CAMPUS PAROL »»»EPISODE 2 My heart was beating very fast and loud, so loud that I could hear it. I remained at a standstill, like the three traditional statue positioned at Lagos gateway, still holding her bag with my left hand while my right hand acted like a car wiper, cleaning the sweat that covered my face. My brain was thinking of what to say as she approached where I was, her sit, with a deadly frown on her face. “You all better settle down now!” Dr Longe commanded, “You should have been ready for my class.” Nobody messes around with Dr Longe, not after what he did to Ibrahim, a 400 level student, last session. It happened that Dr Longe entered their class and ordered everyone to be silent, but Ibrahim was busy conversing with his hausa friend, Ahmad. Dr Longe again ordered for decorum. The class became quiet, so quiet to hear a pin drop. “Kai mutumin nan mai sanko kai kokari ka samu mataji.” Ibrahim muttered, which means ‘Bald- headed man, kindly get a comb.’ Ahmad chuckled; he quickly concealed the sound and his teeth from becoming evident with his left palm. Dr Longe feasted his eyes on Ibrahim. Ibrahim similarly gazed longingly at Dr Longe. “Lai lai ba shaka, zan samu mataji.” Dr Longe enunciated still fixing his eyes on Ibrahim, which means ‘Sure, I will definitely get a comb.’ The whole class was flabbergasted. They never believed Dr Longe understood hausa, debatably speaking it because of his chronic yoruba accent. The class suddenly became rowdy. “Who was he talking to?” Some asked nosily, “What is the meaning of what he said?” Dr Longe who was dressed in a native attire with his cap on, with a frown on his face removed his cap slowly, just to make his bald head noticeable enough for all to see. His eyes was still fixed on Ibrahim, who was sitted shocked at Dr Longe’s response to what he said. “Kai! How this man come hear wetin I talk?” he said to himself, “I no shout na. This man don dey use juju.” “Get out!” Dr Longe interrupted his thought, pointing to the door. The whole class became more rowdy. Ibrahim never hesitated, he pick up his bag and bounced out of the class. Ibrahim is a living proof that Dr Longe is a strict man. Afterwards, we learnt a vital lesson we hardly will forget; never to underestimate someone’s ability and never to mess with Dr Longe. Ibrahim had to take Dr Longe’s course again because he failed it. Ibrahim explained all this to me. I immediately jumped out of Sade’s sit before she got to me. My heart was still racing while I hurriedly find my way to my sit. Bayo joined me immediately with a frown on his face. “Why were you slow?” He murmured. I never gave him a response because I had in me the fear of Dr Longe. I can forfeit 30marks but not 70marks, was the caution that kept my lips sealed. “Why on earth were you slow?” Bayo added with a pinch on my thigh. I squeezed my face in pain, my eyes fixed on Dr Longe and responded quietly “You must be crazy o!” “Hey! You! Looking at me, stand up!” Dr Longe said with a surly look on his face. My mind, like a bluetooth transfer of a 1kb file, very quickly recalled Ibrahim’s story. It was almost happening just like his. “Am in for it today” I said to myself, “Omo Bayo yi ti ko mi si wahala,” which means ‘Bayo, has landed me in trouble.’ I immediately developed goose pimples. My heart was beating so fast that I began to pray muted while I was standing waiting to be sentenced. “Why are you sitted behind today?” He asked curiously. My heart immediately halted its 100metres race. I let my breath out and instantly became relaxed like a deflated baloon. I never knew he has always noticed me sitted in the front row. “I—I—I fe—felt like sir.” I stuttered, knowing fully well what transfered me to the back sit; filching 301. “Come back to your sit!” He commanded, pointing to where he frequently sees me. I swiftly and gladly picked my bag away from the demon-disguised friend, Bayo, who almost landed me in trouble. As soon as I was settled down, Dr Longe started his lecture. I wasn’t really interested because my mind was divided, many things flashing in and out it. I was thinking about how I foolishly drooled over my assignment, how I was caught red handed about to steal Sade’s assignment, how I won’t even have anything to submit when asked to, how I would lose 30marks to carelessness, how I will read hard to pass the course with 70marks left. I really felt disappointed with myself. My attention was called back when Dr Longe’s phone rang, so unusual. He brought his phone out and checked it. He tilted his head 85 degrees to the left and thought for some seconds. “Sade! Come here!” He said demonstrating with his index finger. Strange again. He never gets close to any student. Everyone was amazed at his sudden change. Sade got to him in a jiffy. I had the opportunity to look behind to Bayo and give him some abusive signs with my hand for his actions that almost landed me in trouble. When I returned my head to its position, I saw Sade pointing at me. I began to twitch immediately like someone afraid of been tested positive in an HIV test. All that flashed my mind was the moment I wanted to pinch Sade’s assignment. My jerking was becoming obvious so I decided to recover myself. Sade kept discussing with Dr Longe while the class gets more rowdy. I buried my head pending the time the class comes to its normal state. “Why me?” I questioned myself, “What have I done wrong? Things are not the same again, why?” “Quiet!” Dr Longe suddenly ordered the whole class. I swiftly raised my head up just to see Sade back to her sit. Why then did she point at me, I wondered again. I shrugged and purposely cared less about all that happened. “You all should submit your assignment to the class rep.” Dr Longe said walking out of the class, “See you next week.” Sade hurried after Dr Longe as he exited the class. My heart kept skipping, thinking she was going to report me to him. I quickly joined them out of confidence or fear; not sure which was operating on me at the time. They both were already talking before I got there. “Ehm—Eh—Ehm Sir, I didn’t take it.” I interjected ignorantly. “Take what?” Dr Longe asked with a disgusting look on his face. “How is what we are saying your business?” I kept quiet immediately. I looked like a chump, transfering my left hand behind and scratching my head with my right, patiently listening to what Sade was saying. “Sir, my assignment is not here with me.” Sade continued, “I forgot it in my hall.” I hysterically had an inane look on my face. What! so all the while, Sade’s assignment wasn’t in her bag, I almost said. I succeeded in wasting my time and fooling around. I felt like knocking myself continuously on the head. I silently disappeared from there, so sure they never knew when I left. I couldn’t bear all that has been happening to me, so I decided to take a break for the day. I ran into the class, picked up my bag and escaped before Sade comes to grill me. Bayo kept calling my name as I was hastily leaving the class. I can’t afford to answer anyone because I needed to be alone. I had thought being alone was the best therapy for my present predicament. I have two more lectures left for that day but it doesn’t really matter to me because my mind was already made up. As a matter of fact, not attending those lectures doesn’t have any effect on me because the lecturers of those courses are perpetual absentees. I started my solitude on the road by listening to cool gospel music. I was totally enthralled in the lyrics of each song that played one after the other. It kept convicting my lost soul. I felt like shedding tears because I really felt lost. I never imagined I could think of stealing as an option for my carelessness. My eyes was so saturated with tears that immediately I blinked my eyes, some trickled down my cheeks. I buried my head quickly and cleaned the tears with the back of my palm from making it obvious. Afterwards, I raised my head and prayed silently in my heart for forgiveness and total restoration. I took my time, strolling to my hall of residence. Everywhere was extremely quiet, no doubt everyone was out for lecture. It was good enough for me, because I would have a solace sleep. I stayed at the topmost floor of the fourth block of my hall. I hate climbing the stairs, not even at this time that I want to get to my room quickly. I skipped one or two steps while climbing, stretching my legs wide to reach the next staircase, hoping that would get me twice as fast to conquer the whole stairs. I finally got to my corridor. I suddenly sneezed. My nostrils became clearer than ever. “Uhmmmm… This smell is familiar. It is familiar.” I said nodding my head like a lizard in approval of my instinct. “This smells like Kofo’s perfume. Yes na!. This is Tony Montana. It is jor. Uhmmmmmm… My nose can’t decieve me.” I discarded the whole thoughts that kept gushing into my small brain, knowing fully well that Kofo must have been in the lecture room. Kofo is my girlfriend, she is the real definition of beauty. She is tall and bronze in complexion with a very long curly hair. She has a figure eight-like shape; she is curvy in shape. She got a blue pupil colour and a perfect smile that kept her irresistible. “Ouuch! Hmmmm! Ouchh!! Easy on me.” A girl moaning from one of the rooms. “Ko je je be.” I said to myself with a fake smile on my face, which means ‘It mustn’t be so.’ While almost getting to my room, I quickly grabbed my phone to call her. I dialed, but to hear a ringtone coming out of my room. “Ooooooooooooooooouch!!!” the female voice came out of my room. I stood in front of my room like a dummy. My mind quickly accessed the last naija film I watched, where a man caught his wife redhanded with his friend in bed. I closed my eyes and shook my head, easing off the thought that kept playing. The Intimate sound that kept coming out of my room got me totally frenzy. I dialed the number again but I wasn’t disappointed, a ringtone sounded out loud from my room again. I fumed as I waited patiently at the door. The Intimate sounds that kept coming out of my room established nasty pictures on my subliminal mind. I couldn’t tolerate the sound any longer, I turned around and rested my arms on the railing of the corridor listening to music. Why should Kofo break my heart?, what was my offence?, why did she have to choose my roommate?, why on earth is she not in class?, when did she decide to be wayward?. These questions kept ringing on my mind simultaneously. Girls shouldn’t be allowed in the hall at this time, I guess she sneaked in, why should she? I thought to myself. I couldn’t wait to satisfy my curiousity, so I lividly knocked at the door. “Onye na-aku aka, na onu uzo nna ya otu ahau?” Emeka questioned ignorantly, which means ‘Who is knocking on his father’s door like that?’ Emeka is my nasty roommate. He is a casanova, he gallantly gives girls more attention than his studies; I can forfeit any examination to be with a lady, he jokingly said to me one faithful day. I was left in the dark to figure out the meaning of what he said. I wished I could understand and speak Igbo at that very moment. I had no choice, I knocked again. “Who’s that na?” He asked disturbed. “It’s me.” I replied furiously. “You. Who?” “Banji!” I answered aggravated. I am Olabanji Adebanjo, Banji to be concise. Friends compare me to Hulk Hogan because of my physique. Short folks tilt their neck at an angle of elavation just to gaze at me. I get easily irritated when I don’t have my way. “Jeeeez! Am coming.” He shockingly replied. I could easily hear their jumbled movement trying to put things in order. I had to wait for some minutes just for him to open the door. Emeka finally came out with his slacked BYC singlet on, exhibiting his broad chest like a table tenis board. I wasn’t surprised that he was sweating because he must have been fatigued after the exercise. “Am sorry Banji.” He apologized quickly with a wink. With a vindictive look I replied almost immediately, “Be sorry for yourself.” My brain was as hot as a plugged electric iron. All I could think of was to go in and confront my so- called girlfriend. Emeka was still standing on my way, pleading continuously. “I know you are very upset. Very very upset.” He said with a cloud of pity on his face. “Why won’t I?” I interrupted harshly. “You are not a good friend. You are far from being good.” “I know. I didn’t respond your calls when you did.” “Call? Which call?” I asked slightly mystified. “Yes. I missed two of your calls.” I was so confused, because I can’t recall when I dialed his number. I quickly brought out my mobile to check my recent call log. Suprisingly, his number appeared as my most recently dialed contact. I was still shocked, looking at the log again like an unbelievable magic. Emeka stood at akimbo, looking at me thinking deeply on a spot. I later realised I mistakenly dialed his number instead of Kofo’s. I had saved Kofo’s number as ‘Emerald’ which came immediately after ‘Emeka’ on my contact list. My impatience was the sole cause of that mistake. I was not satisfied, so I proceeded inside the room to satisfy my curiousity. Our room is a two-man room, big enough to accomodate two extra individuals. Emeka decided to demarcate the room with a big opaque curtain because of his promiscuous activities. I prayed I was wrong about Kofo’s presence in the room. I swung the curtain to the right to expose the stranger’s face for verification. She never noticed I was already in the room, even directly behind her, because she was already sitted facing the wall, pretending to be reading a magazine. Foolish girl, who do you think you are deceiving, I almost said. I moved closer and tapped her. She reluctantly turned around and looked at me. I was bolted from the blue when I saw who it was. My heart skipped a beat. I wiped my face with my right palm, concentrating more on my eyes because I still can’t believe she is the one am seeing. She felt mortified burying her head. I stood at akimbo and nodded in pity. “Sister Grace! Exco! Church! Haba!” I said, pronouncing each word with my mouth open wide like a goalpost. WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 3 TARGET: After 15 Shares & Comments. Use this t0 encourage us ;)
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 07:04:03 +0000
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