MERE COINCIDENCE
Dr.
P.C. Obi of the Physiology Department of the University of Akila had, since he
joined the department, been reckoned to be one of the best heads, particularly
in the field of Human Physiology. He invariably strived to behold the final
result of any research he embarked upon; needless to state that he was
result-oriented. He would never rest until he got to the peak of his
aspirations. In fact, he was not second best, but second to none whenever
issues pertaining to academics were raised. This was the singular reason he was
widely celebrated among his contemporaries.
Inter
alia, the 47-year-old father of four was obviously a no-nonsense man both at
home and in the school. His disciplinary nature knew no bounds. Suffice it to
say that he was a core disciplinarian. Each time he entered lecture class, he
would take his precious time to lay emphasis on value system, in addition to
his academic concernment. Above all, he ran an open-door administration as a
class adviser, was very strict though.
“Good morning class!” He graciously
greeted as he faced the 200 Level students of his department.
That would be the first time he would be
meeting with the class since they became students of the institution. Prior to
then, they had only been hearing of him but yet to see him teach.
“Good morning, sir.” They responded in
unison.
Dr. Obi looked at his wrist watch – it was
about some seconds to 8am.
The lecture was meant to commence by
eight. He had never been found wanting when it called for punctuality. And,
such idiosyncrasy had always spoken for his person.
“You are all welcome to a fresh academic
session,” he rode on as he stood on the podium, clad in brownish Safari
trousers and top alongside black corporate shoes. “And of course, a fresh
level.” He said, paused. “Before now, you were in 100 Level.”
“Thank you, sir!” they chorused while
seated.
“Hope you all know me?” he verified.
“Yes sir.”
“Interesting,” he appreciated. “Well, for
those who are yet to know me…” he added, attempting to write on the white magnificent
board only to realized that he left his specs in the office.
He
managed to write his name ‘Dr. P. C. Obi’ on the board with the black ink maker
in his right hand. “Where is the Class Rep?” he enquired soonest after
inscribing the name.
One young man seated amidst the class of
about fifty students raised his right arm up.
“Please come.” He urged, gesticulating.
The Class Representative, dressed in blue
jeans, black plain shoes and white T-shirt tucked into the trousers, hastily
stood up and joined him at the podium.
“Do
you know my office?” he asked him.
“Yes sir.”
“Good,” he said. “Please, go and get me
my spectacles.” He enjoined, handing over his office keys to the chap.
In three minutes time, the young man
returned to the classroom, holding both the specs casing and the keys in his
hand. He climbed the platform and handed the items over to the Doc.
“Thank you,” quoth Dr. Obi. “What’s your
name?”
“Daniel, sir.”
“Daniel?” he verified.
“Yes sir.”
“Alright,” the Doc said. “You can have
your seat.”
Daniel
immediately resumed his seat which was situated at the front row, let out a
deep breath.
Dr.
Obi wore the specs, kept the casing on a table sited beside him having dropped
the keys in one of his trousers’ pocket. “I will be teaching you Introduction
to Anatomy.” He informed the class, hurriedly faced the board and wrote the
course title as it was rightly pronounced.
The students looked at him in
appreciation. Going by their physiognomies, they could not but thank God for
having him as one of their lecturers in their new academic level. Ab initio,
they had been hearing of Dr. P. C. Obi, and that was a golden opportunity for
them to enjoy a cordial relationship with him having longed for such moment
since they found themselves on the campus.
“As long as this semester lasts, I shall
take good time to tell you all you need to know regarding the course, provided
you are willing to,” the don notified. “I wish to inform you that the best
moment I enjoy with my students is when they ask questions when necessary.” He
added, paused.
The
class was attentive.
“In other words,” he continued. “I urge
you not to hesitate in tendering any question whenever you want any
clarification.”
They appeared pleased by the
instruction.
“Did I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir!”
He
could feel the gladness on their faces. “Alright.” He said, faced the board and
began to write down the course outline.
The lecture lasted for two hours as
inscribed on the timetable. After the class, the students were unanimously
elated, thus felt like having more of him.
The moment he got to his office after the
lecture, he observed that a very vital document was missing - a file containing
the database of the results of the final year (400 Level) students of the
department. They were the results of one of the courses he taught them the
previous year. The file in question was kept in his shelf.
He couldn’t believe his sight, thus took
his time to crosscheck the entire files positioned in the shelf towards
ascertaining a misplacement, if any, all to no avail. He sat down, deeply
thought over it again and again, but could not believe he would possibly lose a
document via carelessness. As one who carefully handled issues/documents, let
alone a sensitive one as that, he was convinced beyond doubts that the missing
item was stolen. Therein, he hastily stood up, dashed out of the office and
asked a passerby student to call Daniel.
In
few minutes time, Daniel joined him in the office. “You sent for me, sir?”
“Yes, I did.” Dr. Obi replied while
seated, looked mean. “Please, sit down.”
Daniel calmly sat on one of the seats
positioned opposite Dr. Obi’s
“What’s your full name?”
“Uzodinma Daniel, sir.”
“Mr. Uzodinma.” He called hesitantly.
“Yes sir.”
“When I called you in your classroom,” he
said. “I saw you as a very responsible student.”
Daniel
looked at him attentively.
“So,
why would you betray me?” he hinted.
“Betray
you?” quoth Daniel, seemed confused. “I don’t understand, sir.”
“Why
did you steal from my office?’
“Steal
from your office?” said Daniel. “Sir, I don’t still understand.”
“Oh,”
quoth Dr. Obi. “You are pretending, right?”
Daniel
looked at him in silent awe.
“I
give you five minutes to provide that document,” the don roared. “Else …”
“Which document, sir?”
“Will you get out of my office?” he
ordered, gesticulating, fiercely stood up.
“Sir …?” he tried to utter, keeping his
jaws widely open.
“I said, get out of my office.”
Daniel managed to stand up, calmly
walked towards the door.
“Nonsense..!”
The chap left the office, couldn’t know
what next to do.
Two
weeks later, owing to Daniel’s inability to provide the missing document as
requested, the matter was taken to the university’s Senate. Consequently, he
suffered from expulsion.
What do you think would happen next?
Think about it!
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