It Was a set up episode 9

™
IT WAS A SET UP (EPISODE 9)

So we started preparing.

Clock was ticking.

Hours were counting.

I tried to be a man.

Later that evening, Linda’s mother came to my room.

She said she wanted to have a word with me, so I granted her audience.

“My son, I hope you are enjoying your stay here!”

“Without a doubt, madam”

“Good. So tell me, where are you from?”

“I am from Akwa Ibom.”

“Akwa Ibom. Akwa Ibom is my second home. I visit the state quite often. I know quite a number of influential fellows there. They are my brothers and sisters”, she took a break and continued.

“Well, that is not why I am here. My daughter told me everything about you. I mean everything. But you know what? All your troubles are gone from this minute. Henceforth, you are my son and I want you to see her as your sister. Feel free to come here any time. This is your second home too. Any time you enter this state and runs into whatever trouble, just mention my name. Also, both of you will no longer be schooling there, because your safeties will not be guaranteed. I have made arrangement to fly both of you out of the country. Linda always wanted to study abroad, but his father is so stubborn. He won’t let her, but now he has no choice.”

At that point, something flashed into my mind. That was the opportunity I was waiting for. Linda had been refusing to tell me about her father, so I decided to ask her mother.

“So who is her father? I have not heard about him.”

“You mean she hasn’t told you about her father?”

“ She hasn’t.”

She smiles and added: “stubborn girl. She will. Don’t worry, someday she will. My daughter is a good girl. She chooses her time well, just like the mother. She doesn’t keep friends, so when she told me about you, I was surprised. Initially I was upset for her to keep a male friend, but she convinced me to believe that you were a good person, not like those vagabonds. And I have seen that you are really good.”

She smiled, and so did I.

“Thank you madam. I really appreciate all you have done for me. God will continue to bless you. People like you are hærd to find. Thank you so much.”

“Thank God my son. Now there is something you must do for me.”
I became more attentive on hearing that.
“I want you to be firm and courageous before the Senate. Just say exactly what you know. Don’t be intimidated. Tell them the truth. What you don’t know, just tell them you don’t know. Is that understood?”

“Yes madam. It’s understood.”

“Good. Just take your time before you respond to any question you will be asked.”

I nodded as she stood up from the bed.

“At this point, let me allow you get some rest. Tomorrow, you’ll get some change of clothes. Rest well my son.”

“Thank you madam. Good night.”

I waited for her to leave my room before displaying how happy I was.

All my days on this world have been days of agony.

Happiness has been avoiding me like a plague.

My heart came to terms with sorrow.

The number of times I had cried were more than the number I smiled.

Linda was born with a silver spoon, but mine was with a clayey spoon that was forcefully taken away by my uncle.

When I heard those juicy privileges given to me by that woman, my heart melted.

As soon as she left my room, I jumped up in happiness.

I kept jumping and thanking God for finally sending me a helper.

That was a dream that was about to come true.

I knelt down and began to pray to God.

I cried as I poured out my heart to God.

I prayed for God’s protection on Linda’s family.

I prayed for my family too.

My heart got broken severely when I remembered where I came from.

I cried. I thanked God. I prayed. I smiled. It was really too emotional for me.

It continued like that until I slept.

The following morning, one of the guys working for madam brought me new clothes and shoes.

We used that day to get ourselves prepared for the task ahead.

By evening, all was set for the journey the next day.

But before that time , Linda and I used to get text messages and WhatsApp messages from our school mates about the matter.

Some people were of the opinion that we have absconded from school due to pressure from Dr Mike.

We were told how Dr Mike kept threatening us during lectures even when we were not at school.

Mike has been bragging how he was going to deal with us and any other person who would dare interfere.

He had grown to become a demi-god in the school community.

I remembered when he plainly told me that ‘if I go to heaven, I will see him. If I go to hell, he is there too.’

I began to wonder what would become of him at the end of the case.

Finally, the much awaited day arrived.

The day of reckoning.

We set out to the school just on time, as the Senate was to sit by 10am.

I was wondering why the entire Senate would have to gather for such a minor issue.

We arrived the school and some of our course mates came to pity us.

It was few minutes to 10am, so we proceeded to the venue.

I was down scared.

Barrister Adewale was already there.

At exactly 10am, we commenced.

The Vice Chancellor presided over.

Other members were; The Deputy Vice Chancellors, Deans of Faculties, All Professors, Heads of Academic Departments, Directors of Academic Units, University Librarian, Representatives of Faculties, The CSO and our own Barrister Adewale.

Dr Mike was present as well.

They all introduced themselves.

It was a gathering of intellectuals.

They took time introducing themselves with all their academic qualifications.

It was time for Linda and I to introduce ourselves.

I did it first, and it was very brief.

But when it was time for Linda to introduce herself, I was shocked to my marrow.

© Ezekiel Umoren