Mr lecturer episode 43 – 46

Mr. Lecturer

Episode 43

I ended up promising to check on Comfort the next day, equally parting with five thousand Naira which was the only money i had on me that moment before discharging them. They left thereafter, threatening to show up again if i failed keeping my promise while i headed home to rest and plan ahead.
I could have returned to my office since it was too early to go home but i just didn’t have the guts to show up there, instead preferred waiting till the next day when the tension must have died down.
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My wife was really worried, when i told her all that happened between Comfort’s parents and I. The way they humiliated me before my students and colleagues, hiding nothing from her.
“that’s bad. Those guys are mean. They really came well prepared for you.” she said with concern, holding my hands softly.
“i’m afraid, i could lose my job over this. My story is now on everyone’s lips and i won’t be surprised if the school magazine carries the story as well. I’m too ashamed to go back to work. I just don’t know how to face my students and colleagues” i poured out solemnly.
“don’t worry dear, God will see you through this problem. Moreover you still got my love and support” she said softly, kissing me.

I had two things troubling me that moment. Firstly, how to face my colleagues and students, and secondly, how to face Comfort’s family the next day. I already promised to come see them. A promise i made under duress.
“My love, concerning Comfort and her family. Please be careful when you drive over to their place. Don’t eat anything there, not even kola nut. Simply put it in your pocket if you can’t reject it. Those folks can poison you. Please” my dear wife begged as if she knew what i was thinking.
“have no fear dearest. I know myself” i promised her.

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The next morning finally arrived with a very bright weather. I uneasily dressed up and prepared for work.
“i know you are scared daring?. Don’t be. Go with this kiss, it’s well” my wife said sweetly with a superb kiss which she left on my lips. I breathed deeply with appreciation.

“thanks my love. Take care of yourself” i answered and left for work.
I barely had gotten to my office when the “Head of Department” sent his secretary to fetch me. I quickly went over to his office and was surprised to see all the lecturers in my department, both senior and Junior already there.
My heart quickly froze with fear because i couldn’t remember the last time i saw everyone of them together in a room, nor appearing so early in the school. The reality of my position quickly dawned on me.

“Mr Caleb thanks for coming. You already know the reason we are all here. You disrupted academic activities yesterday in a very shameful manner. The school disciplinary panel will be sitting in a few days, though i’m yet to get more details about it but i know your case is already with them. However it won’t stop us from taking our own action. Hmmm you have every right to tell us your version of the story before we proceed with whatever we have in mind” the H.O.D addressed me while my colleagues nodded in approval. Every eyes were on me.
My legs slowly shook as sweat drenched my entire body. I just didn’t know where to start or how to present my defence. They all wanted to hear my story. How do i tell them all about my secret affair with Comfort??.

Episode 44

It really wasn’t easy standing before pairs of intelligent eyes to defend myself. I had no choice than to quickly come up with an easy to believe half truth. There wasn’t any way of fully denying getting involved with Comfort, so what i did was to accept responsibility with a little make up story.
I told them my affair with Comfort started way back when i was still a student and that she was a family friend’s daughter, but we kind of broke up when i left the country for my masters degree.

“I returned and got married to another woman, a situation than infuriated Comfort’s parents, who were aware of our relationship. However it never ended like i wanted, because as soon as i started working in this great school, Comfort used the opportunity as a student to revive our relationship. It really wasn’t easy for me and when i finally told her to leave me alone, she accused me of impregnating her, equally telling her parents about it” I lied effortlessly, but unfortunately i was lying to experienced old men and women who easily picked up many flaws in my story.

“you know i don’t think it’s quite a coincident that the girl Comfort, was your family friend, studied in the school that employed you and equally was a student in your department. Your defence is quite unbelievable and poor anyway we don’t have the right to judge you. You have told us your side of the story which will now be our side of the story as well. Your fate will be decided by the disciplinary panel who will forward their decision to the school senate for approval. As for now, simply stay away from my classes. I will assign another lecturer to cover your courses. The last thing i want is for you to head to any class and be insulted. Hope you all agree with me” the H.O.D asked everyone in the room. They all nodded in approval.

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I left the H.O.D’s office like a broken man. My dignity and pride lost. I equally was on the verge of losing my job. I just didn’t know what to do.
I was deeply thinking in my office when my father in law walked in with his usual grace. I gasped with delight on seeing him because I wasn’t expecting him at all.
He was the only person that had the kind of influence that could turn things around for me in the school.
“I can’t believe our secret is now public. How did you let things get this bad?” he asked, sitting on an empty chair, facing me. I swallowed hard and shrugged, saying nothing.

“There is nothing i can do about it for now because, a Rev. Father is in charge of the disciplinary panel. The man is a very straight forward person and I can’t influence him to kill the case, and i’m afraid he will do a very clean investigative job before submitting everything to the senate for approval. I’m a member of the senate but once the report gets there, hmmmm you are as good as fired. Anyway we still have a month to set things right” he addressed me with concern while i looked up hopefully at him.
He was the only friend and father i had in the school but then it was still two of us against a whole lot of people interested in casting stones on me.

Episode 45

“i’m so confused right now. You are the only person i just got” i confessed, telling the old man everything about the short meeting i had with my H.O.D and colleagues minutes earlier. He listened with abrupt attention, shaking his head when i was done with my narration.
“you know you shouldn’t have admitted your affair with that lady before your colleagues. Anyway, that’s not the problem. The problem at hand is now how to fix your current situation and save yourself from getting fired. Next time don’t dare admitting anything to anyone. Most times keeping silent in the face of grave situation can make one look like a fool but in reality it saves him his future. You should only open your mouth when queried by the disciplinary panel, Vice chancellor or Senate and i advise you find something better than that c–k and bull story you blew to your colleagues” My father in law said with a deep frown.
“yea i made a mistake. I have been making mistakes since i got this job as a lecturer” i muttered with resignation while he stood up and breathed deeply.
“i will be leaving now but don’t worry, i will try my best to help you out for the sake of my daughter and my good friend, your father” he assured me with a smile.

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I really couldn’t concentrate on anything after the old man left me alone. My office suddenly looked like a prison to me. I just felt like an animal in cage. Of course i was definetly in a cage of problems.
By 11:30am, I left my office and headed to Comfort’s village, first stopping at a bank along the way to withdraw some cash. I couldn’t help but imagine the expenses awaiting me at her home. Her parents mentioned something about her being very sick and i knew they would be expecting me to show up with a huge amount of money.
I arrived at Comfort’s house an hour later, very nervous and scared. I took a big risk of coming alone, knowing fully well, how deadly her family could be. They already had dealt me the first blow by embarrassing me before my students and colleagues.

However, as i walked into the compound, after parking my car a distance away. I noticed that the house looked empty, putting my mind a little at ease.
As i headed towards the corridor, i saw Comfort sitting on a bench with both hands on her jaw. She really looked quite sick and old. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Comfort” i called out slowly, not believing that the thin and old looking girl before me was the sharp Comfort that shared many wondrous moments with me.

“my God what happened to you?, what are you doing to yourself ?” i asked with great concern. She breathed deeply, looked up and stared at me, shaking her head.
“is this world worth living when the person you love is beyond your grasp or treats you like a shitbag??” she asked me, tears quickly melting her eyes and putting me in a great emotional turmoil.

Episode 46

“but i’m just the wrong man to love. I’m married my dear and i can’t divorce my wife for anything. You are a very attractive young lady. I do love everything about you but i just can’t be with you the way you want. All that happened between us in the past was a big mistake which you very well know. Don’t ruin your life for my sake, i beg of you just accept my wife’s help” i appealed solemnly, holding her right hand and sitting beside her. She slowly wiped her tears, breathing deeply.
“i can take anything except subjecting myself under your wife’s scorn. That woman hates me. Didn’t you see the fire in her eyes as she talked to me the last time i was in your house?. I can’t submit myself to her.” she complained, while i closed my eyes for some seconds, clueless on what next to say.

“you shouldn’t blame my wife dear. You know, not every woman would have accepted you the way she did. Please don’t judge her” I appealed quickly, taking a swift look round the empty Compound once again.
“where are your parents?” i finally asked curiously.
“mum went to her shop while dad went to see a friend. They never knew you were going to keep your word and show up” she answered.

“so how about your health?, what’s really wrong?” i asked. She shrugged slowly and looked up at me.
“i don’t just know. My whole body is very weak, plus abdominal pains and loss of apetite. I just came back from the community hospital yesterday” she replied uneasily, while i took another good look at her. She really was a shadow of herself.

I ended up spending close to an hour with her, gave her fifteen thousand naira { $100 }, and equally promised to send more money for her upkeep, since she refused accepting my pleas to return to the city in order to get good healthcare for herself and baby.
“i will only return if you promise to get me an apartment yourself and equally promise that i won’t be subjected under your wife’s control” she demanded, but i just couldn’t do such thing, even though i kind of felt obliged to secretly rent an apartment for her without my wife’s knowledge. The risk was something i couldn’t face. Moreover my future was already messed up and i couldn’t afford upsetting my dear wife.

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I finally got home around 4pm without seeing Comfort’s annoying parents and dear me, what a stressful busy day it was. As usual, i told my wife every story that happened, including Comfort’s health condition and some part of my conversation with her. I however never mentioned the complaints Comfort made against her.
“I really do feel for the poor girl but she deserves everything happening to her. She made a bad judgement call by starting an affair with a married man like you. Just the thought of that sucks. Jeez” was all my wife said on the topic.

A week later, i found myself before the school disciplinary panel. Gosh it was one hell of a day. My destiny dangled before my very eyes as i faced Six senior lecturers who were set to prosecute me….

tbc