I Live For You

CHAPTER FIVE

Mr Ike was the principal of the secondary school that Nkeoma attended. This school catered for four other neighboring villages and almost all the children from these villages attended here. The school certificate examination was fast approaching and Mr Ike wanted the best for his students. He had heard that Mr Eze Odina, the headmaster’s son had graduated with a first class in Engineering. He remembered how intelligent that young man was when he taught him and was not surprised.

 School was resuming soon and Mr Ike felt the need to go and talk to Omezuo to come and help with extra classes for the math and physics class, he knew the young man will not turn down his request.

This morning Mr Ike dressed up for the occasion. His pair of glasses was as thick a s glass bottle always perched on his nose. His students always wondered if he would see at all without them. Dressed in black trousers and with one of his best  shirts, Mr Ike left home to see Omezuo.

This was a very important meeting.

When he got to Omezuo’s house, he was warmly greeted by Omezuo’s father who stood up when he saw his good friend. At almost 6 feet tall with a straight gait and a handsome face, Mr Eze Odina was easily one of the most handsome men in his town, his son Omezuo inherited his good looks. And not just the good looks also his intelligence.

“Welcome my friend. Its good to have you visit. I hope all is well”

“All is well my dear friend, are friends no longer allowed to visit each other”

“Ah who said I am not happy to see you. I am very excited to see you”. “There is seat, sit down and feel comfortable”. “You are welcome to my house”

Mr Eze called out his wife to serve drinks and cola nut. He had a freshly brewed palm wine that the palm wine tapper just brought over to his house for the day. His wife also prepared Ugba seasoned with Uziza leaf and prepared with stock fish.

The two friends relaxed and discussed a lot of issues in the community and their different schools.

“I heard your son Omezuo is home and he graduated with a first class in Engineering”. “I have always known he will make us proud” “

At that Mr Eze called out for Omezuo who came out immediately. On seeing one of his favorite Teacher, Omezuo rushed to greet him.

“Welcome Omezuo, we have heard of the great feat which you have attained in your studies”. “I have always known you will make us proud”

“Thank you sir. I don’t know where I would have been if not for people like you”. “How is your family doing”

“We are all fine my son”. “My son I actually came to ask for your Favour. I know you will be staying home for some time before going to further your studies. I have come to ask you to come and assist to prepare my students writing Math’s and physics for their final exams”.

“How do you want me to help sir” Omezuo asked

“I plan to run extra classes for them after school. All I need is just 2 hours of your time every school day”. “I have nothing to give you but knowing you, I trust you will be happy to see other students in our community excel”

“Ok sir, I will work something out”. “I will not disappoint you”

“Thank you my son. The students writing exams will resume next week Monday. I will inform them that one of our great sons will be helping in their studies”

“Ok sir, inform them. I will not disappoint you”

Mr Eze looked at his son and felt so proud. This son of his is ever willing to help, he has never shied away from responsibilities. Sometimes he wondered how he deserved such a child as a son, right from birth he has always brought joy to him and his family. As an adult, he has become more responsible. Mr Eze once again thanked God for his son Omezuo and prayed that God will keep him protected from harm.

After some time Mr Ike took his leave and Omezuo saw him out. Omezuo was excited at this challenge, he wanted to be involved in the development of youths in his community, what a brilliant way to contribute.

Omezuo had dug out his old Math’s and Physics text books. He has spent the past weekend organizing a Time table for the extra classes. He couldn’t wait.  As agreed Omezuo hurried off to the secondary school to see his new students. He hoped they were willing to learn and they will be students with great ambitions amongst them. When he got to the school he went straight to the Principals office and Mr Ike took him to the class where the students were waiting patiently.

The students rose to greet Omezuo immediately he entered their classroom, they were all excited. Mr Ike had informed them earlier on that he was bringing a graduate of engineering to help with some classes during extra school hours.

The first thing Omezuo noticed was that they were mostly boys in the class and he wondered again why girls are not ambitious enough to study the sciences. And then he saw her again, his beauty Nkeoma. This was the last person he expected to see. Omezuo realized he had tried to not bring up the topic about his encounter with her on the way to the farm with his Mother, he avoided his mother whenever he felt her flirting with the topic.

He also knew she was expecting him to broach the topic.

He wanted to plan to get to know her better so he won’t rush her into anything, even though in his heart he knew she was the one for him.

In a way, he was also afraid of being rejected, he was not sure he would be able to handle it. Therefore, he had kept it all to himself.

The other day his friend Obinna had come along, but Omezuo did not bring up the topic, suddenly he had doubts and fears about proposing to someone he barely knew, he had developed cold feet.

And now she was here in his class, looking so beautiful in her school uniform. Omezuo could not believe he could be this blessed.

“Good afternoon class” Omezuo replied them. “Please sit down”.

“First I want to introduce myself to you and after I want to hear from each one of you, your names and what you want to do after school”

The students introduced themselves one after the other, when it got to Nkeoma’ s turn Omezuo looked on and couldn’t stop himself from admiring her until he realized that the whole class had gone quiet and recovered himself.

“Yes Nkeoma, what do you want to do when you leave school”

Nkeoma felt the ground should open and swallow her. How is she going to explain to these eyes looking at her strangely how Omezuo got to know her name? He had mentioned her name in class just like that and didn’t even seem to realize what he just did.

 She summoned up courage and replied.

“I want to be a medical doctor when I grow up. I want to contribute to saving the lives of my people because we lack adequate medical care in our community”

Omezuo was thrilled, this was not just a beauty but one with intelligent ambitions.

“You all have brilliant ambitions, but you cannot achieve any of them without hard work. Your Principal had approached me to teach you in some science subjects, as you all know am doing this for free hence I will not tolerate any seriousness. Together we can do it”

“Yes” Chorused the class

They were all excited, this was a different kind of teacher and everyone was set to impress him.

Many of them have also heard about his academic success and aspired to be like him, he seemed like such a friendly person.

He couldn’t wait to get started with his students.

Nkeoma could not believe what was happening to her, how did this man trail her to her classroom. As far as she was concerned he had it all planned. Suddenly she wished she was not in this class and preparing for her final exams.

When she thought of this she chided herself for her foolishness. What if she was merely over reacting, the man is a very handsome man with a great future and Nkeoma knew many girls will want to win his heart. After all its not as if he has told her anything to make her feel he had such thoughts towards her. The other day he was just being a gentleman by asking for her name and yet she had created so many scenarios around that small event.

She had imagined herself being held in his arms when she was about to fall, at first she had accused him of making it to happen, then after much rationalization Nkeoma admitted she would have hit the ground if not for Omezuo. And then she thought about those hands around her waist and those eyes piercing into hers and the strange feeling she had at that moment of not wanting him to let go. At that Nkeoma chided herself, what about Emeruwa, why would she want to betray her love for a stranger. Could she also Nkeoma have become materialistic just because a graduate who is about to travel abroad is in town. Nkeoma thought about all the other girls who may be throwing themselves at him and felt ashamed of herself. What if Omezuo thought she was just like one of those girls and that she had thrown herself at him on purpose.

Nkeoma was still going through all this in her head when she heard her name being mentioned, she had to rouse herself and realized the question was being addressed to her and to add to it he had called out her name. Looking up to meet his gaze she answered him, what was that in his eyes as she answered. Her father used to look at her that way whenever she talks about her dream of becoming a medical doctor.

Nkeoma practically shook herself up and sat down, now she’s comparing this man with her father, wonders shall never end. What if he was just laughing at her for attempting to pursue a dream which may not materialize. All she knew was that the next 2 months was going to be very interesting with Omezuo around. Did she finally call his name in her thoughts, he’s no longer the strange man? At this Nkeoma smiled to herself, she was ready for class.