Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 33
Corper Alloy remained frozen, staring at the message on his phone as though the words would suddenly disappear if he blinked hard enough. 📱
His heartbeat gradually became louder.
The message was short, but every word felt heavier than a bag of cement.
> “Corper Alloy, report to my office first thing on Friday morning. It is urgent. Since all corps members will be attending CDS on Thursday, I decided to schedule the meeting for Friday.”
Alloy swallowed hard.
“Omo…” he whispered under his breath. 😰
“What kind of urgent meeting is this?”
His mind immediately began racing from one possibility to another.
“Did I make any mistake during practicals?”
“Did any student report me?”
“Has someone accused me of something?”
“Or is this simply an administrative meeting?”
The more he thought about it, the more confused he became.
Ujunwa, who had been watching him quietly from across the room, immediately noticed the sudden change in his expression.
“Corper Alloy,” she asked softly, “what happened?”
Alloy quickly locked his phone and slipped it into his pocket before forcing a weak smile.
“It’s nothing serious.”
She folded her arms.
“It doesn’t look like ‘nothing serious.'”
He sighed.
“It’s just a message from the Principal.”
“The Principal?” 😳
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He asked me to report to his office first thing on Friday morning.”
The atmosphere inside the living room suddenly became quiet. 🤐
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Ujunwa slowly sat down.
“Do you think something is wrong?”
Alloy shook his head.
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Maybe it’s just school work.”
“I hope so.”
He picked up the notebook lying on the table and looked at her.
“Ujunwa…”
“Yes?”
“I think it’s time for me to leave.”
A trace of disappointment immediately appeared on her face.
“So… you’re going already?”
“Yes.”
He smiled gently.
“And before I leave, I want to tell you something.”
She looked up attentively.
“Forget everything we discussed earlier.”
She remained silent.
“Right now, your education should come first. Your examinations are fast approaching. Concentrate on your books, work hard, and make your mother proud. Opportunities will always come later in life, but your education is something nobody can ever take away from you.” 📚🎓
Ujunwa lowered her head thoughtfully.
“I understand.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
She managed a small smile.
“Thank you, Corper Alloy.”
Alloy nodded.
“Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
Without saying another word, he walked out of the house.
—
The afternoon sun was beginning to cool as Alloy slowly made his way back to the corpers’ lodge. 🚶🏽♂️
Unlike every other day, he wasn’t paying attention to the busy streets around him.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
“What if somebody reported me?”
“What if the Principal already knows something?”
“Could this affect my NYSC service?”
“What if this meeting changes everything?”
The questions refused to leave his head.
By the time he entered the lodge compound, his roommate was already sitting outside, waiting for him.
The moment he saw Alloy’s face, he laughed.
“Omo, guy! Where have you been since?” 😅
Alloy didn’t even smile.
“Long story.”
He quietly brought out his phone and handed it over.
His roommate read the Principal’s message from beginning to end.
“Hmmm…”
He slowly whistled.
“This one serious o.”
The two of them entered the room quietly.
After changing from their khaki uniforms, they sat opposite each other.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Finally, the roommate broke the silence.
“Guy…”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t conclude before hearing what the Principal has to say.”
Alloy looked at him.
“Sometimes urgent meetings are not bad news.”
He continued,
“Maybe he wants to assign you another responsibility.”
“Maybe it’s about the laboratory.”
“Maybe it’s about NYSC documentation.”
“Or maybe someone recommended you for something positive.”
Alloy managed a faint smile.
“I sincerely hope so.”
His roommate laughed.
“Until Friday reaches, stop killing yourself with imagination.”
Alloy nodded slowly.
“I’ll try.”
—
Thursday morning finally arrived. 🌅
As usual, corps members from different schools gathered for their weekly Community Development Service (CDS) programme.
The atmosphere was lively.
Some corps members were discussing football.
Others were taking group photographs.
Some were sharing jokes and laughing loudly.
Different community projects were discussed, attendance was taken, and everyone participated in the day’s activities.
But although Alloy was physically present…
His mind was completely absent.
Every few minutes, he found himself remembering the Principal’s message.
Even while people laughed around him, he remained unusually quiet.
His roommate noticed.
“Oga,” he whispered.
“Smile small.”
“You look like person wey dey go write final judgment.”
Alloy laughed briefly.
“I just want Friday to come and pass.”
The CDS programme lasted for several hours.
Eventually, the closing prayers were said, announcements were made, and everyone began returning to their various homes.
As Alloy and his roommate were walking back toward the lodge, Alloy’s phone suddenly vibrated inside his pocket. 📱
He casually brought it out.
Immediately his eyes widened.
Three missed calls.
All from Chioma.
“Omo!” 😳
He stopped walking.
His roommate turned back.
“Wetin happen?”
Alloy scratched his head.
“I completely forgot.”
Before he could even decide what to do, the phone started ringing again.
The screen displayed one familiar name.
Chioma Calling…
He answered immediately.
“Hello, Chioma.”
“Corper Alloy.”
Her voice sounded calm.
“I hope you haven’t forgotten our agreement?”
Alloy remained silent.
“You were the one that personally told me to come to your house after CDS today.”
“I’ve already finished preparing.”
“I was even about to leave.”
Alloy closed his eyes for a brief moment.
He had completely forgotten.
Between the Principal’s message and everything happening around him, the arrangement had slipped out of his mind.
He took a deep breath.
“Chioma…”
“I’m really sorry.”
There was silence.
He continued gently.
“Something very important came up unexpectedly.”
“I won’t be available today.”
“I’ll really appreciate it if we postpone today’s meeting.”
Another few seconds of silence followed.
Finally Chioma spoke.
“So…”
“You want us to postpone it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m truly sorry.”
“I promise I’ll explain everything when we meet.”
A soft sigh came from the other end.
“Alright.”
“Since you’re asking nicely…”
“I’ll let it go this time.”
Relief immediately washed over Alloy’s face.
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
The call ended.
Alloy slowly returned the phone to his pocket.
His roommate smiled knowingly.
“Na Chioma?”
Alloy nodded.
“I just hope she doesn’t misunderstand me.”
His roommate placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“If she truly cares about you, she’ll understand.”
He paused before adding,
“Right now, face the problem directly in front of you before worrying about the next one.”
Alloy looked ahead quietly.
His roommate was right.
Friday morning was only a few hours away.
Whatever awaited him inside the Principal’s office would determine everything.
As the two Corpers continued walking slowly toward their lodge under the fading evening sun, Alloy couldn’t shake the strange feeling growing inside him.
For some reason…
His heart kept telling him that the meeting waiting for him on Friday morning was far bigger than he had imagined.
And this time…
There would be no hiding, no excuses, and no second chances. 😰📖
To Be Continued…
{{comment.anon_name ?? comment.full_name}}
{{timeAgo(comment.date_added)}}
{{comment.body}}
{{subComment.anon_name ?? subComment.full_name}}
{{timeAgo(subComment.date_added)}}
{{subComment.body}}