THE RISING SUN

CHAPTER NINE

One year later, Zainab had already got some confidence. She was no longer the scared baby anymore. So, she chose a day to go and pay one of her teachers a visit. On that Sunday afternoon, she got into his compound, and approached the door.

"I have to put an end to my nightmare today", she said to herself. Then she knocked on the door.

"Please, enter", Mr Peter said.

When she entered the sitting room, he became very startled. So, he stood up from his seat and was really agape.

"I know you'll be very surprised to see me at your home."

"I'm very surprised! Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, sir!

Mr Peter attempted to offer her something, but she declined.

"I'm very much ok, sir. Thank you!"

So, he sat down, and struck up a conversation. After the brief conversation, Zainab immediately informed him of her purpose of coming.

Mr Peter had been the one tormenting her on the way since last year. He had been making passes at her, and also promised to marry her. She was always uncomfortable to see her teacher kneel down to beg her to accept his passes.

That was the main reason Zainab was always running away whenever she saw him. She just clocked eighteen that year, and she had also registered for her GCSE. So, she felt it was about time she started to make a decision.

"Sir, to be frank, I'm not interested in any romantic relationship right now, and I'm not ready for marriage. When I graduate from university, get a job, then I will begin to talk about marriage."

"But I never wanted to stop you from achieving any of the foregoing. In fact, when I discovered that you were unable to register for your GCSE last year, I was actually heartbroken, because if you had told me, I would have done it for you."

The last statement calmed Zainab. She thus had compassion for him. As a result of that, her love for him began to grow immediately.

This event may remind someone of John Dryden's piece, which has taught us that "...pity melts the mind to love."

"I see! So can you actually wait until I achieve my first degree?"

"Of course yes", he answered desperately.

"Alright then! As long as you'll wait for me, I'll surely return to you."

Peter tried hard to fight back his tears, but he could not, so, he quickly ran into her arms with joy. Then both of them hugged each other very tight. After a while, they left each other; Zainab ran out of the sitting room, and went home.

Zainab was already done with her exams four months ago .So, she started making arrangements for Abdul and her to leave the village for the city.

She had already cut thighs with Emmanuel, because he could not accept the condition of waiting until she had finished her tertiary education.

Although she was not actually informing her brother of her plans, she actually wanted to take him by surprise. She started applying for an admission into one of the national universities. It was not yet time for Abdul to get involved.