THE EXETA

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Another bright day morning did not seem unusual in the Frimpong Manso house. Simon was up early today and as usual the family had gathered and were having breakfast. Clarence was taking coffee, Theresa was taking tea, while Simon and Lily were taking corn flakes. They enjoyed their food with relish. But that was something unique about that morning. The Simon we knew was not the same Simon that was sited at the dining table. There was something, just something arcane about his countenance. An aura of elation as he ate with joy and relish. He was still smiling in his head and intermittently when he became unconscious of his environment, his thoughts manifested physically then he will do well to hold it back. He had succeeded in hiding that twice but, for the second time her mom given him a quizzical look that said. Is everything alright Simon? As usual Lily was the first to finish her meal. And guess what she broke the silence yet again.

            “Mom …I forgot to tell you today is a holiday, so no classes for me…” Lily said. Simon was not so much eager to respond to that.

            “Really!...I never knew.” Theresa said. Lily shrugged. “Our teacher said we can rest for today and come back tomorrow.”

            “I see, then I guess you will be joining Simon at home.” Clarence added. Simon was now ready to talk.

            “I do not know about that Dad, but I may go out today.” Simon said.

            “Go out…to where? Is everything alright with you son?” Theresa asked her son. Simon was not expecting that.

            “Am not really sure, but I will go and see my friends Kankam and Oduro.” Simon said feebly. Simon heart was racing in his stomach. He was anxious hoping auntie Margaret had not informed his mother about his visit to Marlon.

            “And Mr. Morrison daughter. I heard you too are now friends.” Theresa spooked. Simon was surprised who on earth had told her mother. If it was not auntie Maggie then who could it be. Lily on the other hand had been smiling at his brother’s ambivalent stated. She liked it when his matter was the subject of discussion.

            “Is that true Simon?” Clarence asked solemn. Simon face was fastidious. He could not lie.

            “Yes Dad, it is. It turns out that she was not as rude and mean after all.” Simon replied.

            “Wow…so Simon has a girlfriend now” Lily shot back laughing. Simon was livid. Theresa was not happy with that.

            “Lily!” Theresa bellowed to Lily. “Simon does not have a girlfriend and stop joking with sensitive matters.” Clarence looked on quiet.

            “So this is what you used your freedom of not going for vacation classes for, go and visit your female friend?” Theresa asked. Simon was more saddened to hear that.

            “No mom I go there to study. She is in high school as me and….” Simon

            “And what!” Theresa interrupted Simon. Clarence then intervened.

            “Theresa, it’s okay. Simon you are not going there ever again. Matthias is a friend so I do not see why her daughter cannot be friends with Simon. Simon do not worry, mom is a little careful how you are spending your vacation.” Clarence retorted.

            “I agree with Dad, mom has not done anything wrong, after all I also really like to meet this girl.” Lily said. Theresa was calmed now. She had been hard on her son and it was all now coming back to her.

            “Alright if you say so. Am sorry Simon, I thought you said you were preparing for your National Math’s and Science Quiz. What happened?” Theresa said. Simon shrugged a little and replied,

“Apologies accepted mom. We will be writing a test in two weeks. Those who qualify will be selected and trained for the final tournament. And that is what I have been studying for at home.” Simon replied still sad.

“I see maybe we can spice up today a little. Agatha last time wanted to bring Jackie and Charlie to see you two. May be this will be a great chance to do that.” Theresa said.

“Wow Jackie and Charlie…I will love to have them. Mom call them, it will be great to have them around, isn’t it Simon?” Lily said.

“Yes it will.” Simon replied rather coarse. With that, Theresa took her cell phone and placed a call. She then moved aside to take the call.

“Dad!” Simon bellowed. “Yes Simon” Clarence replied.

“I need a big favour…can I get a cell phone for some research?” Simon asked. Lily was quiet she had no idea where Simon was going with this.

“No problem, you can take this…” Clarence then removed his cell phone sim card and gave his current phone to his son. Lily looked on a bit jealous.

“And what about me, Dad.” Lily complained.

“You get a cell phone, when you are done with Junior high school Lily. That will be my gift to you.” Clarence said. Lily was not so happy with that but took it cool. Simon was so excited as he looked at the specs of the iphone he had just received.

“Do you have a sim card to use Simon?” Clarence asked. Elated Simon then replied. “Yes I do, we were given on in school.”

“Vodafone right?” Lily intervened

“Yes Vodafone. So let me go and see if it works out. Thanks Dad…” Simon said and moved from the dining table.

“You welcome.” Clarence replied but Simon was already gone.

-------

The nuclear research facility that was building Africa’s first Tokamak was still busy with work. So far so good. They could boast that the project have gone well with the time frame they had been given to complete the work. In the control room, Mr. Anobaah had called all the engineers in and was giving them tutelage on how the fusion process takes place. On the wide computer monitors that was being programmed by Mr. Anobaah was the oval shape of the typical thermonuclear fusion reactor – the tokamak that was being built. The image on the computer gave in indept imagery of what was really happening in the tokamak as soon as to nuclei are make to fuse.

            “So as you all can see, this is a simulation software that will be used to monitor the fusion process in the Tokamak. The programmer at this point, had done all he needs to do. And as you know nuclear fusion will only take place when the external force bringing he two smaller nuclei together to fuse is greater the coulombic repulsion between the two nuclei as a result of the valence electrons of the nuclei’s. So our proficient option it heat. For every reaction that is a particular temperature range or demand that is needed for the fusion to take place. The heat that the tokamaks generates is what will provide the external force that will cause the fusion of the two nuclides. So from this particular simulation were are fusing Hydrogen and Deuterium 567. The estimated temperature that the fusion will occur is 56678 K. And one thing as you can see is that, inside the tokamak is filled with a lot of highly induced paramagnets magnets that will monitor the trajectory of the nuclear reaction making sure they have a head on collision for fusion to occur. So watch now.” Mr. Anobaah explained and pressed come button on the computer keyboard.

The screen was an intergalactic circus as we see the Hydrogen and the Deuterium move closer in the Tokamak move at a moderate speed at the set temperate. The two nuclides collide to form a compound nucleus’ releasing a colossal amount of energy. The disintegration continues as long as the amount of the colliding nuclei are significant. The engineers are fascinated as they get to understand what they are really doing.

“Immediately the fusion is done, the energy production starts. And also, the energy being produced is recorded in Megawatts here.” Mr. Anobaah point to the lower right corner of the screen that depicted the amount of nuclear energy the fusion had generated so far. And it keeps on increasing until the last bit of the colliding nuclei cannot generate any more nuclear energy. So that it that.” Mr. Anobaah explained as the simulation on the screen started to repeat itself again.

“So any questions?” Mr. Anobaah asked. A female engineer raised her hand and asked. “Yes”

“Okay Sir so what happens to the energy that had been obtained from the fusion? How do we convert that into the electricity that we want?”

“Good question. And that’s when a converter comes in. We have a special device called the converter that will do that. You do not need to worry about that. We have taken care of that already.” Raymond answered.

Another male engineer raised the hand and spoke, “So Sir what happens to the waste or the remnants from the fusion?”

“We dispose of some, and we also use some for therapy – nuclear therapy, that not so common in Ghana. So that is that.” Raymond then stood up.

“Any furthest question.” Mr. Anobaah bellowed. But all were quiet meaning they were all okay.

“Okay so let get back to work we have a time limit. Let me know if you need any clarification.” Mr. Anobaah bellowed. With that, the engineers moved back to work on the tokamak. Raymond then relegated himself in the control room. After some few minutes. A call came in for Mr. Anobaah. He picked the call and to his surprise it was Matthias Morrison. He then spoke.

“Boss…I was not expecting your call.” Raymond said.

“Yes…Ray, have been doing a lot lately. How is the project going?” Matthias asked.

“Going well Sir, I just showed the simulation video the engineers to understand what we are about.”

“Wow…that good. And how was the response?” Matthias asked.

“The response was positive. They were very excited and have now moved on to continue work on the Tokamak.”

“That is really great to here. I appreciate your commitment and dedication Ray. When we finally complete this project, the whole of Africa will get to know about us. They will get to know about the men whose hard work will change the course of energy in Africa forever.” Matthias praised.

“That’s will be a great honour. As I have always said I believe in this vision and I will do all to see to it’s completion.” Raymond replied.

“Am grateful. Sorry my time is limited I have to go…any last words?” Matthias asked.

“Nothing much. How is your daughter doing? I will glad if she could pay us a visit here again.” Raymond said.

“She is well. I will think about that. But until then. You and your team are doing a great work and I hope to see you all soon. Have a nice day.” Matthias said.

“Sure…Sir, you too.” Ray said. The line then went mute. The call had ended. Mr. Anobaah placed his cell phone down and continued his work

-------

It was mid-morning, thus late afternoon and Shinell and Adelyn were on their way for another History lecture. As they walked Adelyn was headstrong on knowing what made her friends move away from them the last time they were all giving an assignment. They moved on as it was overt there were not late for the lecture at all. Adelyn then broke the silence. Something she had been really meaning to do.

            “So I have been wondering. The last time you left us when we were on our way to the library to finish the assignment…” Adelyn stopped seeing the face Shinell was giving her.

            “I know you know what I am about to ask. So will you tell me or not?” Adelyn asked. Shinell looked on a bit frustrated. She then shook her head and continued to walk on.

            “Come on Shinell am your best friend and we do not keep secrets from each other.” Adelyn bellowed.

            “Adelyn, it’s not about keeping secrets. It about honouring an agreement I have made. A promise I made is all that you want to know.” Shinell replied so vague.

            “I do not get it. What promise have you made?” Adelyn asked again.

            “It’s not that simple, but if you insist on knowing, then you have to also promise to keep your lips sealed after I let the cat out of the bag.” Shinell said. Adelyn was beginning to get very nervous.

            “Oh…that is beginning to frighten me. Whatever it maybe I promise to keep mute on the matter.” Adelyn replied.

            “I have been dating for about a year now. I really didn’t not see it so important to talk about it.” Shinell said not so impressed. Adelyn was surprised and elated to hear that. She was happy for her friend.

            “Really!...Shinell that is great to here…well congrats if you even see it that way. But is this what you have refused to talk about…to me?”

            “Yes Ade, I kind of did not wanted any of our colleagues to know about it. You know when we are in school right? So we focus on school. And when you go home you do home stuffs.” Shinell explained.

            Adelyn was not so impressed with that. They continued to talk about it as Shinell unveiled all that Adelyn hoped to know with the certainty that Adelyn would keep all that a clandestine between them. Adelyn was the most excited for her friend such that after the conversation, Shinell was also plummeted into the pool of elation. With that, they entered the lecture room for another history lecture.

-------

Marlon was in the sofa as usual with her cell phone. Cassie then came in with a lot to talk about. Marlon was excited as usual typing on her cell phone. Cassie finally got toe Marlon she stood there for a while and shook her heard. It was all conspicuous from the current steps of Marlon she was happy though, some few days ago she had been sad that her father was keeping her in the house – not allowing her to go out.

            “I can see you happy today. Anything I should know?” Cassie inquired. Marlon stopped typing and looked up. Caasi had made the face the denoted she was expecting a lot.

            “What will you like to know?” Marlon replies rather cold. Cassies shrugged. “I hope I may not be mistaken to say, your current bliss is because of him coming here yesterday.”

            Marlon heard it all well. She stopped and paced her head up. “Who are you talking about Cassie?” Marlon asked feigning ignorance.

            “You tell me, I know you know what am talking about. You pretend you are excited with your phone while the real person you are excited about is… – Simon.” Cassie finally managed to say.

            “…Cassie I get it now. Simon is not reason I am elated to day. Simple.”

            “Then what can it be. You two seem to be getting along just fine.”

            “Yes, we are. And is that a bad thing?”

            “No…its not at all. And came to think of it, he is cute and intelligent.” Cassie shot back. Marlon looked on stunned to hear that. Where was Cassie taking this? She thought.

            “Yes, he is. Any other thing you like to say about him since you have made todays discussion literally about Simon.”

            “No…am just excited that you are happy in the mist of the boring vacation.” Cassie said.

            “I guess every situation has it pros and cons. Coming to Ghana I was thinking how it would be like. Knowing I will be away from home and my family, friends and loved ones. But things have kind of turned out surprising.” Marlon said.

            “So when is he coming back again. I guess you want to see him again.” Cassie sked. Marlon turned her head up again. What was Cassie’s problem, she thought.

            “I do not know, I guess I have to talk to him and find out.” Marlon replied.

            “Sure, you should.” Cassie replied. With that a call came in for Marlon. She looked at the caller and she was excited. Cassie was certain it was Simon but then Marlon bellowed,

            “It’s auntie Cynthia.” Marlon said and picked the call. “Hello auntie…” Cassie moved on to the kitchen, giving space and privacy for Marlon to listen to her call. Marlon talked for a while on the cell phone with her auntie. It was all good news as Marlon kept on thumping up in elation till then end of the conversation. After the call was finally over, Cassie came back from the kitchen. Marlon was still excited.

            “Anything that I should know Minenhle.” Cassie said. Marlon looked back.

            “You do like that name a lot don’t you.” Marlon replied.

            “What can I say it’s traditional. So tell me what did your auntie tell you that had added to your joy today?” Cassie asked,

            “Oh…Aaron had gotten admission into Medical school, so she is happy for her son. And am also happy for my cousin.” Marlon said.

“Wow that is some good news there. I thought you an Aaron were in the same level?” Cassie replied. Marlon stood up to her feat.

“Aaron is two years older than me. He had always talked about it and finally his dream is coming true. Am happy for him.” Marlon said.

“I guess you should. I will be in the kitchen in case you need anything.” Cassie said and moved on to the kitchen.

“Okay” Marlon bellowed, and she left her self-back into the sofa.

-------

The Frimpong Manso house was in a hyper energy state. Clarence and Theresa had move for their world places. Lilian was lucky her good friends Jackie and Charlie had joined her for the day. Like old times, Lilian and Jackie were good friend who attended the same primary school until Jackie’s parents had to move far away from Accra having completed their own building in Kasoa suburb in Accra. Like Lilian, Jackie was also in her second year in Junior High School. Jackie and Lilian were now busy in Lilian’s room they had a lot of catching up to do.

            Simon was also in his room after he had set the Mortal Combat X – infinity game for young Charlie. The sound of the game was too much for him, so he had left his own room for the five-year-old kid. Simon had been busy trying to install different application on the cell phone he had got. He had been surprised her mom had known all about him and his visit s to Marlon’s house. Was it auntie Margaret who spilled the beans?. What could he say or do. He then shrugged that off and moved to the dining room. He put on the TV as he had targeted to watch the recap of the National Science and Math’s Quiz. Time was due, as Simon eager to watch which three Senior high schools compete in Math’s and Science. Simon after setting up the right TV station he moved to sit in the sofa. Still installing application on his cell phone.

            The Quiz was on and as usual the Quiz Mistress Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufman a Biomedical Engineer and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, was in full swing poised for another Quiz competition between Accra Academy Senior High school, St. John Grammar Senior High School and Tema Senior High school. This was not like normal competition since Simon’s Senior high school -- Accra Academy was competing. The competitors where his senior. Those were his seniors who have completed. Simon watched with keen interests hoping his school will emerge as victors. The first round of the Quizz, saw questions from fundamental science and all the three school did well in that. Simon was building more confident watching. The second round came in as the three schools were given a task, what was porpular know as the problem of the day. The three schools again did well. Simon was happy to know his school was still in the game.

Then to the third round that was a little tough. Here, scientific questions where given and the students where to ascertain the verity of the statement by answering whether statement was true or false. In the end Simon’s school was leading followed by St. John’s and Tema high school. Then to the final part of the competition, that was the riddle part. The schools were given riddles to answer. The faster one answered the riddles, the highest the marks on accrued. This was the final clash of decision. Simon was all into the final clash. The first two riddles were solved by the St. John’s student making then pull parity with Accra Academy. Simon was now nervous. Two more riddles to go. The third one was solved on the last clue by the Tema high school. Then to the final riddle. Accra academy hit their bell on the first clue and to the amazement of everyone the Quiz Mistress had just said three words, -- “I am a number”

The answers that followed was not that which any one would think to be the correct answer. The Accra Academy student answered saying – “Oxidation number” Flabbergasted, the Quiz Mistress nodded that it was correct, erupting cacophonies of sound in the auditorium as Accra Academy had carried the day. Simon was inundated with the joy as he started jumping and thumping up. He was excited for his school, still bemusing in a pool of ecstasy, Auntie Margate entered the living room. She stood by a little and watch Simon jubilate.

            “Simon!...are you okay.” Margaret bellowed. Simon shrugged on seeing her and returned to normal. Margaret scanned the living room and saw the closing scene of the Quiz competition. It all made sense to her.

            “Sorry aunt Margaret. Am just happy my school just won. Simon moved back to his cell phone. Margaret stood there for some time. Simon then remembered a thing and asked,

            “Auntie Margaret can I ask something… how did my mom find out about my visits to Marlon place?” Simon inquired.

            “I have no idea. I have not told her a thing.” Margaret replied rather candid.

            “Did she ask you about that?”

            “Yes, she did, and it looked like she knew everything so well. Don’t worry by the way. It’s okay.” Simon said.

            “okay…” Margaret muttered and turned to leave. She had done it. She did not have a choice. She felt that was the right thing to do and She had to cover for her actions by lying to Simon. Theresa had put her in charge of her in while he was at home and it was her duty to report all that he did to Theresa. So, she was sorry if Simon had been scolded by her mother. She did it. She told her mother. But she could not bear to tell Simon the truth.

-------