Activities were aflame in the campus, students walked to and fro the lanes, some hurriedly, some seriously and some lackadaisically. Occasionally, cars sped by leaving a cloud of dust behind. It was the penultimate month of the year; everyone was preparing for the first semester assessment tests which would take place first week of December.
Nneoma and her closest friend, Gladys sat comfortably in the campus library studying their textbooks and solving mathematical sums. The well stocked and arranged library was quiet except for the hums from the air conditioners in the spacious hall. Students went in and out of the library from time to time, most laden with seriousness. Nneoma loved the silence of the library. It afforded her the opportunity to assimilate her works more easily.'Nneoma,’ Gladys whispered.She barely looked up from her book. 'Hmm?''Will you go to the theatre with me tonight?''Don't you realize we are in the library?' NneomThe assessment tests had commenced. It was the third day since it begun. As usual everyone was excited. Nneoma sat at her desk, summarizing her works. It was an hour to commencement time which was 10:00 N.T.Nneoma was still reading when suddenly she heard a deafening gunshot! Pandemonium broke loose. Everyone scrambled to his feet and ran helter-skelter, seeking for refuge.Nneoma shot up from her seat, gathered her books and fled. It was the noisome cultists again. The grotesque sight which met her in front of their classroom sent vibrating shocks of horror down her spine. There on the floor, lay her course mate, Rufus, cold dead, cold dead in his own pool of blood!Trembling, Nneoma ran off. 'Goodness, goodness, goodness!' she cried hugging herself in absolute shock. Was Rufus a cultist? Or was he a victim? Such a fine young man! Nneoma thought grilled with terror.The killers had disappeared in a twinkling of an eye, leaving others aghast and bemu
You are welcome!’ ‘Thank you!' 'Oh, sister Nne!’‘Ah … Chika … Nkem … Chuks … you all look good!’ Nneoma laughed happily, embracing her siblings. Nneoma's family had just received her home with the exception of her father.'Ole etu i mere?’'Adi m mma o... I’m fine, mummy, only tired from schoolwork,' she laughed. So what about you all? How have you been?''Fine, we thank God for everything.'They sat down comfortably and exchanged more pleasantries.'Oh, good,' Nne
Happy New Year! Happy New Year!' Nneoma bid her friends who had come to assist her with her luggage.Euphorically they responded, 'Happy New Year!''So how are you all?''We are fine.' They moved towards the hostel. 'And you? How was your holiday?' Onyekachi asked her.'It was fine. I had a nice time,' she assured them.Nneoma's hostel was a three storey building of great length. The building bore many rooms which accommodated numerous students. Electricity supply was steady most times. And in the case of power failure, which was very rare, the university supplied them light via the heavy duty generator. Water supply was also steady and within reach. Students were glad to be spared the rigours of searching for water outside the school.The evening was cool. Soothingly, the breeze wafted through the windows promising a night of calm. The sky was splashed with brilliant stars which illuminated not only the atmosphere but also people's hearts.
When the hour struck 15:30 N.T, Nneoma leapt from her bed. She dressed up again in her earlier clothes. She retouched her makeup and made sure she looked good. Selecting the relevant books, she left for Gladys' room. Since the latter was ready too, both of them left the hostel.'Do you know the particular class?''No but we will find him without any problem. Come on, Richard keeps to time and if you don't he leaves. That way, he teaches his friends to stick to time.' Gladys increased her pace.Moments later, they arrived at the Blue classes. Looking through the windows, they sought for Richard. In the sixth class, they found him. Nneoma felt a peculiar joy well up within her just at the mere sight of him. He had not seen them yet. He stood before a wall map looking very engrossed. At the sound of their foot steps, he turned round. Richard wore a cool black T. shirt over a deep blue jeans looking grand in casual clothes. He smiled, his eyes lighting up as they fell on
The door bell rang musically. Nneoma stood up to answer the call. She was at the Uto's house having arrived an hour earlier. This was her second visit to the Uto's residence. Opening the door, she saw her father in-law to be, Mr. Silas Uto.He exclaimed in joy: 'Ah, Nneoma, you're already here.''Yes sir, good morning, sir,' she greeted respectfully.'Good morning.' He patted her back as he came in. 'How are your parents?''They are fine. They sent their greetings, sir.''Good, good.'She looked curiously, towards the door. 'Where is Pius, sir?''He's coming. Pius, what are you still doing there? Nneoma is here!' Pius' father said with flourish looking at the curtained entrance.Alarm bells sounded distinctly in Nneoma's ears as Pius Uto walked in. They stared at each other, her heart beating wildly. No…no… This won't work… Nneoma felt like breaking down. He was not her type… she moaned silently. Seeing him live has
The bus arrived the Eastern Heartland at exactly 20:45 N.T. At the ITC Park, Nneoma alighted from the vehicle. She felt very tired and weak.She gazed up the night sky. The sky was bluish black, sprinkled with myriads of brilliant stars. They told her life could be smooth rough, beautiful or ugly depending on how one played his cards. Shaking her head, she looked around for a cyclist.Minutes later, the motor cyclist arrived at Gladys' residence which was in Aladinma Layout. She dismounted and paid the cyclist. She knocked on the black gate and waited patiently. She was the epitome of a run-away soldier. Just then, the gate was opened by Gladys younger brother, about eighteen years old.''Joseph.'He was visibly surprised. 'Ah, Nneoma, good evening!''Good-evening,’ she answered with a weak smile. 'Is Gladys in?''Yes, yes, come in.' He stepped back and Nneoma entered the compound. Joseph locked the gate and moved toward their white bungalow
Nneoma!’ 'Aunty,' she responded quietly, unable to smile. ‘Come in, come in,' Ogechi said, taking the former's hand. She led her into her living room. Nneoma dropped her bag on the floor and sat down on one of the cushioned seats.'You look troubled, Nne. What's the problem? And how is your mother?' Ogechi gazed at her concernedly, subsiding on the adjourning seat.'She's fine, I believe but I'm not so sure.''You are not so sure? I don't understand.''Oh, aunty Oge, I ran away from them.''Ah… Nneoma?'She began tremulantly, 'Pius came home.''Your fiancé?''Yes, he came home for the Easter Holiday. When he called at our house, I was not yet back from school. When I came home, my parents said I should visit them as they desired…''Mmh.
Seven years gone by, Nneoma was hale and hearty. She worked as an accountant in a reputable bank in Aba, the second city listed in the world gazetteer popularly called the Enyimba city, situate in Abia State, Nigeria. Courtesy of her uncle who had introduced her to the Utos years ago and her parents, she eventually graduated with a second class upper division degree certificate.Nneoma, through a magistrate law court had for six years formally paid back Pius approximately all he spent on her. And with the approximate last kobo paid, that sad episode was finally closed.Nneoma, in her thirtieth earth year was a raving beauty. She suffered a lot of advances from men which amused, pleased, or irritated her at times. Suitors came her way but she refused them. It was as if she had sworn off men. Her parents were worried. Wouldn't she settle down? Why did she joke with marriage? She was almost thirty! They gave her sermons on the reasons why she should make the most of her