Ade's
Chronicle 30
When a big load is taken off your
mind, you care less about little matters, they will fall into place. That was
the case with us.
Immediately we stepped out of the staffroom for the Principal's office, we heard the tiny voice of Bimbo calling us. I looked back to see the three of them gesturing pleadingly that we stop for a minute. Their eyes wore worry and sorry looks. I smiled. The smile came because handling them now would never be a problem.
''You girls are supposed to be in class. What are you doing here?'' Rotimi spoke before I said a word.
''We excused ourselves just to come see the two of you. Bunmi told us what happened yesterday and we too have become worried, that's why we came to see you.'' Bola spoke. She had become freer since the lecture I gave them.
''You need not have bothered. We are fine as you can see. We are just tied up with something that will be for the better of you all. Or should we back out?'' I said and asked. I knew the answer and I got it.
''No sir. We were just worried. And you know we are supposed to see you Sir Ade, today after school. But we know it won't be possible now that you are hooked up with our life-changing issue. We will wait. Thank you sir.'' Bimbo said and with that they turned to go but I stopped them.
''Just be calm, eh? When the time is right, I will call you and we start our games. And Bunmi, Rotimi will not be around today too, it's part of our being busy. When all is set, he will ring you. Okay?''
''Yes sir!'' They chorused and left.
Rotimi gave me a thumb up for that last statement. We heaved a sigh and faced our destination.
The Principal's office was located in the administrative block of the school. It is a lovely sight to behold just like the building itself and the other offices in it. It was the last office along the corridor. It comes after the offices of the two V. Ps, the bursar, the accountant, the registrar, and the C. S. O of the school.
It has a door leading to it from the corridor but the door leads to the office of his Secretary before another door in there lead to the main principal's office.
The office itself is what could be said to be ideal for the status of a principal. It was tastefully furnished in line with the trends of the time. It was also fully air-conditioned and it was red carpeted or perhaps, rugged. The furniture consisted of a giant swivel chair which seated the principal and a dark brown mahogany table which eases writing. Also in the room were three comfortable padded chairs for visitors and another mini sofa in a corner for either seating visitors or the principal when he was less busy. The room had a giant cupboard on which the various trophies the school had won were placed. Plaques and awards hung around the heavily but colourfully curtained room.
His secretary told us he was on seat and had no visitor, how lucky we were! She informed him of our presence via the intercom and he asked us to be shown in.
He rose from the sofa and shook us severally before showing us the seat and getting himself behind his table. That was the third time we had entered that office. The first being on our interview day and the second being the day we received our welcome-to-school handshake.
The Principal himself was a stern disciplinarian who all students feared and all staff respected. He was a no nonsense man but he respected teachers who were diligent and hardworking like Rotimi and I. He was a lover of good morals.
After seating ourselves and declining all he offered us, we went to the purpose of our visit.
''Sir, we have come to crave your indulgence on something we noticed recently. We have noticed some morally ill acts among the staff and students of our school especially among the borders. We noticed that the absence of a functional counselling unit contributed a little to it sir. Due to this, we would advise a reinstatement of the counselling department as soon as possible. In addition sir, we have arranged for the services of an experienced psychologist to help deal with these issues at no cost to the school. All he needs is audience and space to work for two days, Thursday and Friday sir.'' I said.
He listened attentively then he asked, ''If I may ask, what are the acts you noticed among the staff and students please?''
''Sir, we cannot tell sir. We were told these in confidence and we would not want to betray such confidence entrusted in us. We are sorry sir.'' Rotimi replied.
He understood and let it lie much to our relief.
''I will provide what is needed for the expert. But I must say that you two are enigmas. I am proud of you. In fact, I will support all needed in those two days because I think I need counselling myself. And I hope he would help us set up our own couselling clinic here in the school?''
''Yes sir, he would. Thank you sir.''
''I need to place an advert for a counsellor today. Have a nice day boys.''
One down, Thursday to go. We smiled at nothing as we trudged out of his office...
© Yettocome™ 2013
Immediately we stepped out of the staffroom for the Principal's office, we heard the tiny voice of Bimbo calling us. I looked back to see the three of them gesturing pleadingly that we stop for a minute. Their eyes wore worry and sorry looks. I smiled. The smile came because handling them now would never be a problem.
''You girls are supposed to be in class. What are you doing here?'' Rotimi spoke before I said a word.
''We excused ourselves just to come see the two of you. Bunmi told us what happened yesterday and we too have become worried, that's why we came to see you.'' Bola spoke. She had become freer since the lecture I gave them.
''You need not have bothered. We are fine as you can see. We are just tied up with something that will be for the better of you all. Or should we back out?'' I said and asked. I knew the answer and I got it.
''No sir. We were just worried. And you know we are supposed to see you Sir Ade, today after school. But we know it won't be possible now that you are hooked up with our life-changing issue. We will wait. Thank you sir.'' Bimbo said and with that they turned to go but I stopped them.
''Just be calm, eh? When the time is right, I will call you and we start our games. And Bunmi, Rotimi will not be around today too, it's part of our being busy. When all is set, he will ring you. Okay?''
''Yes sir!'' They chorused and left.
Rotimi gave me a thumb up for that last statement. We heaved a sigh and faced our destination.
The Principal's office was located in the administrative block of the school. It is a lovely sight to behold just like the building itself and the other offices in it. It was the last office along the corridor. It comes after the offices of the two V. Ps, the bursar, the accountant, the registrar, and the C. S. O of the school.
It has a door leading to it from the corridor but the door leads to the office of his Secretary before another door in there lead to the main principal's office.
The office itself is what could be said to be ideal for the status of a principal. It was tastefully furnished in line with the trends of the time. It was also fully air-conditioned and it was red carpeted or perhaps, rugged. The furniture consisted of a giant swivel chair which seated the principal and a dark brown mahogany table which eases writing. Also in the room were three comfortable padded chairs for visitors and another mini sofa in a corner for either seating visitors or the principal when he was less busy. The room had a giant cupboard on which the various trophies the school had won were placed. Plaques and awards hung around the heavily but colourfully curtained room.
His secretary told us he was on seat and had no visitor, how lucky we were! She informed him of our presence via the intercom and he asked us to be shown in.
He rose from the sofa and shook us severally before showing us the seat and getting himself behind his table. That was the third time we had entered that office. The first being on our interview day and the second being the day we received our welcome-to-school handshake.
The Principal himself was a stern disciplinarian who all students feared and all staff respected. He was a no nonsense man but he respected teachers who were diligent and hardworking like Rotimi and I. He was a lover of good morals.
After seating ourselves and declining all he offered us, we went to the purpose of our visit.
''Sir, we have come to crave your indulgence on something we noticed recently. We have noticed some morally ill acts among the staff and students of our school especially among the borders. We noticed that the absence of a functional counselling unit contributed a little to it sir. Due to this, we would advise a reinstatement of the counselling department as soon as possible. In addition sir, we have arranged for the services of an experienced psychologist to help deal with these issues at no cost to the school. All he needs is audience and space to work for two days, Thursday and Friday sir.'' I said.
He listened attentively then he asked, ''If I may ask, what are the acts you noticed among the staff and students please?''
''Sir, we cannot tell sir. We were told these in confidence and we would not want to betray such confidence entrusted in us. We are sorry sir.'' Rotimi replied.
He understood and let it lie much to our relief.
''I will provide what is needed for the expert. But I must say that you two are enigmas. I am proud of you. In fact, I will support all needed in those two days because I think I need counselling myself. And I hope he would help us set up our own couselling clinic here in the school?''
''Yes sir, he would. Thank you sir.''
''I need to place an advert for a counsellor today. Have a nice day boys.''
One down, Thursday to go. We smiled at nothing as we trudged out of his office...
© Yettocome™ 2013
Ade's
Chronicle 31
We left the Principal's office and
headed back to the staffroom. A glance at my wrist told me that it was a few
minutes to closing time.
As we walked to the staffroom, I ruminated over the events of the past few months that had culminated in the climax of that day. I further thought of the approach we had used to talk to the principal.
The counselling unit we talked about was non existent but I had said it should be brought back.
Findings had shown that the school proprietor had a belief that all teachers should serve as moral guides and guidance cousellors for the students of the twenty-something-year-old school. Hence, he had not seen the need for either the office of a counsellor or the employment of one. Likewise, the present principal too had shared the belief until recent events proved that one is needed.
I had thought that convincing him would be difficult but I was happy that it was as easy as pronouncing my name. Change is indeed a constant thing!
I and Rotimi had almost walked to the staffroom in silence. When we were more than half way to the room, he broke the silence.
''Ol boy, you know wetin I dey think?''
''Wetin be that o, omo were?'' I retorted in our usual witty way.
''As we don close now, e go better make we go Shola house spend time small cos of those foolish girls. Dem fit come try their luck say we fit dey house o. Even sef, Shola house don become my own second home o, na to dey play there after school remain even till she marry ni o. Abi wetin you think, mad man?'' He finished his long lecture.
''Na today you talk sense since I know you. E make sense die, I been wan yarn you that one too but I no know say you been get am for mind too. Thank God say your brain don come back from leave wey im go before.'' With that, he made to slap my face, an action he does when he is hurt by any insult I hurl his way, But I ran forward and he ran after me. He pursued me into the staffroom and into the waiting arms of Shola who had packed her bag and food flask ready to go home.
She laughed as I ran into her arms in a warm embrace. I won't lie, I didn't want to leave her bosoms, they were so soft and succulent. How I wished I can make her mine!
''Ade and Rotimi, you two have started your foolish acts this afternoon. It's you that I have been waiting for. Go and pack and let's go home jo.'' She said like a big sister to her younger ones.
''Yes Sister Shola!'' We chorused as I reluctantly left her warm chest. Rotimi saw the hesitation and burst into laughter which I joined too.
''I di bad boy!'' He said in igbo which Shola never understood.
The rest of the teachers who had been busy packing their books and things, stopped momentarily to watch us as we dramatised. They looked askance as they were left wondering how the bond between Shola and we had grown so high in just a few days. The spirit was unexplainable to them. We too knew they would wonder but we cared less and never even bothered to tell them because to us, we never owed anybody any explanation for our actions, inactions, and association.
We finished packing our bags and we marched out of the room, Rotimi in front, Shola in the middle and Ade in the rear.
We walked happily and discussed many things on our way to her house. We asked how she was feeling since she spoke with the doctor and she confessed that though it had not been easy, our company had helped a lot and doing what the doctor said had helped lessen the urge to go for kids though she feels like luring both of us into her bed. We all laughed at the statement which we took as a joke.
I was glad that what Dr. Tanimowo had told her on the phone seems to be working as she was full of life but I still yearned to know. I had to suppress the urge to pry it out of her. It would amount to intentionally intruding a confidential talk. She also asked how we were coping with our girls and we told her what we had told the girls. Shola heaved a huge sigh, her face contorted into a slight frown but she shrugged and her face became bright almost immediately. I didn't ask her, I knew better.
We got to the house where we were entering for the second time. I tapped Shola from the back, and she got the message and tapped Rotimi who made to pursue her while she ran after me. I made a U-turn and ran straight into the house and upstairs at top speed. I found the keys in her bag which I was carrying and as I was trying to open the door, they both met me there panting like an athlete who just completed a 5000 metres race. She opened the door and we all trooped in, this time happily as we ran round the sitting room and into the bedrooms one after the other.
We later settled down to a meal of rice and stew before playing the Whot card game. We also watched the then new movie Fast five before heading home at around seven in the evening with Shola hot on our heels begging us to spend the night with her and we telling her that it would come with time and not yet as at then.
It was a day...
© Yettocome™ 2013
As we walked to the staffroom, I ruminated over the events of the past few months that had culminated in the climax of that day. I further thought of the approach we had used to talk to the principal.
The counselling unit we talked about was non existent but I had said it should be brought back.
Findings had shown that the school proprietor had a belief that all teachers should serve as moral guides and guidance cousellors for the students of the twenty-something-year-old school. Hence, he had not seen the need for either the office of a counsellor or the employment of one. Likewise, the present principal too had shared the belief until recent events proved that one is needed.
I had thought that convincing him would be difficult but I was happy that it was as easy as pronouncing my name. Change is indeed a constant thing!
I and Rotimi had almost walked to the staffroom in silence. When we were more than half way to the room, he broke the silence.
''Ol boy, you know wetin I dey think?''
''Wetin be that o, omo were?'' I retorted in our usual witty way.
''As we don close now, e go better make we go Shola house spend time small cos of those foolish girls. Dem fit come try their luck say we fit dey house o. Even sef, Shola house don become my own second home o, na to dey play there after school remain even till she marry ni o. Abi wetin you think, mad man?'' He finished his long lecture.
''Na today you talk sense since I know you. E make sense die, I been wan yarn you that one too but I no know say you been get am for mind too. Thank God say your brain don come back from leave wey im go before.'' With that, he made to slap my face, an action he does when he is hurt by any insult I hurl his way, But I ran forward and he ran after me. He pursued me into the staffroom and into the waiting arms of Shola who had packed her bag and food flask ready to go home.
She laughed as I ran into her arms in a warm embrace. I won't lie, I didn't want to leave her bosoms, they were so soft and succulent. How I wished I can make her mine!
''Ade and Rotimi, you two have started your foolish acts this afternoon. It's you that I have been waiting for. Go and pack and let's go home jo.'' She said like a big sister to her younger ones.
''Yes Sister Shola!'' We chorused as I reluctantly left her warm chest. Rotimi saw the hesitation and burst into laughter which I joined too.
''I di bad boy!'' He said in igbo which Shola never understood.
The rest of the teachers who had been busy packing their books and things, stopped momentarily to watch us as we dramatised. They looked askance as they were left wondering how the bond between Shola and we had grown so high in just a few days. The spirit was unexplainable to them. We too knew they would wonder but we cared less and never even bothered to tell them because to us, we never owed anybody any explanation for our actions, inactions, and association.
We finished packing our bags and we marched out of the room, Rotimi in front, Shola in the middle and Ade in the rear.
We walked happily and discussed many things on our way to her house. We asked how she was feeling since she spoke with the doctor and she confessed that though it had not been easy, our company had helped a lot and doing what the doctor said had helped lessen the urge to go for kids though she feels like luring both of us into her bed. We all laughed at the statement which we took as a joke.
I was glad that what Dr. Tanimowo had told her on the phone seems to be working as she was full of life but I still yearned to know. I had to suppress the urge to pry it out of her. It would amount to intentionally intruding a confidential talk. She also asked how we were coping with our girls and we told her what we had told the girls. Shola heaved a huge sigh, her face contorted into a slight frown but she shrugged and her face became bright almost immediately. I didn't ask her, I knew better.
We got to the house where we were entering for the second time. I tapped Shola from the back, and she got the message and tapped Rotimi who made to pursue her while she ran after me. I made a U-turn and ran straight into the house and upstairs at top speed. I found the keys in her bag which I was carrying and as I was trying to open the door, they both met me there panting like an athlete who just completed a 5000 metres race. She opened the door and we all trooped in, this time happily as we ran round the sitting room and into the bedrooms one after the other.
We later settled down to a meal of rice and stew before playing the Whot card game. We also watched the then new movie Fast five before heading home at around seven in the evening with Shola hot on our heels begging us to spend the night with her and we telling her that it would come with time and not yet as at then.
It was a day...
© Yettocome™ 2013
Ade's
Chronicle 32
I
have a saying that I still stand by till date, it is, ''Of all God's creatures,
women are the most wicked. They have a way of killing your joy when it is in
its highest.''
If you differ, please, that is my own opinion due to my experience with the female folks. It might not be the same with yours.
Immediately we got home from Shola's place beaming with laughter and joy, I noticed a small brown envelope pinned to the place where we put our NEPA bills. It looked unofficial. Many thoughts ran through my mind as I called Rotimi's attention to it. He also stared at it as if it was a sort of bomb. I even thought it was a letter from one of the numerous places we had applied to. But they usually call us and at times send us e-mails.
''Guy, abeg take this thing na.'' I said to Rotimi.
''Madman, see yaself, make I take my hand take die abi? I go saunch you better knock for that ya gbongbolo head na. Comot make I enter house jo.'' He said as he opened the door. We were both baffled.
As we jostled for the door handle amidst arguing who would take down the envelope, my phone rang. The tone told me it was my fiancée, Oluwadarasimi. I left Rotimi who was always amused at my countenance anytime 'Dara's calls came in. I had always endeavour to do one or two steps of Azonto before picking her calls. That day was not left out.
''Hello love,'' I said into the phone still basking in the euphoria of the solved problems.
''Hello Ade,'' 'Dara said. Immediately I heard that, I knew problem was coming. She never called me my first name except I had offended or annoyed her. Her appellation for me was 'My Crown'. As I was wondering what my latest crime was, she said,
''I was at your place today and I didn't meet anybody.''
I explained that we had gone out from school and had just entered the house.
''No problem. Did you see the envelope at your door?'' she asked. Relief washed over me as the mystery of the envelope became unravelled. I heaved a huge sigh and asked her what it contained. She did not answer but said I should check that she would call back in thirty minutes. I accepted and she ended the call.
I ran to remove the envelope and jogged to sit on the bed to read the love letter written to me by the love of my life. Rotimi was making jest of me as he talked to his Fiancée, 'Ranti, on the phone. I paid him no attention.
What I saw in the envelope made me began sweating unknowingly. The enveloped contained the ring with which I had proposed to 'Dara a little over two months before then, an invitation to a wedding ceremony which would take place a month from that date and a one paged letter. I was speechless and perplexed. Words escaped me, tears of anguish flowed ceaselessly from my eyes as I looked at the eighteen carat gold ring I had bought for twenty thousand naira from my first salary. My eyes turned as I read the names on the I. V- 'Dara weds 'Segun- my heart was more than shattered.
I opened the letter to read why she had left me. She wrote:
'Ade,
I am sorry to write this but I couldn't muster enough courage to do it since last month. Mum and dad had been pressurising me to settle down for some time now and Segun had also been on my neck before your proposal last month. I didn't want you to feel bad that was why I had accepted you but I found out that I loved Segun more and that he was ready to settle down as against you who is still struggling to find your feet. The wedding date was fixed last week but I just didn't have the nerves to tell you. I am sorry if this hurt you but I know you will weather it through. Segun had been there all along and he had won my heart two weeks before your proposal. As I said earlier, my acceptance was just not to hurt you but Ade, I can't keep deceiving you. I am sorry once again. I pray you find your right love soon. In the envelope is your ring and an invitation for you and Rotimi. Bye for now, Darasimi.'
I just picked my phone and called my mum. She picked at the first ring. I explained to her what just happened and she consoled me. She prayed for me and adviced me to move on. How she loved 'Dara!
Rotimi heard my conversation with my mum and came over to where I was. He took the letter and read it, he was furious. He had adored 'Dara and had said she was the best girl I could ever have. 'Dara was my first love.
I cried my heart out and could not be consoled. My phone rang again, it was 'Dara. I picked it and she could hear that I was distraught. She kept begging and saying she was sorry and that she would make it up to me. How? I asked, she said she would find me another girl. I ended the call changed her ringtone and switched off my phone.
Suicide was on my mind as a mass choir played an oratorio in my head. I reflected on my journey with 'Dara for some time before I slept off.
Rotimi was pacing the room in anger, confusion and sympathy. He knew how much I loved her. He knew this was my first heartbreak but he never knew I was thinking of suicide...
© Yettocome™ 2013
If you differ, please, that is my own opinion due to my experience with the female folks. It might not be the same with yours.
Immediately we got home from Shola's place beaming with laughter and joy, I noticed a small brown envelope pinned to the place where we put our NEPA bills. It looked unofficial. Many thoughts ran through my mind as I called Rotimi's attention to it. He also stared at it as if it was a sort of bomb. I even thought it was a letter from one of the numerous places we had applied to. But they usually call us and at times send us e-mails.
''Guy, abeg take this thing na.'' I said to Rotimi.
''Madman, see yaself, make I take my hand take die abi? I go saunch you better knock for that ya gbongbolo head na. Comot make I enter house jo.'' He said as he opened the door. We were both baffled.
As we jostled for the door handle amidst arguing who would take down the envelope, my phone rang. The tone told me it was my fiancée, Oluwadarasimi. I left Rotimi who was always amused at my countenance anytime 'Dara's calls came in. I had always endeavour to do one or two steps of Azonto before picking her calls. That day was not left out.
''Hello love,'' I said into the phone still basking in the euphoria of the solved problems.
''Hello Ade,'' 'Dara said. Immediately I heard that, I knew problem was coming. She never called me my first name except I had offended or annoyed her. Her appellation for me was 'My Crown'. As I was wondering what my latest crime was, she said,
''I was at your place today and I didn't meet anybody.''
I explained that we had gone out from school and had just entered the house.
''No problem. Did you see the envelope at your door?'' she asked. Relief washed over me as the mystery of the envelope became unravelled. I heaved a huge sigh and asked her what it contained. She did not answer but said I should check that she would call back in thirty minutes. I accepted and she ended the call.
I ran to remove the envelope and jogged to sit on the bed to read the love letter written to me by the love of my life. Rotimi was making jest of me as he talked to his Fiancée, 'Ranti, on the phone. I paid him no attention.
What I saw in the envelope made me began sweating unknowingly. The enveloped contained the ring with which I had proposed to 'Dara a little over two months before then, an invitation to a wedding ceremony which would take place a month from that date and a one paged letter. I was speechless and perplexed. Words escaped me, tears of anguish flowed ceaselessly from my eyes as I looked at the eighteen carat gold ring I had bought for twenty thousand naira from my first salary. My eyes turned as I read the names on the I. V- 'Dara weds 'Segun- my heart was more than shattered.
I opened the letter to read why she had left me. She wrote:
'Ade,
I am sorry to write this but I couldn't muster enough courage to do it since last month. Mum and dad had been pressurising me to settle down for some time now and Segun had also been on my neck before your proposal last month. I didn't want you to feel bad that was why I had accepted you but I found out that I loved Segun more and that he was ready to settle down as against you who is still struggling to find your feet. The wedding date was fixed last week but I just didn't have the nerves to tell you. I am sorry if this hurt you but I know you will weather it through. Segun had been there all along and he had won my heart two weeks before your proposal. As I said earlier, my acceptance was just not to hurt you but Ade, I can't keep deceiving you. I am sorry once again. I pray you find your right love soon. In the envelope is your ring and an invitation for you and Rotimi. Bye for now, Darasimi.'
I just picked my phone and called my mum. She picked at the first ring. I explained to her what just happened and she consoled me. She prayed for me and adviced me to move on. How she loved 'Dara!
Rotimi heard my conversation with my mum and came over to where I was. He took the letter and read it, he was furious. He had adored 'Dara and had said she was the best girl I could ever have. 'Dara was my first love.
I cried my heart out and could not be consoled. My phone rang again, it was 'Dara. I picked it and she could hear that I was distraught. She kept begging and saying she was sorry and that she would make it up to me. How? I asked, she said she would find me another girl. I ended the call changed her ringtone and switched off my phone.
Suicide was on my mind as a mass choir played an oratorio in my head. I reflected on my journey with 'Dara for some time before I slept off.
Rotimi was pacing the room in anger, confusion and sympathy. He knew how much I loved her. He knew this was my first heartbreak but he never knew I was thinking of suicide...
© Yettocome™ 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment