A STRANGE LAND

Chapter 3

*CHAPTER 3*

Amaka, you can't be fighting over an issue that is minute as this.. But sir, she tore my book and refused to apologize.

Now listen,"clears his throat", you have to go and clear the bushes, but I'll be very lenient with you, cut a portion of the field. I'll punish Mildred myself, but sir, "she tries to explain herself", I said you can go , I'll do it when I can.......

"Walks out of the door unhappy"...

"Hears a knock", Yeah, who's there?

This is Amaka, I was sent by Mr Brown..

Ok then, you can come in, "door opens slowly", how are you dear? "Frowns", I'm fine ma..

You can't be fine with that look on your face..

I'm fine ma, the principal said I should collect a cutlass from you......

Alright, "brings out a long register", but you have to sign here..

"Went close to the woman turns the book and signed..

There is a room by your left, you will see cutlasses on the floor, you can take one.

Thank you ma.

Hey! "Amaka turns", stay out of trouble next time.....

"Cutting the grass and sweating profusely", Unbelievable Amaka, why are you cutting the grass all alone , what about Mildred? Enyinnaya asked , the principal has a different kind of punishment for her..

Enyinnaya don't tell me you're gonna believe that crap.

"Stands up and holds her waist", are you gonna stand there and complain over nothing?

Please I need help, I really need help. I'm very tired and feel like fainting

Alright dear, "collects the cutlass from her" I will help you .

"Sits down" immediately", Thank you dear.....

Who is right there? come in , the door is open. "Door opens slowly", oh it's you Laeze, "smiles".

Yes sir, it's me Laeze.

"Mr Clinton smiles" oh wow! I'm happy you came back, to what do I owe this wonderful visit.

"Okpalaeze smiled", I can assure you sir, you're safe.

I actually came to see my friend.

Oh wow! "Stands up from his seat, went close to Okpalaeze and sits on the table"...

Alright, I'm gonna ask you a few question, have you been to a white man's land?

No sir"looking confused" , I'm only fifteen years and I barely know the bushes and forests here...

Alright, would you like to go there?

Why would I ever think of something like that? "Stands up angrily"....

Now listen, you can't make a change this way dear, you need to be exposed, you need to meet people, brilliant people, you need what they know, you need to add it to what you know..

But, what if I get killed, "Mr Clinton laughs hard", you won't get killed dear, atleast we're not blood sucking demons.

What's a demon sir? "Smiles", a demon is an evil spirit that sucks people's blood.

Do they exist sir?

Well, maybe, maybe not...

I'll teach you something dear,

Look around my office, why do you see that you haven't seen before?

"Ermmmmm", "Okpalaeze tries to answer".

Listen to me Laeze, you can take your time , look around you.

Ok sir, let's start from your dressing, your kind of chair, box on your table ( referring to the land phone) and everything here, including the school.

"Smiles", alright. Have you ever thought of how they came about? There is more to life, "walks to the book shelf".. Everyday we think of how to make life easy for humans and we do a little research. We try out new things.. How well can you read Laeze? Very well Sir. This is a dictionary, and this is a book on research. The dictionary will help you know difficult words when you study the other book, you will be more exposed dear....

Now listen to me dear, learn new lessons from situations surrounding you..

You have to ask yourself this question, What do the white men have that we do not have, why are they so unique, so intelligent and why are they so creative?

With this my dear you can build yourself and prepare for what is ahead of you.

Wow, "shakes his head", I've never had such things before, I love your thought process sir.

"Walks back to his seat", I told you, we'd become great friends....

On his back to school, Okpalaeze remembered his brother Amobi, he remembered how they walked together to check his trap, how they fought together, how they did so many things together and cried bitterly.

"Got to his room,he brought out the gun he stole from the soldier", I'll use this oneday to save you my dear brother, Amobi. "Hears footsteps" tries to hide the gun swiftly", Okpalaeze, nobody knew when you walked in, "Nneoma asked his son"..

Good afternoon mama," stands up immediately" I didn't know you were around or rather I thought you were fast asleep..

Did you come to meet me in my hut?

I'm sorry mama, i remembered Amobi and became sad..

"Nneoma holds her son" , don't worry, Amobi Is still alive, even though he may not come back, I wish him well wherever he is.

Amen!!!!!!

Eeeeemm Mama, "turns", I will be going to the church this evening, I want to see father Anthony, he said I should come around on Tuesday..

Alright then, but that would be after you might done your chores, you know you're the only one helping me out at the moment..

Ok mama..

In the name of the father, and of the son and of the holyspirit, Amen!

Okpalaeze..........(Amen).

So what brings you here?

Father, I caused the death of my younger brother Amobi, I want God to forgive me.

The Lord has forgiven you all your sins, a broken and a contrite heart, he does not overlook ,but you owe him one thing which is this, go and sin no More..."Father Anthony does the sign of the cross", you can go now my son..Gets up immediately and walks to the door.

On his way home, what should I do, I need to make Juliet my friend, I need to draw close to her then she will take me to the cell where Amobi is, with that gun I'll kill all the soldiers and free Amobi..

"Stops immediately scratching his head", no, those soldiers are much, they may kill me and our parents will die of heartbreak.

What if they abducts me too?

So many thoughts.

"Nods his head", I have a better plan...

Good evening papa, "stood to greet his father", how are you my son?

I'm fine papa, mama told me you were sick.

Yes my son" Sits up ", but I'm fine now, due to the nature of my work, I don't get enough rest and it's really affecting me..

My son, how is studies, hope it's going well, "Okpalaeze brings a seat", yes papa.

My son listen, I want you to become like the white men, I want you to study well, at least I'm happy that you can now speak their language very well, but you need to study.

Thank you papa, I'm trying best.

Don't worry, you will do well.

Thank you papa.

You can go inside now..