Must Read: Ade

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: Ade

Rotimi dialled the Dr’s number and we
watched as he anxiously waited for the
connecting tone. My chest was palpitating
madly. Anxiety was written all over Shola’s
face.


”Mtchewwww.” Rotimi gave the longest hiss
I had ever heard from him.


”My credit don finish sha, I no know say
money no dey there.” He said looking angry
and distraught at the same time.


”Let’s even get out of here. I wouldn’t want
anybody to chance upon our call or disturb
when it is on. Let’s get to one of the old
classes and we would get a recharge card on
the way. Don’t worry guys, the bill’s on me.”
Shola said and led the way out of the
staffroom which truly by then was begining
to fill up. I agreed with her decision to let us
make the call outside the room. Who knows,
one of those three girls might get so brave
to come in due to the incidents of the
previous night which I knew Bunmi would
have relayed to the other two.

We got the recharge cards and headed to
one of the abandoned classes in the school.


One good thing about the school was that
despite their non usage, the classes were
kept clean and tidy always. Their doors are
also closed but not locked. A lot happens in
those classes which are unprintable.
We got in and settled severally. I on the first
chair I saw, Shola on a table in the second
row and Rotimi on another chair in the third
row of seats. Graveyard silence took over as
Rotimi minded the phone while we looked at
him with our hearts threatening to come out
of our mouths.
”Hello sir!” Rotimi said into the mouthpiece
after the phone connected. He eased his
Samsung Galaxy into the speaker mode and
placed it on the table. It was loud and we all
heard the crystal clear voice of Dr. Tanimowo,
playful as always.



”Ah! Rotimi Ogidiolu, omo nla. How you dey
o? Abi is that not how you and that crook
twin of yours say it?”
”Sir, you dey correct. He dey fine and he dey
hail you.” Rotimi replied in pidgin.



Dr. Tanimowo admires the ease with which
Rotimi and I converse in pidgin and mocks
us with it each time he has the opportunity.


”Sir, I called you because we have a
problem…”


”Nah! I have told you that problems don’t
exist, we have challenges. Problems don’t
exist. Okay? If it’s about problem let me out
of it.” Dr. Tanimowo cut in emphasising his
all time cliche.


”Sorry sir, don’t mind my chicken brain.”


Rotimi said laughing.


”What’s your challenge? I am all ears.”


Rotimi went into the details of how it all
started with Bunmi, his escapades with her,
their advance towards me and the ultimate
link with Shola and her revelations.


All through the conversation, in which the Dr.
interjected with expressions of surprise or
pity, Shola and I were silent.



Then when Rotimi talked about Shola
commiting suicide, Dr. Tanimowo requested
to speak to her. That was when she was
given the phone.


He asked us to take the phone out of its
speaker mode and as such we could not
hear what he had said to her. Only short
answers of ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ was what we
could hear. But by the time she dropped the
phone and we put it back in speaker, she
was obviously light hearted. Then Dr.
Tanimowo said,
”On the three girls, they would carry out
their threats but as my boys, you must not
allow them. Go straight to the Principal’s
office and tell him everything.”


”Sir?” I shouted.


”Ade! You will never change. Wait and let me
talk.


Go to him, and tell him that you have noticed
some ill acts among his staff and students
that needed to be nipped in the bud soonest
through counselling.


Don’t tell the girls anything. Just don’t do
anything other than teacher-student things.


That will tell them you are no more
interested. They will head to the principal to
blackmail you but it won’t work.


Tell the Principal that a counselling unit is
needed in the school and that you have
invited an expert Psychologist who will be
around for two days to help, Thursday and
Friday, all you need is his permission and
adjustment in the timetable.


By that, I will be able to talk to the parties
that need help, Shola, Folake and her friend,
Bunmi and her friends and other little
people. So the girls will be able to leave you
alone and the principal will respect you
more.


What’s today?”
”Tuesday sir.” Shola replied.


”Expect me on Thursday. Run to your
Principal now and tell him. Shola, do those
things I said earlier and don’t die before I
come around, Okay?”
”Yes sir. Thank you sir.” Shola replied
laughing.


”Ade, you have not enjoyed at all. That’s
good. Don’t enjoy before I come o. You don
hear?”
”Yes sir.” I replied, an obvious grin on my
face.


”Rotimi, the bad sharp guy. You have quickly
eaten yours and you are now backing out.


Well done. See you all later.”


”Thank you sir.” We all chorused and ended
the call. It had lasted for more than an hour.


We left the class lighter and happier. Shola
was thanking us profusely as we told her to
attend her lectures while Rotimi and I rushed
immediately to the Principal’s office…