Chapter One
It was the resumption of
Forcados school, Jimi Solade is in his final's. He was still fast asleep when
Wole, his elder brother came shaking him from sleep.
Wole called his
name just to wake him up. They both were so happy to see each other, being a
while that they had seen. Wole glanced all over the room and saw that some of
the decorations were still intact because it was Wole's room. He saw Jimi's
watch and took it. He also demanded some money as usual from Jimi. Only their
mother knew that Wole had returned after forging his father's signature. Jimi
was having his breakfast and Wole watching cartoon when their father, Mr. Kola
Solade came from his room. He rubbed his eyes very well to make sure that it was
Wole. He barked at Wole to leave his house. When Mrs. Solade who was busy in the
kitchen with Risikat their maid pleaded with Mr. Solade, her husband, Mr. Solade
accused her of over pampering the children. Jimi joined to kneel before his
father beside his mother except Wole who was smiling but Mr. Solade insisted
that Wole must leave the house. Mrs. Solade suggested they invited their uncle,
uncle Kazeem and Shola to talk to Mr. Solade.
Jimi angrily left his
unfinished breakfast and rushed out of the house when he heard his Childhood
friend, Ansa Izaegbegbe called his name and they both left for school after
exchanging greetings.
Chapter Two
Forcados school has won regional quizzes and sport.
Jimi was so good at sports and academics because he is the best in football,
athletic club captain and health prefect. He had won many awards and medals for
the school. All the students like him because of his friendly and perky
behaviour. Mama Silipat, the puff-puff and akara seller likes calling Jimi by
his full name Akijimi or "Omo mi" (my child) as she liked giving him the biggest
piece.
Ansa was a bit jealous as everybody wanted to associate
themselves with Jimi. Jimi had been his hero right from primary school because
he's good at many things while Ansa was only good at arts.
Ansa never
liked the first day because he was being welcomed by further maths, physics and
new slogans in music. He had nothing to say while others were discussing the
above. Nene Ekpo, friend to Ansa and Jimi came to inform him about Efua Coker,
an old childhood friend [who Jimi Solade once put a dead lizard on her desk
while they were small] would join them but Ansa had no memory of her.
Eze, a smart unspoken kid and Jimi were the best in chemistry. Teacher
Bolade (nick-named cane) always in search of scape goat and late comers.
Okon-Gorilla-like miserable bully. Caro, who liked chewing gum all the time was
tagged queen bee and was seen as Jimi's girlfriend.
The students crowded
into the hallways after the 8 O' clock morning national anthem conducted by the
head boy. The boys were in white shorts, black ties and black trousers. Girls in
black pinafores over white shirts. Jimi later went to a deserted corner of the
school to listen to some music via his earphone and to think about the current
situation at home, his mother who looked ill told him she was fine. Wole was
back, faller once made him travel to distance birth of them when he got to know
Jimi's secret conduct with Wole. Jimi quickly came back to himself so that he
won't allow anything affect his studies. Seyi Lawal came to call him that Mr.
Mallum, the principal had summoned prefect meeting. They both walked past Efua
and her mother, Funmi, walking towards the principal's office.
Efua's
mother later took a taxi to Mrs. Alli's house where she dropped Efua and left
immediately to the airport.
Chapter Three
Efua's mother, (Funmi) took her to her aunt in a
rickety jerky taxi. Aunty Moni lives in a grey building. She is a small, round
woman who welcomed Efua and her mum by the gate of her house.
Efua's
mother left Efua and aunty Moni hurriedly to catch a flight while Efua carried
her bag inside and went in with her aunt who could not help chatting about
Forcados High School as regards their excellent results and Nene Ekpo, the
pastor's daughter as a good girl.
Nene and her mother later paid a visit
to aunty Moni at Balogun street, giving the girls an opportunity to know more
about each other, since it was long they saw each other. Nene never expected
that Efua could have grown as beautiful as she appeared to be. Both girls at the
balcony discussed more of their academic pursuit as Nene introduced her interest
in commercial class and Efua's in science class. Nene explained more on Forcados
High school, the eight 0' clock assembly in which pupils are expected by 7:30
am, the weekly hair style and Forcados as a boys and girls school not like
Efua's former school that is girls' only. Nene also tried to bring to the memory
of Efua, Ansa and Jimi but she couldn't.
The next day at school, the
students as usual in front of the hall were getting ready for the early morning
assembly. Jimmy, in preparation with other prefects carried out the principal
order against: chains on trousers, dangling earrings for girls, inspection of
finger nails and socks. He observed Nene and saw the new girl and called the
attention of Ansa. He later got to know through Ansa that the new girl once
attended the same primary school with them. Curiously Jimi dragged Ansa to Nene
to familiarise himself with Efua Coker. Nene introduced her to both boys but
Efua gave an unwelcome attitude to the boys when she remembered how Jimmy had
put a dead lizard on her table while they were kids.
Efua never enjoyed
her first day in Forcados because the teachers were not friendly to her as they
were all so surprised to see a new student in SS3. This was because they thought
that Efua's result might affect the continuous academic record being set by the
school.
Mr. Mallum, being the principal of Forcados made it known to
Efua that she was admitted into Forcados because of the recommendation from her
principal Mrs. Obange, in her former school as an A- student. Though she got
expelled from school because she ran away from the school, St. Catherine in
Abuja. The headmistress Mrs. Obange wasn't a bad person, it was Efua who
stylishly decided to make Mrs. Obange to make her leave the school just for her
to be far away from her mum and her step-father.
Chapter Four
Jimi Solade arrived home to meet his father angry
because he wanted to travel later in the afternoon but couldn't find his
briefcase. Jimmy never felt his appetite again even when he thought he could
arrive home to settle down and ease himself from the hunger in him. He never
likes to experience the tussle at home between his father and elder brother,
Wole.
Jimi's father was angry because he thought Wole could have stolen
his brief case being his usual act. Jimi's mother later found the briefcase
after which she advised Mr. Kola Solade to always be patient while in search of
things but Jimi's father spoke harshly to his wife. This prompted Jimi to
caution his father abruptly for the intervention of Jimi's mother. Mr. Kola
Solade could have swiped Jimi his son if not that Jimi's mother pleaded that it
was just a child's talk. Mr. Solade took his bag and went out as Jimi stared
through the window and watched his parents talking earnestly while it ended with
his mother touching his father gently on his cheek. When Mr. Solade entered in
his car to drive off Jimi continued to wonder why?
Wole later arrived
home to celebrate the absence of "the old lion" as he called his dad, Mr. Kola
Solade, which Jimi asked him not to let his mother hear him. Wole inquired to
know why Jimi was too sober lately. With much pressure, Jimi opened up as
regards the new 'chick' in his school, Efua to Wole which they both laughed
about on and on as they discussed deeply. Wole demanded some money from Jimmy as
he was dressing up to go to an undisclosed destination which Jimi insisted to be
of help only if he would know where Wole was about to go. Wole later asked Jimmy
to join him if only he would keep his mouth shut. Jimmy saw that it was an
opportunity to spend some time with his brother in such a good evening.
They both later arrived at a dead end street with several uncompleted
buildings where Wole met with a man to make a quick 'exchange of hands' that
made him return to Jimi with a small nylon where he instructed Jimi to wait for
him some distance away before he met with the strange man. Jimi inquisitiveness
to know about the small nylon was useless as Wole gave no answer but invited
Jimi to go and have some fun in a bar on the ground floor of a block of cramped,
evil smelling apartment with groups of young men sitting at a table with bottles
of star and Guilder beer alongside squadron gin listening to Nigerian pop music
blasting from the speakers.
Jimi also gave all of them at the bar
stapling handshakes just as Wole, just to hide his nervousness. A man with a
street-worm face and short, spiky dread locks offered Jimi a drink among them.
The flash back of how Mr. Solade behaved earlier that day made Jimi to drink the
beer. 'Rat face', another man among them gave Jimi a cigarette to smoke. Though
Jimi wanted to reject it but amidst intimidation even from his brother Wole, he
took the cigarette.
Jimi who was working around the bar quickly put
himself in order when he realised that the ladies in the dark corners in the bar
who he was staring at were not waitresses but prostitutes. Jimi was becoming so
sick and tired with the situation of things until 'rat face' left the table and
returned with a small wrap of paper which they lit up (excluding Jimi).
Jimi noticed the smell and realised it was 'India hemp'. Jimi felt
highly uncomfortable with the gathering and with his feet a little unstable, he
told them he was going out but Wole barely noticed him. Jimi was outside the bar
when he saw a minivan packed in front of the bar with uniform personnel jumping
down. He saw a flash from torch ordering him to stop with a chase as he escaped
through a rickety bush. He felt unhappy amidst fear that he felt his elder
brother in danger. Though Wole as well arrived not quite long which Jimmy was so
happy to see him home safe.
Wole calmed Jimi after a warm hug and
explained that the uniform men only wanted money but they found nothing on him.
Wole went to Jimi's trousers where it was hanging and being pulled out a pocket
to take what he had put in Jimi's pocket without his knowledge. Jimi was so
shocked and angry; what about if he had been caught with the substance by the
police? He wanted to put up a fight with his brother but Wole reminded him that
their mother would finally know of their deeds if they shout further. He however
promised to make it up to Jimmy. Jimmy felt terribly bad and wanted to throw up.
Chapter Five
Efua was in her room with her diary thinking of St.
Catherine, her former school, on how she missed hardiza and how she would get in
touch with Dada and how to write an apology letter to Mrs. Obange her former
headmistress as well felt sorry for herself. Back at Forcados, Efua had been
given the nick name, 'witch', as regards her keeping to herself alone at school.
Though she was doing well academically, other students considered her arrogant.
But Jimmy could not help admiring her and was ready to be friends with her.
Jimmy, even after one assembly day had said 'hi' to Efua which Efua did
not reply to make Jimmy understand that she had no desire to reply his
pleasantry. Mr. van, the physics teacher had a class on the topic, 'momentum' in
which Jimmy displayed his 'academic wealth' before the class in order to
impress. Efua however saw it as an unnecessary show-off.
Efua had a
quarrel with Jolly, the big boy in art class while he was trying to make friend
with Efua with unpleasant and unnecessary words. Efua told him off harshly hence
he promised to get back at Efua. Nene later met with Efua to warn her against
boys like Jolly in Forcados and how unpleasant they or Jolly could be if they
felt offended that Efua should mind how often the student speak ill of her
because she's so worried about her. Efua emphasized her intention not to be
anybody's friend.
Caro and Jimi had a quarrel because Jimi was staring
at Efua when she passed by with Nene while Jimi was before Caro discussing with
her. Caro angrily left Jimi and he became furious as well and Joined Bayo and
other boys in the field to play football.
Chapter Six
Nene Ekpo was busy imagining how she would get done
with all her chores for the day. Starting from how to quickly pick her brother
from the nanny at mother's joy nursery school because she was behind the time
already and how she would go to the market, grind pepper for dinner and do
school assignment.
Nene is known for her good behaviour at school and
also in church as she usually help in the children section. She had been a
devout Christian right from when was eight years when she took the decision.
Since then, it has prevented her from indulging in some unwanted act like her
peers at school. She had started getting concern about her looks lately quite
uncomfortable that she wished she were pretty.
Efua latter in the
evening dropped by to see Nene in order to apologise over her snobbish attitude
While Nene was trying to advise her. She met Nene and her mother cooking in the
kitchen and joined them. Efua expressed her admiration for Nene's mother to Nene
which Nene as well reflected in her thought how Efua's mum could have been a
nice mother. She as well persuaded Efua to try to be friendly with Jimmy because
it could result in Efua to also meet with Mrs. Solade, Jimmy's mother. Though
Nene mistakenly linked Caro as one of Jimi's friends at school not to have
mentioned because Caro could be so naughty at times. She always referred to Nene
as sister Nene and once called Nene a fashion blunder!
Nene is just a
beautiful girl but her voice could not stop giving her beauty. Ansa also friend
to Caro is a small and shy person though he's talented in painting. Nene is the
only girl in Forcados that knew everything about Jimi's family. Nene was busy
thinking about how girls in the school were disturbing Jimi because of his
general positive and physical attribute and how Jimmy always stares at Efua but
not her, Nene. Sooner, she quickly came back to herself (a pastor daughter) when
her younger brother opened the door to her room to request for more custard.
Chapter Seven
The principal introduced a youth corp member who will
stand in for Mr. Salami to teach the English language. Miss Agbenenovi had been
introduced five weeks to the new term, she suggested to the student to call her
Miss Novi.
The students later gathered in the school hall to discuss and
prepare for the mid-term dinner. Caro bumped into Efua at the entrance of the
hall leading Effua's books dropping on the ground while she walked away with
some other girls as they laughed and murmured some words. A student who
introduced herself as Joke joined Effua to pick her books from the ground while
she tried to discuss Caro's negative attitude towards Effua that it was because
Jimmy and Effua were having something in common which Effua detest strongly.
Joke and Effua went into the school hall where things were being put in
place to prepare for the mid-term dinner. Ansa's painting was the talk of the
day as the school Choral group were in rehearsal with Nene to lead the vocal,
Jimi was everywhere and Effua wished she could also have something to
participate in. Effua boldly appreciated Ansa painting before him but Ansa was
so shocked of words because Effua had never spoken to him before Jimi tried
again to gain Effua's friendship but Effua rejected it and walked out of the
hall.
Their attention was suddenly called towards the helter skelter
movement of some other students. A junior boy had fainted but Miss Novi breathed
in his mouth and asked a boy to press the chest of the fainted boy with his hand
fifteen times before the boy came up and he was taken to the school clinic.
Effua and Nene were at the entrance of the hall where the mid-term dinner was
taking place on the fixed Friday. The two girls never wanted to attend because
Nene never saw any reason to dance to worldly music being a Christian. Effua's
aunt however would not allow Effua stay at some during the mid-term dinner
because she wanted her to mix up with other students.
Jimi was part of
the organising committee but no girl wanted to go close to him because of Caro.
They believed she owned Jimi, the DJ had called up all the boys and girls to the
dance floor and suggested that each should have a partner to a dance with. Effua
had rejected Jide the smallest boy in the class whom she later apologised to
when she returned from the ladies where she had been bullied by Jolly and his
friends.
Jimi came to chase Jide away from Effua while both were dancing
and forcefully wanted to dance with Effua. Effua was angry with Jimi for
bullying Jide away. In the process the drink on the tray from the waiter that
Jimi bumped into spilled and stained Effua's dress and many of the students who
saw the scenario never felt sorry for Effua as she ran past Caro amidst her
negative gestures and remarks.
Outside the hall where Effua was sitting
alone, Miss Novi's brilliant act towards the junior boy who Miss Novi brought
back to life through the mouth-to-mouth breathing amazed her. Miss Novi
explained to Effua that the act was cardiopulmonary resuscitation and that she
belonged to an NGO that she volunteered herself in Sierra Leone for three
months. Effua also told Miss Novi how she was the editor of the magazine in her
former school and how she was a member of the Angel of mercy who were into
charity work.
Miss Novi later asked Effua if she would like to join the
group where she belonged which was: Group for the support of women and
children's rights. Effua was so happy for the opportunity.
Miss Novi
left Effua when she saw the students coming out of the hall after the party.
Nene ran to Effua to plead behalf of Jimi and sounded so inquisitive to know
what Effua was discussing with the new teacher.
Chapter Eight
The term was towards the end and the school was
preparing for inter-house sports tournament that would involve football, march
past and races among the school's four houses; the lion, the cheetah, the tiger,
and the leopard. The rehearsals do come up every day after classes as each group
would gather to cheer their team-mates. Nene approached Effua to join the carol
night practice because her voice could fit in the tenor section since there were
not many males to fill in the section but Effua explained how busy she would be
because she had been going out with 'Erdoo' as she did call Miss Novi. Because
of her, Effua had gotten involved with the NGO awareness. Though she later
promised to sing but she left immediately when she saw Jimi approaching. Jimi in
the process called Effua a witch when he got to Nene. On the contrary, Nene told
Jimi that Effua was a good girl that he should try to know her better.
Jimi looking at the list of the names for the carol song quickly
volunteered to join the choir as he asked if Effua would be singing. Nene was so
shocked by Jimi's demand though he promised to invite more boys who would sing.
On the day of the inter house sports, the 100 meter race for the boys
was the last of the event. Jimi from Tiger house against Icheen Igho. The
atmosphere was so tense that teachers and parents waited under the canopies
anxiously to see which of the two won the race leaving Nene to appraise him and
Effua to mock his peacock gesture.
Jimi sang very well at the Christmas
carol with his funny father Christmas cap. The music teacher was so impressed
with Jimi while Nene sang the soprano's solo beautifully well. The principal
commended Effua at the end of the term for her academic performance and how she
had been going along with Miss Novi for all kinds of NGO activities to make the
world a better place. Though Effua never liked why Jimi was in the choir she
also disliked being called baby doll by the music teacher.
Ansa was not
happy because he had failed the 1st term exam and his mother might stop him from
painting. Jimi won the best athlete's trophy and a prize for the best exam
result again while all the girls could not stop admiring and the school praising
him.
Chapter Nine
Jimi was busy thinking about everything in his life.
The school activities alongside Effua's dislike towards him, his father's
grumbled attitude towards Wole who is now doing a computer diploma course at an
institute. The family had tried to see if Femi Solade the eldest of Mr. Kola
Solade's son in the UK could assist Wole to the UK, but he was just like his
father who would not like to have anything to do with Wole because of his
attitude.
Jimi enjoyed all the parties that he went with all his friends
both at the beach and night club. Jimi was the only one at home because his
father had gone away for a job and Wole also was not at home. A bang on Jimi's
bedroom door put him to his feet as their maid Risikat alarmed Jimi that his
mother had fainted. Jimi rushed to kitchen when he saw his mother on the ground
with a little cut on her forehead where she hurt her head. Jimi in fear quickly
felt the slight breath of his mother that signified life in her. Jimi got a wet
cloth to rub his mother's forehead and about five minutes later, she got back to
her feet and moved to the sitting room. After much persuasion, she finally
agreed to go for a medical check-up and got admitted in the hospital. Jimi went
back to the hospital the next day where his mother revealed to him that she had
ovarian cancer. Jimi could not believe his ears as his mother tried to sound as
if it was nothing quite serious. She also spoke about how loving Mr. Solade was,
that he really loved Jimi and Wole so much only that Mr. Solade nearly went
bankrupt over what Wole did to him [Wole falsified his father's signature]. She
tried to calm Jimi with all intensity as he wondered how and what could become
of his mother. The pains and agony that she would go through with like other
cancer patients.
Mr. Solade had returned from business tour after Jimi
put a call across to him a day before at the hospital. Uncle Kazeem was also
around after Mr. Solade inquired about Wole's presence just to know if he had
gone to his mother, which he did. They all went to the hospital to see Mrs.
Solade. She sounded so healthy and continued to inquire about the situation at
home especially with Wole. After a while, Mr. Solade requested they should leave
for home to pay a visit another day but Jimi was reluctant to go home with his
father at the moment. This resulted in Mrs. Solade appealing to Jimi to go.
Ansa and Nene both came with their parents to pay a visit to Mrs. Solade
in the hospital when they heard about what happened and Nene promised to always
pray for her speedy recovery.
Chapter Ten
The second term had begun. The students were all in the
chemistry lab trying one or two experiments and Mr. Edet the subject teacher
came to see how the students were putting in their best. Effua was also busy
filling a burette and made several eye contact with Jimi.
Jimi continue
to imagine why Efua was busy staring at him. Mr. Edet had asked Jimi to wait
behind to tidy up along with him in the lab. In the process, he inquired what
was wrong with Jimi. Jimi however responded that nothing was wrong with him. Mr.
Edet was happy with the new set of laboratory equipment for the students'
forthcoming exams. Mr. Edet asked Jimi to join the technician and gave him the
key to the cupboard where the formalin was kept and also asked him to join to
label the snake for the practical.
Jimi requested to take his leave
after some minutes past 4 O' clock. He remembered his last visit to the hospital
and the agony that his mother was going through amidst the drip-drop of the
chemotherapy with his mother's eyes begging for death. Jimi threw up when he
could not hold back his thought anymore. He left the grass before him to wash
his hands and mouth and standing behind him was Effua who as well had waited to
assist Miss Novi over the weekend campaign against child hawking. Effua later
got to Jimi to express her concerns for Jimi's predicament, "Nene told me about
your mum," Efua told him. "How is she feeling now?"
Jimi replied in a
short and straight manner. They both later walked out of the school gate and
arrived at a street where there were gun-shots and pandemonium between the
police and the area boys. Efua and Jimi took to their heels and hid in an
uncompleted building. From where they hid. Efua spotted a learning impaired
disabled boy within the age of ten standing helplessly amidst the "cross fire".
She dashed out towards the boy while Jimi followed after her and tried to tell
Efua to leave the boy but care for her own safety.
Efua grabbed the boy
and Jimi grabbed Efua. Before they knew what was happening, Efua found herself
in a nearby gutter just after someone behind her pushed her. The trio ran for
their life and left the scene.
Jimi at the moment had a small cut on his
lips as the boy burst into tears.
Jimi quickly suggested they go to Mr.
Samu bar, the ice-cream place not far from them just for them to be totally safe
from danger.
Mr. Samu welcomed them after they banged on his door.
Efua and Jimi discussed deeply at the bar and they both laughed
continuously. Jimi had never seen Efua laughed like that before. Efua explained
more about the boy as Jimi asked more about him.
They later droped the
boy at his boarding school and the instructor of the school was happy with Jimi
and Efua. They both walked the way home as the street had become so calm as
though nothing had happened earlier. The normal street activities have commenced
fully. Efua thanked Jimi for his support throughout the day as she was about to
go into her house. It was at that point that Jimi realised they had been holding
hands for long. Efua squeezed his hand a bit to say goodnight. Jimi went to bed
that night with a half-smile on his face.
Chapter Eleven
Bayo, Jimi's football team mate asked why Jimi had been
missing the football practice lately but Jimi told him nothing was wrong. He
later reminded Jimi about CK's bash that night and how fun it would be with the
bevy of girls alongside other merriment. But Jimi Solade insisted that there
were more to life than partying and that instead he would rather read to the
amazement of Bayo.
The football coach at the training was angry with
Jimi when he arrived the pitch because Jimi's attitude and concern towards
training could affect their crucial matches ahead. The coach and Jimi's team
mate sounded frustrated as Jimi missed several passes. The coach exclaimed that
he was playing like a legless cockroach. Jimi later had a fight with another
team mate who also made jest of him and the coach was angry with him. Jimi
Solade later left the pitch.
Jimi Solade's mother died on a Saturday
morning in Jimi's presence as Jimi shouted for the doctor and nurses. When Mr.
Solade arrived the hospital, the doctor announced the death to the relatives,
friends and well-wishers.
Uncle Kazeem, aunty Memunat, aunty Omotunde,
etc. were all at Mr. Solade's house. His eldest son Femi had returned from the
UK looking smaller than Jimi had earlier seen him. As he gave Jimi a bear hug
that he had never done before, Jimi kept wondering because he once remembered
when their father gave Femi the beating of his life when he flung him down the
stairs.
Wole was going in and out of the room like a ghost as Jimi
continue to pray and wish he would wake up from the nightmare. Mrs. Solade was
buried in a private Cemetery.
Jimi walked a distance away when Efua came
to meet him. Later, they both sat silently beside each other and held each
other's hands with their fingers clutched tightly together. Ansa came to tell
Jimi that Mr. Solade had been looking for him and Efua left for home.
Chapter Twelve
Mr. Solade later travelled to catch-up a long awaiting
business contract. Jimi and Wole saw him to the airport. Jimi was so unhappy
because he was at the moment missing both parents, though Mr. Solade promised
before he travelled to leave much money behind for their upkeep and also get
back to them at intervals.
Back at home, Wole tried to cheer Jimi up
with a substance in a wrap for them to smoke that all their worries would be
over. Wole had turned the house into every guest affair as different unwanted
guest trooped in and out at intervals. Loud noise of music disturbed the
neighbourhood that made Ansa's father Mr. Izaegbegbe grumble to his wife one
morning. Ansa's mother felt much concerned that she went to Jimi's house to know
if everything was alright and promised to always help if her assistance would be
needed.
Wole tried to lure Jimi into heroine but Jimi remembered the
lecture and video he watched at school against taking drugs. He also imagined
the look of his mother's face and rejected Wole's offer as Wole had asked him to
roll up his sleeves in order to have the 'greatest experience of his life'.
Jimi did badly in the previous test in math as he could not help
sleeping in the class. Nene and Efua tried to know what was wrong with Jimi
after the class but he told them he was fine. The girls later met with Ansa to
discuss Jimi's irrational attitude. They all [Efua, Nene and Ansa] went to
Jimi's house after Ansa had given a hint to Efua and Nene about Wole's attitude
towards drugs.
They met the Solades' apartment in full blaring sound
from with different people trooping in and out. Jimi was sitting in an arm chair
in one corner fast asleep as the boy who came to meet Efua among the party
people pointed towards Jimi's direction when Efua told him who they came for.
Ansa pleaded that Jimi should come and stay with them. Jimi agreed after Efua
pleaded with him deeply to accept the offer. Efua and Nene had a little rift
over Jimi's behaviour and they left each other coldly to their homes.
Chapter Thirteen
Two weeks later Forcados school played a friendly
football match against the nearby St. Edmund's comprehensive school with the
schools' fans cheering their teams with drums and yelling at passes and dribbles
in the field. Jimi was not playing though he stood on the lines with a red
bandana on his head to support his team.
He had been doing well since he
put up with Ansa closely because he sleeps at Ansa's place often at night and
has time to read and do some other things that was benefitting Ansa as well.
Jimi walked along with Efua who came to him where he was standing to buy a drink
as Nene watched both of them from a distance. Nene and Efua were not as close as
before since their misunderstanding.
Nene heard a mocking voice behind
her. It was Caro, who made a passing word of mockery at Jimi and Efua referring
to both of them as "Mickey and Minnie". Nene however pretended as if she never
heard.
She moved away from the girls where she was and bumped into Ansa.
She observed the painting Ansa was having with him as "Efua". "She said she
liked my painting", Ansa told Nene but Ansa asked Nene not to tell her about the
unfinished painting. Jimi and Efua were busy at the food kiosk discussing when
Efua made her intention known that she would like to be a doctor so as to save
lives and help many people. Jimi told her that she would be 'a drop dead doctor'
because of her beauty. The lyrics from the rhymers filled the air about them.
Jimi and Efua laughed at the song while Efua never saw anything so good about
the song.
That afternoon, Nene went to Efua's house to collect her
biology textbook from Efua and to reconcile with her because she never liked to
keep grudges. She met Efua's aunt who allowed her in. Efua had not returned from
the football match. Mrs. Alli, Efua's aunt expressed her concerns about Efua's
involvement in so many activities at her age but Nene cleared the air that Efua
was a good girl and she's also doing well at school because she got the highest
score in their previous Biology test. She also appealed to Efua's aunt Mrs. Alli
to say sorry to Efua on her behalf because she seemed to have offended Efua.
Nene, back in her room found a small dark booklet which was Efua's diary
in the biology textbook she had gone to collect from Efua's. It was Efua's diary
and Nene after reading few lines from it thought of it that it was wrong to read
someone else diary. She later stumbled on a piece of writing that looked as if
Efua would Miss Novi if she left the school. Efua had written that the memory of
the hug and talk they had shared was nothing to her but paradise in heaven and
that she really loved Miss Novi. Nene was shocked at what she read.
Though she could have misinterpreted what she read, she could not
believe Miss Novi and her innocent looks and Efua of all people. It was raining
in the early hours of the morning the next day.
As students could not go
home straight but waited behind to discuss tutorials and the forthcoming exams,
Jimi came to Nene to know what she was thinking in deep thought and inquired the
where about of Efua. Since Nene saw the write-up she had been avoiding Efua.
Nene gave a cold response about Efua's where about and later showed Jimi the
write-up and warned Jimi not to tell anybody. After Jimi saw the letter, he gave
a deep concern and that frightened Nene as Jimi walked away with the letter.
Chapter Fourteen
It was just before the assembly the next morning, crowd
had gathered in front of the senior class chatting in a mocking tone. There were
photocopies of the letter that Nene gave to Jimi in every nook and cranny of the
school. Caro could not help laughing all the day while the boys were not too
surprised because Efua hardly appreciated her male counterparts.
Joke
rushed to tell Efua what was going on in the school when Efua entered the school
gate. "The students are saying some terrifying things about you and that young
corper, Miss Novi that you are kissing ... hugging and...."
Joke asked
Efua if she really wrote the letter. Efua was in total shock that the letter she
had written and kept to herself had circulated around the school.
Mr.
Mallum the principal observed the uproar at the school and inquired to know what
was going on. The head girl, Ada, revealed the situation of things to the
principal when the boys were trying to hide-away the truth and the principal
ordered the head girl and the head boy to scout all the school for other copies
and bring them to his table. The principal called Efua to his office.
Efua went over to the principal's office after she had finished throwing
up in the girls' rest room.
Efua appeared before the principal, vice
principal and Mrs. Tamimoro the guidance counsellor whose mouth was twisted in
self-righteousness and horror.
The trio were all bittered with Efua as
they were shocked and confused as well with the situation at hand. Efua tried to
convince them that it was not what everyone was thinking. Miss Novi was also
summoned before them for interrogation to which she was also shocked and
confused. She as well explained to them to convince them and clear the air that
there was nothing going on between Efua and her in secrecy than the humanitarian
activities that she introduced Efua to.
Miss Novi was asked to leave the
office at that moment and Efua to leave the school for that day. Nene saw what
was going on and she was so angry with Jimi, accusing him of spreading what he
promised to keep as a secret but Jimi argued strongly that he wasn't the person
who leaked it out to other students because the letter was stolen from him. Efua
met Jimi when she came out of the principal's office weeping and tried to
explain to Jimi but Jimi inquired if she really wrote the letter and if the
whole thing was real.
Jimi opened up to her about who gave her the
letter and how the letter was stolen from him.
Efua and Jimi left each
other in a hot argument and Nene asked God for forgiveness spreading her hands
up to the sky as she watched everything crumbling about Efua as the principal
asked to see Efua's mother or guardian.
Chapter Fifteen
The next day the principal gathered all the senior
students and expressed his shock at their immature attitude. He said that Efua
ought not to be have been treated like an outcast and Miss Novi should as well
have been respected because no concrete evidence was available to confirm what
was alleged.
He called out Jolly Stephen who had been the brain behind
the uproar. Stephen, who found the letter in Jimi's locker while he was looking
for an assignment to copy later made the photocopy and distributed based on a
malicious desire to humiliate Efua. The principal ordered that he should be
flogged publicly with ten strokes of the cane.
Mrs. Coker, Efua's mother
later arrived at the principal's office to discuss the uproar. The principal
expressed his dismay about the incidence and explained further that it seemed to
be a mere rumour out of malice. Efua got the talk of her life from her mother
and rushed into her room as her mother called her harlot, sick child and all
other negative names.
Efua clutched the door knob to herself for days
without food though her mother left the very day and asked her cousin [Efua's
aunt] to keep her posted.
Efua had terrible continuous nightmare of a
hard faced woman who sat on the dressing table beside the mirror wearing
expensive jewellery and the latest lace material. She heard the cold and hard
voice of the woman who looked like her mother telling her that nobody could ever
love her. She could also hear the terrific murmuring from her step-father. Those
terrible dreams made Efua run out to the street amidst the traffic light and
cars. She collapsed in one corner of the street while the terrible dream
continued.
This time around, it was a mad woman holding a burning tin
lamp who in a cracked voice accepted Efua as her daughter and decided to take
care of her before Efua later opened her eyes to find herself in the hospital
ward. Her aunt told her that she had been unconscious after being found on the
street.
Chapter Sixteen
Nene back at home felt so bad over what had happened
and blamed herself for everything. She had been jealous of Efua because of her
beauty as all other boys including Jimi and Ansa always looked at Efua and not
her. Nene explained everything to her mother and her mother suggested that she
should go and apologize to Efua and that she would buy her what to take to her.
Gifts from different well-wishers had gotten to Efua. Even the principal
of her former school alongside her friends over there had sent gifts. Ansa had
made a specially shaped bouquet flower gift. Efua was quite angry to see Nene at
her hospital bed but Nene pleaded with her and explained that neither she nor
Jimi gave out the letter. Efua accepted her plea and in the process Efua
narrated how her mother got married to her step-father while she was 12 years
and at the thirteen her step father was sexually molesting her. She had fought
back with a knife one night when she could not take it again. She exclaimed that
her step-father hurt her badly and her mother never believed her. Instead, she
called her a "demon possessed liar" who she wanted to ruin her marriage.
Efua explained that nothing had happened between her and Miss Novi and
she felt bad about how the situation had affected Miss Novi. They both cried
together and Nene consoled her and urged her that they should return to the
school together because Efua never wanted to go back to the school.
Chapter Seventeen
Jimi was back at his own house after he had had an
argument with Ansa over the way he had treated Efua. Ansa wasn't happy with Jimi
but Jimi argued that he felt disappointed.
Wole entered looking very
nervous and uneasy and Jimi felt concerned about what was going on with him.
Wole explained with a bruise and swollen eyes that he was in a financial mess
with some guys that he sold drugs for. He explained further that they beat him
up when he ran into them and that he had no option but to leave as fast as
possible to a safe place.
Jimi helped him out with some money, clothes
and wrist-watch and promised to gather more money for him before the next time
they see.
Chapter Eighteen
Someone had broken into the Chemistry lab. Seyi, the
head boy told Jimi when he got to school on Monday morning. Jimi was asked to
provide the key given to him as one of the technicians insisted that it was a
clean job done by someone who had access to the key. Because one of the keys was
given to Jimi on Friday when the science students had the after-class tutorial.
Jimi explained that he might have left it at home and promised to bring it same
Friday as he was ordered by Mr. Edet the chemistry teacher.
Efua had
returned to school that day with Nene walking beside her as she advised Efua to
ignore any side gossip as she was ready to report any one who harassed her to
the principal.
Jimi turned his head in shame when he saw them and later
Ansa came to expressed how deeply he had missed Efua. Jimi later came to
apologise to Efua and Caro made jest of him when he was sent away by Efua.
Jimi got to school the next day to find out that Wole was the burglar as
made known to him by the principal and Mr. Edet. They claimed that Wole said it
was Jimi who led him in and masterminded the whole thing. Jimi was taken to the
police station and the news spread round the school. Jimi Solade, health prefect
and hero of Forcados School in police station over missing laboratory equipment.
Chapter Nineteen
Jimi lay in his bed and continued to remember what had
happened at the police station when he went to see Wole. Wole had pleaded with
him when he was taken on bail by their uncle Kazeem to say yes to all that he
wanted him to say so he would not be locked up for 10years in jail. He said the
school would pardon him based on his clean sheet with the school. The principal
and Mr. Edet expressed their shock when Jimi admitted that he did mastermind the
stealing.
Jimi was allowed to take his end term exam as a separate
student from others and underwent sessions of grass cutting as some other
students had kept away from him except Ansa and Nene who had come to him to know
how it all happened because they doubted he was actually guilty. The senior
students were free to do whatever they wanted to do after the long awaited WAEC
except Jimi who had been banned from all social activities. He had been asked to
apologise to the school publicly and on that day, Jimi made sure that he was
looking calm and collected. He saw Nene and Efua but Nene quickly excused both
of them.
Jimi apologized to Efua for what had happened. All the students
rushed down to gather at the hall as the teachers kept calling. Jimi gripped the
microphone and apologised to the school amidst total calmness and silence. The
principal acknowledged his apology and pleaded along to the school that Jimi had
really served the school though he was shocked at the immoral behaviour. Just
before the principal could finish addressing the students, Efua sought the
permission of the principal and deeply expressed the fact that the school ought
to have really investigated the matter rather than being too concerned about the
school's missing equipment.
She recalled deeply on about the positive
contribution of Jimi Solade to Forcados School. She accused the school of not
addressing the issue with the right procedure that something might have been
wrong somewhere.
The principal tried to stop Efua but Ansa who had never
spoken in public before rose and shouted at the top of his voice that it
couldn't have been Jimi. There was a clap. Then followed by another until the
whole school was applauding. Jimi was so shocked! He had never stood up for Efua
in times of trouble in the public. But here was Efua, standing up to defend him.
He felt ashamed. The principal quickly ordered Jimi to his office and dismissed
other students. Jimi explained everything to the principal. The principal went
back with Jimi to the police station after he blamed Jimi for his foolish
behaviour to have taken unnecessary blames. The thieves confessed everything at
the station and the charges were dropped against them because of Jimi.
When Jimi came back from the police station to the school, he felt so
relieved. He saw Nene and Ansa and Ansa told him that Efua's mother had arranged
for her leaving the country immediately after the exam because of what happened
between her and Miss Novi. Jimi stood there shocked and later entered the hall
with his friends.
Chapter Twenty
The result of the exams were out in October as all the
students appeared so happy. Jimi had won a scholarship to study electrical
engineering. He had collected prizes in chemistry, physics and technical drawing
during the Valedictory service that was held in July. Nene wanted to study
accountancy as Ansa announced his ambition to study architecture. Both as well
made their papers.
The principal was so proud of them all especially
Jimi. Efua later wrote a letter to Jimi to express her heart that she felt the
same as Jimi felt for her and she also appreciated what he did for Wole. Efua
indicated her intention to study medicine. Jimi felt extremely happy about the
letter though he knew he would not see Efua again but he would not stop
remembering their old days experience together. Ansa came to Jimi and for no
reason they both burst out laughing as everyone starred at them.
SUMMARY BY: THE TESTDRILLER TEAM
Tags:
School Gist
