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Romance › *nigeria @58: My Concern Is The Persecuted Gays And Lesbians* by Africlegend(op): 12:15pm On Oct 01, 2018*

Christianity Etc › Re: From Pastor To Atheist: Why I Will Never Be A Christian Again by Africlegend: 9:18am On Sep 30, 2018

swaggzo:

MY MAN CATHOLICS SAY THEIR SUPREME MASTER THE POPE, IS WITHOUT SIN. EVERYTHING HE SAYS IS PERFECT BECAUSE GOD CHOSE HIM TO BE POPE.

TILL DATE I WONDER WHY THE LAST ONE RESIGNED.. . GOD CHOSE THE WRONG PERSON? ?

THAT MEANS EVEN GOD CAN MAKE MISTAKES?

THAT MEANS HE'S ALSO NOT PERFECT AND CAN END UP LIKE OTHER INPERFECT PEOPLE, IN HELL?

Do try to understand what Catholics say. The Church maintains that the Pope, like any other christian, can sin and go to hell. Read and understand what the church means when she discusses Papal infallibibility.

NYSC › Re: Your NYSC Questions Answered by Africlegend: 6:26pm On Sep 27, 2018

I need u guys to please enlighten me. I graduated last year with my name in the school graduation list. But, I decided not to serve immediately, so I never did nothing after. Can I meet up with this year's batch C. I've not done my clearance in school.

NYSC › Re: NYSC 2018 Batch 'C' Class Room Interaction For Pcms by Africlegend: 6:25pm On Sep 27, 2018

NYSC › Re: NYSC 2018 Batch C Corps Members Thread by Africlegend: 6:21pm On Sep 27, 2018

Celebrities › Osun Election: I Want A Child Like Davido by Africlegend(op): 10:21am On Sep 25, 2018

Osun Guber Poll: I Want a Child Like Davido

A bad child has his own day, or so it seems in Davido's case. No one arrests his son for being a good boy so; I can tell you the story of a crummy-crappy guy who pulled out from a US school and, took a walk from Engineering to go after a music career, or so he said to his Dad's ears few years ago. Of course, you need want to become a Doctor, a Lawyer, or an Engineer to please an African parent. Ask the Sunny Ade(s), they had to run away from home to pursue what seemed to no one else a career. They were the bad boys, the naughts.

Davido was already an undergraduate, studying one of the courses a black Dad would freely announce. He ran away from school, he ran away from the US, from the shades of his father's luxury; to sing in Nigeria and, his Dad got him arrested, for that alone. He was a bad boy and his life, to all appearances, wouldn't have been my subject if not for last Saturday's guber election in Osun. The slim edge of Davido's uncle over Oyetola could arguably be said to have been a product of this young man's fame. He was obviously the man to watch. He was the crowd puller, he did what a hundred Engineers couldn't have done.

I want a son like Davido, who will be muscular enough to pursue the career he loves, even as the last man standing, when I think differently. Instinctively, my African self might give such a child a whole lot of slaps. I might punch him hard, or hand him over to Nigerian soldiers to help me beat the influence of village witches out. I'm afraid, I might even threaten to disown him. But, like Davido, I wish he remains stubborn, single-minded and hard-as-nails. I wish he follows his heart. I wish he also becomes a subject of global reckoning and one to be proud of. If his fame ends up making me a Governor too, I just wouldn't mind.

Ayeni Faith Damilola is a writer, public speaker and eulogist.
faithdamilolaayeni@yahoo.com

Politics › Osun Election: I Want A Child Like Davido by Africlegend(op): 8:41am On Sep 25, 2018

Celebrities › Top Ten Famous People No-one Expects In Heaven: Fela & Jackson Made List by Africlegend(op): 1:18pm On Sep 04, 2018

Top Ten People You Don't Expect To See In Heaven.

Everyone imagines a heaven brimming with innocent humans. While most people would be in a tizzy to say hello to Mother Theresa beyond the clouds, it is not going to be without questions, if a glimpse is caught of some people. In truth, the presence of some individuals would make the saints want to be convinced they really did find the ways home. But, who can tell, if for reasons best known to God, someone you least expect would be found dallying and dancing with the angels? The following is a list of people you would definitely be blown away to find in heaven.

1. Osama bin Laden: If there is a mishap Americans wish never took place, it was the september 2001 attacks on the Pentagon and the world trade center. It was a catastrophe, a terrible event that left scores of Americans; up to 3,000 civilians, dead. Laden, who topped the FBI's most wanted list for years had earlier, in 1998, launched a bomb attack on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 300 people. He founded the ill-famed al-qaeda network- a Jihadist group, with which he striked terror into the whole world. The Saudi Arabian, who was born into a wealthy family in Riyahd, in 1957, dealt the US a rare blow in the face, when he masterminded the hijacking of four commercial aircrafts, two of which collided into the world trade center towers and another crashed into the pentagon in Arlington, virginia. In 2011, after 10 yrs of hiding, the American special forces found Osama. He was shot several times before his death, as announced by the then president Barrack Obama.

2. Michael Jackson: There once lived a crowd-pleasing gentleman not many expect to see near the gates of heaven. The king of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson; an American songwriter, singer and dancer was one of the most splashy entertainers the world ever housed. Not only was he the best selling music artiste in the year of his death, 2009, a number of awards including the American music award, Guinness world record and Grammy legend award among others had gone to him . Jackson was so imposing that the American internal revenue service insisted his name and image were worth 434 million dollars. He was damn rich! Yet, Jackson to some was of the devil. He was rumoured to have been a member of the Illuminati; a mysterious secret society, an assumption that was well travelled and accepted as a result of his unsual video colours. Gossips have Michael Jackson's death linked to murder by the Illuminati, when he decided to opt out. If he would have been pardoned for being a cultist, the deliberate alteration of his physical appearance a number of times stands him no chance in the heavens. At least, that's what we think.

3. Emperor Nero: Who expects to see Nero in the world of God? Not christians. Not Jews. Not even me! Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was the last Emperor of the Julio Claudion dynasty. He, according to Tacitus the historian, was the first Emperor to persecute christians. They were subjected to the most extra-ordinary tortures under his watch. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths, and covered with the skin of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames. He supervised the great revolt of 66-70 A.D, where about one million Jews died (Tacitus, Annales, 15, 44). Nero was also acused of either starting the great fire of Rome in 64 A.D or fiddling carelessly while the fire burnt. A disaster that wiped out completely, three of Rome's fourteen regions and left hundreds dead. The notorious Emperor, who eventually murdered his own mother committed suicide, aided by one Epaphroditus, in 68 A.D.

4. Fela Kuti: Though a human right activist and political maverick, Fela is not one of those many expect to see in heaven. The Nigeria born music legend and one of Africa's most challenging and charismatic music performers visibly attacked dictatorship and the excesses of the then millitary Governments, but, failed to make for himself a name, when morals become the subject. He was not only a polygamist with about 30 wives, many of whom he married at thesame time and later divorced, he also was an audible voice against Christianity and Islam. The kalakuta Republic king proudly associated himself with marijuana(he would call it African grass though), which had already been outlawed in Nigeria at the time. Fela's choice of clothes on several public occasions was an ordinary underpant, which would leave him almost naked. He could be said to be one force behind the moral decadence and excesses popular among celebrities across the world today. He died a 57yrs old in August, 1997, from complications related to AIDs.

5. Idi Amin of Uganda: If you've got wind of the butcher of Uganda, then you've kept up on Idi Amin, a man of 6ft, 4 inches height, who ruled the Nation of Uganda like the devil himself. The soldier son of an herbalist joined the British colonial army in 1946, when he first served as an assistant cook. He swiftly climbed the ladder of millitary ranks, perhaps, due to his antecedent as a boxer and swimmer. Idi Amin, who was addressed by Radio Uganda as: "His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Alhaji Dr. Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE(conqueror of the British empire)," was the father of human right abuses, political repression, ethnic persecution, extrajudicial killings, nepotism, corruption, and gross economic mismanagement. He instigated the killing of about 500,000 people before his 8yrs term disappeared. He later fled to lybia, when he was almost consumed by the fire of Uganda-Tanzania war he lit himself. He died in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2003.

6. Elizabeth Báthory: Who knows? Bathory might be the most inhuman female of all times. Pretty Elizabeth fetched her off-color skin care system from the blood of young girls she had killed, so, she slaughtered quite a number. She would bath in the blood of her victims and eat their bodies.The hungarian noblewoman, labelled most prolific female murderer in Guinness world record, had many atrocities to her name. She was, during her trial, accused of severe beatings, burning or mutilation of hands, biting the flesh off the faces, arms and other body parts, freezing or starving to death.The monster of a woman would also use needles to inflict pains on her victims, among many other suspected forms of torture carried out by her. According to the Budapest City Archives, her victims were scalded with hot tongs and then placed in freezing cold water. Found guilty, Bathory was imprisoned and, on the evening of 21 August 1614, after spending 4yrs in solitary confinement as a result of her too many evil deeds, she died in her sleep.

7. Jayne Mansfield: The first American Actress to play a nude starring role in a Hollywood movie, Jane Mansfield was a major sex symbol in the 50s and 60s. Born Vera Jayne Palmer in 1933, the blonde bombshell actress who had been freely showing her curves from the onset appeared nude in the Play boy magazine and a 1963 comedy; Promises! Promises! And became famous. But, Jayne's rising popularity dwindled as her carrier suffered a huge set back some years later and she was reduced to a night club entertainer. In a bid to regain her former self, she had an encounter with a San Francisco based Satanist guru, Anton Lavey, who influenced her with black magic. Jayne Mansfield, a promiscuous devil worshipper was rumoured to have been intimately involved with Robert and John F. Kennedy, Nelson Sardelli, and Anton Lavey. The moment she left Lavey for her married attorney Sam Brody, the former allegedly spelt a curse on her. The effect of which was rumoured to have been responsible for her death in an automobile accident in new orleans at age 34.

8. Judas Iscariot: The treacherous disciple son of Simon was a native of Kerioth, a city in Judah, hence, his name: Judas Iscariot (Judah, man of Kerioth), which turned out to be one of the most tragic in history. He was one of the Twelve Apostles and intimates of Jesus, but, betrayed his master by selling him to murderous jewish leaders for thirty pieces of silver. Judas' singular move led to the crucifixion and death of Jesus; the founder of the Christian faith, which today has over six billion adherents across the globe. He later committed suicide, but his death could not save his name from the filths and notoriety of a traitor. While the other eleven apostles are presumed in heaven and their names taken by christians, Judas, on the other hand, is seen as a candidate of hell and his beautiful name: Judas-praised-left unassociated with. Who knows? Just who knows?

9. Christine Jorgenson: Born George William Jorgenson in New York, the once frail, blond, introverted little boy emerged a striking blonde beauty in December 1952, after six operations. Christine, who had from her teen accused nature of making a mistake in trapping her in a man's body, was the first widely accepted and celebrated trans woman in the US. While in the military in the 1940s, she read an article about Dr. Christian Hamburger's experiment on gender therapy and hoped the Doctor could be of help. Christine Jorgenson began her transition by taking Oestrogen, but later had an orchiectomy in 1951. She also had penectomy in 1952 and, finally, vaginoplasty; which made sex naturally possible for her as a female. After a successful transition, she went back to the US and on setting foot on American soil, was greeted byJournalists and a number of admirers. She, as a result, became a well sought-after Hollywood actress and entertainer and was crowned woman of the year by the Scandinavian Society. She was an advocate of the transgender people till her death in 1989 which was a result of bladder and lungs cancer.

10. John Holmes: Quoting Bob Vose, John holmes was to the adult film industry what Elvis Presley was to rock 'n' roll. He simply was the King. John never stepped in the pornographic industry before a luck changing meeting with Joel, a professional photographer, at the poker parlour in Gardena, California. He was at a point in his life a driver at a meetpacking plant not far from cudahy, where he attended to a forklift. He had also worked as a shoe salesman, an ambulance driver, a signal corp member in the Army and a lot more before playing the lead role in Johnny Wadd; an adult film series that eventually brought him to limelight, thanks to Joel who discovered his 13.5 inches sclong and adviced he put it to a profitable use. After Johnny Wadd came Deep Throat, The Devil in Miss Rose and Porn Became Chic, all in which he played roles that eventually brought pornographic movies to the mainstream. Stardom did not stop John Holmes from delving into drugs which eventually cost him his carrier. He became a Cocaine addict and underperformed in his subsequent movies. The moment Jobs weren't trooping in as before, the ex-star went broke and survived on cash from Drug trafficking, credit card fraud and lots more before his fortune hit a huge set back in the Wonderland Murders Scandal. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1986 from which he died with his exceptionally large penis which had earned him Sex roles in about 2,000 adult movies.

Ayeni Faith Damilola is a writer.
faithdamilolaayeni@yahoo.com

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 7:28am On Sep 03, 2018

I appreciate everyone.

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 5:46pm On Sep 02, 2018

Episode 24

When I eventually woke up, it was to an entirely different place. I opened my eyes and was greeted by a familiar ceilingless roof. Then, I saw an unplastered wall on which hung an age group calendar. I closed my eyes and opened it again to the same unkempt room inside of which a full basket of Cocoyam laid by the side, on a naked floor.

"Is this heaven or hell?"

I was still trying to find out, when I heard a woman's voice.

"A...kin! Akin ooo!! Sóò ní lo sùkúù ni (Akin, won't you go to school)?

It was my mother. I turned around to see a naked foam on which I had slept; could I have been dreaming? I left the bed and walked through the parlor-an averagely large room containing two un-cushioned benches, a table, and a stool on which sat a dead black and white television close to a set of neatly arranged record plates, all covered with a pair of white wooly clothes. Outside the house, I saw a man approached from afar, with a gourd hung on his left shoulder and a radio on the right. He spoke on getting closer to the house, also in a familiar voice.

"Akínwùnmí Oò tíì pà múra sùkúù òún náà ni (Akinwunmi, are you not prepared for school still)? My father asked.

He was a palm wine tapper and was just returning from his tapping exploit. Daddy Soldier was not real? Then, I returned to the house to find my younger sister, a six years old. In her plate were slices of roasted yam and palm oil. Adelanke was dressed in a blue gown uniform on which was a breast badge of Araromi Community primary School: Valentina seemed unreal, Ewatomi wasn't real either?

"But, what dream looks so real?"

I left for the bathroom-a small room at the backyard, demarcated by sheets of used pans, and the floor of gravel. At the entrance was one of my mother's old wrappers, hung permanently to shield the unclothedness of the one bathing from the passers bye glare. There, I remained in my unclothedness brainstorming what could have brought such a bizarre dream about. I remembered the event of the previous day, when my uncle, his wife and two kids paid us a visit in the evening. My uncle, who arrived in a shining green pathfinder SUV worked in an oil company back in the city. His wife looked so pretty and his kids healthy and strong. The boy, my age; and the girl about two years younger, were both glowing, and their visit deepened my disgust for my parent's financial status so well. I remembered how I laid in my bed that night, after they've left, feeling so miserable. I'd always been uncomfortable with my parents' sickening poverty. I wished I was my cousins, who went to good schools and lived in good houses in Lagos.

"Could that have been responsible for the dream?"

After the cold bath, I ate my share of the roasted Yam breakfast and wore my Abamote Grammar School white and brown uniform. My Dad gave Adelanke a ten naira note, and I, a twenty naira note to buy biscuits in the break time. It was 7:30 in the morning, late already, but I still had to take Adelanke to her school before heading to mine. I took my sister by hand and rushed down the road to Araromi Community primary school. On the assembly, I met the pupils singing happily. Adelanke too, followed committedly the music of her peers. But, I was amazed: how can the pupils of poor parents be this happy? The children I saw were not really healthy in looks. Some looked malnourished in their tattered uniform and some were on the assembly bare-footed. Adelanke waved goodbye to me and I watched her join the assembly of less-privileged pupils, singing along with others.

'All things bright & beautiful,
All creatures great and small
All things Bright & wonderful,
The Lord God made them all,

Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings:

'All things bright & beautiful,
All creatures great and small
All things Bright & wonderful,
The Lord God made them all,

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brighten up the sky:

All things bright & beautiful,
All creatures great and small
All things Bright & wonderful,
The Lord God made them all,

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them ev’ry one:

I shook my head as I listened to them. But, then I thought about them again: unfortunate, yet happy. Not in the city, yet living. Malnourished, yet radiant. Not in best schools, yet satisfied: is happiness not dependent on riches? On the contrary, Akin, in my latest dream belonged to comfortable parents in Lagos, handsome, healthy and brilliant; yet not very happy. He was instead, a roller coaster of emotions.

It took me about fifteen minutes’ walk to my school, and at the gateless entrance was an inscription. 'Abamote Grammar School. The home of Discipline.' I shook my head in pity again as I read.

"So, Fopefolu Memorial High School in all her glory was not real?"

Vikkie and Jide weren't real either. I also was never in Lagos, but the very remote Araromi town. It was all but a dream.

"What a story!" My wife exclaimed at the end of the narrative.

It was our wedding night and we had just arrived my flat from the reception. I had called her Ewatomi earlier that night, and she requested of me the reasons behind the new name. So, I told her the beautiful story. She looked perfectly like Ewatomi of my wildest teen dream. A cute young lady, she was; with a glowing chocolate skin, clear and penetrative eyeballs decorated with even brows.
After a few seconds of a romantic stare at me, my bride broke the silence.

"I would like to take a shower." She said, turned to me her back and instructed.

"Unzip."

I did unzip her heavy lace white wedding gown. She then pulled it off, then gave it to me with a frown and ducked lips. Clad in only the under pant and braziers, she walked in a model-sexy way towards my room, and at the entrance, she looked back at me over her shoulder and smiled.

"This is Ewatomi in all her naughtiness." I mused.

Some five minutes gone, I entered the bathroom and met her in the middle of a bubble bath. I touched her back gently and she shivered. At first, she was a bit shy to stand naked in my presence, but she soon was confident and we both enjoyed the tiny drops of water.
In the room, she stood looking me in the eyes with her breathing getting faster. She sure was nervous, expecting my next move. She was innocent. I moved closer and wrapped my hands gently round her nude figure and said, with my forehead touching hers.

"I'll be gentle."

The music was cool and the smell of rose petals filled the entire room. I swept Ewatomi off the floor to the bed, before planting a kiss on her lips and watched her snow-white lids deemed.

"First, you came in my dreams. And here, you are in my arms. Is this the circumstance you talked about in your final note?"

"What are you talking about?" She said with a smile, then bit her lips.

Well, I've always assured Ewatomi of my complete gentleness on our wedding night (our first sex), and I meant it. I kissed her forehead and her lips. I slowly kissed her neck and the back of her ears too. I finally concentrated on her lips for some two minutes, before moving down her oval shape boucing boobs. I took much time to caress those pretty balls of flesh and watched her moan and twist. About putting my gear between her legs, I noticed few drops of tears dripping out of her closed eyes.

"Please get the lube." She said in a low pitch.

I took a new strawberry lubricant from behind my bed and Ewatomi took it from me. She almost emptied the bottle on the mattress before few drops could rest on her vulva. Poor innocent bride. We did it anyway, amidst splashes of blood on my white boxers, and Ewatomi ended in my arms, sleeping like a baby that pretty night.

THE END.

©Ayeni Faith Damilola.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 9:05am On Sep 02, 2018

Episode 23

The night that preceded Ewatomi's departure, I had a bizarre nightmare. In my dream, I saw Valentina, my younger sister, and I playing the Ludo in the dead of a cold night; when all others have slept off. Suddenly, the clothes she had on turned white. She then stood up and made for the door. She opened it, and about to step out looked back at me and waved goodbye.

"You can't go out. It's late" I protested.

But, Valentina left and closed the door behind her. I quickly ran after her in the dark. But just when I was about holding her, she stopped and turned back, but her face became so strange and horrific that I was gripped by fear. She then started laughing so sarcastically that I had to block my ears, or it would burst. I managed to wake up from the nightmare, sweating profusely and my heart pounding.

“So, it was only a dream?" I muttered.

I remembered Ewatomi would be leaving that morning, and I had to see her one last time: maybe to say the two final good-good morning and goodbye. I remained in bed thinking of how to cope with her eventual departure until it was 5:30 and the alarm woke everyone up. I laid my bed as usual and watched the juniors tidy up our room.

Ewatomi's Dad would come for her very early that morning, as he would still be driving to Portharcourt that same day. I went to the bathroom to take my bath and by 6:30am I was out. On my way back to the room, I saw Ewatomi's Dad put her things into his car boot, and in a twinkle of an eye I saw her enter the car. She was leaving. I dropped the bucket in my hand and ran towards the car which had started moving. I ran so fast that I almost fell. I wanted to say bye-bye to Ewatomi. I wanted to say one last 'I love you,' but it seemed I wouldn't be able to meet up with the car which was almost at the gate, so I shouted with all my strength

"Ewatomi!"

But, she didn't seem to hear.

Few metres to the gate, I watched the car zoom off into the busy road. It was the end of our romance, the end of everything I cherished so well: maybe the end of happiness as well, or so I thought.

Someone tapped me from the back, and I turned to find Vikkie handing me a note. It read:

‘Please be happy even when I'm gone. If I live, I feel we'll definitely meet some day under a circumstance I do not know. Be nice to Victoria, She seems to have feelings for you. I love you Akin, I truly really do. Byeeee... Ewatomi.’

I was lost staring at the note in my hand, only to be woken up by a Car Blair. My Dad came out of his car in a black conductor. He walked closer to me and touched my naked shoulder.

"Akin, it's really so sad."

I looked at him, confused.

"Valentina is gone." He continued.

"Which Valentina? Where did she go?"

"On their way to an excursion yesterday morning, the school bus ran into a truck and all the students on board died."

"So?"

"Valentina was on board and died on the spot."

The shock was too much and the next minute, I sank into the ground and passed out.

Vikkie shouted my name and shook my body, but I was gone. My Father ran here and there in search of water. The students too were alarmed, and brought water to pour on me. Vikkie cried and shouted, but, I was not to wake up.

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Christianity Etc › Read Our Today's Sermon: Jesus May Not Come Soon by Africlegend(op): 8:33am On Sep 02, 2018

Our Today's Sermon: Jesus May Not Come Soon

My Dad would allow me make contributions during our morning devotions now and again; and today is one of such days. We've been dipping into the revelation for almost a week now and his emphasis and my mum's had been on the end time that we are now in. That Jesus will come soon: that the hot water we (Nigerians) now find ourselves in is a result of the world nearing its end.

I'm not recent to end time spiels anyway, I've heard a whole lot about the rapture since my childhood days. I'm also up on some typical christians, who would neither contest in an election, participate in any way nor vote. They see the world coming to an end right away, and would not be a part of governance, since only the reign of Jesus can guarantee peace, happiness and the good life we all crave. Maybe they are not wrong in toto.

So, when my Dad demanded that I said something on the verses of revelation we just read, it was an opportunity to shake the table; and good enough, a prophet family friend was with us in the devotion, so I spoke not only to my family members, also to a gentle man of the clergy. Jesus may not come so soon was the title I never gave my sermon, and it was almost a teary session for a people whose only cheer was the next-minute coming of Christ.

If Christ doesn't come in few years' time, what becomes of Nigerian Christians? If the world does not end very soon, what hope have Nigerians in general? Let me tell you more about the book of revelation here: John wrote it sometimes around 96 A.D. towards the terminus of Domitian's reign in Rome. It was written with a primary intent of comforting the christians, who were in the depths of a cruel persecution that saw the seer himself banished to the island of patmos, hence the tune-that the christians remained true to their faith amidst pains, with an assurance that the return of Christ, who would wipe their tears and avenge their torture, was at hand.

As expected of an oppressed and frustrated people whose only hope was in sharing the pleasures of Christ's Kingdom, and watching their oppressors given to judgement; the early christians, and the seer himself, seemed to have shared a fallacious expectation that Christ would return in their generation. It was a fantasy, a mistaken hope, as the Master whose return some must have expected the next day, and some others, few months after John's vision, is not back even in 2018.

It is on this first century hope that Nigerian christians, and Nigerians as a whole, dwell today, in the midst of diverse challenges- hunger, torture, killings, poverty, nepotism, intimidation, displacement; unemployment, embezzlement, marginalisation, abuse of rights and privileges, and every ill one can think of.The christians think Christ will soon come and deliver them from Bokoharam and herdsmen, so, they wouldn't raise a finger while few islamic extremists slain them in dozens, they watch themselves displaced, they watch their wives and children raped and some others abducted, they also watch their priests slaughtered and their churches burnt.

Nigerians watch their own leaders play games with power, they watch them brush off pre-election promises. Nigerians watch governments owe backlog of salaries and pensions. Nigerians watch their roads uncared for, they accept to pay a huge some of money for an epileptic electricity. Nigerians watch themselves packed like sardines in taxis, they accept an hike every now and then in petrol price. Nigerians watch their politicians pay themselves huge sums as salaries, allowances and security votes, they watch their leaders handle security issues with levity. Nigerians watch unemployment grow and education devalued, they also watch justice shortchanged.
Nigerians accept all these fruits of misrule as inevitable end time things.They expect that Jesus will come soon, and deliver them from their own leaders. They imagine God visiting their Governors and Senators with the ten plagues of Egypt and judging their leaders on the soon-to-come last day. But, what if the last day doesn't come next year? What if Jesus does not come in this century? What if rapture doesn't happen in another five hundred years? Then, this generation of Nigerians will endure till death, they will also pass a worse Country on to their children and many generations after them will continue to suffer.

When the earlier Christians finally woke up to reality, years were gone and innocent lives with them. They eventually came to knowledge anyway, and understood that Jesus might not come so soon. Also, that God would not do for man what he should do himself made sense to them, and they fought for themselves henceforth. They resisted the Muslim conquests of Christian lands of the Byzantine empire. They rose up to the hostile invasion of Christian Nations and persecutions by the Arab and Turks. It was a brave move, a war of resistance, that liberated the Eastern Christians and recovered the Holy Land from Muslim rule in the middle ages.

Therefore, Nigerian Christians need be ready to resist ruthlessly those who slaughter them in hundreds in the North-east, and not wait till the final day. They should be brave enough to defend themselves and be liberated once and for all from the cold fists of extremists under any guise. Nigerians as a whole need fight and demand from their leaders the good life that they deserve with an ultimatum. Freedom and liberation are two things worth dieing for, and by all means, a people must get it. Jesus may not come anytime soon, with the celestial soldiers that we imagine. Remember, there are still many flourishing countries in this supposedly end time, where citizens enjoy life to the fullest. It does not come without a price wrapped in blood, yet, if we want it, we'll surely get it.

Ayenj Faith Damilola is a writer, public speaker and eulogist.
faithdamilolaayeni@yahoo.com

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 7:34pm On Sep 01, 2018

Episode 22

I grew more found of Ewatomi. Our love blossomed and I did all I could to make her happy. I was to her a lover, friend and mother, and she was to me all that there could be. The teachers seemed aware of our relationship, but Ewatomi cared less, all she wanted was Akin and just me. My friends became jealous, but all that mattered was Ewatomi's smiles. The most challenging was Vikkie's sudden change. The distance between my school daughter and I widened by the day, and I felt like a part me was dead. She was hurt by the unequalled attention I was beginning to give my girlfriend, but she wouldn't tell it to my face. Instead, she would avoid me as much as possible. I made frantic efforts to let Vikkie understand that since her mother left, I was all that Ewatomi had and so needed every bit of my attention, but she wouldn't listen.

In all, I enjoyed every minute spent with Ewatomi. I cherished her love over anything else and couldn't imagine myself in her absence. But, just two weeks after her mother's funeral, an event that changed our story occurred.

On a fateful Monday night, Ewatomi sent me a note demanding that I remained in class when all others might have returned to the dormitories. It was not easy to do that as the housemasters were to ensure no one stayed back after the prep, but, I found a way to outsmart them thinking she needed me to console her again as the case usually was whenever the reality of her Mum's demise hunted her.

Some five minutes after night out, Ewatomi appeared where I was. Her breathing was noticeably faster and her voice came so weak and shaky.

"I'll be leaving" she said.

Confused, I asked: "leaving in what sense?"

"My Dad would be coming to take me away from you."

"How?"

"He has insisted that I live with her sister in Portharcourt. He would be travelling back to the US and he believes his sister would take good care of me in my Mum's absence."

My whole self was shattered to witness the last moments of our relationship so soon. How would the school look like in her absence? How boring would the class be when she's no longer on seat? How dark would the day be without her smiles? I saw my entire world turning upside down.

"How did you get to know this?" I asked.

"The Proprietress informed me this night." She replied.

Tears flowed undisturbed down my cheek while she watched. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, she moved closer and wiped my tears before taking some quick steps back to the girls hostel.

So, she wouldn't be throwing things at me in class anymore? She wouldn't be playing with my hair any longer. No more break period snacks together? No more jokes and crazy games together. No more I love you(s) and all the buzz. No more notes to reveal how much she cared.

A part of me felt ashamed of myself and another angry. Why on earth did I love a girl that much to be hurt this badly? Wasn't I supposed to have known that something as romantic as ours wouldn't last? Or is it that love just must fall apart? All Our dreams of a future together, gone?

I laid in my bed feeling so miserable through the night, and the next morning, I woke up to the painful reality of Ewatomi's imminent departure. She would be gone, maybe forever in another 24hrs.

The hurt came in waves. In the refectory, Ewatomi was not seated in my front smiling with her eyes that morning, and I couldn't go beyond the first bite of my bread, the appetite was not there, the food seemed toxic and the whole atmosphere so mundane.

In class, I saw Ewatomi seated like she had just lost a limb. She was in deep anguish, taking in the sights virtually nothing. She was frustrated, but, this time couldn't share her pains with me. Her visible pains added a whole lot to mine, so, I walked up to her.

"Ewatomi, you are not at fault here. This is only a product of circumstances."

"A product of circumstances indeed." She responded. "Just like in the late hours of Nov.15, 2001, when I watched my only brother succumb to chronic pneumonia in the hospital. He was four years older than me and was all I ever would wish for in a sibling. He loved me so well and would do anything to put smiles on my face. But, I helplessly watched him struggle in the cold hands of death. He gave up in my very presence, that night, when I was just fourteen. And my Mum, from whose mouth I got the very inspiration to toil and in whose eyes were my every reason to live yet another day. She was diagnosed with stage II skin cancer late in 2002. I watched her go through the rigors of chemotherapy during the holidays and would not stop praying. She told me everything was fine and personally brought me to school on resumption, telling me to read well for her sake. But, there she is today, gone and would never return. All love started with my Mum, but you sure didn't allow it end with her. You are my best friend and companion, my boyfriend turned mother, but now I'll be leaving you. I'll be leaving far away from my heart. You will not be there to say the very best 'sorry' when I cry. I'll leave you to yourself, in pains and anguish. All of these can't add up to mere circumstances. I'm sure so unfortunate I think I'm in this world to be sad forever. I'm meant to just be lonely."

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 7:29pm On Sep 01, 2018

Thanks so much skubido.

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 11:00am On Sep 01, 2018

Episode 21

"All she wanted to say is: Thank you all for gracing this occasion. I appreciate everyone here present, for the love you've shown and the support you've rendered since the time Moremi breathed her last. Let me appreciate the students and teachers of Fopefolu Memorial High School for the honour done one of their own. We are really indebted to all who thought it fit to pay their last respect to Omoremi. It's so painful but there's nothing we can do. And just like Ewatomi had sang, our trust is in Christ alone. We sure hope he would be by our side through this trying period. We wish you all a safe journey back home." Ewatomi's Dad concluded, wiping his weepy face.

The priest said the final blessing, and Mrs. Omoremi's body was finally committed to mother earth amidst tears.

From the day Ewatomi left, School, for me, became lifeless. The thought of her dominated my entire self. Many a time I saw her arrive in my dreams, only to find her seat still empty. I had to recourse fully to novels, to keep boredom off. But on Tuesday, five days after her Mum’s burial, I heard some junior girls exclaim happily around 5 o’clock in the evening.

"Senior Ewatomi!"

They were sure happy to see the innocent young lady again, the first time in about eight days. I quickly peeped through the window and saw Ewatomi entered the girls hostel.

Some minutes after, Ewatomi came into the class and found me. She smiled with her eyes and I was so refreshed. As much as I was, Ewatomi was happy to see her Akin. She walked to me in her usual model-sexy manner while my gaze remained ever fixed to her eyes. I wanted to know if she had got over the melancholy of her mum's sudden departure and I was thrilled to see her squeeze my hair and push my head slightly.

"I've missed this curly thing" she said.

"Not me, but my hair?" I replied all smiles.

"I can't believe you're jealous of your hair Akin" she returned.

Ewatomi then sat on my locker with her two hands kept in mine. I saw her glorious eye balls returned and my soul was blessed. She kept on staring at me for a few seconds and finally broke it:

"I've really so missed you."

"You are the reason I was all alone in this class. It hurts badly not to see you for days, and even novels couldn't help," I replied.

"I know, and I'm sorry." she responded. "It has really been difficult. One minute I'm at peace and the next I'm heart-wrenched. When I stumble into her room and find her bed, clothes and jewelries, but not her, my mind becomes so messed up. I feel unsettled on hearing her name, it really has been so dark. When it seems I'm getting over it, then something reminds me she would not be coming back and I feel like my life would not just go on..."

Her words welled up tears in my eyes, but when I saw her eyes turned red too, I quickly interrupted.

"Don't tell me you want to start crying again."

"You started it.” She teased, wiped her tears, and we both smiled. “I always do want to cry, but I'm sure you won't let me anymore. Will you?" She continued. "I feel lifted, I feel inspired, I feel a level of comfort. I feel just like Ewatomi again on remembering you're still there even in my Mum's absence. “She said, dangling her leg.

Then, she looked into my eyes and rubbed my right palm with a sexy feel.

"Akin, you will be adding the role of a mother to that of a boyfriend."

"Nothing is too much for Ewatomi." I replied.

And for real, our love became so palpable henceforth. Ewatomi would tell me anything and everything about herself. I became the one to be informed, should menstrual pain show up. She would send me a note, at the slightest fever. On the field, when I play football, you can bet she would be close-by. Find me at the table tennis court and she would either be my opponent or just sit there watching and laughing at me. When the urge to cry and mourn her mum returned, she knew what to do; invite me over and let the teardrops talk. I would then look her in the face and say an affectionate 'sorry'.

At the stream, she would wash my clothes and hers while I carry her water and mine back to school. In the class too, she would give me a long stare, before answering a question; and in the refectory, she would eat just in front of me. She would send me her clothes for ironing during the weekend and inspect my dressing in school days. Sometimes, she would comb my hair during the break in the public glare. She seemed not to care what anyone would say as long as she got my undivided attention. We would play funny, like kids. She would chase me around the compound after school, and at another time we would be alone on the play field, talking; sometimes discussing what our future home and kids would look like and at another time, playing the Truth or Dare.

One day in class, it was a free period and everyone was just moving here and there. Suddenly, I felt something thrown at me. On opening the paper, I read: 'Let's play the Silly Stories.' Only Ewatomi could have done that, but when I looked at her direction, she ducked her lips and frowned. It was so funny.
'Ok.' I wrote on a small sheet of paper, folded and threw it back at her, and that way, the game began.

'Once upon a time, in a place called Boo-Boo land...' She first wrote.

'There lived an handsome guy called Doo-dum...,' I threw back.

'And an ugly girl called Kla-la...' She wrote again

'There were no mirrors in those days, so Kla-la really might not know what she looked like...' I also replied.

'There really were no mirrors but the waters revealed the looks of men...'

'It was such a terrible time, when beauty and ugliness meant just the same thing...'

'Hmmm...Then, Kla-la fell in love with Doo-dum...'

"Theirs was a perfect love story...'

'Until Doo-dum jilted Kla-la...'

'It was indeed so sad...'

'That Kla-la took her own life as a result...'

'Instead of just moving on...'

'You know, he was all that she had...'

The game went on until it was interrupted by the final bell.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 10:30am On Sep 01, 2018

I do appreciate all of your comments. Thanks so much.

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 3:25pm On Aug 31, 2018*

Episode 20

When everyone had left, I walked gently to her, sat on her locker and spoke to her.

"Ewatomi, what do you want me to do?"

She raised her head to look into my eyes, and the tears gulped out again.

"My mum is no more." She replied.

"I do understand." I talked back.

She broke out again, but this time in a lower pitch.

"If it was my Mum, what would you have said to me?" I continued, and the cry subsided. She also wiped her running nose with the back of her left palm. "You would have told me to stop crying. You would have told me to remember how much you love me. You would have wiped my tears and promise to always be there. The same way, I want to plead with you. You can't mourn your Mum enough. You will never miss her enough too. She's left a void no one can fill, but I can assure you we are into this together. We would grief and mourn her not only today, but always. We would grief her demise tomorrow and for years to come, but just stop for now, please. Give these tears a break for now."

I then wiped her tears with my thumbs while some of our classmates looked on. After the tears had stopped flowing, I remained with her, without saying a word, till the final bell rang. After school hours, she was taken to the proprietress' apartment, where she passed the night.

The next morning, it was another news. She had been taken home. The Proprietress entered our class around 10am for a few minutes’ briefing.

"Ewatomi left earlier, this morning. Her Dad came for her on the grounds that her deceased mummy's family members demanded to see her at all cost. I really want to appreciate the love and kindness you showed her yesterday. No one is immune to grief and heartbreak, no one is exempted from few days of sorrow and pains. Life is not a bed of roses.'' She said and left.

I heard some girls discuss how Ewatomi had cried all night and slept not a minute. She was also reported to have refused food. Oh death, what have you done to my girl? I missed her so much, it sucked.

Fifteen minutes before ten on Friday morning, we arrived St Rita Catholic Church, Ikeja; venue of the burial mass, in our school uniform. In our crew was the head boy and girl, all SSS2A students, two teachers and the Proprietress, who had been a friend of the family. We occupied some side rows of pews in the nave, expecting the arrival of the corpse and the commencement of the requiem.
The Church's interior was a bit unfamiliar. Each row of pews had a kneeler. On the wall were framed pictures of Jesus' passion. A beautifully designed sanctuary in front was separated from the nave by a rail, and in its center was an alter at the back of which hung a big statue of the crucified Christ. At exactly ten o'clock, the corpse was brought in and the mass commenced. Ewatomi in a black sun shade followed her Mum's corpse hand held by her Dad.

The music was so touching, so inspiring and attractive; from it was derived the solemnity of the whole event. Before the funeral was brought to a close, the priest invited the only surviving child of the deceased to say one or two things, and Ewatomi walked to the front and stood beside her mother's lifeless body. She was handed the microphone and from her sonorous voice came the lyrics of Natalie Grants's song. Accompanied with the percussion, she sang:

'In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand'

At the end of the first verse, tears had started dripping down from her shade.

'No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand...'

Almost overpowered by grief, but she struggled through the last verse,

'I will stand. I will stand... all other ground is sinking..
sand All other ground,
all other ground Is sinking... sand, is sinking sand...'

She eventually broke out in tears and leaned on her mum's brown casket. Tears ran down my cheek as I watched. Her mum's siblings also started weeping, but Ewatomi's Dad rushed to her daughter and hugged her so tightly. He then took the microphone and addressed the congregation.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 5:58am On Aug 28, 2018

Episode 19

The following Monday morning was blue. The sun deemed its scorching radiance and the cloud gathered, leaving a completely gloomy atmosphere. At about 9am, Ewatomi was summoned to the Principal's office. His American based, business man Dad was around and she was visibly happy to hear the news of his arrival. But, some five minutes later, she ran back into the classroom. She placed her head on her locker and let out a bitter cry.

"Ewatomi, is anything wrong?" The mathematics teacher asked.

No response, but a higher pitch wail that suggested genuine pain, sadness and agony. The teacher hurried to her sit and managed to race her head up. She was a different Ewatomi. The snow white eye balls were bloodshot, and from them rolled out tears. Her pretty face erupted fumes, and from her nostrils, a colorless fluid deprived of attention.

"My Mu…ummy ooo!" She exclaimed with a stuttering breathe.

Ewatomi's Mum was gone! A salty fluid sipped into my mouth as I watched the prettiest girl in Fopefolu mourn.

"It's such a wicked world."

Her Dad entered the Classroom and walked towards her weeping daughter. He was a tall man with splotches of grey bears, in his early fifties. His dark hair also had some splotches of greyness. A stripped brown polo did justice to a glowing fair skin, and on his neck hung a spectacle. He was a good looking man with a meek demeanor. He lifted her daughter up and wrapped his hands around her head, which he had earlier placed on his chest.

"Ewatomi Aduke, your mum is gone for good, and there's nothing we can do about it. Life could be so unpredictable my darling. We are mere mortals, fools, and no not what tomorrow brings. God gives, and he takes away. It's so painful, but let's take it as our own fate. You'll be fine, I promise you'll be fine."

Ewatomi had soaked his Dad's shirt in tears. She squeezed the shirt and cried miserably.

"But she told me she was getting better. She said she was responding well and would soon get over cancer. Why this now? Daddy! Where is my Mum?"

She then left her Dad, and the next minute, was on the floor rolling and weeping. It was a pathetic scene, so tragic.

Her Dad quickly wiped the tears forming in his own eyes and attempted to lift her daughter from the ground, but he was soon overpowered by grief. He allowed the tears a free flow as he bent towards her dejected daughter. About five teachers had gathered in our class and Mr. Vincent quickly lifted Ewatomi. She was led to the Proprietress’ office and her Dad followed.
The class became noisy as everyone had one or two things to say to another. On my sit, I remained, filled with grief, guilt and anger. I couldn't help the girl I love than life itself? I couldn't stop her mother's death and could not even lift her up when she rolled on the floor? I couldn't wrap my hands around her head and console her while she cried, lest our love become public knowledge and I would have to answer questions? So painful.
I longed to see her and say sorry, at least, before she would be taken home. But, about an hour later, the proprietress found her way into our class.

"You all know what had happened to one of you. She would have followed his Dad home, but I sensed he would be too busy to be around her always. He'll need put things together for the burial which has been stated for Friday this week. So, I requested that Ewatomi remained in school, where you all would be around to console and keep her company. Her Mum was a very nice and charming woman, she would definitely miss her so much. Please do well to make your friend feel good.” She said and left.
After a couple of hours, the Proprietress brought Ewatomi back to class, sat her down and mused some few words into her ears before leaving.

Ewatomi sat down with her eyes fixed to one direction while our classmates went in groups to say sorry, to which she never responded.
The next minute, she sat quietly, facing the unengaged board in teardrops. It sucked to see her that depressed and empty. I watched her scream silently, trying so hard to not to call the attention of consolers. I saw her clench her fists, struggling between a tortured hope and despondency. She wiped her tears a number of times only to find it rushing out in torrents again. Then, she covered her mouth with her right hand, but her cry found its way into her ears still, so, she jumped up and screamed so loudly again. Everyone rushed to her place, students and teachers alike.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 7:03pm On Aug 27, 2018

Episode 18

On Thursday, the second periodic Test was finally brought to an end in the afternoon, some forty five minutes before the school would close for the day. The class was a bit noisy as everyone was either here or there talking. Ewatomi remained on her seat reading a novel, and from there she often caught my gaze. Few minutes into the free period, the class rep. came in with English language test notes. We wrote the test on Wednesday and the results were ready. Everyone flocked around him, eager to get his/her note and check the score. On seeing hers, Ewatomi sent me a long stare and smiled. She then got up and walked up to me. I only smiled as she approached, knowing she must have got a good score she wanted to show me. She placed her test note on my locker and said:

"Your Ewatomi scored 90%."

"What did you do with the remaining 10%?" I questioned.

"Seriously?" She screamed. "Let me see your own score."

I quickly picked up my test note from the locker before she could pick it up. She wanted it so badly that she tried to seize it, but I swiftly put the book in my left hand. I kept on changing it from one hand to another and her persistent effort was in vain. I laughed as I watched her try, and finally she pleaded.

"Akin please..."

And I handed her the note.

"Wow! 98%?" She initially exclaimed. "Where is the remaining 2%?" She then asked.

I let out a teasing smile and the final bell rang.

"I love you." She whispered, and left for her hostel.

I watched her model-sexy steps out of the class and mused.

"She's really fun."

In the night class, there was not much serious reading. The second periodic test just ended, so, even before 9:00pm, the prep class was already noisy. Vikkie sat beside me in an oversized brown hoodie, a bit chilly. At every word I uttered, she would laugh. The weather was cold and the junior students had dosed off while the senior ones had left for other classes to chat with friends. Ewatomi entered my class through the exit and came to my place looking a bit dull.

"Akin, my head aches and I'm cold."

"Oh! Sorry."

"Thanks." She replied with her two hands on her face.

"Would you like to see the health mistress for some drugs?"

"No." She cut in with a frown, sticking out her lower lip.

Her body language suggested that all she wanted was to sit beside me that cold night, so I asked:

"Would you sit?"

And she nodded in approval. I quickly drew a chair and locker very close to mine, but, Ewatomi would not move an inch until I held her right hand, after which she sat catching every gaze of mine.

Each time I went into a conversation with Vikkie, Ewatomi would stroke her pen dejectedly, with her eyes focused on the locker in silence.

"I need see my friend." Vikkie said, and left the class living my girlfriend and me behind.

After some seconds of silence, I turned to Ewatomi who was fidgeting with her hear ring and asked.

"Are you jealous of my school daughter?"

"Akin, I...I don't know." She uttered with a broken voice.

"No one will take your Akin away. We are getting married remember?" I soothed, and she giggled, bit her lips then looked me in the eyes and said with a lower pitch:

"I know. Just that it hurts to see another girl share your attention." She continued, lowering her eye lids shyly. "I just want to be around you every minute these days."

"On my part, it's quite difficult to express what I feel. I never knew love was this beautiful. I love you Ewatomi, with all my heart." I replied, maintaining the intense high contact we shared.
The distance between our lips closed, but I ended up planting the kiss on her forehead. I then took my right hand from her warm palm to tickle her armpit playfully.

"Akin...Aki...n...Stop...Stop...Please...Akin...stop." She said, as she giggled uncontrollably loud.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 6:35am On Aug 21, 2018

Episode 17

I stood on my feet and sat back feeling a mixture of warmth and excitement. I held her palms, they felt cozy and warm. Ewatomi then sat on my locker, facing me, with her hands still in mine.

"Are you happy?" She asked.

"I…I am."

"You will teach me how to Love you and still make 'A(s)?" She asked again, looking into my eyes.

"We'll do it together. We'll have 'A(s)." I responded.

"Ok."

On another Monday morning, the first Lesson was English as usual. Mr. V entered our class to teach the day's topic. 'Comprehension,' he wrote on the white board and commenced the teaching.

"Good morning sir." Ewatomi greeted, some thirty minutes into the lesson.

"You again?"

"Sir, the Proprietress sent for me. She had a message from my Dad."

"Anyways, you know the rule. Are you ready?"

"Alright sir."

"Good."

"What figure of speech is the above and how will you interprete it?"

"It is a metaphor sir."

"Correct! And the Interpretation?"

"Akin is a pig?" Ewatomi asked again.

"Yes. Akin is a Pig." The teacher replied, catching my gaze.

Ewatomi covered her mouth with her left palm and said:

"Akin is a dirty boy."

"I couldn't hear you. Could you hear what she said?" He asked the class and we chorused "NO!"

"Akin is a dirty boy." Ewatomi said louder, all smiles, and everyone laughed.

"Yes. You may have your seat."

"Thank you sir." She said and left for her seat.

The teacher continued: "But, is Akin really a dirty boy?"

The class again answered "No!"

"In that case," the teacher lectured on. "In light of Akin's well-known neatness, under what figure of speech can we explain ‘Akin is a dirty boy’?"

A lady raised her hand up.

"Let's hear from you Mariam."

"Irony." Answered Mariam.

"Irony! A round of applause for her please."

We all clapped.

"Do not forget these things." The English teacher concluded and left.

During the break time, Ewatomi came to my side of the class, handed me a sausage roll and sat on my locker, facing me.

"Akin." She called excitedly, and kept on. "I dreamt of you all night."

"Will you tell me about it?" I requested, biting my snack.

"Yes. It was a wedding."

"A wedding?"

"Yes. You were the groom and I, your bride." She continued. "I saw the engagement and the Church service. But, at the reception, the host seemed taking much time and you were so much in a hurry that you approached and requested that he rounded up. When you returned to the well decorated seat we both shared, I asked for the reason you were so much in a hurry and you responded that...that, you couldn't wait to knock me up. When you said that, the shy me pinched you, you returned with a kiss on my cheek and we both smiled."

She stopped, hit me lightly on the shoulder and said:

"You are paying too much attention."

I smiled and bit my sausage again. We were both silent for almost a minute, during which she kept a flirting stare at me.

"You won't tell me more about the dream?" I asked.

"You love it right?"

"Yes." I answered.

"Do you wish to get married to me?"

"That's my greatest desire."

"OK." She said with a nod and continued. "Promise me we won't have sex before our wedding night." She requested, flaring her nostrils.

"I promise ma." I replied. "Tell me more about the dream."

"Ok." She said, and talked on. "So, after the wedding we got to your beautiful flat. We prayed and I told you I would like a shower, then left for the bathroom. It was a very decent room, with a free standing bathtub, a floor-to-ceiling mirror, skylights, and some framed modern prints on the wall, a flower pot and a greenery..."

"You mean my bathroom was that beautiful?"

She smiled and continued.

"I only just stripped myself when you entered and met me in the middle of a bubble bath. At first, I was shy of being naked in your presence, but I soon got over it and we both relaxed in the water. When we left the bathroom, my heart skipped a bit, knowing too well that you would want the sex you've so much dreamt of, and, you know, I'd never experienced it. You wrapped your hands around my unclad body, planted a kiss on my cold lips and promised to be gentle with me. You then swept me off the ground, placed me gently on the bed and..."

"Good afternoon class." The Geography teacher greeted.

The break was over and it was time for the first afternoon lesson that beautiful Monday.

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 6:01am On Aug 21, 2018

IAmkingoludav:
Oya na

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 5:59am On Aug 21, 2018

bigbauer:
interesting and captivating story you've got here.

Thanks bigbauer. U wlcm to my high school.

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 5:51am On Aug 20, 2018

skubido:
I gat here finally,,
OP nice work.. Jah bless

skubido, u welcome to my high school.

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 5:50am On Aug 20, 2018*

Episode 16

On Sunday evening, My Dad drove through the streets of a not-too-busy Lagos to Fopefolu Memorial High School, but a few minutes to the school gate, the exhilaration was fast turning to anxiety, or a mixture of joy and fear: what will I say to Ewatomi?

My Dad drove past the girls hostel and stopped in front of the Masters quarters.

"Akin, are you fine now?" Said a smiling Mr. John. "Good evening sir." He greeted my Dad.

"Good evening Mr. John. Yes, he's fine now, in fact, he wanted to return on Friday, but I insisted he took some more days off, health comes first, you know?"

"You are right sir." the master returned, smiling and rubbing his palms until Dad handed him some naira notes.

"Thank you sir." The visibly excited Mr. John bent to appreciate, then put his hand around my neck.

"Let me drop him off at the dormitory. I'll then leave, before it gets late."

"Alright sir. See you Akin." The Master responded, and my Dad drove to the boy's hostel.

To some of my friends who came around on sighting My Dad's black V. Boot, he also handed some money.

When he had left, I dropped my things in the room and headed straight to the classroom. The whole place was empty and silent. I arranged my books back in the locker and went on the lookout for a girl I would send to the girls hostel: I just wanted to see Ewatomi.

"Princess, please come." I called a girl on her way to the girls hostel.

Princess was a pretty JSS2 daughter of the king of Shagamu.

"Senior Akin, you called me."

"Yes. Please tell Ewatomi that I need burrow her Chemistry note."

"Alright." She said, and left.

Back in class, Vikkie emerged.

"Akin!" She called, and walked to my seat wearing a frown.

"Did anyone hurt my daughter?" I asked.
"It’s just that I missed you so much." She replied.

"I'm sorry. I really did miss you too."

Vikkie moved closer and felt my temperature.

"You are fine now?"

"I think I am."

"So, how was home, Mum and Dad?"

"All was fine."

"Did you tell them about me?"

"I sure did tell them I had a naughty daughter with a rat teeth back in school, who must have missed me so badly."

"You are not serious, are you?" Asked Vikkie, all smiles

"You can see I am."

Minutes into our buzz, Ewatomi walked in. We shared an eye contact and she looked down, but when I caught her gaze again, it was an intense eye contact which lasted till Vikkie interrupted.

"Senior Ewatomi." She greeted and the latter greeted back.

"Hi Victoria."

She went to her locker, pulled out her Chemistry note book and brought it to me.

"This is the note Akin. You've missed not a lot." She noted.

"I'll help write the ones you missed." Said Vikkie, who took the notes and stood to leave. "See you in the Prep School father."

"See you Vikkie. Thanks so much."

The classroom was a grave yard for the two minutes that followed Vikkie's exit. Ewatomi stood by my locker rubbing her finger on its flat surface while I seeked the many breathes I've lost.

"Ewatomi. How are you today?" I broke the silence.

She raised her eyes brow a bit to look me in the eyes, exposing some snow white eye lids.

"I'm fine." And with a faint voice, she continued. "Did you get my note?"

"I did."

"I'm so sorry." She returned with a bit shaky voice.

"You don't need be sorry. I'm the one that should say sorry here."

"But I made you go through pains." She replied.

"You need not worry, I really do understand now."

"OK." She said, and bit her lips.

"Ewatomi, can I call you my love now?"

"Yes." She replied with a nod, her gaze directed at my chest while her nostrils flared nicely.

"I love you." I said with teardrops in my eyes.

Why was I weepy? Her innocent beauty was a bit too much to cope with, I guess.

"I love you too." Ewatomi replied, lowering her eye brows shyly.

"I can't believe this is happening."

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 9:15pm On Aug 19, 2018

Episode
15

Home was so boring as a result of Valentina's absence. She was the life of my parents' house, but was far away in Matter Christi Girls School.

My response to treatment was fine, and I had felt much better on Friday, the third day at home. My Mum and Dad had left for work, but Mum would return home at intervals to check on me. Around 10:am, I decided to read through my Chemistry note in preparation for the second periodic test which was to commence in five days' time. So, in my room, I fetched my school bag and searched the inside for the note. In the course of that, I came across a strange sheet of paper and I decided to unfold and check if it contained any valuable information. But, it turned out to be a note written with a not too familiar beautiful handwriting. It read:

Akinwunmi, I don't know how to say sorry to you. In the first place, I never expected that the Principal would read your letter in the public glare. All I needed him do was to stop you from pestering me any further. I love you Akin. I had loved you from the first day. The day you first set your feet on the soil of Fopefolu Memorial High School. The feelings came rushing through my veins and I needed no one to tell me it was Love. But, I was afraid. I was afraid of anything capable of drifting me away from academic excellence. I must let you know I'm the only surviving daughter of my Mum and all she ever requested of me is excellence in my studies. So, I never wanted to fall in love with nothing but my books. Still, it kept growing. Akin, your love kept growing in my heart. I thought the threat of reporting you to the authority would keep you off but you pressed on. I wanted the Principal to help me scare the feeling out of you, but he ended up doing something else. I'm really so sorry. Please get well fast and come to class. I really want to see your curly hair again. But, you'll need teach me how your love will not alter my academics. Please come and tell me how to Love you and still make my Mum happy. Come now Akin, come! I truly really do love you. Ewatomi.

Tears welled up in my eyes while I read, but I choked it off. I checked the name again, it was Ewatomi: how can this be true?

"I'll go back to school this evening." I said, hopping up and down the house.

It was too good a news and I couldn't rest till my parents returned from work. I had packed all my things-beverages, drugs and books; and on my Mum's return, I informed her of my plans.

"Mummy, I need go back to school this evening."

"This evening?" She pressed.

"Yes Mum. I'm Ok now and moreover, our second periodic test comes up next week, and I need update my notes and read."

"Well, you have a point there." She said, feeling my temperature with the back of her right palm placed on my forehead. "Your temperature seems normal now, but, I'll advice that you wait till Monday, health is wealth. Besides, you wouldn't take your drugs should you step out of this house."

"I will take care of myself Mum, please."

"Tell your Dad when he comes." She said and entered her room.

My Dad came back some minutes after 4pm. When he had changed to his casuals of a black baggie knicker and a blue polo shirt, he sat down relaxing in the sitting room. I quickly informed him of my plans.

"Dad, I'll go back to school this evening."

"Says who?" He responded with eyes fixed to the pages of Daily times.

"Their second periodic test comes up next week and he would like to update his notes and prepare." My mum spoke, coming out of her room.

"Well, this is the best I can do. I'll take you back to school on Sunday evening. You’ll do whatever you can between then and Wednesday."

"But Dad...” I wanted to protest.

"I've made myself clear." He interrupted.

Those two days were the longest in my life: a whopping 50hours before setting my eyes on my love.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 10:06am On Aug 19, 2018

Episode 14

The next day-Tuesday, I woke up feeling so feverish. My head ached so badly, and the entire bonk knew no peace as I shivered. Few minutes later, one of the house masters stood beside my bonk feeling my temperature with the back of his palm.

"Your body feels so hot Akin. What is wrong with you?"

"My head aches and I'm chilly." I replied.

"Alright, I'll get the School nurse." He promised and left.

I remained in bed till around 8 o'clock in the morning when the fair, young female Nurse in her early twenties emerged and used a thermometer on me.

"Please get him some food and he'll take these drugs." She told the house masters present.

A plate of rice with egg was brought in, and I sat to eat, after which I swallowed two tablets each of Chloroquine and paracetamol.

"You will be fine Akin. Make sure you relax and take your drugs in the afternoon and night as prescribed." The Nurse said.

I felt a bit relieved in the afternoon, but, I soon was gripped by fear again. Remembering the words of the Principal, I imagined how my Dad would react to the news of his Son writing a love letter in school.

"He'll just kill me."

On the next day, the sickness grew worse and I was unable to take drugs as I had vomited every food I'd eaten. The house master called my Dad's office line and he promised to be in the school to take me home for proper treatment. The housemaster also assisted in packing my things and I was to await my Dad's arrival in the Principal's office.

The office was an air conditioned room, and the floor covered with a reddish brown rug. The principal sat on a well cushioned office chair and before him was a large executive desk on which different types of books were neatly arranged.

My Dad's arrival would be a tragedy, or so I thought, as it would be an opportunity for the Principal to burst the bubble.

"Akin. I'm so sure nothing is wrong with you. You are only suffering from the fruits of your own evil. Yours is a sickness of the mind. Why divert your energy towards the unprofitable at this age? Love should not be your problem now. Face your studies first and when the time comes, no one will tell you."

"I'm sorry sir."

"Well, I've forgiven you. I've also decided not to inform your Dad anymore." He continued, and sipped his fuming coffee. “But, promise me that nonsense will not repeat itself."

"It won't sir." I quickly replied, feeling like I'd just been acquitted of murder.

"Make sure you read your books at home as your second periodic test starts next week Wednesday."

"I will sir."

"Alright." The principal concluded.

"Sir, I'll like to get some of my books from the class before Daddy comes."

"That's alright." The principal replied.

In class, while I searched my locker, Vikkie bagged in, but was shocked to meet a teacher who asked what she was looking for.

"I'm sorry sir. I didn't know a teacher was in class. I want to see Akin... sorry, senior Akin."

"You may wait for him outside." The physics teacher returned.

Outside, I met Vikkie who was impatiently waiting.

"There's a teacher in our class Akin. I learnt you would be going home today for treatment and I felt I must see you."

"Yes Vikkie. But, I'll be back in few days."

"I'll miss you." She said with a tightened throat.

"I will too."

"Take care of yourself." She said, waved goodbye and ran back to her class.

But, before I could get to the Principal's office, Vikkie called again and ran to catch up with me.

"Akin, why not try someone who really loves you?" She said gasping.

"Not anymore Vikkie. I really don't want to have anything doing with love."

"Bye bye school Father." She finished, and left.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 7:44pm On Aug 18, 2018

Yemike:
I still don't believe the letter is Akin's.

Yemike, lemme welcome u 2 my high school.

Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 6:07am On Aug 18, 2018

Episode 13

He made for the hostel singing, and I followed gently behind him brainstorming the Magic wand my friend would employ. In the Night class that Saturday, after two hours of unsuccessful study, I went to Jide's class to get the hang of his magic wand. I narrated my series of attempt at getting Ewatomi, and the resultant threat that finally kept me off and Jide advised that I write her a letter.

"A letter?" I asked.

"Yes, every girl will do just what she did at the start."

"What if she takes it to the authority?"

"Who does that? Ewatomi loves you Akin. It is boldly written all over her and the threat could just be a test. She wanted to test your courage." Jide lectured.

"A test?"

"Yes. Anyways, you are still a small boy and might not get the antiques of a girl as intelligent as Anansewa, your bride."

"Don't go there now."

"Just do what I said and you would thank me."

"Well. But, I'm afraid."

Back in my class, I met Vikkie seated on my chair, flipping the pages of my Chemistry text book. What took you so long? I thought you were out to ease yourself." She questioned.

"I was in Jide's class."

"Oh! Alright. Akin, you didn't even bother to write your name on any of your text books here. What if they get stolen?"

"I can see you've done that for me. That's one of the goodies of having a nice daughter."

"See your mouth like nice school daughter. Naughty School Father." She said and pinched me.

"Vikkie, Jide said I need write Ewatomi a letter."

"That seems nice actually." She responded.

"Don't you think she might end up taking it to the authority?"

"I trust she wouldn't do that."

"Are you so sure?"

"She really won't. But, do you even know how to write a love letter, or you need me put you through?" She teased.

"You've started again with this your rat teeth."

"I won't reveal what your own teeth looks like tonight. I'll free you just because of Senior Ewatomi."

"Naughty girl. You call every other classmate of mine senior, but not me."

"Don't even go there." She returned, all smiles.

Few minutes into our buzz, the bell rang and the prep was over.

On Sunday evening, at about 5:00pm, I sneaked the very first love Letter I'd written all my life into Ewatomi's locker and returned to the dormitory. The next day was a Monday, a very bright sunny day. The Principal who was present at the devotion in his well-known brown conductor stepped forward for his address.

"Good morning students." He greeted.

And we all responded "Good morning sir."

"It has come to my notice that some of you really do not know the reason you are in school. If I may ask, why are you in this school?"

The assembly was grave silent.

"I said, why are you in Fopefolu Memorial High School?" He roared before the head boy answered.

"To study."

"To study you said? It is really disappointing to learn that some of you are bent on wasting your parent’s hard earned resources. You channel your energy towards the wrong things. There's time for everything, the elders would say. But, you would not listen. When a boy wakes up early in life and places a girl in an important place in his heart, he'll never be important. The same thing goes for the girls. The last time, the sweepers brought nylons of used condoms found in one of the classes to me. Who used them? Some of you. You are busy destroying your lives while your parents work so hard..."

The principal paused, adjusted his spectacle and continued.

"You seem to need a scape goat to be wise and I’ve got you one. Please listen to the content of a letter written by one of you."

At the last sentence, my heart skipped. The principal brought out a letter and read:

To my dearest... I've never felt it this real. This is Love sweeping me off. I love the brightness of your skin, the darkness of your blonde, and the whiteness of your teeth. The fragrance in your breathe reminds of the beauty of the first garden. The very garden of love and life, where the warmth of passion was first felt. I've read Solomon's song so well. I read so many poems of love too, written by the old wise kings. All the writers did so well was to describe just you. So the language of love is one, so their description of beauty is real. They described, but I can see. I can see an angel, a perfect figure of a girl. I am this minute a victim. A victim of genuine feelings. A victim of your smile and intelligence, and I can't just let go. I can't stop thinking about you. I love you so well... that my life is a wretch without you. Sincerely...

I will not reveal the writer's identity, but, I can assure you he will regret ever attempting this nonsense. His parents will be invited and he sure will dance to the music as soon as the disciplinary committee decides on the measures. You may go into your classes." The Principal finished.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 6:22am On Aug 17, 2018

Episode 12

On the Eve of The Schools Festival, a twinge of excitement filled my whole body as I anticipated the event of the next day with robust imaginations. I couldn't wait to be in the City hall, in the midst of students from different quarters. Those to grace the occasion from my school were the senior students and some few brilliant chaps from junior classes. The school closed earlier than usual to give the attendees enough time to prepare, and in the dormitory, everyone was either ironing clothes or washing socks and sanders in preparation. In the night, the flashes of anticipation could not be suppressed as I laid on my bed rolling.

"How would it feel like to act in the public glare, entertaining the Governor and other big guests?"

It is yet surprising that I eventually slept despite the very warm feelings of excitement that sipped into my fragile mind. I imagined the frenzy of holding Ewatomi so close to myself, fully wrapped with emotions, under the flashes of camera and the coldness of stage lights. It was really a beautiful day ahead!

Waking up to the call of an alarm by 5:30 in the morning, my defenseless mind swarmed with chaotic exhilaration. The deal day had arrived. By 9am, the school bus moved and we clapped and sang as we journeyed towards the city hall, a historical architecture located in the Catholic mission street, Lagos Island.

"These young ones are the very future of this state. The treasures of our great nation whose future we must work hard to secure. I have never been a part of this beautiful event-The Schools Festival before now, and I must say a big thank you to those who extended this year's invitation to the state house. This is the best entertainment I've seen in recent years, every single activity was really entertaining. The student of St Louis danced so well. Most especially, I want to commend Fopefolu Memorial High School for an emotion triggering play. I must confess to being weepy as Anansewa woke up from the dead to embrace his dejected lover so warmly.
It looked so real and I'm proud of the young vibrant actor and actress. They showed us, perfectly, the joy in the triumph of love. My Government would continue to give necessary support to the private schools in Lagos State. Long live Lagos state, long live Nigeria. Thank you."

Those were the words of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu at the close of The Schools Festival 2003.

My feelings for Ewatomi grew after the event. The sweet fragrance in her breathe and the softness of her skin left me with much to think about. She was a perfect girl, an angel.

The next Saturday, in the afternoon, I decided to pour out my feelings to Jide, hoping that he would be of help.

"Jide, I really need see you." I informed a profusely sweating Jide after a competitive session in the sports room. It had been minutes at the table tennis court between the two of us alone.

"Hope it's not to make fun of me?" He replied.

"Make fun of you for what?"

"For winning against me in the game."

"Oh! I've always trashed you. You are my boy remember?" I joked.

"I'll show you my true color the next time." He concluded.

"Let's wait and see."

I moved closer to him on his side of the table and got into detail:

"I really do love Ewatomi, but don't know what to do. I've tried to pour out to her but she seemed far away."

"So, you can talk to me about Ewatomi. I thought you were so sure of yourself that you thought it not fit to inform your, so called, best friend. Why not go tell your Vikkie, or can't she help?"

"But, I'm sorry. Are you still Jealous of Vikkie?"

"Anyway, now that you've come back home to your Dad, I'll surely help you get her."

"But, how?"

"Do you now accept that I'm your Dad when it comes to girls?"

"Jide, this is no time for Jokes."

"Have you accepted that I'm your Dad and boss?"

"Anyhow." I submitted.

"Good boy. Now, let's go get Ewatomi."

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 10:20am On Aug 16, 2018

Episode 11

It was a Monday morning, everyone in the hostel hurried to do the necessaries and got set for School. So many boys were in the bathroom at once, struggling for space. Harmattan was already taken its toll, and I wished I was still under a blanket.

"How I'm I supposed to pour this very cold thing on my body? No place like home." I mused, looking at my water-filled bucket.

Back home, Mum would have boiled water for Valentina and me to bath with. I laid my bed and made my junior roommates tidy up the room before heading towards the bathroom with a bucket of water and a pasted toothbrush in my mouth. The bathroom which could house twenty students at a time was a roofless but well plastered structure attached to the rear end of the boys hostel. It was hurriedly put in place when the original state-of-the-art bathroom could no longer be put to use due to water insufficiency.

In the refectory, a hot Tea, and bread was served; it was a perfect match for the frosting weather. We all ate, everyone in his/her blue sweater before heading for the morning devotion which lasted just few minutes. Like every other Monday, English was our first lesson and Mr. V. was at it in time.

"Good morning sir." Ewatomi greeted the comic but bizarrely brilliant English teacher.

"How are you?" Mr. V. Responded with a British assent that left the class laughing.
Ewatomi made for her sit, but the teacher cautioned.

"Stop there." He ordered, and the class laughed again.

"Why did you come late to my class?"

"The proprietress sent for me immediately after the devotion."

"Oh! I see. But the rule says: A late comer must answer a question before being allowed to sit down. Are you ready for that?"

Ewatomi replied "yes" with a bright smile. Then the teacher turned to the board and wrote: 'Akin is a goat.'

"What figure of speech is the above? And, what does it mean?"

"It is a metaphor, which means that Akin is troublesome or stubborn."

"A round of applause for her please?" Mr. V. requested, and the whole class thundered.

Ewatomi walked to her sit with a faint teasing smile she directed at my very eyes, but I quickly retrieved mine. I'd resolved never to catch her gaze again. I've just got to let her be.

Shortly after the English Teacher's exit, the memories of Sunday rehearsal stared me in the eyes: By 4.00pm in the evening, we all settled down in the auditorium as instructed the previous day. Mr. K. Green wore his usual non-smiling self and directed the play with palpable seriousness. Everybody co-operated and the rehearsal was a success. But, I was really dazed by Ewatomi's performance on stage. Chief-who-is-chief was supposed to wrap his hands around his bride with visible emotions after her unexpected resurrection by the gods. Anansewa too was supposed to reciprocate on the verge of tears. Ewatomi walked slowly up to me from her death bed, in a white bridal robe. Tears ran down her cheeks while I wrapped my arms around her waist. She in turn put his arms around my shoulder and nuzzled her face into my neck. We gently clutched a bit tighter for a few seconds, then I rubbed my hand on her back while she stroked my hair gently. The audience showered us with claps as we displayed the triumph of love over death.

It was indeed a drama by the right actors and the memories were quite too good to let go of, but, Mr. Adeoye, the maths teacher, found his way in.

"Good morning class." He greeted.

"Good morning sir." We greeted the tall, bald headed and dark skinned teacher back.

It was the start of a hell boring forty five minutes of Geometry.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 6:31am On Aug 15, 2018*

Episode 10

"Good Afternoon Akin." She greeted. "Is that not Twelfth Night?"

"Yes." I responded.

"I was told it's a very interesting novel." She said, approaching my sit.

"It really is."

"Would you lend me when you are done reading?" Ewatomi requested, flipping through the pages.

"I definitely will."

"Thanks so much." She concluded, and wanted to leave.

"Ewatomi, can you spare me some few minutes?"

"Why not?" She responded, and turned to face me.

"I love everything about you. The strands of your hair and the nails on your toes. I really do love you and need you to be my girlfriend, please."

"Akin, are you in school to study or love? Are your parents spending on you to waste time on distractions? Well, I'm in school to study and study good. I've got no time for this ridiculous talks about love now, there's time for everything." She talked back.

"I understand what you said. But... I promise I won't disturb your studies."

"Please, let this be the last time you will talk to me about love. I'm not ready for it yet and the next time you approach me with poems, I'll drag you to the authority." Ewatomi concluded and left.

The world around me seemed battered by her words. Her rejection was hurting, and left me between pains and despair. My whole self was filled with shame and disappointment.

"So, she doesn't love me. She only saved my face in the social night. Why did I ask her out in the first place? But, I love her. I love Ewatomi. Report me to the authority? Please don't."

"Senior Akin." Vikkie called and entered the classroom.

She met me a depressed dope and spoke.

"Are you so sad she didn't say yes?"

"She threatened to report me to the authority." I replied.

"She wouldn't. She only scared you off. But, why not love someone else? Someone who loves you." said Vikkie.

"I will never love anyone. Not anymore." I concluded, with teardrops.

"I'm so sorry." Vikkie muttered.

"Thanks. I may have to leave now."

Back in the hostel, I mounted my bunk and slept off. I woke up five minutes late for the drama rehearsal and I quickly put myself together and set out. At the exit, I met Jide who was about entering the hostel.

"Are you set?" I asked Jide.

"Yes, I was going to call you."

"We need walk fast, we are already late." I said, and we made for the auditorium.

Mr. Koffi Green, our Ghanaian instructor, was already in front when we entered the hall. I quickly sat beside Vikkie at the back, while Jide sat close to Vincent at a distance.

"Chief-who-is-chief." Vikkie teased, while I made myself comfortable.

"Who is Chief-who-is-chief?" I asked, knowing he must be a character in the drama we were about to practice.

"You." She responded, all smiles.

"Akin and Jide, why are you this late?" Mr. Koffi Green asked.

"I'm sorry sir, my wrist watch was a bit late." Jide answered.

"And you, Akin?"

"I'm really so sorry sir. I slept off."

"Should this repeat itself in the next rehearsal, you will not escape the punishment. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir." Jide and I chorused.

"I have told your colleagues The Schools Festival comes up in two weeks' time. It is unfortunate that the Principal informed me just yesterday. You all know what the schools festival is. It is a come-together of leading private secondary schools in Lagos, where students put their talents on display through different arts. It has always been a big event. This year, the Executive Governor of Lagos State would be on seat and, most importantly, our school has been selected to present the festival play. We have but just few days for rehearsals and we need put all our best into it. More challenging is the fact that we are to act a novel not many of you are familiar with. The novel, 'The marriage of Anansewa' was written by a Ghanaian writer, Efua T. Sutherland and it depicts the triumph of Love in all circumstances. I have put my best into the characterization. Don't be surprised should you see some few students who were not original members of our group among the characters. I have picked those whose physical and mental attributes are naturally close to the roles. Please listen to your names and roles: Adewale Adams is to act Ananse, while Ewatomi Coker acts Anansewa..."

"Ewatomi? She was never an actor." I thought, but Mr K. Green continued.

"Jide Badmus will act Chief Togbe Klu, Nifemi Charles will act Christie and Akinwunmi Peters goes by Chief-who-is-chief."

“The play centers on a wretched poor Father, Ananse and his daughter Anansewa; a pretty student of E.P. Secretariat School whose school fees could not be payed as a result of his Father's poverty. Ananse devices a means to pay her only daughter's fees, feed his family and eventually get out of penury. In his plan, he's to visit four rich chiefs with a promise to give each his daughter in marriage. When Anansewa finds out, her father convinces her such a move is necessary if she should return to school. Ananse also aroused her daughter's interest in one of the chiefs, Chief-who-is- chief, whom he described as 'handsome as anything.' The chief payed Anansewa's fees and she falls in love with him. Ananse takes money from all the chiefs and becomes comfortable, but, when the time arrives that the four Chiefs marry his daughter, he decides the daughter must die and so connives with Christie and Anansewa to announce the latter's death. The news got to the four chiefs and they all sent their condolences and gifts. They also revealed, since the bride was dead, that they never really loved her in the first place, but not Chief-who-is-chief who was touched and revealed how she loved Anansewa so much. Since the true lover had been made known, Ananse faked going into a trance and invoked Anansewa to resurrect. He says:

Ancestors, I'm pleading with you, if it is your desire as it is ours that Chief-who-is- chief should marry Anansewa, see to it that she returns to life! See to it that Anansewa awakes and returns to become a bride.

Then she awakes claiming to have heard the call of Chief-who-is-chief. The play ends on a very happy note- the triumph of Love.”

"Ewatomi again?" I couldn't help but utter in a low pitch, after the narration.

I would be playing a romantic role with Ewatomi. She also was in the hall seated in the front row, from where she listened. She wasn't satisfied, I guess, but was helpless. No one could question Mr. K. Green, his decisions were always final: but I didn't want to think about Ewatomi any longer. I wanted the feelings all gone.

"Is this fate? I would play the role of a lover to Ewatomi whose rejection of me brings about a deadly pain I'm yet to recover from?"

"Smile." Vikkie said, rubbing her left palm on the right lap of a lost me.

"How would I?" I replied, looking her in the face.

"We can no longer rehearse today as it is getting late. I have the scripts here and it will be given to the cast to study well before we meet by 4.00pm tomorrow. Be punctual or we fight." Mr. K. Green concluded and left the hall.

Jide was the next thing my confused eyes saw. He held my chin and exclaimed:

"Chief-who-is-chief, the spouse of Ewatomi. Sorry, Anansewa."

Everyone laughed as they dispersed, living my daughter and me behind in the darkening auditorium.

"It's time for dinner Akin" Vikkie talked.
"I don't just feel like eating nothing." I replied.

"You would at least move out of here." She said and ran her fingers up and down my sides.

I couldn't stop giggling hard. She then stopped, held my left hand and dragged me out of the darkening auditorium.

"See the Lover boy in class." She teased and made to leave for the refectory.

"Vikkie, the naught." I replied.

She turned and rolled her eyes, before running back to tickle me again, but I ran towards the boys hostel.

Vikkie actually altered my bad mood the way no one else could do.

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Literature › Re: Fopefolu Memorial High School by Africlegend(op): 1:17pm On Aug 14, 2018

IAmkingoludav:
She appeared yes i yaff arrived

Oh! She has disappeared again.

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