Sadeqs P. O. V
Wake up! Wake up! It's time for training Ahmed yelled I hurriedly brushed my teeth, and put on my uniform . It was very cold and I didn't want to make the mistake of going out without a sweater. Ahmad was my roommate and my junior, he was studying Economics and I was studying political science,not that I had a choice but who am I kidding I didn't even know what I wanted to be. So when my uncle decided for me I said yes without any arguments.
Ahamds father, Alhaji Bello was a very rich and influential man. He was known very popular and being Ahmed friend came with its benefits. Anytime I needed to make a quick call to talk to hayaat or mom, Ahmed was my sure plug. I enjoyed a lot of favors because of him. His father made sure of that by filling the pockets of some of the security guards with some "sugar" in their pockets.
We had woken up early for subh prayer but i was foolish enough to go back to bed after praying. It was obvious we wouldn't wake up early because of the late night reading, our exams were close by so we had to up our game. I hurriedly went to the training ground .Ahmed didn't have to start training until his final year because he was still in his academic phase. The officer yelled at me but that was the normal routine, officers yelling at the top of their voices, trainees running up and down. Everywhere 2as just chaos in the mornings.
After the training I came back to the room and Ahmed was already back from his lectures. Ahmed wasn't the reading type. With such wealth, who would give 2 carrots about school. He had already made it in life .Life after military school would be as easy as boiling eggs . I would imagine that would also be hard for Ahmad.
And here I was from a poor family ,the first born with just my mum and my siblings . I wanted a better life for mum and my younger ones. Life to me was a war and I had to make it no matter what. On days I would come back from training and I would see Ahmed sleeping peacefully with no worries on his face I would wish that we could swap places. I would wish to be able to just sleep and yet my life would still end up beautifully perfect. Dad died after my secondary school and I had to watch my mom struggle to cater for our needs. With the help got my uncle of course.
Three days to our exams, we started to read or let me just say I started to read. I was in the library when Ahmed told me to please step out for a moment because he had an urgent matter to discuss with me." I need a huge favor from you and I would give you whatever you want " he said and paused for about a minute."out with it Ahmed" , I said." I want you to write econometrics for me,you know that if there is any course I can't find my way around it's this course. I have read, it wouldn't stick and there is no way I will pass without writing something in that hall .so help me and I will never forget this for the rest of my life". He said
"I am sorry Ahmed I can't help you" I said softly because I didn't want to hurt his feelings. I left him standing outside with his hands akimbo and just went back to the library. I couldn't help him, everything my mum had sacrificed. I couldn't let it amount to nothing. If I was caught I would be back to square one but Ahmad would just join his family's business.
That night Ahmad fell sick . I got to the room and he was shivering. I took him to the medics and he was given some drugs. I took him back to our room ,made him hot tea as I recalled how hayaat made me tea when I was cold and blushed at the memory. I washed his uniform and he begged me again he was to write econometrics in the next 2 days and this time I took pity on him. I took his handout and went to the library to read.
Ahmad was fully recovered the next day to his exams but he hadn't read anything yet so I was still going to write his papers for him. I made my way to the exam hall wearing Ahmad's ID card . The security at the gate wasn't paying much attention to me. After all, the crowd was overwhelming. I sat by the window to receive fresh air because I was sweating like a Christmas goat. I was guilty of personification after all . The exam paper was brought to my desk and I began to write as fast as my hands could. I was done within 30 minutes. I stood up and rushed to submit my paper. Ahmad Bello! Ahmad Bello! the security officer kept yelling . My mind wasn't even there. I just wanted to get out of that hall but I was in so much haste that I forgot my ID card on the window. As I turned to face the security guard my entire life flashed before my eyes. "This is not you on the ID card" he said in a tone that was terrifyingly sharp. I wanted to explain myself but what was there to explain I was a criminal . I was made to fill a malpractice form and I left the hall devastated . I was out of breath,my eyes were filled with terror .I got to the room "
Ahmad ka tashi na banu na lalace( I am finished)I was caught" . Ahmad was scared as hell; he barely got up and made his way to one of the security officers. He begged to use his phone and he called Alhaji Bello and told him everything. His father told him to keep calm and that everything would be resolved.
We were called to the Senate and Ahmad was to go in first. I was seated outside and when he came out he was smiling Abu yayi kyau kenan( everything is good right? ) I asked and he nodded. I got inside and the council was filled with elderly men who were whispering something to one another . The air conditioner was on but everywhere was hot and tense." Defend yourself " an elderly voice said.
I explained to the council what happened but it was too late. Alhaji Bello already convinced some members of the board to make Ahmad go first and tell the story of what actually transpired. I got inside and everything I said kept being twisted . I was told that I would receive a letter very soon.. Ahmad was pardoned and the poor man's child was sent packing. I had no idea what Ahmed told the board but I knew he was the reason I ended up expelled. That spoiled brat must have put the blame on me .
You could imagine the rage and the hatred in my heart, all these rich men only knew themselves. I didn't know how to face my mum. Disappointed, mum refused to speak to me. I hated life, because of my kindness I had destroyed my future. I swore that no matter what it took I would never be a victim, better them than me.
On the other hand Hayaat was everywhere when I turned, calls ,texts, WhatsApp messages. It was frustrating. I needed space, she had no idea what was going on in my head, betrayed by my friend,my mum wouldn't look at me the same way again and here she was trying to make everything good ,everything had gone to hell. She wouldn't even understand. All her life she didn't have to suffer for anything. I just wanted her to leave me alone. If anything, I wanted to fix my relationship with my mum, not Hayaat . Hayaats parents heard what happened to me. Since her dad was a rich man I thought he might intervene in my matter but he never said a word. These rich men only knew how to save their own skin. I had seen how they would manipulate every situation as long as it benefits them. I had learnt something from them.
Months passed and mum finally forgave me. I had forgotten all about Hayaat due to my depression. I didn't have anyone by my side, I pushed Hayaat and she hasn't looked for me ever since. I decided I would go to Maiduguri and apologize to her.I knew I had wronged her but I hated myself. everyday I was tormented by that single mistake so how could I love her. The night before I left I received a call from Hayaat saying she had found someone else. No one could understand what I was feeling at that moment " another lost '' haven't I lost enough? Before I could even say another word she disconnected the call.
Call it rage, call it love, call it madness, call it obsession but an insane desire drove me to her father's house and I ended up on my knees begging for Hayaat. I didn't care if I loved her or not but I wasn't going to lose Hayaat. I had already lost enough in this life. At least let this be mine.
I hastily put on my jallabiya and headed straight for their house. I greeted mama and asked her for consent to speak to baba. She guided me in .I went down on my knees and began to cry after greeting baba. ka taimake ni( help me) I said . Baba you know the tragedy that befell me ,ever since,Hayaat has been treating me like I was nothing. Please I can't live without her help me! I pleaded. Baba told me I shouldn't worry that Hayaat was mine and all I had to do was wait for the right moment. I thanked him and left. I may not have made it in military school but I learnt how to manipulate people and if I was going to get Hayaat all I had to do was make baba sympathize with me. After all , what father wouldn't want his daughter to marry a man who will beg and cry just for the fear of losing his daughter?
It was obvious Hayaat didn't want to get married to me ,but that wasn't my own cup of tea ,rich people are used to having their way for once let the poor boy have a happily ever after. I would marry her by hook or crook.
Hayaat wasn't to blame for what happened to me but "these rich people and yet I was desperate to hold on to something, I had lost my dad, my future and I couldn't afford another loss.
