EPISODE THREE
It took me time before I became a full member of my new
environment. There was always a senior in my room to get something. It was as
if they knew the exact time I receive package from home. They would come one
after the other to ask for their portion of the cake in tin. I was like
Nigeria, where individuals go to the House to have their share of the national
cake. I still wonder how overflowing the tears of Nigeria would be if I could
feel pain in my heart like a spear finding its way through my skin over this
small piece of provision my weekly marauders cart away.
It was break time. The short boy in SSS two had matched
outside with his two hands clutching the bell and swinging it to and fro energetically.
‘Breaaaaak time!’ he announced to end all his abracadabra. I moved down to my
Spot. The breeze blew calmly under the tree with a usual calmness which
attracted me the very first day to the place. I had to name it my Spot. It was
the only place which communicated a new feeling, a sense of belonging to
BFGMSS, which made me accept the daily challenge while looking up to my era as
one of the seniors of BFGMSS. My spot was going to be my palace, and the
concrete seat my royal seat. The girth of the tree was enough to shade my
palace. I imagined giving orders to JSS one boys to call a girl in SSS two B.
The girl was beautifully endowed, she swung her hips to the rhythm of the wind
and my heart danced the same way David did before the ark of God in Israel. I
imagined what her name would sound like. Deborah. Yes! Mum would like a
Christian. I remembered Cinder. The lady in my imagination looked exactly like
her. I got angry with myself. It seemed I was denying a love I was feeling. I
wished her voice could be heard around calling my name in her unique way;
‘CovnANT’. The breeze was really calm. A leaf dropped beside me. I picked it
and rubbed my palms on it. I remembered I was Adeku Covenant and got
disappointed. I imagined how disappointed Dad would be if he heard I had
stopped observing my quiet time. I so much wished I was consistent but the
breeze of the end time blowing right under the tree was immense. It was strange
and happening for the first time in my life. At home, I always observed it. I
didn’t want to imagine the excuses I would give Mrs Odidiomo when she calls to
check how far my life is moving spiritually. I closed my eyes instantly, and
muttered few words with utmost seriousness. God needed to understand me. It was
the influence of the new environment. My lips danced while my firmly closed
eyes fastened my concentration. After few minutes, I opened my eyes to see the
Priest before me. His face wore a mischievous smile. I felt like stabbing him.
But, there was no knife. If there were, I am sure I wouldn’t have tried
stabbing him because God will be angry at me for killing the creator he created
even though the creator is making life unbearable for me.
‘‘O boi!,’’ he said with a bossy look. I remembered our
first contact. He had introduced himself as the Priest. Making reference to the
house of Levi. I didn’t understand the relationship between him and the
Levites, but I knew he was the collector of first offering of every freshmen of
BFGMSS.
‘‘Good morning sir’’ I didn’t know how the statement dropped
out of my mouth. He looked at me mockingly, and moved his left hand toward the
right and touched the watch on his wrist. I checked the watch on my wrist too,
it was 15 minutes past 1. I got up and ran to class. He followed me with a
swift race. As I ran, I knew he was soon going to catch up with me but I
continued. I wanted to try till no way was available to escape his wrath. He is
my senior but shouldn’t treat me as if I am in prison or the street. I was
ready to do whatever he demanded except this. I have never told anyone. Maybe
my Mum would listen. Nobody was going to understand because, I think, is made
for just me to know. The compound was already emptied of noise, the field was
vacant while only the movement of branches of trees orderly dotting the
compound could entertain bystanders and the security roaming the compound. I
was exhausted. My classroom was a step closer just the same way he was a step
closer to grab my knickers at the waist and drag me like a criminal to his
class to face panel.
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