The Student Teacher Affair

Mercy's pov My alarm blared at 6:00 AM, dragging me out of my dreamless sleep. I groaned and rolled over, swatting at the snooze button. It was the first day of my 300 level, first semester at the Prestige University. I should have been more excited, but all I wanted was another hour in bed. Nevertheless, I forced myself up, knowing Gracie would never let me hear the end of it if I was late. By 7:30 AM, I was dressed in my favorite blue top and jeans, my braids pulled back into a neat ponytail. I grabbed my books and headed out the door, feeling a spark of excitement. Today was going to be great; I could feel it. The campus was already buzzing with activity. Students hurried to their first classes of the semester, laughing and chatting in groups. I smiled, soaking in the energy. As I walked toward my lecture hall, I texted Gracie to see if she was on her way. She replied with a selfie, showing her still in bed with a mischievous grin. Typical Gracie. I laughed and shook my head, tucking my phone into my bag. I turned a corner, my mind already on the day's lectures, when I suddenly collided with something solid. My books flew out of my hands, scattering across the pavement. I stumbled but managed to stay upright. "Watch where you're going!" I snapped, more out of surprise than anger. The man I had bumped into barely glanced at me. He was tall, with a stern expression and an air of arrogance that immediately set my teeth on edge. He didn't apologize or even offer to help pick up my books. "Maybe you should watch where you're going," he replied coolly, stepping around me as if I were an obstacle. My blood boiled. "Excuse me?" I said, my voice rising. "You walked into me!" He didn't bother to turn around. "Whatever," he muttered and kept walking. I stood there, fuming, as I gathered my scattered books. Who did he think he was? My day had started so well, and now this? I couldn't let it ruin my mood, but it was hard to shake off the encounter. I finished picking up my things and hurried to class, my mind still replaying the scene. When I finally saw Gracie at lunch, I was still seething. She took one look at me and raised an eyebrow. "What happened to you?" I sighed and launched into the story, describing the man and his infuriating attitude. Gracie listened, her eyes wide with sympathy and a hint of amusement. "Wow, what a jerk," she said when I finished. "Some people just have no manners." "Tell me about it," I grumbled, stabbing at my food. "I hope I never see him again." Gracie laughed. "Knowing your luck, he'll probably end up in one of your classes." "Don't even joke about that," I said, shuddering at the thought. Despite her teasing, Gracie was the perfect person to vent to. She always knew how to make me feel better, and by the end of lunch, I was in a much better mood. I decided not to let one rude stranger ruin my day. After all, it was only the beginning of the semester. I had plenty to look forward to, and I wasn't going to let anyone take that away from me. The next day, I woke up with a renewed sense of determination. I refused to let the rude encounter from yesterday dampen my spirits. I had a full day of lectures ahead, and I was determined to make the most of it. My first class was African Literature, one of my favorites. I arrived early and found a seat near the front. As the room filled with students, I pulled out my notebook and began reviewing my notes from the previous semester. A few minutes later, the door swung open, and the lecturer walked in. My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach twisted into a knot. It was him—the man I had bumped into yesterday. He set his briefcase on the desk and looked up, his eyes scanning the room. When our eyes met, I saw a flicker of recognition, followed by a hint of annoyance. "Good morning, everyone," he began, his voice firm and authoritative. "My name is Mr. Joshua Adeniyi, and I'll be your lecturer for African Literature this semester." I could feel my face heating up with anger and embarrassment. How could this be happening? Of all the lecturers, why did it have to be him? Joshua—Mr. Adeniyi—started the class with an overview of the course. As he spoke, I couldn't help but notice how confident and knowledgeable he was. But that did little to soften my feelings towards him. I was still fuming from our encounter, and it seemed like he was too. "Let's start with some questions to gauge your understanding," he said, his eyes flicking in my direction. "You there, in the blue top. What's your name?" I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the entire class's gaze on me. "Mercy," I replied, my voice steady despite my racing heart. "Alright, Mercy. Can you tell us about the primary themes in Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart'?" I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. "The primary themes include the struggle between tradition and change, the clash of cultures, and the impact of colonialism on Igbo society." Joshua's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Good. And what about the role of proverbs in the novel?" "Proverbs are used to convey wisdom and cultural values. They reflect the importance of oral tradition in Igbo society and often highlight the themes of the novel." The class was silent, the tension between us palpable. Joshua didn't seem pleased that I had answered correctly. In fact, he seemed even more determined to challenge me. "One more question, Mercy. How does Achebe use language to differentiate between the colonizers and the indigenous people?" I paused for a moment, considering my answer. "Achebe uses formal, sometimes stilted English to represent the colonizers, emphasizing their distance and lack of understanding of Igbo culture. In contrast, the indigenous characters often speak in proverbs and idiomatic expressions, highlighting their deep connection to their traditions and community." Joshua's expression was unreadable, but I could sense the frustration behind his eyes. "Very well," he said curtly. "Let's move on." The rest of the class passed in a blur. I with curiosity. "What was that about?" she asked, falling into step beside me. "That's the guy I bumped into yesterday," I muttered. "The one who didn't apologize." "No way!" Gracie exclaimed. "That's Joshua Adeniyi? He's, like, the newest lecturer in the faculty. No wonder he was grilling you." "Yeah, well, he can keep trying," I said, my anger simmering just below the surface. "I'm not going to let him intimidate me." Gracie gave me a sympathetic look. "Just be careful, Mercy. You don't want to make an enemy of him." I nodded, knowing she was right. But as much as I wanted to avoid further conflict, I couldn't help but feel a burning determination to prove myself. If Joshua Adeniyi wanted a challenge, I was ready to give him one.