CAMPUS PAROL »»»EPISODE 6 I found it very difficult to believe who I was gazing at, Strike. Strike sat on the floor of the guardroom, cuffed both hands and legs. I became so relaxed seeing he’s handicapped; I will so beat him if he tries to fight. His face was still scary though but he acted friendly. I comfortably sat close to him. “What brought you here?” Strike asked. “Bayo landed me here o.” I said. “Yesterday things?” “Yes O. Na yesterday shooting o.” I explained. “The student reported the case to the security office yesterday night. The security sef don know before they even complain sef.” “Ehn, sure na. Shebi na them see us that time wey we face them with AK-47 and his brothers.” He added and giggled. “Abi o. So na this morning wey police dey parade around looking for the evidence o.” I continued. “I wan come settle the whole thing with the chief security officer, na there I enter wahala o.” “How na?” “CSO talk sey I dey involved in the killing.” “Ehn Ehn, shey you no dey involved ni?” Strike sounded implicative. I was shocked with his reply so I angrily replied, “You dey mad ni? I help una carry gun? Oga Ade abeg give yourself brain o.” He smiled and said, “D’Banj, I dey joke na. No vex.” “Abeg no joke that kind joke with me o.” I said, now relaxed and asked, “So what brought you here and how did you get here?” “O boy na long story jare.” He replied, feeling reluctant to discuss it. “We dey here together and we no dey commot yet so talk I dey hear you.” “I was arrested early this morning by the police, around 3:30 a.m. Some hours after you escaped, the police raided that area and arrested me.” “How come? I thought you had a charm?” I interrogated. He laughed and said, “I do but it wasn’t on me when they arrived the scene.” “Please, explain better. How was it not on you?” “The charm is attached to my footwear but am not suppose to wear it when am urinating. I went to urinate, leaving my shoe some distant away from me. I never expected the police to come around so I was not conscious of them.” “Aww, I now understand.” I said. “How come they brought you here and not their station?” I asked. “I have a case with the school and they have requested for the help of the police to arrest me.” He explained. “All efforts made by the school security to get me failed.” “Are you a student of this school?” He laughed out loud and said, “I have been on campus for eight years now.” “Oh, I get. You are studying advanced medicine or what?” I inquisitively asked and added, “or you’re doing your masters?” “Advanced medicine?” He laughed again, “masters?” “What? Ok, fine. Tell me what you’re up to for eight years.” “I have been rusticated since my year three in this school.” He said with a squeezed face. “Since then, I have been on campus anonymously.” “Doing what?” “Making money and spreading the virus.” “How do you do that?” “I dupe students, especially freshers.” “How do you then spread the virus?” “I make sure I send many students back home just as they did to me.” He replied. “I initiate students into the cult and command them to initiate others. Virus keeps spreading.” I was scared with the horror movie he was narrating but not as scared to stop asking him more questions. “How did you join the cult?” I happily asked, shifting closer to him. He coughed, paused for some seconds and explained, “It all started when I was admitted into this school. I was not the jovial type, am always quiet and easy going. In fact, I was an introvert. That gave lot of students the advantage to bully me around. I so bullied to the extent of washing my friends clothes and fetch them bathing water.” “Aww. That’s unfair.” “I kept soaking my bed with tears always because of this. One day, Akinwale Cole, then a four hundred level student, walked into my room to see me crying. He asked me what was wrong, I explained everything to him and he asked me not to worry that he would find a solution to it.” “So nice of him.” I ignorantly commended. “Cole invited me to a night club and thereafter I was initiated.” “He initiated you? Ha! Was that the solution to the persistent bullying?” I surprisingly said. “Yes o, that was the help o.” Strike affirmed and explained further, “it actually did help me. I faced the bullies. I beat some of them sef. The ones I can’t beat was handle by the gang. I became so fierce and feared. My story was becoming loud, so that gave the school an eye on me. There are a lot to talk about but let’s leave it for some other time because am actually very sick and I need to rest.” “Aww. I feel for you. It’s well.” I said. I was already falling asleep while Strike snoozed off some minutes after he paused his story. I was so fatigued after all the stress I went through some hours back. I thought to sleep so I would wake up to a miracle of freedom. I ruminated on Strike’s story which helped transit me to the dreamland. “Wake up! Criminals wake up.” Mr Okanlawon shouted, with a kick at my back. I stretched so wide, yawned so loud and quickly regained my consciousness when Mr Okanlawon kicked me again. I looked at Strike, who was still lying down comfortably. Mr Okanlawon moved closer to Strike and kicked him but he didn’t budge a bit. He kicked harder but he still didn’t move. I stood up and stared at Mr Okanlawon bending closer to Strike’s chest. He placed his right ear on his chest to perceive if Strike was still breathing. He stood up, gazed at me and shook his head. I wondered why he was staring at me as if I had killed him. “Sir, what’s wrong?” I asked. “I should ask you.” Mr Okanlawon replied. “You both were locked in here alive and now only you is up on your feet.” I felt like slapping Mr Okanlawon because of his crazy insinuation but I controlled myself not to compound me being delinquent. Mr Okanlawon rushed out of the cell to get help. I went closer to Strike to examine if he was still breathing, I tapped him, pinched him but all to no avail. Mr Okanlawon returned with the CSO and some medical officials. The medical personnel were busy examining Strike with all their medical equipment, while the CSO stood at akimbo looking at them. “Sir, his blood has stopped flowing.” A female medical personnel said, still staring at Strike. “Meaning?” The CSO questioned. “Sir, he’s dead.” Beads of sweat immediately formed on my forehead and the goose bumps that arose from my body were as tall as mountains. I was shocked from head to toe. There’s just a second between life and death, I said to myself. My late relationship with Strike showed vividly how nice he was. I learnt a vital lesson from Strike, that every bad person has a reason for their actions. The fault comes into play when the person decides to remain bad without a bit of repentance. I was still shocked when the CSO asked the medical personnel to mummify Strike’s body and take it to the morgue. The CSO glimpse at his watch and bowed his head. It was already late in the evening. “Okanlawon!” The CSO called. Mr Okanlawon saluted, stood at attention and responded, “Sir!” “Take that boy to my office.” He commanded. “Yes Sir!” I just wished I could start my life afresh. I was totally jaded of the campus and my life entirely. I wished I could be temporarily deaf every time Mr Okanlawon speaks. I’m always disgruntled anytime he opens his gutter to talk. “You have killed another person again abi?” Mr Okanlawon said, shepherding me to the CSO’s office. I remained mute all the while he was vomiting the rubbish he had stored up in his mind. We both arrived at the CSO’s office and he fired up his words again. “They will sure kill you one day.” He said with a frown on his face. I was pissed already. My patience was totally exhausted and my rage was staggering on the fence of my self control, another word from Mr Okanlawon would absolutely tip me over the edge. “Not only will you be killed but with a gun.” He added. “Yes. They will shoot you.” I faced the old security chump, shoved him against the wall, installed my blazing eyes on him and roared, “Keep your mouth shut and stay off my case!” I let go my hands off his uniform and returned to my position. What a miracle, Mr Okanlawon’s loosed mouth was completely sealed; respect is reciprocal. I gazed at him once again, the feared that pumped out of his eyes were considerably much to seal his mouth for a year. We both heard the voice and the footsteps of the CSO, so we composed. The CSO entered and quickly sat on his chair, he seemed to be in a haste. “Banji, what can I do to you now?” He said, staring at me. I pitifully replied, “Sir, I swear am innocent. I will sure fish Bayo out as soon as I get him.” “This is a murder case, you know?” He added, “I can’t take it cool with anybody I think is involved.” “Sir, Please. I am innocent.” The CSO thought for some seconds and said, “Okanlawon, what can I do to this boy? Should we detain him till we get his friend?” “Ehm—Eh—Ehm Sir.” Mr Okanlawon stuttered. “What’s Ehm Ehm? I said what can we do to him?” He furiously asked. I swiftly stared at confused Mr Okanlawon, he looked at me and got the answer to the CSO’s question. I was almost laughing but smiled at his sudden fear of me. “Oga Sir. Let’s just leave him to go. I can see sincerity in him.” Mr Okanlawon defended. “How can you see sincerity in someone, ehn, tell me, Okanlawon?” The CSO questioned again. “Ehm—Eh-Ehm Sir, Hmmmm, Oga Sir, I just saw this one.” He trembling replied. “Ok then. I assign you to keep watch on him till he produce his friend.” “Ok Sir!” Mr Okanlawon said and saluted. The CSO shifted his focus back on me and said, “You must report yourself to Mr Okanlawon everyday else you will be in more trouble. Understood?” “Yes Sir!” “You may go.” “Permission to fall out Sir?!” Mr Okanlawon requested. “Carry on.” The CSO dismissed. I and Mr Okanlawon walked through the passage of the security office discussing like friends. “How are we going to do it now?” Mr Okanlawon asked, still filled with fear. “I don’t know o?” I boldly said. “Ok. Come at your own time. I will cover up for you.” “Thank you.” I walked away while Mr Okanlawon shouted, “Please try and come everyday o.” I ignored and bounced away. I was happy that I’m a little bit free from all the hassle. I brought my phone out to check the time because it was quite dark, then Bayo called. What should I do? Should I answer his call or just let him stay away with his problems? I thought to myself. I hung up the call after ruminating deeply. I quickened my steps to my hall so I may at least cook before I sleep, the time was 7:15p.m. I got to my hall to find everywhere deserted. It was a dead silence, so unusual, especially in a hall like mine that has an unrepentant engagement with noise-making. I cared less and forged ahead to my room. At long last, I arrived my room. I opened the door to another surprise, Bayo. He was comfortably lying down on my bed listening to music. I felt like strangling him after all he has caused me. “Bayo, aiye e o ni da!” I yelled, which means, ‘Bayo, your life won’t be successful!’ He stood up at me and questioned, “Ahn Ahn, ewo le pe?” which means, ‘Ahn Ahn, why the curse?’ “Do you know what you have made me go through today?” I yelled again. “Do you know?” “What’s it? What did you go through?” He yelled back at me. “You left me here waiting for you. You lied to go take your bath and off you disappeared.” I moved closer to him, fixed my eyes on him and roared, “I own my life and I don’t owe you an explanation for my actions.” “Yes, exactl.” He was about completing his statement when I shut him up. “shush.” I sounded, placing my index finger on my lips and said after his silence, “Get out!” Bayo never hesitated, he picked up his worn out shoulder bag and exited my room. I was partly happy because I had Bayo off my neck for the night and partly sad I threw away my key to freedom. I removed my shirt, plugged the hot plate and placed a pot of water on it. Cooking was not allowed in the room in my school but lazy boys like me have no time to obey that rule. I switched on the fan and lay on my bed to relax for a while. I and Adaobi sat together in my room chatting. We laughed so loud at every bit of joke thrown. I was so happy to have her around. She was radiant just as I last saw her. We both sat on my bed when she jumped up to dance for me. She twisted her waist as if it was detached from her body. Adaobi smiled all the while she was dancing. She stops at intervals to certify if I was still interested. I gladly was engrossed in her dancing styles, I sat back like a king entertained by his traditional dancers. My brain was mislaid immediately Adaobi made her posterior take part in the dancing. She really didn’t help matters when she came closer, dancing backwards towards me. My eyes were watery, not for tears but from incessant and unwavering staring at her vibrating stern. I was almost touching her behind when she unknowingly turned around. I swiftly transferred the offensive hand to my head, scratching it like I was searching for lice. She was oblivious about my intending move. I immediately urge her to stop dancing because I was scared the devil may lend my body for some seconds if she persisted. She sat down all sweaty and tired while I stood up to get her my towel. “I am hungry.” She said. “What will you like to eat?” I asked. “Noodles will do.” “Ok. Let me prepare it right away.” I woke up to see my room almost on fire. Jeez! I had slept off, leaving the hot plate plugged. The room was already smoky. In a flash, I reached for the currently hot pot which has no water again in it, flung it outside the room and turned off the hot plate. I couldn’t endure the smoke that saturated my room so I stayed out. What would have happened if I didn’t wake up on time? The room would had been on fire, I said to myself. I rushed downstairs to buy bread and roasted meat to eat so I won’t starve to bed; when hunger strikes, your choice of food is limited. I happily strolled back to my room having appeased the hungry gods rumbling in my stomach. I was thinking deeply about the dream I had not quite long. I wished it was real, seeing Adaobi once again would gladden my heart. Adaobi was a little girl and that saddens my heart because I can’t go beyond the limit of friendship with her. She quite appeared older than her age, I thought to take advantage of that fact but where is the Adaobi herself? Far far away, not even an iota of assurance that I would ever see her again. Oh! My Adaobi, I said out loud, imaginarily hugging her, demonstrating the action. I arrived my room to meet it without a puff of smoke. I happily entered, bolted the door, lay down on my bed hoping to snooze off soonest and have a repeat of the dream. I was busy chatting with some of my online contacts on whatzapp, when I heard a phone ring, not my phone. The ringtone sounded so loud to indicate its presence in my room. I searched my segment quickly but didn’t find anything, the tone stopped. I shifted to Emeka’s segment to search immediately the phone starts to ring again. It started ringing again. I searched all around and found it under Emeka’s bed, it was Emeka’s phone. The call was almost hanging up when I checked who the caller was, Sister Grace. The call dropped and I thought to myself why on earth was she calling Emeka. I decided to answer the call if she happened to call again. Emeka’s phone gave a beep sound indicating battery low. I quickly picked up its charger and plugged it before Sister Grace would call. How would I disguise my voice without any suspicion? Because I really wanted to know the main reason she was calling. I sat on my bed thinking deeply when Sister Grace called. I let out the breath I had purposely inhaled immediately I grabbed the phone. I answered the call. “Hello Grace Dear.” I pretended. “Hello Eme-Boy.” She replied. The relationship between these two had gone beyond hi hi to something beyond my comprehension, because I couldn’t imagine Sister Grace calling Emeka ‘Eme-Boy’, after weeping and pretending to be hurt when I caught them in the act two days ago. “How are you?” I said. “Don’t ask me, you silly boy.” She replied. “What did I do wrong?” I asked. “Since the day we last met, when your roommate interrupted us. You never dimmed it fit to call me.” She explained and asked, “what did I do wrong?” I was confused of what to say and after some seconds I replied, “Am sorry. I have been busy.” “You sound different tonight.” She noticed and added, “You sound far from being the lively normal you.” I was puzzled about that and I jokingly said, “I sound different? Maybe because I had an hectic day but I want you to mimic the way I talk to you on phone.” She laughed and said, “You are so funny. Anyway that’s part of it.” “I want to hear you mimic me.” I insisted. “Ok fine.” She succumbed and said, “you tell me stuff like, ‘Baby when will I see you, baby I need you, baby I want you.’” “You got me there.” I said and gave a fake giggle. “I am tired that’s why, so baby when will I see you?” “It’s up to you dear but how about your roommate?” She said and asked. “What about him?” “Hope he won’t be around just as he was the last time?” She asked. “He sure won’t.” “Please make sure he is not around o.” “Ok I will, so what time are you coming?” “I will come by four tomorrow and leave by six because I have prayer meeting also by six thirty.” She said. “That’s awesome. I love that. I would be expecting you.” I said and smiled. “Your roommate is too nosy and he doesn’t know I hate him for that. I wished he wasn’t your roommate.” She said. I was dumbfounded. I paused for a while and replied, “Don’t mind him.” She hissed and replied, “I won’t jare, so did you hear about the death of two students in Obasanjo hall?” It’s time I go to bed because I can’t explain this to anyone, I said to myself. I deliberately ended the call and switched off the phone. Sister Grace was the real definition of hypocrite. I can’t believe she was an ex-co in the fellowship with her kind of lifestyle. I deeply yearned for tomorrow to unveil so I may come in contact with her. It was already late and I was already drowsy. I lay on my bed feeling so uncomfortable, I couldn’t figure out the reason. I became very twitchy. I sat up right and concentrated on finding out what’s really going on with me, I tried and still couldn’t get a glimpse of what was wrong with me. All of a sudden, I remembered my mother’s advice: Any time you don’t understand the direction your life is headed, get on your knees. I missed my mum immediately I thought it over. I got on my knees and prayed. I prayed like someone who has the most problem in the world; I just might be the person actually. After praying, I felt quite light but it didn’t live longer than ten minutes when Kofo called me. My mood changed immediately. Can’t I be just alone? I asked myself. I ignored her call, then switched off my phone. My bladder was filled, so I set out to the toilet to ease myself. As soon as I got to the toilet, power supply was interrupted. Everywhere was totally blacked out, I could barely see. The scary sounds made by the crickets got me totally timorous. My heart was beating so loud that I could hear it. My urine was hotter than normal as it gushed out of my nozzle, I knew because I touched it. I finished and was carefully heading back to my room when I saw some people lurking around on my floor. I wasn’t sure about their number but three would be close to the truth. I couldn’t figure out the people because it was all dark. I paused where I was, fixed my eyes keenly on them and their destination. Oops! They all entered my room.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 05:49:22 +0000
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