Click HERE to read Episode 10 of the story
Few minutes after Marv
left the office, the Manager called the receptionist to find out if he was not
around yet, and the Manager could not fathom the receptionist’s explanation.
“What do you mean by
he packed his things and left?”
“That was what he did
sir.”
“Didn’t you tell him I
said he should see me in my office?”
“I told him sir, and
he said he would see you in your office, I didn’t know he didn’t sir.”
“It’s ok.”
The Manager was
totally confused and perplexed. He couldn’t understand the reason behind Marv’s
behaviour.
“…and I actually
wanted to tell him that he has met his monthly target because one of his
clients made a huge deposit before the close of work yesterday.” The Manager
thought aloud.
“You said what sir?”
“Oh! Never mind, I’ll
just call him to tell him.” The Manager said, as he dropped the Intercom.
As far as Marv was
concerned, his world was not only crumbling, it was also falling apart. Aside
loosing his job and getting to know about Ify’s sexual encounter, the most
recent update he got to know about Ify broke his camel’s back, not to mention
his HIV status. He knew for certain that he has failed and disappointed his
poor mother, who has been a widow for over 10 years, and his siblings, who were
looking up to him.
“How will I tell them
I am HIV positive?” He wondered, as tears filled his eyes. His journey back
home was the usual short distance, but it looked to him like it took eternity
to get home. His mind was made up. He needed to end his life and spare his
family the news and shame of having an HIV infected person in their lineage.
“Atleast, I would save
mum and others the trouble of running around to save my cursed soul.” He
thought to himself.
As he sat in the taxi
with his small things from the office, his phone never stopped ringing. He
already made up his mind not to pick the call the instance he saw it was the
Manager.
“Oh! Now he wants to
sack me over the phone. Well, he won’t have to because I’ve already sacked
myself.” He told himself, as he kept ignoring the call.
“Uncle Marv! You don
com back?” Mama Chinedu asked Marv as he entered the gate.
“Yes!” He replied casually.
“Hope no problem, dis
one wey you quick com back so.”
“No problem. I forget
somtin.”
“You no dey see? E be
lik say dem don pursue am for work oooo.” Mama Chinedu’s friend whispered to
Mama Chinedu in a loud voice, loud enough for Marv to hear with ease.
As Marv walked to his
apartment, he could feel their eyes piercing his body, as the two women laughed
and gossiped him. As far as Marv was concerned, the world doesn’t want him
anymore, and he sure have overstayed his welcome. On getting to his room, he
locked the door behind him, dropped all his things on the floor and reached for
his gun in the bedside drawer. He didn’t even bother to open the bullet chamber
for his usual spin. He simply corked the gun, placed it by his head, and pulled
the trigger.
================================================================
The
room was filled with a handful of people, ranging from journalists from newspaper,
TV and radio stations, down to some of the teaching and non-teaching staff of
the university. Prof. Alex Ighalo was introduced to the podium, amidst applauds,
shouts and different camera clicks. Everything about him had changed, even his
steps, and he waved as he mounted the podium.
“Thank you so much.”
He started, as the shouts and applauds died down.
“It has been a very long
and hectic journey, and I am happy we all have come to this point. I say
congratulations to every one of you. I would not really congratulate myself
because I have not been the only one looking forward to this day. We all have
been waiting for this change in our university, and I can assure you that every
staff of this university would see the great change that is coming. Thank you.”
He finished, as applauds and shouts, mixed with camera clicks filled the air
again.
“Let me take a
question or two from the journalists around.” He said, pointing to one of the
journalists.
“Sir, we’ve been
hearing rumours about a likely increase in school fees for your administration,
how true is that sir?”
“Hmmmm…well, I also
heard the rumours too, and I can’t help but wonder where they are coming from.
I’ll say, let’s not bother ourselves with that for now. Let’s take a step at a
time.” He answered, pointing to another journalist.
“Sir, what does your
administration intend to do to curb the level of insecurity in the school?”
“I would like to
assure all and sundry that security would be held in high esteem in this
administration, and as for the two final year girls that were kidnapped in
their off-campus hostel last month, we all know that one of them was found dead
about two weeks ago. But we’ve started working with the police and other
security agencies, and we would intensify our efforts in making sure that the
other girl is found, and reunited with her family.”
Applauds and shouts,
mixed with camera clicks filled the atmosphere once again, and Prof. Alex
Ighalo took a bow, leaving the podium. He went straight to his office as the
Vice Chancellor of the university to assume his position.
“Congratulations sir!”
A sonorous female voice greeted him.
“Oh! Thank you so
much.” He replied, stretching his hand for a handshake.
“I am the secretary
sir.” The lady said, smiling shyly.
“I know. I know of how
you served the former VC diligently, and I can assure you that we would
definitely work together well enough.”
“Thank you sir.”
Prof. Alex Ighalo
said, as he walked into his office, with people who accompanied him waiting at
the secretary’s office. Prof. Alex Ighalo could not help but admire the office.
He had been there a couple of times for a meeting or two, but it felt different
as he sat on the big executive chair in complete awe. He was lost in thought
about how well he had done for himself to get to the position when he heard a
slight knock on the door.
“Yes, come in.”
“I’m sorry to disturb
you sir. This letter came in now, and it was marked as urgent. So, I felt I
should get it to you immediately.” The Secretary said.
“It’s ok. Bring it.”
“Ok sir.”
“Are people still
waiting for me outside?”
“Yes sir. A handful of
them.”
“Ok. Just tell them I’ll
attend to them shortly.”
“Ok sir.”
“I guess this is the
first letter I’m receiving at the VC of the school.” He said smiling.
“Yes sir.” The
Secretary replied, smiling heavily, as she left the office.
Prof. Alex Ighalo
looked at the letter, and did a sign of the cross before opening it. The letter
had the printed copy if a phone screenshot message that has his name as the
sender.
“I have used you for
rituals.” The words in the picture read, with his name, Prof. Alex Ighalo, boldly
on the top of the message as the sender.
“How about the whole
world knowing about how you got to that position?” was written as a short note
attached to the printed picture.
Prof. Alex Ighalo’s
hands shook as he held the letter. “Where could this come from?” He asked
himself as he pulled his suit in the full air-conditioned office.
***EPILOGUE***
It is not a joke to
say that a handful of people are depressed, even though they still go about
their daily lives, acting as if all is well. Some would even still offer help,
even though they are the ones who need help the most. Some have different and
several suicidal thoughts, and yet, it doesn't show on their faces at all. We
also have the category of people who are totally insensitive and self-centered.
They barely care if everybody takes a smooth drive to hell, as far as they are
alright.
Today is a gift with
which we can re-write all our wrongs. Today is like a new sheet given to us to
correct our mistakes. No doubt, some mistakes can't be corrected, while some
can. But we would be totally defeated and hopeless if we start today with the
worries of yesterday, thereby, killing the amazing opportunities ahead of us
today.
I might not have a
full understanding of how terrible your yesterday was. I might not even know
what you have been through. But, I know today brings with it better
opportunities and chances, and I also know that Jesus knows the end from the
beginning. So, when all hope is lost, hold on to God, and you'll be amazed at
what your tomorrow would turn out to be.
=====THE
END=====
Wow! No doubt, it’s been
an intriguing and terrific three weeks of regular typing, and I know most of us
have been eager to read the end of the story. I also know a handful of us would
have a question or two to ask about the story, but then, any answer you provide
to your questions are very correct. Feel free to think and re-think to come up
with your answers. Let me say a big thank you to each and everyone of you for
always been there to read the story, despite how I delay sometimes. Some even practically
bully me on Whatsapp when I delay in sending a particular episode. You all are
wonderful. I say THANK YOU. I would also like to appreciate my wife, my one and
only Empress, who is always encouraging me and making the whole typing easy for
me. I love you so much my sweetheart. Above all, I give glory to God who is my
inspiration. With Him, I can do nothing. To You alone be all honour and glory. Till
I come your way again with yet another mind-blowing story, I remain Ofmat
Austus Ofmat. Have a smashing weekend!
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----------
OFMAT AUSTUS OFMAT
Inspirational Speaker/Editor/Author,
+2348072970850
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