CONCEIVED IN DARKNESS

Chapter 13- One end and another beginning.

Tuesday morning was a very cold day. It was much expected because as at dawn, the whole surrounding was dry. It wasn't harmattan period but the situation sure felt like it. Dry lips everywhere and people constantly applying and reapplying lotion to their skin. Almost everyone in school wore lip glosses and avoided the lipsticks due to the matte. Even the roads were very dusty but still it was better than a hot season.

Adanna had two classes today of which one was general. Everyone in the department offered TMC. It held in lecture theatre 4. The building just opposite the science block. The good thing was, the driver could drop Adanna right there in front of the place unlike her other classes which held in school blocks and private cars weren't allowed in there, leaving her to walk minutes before getting to her class.

"The day holds a lot of bright things for me." Adanna thought as she got into the car. The driver had dropped her mum first and came back for her because she wasn't ready on time.

She would leave for home after classes and the hopefully brief meeting with her project supervisor.

Adanna checked the time. It was 8am sharp. She hurried into the class, her legs carrying her faster than they would normally have because once it was 8am, her TMC lecturer shut all the doors to the lecture theatre leaving no room for any student to enter. He never condoned lateness. Sometimes, when he was touched, he gave extra 5mins as grace. She entered just in time; as he was shutting the last door. He shot her a look. "I am sorry sir" she said and walked briskly to find her course mates to sit with them. Pat already reserved her a seat so she sat down and greeted everyone around before the lecturer started his class.

Mr. Kalu's class was always engaging. He was an interesting man as regards the way he demonstrated and spoke. He made the class lively and an individual eager to hear the message he wants to pass. "A man is the president of the house" he said and the roles of women have gradually shifted from the traditional role to the modern role."He adjusted the microphone he was holding and rode on "no more just staying home and in the kitchen now we have serious cultured women who are thriving to break glass ceilings wherever they find them selves". He paused narrowing his eyes "but that doesn't mean that they should forget their wifely duties or that the man is the head and governor of the home."

He pointed at himself beating his chest "I am the president of my home." Everyone in the class laughed at his demonstration and the tone with which he spoke. Their laughter echoed and only made Mr Kalu happier.

He tapped a guy beside him as he walked "when you get married, remember that. But still remember your wife's role".

He continued walking, moving up the stairs cleaning his sweat with the handkerchief on his free hand till he got to the top and stopped by a lady in glasses "Ladies, remember" he said as he bent towards her gently "Behind every successful man, there is a woman. Help your husband grow and nurture yourselves. Keep your home." He repeated this time facing as many ladies as he could "keep your home."

This man had always known how to hit a nail on the head in a comic way. He adjusted his tie, freed his hands and started walking back down the steps till he got to the stage and referred back to his slides. He sipped a glass of water and continued his lecture. The lecture was just for one hour and he never missed.

Adanna looked forward to Thursday. It was her free day in the whole week when she had no lectures. One of the pros of being in final year.

After her TMC class, she went for the second- the last for the day. It was for two hours and relatively boring. If not that she had missed a lot in her class, Adanna would have slept off like almolst half of the class. The bad thing was she didn't even care that there  were people sleeping right in front of her in class.