Donigspain - S01 E64

Story 2 years ago

Donigspain - S01 E64

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 64

I marched to the school by 11am.

The school was still on break

when I arrived. The students

rallied round me as each tried to

get a glimpse of their beloved

Geography and Economics

teacher who had left after

gaining admission into the

higher institution. Their shouts

attracted the attention of some

of the teachers who later came

out to welcome me. I first went

to the office of the proprietor to

greet him in order to fulfill the

biblical injunction of ‘giving

honour to whom it is due’ as it

would be disrespectful of me to

walk past his office without

stopping by to say at least a

‘good day sir’. The proprietor

was happy with my presence

which showed I still remember

the school I once worked in

before my status got elevated. He

inquired of my academic welfare

to which I replied him with a

positive feedback. After spending

some quality time with him in his

office I left for the common staff

room where I needed to fulfill

the mission that brought me to

the school.

.

”Good day staff,”” I greeted no

one in particular as soon as my

feet stepped into the staff room.

”Aaah, good day Sir Spain,

welcome o!”” they all chorused

in unison.

.

I shook hands with the male

teachers while giving side hugs

and pats on the back of the few

female teachers. Darlington was

not present when I came in. I

was told he was holding a lesson

with the SS3 class in preparation

for their upcoming WAEC which

Ifeoma was part of. I noticed an

unfamiliar face of a young man

who I immediately read to be the

infamous Sir John who had been

trying to steal my inheritance

from me. My instincts were right

for he later introduced himself as

the new Economics teacher who

took over from me. I once again

shook hands with him even

though he was ignorant of the

rage and bitterness flowing

within me. He was on the ‘lekpa’’

side and he made matters worse

by having a ridiculous fashion

sense as he wore oversize shirt,

trouser and a big square-face

shoe that made him look sickly.

A

wave of happiness blew across

my heart as I believed he had

little or no chance of winning

over the heart of Ifeoma, at least,

not with that hideous fashion

apparel. But on a second

thought, I just can’t

underestimate him yet. He had

introduced himself as a graduate

of Economics; that word

‘graduate’’ is something I am yet

to become. Placing us on a value

balance he sure would outweigh

me because he is already nearer

to success than the

undergraduate me – ceteris

paribus. Some girls might choose

him based on that singular fact.

Right there I began to plan on

how I was going to win the

battle.

.

Darlington returned after a while.

We exchange pleasantries. I

observed that John and

Darlington seemed to be close

due to the way they interacted

and joked. Darlington requested I

buy him lunch since according to

him ‘my level don change’. I

obliged his request knowing that

would be a good opportunity to

set the path straight. We left the

school for an eatery close by. I

invited Sir John to come with us

to which he gladly accepted.

.

”How far my guy? How is Ifeoma

doing sef? Hope say she dey

understand the lessons?”” I

asked as soon as our orders

were brought before us.

”Ya, she is trying,”” Darlington

replied with a mouth full of rice.

”Good to hear that because I

won’’t condone any lackadaisical

attitude from her,” I chipped in

as a way of alerting their interest.

I noticed John raised his head

just as I finished speaking. He

must be trying to make some

sense from my statement not

knowing it was a statement with

intent.

”Mmmnnhh, that reminds me, is

what am hearing true?”

Darlington asked me.

”What is it that you heard?”” I

asked back in order for him to be

more clear and detailed.

”Is it true that Ifeoma is your

girlfriend?”” Darlington inquired.

”There is no need to hide

anything from una cuz una be

my guys. Yes, me and Ifeoma dey

date since last year. No be today

tinz. E don tey! Na serious

something o!”” I replied

intelligently. I noticed some

uneasiness in John as he kept

adjusting and readjusting

himself.

”The truth be say anybody wey

dey chike the babe now just dey

waste him time oh cuz me and

am don go far. In fact, she even

tell me say some people dey

disturb her for una school but

she no gree tell me who doz

people dem be. Me sure say e no

go be my guy Darlington na

because I know say him get him

own babe. My guy John here still

be new teacher na and so he go

still dey stand with one leg, so no

time yet for him to dey hunt him

students,” I concluded.

”Na true you talk my brother. But

dat your babe fine sha. You get

eye for better thing oh,”” John

added jokingly and we all

laughed. Thereafter, we ate our

meals in silence after which I

paid for all. We left the canteen

for the school. I told them I was

counting on them to take care of

Ifeoma. I employed them to keep

an eye on her and always report

her to me whenever they see her

misbehaving. Not like I really

meant it. It was just a calculated

attempt at formally declaring

Ifeoma a ‘military zone: no-go-

area’’. Our people say that a dog

can hardly eat the bone tied

around its neck.

.

I later called Ifeoma out from the

classroom. We spoke for a few

minutes although she was

feeling shy. I wanted to give her

some money but she refused,

insisting that she had enough

with her. Anita, her friend, came

out and greeted me. She was

surprised to see Ifeoma

discussing with me. Her actions

meant that Ifeoma has been

hiding our relationship from her.

Hmmm, it also meant so many

other things.

** Does it mean Ifeoma has

learnt of our past from another

source? Did Anita, who is

ignorant of my affair with

Ifeoma, confide our secret in her

friend Ifeoma?**