Must Read: Ade

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: Ade

When a big load is taken off your mind, you
care less about little matters, they will fall into
place. That was the case with us.




Immediately we stepped out of the
staffroom for the Principal’s office, we heard
the tiny voice of Bimbo calling us. I looked
back to see the three of them gesturing
pleadingly that we stop for a minute.



Their eyes wore worry and sorry looks. I smiled.


The smile came because handling them now
would never be a problem.


”You girls are supposed to be in class. What
are you doing here?” Rotimi spoke before I
said a word.


”We excused ourselves just to come see the
two of you. Bunmi told us what happened
yesterday and we too have bevome worried,
that’s why we came to see you.” Bola spoke.

She had become freer since the lecture I
gave them.


”You need not have bothered. We are fine as
you can see. We are just tied up with
something that will be for the better of you
all. Or should we back out?” I said and asked.


I knew the answer and I got it.


”No sir. We were just worried. And you
know we are supposed to see you Sir Ade,
today after school. But we know it won’t be
possible now that you are hooked up with
our life-changing issue. We will wait. Thank
you sir.” Bimbo said and with that they
turned to go but I stopped them.


”Just be calm, eh? When the time is right, I
will call you and we start our games. And
Bunmi, Rotimi will not be around today too,
it’s part of our being busy. When all is set, he
will ring you. Okay?”

”Yes sir!” They chorused and left.

Rotimi gave me a thumbs up for that last
statement. We heaved a sigh and faced our
destination.


The Principal’s office was located in the
administrative block of the school. It is a
lovely sight to behold just like the building
itself and the other offices in it. It was the
last office along the corridor. It comes after
the offices of the two V. Ps, the bursar, the
accountant, the registrar, and the C. S. O of
the school.


It has a door leading to it from the corridor
but the door leads to the office of his
Secretary before another door in there lead
to the main principal’s office.


The office itself, is what could be said to be
ideal for the status of a principal. It was
tastefully furnished in line with the trends of
the time. It was also fully airconditioned and
it was red carpeted or perhaps, rugged.


The furniture consisted of a giant swivel chair
which seated the principal and a dark brown
mahogany table which eases writing. Also in
the room were three comfortable padded
chairs for visitors and another mini sofa in a
corner for either seating visitors or the
principal when he was less busy. The room
had a giant cupboard on which the various
trophies the school had won were placed.


Plaques and awards hung around the heavily
but colourfully curtained room.


His secretary told us he was on seat and had
no visitor, how lucky we were! She informed
him of our presence via the intercom and he
asked us to be shown in.


He rose from the sofa and shook us severally
before showing us the seat and getting
himself nehind his table. That was the third
time we had entered that office. The first
being on our interview day and the second
being the day we received our welcome-to-
school handshake.



The Principal himself was a stern
disciplinarian who all students feared and all
staff respected. He was a no nonsense man
but he respected teachers who were diligent
and hardworking like Rotimi and I. He was a
lover of good morals.



After seating ourselves and declining all he
offered us, we went to the prupose of our
visit.


”Sir, we have come to crave your indulgence
on something we noticed recently. We have
noticed some morally ill acts among the staff
and students of our school especially among
the borders. We noticed that the absence of
a functional counselling unit contributed a
little to it sir. Due to this, we would advise a
reinstatement of the counselling department
as soon as possible. In addition sir, we have
arranged for the services of an experienced
psychologist to help deal with these issues at
no cost to the school. All he needs is
audience and space to work for two days,
Thursday and Friday sir.” I said.
He listened attentively then he asked, ”If I
may ask, what are the acts you noticed
among the staff and students please?”
”Sir, we cannot tell sir. We were told these in
confidence and we would not want to betray
such confidence entrusted in us. We are
sorry sir.” Rotimi replied.


He understood and let it lie much to our
relief.



”I will provide what is needed for the expert.
But I must say that you two are enigmas.


I am proud of you. Infact, I will support all
needed in those two days because I think I
need counselling myself. And I hope he
would help us set up our own couselling
clinic here in the school?”
”Yes sir, he would. Thank you sir.”
”I need to place an advert for a counsellor
today. Have a nice day boys.”
One down, Thursday to go. We smiled at
nothing as we trudged out of his office…