BABALOLA UNIVERSITY

2 - Lecturer From Hell

"Any longer, and your hands will fall off. "Tope said to Tunde and he stopped throwing punches at the punching bag in front of him.

He held it as he turned to look at Tope. She was in blue jeans and a baggy purple basketball jersey. She had her braided hair packed into a high ponytail, and Tunde took note of how beautiful his girlfriend was.

Tope blushed as Tunde smiled as he walked up to her.

"You want me to stop? "He questioned as he got closer to her, and Tope nodded while blushing.

"Yes. Look at how you're sweating, and breathing. That's enough practice for today. "She replied, and Tunde smirked.

"But if I'm not strong, how will I be able to lift you? "He said as he hoisted Tope up, and she giggled as he spun her around.

"I want to be able to pin you to walls so other guys won't use that to entice you. "He added as he rested her against a wall, and she gasped.

"Your dirty mind! "She laughed as she swatted his arm and Tunde laughed along before pulling her into a kiss.

"How were your classes? "He questioned, as they broke the kiss, and Tope sighed as Tunde gently let her down.

"It was good. But dancing for hours takes its toll. I couldn't walk right for minutes after we were done. "She replied, and Tunde pouted.

"I'm jealous. I'm the one who's supposed to do that. "He replied, and Tope looked up at him in confusion.

"Do what? "

"Make you forget how to walk... "

Tope's jaw dropped at his words before she erupted in laughter.

"You need Jesus. "She laughed as she walked away from him, back to the bag she brought with her and had set down on a bench in the room earlier.

"Your body is his temple, right? Let me worship. "He replied with a wink to Tope, and Tope froze in her tracks, her mouth agape, and the adorable look of confusion on her face made Tunde start laughing.

"I can't with you, right now. "She laughed, and Tunde turned back to the punching bag. He threw a few punches before Tope spoke again.

"I brought you lunch. "She announced, and Tunde smiled at her. He took off his gloves and walked over to her.

"I still find it hard sometimes to believe that you're mine. You're such a gem. "He said as he caressed her cheek, and Tope blushed.

"Stop it... "She whispered as she looked away from him, but he turned her face to look back at him.

"I mean it. "He added, and Tope smiled at him before handing him the plate of food and the bottle of Freshyo.

"Did the lecturer agree to add to your score? You can't carry over his course again. "She said as Tunde sat on the bench beside her.

And with those words, Tunde's expression changed. He set the food aside and put his hands on both his sides on the bench as he seemed to stare into oblivion.

"There's something I need to discuss with you. "He suddenly said, and Tope gulped.

"I haven't told anyone else. Not even my parents. Samuel is the only person who knows. "He said, and for some reason, Tope felt something tight hold her heart.

"What... what is it?" She questioned, and Tunde looked up at her.

In mere seconds, his eyes had picked up a shade of red and Tope could find traces of tears in his eyes.

"Babe... what is it? "She questioned again in fear as she rushed over to him and squatted in front of him. Cradling his face with one hand.

"I'm dropping out. "

The words came at Tope like a slap and for a good number of seconds, she didn't know how to react.

She wanted to laugh and tell him to stop joking around, but the seriousness in his eyes made her do otherwise.

"What?? You're in 300 level, Tunde. The pen ultimate year. "She said, and Tunde scoffed.

"You think I don't know that? Do you think this was a decision I made causally?

It's no coincidence that I've been carrying over the same lecturer's course, Tope. "Tunde replied, and confusion washed over Tope.

"It's not a coincidence? What are you saying?

Okay.

Even if he didn't agree to help you. We can work harder. Try harder. We'll... we'll find a way. You can't drop out, Tunde. "She began, to beg, but Tunde cut her off.

"Even if I absorb the knowledge from every book in this world, I will still carry over his course this semester. "He replied, and Tope's face crumpled with confusion.

"Why are you being so negative!? "

"I'm not being negative. I'm telling you what is going to happen. He has been deliberately making me fail his course. "Tunde yelled and at this point, a teardrop slid down his face.

"Why would a lecturer be deliberately making you fail? Why would a father be so cruel to someone else's child? Why would he... "Tope began, but Tunde cut her off again.

"Because he has been making advances at me since 200 level first semester! "He yelled.

The words turned Tope to ice as she stared into Tunde's deep brown eyes.

"Ehn??

Advances... As in... "

"Asian sexual advances, Tope. The motherfucker is gay and has been asking me to sleep with him for the grades I worked my fingers to the bones for. "Tunde replied as tears began to escape his eyes, and Tope swallowed hard as she began to hyperventilate.

"That can't... Wait... "She began, and she tried to make sense of what she was hearing, but the dots seemed too far apart to connect.

"Can't... We can't report him? "She questioned, and Tunde chuckled bitterly.

"Report how? To who? The bastard is my course advisor. Who am I going to turn to, please?

I can't... babe, there's no other option. I have to drop out. There's no way out of this and I would rather die before doing something so disgusting. "He replied, and Tope just stared with her mouth agape.

She was still struggling to process the words she just heard. She couldn't believe her ears, and a part of her was desperately praying that Tunde would burst out laughing and tell her that it was all a prank. A cruel, humorless joke. A failed attempt at dark humor.

Anything but this.

"Is there really nothing we can do? "She whispered, now fighting tears.

"You tell me.

It would have been different if I was a girl. Who the fuck is going to believe me or listen to me? What do you think I can do? There's no way out. I have to leave.

If I report him, his connections in the department will make sure that I will never graduate. "Tunde began to cry, and Tope watched with a heavy heart as the mask of playfulness and jokes he always wore around began to crumble.

No wonder he was being so playful. She knew he was trying to distract himself from and hide something, but she wasn't expecting something so big.

"You've devoted three years of your life to the shit hole... and now? "She began to cry, and Tunde laughed bitterly.

"And now, I get to flush it down the toilet for some bastard from hell. "

Tope couldn't stand Tunde's tears, but she couldn't stop hers.

Was there truly no other way? Was the love of her life really going to leave school behind?