Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,195,418 members, 7,958,233 topics. Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2024 at 11:06 AM |
Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Literature / A Must Read : LA CONFERENCIA (859 Views)
La Luna Sangre December 26 2017 / Emi La O Ni Yo Si? (why Won't We Be Glad?) / La Conferencia (2) (3) (4)
A Must Read : LA CONFERENCIA by ThePeacemaker(m): 1:07am On Sep 16, 2015 |
CHAPTER 1: ARRIVAL
Many buses were parked in the large parking
lot. Some were new and fine, while others were
rickety. Without looking at the names on them,
it was easy to know what school what bus
belonged to. The fine ones were for the private
schools, the average ones were for the federal
schools, and the rickety ones were for the state
schools. It wasn’t only buses that littered the
park.
Students of different sizes and colours were
standing by their buses, talking in circles or
carrying their baggage to the registration venue.
They had all come for the National Secondary
Schools’ Leadership Conference. It was an
annual event, a conference prefects from
different schools longed at attend. The pre-
requisites for qualifying were quite stringent, so
only the best of the best attended.
This year, twelve schools were picked, and were
to be trained for 10 days, arrival and departure
days excluded, at the National Youth
Development Center, Port Harcourt, in Rivers
state. Each school was asked to bring ten of
their top prefects. At the end, every participant
was going to get a certificate of attendance but
what freaked most attendees however, were the
awards that would be presented on the last
night; awards that attending students did
anything and everything to get. Every year,
some students did weird, absurd and
unspeakable things to get these awards. Others
however, came for different purposes. This year
wasn’t going to be an exemption.
-------------------------------------------------------- DAY 1
Uche looked round at the different students that
sat in the conference hall and all he felt was
intimidation. ‘Why did I choose to come here in
the first place?’ he scolded himself. He had
never been the outgoing type and would have
preferred to be left in his own world. This was
more exposure than he could handle. He was
the library prefect of Immaculate Technical
College, Mbano, Imo state. He liked his
position as he only had to take care of the
books and ensure they were returned.
He didn’t have to talk at the assembly hall or
dinning hall like his fellow colleagues did. It
also afforded him time and opportunity to read
more, which was his hobby. As the most
intelligent student in his school, he had been
cajoled to attend the conference by the Principal
and he obliged. Now, after hearing that each
student was going to give a 2-minute speech at
the end of the training, he felt like entering the
ground. This wasn’t what he had bargained for.
He stole a glance at his colleagues from school,
who were seated at different places in the hall.
They seemed happy and content. They had
already started making friends. He wondered
how they were able to get along with others so
fast. An announcement distracted him from his
thoughts. “We’ll be having a thirty minutes
break now. Try and acquaint yourself with those
around you. The orientation course will continue
right after”
Many students stood up and walked about for
different reasons. Uche just sat still. He
remembered the previous day’s activities.
Registration ended about 7pm, participants were
checked into their rooms, and dinner was served
at about 9pm. There was no general activity that
night as they were allowed to settle in and rest
well ahead of the activity-packed week.
Uche had been with his school mates. There
were four boys and six girls from his school.
He had nothing much to talk about with his
colleagues, so he sat on his bunk and began
reading Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’. It
wasn’t his first time reading it, but it was a
book he could read over and over again because
it affected his own people severely.
Strangely, he could hardly read much because
of the noise the boys were making. Only a few
were lying down or reading, most were at the
top of their voices and their major topics of
discuss were centered around girls and soccer.
Uche had wanted to scream; both didn’t appeal
much to him. He wondered how he would cope
with such boys for nine nights.
Somebody poked him. He had been lost in
thought, he hardly noticed students were already
settling down from the break. He looked
sideways and saw a girl smiling at him.
“Hello!” she said, waving her hand in his face
with a mischievous smile. She acted as though
they had met before. Uche wondered how a girl
would be that forward. He wanted to be on his
own. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No” he answered, politely.
“You just sighed”, she said, still looking at him
with a questioning face.
Uche was a little confused. He couldn’t place
her words too fast, she talked like a Northerner.
“What?”
“You just sighed. Are you okay?”
He hadn’t noticed. “Oh…sorry. I didn’t know I
did. I’m fine, thanks.”
“Would you want some chips?” she asked.
“No, thanks. I’m fine”
“Okay then.” She said and sat next to him,
picking at her plantain chips. She still had a
smile on her face and Uche wondered what she
was up to. Before he could take his eyes off
her, he noticed she reached to the back and
picked her bag from the seat behind. It was
quite an effort for her because she was short.
Uche was dumbfounded. He had been so happy
when he had a quiet guy to his right and no one
to his left. And now, he was about to have a
happy, smiling, forward, and short Hausa girl
disturb him. He wasn’t going to take that. “You
can’t…” he had started to say but the look on
her face shut him up.
“I can’t what?” she asked, still smiling, as she
kept eating her chips. “Or is someone sitting
here?” she asked, smiling.
Uche could see it that she was having fun. He
couldn’t lie, he’d be caught. If she was sitting
behind, then, she’d have known the seat was
vacant throughout the first session. She raised
an eye and Uche knew he was defeated.
“I’m Fatima” she said, and extended her hand
for a handshake. She saw Uche look at her
hand. She followed his gaze and saw that her
hand was smeared with oil and plantain
fragments. She giggled and quickly redrew it,
looked in her bag for her hanky, cleaned her
hand and stretched it out again; the smile not
leaving her face.
“I’m Fatima” she said again.
Uche couldn’t help smiling. She had succeeded
in infecting him. Looking at her, he could see
she was pleased she had made him smile. “I’m
Uche” he said, as he took her hand and pumped
it lightly.
“Nice meeting you” she said.
“Same here” he said, sincerely, though hoping it
would stop at that.
She was about to say something but at the same
time, the announcer spoke up, clouding her
voice. Uche was relieved. He turned and
listened. The announcer was saying something
about a guest they were expecting. Uche felt a
pinch and flinched. It was Fatima again.
“What?” Uche said, almost irritated.
“I was asking you why you’re so quiet?” she
asked, looking more serious this time. Seeing
her this way, Uche just wanted to stare at her a
little longer, she looked beautiful, not the
childish-look she had started with. He
immediately cautioned himself, surprised at his
reaction. He had never given a second look at
any girl before.
“Please, can we keep this till after the session?
It has started” He saw she was disappointed but
still managed to smile. He faced the stage and
listened. The announcer was saying “…so, we’ll
have to wait for him. He’ll be hear in the next
thirty minutes. So, your break is extended thirty
minutes. Please don’t leave…” Uche wasn’t
interested in the rest. This meant, he was stuck
with Fatima’s chat for another thirty minutes.
He looked at her and laughed spontaneously.
She had stuck her tongue out of her mouth.
“Dah!” she said.
Uche was still laughing and she joined in.
“You’re something” he said, recovering from
his hearty laughter.
“Didn’t it feel good to laugh?”
“Yes, it did” Uche admitted.
“When last did you laugh; really laugh?” she
asked, expecting an answer.
Uche thought about it and couldn’t answer. He
tried to remember but the only time he could
remember was three years back, when he was
five and he wasn’t ready to remember that. He
had buried it and was going to leave it buried.
“I cannot remember” he said, trying to make
light of it but Fatima wasn’t fooled.
“What happened to you that took away your joy,
Uche?” she asked.
Uche’s eyes filled and this surprised him. It
wasn’t just the questions she asked him that got
at him but the way she asked. There was a
genuine concern and care in her voice. He
gritted his teeth. He had vowed never to let
anyone see his tears, nothing would change
that.
“I don’t want to talk about it” he said.
“It’s okay. I understand’ she said. At that, he
looked at her. No one could ever understand
what he had gone through. But looking at her,
he knew that somehow, she would understand if
he told her. ‘Uche, get a grip. Don’t let this girl
crumble all your defenses’, he suddenly chided
himself. “It was nice meeting you Fatima. I’ll
need some time of quiet before the session
resumes.”
“Okay, if that’s what you want.” She said, then
added. “It was nice meeting you too.”
Uche was disappointed. He had hoped she
would pester him a little more. He needed
someone to talk to. He knew that after the
session, they would go for lunch, then sports,
then evening session and on. He couldn’t think
of a anything that would guarantee they meet
and talk again. There were no permanent seats.
‘Maybe she really doesn’t care. Maybe, she just
like everyone else’ he thought to himself. Her
questions had however triggered memories and
those memories filled his mind for the rest of
the break. Just as the break ended and the Guest
speaker was ushered to the podium, Uche heard
that now familiar Hausa accent.
“Can we talk during lunch?” Fatima asked.
Uche looked at her, and saw that childish-smile
again. He smiled back. “I’d be glad to” he said
and saw seeing the relief on her face, he knew
she indeed cared.
Uche’s heart beat faster with a mixture of joy
and anxiety. He was going to do what he hadn’t
done in ten years. He was about to open up to
someone. He was about to come out of his
shell. He was about to trust again. It was a
scary thought and he sincerely hoped Fatima
would be worth it. |
Re: A Must Read : LA CONFERENCIA by Hardethaewoh(m): 2:29pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
wow! great start. lively and intriguing write up!
pls work on the paragraphs too |
Re: A Must Read : LA CONFERENCIA by eunisam: 3:27pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
Bring it on! At least three chapters for the starting point! |
Re: A Must Read : LA CONFERENCIA by ThePeacemaker(m): 9:18pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
CHAPTER 2
The session was over and Shade was pressed; she had to use the ladies. While
announcements were going on, she left her
seat and walked towards the facilities. On
her way up the hall stairs, he noticed a
familiar face. ‘Where did I know this girl?’
The girl was talking to the boy by her side
and didn’t notice Shade. She wanted to call
her but just then, her bladder told her she
had to hurry. She hurried along, proposing
to see the girl when she returned.
Getting to the toilet, she noticed it was
much neater than the toilet in the hostel
so, she decided to have a relaxed bowel
movement, not the type with one hand on
the nose and the other chasing away flies.
As she eased herself, she tried to
remember the girl’s name, or least recall
where they met but the memory seemed
very hazy.
When she was out of the facilities, most of
the students had left the hall, including the
girl she had hoped to see. ‘I’ll see her some
other time’, she told herself. “Tunbosun!”
she called to her friend, sitting rows away,
where she’d been. “I’m done”
“Na wa for you o!” Tunbosun said, when
she was closer. “Na thirty minutes you dey
use piss for your school?”
“Sorry jare.” Shade said, collecting her
writing pad from Tunbosun. “I decided to
do the two together when I got to there.”
“Ah! Okay I for say o!” Tunbosun said,
smiling.
“Na you sabi!” Shade responded as they
walked out of the hall together. The
organizers had consciously mixed up the
participants so that no two students from
the same school were bunk mates. Shade
and Tunbosun had been paired, and they had
kicked off well. Shade was from Federal
Government College, Ipetumodu, Osun state,
while Tunbosun was from Standford College,
Abuja.
“How come you speak broken English often?
Is it allowed in your school?” Shade asked
Tunbosun.
“No, it’s not. I could be suspended if
caught, but I live in Warri and that’s how I
talk with my friends at home. Don’t mind
me, I’m a Behind girl o” Tunbosun said,
smiling.
“You don’t have to tell me. I know. Anyone
from Standford has to be Behind”
“I agree. The money we pay in that school
is too much. I told my parents over and
again to take me to a Federal school were
the standard is the same and fees are
cheaper but they insisted, claiming they
wanted a Christian private school for me.”
Tunbosun paused, then added. “But do you
know what?”
“What?” Shade asked.
“I think they put me in that school for
prestige purposes. They couldn’t imagine the
only child of Senator Badmos going to any
other school than the most expensive in
Abuja.”
“You cannot blame them”
“I agree but that is not the kind of life I
want for myself. I want to grow up to be
independent, exposed and mature; able to
do what is right by choice not because
somebody somewhere is monitoring me.”
“Don’t be biased. There are some good sides
to been in a private school; no strikes,
close monitoring academically, and nice
environment especially in the Christian ones
like yours.”
“You’re right Shade. Maybe, I just feel the
money is too much. I guess I should read
Economics, and not Medicine” Tunbosun
said, laughing at herself. “I get too
calculative when it comes to money. Do you
know how many hungry people my school
fees for a session would cater for?”
“I can’t imagine”
“You’d better not. People have different
opinions and are permitted to and I have
mine too.”
“You’ve given me something to think about”
Shade said as they entered the dinning hall.
They had barely entered when Shade heard
someone call Tunbosun. She looked at
Tunbosun and saw she didn’t respond. “That
guy is calling you” she said.
“Let’s get a seat first.” Tunbosun said,
ignoring the boy calling her. When they were
seated, she started. “That guy has been
disturbing me since yesterday, when we got
here” Shade looked in his direction but
Tunbosun didn’t as she continued. “I have
been around guys enough to know what he
wants.”
Shade, who was a student of an only girls’
school, was at a loss. She kept listening.
“I noticed he hit it off with Okpara right
at the parking lot before registration.”
“Who’s Okpara?” Shade asked.
“A fellow prefect from my school, who has
been asking me out since our SS1 days. I’m
sure Okpara has told him about me. Maybe
he wants to show how macho he is. He
likely wants to prove to Okpara he can
have any girl he wants.”
“How are you sure? Do you even know his
name? What if he just wants to be nice?”
Shade asked.
“I know some things, girlfriend. You can
count the reasonable guys we have now
adays. And those few, you’ll know them
when you see them. I’ll show you one when
I see one”
“What’s his name?”
“Stanley. I don’t even like his name”
“You’re funny Tunbosun”
“Don’t mind me jare.” Just then, they
called the table they were seated on. “It’s
our turn.” They stood and walked towards
the serving point. When they reached the
serving point, the join the queue; there
were two lines. Shade was in front on
Tunbosun.
“Shade!” the guy beside her on the other
line called. Shade was taken aback; she
didn’t know this guy.
“Hello” she managed to say. Looking at the
guy, she was barley able to breath. The guy
was fine! And he was so close. She looked
away.
“I have heard so many nice things about
you” he said, trying to continue the
conversation. Shade felt a little
embarrassed because people close by could
hear him. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
Shade simply nodded.
“I hope we’ll get to see some other time.
My name is Utibe” he said, extending his
hand for a handshake. Shade accepted it.
“Guess you already know my name.” she
said, trying to look affected by his stare.
His handshake lingered and Shade seemed
unable to withdraw her hand.
“Hey girlfriend, it’s your turn”, Tunbosun
said, poking her from behind; rescuing her.
Shade withdrew her hand and collected her
food, still flushed from her conversation
with Utibe. She waited for Tunbosun to get
hers and they walked back together.
Tunbosun had a smile on her face as they
walked back. When they reached their seat,
she giggled. “You should have seen yourself,
Shade.”
“I beg. Don’t tease me. I don’t know what
happened to me there.”
“Would you believe me if I told you that
guy had rehearsed all that?”
“He seemed so nice. No guy has spoken to
me like that before.” Shade looked at
Tunbosun and saw her mock face. “I’m
serious. I have two brothers and we
quarrel often. I hardly go out, so contact
with guys is minimal. Some guys have asked
me out, but there’s nothing about them to
trip me.” Shade paused, momentarily lost.
“Did you see how he looked at me? Did you
hear his accent? Did you notice how fine he
is?”
Tunbosun, tapped her shoulders repeatedly.
Shade looked at her but Tunbosun continued.
“Hey, watsup?” Shade asked, bemused.
“Wake up! Wake up girl. Don’t just fall for
a guy because of his outward qualities.
There’s more to everyone than meets the
eye.”
“Tunbosun, I understand, but this guy seems
okay. If he wants to make friends with me
after now, I’d gladly accept.”
“Be careful dear.”
“I will” Shade said. She had discreetly
traced where he was seated. As she tasted
the jollof rice they had been served, she
stole a glance in his direction and saw that
he was staring at her. She was so taken
aback, she choke don her rice. She had to
cough, to clear her throat. She stole an
embarrassed peek at him again and saw he
was smiling. She felt like a fool. ‘This is
crazy’ she thought to herself, as her heart
still beat wildly. ‘Why did God create human
with emotions?’ she asked herself, as she
drank the water Tunbosun offered her.
“Are you okay dear?” Tunbosun asked
“Yes I am, thanks.”
“Guy power dey do you. I pity you o!”
“Leave me jo!”
Tunbosun laughed at her friend. “You’ll get
over it” she said and slapped her friend at
the back, still laughing.
Shade shook her head, managing a smile, yet
wondering how she would face Utibe
afterwards, she had just embarrassed
herslf. ‘I’ll avoid him. I won’t even talk to
him again’ she thought to herself but as
she was thinking it she knew it wasn’t
possible. She was dying for him to come
looking for her. She hoped it won’t be too
long before he did. |
Re: A Must Read : LA CONFERENCIA by tayo69(m): 9:37pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
Isn't this Adigun's novella |
Re: A Must Read : LA CONFERENCIA by writeups(f): 1:10pm On Sep 17, 2015 |
it is at tayo69 |
Re: A Must Read : LA CONFERENCIA by OluwabuqqyYOLO(m): 2:14pm On Sep 17, 2015 |
Come continue, bro. You are doing great. Spacing is necessary, though. Also, cross check always. |
(1) (Reply)
. / Actually Wole Soyinka, You Are The Real Troll / The Liar's Manual
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 51 |