Click HERE to read Episode 7 of the story
Prof Alex Ighalo knew
he had to leave the office immediately. Not because he feared what Ify might do
to him, but he just didn’t want to be surprised in any way and form. He quickly
packed his things in his bag. He went to his bookshelf looked through for a
book or two, and placed it in his bag. He looked carefully at his table, trying
to make ensure he wasn’t leaving anything behind. At that instance, the whole
event that led to his encounter with Baba ran through his mind. It all started
as a mere thought during an argument with him colleagues in the department. He
complained about how incompetent the institution’s Vice Chancellor was.
“Since he came in 3
years ago, this university has been suffering.” Dr. James Itolo said, shaking
his head.
“Not only that, we
don’t even get to enjoy all those things we used to enjoy during Prof. Olumide
Akinbode’s tenure.” Prof. Alex Ighalo added.
“I heard the Council
are not happy with him at all, and they want to remove him next year.” Prof.
Janet Okoye said, in her usual sonorous voice. She was the only female among
them, and she was known to always be found in the company of male lecturers.
“Are you for real?”
Prof. Alex Ighalo asked.
“Prof., don’t doubt
whatever Madam Janet says ooooo. She has connection with people at the top, and
she knows what is happening up there.” Dr. James said.
“You can say that
again.” Prof. Janet said, adding class and style to her posture.
“I even heard they are
searching for any loyal and humble Professor they would use to replace this
present VC.” Prof. Janet added.
“Are you for real?”
Prof. Alex Ighalo asked again.
“Prof., I already told
you not to doubt whatever Madam Janet says. She is our CNN in this department.”
Dr. James replied.
They all laughed at
Dr. James’ joke, as Prof. Janet bowed to the accolades given to her by her
colleagues.
“Do you think I am
loyal and humble enough?” Prof. Alex Ighalo asked his colleagues.
“Prof., are you for
real?” Dr. James asked in total bewilderment.
“Prof. definitely has
what it takes to occupy the position, and with the right people, he can get
there.” Prof. Janet replied.
“You think so?” Prof.
Alex Ighalo asked, facing Prof. Janet.
“If you really want
it, let me know. I can hook you up.” She added.
“Yes. I want the position.
Who wouldn’t? I’ll come to your office later so that we can finalize the
discussion.” Prof. Alex Ighalo said.
Indeed, he went to
Prof. Janet’s office later that day, and they strategized on how to make his
dream become a reality.
“Prof., what you’re
aspiring for comes with a price ooooo.” Prof. Janet said, after welcoming Prof.
Alex to her office.
“I know I would pay to
get what I want. Nothing good comes easy, and I am ready to spend my life’s
savings to get there, as far as you give me the assurance that I would become
the next Vice Chancellor of this university.”
“Prof., you have
nothing to worry about. But mind you, it is not only financial sacrifice that
is involved.”
“Really? What other
sacrifice is involved?”
“Hmmmmm…The thing is
that, you’ll have to get an edge above other potential aspirants for the
position.”
“That’s very true. I
didn’t really think of that. So, how do I go about that?”
“I’ll introduce you to
my Baba. He’ll tell you how to go about it.” Prof. Janet whispered.
“Baba?”
“Yes. Baba, and you
don’t have to shout.”
“I’m sorry. Do you
mean Baba, like an herbalist?”
“Yes. Baba, like an
herbalist.”
“Oh! Really?”
“Yes. Really.”
“I didn’t know you
visit such people. You don’t look like someone who visits herbalists.”
“Well, I forgot to put
my identification on my forehead.” Prof. Janet replied, sarcastically.
A gentle knock on the
door brought Prof. Alex Ighalo back to reality. Fear spoke through him as he
wondered who could be at the door. He was certain it was Ify who was back for
him.
“And Baba assured me
initially that nothing will happen to this girl.” He said to himself as the
knock on the door came a little harder.
“Who’s there?” He
summoned courage to ask.
“It’s me sir.”
“You who?”
“Emeka Nwosu in 200
level.”
“Emeka Nwosu?”
“Yes sir.”
“What do you want?”
“I want to submit my
assignment sir.”
“Assignment? Will you
get away from there before I descend on you.” He shouted at the boy, who later
left in total confusion.
“Can you imagine? The
assignment I told them to submit to their Class Rep., he is bringing it to my
office.” He thought aloud.
“Emeka Nwosu, I doubt
if you would pass my course this semester.” He shouted, not minding if the boy
was still there or not.
“Well, he might still
pass sha because I would soon become the VC, and I would stop lecturing.” He
said to himself boastfully.
He moved round his
office for a while, fantasizing how wonderful it would be to be the Vice
Chancellor of his institution. Then, his mind went to the price he paid, and
what would become of the innocent girl he used as a stepping stone.
“But Baba did not tell
me anything would happen to her at first. He assured me nothing would happen to
her. He said all I have to do is to have sex with her when the ring is on my
finger, and that’s all. Now, he is saying the girl would die in the next
fifteen days.” He thought, as he sat on his chair.
“I wish there is a way
this Ify girl would not die.” He thought aloud.
In a quick hurry, Prof
Alex Ighalo’s door gave in to a heavy push as it flung itself open
submissively.
“So, I will die?” Ify
asked Prof. Alex Ighalo in a loud voice, after eavesdropping at the door for a
while.
A surprised Prof. Alex
Ighalo didn’t know what to say. He simply looked at Ify from his chair.
“What did I do to deserve
this? Ehn…What did I do?” Ify shouted as tears filled her eyes.
“I gave you my body so
that I can pass your course, and little did I know that you have a different
intention entirely.” Ify said, as she moved close to Prof. Alex, dragging his
clothes.
Prof. Alex didn’t know
what to say. He tried to open his mouth, but words failed him completely. He
was simply dumb-founded. He remembered how the entire scene had played out at
the hotel that evening. Although, it was about two months ago, but it still
fresh in his head. Ify cried all through as Prof. Alex had his way with her. He
ensured he had the ring on his left index finger as Baba instructed. After the
entire scenario, he took the ring to Baba, who told him to come back for it
after some weeks. He ensured that Ify had an A in his course, even without
writing his test. It was after he went back to Baba for the ring that Baba
explained to him that the girl he used would die. All his effort to convince
Baba to find another way around things fell on deaf ears.
“What was my offense?
What did I do to deserve death from your hands?” Ify shouted, jarring Prof.
Alex Ighalo back to reality.
“I…am…so…rry.” Prof.
Alex Ighalo said with his face looking solemn.
“Sorry? Will ‘sorry’
undo all you’ve done to me?”
“Ehmmm…”
“Don’t bother saying
anything. I know what to do. Before you kill me, I would make sure the entire
world knows what you did to me. Atleast, I still have our Whatsapp chat on my
phone as evidence.”
“Please don’t do that.
I beg you in the name of the Lord. My reputation is at stake here.”
“Reputation? To hell
with you and your reputation.” Ify said, as she stormed out of Prof. Alex Ighalo’s
office.
“Ify! Ify!” Prof. Alex
called in vain.
“Why did I even tell
this girl about what I did to her? She would have died like anybody else,
without people knowing what killed her. Now I have put myself into a big shit.
What do I do now? I can’t afford to have my name dragged in the mud by this
commoner of a girl.” He thought, pacing around his office. In no time, an idea
struck him, and he picked his phone. He scrolled through his phone to compose a
message.
“Meet me immediately
at our usual spot.”
He scrolled through his
contacts to select his recipient. He clicked on the name “Skippo” as he sent
the message to him.
Wow! I guess this is a
very long episode. Well, that would be all for this week. I will come your way
with the next episode on Monday. So, keep your fingers crossed. Remember the
story remains THE DAY TODAY DIED. Have a splendid weekend.
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+2348072970850
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