Dream - Like.

Feelings

Dedicated to everyone of you reading this.

Dad insisted on driving me to school on my first day; he was to deliver a speech to the law clinicians of my school.
"What's the use of going separately?" he asked as he adjusted his shirt after morning prayers.
"Okwa the same faculty?" Is it not the same faculty, he said in Igbo, rolling his 'okwa.'
And that was how I found myself in my father's car as he drove the roads leading to the school. His security was probably in school already. Whenever dad was to go to a place not far from home, he preferred driving himself, while his security waited at the venue.

"Stop there!"
The sudden command interrupted my thoughts as dad stopped his car.
"Ndi ara sef, and I didn't come out with my official car." These mad people, dad said rolling down his car window.
" And the back too, roll am," the ugly police officer said. His head looked like those mangoes that we children had licked and over licked so it looked so strange.
"Oga roll it down," the other one who had yellow teeth with the " Jacki" name tag said, hitting the car.
"That's what I am doing, " Dad said calmly then looked at them.
" Your papers," the mango head said poking his head into the car and holding on to the steering wheel. I watched Dad as he reached and got the file.
" This one you are carrying this girl, where to," another one said coming over to my side.
"She is going to school," Dad answered for me still looking at the one holding the papers. I watched as his mood changed; immediately like a bipolar patient, his frowning lips turned to a smile.
" Aaaah Oga Judge, we did not know it was you," he said and immediately the one at my side moved back.
"You for telling us na." You should have told us he said giving a mock salute to Dad before allowing him to go.

The ride to school was very quiet, I didn't want to talk. So, the few times Dad threw a question at me I just nodded it off or murmured a reply and continued staring at the window.

"The Maycrew University of Nigeria" was written boldly on the school gate as dad drove past the security. The walkway looked like the kind you only saw in movies, the sunflower made the school glow. The first building in sight was the administrative building, that had the list of admissions by the side. After the building is the school personal bank; it wasn't a microfinance bank it is a normal commercial bank, just that it can only be found in the school premises. After the bank is the bursary building, then the Senate building that looked so huge. Then different faculties followed.

"Try to join the youths today in church," Dad said interrupting my thoughts.
" For?" I asked looking at him.
" Father Cheta is packing in today and the youths are helping him," He said taking a turn down to where the law faculty was located.
"I have lectures today na," I said trying to calm myself down, although deep down I wanted to go help out. I wanted to see Father Cheta's face again. I wanted to shake his soft palms and watch his lips move as he said " Chukwu gozie gi" -God bless you. I wanted, if possible to hug him a little and run, just like those boys used to touch our bum-bum and run.
"I didn't say go now, go by 5. Your friends Ola and Adaugo will be there" Dad said packing his car in front of the 100level block. "Martin will pick you up from school and drive you to church," Dad said and usually, I would have argued with him at that point and when I was sure I was winning, I would peck him and leave but I kept quiet, which made him smile
" Udo has things to do else he would have joined you." He added with a smile.
" Ok daddy," I said and with a peck, I left the car.

All I did in class was sketch Rev. Cheta's name on my book. I had two classes: legal system and legal method; but the topics had been one of the ones I had read and over-read. Yes, maybe I am a smartass girl. Yes, I am the kind that reads ahead of the lecture, yes, I make notes and no, I am not the annoying coursemate that asks stupid questions or answer questions to show she knows it all, I am more of the intelligent quiet one that everyone thinks is just normal but deep down I kill it. And yes, I have finished my first-semester syllabus. Hey, don't judge me. Go and read too.
"Hello, I am Kate," one jumpy hyperactive girl said sitting beside me.
" Hi, I am Kamsi," I said shutting my note.
" Can I get a note from you?" she asked looking at me boldly. Why was she staring at me like that?
"Which?" I asked
"The class that we just finished," she said giving me a smile.
"Oooh, I didn't jot down," I said
"But I saw you writing," she added.
"Maybe," I said, I wasn't liking the way the conversation was going.
"So you weren't listening?" she asked.
"And you are?" I found myself asking.
"A concerned coursemate who wants you to get serious, see it's because your dad is rich and all that, that you will get all comfortable" she started saying. As she talked, I wished Olachi was with me, if she was, this Kate of a demon wouldn't even have the nerve to be talking to me.
"Can you excuse me?" I said as I stood up and walked out carrying my books. Today isn't a sad day, and no matter what anyone did, I was going to be happy. Today, I was going to help Rev. Cheta pack in. Just the thought of carrying his things gave me joy. What if I get to walk into his personal room, maybe I would just drop my pen on his table; that way, a part of me will be with him until he throws it away.