"Congratulations, Madam," Dr Dele stretched out his hand for a handshake, "you have been considered. You are to resume work on Thursday,"
"What good news!" Aduke smiled, "I am most grateful for your unalloyed support, Doctor," she crossed her hands together as if in prayer.
"It is a pleasure, Madam. I hope to see the hardworking you here,"
"Your expectations will not be disappointed. Thank you once again, Doctor,"
Excitement crawled into Aduke. Who would not be delirious? No one! In those days, corruption and nepotism had zero places in Nigeria. A waif and tramp preferred to beg the next-door neighbour for shelter and food than go into the theft. A school teacher found it eerie to sleep with his female students before he academically excelled them. The thought of collecting bribes from employees who sought jobs had no place in the minds of employers. Constables and public officers depended only on their income at the end of the month. No one threatened the commercial drivers for a penny. An average boy, whose uncle refused to support, him would still end up being great in Nigeria. Students, whose parents were not rich, could still easily sponsor themselves to school. Prisons were often desolate because no one went into crime. Prostitution houses were vacant. Life was simple and interesting in those days in Nigeria.
"Thank you, Jesus," Aduke said as she read through her employment letter a second time.
The time was 11 am. Her happy mood shadowed her down to Ayetoro Grammar School where she hoped to proclaim the good news to Adigun who was now a teacher in the school. Not even Adigun had envisaged himself working as a teacher. His fortune sparkled when he was posted to AGS as a corps member a year earlier. He would work diligently. His diligence was not displayed in vain because it made students parade around him, yearning to drink from his fountain of knowledge. He was said to be the most brilliant teacher in the school. With Adigun's presence at AGS, the dull students were transformed into elites. Even the dullest had begun to speak fluent grammar. One of the attributes the learners admired in the maestro was his easy way of compelling students to learn.
•••
On the day it was known that 'Corper' Adigun, with his colleagues, had a month left to round off his service year at AGS, a group of students felt unpleased. They unanimously agreed to script a letter that they would send to the school principal. The letter depicted that Adigun should be detained or there would be massive failures in the academic performance of the learners. Knowing full well that the youth were the leaders of tomorrow and that AGS had always been known for greatness, the letter shuddered the school Principal, Mr Ajamu. He treated the letter by handing it over to his Secretary who transported it to the Ministry Of Education.
A conference was held by the workers at the Ministry of Education. Once the content of the piece was obvious, everyone was impressed. They saluted the students' courage to identify what was best for them. Even the Chairman Academic Council was not certain of the infallibility of his plan, unsure if he was up to the task of detaining Adigun. This made the idea of sending the letter to the newly elected Chairman Of Ayetoro Local Government cross his mind. When the elected Chairman, Chief Clement, had gone through the letter, he ordered the summon of Adigun. Adigun responded after he had informed his mother. He sat with the Chairman in his office. Workers at the Ministry of education were also in attendance. To encourage him to work as a teacher, he was offered the sum of fifty hundred thousand ( that was a whole lot of money in those days) and placed on a monthly salary of one ten thousand nairas.
That night, Sade, was the happiest in the world. She thanked her star for sending his son to school.
•••
By the time Aduke arrived at AGS from the interview with the Doctor, the students were scattered on the field. Some of them were seen playing football, some were into clap-clap games while others chasing one another. A young girl ran to her and assisted her with her handbag. They made their way to Adigun's office. He was busy reading a novel when the doorbell rang.
"Yes, come in,"
She entered. The teacher sprang as she saw her. He allowed the student out of the office before he clasped Aduke in his arms and held her tightly to press his body against their softness of hers. She smelled of sweet deodorant. The lovers were still locked up in a warm embrace when Aduke whispered something into his hearing, "I have a good news for you,"
"What is it?" he asked as soon as he disengaged himself from the embrace.
"Guess it? Adigun, guess it?"
"Unfortunately I can't," the teacher said, hitting his head with the edge of his blue pen.
"Dull teacher with the brain of guinea fowl," she mocked.
"I agree!"
She brought out an envelope from her bag and slipped it on his palm.
"Wow!" Adigun swept her off her feet when he had read the paper, "Congratulations, honey. I can now boast of a nurse,"
Laughter erupted from them.
"Did you know that the Prince is hospitalised?. He is at St Agnes hospital," she said when the cackling was subsided.
"I heard about it, but I thought it was a rumour,"
"You won't believe he earlier asked me out and I declined his proposal. I sensed that was what led to the accident,"
"It could be so because I also almost died in my years of wooing you. Love is as hot as hell,"
"Papa, Mama and I visited him at the clinic. He was elated to see me. They said he spoke no word until he saw me,"
At that moment, jealousy scrawled and lurked in Adigun's mind. He shrugged and his countenance changed and grew momentum as he recalled such a speech.
"Don't worry, Adigun. I will never marry anyone else. You and I forever," she assured, stood up and sat on the table and looked him straight away in the eyes.
"Don't betray me, Aduke. I have no one, but you. Don't send me to the early grave,"
"I will never do that. I know you might not believe me, but I will never do that,"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," she pecked on the forehead.