My Alma Mater

MY ALMA MATER PART 1

*My Alma Mater*

Prologue.
It was dead in the night when Mr. Appiagyei made it out onto the trail that lead to the main road. Hopefully, he would get a vehicle heading to the big city and even if he didn’t, he would walk all the way. So long as he won’t be in this God forsaken village, he was okay.
The moon was full tonight and as customary to the people of Oforikurom, they had stayed up till deep into the night, playing all sorts of games and listening to various tales told by the elderly. Mr. Appiagyei didn’t want anyone to notice him leaving, least they should alert his pursuers, and hence, he had to leave this late in the night.
He followed the dusty trail as it took a sharp turn, trudging along towards the main road, all the while, turning back to make sure he wasn’t been followed, then he saw them. Walking in the shadows, as quiet as the tiger hunting its prey, his pursuers bored on him. He quickened his pace, gradually shifting into a full run. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
As quickly as he had started running, his pursuers also broke into a run. He was determined to lose them but they had other plans for him. He ran along the trail, taken sharp turns as the trail instructed, not stopping for a breath, much less his personal items which he dropped not long after he started running.
Soon, the street came into view. It will soon be over he said to himself as he raced to the street. Finally, he made it to the street. There were no signs of his pursuers. But also, there was no sign of life. No incoming vehicles, the street was dead silent except for the occasional choruses of the crickets and frogs buried deep in the surrounding bushes.
He wasn’t going to wait around. He turned toward the direction to the big city and began his long lonely hike. He had to get to safety, no matter the cost.
He hadn’t gone really when he heard the whining of an automobile engine. He stopped and turned, hoping to get a lift from whoever it might be and that was his biggest and last mistake.
The car, moving at lightning speed, had no intention of stopping. Scared to death as he realized his pursuers had spotted him, he turned to ran but was too late. The fast moving vehicle run him over, cracking its windshield, toppling him over and dropping him unto the road.
The last thing he could see was his pursuers walking towards him as he embraced the nothingness that befell him.

CHAPTER ONE.
Kofi Agariba rode his motor cycle, heading for the town Oforikurom. He had recently completed his University education and had obtained his first degree with a first class honors and as demanded by his motherland, he was headed to where we had been posted to complete his one year national service.
He was enthusiastic as he rode, getting closer to the town and hence, to his Alma Mater. He was lucky enough to have been posted to the SHS he completed. Now, he had the opportunity to impact life positively as the teachers in his days had done his.
He wondered whether any of his old teachers would still be around though he doubted. Though he would never forget them. Mr. Owusu, Mr. Adaitey and Mrs. Queenie. He prayed silently that he would see them again and show them how good he turned out to be.
He turned at the Junction leading straight into the town and spotted his alma mater immediately for it was located on the outskirts of the school. Future Leaders Senior High School.
Oforikurom is a small town located in the middle part of Ghana. They were known to be home to one of the wonders on God, The Forikurom Mountains, right beneath which the school was located, just on its outskirts.
Kofi Agariba took the right turn he came about and enter the school, his head swollen with pride. He continued to a large tree beneath which a few motor bikes had been parked. He stopped and offed his running engine, parked the bike and got off, straightening his shirt.
He was about 5.8 feet tall and well built. He was chocolate in comprehension and for a guy, he was handsome. His blue strips shirt fitted perfectly, exposing his masculinity and together with his black trousers, he was a sight to behold.
The school was a small one. She had just two main blocks that formed a sort of “L” painted green and white, a perfect match to the student’s uniform. The school had no boarding facilities hence students who came here rented various hostels that surrounded the school.
He made his way gradually, walking with pride, feeling on top of the world as he approached the head teacher’s office, taking one step at a time. Students going about their morning chores stopped and stared at him as he walked by. At the office he knocked and entered as the sign on the door indicated.
Inside, sat a stout bald man, head on the table, snoring his time away. Kofi felt a bit disappointed for he was expecting to see his mentor and role model, the then headmaster during his stay in this school, Mr. Appiagyei. He walked towards the bald man as the man raised his head to see who was interrupting his beauty sleep.
“Good morning Sir” Kofi greeted.
“And who might you be?” the head teacher asked.
“I’m Kofi Agariba, a national service personnel posted here”
“How come I’m only seeing you now? Shouldn’t you have reported once the postings out with your forms and shitty stuff’s?” the head teacher inquired.
Kofi was shocked at the level of hostility in the head teacher’s question and thought it best not to try his patient. Though he had a tangible reason for been late, he didn’t want to test his patients.
“My sincerest apologies Sir. I’m here to start working immediately.” Kofi replied.
“Whatever. Your class is waiting for you. Now whilst you are here, take note, whatever goes on in this school stays in this school, whatever you see, you keep shut about it. If you want to indulge, feel free but don’t, and I repeat for your own safety, don’t try to play the hero. You may go.” The head teacher turned and places his head on the table.
Kofi, realizing he will be saying no more, left the office, puzzled. What had the head teacher meant by what he said? Well, only time will tell.
He made his way to the staff’s office, which was easy to locate because it was two classrooms away from the head teacher’s office. He knocked and entered.
The office was well cozy and well lit. There were nine long tables in all in the office, four arranged parallel to each other and the last one at the end, forming a sort of u shape. Behind each table were two chairs and of the eighteen chairs, only four were occupied as Kofi entered the office. On the extreme right corner of the office was a small television set and a decoder, sitting on top of a mini fridge, meant for the teacher’s pleasure. That was not what caught Kofi’s attention but rather the fine lady taking out a bottle of malt from the refrigerator.
She was about a feet shorter than Kofi, fair in complexion with hips broaden, giving her the coca cola shape that drew every guy’s attention. Kofi was certainly no less.
“And who are you?” a harsh voiced asked.
It was the man seated on the far end, on the desk that separated the two roles. He did not look please when Kofi turned his attention to him. He knew it there and then, he had made an enemy, not knowing how he even did it.
“I’m Kofi Agariba, an NSS personnel posted to this school. I’m starting today.”
“Welcome Agariba” the fair lady said, already settling into her seat now. “I’m Wendy, I teach government, at least, that’s what I’m supposed to” she continued
“Nice to meet you Wendy.” He responded.
“Now before you get all cheesy take note…” the hostile man interrupted him as he attempted complimenting Wendy. “Whatever goes on in this school stays in this school, whatever you see, you keep shut about it. If you want to indulge, feel free but don’t, and I repeat for your own safety, don’t try to play the hero. You may go.” He finished, got of his seat and left the room.
“Wow, seriously, what was that all about” Kofi asked.
“Your safety.” Another lady replied. “I’m Rooseler, English. You will do well to heed his warning. Is for your own good.”
“Don’t mind Rose. She is just been jovial. I’m Fay by the way.” Fay, the third girl in the room said, trying to ease Kofi’s wondering mind but one thing was clear, the school he knew and loved was gone. This school was a total stranger to him.