“Obiora my son,” Chief Okeke called in a
low tone. “It’s obvious that you are now an undergraduate.”
Obiora who happened to be Chief Okeke’s only son just secured an
admission in Spectrum University to study Petroleum Engineering; Spectrum
University was one of the most respected tertiary citadels of learning across
the East. That fateful day, which preceded the day he was meant to leave home for
the campus, his beloved father was actually giving him the needed counselling
for the odyssey that awaited him; both of them alongside his mother were seated
at the family’s sitting room at about ten minutes to six O’clock in the evening
(05:50 pm).
“As my first child and only son,” Chief
Okeke who sat directly adjacent to Obiora in one of the two-in-one upholstery
chairs, continued. “I want you to realize that a lot of responsibilities await
you.”
His wife Lolo Okeke who was seated beside him nodded, while Obiora
listened attentively.
Chief Okeke was a successful trader; he was into motor spare parts.
“Most importantly,” He
proceeded. “You must acknowledge that studying an engineering discipline in a
university is not an easy task.” He paused. “Thus, I expect you to be extremely
careful as well as mindful of your studies, which is no doubt the prerequisite
for attaining your anticipated success room.”
“My son,” His mum chipped in.
“You’ve to adhere to every instruction your dad is giving you.” She said.
Paused. “You’re lucky you have a very wonderful and caring father, which every
child ever prays for.”
“I promise, I won’t disappoint you dad.” Obiora assured. “And you, mum.”
He concluded looking at his mother’s eye sockets.
“I pray your wish would remain your motivation.” Chief Okeke added.
“Amen!” His wife complimented passionately.
“My son,” He continued. “All I
want from you is to remain a good ambassador of this noble family.”
Obiora quickly folded his arms tightly. Became apprehensive.
“Honestly, you have all it takes to excel.” Chief Okeke reminded. “The
last time I checked, you had no reason to become a failure.”
The wife concurred with him via a series of nod.
“Before I conclude,” Chief Okeke rode on. “I must let you know one
fact.”
Obiora changed his posture. This time, he leaned his head on his right
arm, which was standing firm on his right thigh.
“In my dialect which is Igbo language” Chief Okeke said. “University is
referred to as ‘Mahadum’, which literally implies ‘know it all’.”
The wife nodded. Became more interested.
“Therefore, you are meant to know everything about the world as well as
all that is in it.” He said. Paused.
Obiora remained still in his sitting position. Wasn’t distracted by
anything around him, not even the trespass of a snake.
“But mind you,” His dad rode on. “You are only expected to be part of
those ones that are morally acceptable.”
Obiora nodded continuously for several seconds.
“A word, they say,” Chief Okeke said. “Is enough for the wise.” He
concluded.
“Thank you, dad.” Obiora applauded. Went back to his previous posture.
“My dear,” His mum chipped in.
Obiora quickly focused his eyes on her.
“I want you to take your prayers very seriously.” She warned. Took a
breath. “Endeavour to say your prayers at least twice in a day – in the morning
and before you go to bed.”
“Okay mum.”
“And, don’t forget to go to church every Sunday and whenever necessary.”
Obiora nodded.
“Please my son,” She continued. “You must note that your two sisters are
looking up to you.”
Chief Okeke nodded.
“So, you must always lead by example.” She concluded.
“Thank you, mum.” Obiora excitedly applauded. “Thank you, dad.” He added
looking at them respectively.
* * * * * *
After Obiora’s first year on
campus, he made excellent results in all his 100 Level courses, that, everyone
in engineering faculty including his lecturers and fellow students became
attracted to his person, which made him an envy of all – both dick and harry.
His parents were immensely impressed over the remarkable performance of
their only son, though the said outcome wasn’t too surprising to them because
Obiora was truly a very brilliant chap ab initio – he had maintained his
brilliance right from his primary school days. Owing to the fabulous
performance, his father Chief Okeke became more concerned over all the academic
needs of the chap. Obiora never lacked anything an undergraduate could boast
of; his father sent him money whenever he asked for it. All he needed was to
ask, and the money would be deposited in his bank account immediately. More
appallingly, thereafter they never took visiting him on campus as a priority
again as they used to since the boy had proven to them that he was really
taking his studies seriously.
But one popular Igbo adage would say ‘Ana eji ututu amara njo ahia’;
when translated it means, ‘A trader will never know if there would be poor
patronage in a certain day going by the pace of sales during the early-hours
session of the day in question’.
As time progressed, during Obiora’s second year in the university as the
best student among the overall 200 Level students of Petroleum Engineering department,
he vowed to sustain his current Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) which was
4.75, with the aim of making his lovely parents proud just as he promised at
the beginning of the journey. So, he continued with the tempo until one ungodly
day when he ran into Anayo – one of the students in the Business faculty.
Anayo was a very notorious guy on
campus; it was only a new or academic minded student like Obiora that was yet
to know him. Anayo who was a final year student of Business Management
department was a member of one of the most dreaded secret confraternities in
Spectrum University – the Red Vulture; he happened to be one of the leaders of
the cult. It seemed Anayo’s eyes had been on Obiora from the moment he was
recognized as one of the best students in his faculty.
That fateful day after lecture period, in the evening precisely, having
been exhausted Obiora thought it wise to chill himself with a bottle of cold
soft drink and a snack in the university café. He wanted something that would
sustain him till he gets to his lodge where he could prepare a meal for
himself, unknowingly to him that someone had been spying on him all along.
The moment he entered the café, the kingpin followed suit after a few
minutes and sat directly opposite him at the plastic table he was making use
of.
On his part, he requested for a plate of fried rice and a soft drink as
well. That was the first time Anayo would be taking a meal with soft drink
rather than beer; he never wanted his incoming prey to realize that he was
actually sharing a table with a nonentity or a party to a riffraff – a
deceptive countenance indeed.
“Hi guy!” Anayo cheerfully greeted while devouring his meal. He was dressed in a pair of black
three-quarter jeans, blue T-shirt, black face cap and a pair of white canvases.
He seemed to be in his late twenties.
“Hello.” Responded the unsuspecting prey that was clad in a pair of blue
jeans, green and white double-coloured shirt and a pair of black plain shoes.
“Are you in this school?” He falsely enquired.
“Yes, of course.” Replied Obiora.
“You must be a new student, I guess?”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because you look so fresh.” The fair in complexion and innocent looking
kingpin who was plump and average in height remarked.
Obiora smiled heavily. “You must be kidding.” Said the slim and tall
chocolate coloured young man who was in his early twenties amidst the smile.
“Honestly,” Anayo added. “I’m not joking.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Said Anayo. Paused. “I mean, always.”
“So, what do I call you?” Obiora inquisitively enquired.
“Anayo.” He replied placing his heavy right arm on his guilty chest. “But
they call me Whiskey.”
“They?”
“Ya, my friends.” Anayo cleared the air.
“Alright.”
“And you?”
“Okay,” Obiora said. “I’m Obiora.”
“That makes us brothers then.”
“How?”
“We’re both Igbos, of course.”
“Oh,” Obiora exclaimed. “You’re absolutely right!” He said, smiling.
In spite of his dangerous nature, Anayo was undoubtedly a gifted clown;
he had all it takes to win the heart of anyone that comes on his way, and
Obiora wasn’t exceptional.
Obiora was yet to make a friend since he found himself at the four walls
of Spectrum University. And, coming across Anayo who he saw as a saint gave him
an opportunity to mingle with someone he could address as his confidant on
campus.
After their stay at the café
having exchanged all the needed pleasantries as well as contacts, they departed
for their respective residents.
Within a few days of their first meeting, they became best of friends. Those
who knew Obiora too well especially his course mates became overwhelmingly
astonished over his abrupt relationship with a dude who was regarded by all and
sundry on campus as a ‘monster’. They couldn’t believe their sight; initially
they were of the view that they were daydreaming till the friendship metamorphosed
into a more obvious and inseparable union.
While these scenes were unfolding, Obiora
started declining in his academic performances due to the reluctant attention
he was giving to his studies, which was totally contrary to his real self. In
regard to this, his class adviser who had witnessed the drastic drop in his
commitments confronted him having invited him to his office but Obiora lied to
him that he had been sick and promised that he would improve soonest.
After one month of coming across
Anayo having been persuaded severely and severally, he made up his mind to join
the Red Vulture confraternity. At this point, Obiora became a completely
different creature socially, mentally, and otherwise. Little did his parents
know that their beloved and only son had been transformed into something else.
Unfortunately, or fortunately for
him, the first armed robbery operation he embarked on in the company of the
gang landed him into a big mess. The intended criminal operation, which was a
night outing, was aborted by the police on their way to the proposed
destination. Subsequently, they were charged to court while in the police net.
On receiving the information, they were all expelled from the
university.
Obiora’s parents couldn’t
believe their fate; the rough end was the least they could imagine from the
onset. After one month of the ordeal, Chief Okeke had a stroke in which he
remained in coma for the first six consecutive weeks.
