Vagrants

Chapter 50

The school resumed after the long holidays. I had earned enough money from the holiday with my make-up and gele business. I had about a 100, 000 naira in my account. I spent out of Damba's 70, 000 naira to reopen my business. I used about 30, 000 naira to get the things I needed and to replace them when they're finished.

I put up a notice in front of the residence that I'd be available for service only on weekends.

School wasn't quite as bad. It was just a little stressful. The new timetable didn't seem to be favorable and I only got free periods on Thursdays so I take the day off and rest. The rest of the week proved to always be stressful.

Seyi didn't show up for a long time and I was glad that I didn't do anything with him that day or else I'd find my stupid self to blame for double- ditching. Seyi's own mightn't even affect me because I was still very attached to Damba.

I understood that Seyi was a business man so he must have been busy with work. I didn't think too much into it and I didn't think to call him either.

The same routine happened over and over again that I became very bored and tired. I began to miss Seyi who brightened my day with his talks and constant teasing.

I didn't hear from Tola for a long time. I was beginning to think that he met with Damba and was instructed not to keep in contact with me. But something else told me that Damba was in Nigeria and Tola wasn't so they wouldn't have met.

What if Damba had important meetings abroad? Or what if they spoke over the phone?

I couldn't bring myself under control. I hated Damba for doing this to me and I hated myself even more for letting him.

I was all alone in an unknown place, living with strangers and having nothing to do rather than my boring routine and sulking in my own private place.

*

The SS2 and SS3 students were preparing for their external examinations so I had to stay extra hours in school to take them revision classes. I had to revise everything they knew right from SS1 and it wasn't easy for me because some of them crammed their way through and they couldn't remember so it was as good as I was teaching them all over again.

One day, I was taking the SS3 students an afternoon class when my supervisor walked in. It was impromptu. We weren't given a notice that he'd be coming and the ex-corpers didn't even tell me that he was in the school. From the stern look on his face, I was sure he had approached a class before to supervise an ex-corper. I wasn't prepared for this and the least my colleagues could have done was to let me know he was here.

"G-Good morning sir."

He raised his hand to stop me and he faced the class. "I'm her supervisor. I want to find out how she's been doing, so please cooperate with me."

"Yes sir!"

He was given a seat and I looked around, nervous. I could see Mr. Akinola giving me a "You can do it" look from a corner in the class.

Then, I saw few ex-corpers, standing outside the class and peeping through the window. They wanted to know how I'd perform. I also saw Cassandra and that's when knew what they wanted. They wanted to see me fail and I wouldn't let that happen.

I took a deep breath, packed my books and walked out of the class. Then, I walked back in.

Mr. Akinola had explained all these to me when I asked before he holidays. It was one of the few things we spoke about.

"Good morning class." I dropped my books quietly on a desk.

"Good morning ma." They rose.

I smiled at them. "Have your seat."