MY LIFE ON CAMPUS _ Kingzpen Episode 5 I cared less about what people would think of me dressed like I was. I looked really like a psycho. My singlet was soaked but not obvious because it’s quite dark, 7:45 P.M. I stopped running and thought of where I could locate Grace. Alas! It was the fellowship’s bible study day. I thought to check her there because she won’t like to miss it, her position in the fellowship won’t warrant. I purposely silenced the still small voice telling me to retreat because I couldn’t afford to let her go away unpunished. I ignited my running engine again because the bible study was closing by 8:30pm. What a day, I lost alot today, I kept saying while running. I finally got to the fellowship. I quickly rolled down my trouser before entering. I had this ‘I don’t trust you too’ look on my face when the female usher was leading me to a seat. As a matter of fact, I didn’t trust anyone again; not after what Sister Grace did. I patiently sat down listening to the almost ending sermon: “No matter what anyone does to you, try and forgive. God won’t forgive you if you don’t forgive your fellow man.” Brother Samuel preached. I shrugged off all he was saying. If you are in my shoes, I swear you won’t preach that nonsense, I muttered. The fellow that sat beside me, almost immediately looked at me disgustingly. I wondered if he heard what I said or was just pissed with the way I was dressed; singlet and trouser on sandal. “If you are here and you won’t forgive, then I’m sorry to say, God won’t forgive you.” Brother Samuel preached on. Now Brother Samuel was getting the worst out of me by that statement. I felt that Sister Grace had reported me to him and he was purposely directing the sermon to me. My brain was already over heating. I was so vexed to the extent that it could be read from my face. Thank goodness, the sermon ended. “We call on the bible study secetary to please come out and share the grace for us.” Brother Samuel obliged. Now that was where they called for trouble, Grace should share the grace? I was not going to allow her do that not after gracing Emeka’s graceless bed. She boldly strolled out of the congregation not noticing my presence. May the grace of the Lord Jes—s-ss” She was saying. “Hey! Please!” I interrupted aloud raising my hand. Everybody impulsively gazed at me like a celebrity. Sister Grace was bolted from the blue when she saw me. They all wondered what I wanted to say. “Ehm--- Ehmm-- Ehmm” I stuttered. The whole congregation started grumbling. He needs deliverance, some said. I wondered what kept my mouth sealed at that moment. Some ushers quickly arrived where I sat, then directed me to a corner. I was asked to sit down, waiting for the fellowship president to pray for me. I smiled within and asked myself if I really needed to be delivered. The fellowship ended and the congregation dispersed. Brother Samuel, the fellowship president and Sister Grace came to where I was seated. “Brother Banji, what has come over you?” Brother Samuel asked. That question pumped out the whole annoyance in me. I wouldn’t have been vexed if the question came from another person entirely. Brother Samuel, I knew from my day one in the school. We both met at the school’s admission office to fill some documents. He’s quite cute but very slim. His English intonation sounded foreign and that he used as an opportunity to coax ladies to himself. He loved girls, but am not sure about now. I laughed and said, “ask Sister Grace.” Sister Grace instantly was stunned. They all looked at themselves amazed. My eyes were fixed on fidgeting Sister Grace. She summoned courage to ask me how she happened to be the cause. “Should I talk?” I asked her. “Please wait!” She intercepted. She whispered to Brother Samuel. I was so ready to expose her since she had the effrontery to talk back at me. “Please ushers, you may go.” Brother Samuel said. They wanted to shade it away from the ushers. The two ushers excused, leaving Brother Samuel and Grace with me. “Now Brother Banji, what did Sister Grace do?” Brother Samuel urged me. I peeked at Grace before saying anything. She looked remorseful like a hungry refugee. I battled within the second whether to expose her or not. “Am sorry to say, Sister Grace fo—o—orn fooor—orrnnn.” I faltered. Grace turned around covering her face with her both palm in shame before I could complete my word. “Forn what?” Brother Samuel persuaded me to open up. “Functionally came to my hall without stoping by my room.” I lied. She immediately turned around again in joy. She smiled so brightly like the winner of a reality show. “Is that why you wanted to interrupt the bible study?” He asked. “Don’t mind him Brother Samuel, I know how he feels.” She quickly cut in with a fake smile. “Brother Banji, I’m sorry about that.” “No problem. Can I go now?” I said, though not satisfied. “Yes.” They both replied. What they both would discuss after then was not my business. I still had it in mind to deal with Grace but I decided to take it cool. I left quite relieved. Should I now go to Kofo’s hall or proceed to my hall, was the only issue on my mind. I checked my time to discover it was already 9:19 P.M. It was late to visit her so I decided to call. I dialed. “Banji! Banji! I swear no come back here o!” Emeka’s voice protruded out of the phone speaker. “I promise to kill you.” I was shocked. I immediately hung up the call. I checked the contact I dialed. Oh no! I made the same mistake again. I dialed ‘Emeka’ instead of ‘Emerald’. Now that Emeka had revealed his intention, the mistake helped. I prepared my strategy. I carefully dialed Kofo afterwards. I dialed. Never in your life dial this number again!” A voice responded and hung up. I definitely knew it was not Kofo that said all that, because am so acquainted with her voice that I couldn’t mistake it for any. Who could that be? I thought to myself. I paid no heed to that so I concentrated on my roommate’s threat. Was his threat an empty one or not? I asked myself. I shrugged off and forged ahead to my hall. Everywhere was almost quiet, less movement around. I became so vigilant when I arrived my hall because Emeka could be lurking around the corner. I was tip toeing like a cartoon character, Tom, who’s about to catch Jerry. Oops! I saw Emeka from afar resting his arms on the railing of the corridor in front of our room. He was holding a bottle. I was so sure that the bottle was meant for my skul so I came to a decision to go and sleep in Bayo’s room. I hastened my steps but it became obvious to restless Emeka. “Banji, your father! I swear I will catch you today” Emeka shouted from upstairs, running downstairs. I took to my heels like never before. I was not ready to die. I ran as fast as I could towards Bayo’s hall. Emeka was another fast runner I know after Usain Bolt. The fear of him catching up with me was what converted my legs to michelin tire. I ran. I got to Bayo’s room. I banged on his door so loud that even a dead creature would hear. He opened the door slightly to peep at the nuisance banging his door. I noticed it, so I quickly forced it open. I hurried him to bolt the door. I was panting so loudly with my mouth wide open. Bayo stood at akimbo, looking at me as I sat helplessly on the floor. “Banji, wetin happen na?” Bayo questioned, “why you dey run by this time.” “Bayo. Bayo. Bayo.” I kept saying, still breathing very loud. “Talk jor!” “Emeka. Emeka. Emeka Ooooo.” “Wetin do Emeka?” Bang! Bang! Bang! Someone banged on Bayo’s door. Now my heart was almost popping out because I had a strong belief that it was Emeka. Bayo moved towards the door to open it but I stood up as if fire fell on me to hinder him. Bayo jo ma si.” I pleaded, which means ‘Bayo please don’t open it.’ “Why na?” He questioned. Bang! Bang! Bang! He banged the door again. Bayo was now suspicious about the whole thing. Bayo hurried to his wardrobe to pick a metal black object. I never knew it was a pistol until he cocked it. I had never seen a pistol this close in my life, excluding the ones I stare at with the police. What’s Bayo doing with a pistol? I questioned my wobbly mind. I reserved the question for a later time. I became so relaxed after been assured of maximum protection. “Who be that?” Bayo roared. “Abeg na me.” “You. Who?” “Usman.” Bayo hid the pistol in his pocket after validating the stranger. Usman was Bayo’s neighbour. He was fond of begging, especially petty things. He was a miser as well. “Usman, wetin happen?” Bayo interrogated. “Abeg, you get sugar?” We laughed so loudly when he replied. This mallam risked his life because of sugar, I said to myself as I laughed even louder. “Aboki, so na because of sugar you wan come break my door?” “Bayo, abeg no vex.” “Aboki, I no get sugar.” Bayo dismissed him. Usman left. Bayo went back to his wardrobe and hid the gun. I installed my eyes on him all through. He turned around to notice that I was interested in knowing about the gun. “The pistol?” He asked. Yes. Tell me.” “Do you need one?” “Tell me about the pistol.” I pressured, “I never asked for one.” “I got it from ...” Bayo was talking. Bang! Another knock on the door. Now it’s becoming more scary. I thought I found safety, but I was wrong; Bayo’s room was worst than facing Emeka with a cutlass in his hand. I looked at Bayo who was already staring at me. “Who you be?” Bayo yelled. “Nna Bayo, na me. Chinedu.” Bayo giggled and said, “Omo Igbo! Iwo ni,” which means ‘Igbo boy, it’s you.’ Chinedu was Bayo’s roommate. He was a macho man. He had a scary deep voice like a lion. I noticed he wasn’t alone outside because I could hear him converse with someone. Bayo opened the door. I was bolted from the blue when I saw Emeka with Chinedu. I blacked out immediately. Bayo was still busy greeting his roommate while me and my roommate were ready for war. Emeka moved closer to me. I shifted backwards as he moved closer and closer. Bayo and Chinedu wondered what was going on. “Wetin dey happen na, Emeka?” Bayo interrogated. Emeka deliberately deafened himself to Bayo. He moved closer to me. Bayo moved closer to him and pulled him backwards by the shoulder. Emeka angrily punched him on the face. Bayo fell down flat on the floor holding his face with his palm. Chinedu, I guess had been hinted by Emeka on the current issue between us. They both walked towards me; it appeared like a slow motion to me. I had my heart in my hands already. Their face were becoming more scarier. Suddenly I had a feeling that I can actually defeat Emeka but the feeling died in a jiffy when I saw Chinedu’s muscles. “Na only you get power abi?” Chinedu said, hitting his right fist on his left palm. •••Sheyifunmi•••
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 17:23:53 +0000