tell him. Shola, do those things I said earlier and don't die before I come around, Okay?''
''Yes sir. Thank you sir.'' Shola replied laughing.
''Ade, you have not enjoyed at all. That's good. Don't enjoy before I come o. You don hear?''
''Yes sir.'' I replied, an obvious grin on my face.
''Rotimi, the bad sharp guy. You have quickly eaten yours and you are now backing out. Well done. See you all later.''
''Thank you sir.'' We all chorused and ended the call. It had lasted for more than an hour.
We left the class lighter and happier. Shola was thanking us profusely as we told her to attend her lectures while Rotimi and I rushed immediately to the Principal's office...
© Yettocome™ 2013.
''Mtchewwww.'' Rotimi gave the longest hiss I had ever heard from him.
''My credit don finish sha, I no know say money no dey there.'' He said looking angry and distraught at the same time.
''Let's even get out of here. I wouldn't want anybody to chance upon our call or disturb when it is on. Let's get to one of the old classes and we would get a recharge card on the way. Don't worry guys, the bills on me.'' Shola said and led the way out of the staffroom which truly by then was begining to fill up. I agreed with her decision to let us make the call outside the room. Who knows, one of those three girls might get so brave to come in due to the incidents of the previous night which I knew Bunmi would have relayed to the other two.
We got the recharge cards and headed to one of the abandoned classes in the school. One good thing about the school was that despite their non usage, the classes were kept clean and tidy always. Their doors are also closed but not locked. A lot happens in those classes which are unprintable.
We got in and settled severally. I on the first chair I saw, Shola on a table in the second row and Rotimi on another chair in the third row of seats. Graveyard silence took over as Rotimi minded the phone while we looked at him with our hearts threatening to come out of our mouths.
''Hello sir!'' Rotimi said into the mouthpiece after the phone connected. He eased his Samsung Galaxy into the speaker mode and placed it on the table. It was loud and we all heard the crystal clear voice of Dr. Tanimowo, playful as always.
''Ah! Rotimi Ogidiolu, omo nla. How you dey o? Abi is that not how you and that crook twin of yours say it?''
''Sir, you dey correct. He dey fine and he dey hail you.'' Rotimi replied in pidgin.
Dr. Tanimowo admires the ease with which Rotimi and I converse in pidgin and mocks us with it each time he has the opportunity.
''Sir, I called you because we have a problem...''
''Nah! I have told you that problems don't exist, we have challenges. Problems don't exist. Okay? If it's about problem let me out of it.'' Dr. Tanimowo cut in emphasising his all time cliché.
''Sorry sir, don't mind my chicken brain.'' Rotimi said laughing.
''What's your challenge? I am all ears.''
Rotimi went into the details of how it all started with Bunmi, his escapades with her, their advance towards me and the ultimate link with Shola and her revelations.
All through the conversation, in which the Dr. interjected with expressions of surprise or pity, Shola and I were silent.
Then when Rotimi talked about Shola commiting suicide, Dr. Tanimowo requested to speak to her. That was when she was given the phone.
He asked us to take the phone out of its speaker mode and as such we could not hear what he had said to her. Only short answers of 'Yes' and 'No' was what we could hear. But by the time she dropped the phone and we put it back in speaker, she was obviously light hearted. Then Dr. Tanimowo said,
''On the three girls, they would carry out their threats but as my boys, you must not allow them. Go straight to the Principal's office and tell him everything.''
''Sir?'' I shouted.
''Ade! You will never change. Wait and let me talk.
Go to him, and tell him that you have noticed some ill acts among his staff and students that needed to be nipped in the bud soonest through counselling.
Don't tell the girls anything. Just don't do anything other than teacher-student things. That will tell them you are no more interested. They will head to the principal to blackmail you but it won't work.
Tell the Principal that a counselling unit is needed in the school and that you have invited an expert Psychologist who will be around for two days to help, Thursday and Friday, all you need is his permission and adjustment in the timetable.
By that, I will be able to talk to the parties that need help, Shola, Folake and her friend, Bunmi and her friends and other little people. So the girls will be able to leave you alone and the principal will respect you more.
What's today?''
''Tuesday sir.'' Shola replied.
''Expect me on Thursday. Run to your Principal now and tell him. Shola, do those things I said earlier and don't die before I come around, Okay?''
''Yes sir. Thank you sir.'' Shola replied laughing.
''Ade, you have not enjoyed at all. That's good. Don't enjoy before I come o. You don hear?''
''Yes sir.'' I replied, an obvious grin on my face.
''Rotimi, the bad sharp guy. You have quickly eaten yours and you are now backing out. Well done. See you all later.''
''Thank you sir.'' We all chorused and ended the call. It had lasted for more than an hour.
We left the class lighter and happier. Shola was thanking us profusely as we told her to attend her lectures while Rotimi and I rushed immediately to the Principal's office...
© Yettocome™ 2013.
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