Mere Coincidence

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!

Follow me: @mediambassador

http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor