Hell School

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

I nodded quietly and did not interrupt. He continued

"...I appreciate your clear intention and already I like you as young man. You didn't cut corners rather you came to make your intentions Known to us. I wish to give her out at this young age for marriage but all the plans we put in place for her will be ruined. Is only after competing her education I can boldly do that. After then she can go ahead and marry because by then she will be around twenty three or so, that's if the educational system still works perfectly. Is not like I don't wish for you to marry my daughter right away...no, is my utmost desire to give her out in marriage to a responsible young man like you but her education will be on hold and I don't want that. I'm praying and hoping for a buyer soon so that by next year she will be in school..."

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I nodded quietly as everywhere became silent.

I needed to properly organize the thought running through my mind before speaking them out.

"I have heard what you said Mazi, I also appreciate your zeal and effort in sending Oby to school. Since the only obstruction to having her now is furthering her education then I can assist with that...

They looked up at me wondering what I meant. I continued

"....i will like to take care of Oby's education, you don't have to sell your land or any property to be able to send her to school...I will take care of everything. I'm not so wealthy but I thank God for his blessings. I will sponsor her education and after she graduates we can then get married. I will have to wait until then although that will be changing my plans which is to get married before I clock thirty but is alright. I love your daughter and your entire family and I will also want my woman to be well educated. I'm ready to put in my energy, my time and money in making sure she turns out great, which is exactly what you want. You don't need to wait until next year, the year is still young and I can make calls and enquires concerning it. I will give you feed back ones I finalize with that. Before then, I will like to send money so that she can get a mobile phone which I will be using to reach her instead of always going through you all the time....

I was about saying something else when her mother fell to the ground praying for me and thanking me.

Mazi was speechless, he said I was God sent to them.

They called Oby and she came out knelt down and also began thanking me.

Why is everyone dramatic, I didn't even know how to respond to all the emotions they were pouring out.

I kept saying "Amen"

My stomach suddenly made a noise, then it went on rumbling.

I need to leave immediately before I explode like a time bomb.

I can't even go through another embarrassing ordeal again here.

I stood and quickly brought out an envelope and hand over to Mazi.

I also wanted to give his wife but that will be next time because I came with just one envelope which contains fifteen thousand. 

I could have taken out five thousand and given to her but my stomach is giving me sign to run. I don't want to waste further time.

I thanked them for everything before finally taking my leave.

Oby was walking beside me, I deep my hand inside my pocket and squizzed some rough four thousand notes into her hand.

The only money left with me was my transport fare back to town and to my hotel.

It appears I was suddenly in a haste but they followed up carefully.

They escorted me to their bustop and did not stop praying for me until I got into a motorcycle which was generally referred to as "okada"

I waved them goodbye and they kept waving until the okada zoomed into another rough street and out to the main road.

I asked him to apply more speed and he did despite the rough crazy road.

normally, I will never ask an okada man to speed on a bad road but if I have to fly to get to my hotel room, then that's what I will do.

Jerome and Jimmy went on laughing as I narrated what I went through after consuming the meal at Oby's place.

"Guy... so you threw off your big boy level due to stomach upset..." Jerome asked while still laughing.

"Mennn... you won't understand. I was sweating seriously. My stomach was in gunfire war. I won't say is one of the worst day of my life because all I went for was decided and agreed in perfect terms. Is just one of those days that I gat to learn in a hard way. Lesson learnt, if you travel to a place try not to eat everything presented to you. And make sure you present your matter first before the merriment. Well, I failed in that aspect but thank God nothing worst happened". I said to my two friends.

Jimmy replied

"Austin, This lesson doesn't apply to someone like me. The day I traveled for my introduction before the proper traditional wedding, my in-laws brought different delicacies, my wife can confirm what I'm saying. I tasted each of them, some were nice while others tasted very strange. I almost finished small jar of palm wine... I also ate grass cutter bush meat mixed with oil bean...ukpa, the meat was dry and crunchy. My wife came to whisper to my ear to take it easy since that was the first time I was trying some of the food. She was afraid the food will react strangely to my system but nothin happened. My stomach has a solid setting unlike yours...

We started laughing again. 

Jimmy later continued 

"....by the way I'm happy your journey was smooth and everything has been finalized. So Austin, when are we traveling to east again for the main thing and to bring our wife down to Abuja. Since she is the only woman after your heart...

Jerome nodded in agreement.

I breathed calmly before saying

"That won't be soon because she needs to finish school first but Oby is already my wife and that's why I want to see to it that she further her education. It was one of her father's wish and Oby also desires it before the proper marriage can take place. I agreed to do the sponsoring and to wait until she is through before proceeding with marriage rites..."

"Guy... you be mumu..."

Jerome interrupted with disappointment in his voice. He continued bashing me

".... are you for real Austin? You agreed to train a girl in school with your legit money? What kind of nonsense talk is that, I don't think you are with your right senses. You have lost your mind... because the Austin I know is not stupid but this Austin right here who agreed to sponsor a village girl in school is more than stupid. Who does that this days, nobody is that foolish again. Even if you don't know what to do with money, we can go clubbing everyday and enjoy the best life...carry multiple girls as many times as you please or even get a serious one who will adores the ground you walk on. Jimmy did you hear what Austin said or am I having hearing disorder...

Jimmy gasped out

"I heard him, well...is his choice and his money Jerome. He is free to do as he please. But my suggestion is... Austin, why not marry her first, make her your wife and then you can continue sponsoring her from the comfort of your home... knowing fully well that she is yours. Why sponsor her before getting married to her? I'm not saying something will happen, but is very risky... especially with girls of today. You are taking so much risk...but if this is what you really want to do then is fine. Waiting for her to finish school is a long time from now, can you wait...? That's around four to six years man...

Jerome interrupted Jimmy again.

"Can you imagine the years he will be waiting for one village girl to finish university so that he can marry her. The rubbish talk about not seeing a suitable lady in this whole Abuja is a bulshiiit nonsense. Abuja chicks are the most sophisticated, classy and endowed ladies I ever come across. I'm not talking about beauty because they all have it yet Austin here said he didn't see any one to his taste. A village teenage girl who knows nothing about the city life happens to be his taste. No class, no beauty like what I have seen in Abuja, No level at all. I'm damn disappointed in Austin's decision. Stella, your junior sister is studying medicine in a private university in Lagos. Your parents are pouring in money to make sure she lacks nothing, why not tell your Dad not to bother paying your sister school bills, you will take care of it since you are looking for who to train in school? I don't understand you guy... this is absolutely nonsense and I suggest you withdraw yourself from such. Think about it...a village girl, a nobody...oh shit...

I have heard enough from Jerome, I had to caution him.

", Enough man. You have said too much on top of my own personal decision. Maybe I shouldn't have said it out. You have to watch your tongue now Jerome, insulting Oby is an insult to me. Is my money for crying out loud, why so angry and bitter over it. Thanks for your concern, I appreciate the bashing but you're blowing it out of proportion. Whenever Stella, my sister needs my help on anything at all I make sure she has it but my parents are responsible for her and she hardly calls me for money. Why even bring in Stella's case to this? I'm gonna make Oby my wife after all, helping her parents sponsor her is no big deal. She is mine after all... and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. She is a Queen in mine. Get hold of yourself man... there's no point dragging this issue since I'm not asking you for a dime. Please, you all should either respect my decision or let me be in peace..."

Chuks who has a way of easing tension began to smile.

He later said

"You're right Austin, your money your time. Atleast there's also a bonus attached, you will be the first to open her package...her virginity is a bonus gift. Many of us are not lucky like you are..."

He suddenly started laughing, Jerome joined in and I couldn't help but also laugh.

"Is true man...fresh untapped package straight from the village. You will have to teach her different styles... the horse and the doggy too...." Jerome added while still laughing and demonstrating with his hand

"You all are crazy mhennnnn..."

I said as we went talking about other things later on.

My friends allowed me be in peace over Oby's issue after then.

As the year runs, first and second semester was over and I sent in money both for school fees and upkeep.

Oby was obedient and continue being herself despite the distance between us.

She was schooling over in East, not her state exactly but the next state closer to hers.

After a year, I asked if she wants to change her old phone but she said is okay, she doesn't need a new phone.

She was contented with what I got her.

I sometimes send a stipends to her parents too but my major concerns was Oby.

She does not fail to sing my praises, send lovely messages anytime she is free.

I doubled up my hustle, got more houses for sale and source for serious buyers

Her second year in school, we agreed she was going to travel down to my base and spend her holiday in Abuja.

She was excited, I was also very happy. 

That will be her first time coming to Abuja.

I sent her money to buy new wears and to get everything she needed but she said she will do the shopping when she comes to Abuja.