"I OWE HER SOMETHING"

•  "I OWE HER SOMETHING"

By: Habeebullahi Yusuf Eleku 'DKenspeckle' 

{Episode 1}

The experiences I illuminated are conceded with the monument values they subsume. My name is Olayimika known as Olayinka as abbreviated. An only son of my hon parent being the first and last born. 

I am a person you can easily recognise when you sight. Being tall in four feet/5 inches. Am little fair in complexion resembling my mother. My favored color is Lemon, due to its luminance. And my favorite food is Rice with any kind of subordinated meal annexed to it. That's what my parents like also. 

Every family is in rapture only the one that God didn't bestow his mercy on. Happiness will refuse to live in that kind of domicile like ours. Though, we are living in an apartment of two bedroom flat having  a big enough kitchen and a toilet in each room. 

Am twelve at that time. I chose weather to sleep with mum or dad. My parents care for me and I know. That's how it suppose to be. If they do not care, then who to make it up? But hatred filled their face uncostantly whenever am with them to converse my problem. 

The barricade in my heart affected my life so much that wanted to lead to dilapidation. Withal, it is not that my parents are rich to provide all what I request for. They provide stipend to cover some things I needed mostly. 

In my Primary school of education, I was the dullest in my class and I ignorantly score low marks in tests and examinations. Frankly, I can't recalled my Kindergarten level of performance but I confided it as same with my current rendition. 

My parents are not to blame because they didn't pass by it. People of high positions attended formal educational process at their era. But lower people did well in informal educational operation. I often thought they cheated them for that. 

Even if not for civilization, I would rather follow my father ventures which is barbing or my mother's occupation as a trader. All those work can not impress me when my mate are going to school. Seeing them dressing up in School uniform only, it imprint in me. 

Yet, my parents high rate ignorance academically added to my illiteracy everyday. Appending to whenever am being given an homework to do. I urged doing it in school before going home or I submit not. One of my classmate always stood for that. Can't forget him ever. 

I constantly requested my parents to hire a home lesson teacher for me thinking that it will easily aid and can quickly improve me in having good score in my academic but all in futility. They don't even look into my idea two times before refusal. I wept anytime I saw my classmate proving their lore, wisdom and knowledge. It seems no one care for me now. I felt miserable and unlucky having that big for nothing head which cannot grasp anything at all. Or am I zero brain? 

On getting to Class 5 of the Primary school, there joined us a girl. Her name was Atoke. She eventually came for common entrance examination to Secondary school level. I think she was ten then. She was very young, brilliant, fluent and audible. She answered most questions asked by teachers. Our class teacher chose her as representative of our class in any kind of competition. 

I hate her like nobody. Previously, My hatred was on the whole class but as she joined she took it all. I saw everything she did as an act of braggodocio of her knowledge, for me to feel flippant and to know that her stratum supersede mine. Instead of me to strive hard in seeking new lores, I spawned abhorrence on her. She felt unpleasant whenever she stand to talk and unconsciously meet my wretchedly eyes. I don't care if anything bad befalls her. That's her own knot. 

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One day, I came early to school around 6:30am afore the school 'Assembly' and I ran straight to my class aiming to drop my bag as the first enterer. I credentialing believe that there will be no one in school at that primitive hour. 

Flabbergastingly, I was shocked setting my eyes on Atoke in the class holding a chalk before the blackboard. She also changed her position suddenly as if I am the Principal. And definitely her handwriting on the chalk board was very clear for me to see. Certainly she was demonstrating as a teacher before my arrival. She expects me to utter some words of greetings such as 'Good morning', 'Hi', and others because it  is prevalent among students when meet in morning. Despite there's no passed talk between us, she still wish I voice so. 

Calamitiously, I discarded her expectance. I refuse to open my mouth not to talk of saying a word. When my body is as hot as the electronic heater not concerning the weather of the early dawn just because of hatred. 

I dropped my bag on my seat and hastily headed back to the main door. As I am to step out of the classroom, I heard someone calling my name. 
"Yinka!..." Oh my God! The voice is sweet and romantic. None of parents or teachers had ever called me as fluent as that. 

I looked around to ascertain who is it and found no one but Atoke. I continue to step more outside when she called again. 
"Yinka!..." she stops as I looked over my right shoulder gazing at her. 
"Good morning!" she completed in fading voice.Angrily I left without saying a word retortedly.

In a couple of minutes the school bell was rang and we all gathered for the Assembly. Prayer must firstly be said before any other agenda as the Principal, Councillor and some teacher will give lecture and moral talks crony to advices and other school schedule. 

On the Assembly after the prayer, recitation of National Anthem, the National Pledge and the school Anthem, the Assembly chain was about to dismantle when some deviant boys push behind. I left the chain and went straight to the back where there will be no blitz on me. 

I stayed there for like two good minutes afore altering my view when I saw Atoke besides me. She also tarried at the back on female train. Voraciously, she didn't saw me looking but am dumbfounded with the situation she was. I can't precisely say what's wrong with her. But her actions revealed that she was not concentrating on the agendas and lectures given by the aforementioned lectures despite she looks down in frowning face thinking about something.

And what puzzled my mind most is that she loves to be fronted in every School programs which school assembly is part of. She conventionally stood at the front on Assembly. So, what has came up to her to be at the back? Have I hurt her for the morning? 

Her sudden fettle got me perplexed and worry. I promised myself to go after her subsequent the Assembly to find out what's wrong on the button. She was not as bland as that as from the I know her. Purely I can't move closer to her asking maybe she could tell. On an account of the bad habits have done to her, she may have phobia and wish not to tell me anything of what she felt. Sincerely I thought they are not crummy until the day. My mind is blowing as my heartbeat accelerated. 



{Episode 2}

Later on, we all matched as we line up on the Assembly then heading to our variegated classrooms when am at same time scrutinizing on Atoke. I probes her till we entered to our fastidious classroom yet nothing understandable. The first three period of lessons before the breakfast was taught and amazingly that Atoke didn't attempt to answer any question of the teachers. 

She felt unpleasant till the Closing hour only I don't know maybe she might revamped when she got home. As I verified nothing causing her abrupt behaviour, I walked home in disturbed mind guessing so many things that can create sadness to her habit and the only one on top my mind was my behavior toward her in the morning. 

Another thinking in me challenge the stated notion positively declaring that it is not possible for that behavior of mine to hurt her at all. Cause we are not friend or related in any way formally. So how does that have any hurt in her habit?

Odds and ends impression was my focus on my way home. Walking down the street by my own bootstraps. I met my mother outside separating some goods she had bought from the city. I greeted her velociously aiming at the entrance of our house when she called me back. I turned to her gazing and expecting what she wanted to say. 

She affronted me for standing aloof which makes me moved closer. Without any delay she asked me the reason of my gloomy look. Wanted to know what cause my oppression after all those yore days of murky about my studies. I think she notice the superfluous on that day. My frowning was a long time occurrence in which my parents never ask of. Or maybe that of the day worse than the other. 

I briskly changed up my mind making it a shot for me to request for the money have been in agog to collect from them when they are not avail to hear those complaints. Still on my reasoning when she shouted at me de novo asking of what happened to me. That's when I slowly release my voice. 
"Mama! Nothing happened to me really. It is just because of the materials I needed in school which I don't have makes me suffer today" I deluded. 
"What do you mean?" she catechized. 
"I was flogged because of some textbooks I suppose to buy..."
"shut up! Why can't you ask me or your father?" she interrupted. 
"Mama! But anytime I came to explain, you are not always ready to hear me out or you claimed of not having time dealing with your businesses" I emplaced. 
"Notwithstanding, is there no time for us at least to see eachother and talk like this?" she retorted. 
"Truly, there is. But I know certainly that if I am the commencer of this conversation you aren't going to hearken me of it ." I clarified.
"it's OK! It's OK!! So, how much is the money?" she asked. 
"You mean the total amount right?"
"hun hun! The special amount ni. Common tell me jo!"
"Alright it is Two thousand six hundred naira ma."
"Apo metala completely?" she exclaimed. 
"Yes mama." I finalized.

She dropped the goods and looked for her money bank at the corner of the tilled goods. She gave me the money and I rushed in. 

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In the evening, I begin to think of goodness Atoke has done for the day because if not for her I wouldn't have grimaced not to talk of collecting the money have been dreaming of. It is true that I am not punished for the material I needed cause it is voluntarily in consumption and it also costs One thousand Naira only while the rest rested as my gain. 

That's where I got another inspiration. 'Why can't I buy something for Atoke from the money as a gift?'  that idea came. And yes I thought it was best idea ever. I started to think of what to buy then, as a small boy with no senses think of buying a biscuit. Not the small one but the big that is expensive. It serves as a meal of some family like ours. My father bought it sometimes and we all shared. 

The cloud painted itself black and everywhere filled  silence. My mother was in her room while my father was in his. All sleeping and I was in sitting room having opened eyes like that of a ghost willing to see the last view of the world. Am being tense about what is happening in the next day. 'it will be the first day I will talk to her opportune of the gift'. It was on this thinking I am when sleep takes my soul. 

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"Olayinka! Olayinka!! Yinka!!!" I thought it was a dream until I was gave a tap on my foot. I opened my eyes and saw my mother. 
"it is morning already. Or are you not going to school today?" she asked. In front of any utterance I was amazed that morning has came so early. 
"Mama! I will." I retorted. Recalling the end thought of last day fasten my preparation for school.

I bought the gift on my way to school from the money and kept it inside my school bag while the remaining money were preserved in my pocket. When I got to school, I situated down my school bag in the classroom and went off to the principal office to pay for the handbooks that is One thousand Naira only. As he collected the money, write down my name and gave me a receipt then the handbooks. Mathematics and English language textbook by MacMillan. 

I ambulated hurriedly to the classroom in rapturous displaying my books for my classmates to hallucinate. It was an astonishment moment for them. I majestically walked to my seat but unsuitably discovered my school bag on the floor opened. I rapidly checked it and found nothing except my notebooks and pencils. What is missing? 'The gift!' 'The gift!!' 'Oh no!!!' 

It was a total stupefying hap to me haven't experience such situation in the classroom. Though, there are thieving issues every week of the school and it happens severally in our classroom but none of my stuff has been taken for that. I asked from my friends next to my seat and they all claimed innocent. I preferred not to raise the matter obviating the whole class awareness about my gifting plan. 

While setting my eyes on Atoke created a brutal wound in my heart. I promised to give it to her at first instance or during the break but none of the plan is going to work then. And I can't off school except at the closing time if I wanted to buy another. Closing hour will be too late but I have no option.

 I told myself that I will run to the provision store where I bought the first one to get another immediately after the school so as to meet her before she left the school premises.The clock was so slow as I thought due to my hurriedness when I turned to unlooked-for Time keeper checking the classroom wall clock every minute. 

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It is breakfast period, I saw Atoke going out with her friends craving to play in group and I wished to see her actions comparing her behavior with the last day. I go after her showing no trace. She with her group gathered at one side of the main field clapping and singing while some boys are on the main center field playing football. Some are eating their breakfast sitting near the food seller. And others are running helter-skelter playing 'Police and Thieve'. 

So insinuated for me not involved in any of the act other than sighting the actions. That day, I wasn't feeling ravenous and playing was not my boon as well. I wondered with those students who are at playing and still the intelligent head in the classroom. Maybe home lessons. 

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My head is turning from right to left and from the left to the right eyeing the students different kinds of recreation. There comes a boy of my mate glaring at me. I thought he came to provoke until he told me I was called by my class teacher. Then I camly told him have heard and he pokily left. 

I entered my class teacher office in fear. Not knowing what I might have done wrong. He was recording scores in his record book. probably the C.A test we did last week. 
"Good morning sir!" I greeted. 
"Oh! Morning, how are you?" 
"Am fine sir" I retorted. My panicking accreted as he silent for some minutes. 
"Please wait a moment. I want to finalize this recording avoiding slip up..." he filtered. 
"OK sir" I responded. 

After some minutes he finished with it and packed them all to one side on the table. "Now, all is well. So let me reveal the reason of me calling you here." he paused and continue "Firstly, have you take your breakfast?" he asked. 
"No sir" I replied. 
"Alright, It seems I know the cause of that." He cleared his throat. "See I will be very glad if you keep this between me and you only." he drew me closer. "I was told this morning that your meal for breakfast had been stolen and I took some step which later produce it back. I should have gave it to you afore break but am little busy here which made me sent for you. Hope you get me right? 

All what he said was like story when I can't say a word aback only nodding to his questions. He withdrew his hand, brought out my so called gift from his his table drawer and directly to my stretched hand. I was more than happy as I left his office to the class. I put the gift in my bag again backed it on. "So what is the next thing to do? Presentation! How is it happening?" I kept asking myself. Where to start the conversation with her is unknown to me. Lost has been found, but phobia stays. I was hopeless and helpless. 

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The break was over, students entered their various classes. I saw nobody's entering except Atoke's. My heart drummed as she moves calmly to her seat and that is where I  began to sense that am having some feelings toward her. As said earlier that I don't want class intervention in my gift present to her, I postponed it to the closing hour so we can have time for eachother. 

The class teacher came to check on me weather have eaten or not. I lied to him that have taken some for breakfast and the remaining were kept for launch. He left after the exposition and I returned back to time keeping. 

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Closing bell was rang and students shouted as customed running recklessly down the school gate. I stilled in the classroom not shaking. Expecting the school to leave me and her alone waiting a bit. Truly, I already heard that she loves to wait after school reading her books for she may not have time at home.

It was said that what a man wants most will always be on his mind unable to wave away for a minute. I waited till that expected moment when I was able to be her only partner in the classroom. The flashback of the last day racked my brain and I felt guilty. "I must not fucked up this time" I silently said to myself. I brought the gift out my schoolbag and gaze at the cover reading it contents. I closed my eyes deeply and opened it back. It didn't aid. 

Then I remembered those days of my hatred which I can do anything to her without fear. "So what is now in me that developed the phobia?" asking myself as I perplexed. During the imagination comes my boldness. I stood up from the seat headed toward her. Reaching her seat I bend a little to place my right hand on her desk while the left was behind holding the gift. 

She noticed my appearance and dropped the book she was reading. She was full of surprises staring at me. I was voiceless staring back to that beautiful face don't know who took it away. 
"Hem... Atoke! Which book are you reading?" I rapidly threw that when she was about to cut the silence. 
"It is English textbook" she answered and took the book up showing it to me. "The one we are using in the class" she completed. 
"Oh! Yes it is. Only that I don't see the cover earlier..."
"But you bought yours today?" she snatched. 
"Yes. But I haven't check it all"
"Alright. So it is best thought you do that when you get home." she urged. 
"OK! Thanks." I concluded while there was main cause of the conversation driving in my my skull.
"Humm!... Please... can I..." 
"Just relax and say whatever you wish. Don't be troubled. So far, it was me and you here all alone." 

My head reduced from the afore size and my mind calmed due to her word. 'Was she expecting me before?' my mind asked. No one to answer that but her actions after I present the gift. "OK!" I looked at the wall clock and notice it is one hour after school. It doesn't have anything to do with I wanted to say only to wave my tremble. "Atoke! Can I present you a gift?" 
"A gift?" she dabbed her eyes "why not." she certified. Then my temperature balance completely. I disclosed the hidden gift and gave it to her. 
"Wow! My favourite snack! Where did you get it?" she asked that maybe she didn't hear about its lost in the morning which she had. 
"It is for you." 
"Me only?"
"Yeah.''
"Oh! Thank you very much. Now I can read very well with this." she grinned as she was opening the the gift. "So, can you join me in reading now?" asking me as she was busy unfolding. 
"No problem, as you wish." I answered in rapture. 
"I thought that will better, huh?" 
"Sure!" we smiled to one another. 

We read together for the day and I learnt so many things from her. She force me to eat from the snack and I have no choice expect to do so. We masticate simultaneously till it finish. After two hour we departed. 

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The 'After school lesson' continue between me and her. That is when I know the value of the wide quote that reads "No condition is permanent!". As my status of being a birdbrain changes to gemmy competence. Contributing to the class lecture when the whole class gape the sudden change in me. 

Atoke then was my only illustrative teacher that I comprehend. She taught me so many subjects far from the class syllabus. I understand her easily in calculation not like the puzzle game we did in classroom calling mathematics. At that time I remember the power of knowledge in the body. I answer so many questions in the class while I raised some points that can lead to arguments in the classroom to cause commotion. 

"Oh God! That's what I blamed Atoke and others for, in the first place. So I am no more their antagonist?" it swayed in my brain. I felt bad, realizing it lately and recalling those ere hurts in mind thinking wretchedly. I wished to meet them one after the other explicating my lame believe and plead for forgiveness. 

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My parents was so glad when my class teacher called them divulging my turn up in academic with high grade in tests and examination. My parents promised to sent me to College for further education which I didn't dream of. And my class teacher list the name of the best Colleges in our town and I chose the one I love most. 

It was Friday after the school when I told Atoke about the rapturous News and she put on a happy face. But she later downcast when she said that it was so painful we are not continue with our affinity. Because we are not going to the same College. My mood also spoilt with her utteration. 

Despite I have something great to tell her for the day but her word made me to reserved it. We are friend so far, even more than friendship. But I want to say something that can fay us together till eternity. 
"Maybe we are meeting in the nearest future." she concluded. Tears filled her eyes and she used her handkerchief to cover her eyes as she left. I can't control myself again and I started crying. 

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The followed week on Monday, she was absent and my classmates said her father has registered her in another school for her good examination to the college. "Oh no! She shouldn't have done this." My brain rang an unbearable bell. My body shakes in regret and crying became my hubby whenever I reminded her. "But I owe her something" that became my song. 

I sickened for two months of expecting a difference when local and modern medicines run across my blood vein all in futile. I later recovered when my parent worried a lot about me and my examination to college was neared. 

The next three month I got admitted to Mandate Junior Secondary School. And I study well as Atoke taught me those days studying beyond the syllabus and I was among the great student of the school having believe that one day is coming when I and her will meet. So that I will be able to give back what I owed her. 

THE END

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