My supervisor gave me a month to get the money paid, where would I get the money from? I earned only #3000 in a week and I still had to cater for some other needs. I had concluded after what happened with Shola that I would not back out and would make sure I do any means to get my certificate.
"No!! I have to look for a means and pay this man , this is my fifth year in the university , I can't forgo everything just like that" I kept muttering to myself as I rest on my laps under the Mongolian tree at the back of one of the school lecture theater, after the days stress.
"Hello babe, what's up I have been expecting you since, why are you not here?"
I heard the voice beside me that brought me out of my thought as I raised my head from my lap,
"You can't make it? That's not fair babe, okay later then, bye." He got up to leave the place and passed where I sat
"Is this not Charles the richest guy in our department," I muttered.
"Charles," I called out.
He looked to his side and was astonished,
"Oh Bayo what sup" he greeted me and we shook hands
"What are you doing on campus?" I asked him
"Well I still have two courses to clear, you know am a busy guy, and you",
"I have some courses to clear too."
"That's unbelievable you a guru and a born genius back then,"
"My guy that's the irony of life, I replied smiling,
"Alright its long we see each other lets hang up somewhere, the babe have been waiting for fucked up," he said gesturing to me to come with him in his car .
This was an opportunity to feel my stomach, I had not eaten since last night trying to save the money, I taught as I followed him to his car. He drove to an expensive restaurant not far from the campus. He ordered food for both of us and we ate for what seem like minutes.
"Bayo meeting you is a good thing; I have an assignment which will attract a lot of money for you",
Charles said after 15minute we started eating.
"Okay what's the assignment?" I asked with the chicken bone in my mouth.
"Help me in writing the two courses I carried and I will pay you #500000," he said. I coughed the meat out as I got choked upon hearing that amount,
"Did I just hear #500000? But Charles that assignment is very risky,"
"life is all about risk , think about it and get back to me , here is my card, and manage with this till then,"he dropped a bundle of #1000 notes on the table with his card, "I have to leave now do you need me to drop you off?" I didn't respond I was just staring at the money in front of me. "Bayo",
"Oh sorry,I can find my way," I said sharply and immediately left the restaurant with the money after Charles had gone.
The next day was Thursday so I went straight to my supervisor to pay the money he requested for from the amount Charles left behind. After thinking about what Charles told me I gave in to carry out the assignment.
*****
Days passed and the exams had started, just 25 days from the time I met Charles, all had been going on well and I had successfully done one of the two papers of Charles, I was very happy as I walk down to the exam hall for his second paper.
"Excuse me ma, someone sighed where I am suppose to sigh", the lady seated beside me in the examination hall called the attention of the lecturers in the hall when she wanted to sign in,
"Is the person blind" one of them asked jokingly and came towards us, then my heart was pumping at the rate of 100 beats per seconds,
"What is your name?The lecturer asked her Okechuku, well the signature is on Okechuku and there is another one beneath",
"Yes ma it's the same surname",
"Okay who is Okechuku Charles?" She announced in the hall.
I raised my hand already shaking since I never cheat in exams not to talk of impersonating before,
"Why didn't you check the list very well before signing and why are you shaking?" the lecturer asked already suspecting me, I have no resemblance to an Igbo man it's very glaring,
"It was a mistake ma," I stammered.
"Can I see your identity card?" She came closer took the ID card and saw that my face was a complete opposite of what was on the card, "wow you came to impersonate for someone, you are in trouble, come out !" she shouted at the top of her voice and took me to her the other lecturers and explained to them,
"He is gone already give him the form to fill," one of them said angrily.
"Please ma, please sir" I pleaded even though I knew it was of no use. I had witnessed things like this and there was no other option than expulsion. I took the form from her because I had no other choice but to do so, I filled my data's' in tears and that of Charles name. It was all over, 5yrs, wasted I thought and cried bitterly.
*****
"Mister Adebayo Ogunrotifa you were caught impersonating for one Okechuku Charles is that true," one of the panel members asked me frankly.
"Yes sir, it is true". I answered sobbing
"You know the result right," another person asked again,
"Yes I....I...I.....do." I responded with tears
Fine on the authority of the school Vice Chancellor, Dean of Students affair, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Set Examination Rules and Conduct, you are hereby expelled from this school",
"Please sir, just give me one more chance I promise not to do so again.'
"You should have taught about it before, you can now leave we wish you best of luck".
I walked out of the room in shame as I was looking at the picture in my hand in which I was made to where the gown in it. Charles had been sent for but he didn't show up, although he had also been rusticated. My year of struggle was a waste, a whole lot of five years gone down the drain. I kept walking with tears not caring if people are watching. "Grrgrr" my phone rang,
"Hello Charles"
"Bayo I am very sorry, I thought you would be very careful. Well I am already on my out of the country, but I feel I still have to pay you the money. I will credit your account now, am sorry once again." He said and dropped the call.
I received an alert of #500000 instantly; I just kept the phone back to my pocket. I got home, cried for hours until I had no more tears my whole life had been a waste, I don't know if its destiny or denial all I knew was that my life was meaningless.
After a while I taught about what to do with the money, "schooling is completely out of it", I said.
I later bought a taxi with which I drove around as a taxi driver to cater for my needs till today.
YOU ARE READING
DESTINY OR DENIAL
Mystery / ThrillerDestiny or denial written with simple English depicts the life of an ambitious boy, who upon all odds finds his way to the higher institution. He lost his father at a tender age and his best friend. He found himself in prison overnight and lost his...
