REALITIES IN STORIES AND POETRY

 Episode 8 (facts and fiction. all characters are fiction) The semester was becoming more interesting. More billings were coming from all angles. Sometimes Mark was even afraid to announce new payment as small complaint grew into protest. The most interesting of them all was when we paid 30 naira each to print our exam papers.  Ebuka wrote a petition against Mark to the HOD of the department, complaining that Mark was extorting money from us. We were all baffled when the news came out. It was after a proper scrutiny that we found out that Ebuka had run out of money and his parents weren’t sending him money as usual. He was becoming frustrated as the day grew into weeks and months. He wished he had been more careful with money was what he told me later. M.s Helen was also not helping matters. She was always complaining. I however, grew bullheaded as the semester passed. Sometimes she would call me but I won’t pick up. There was even a time I blocked her for one week. Every one ...

 EPISODE 7 (FACTION, ALL CHARACTERS ARE FICTION) Preparation for matriculation was already by the corner. I was obviously broke, everything I had had finished. And, I was also sick. I visited a roadside drug dealer and bought some malaria medicine. I was having running stomach. I just explained everything to the woman, telling her to make sure she gave me drugs for the amount I had. She did and I began to take the prescription. Initially i got better but as the day progressed, the worst happened. I stopped defecating. I didn’t know why. For two days I was not able to defecate at all and my stomach was protruding and as well smelling whenever I belch. Three days after would be my matriculation. I didn’t even inform my mother, I didn’t tell anyone. The reason why I didn’t inform my mother was because I was sure she would try to come over and celebrate the day with me as much as she could. However, around that time, I had no food and I knew she had little. So I didn’t want her to wast...

Episode 6 (Faction, all characters are fiction) I left the school very late that day. I was discussing with Mark concerning the new job he had given me because, as I heard, the lecturer in charge of the course was very strict. On my way back to my lodge, I took the stadium pathway, headed towards Franco Republic. I would take a right turn when I get to the main road and then head towards ICT center. I resided at Odim gate.  Just as I came out from the stadium and was about bumping out to the main road, I saw two people kissing by the lonely path that leads to the road. The night was already there, and I had my phone touch-light switched on. From a distance I couldn’t decipher those there. I was focused on my phone as well; it was really none of my business. When I got closer, I was flashing touch light anyhow, unknowing and the guy’s voice came alive.  ‘Guy no dey flash light for person face na.’ he said, grudgingly. ‘I am sorry pls.’ I apologized and I brought the light down....

 Episode 5 (Faction, all characters are fiction) The following day was the first general class we were having. According to Emmanuel, election for the class excos would be done that day. A week before I visited my friend Eloka who was in second year at her place. She was the class rep of her department. ‘So what plans are you making for this your first year, are you running for any position in your class?’ she asked me when I had sat down in her one room apartment. The room was spacious, painted with orange colour. As I stared at the standing fan rotating before me, I ruminated in my mind the question she had asked. It was one of the periods I was still skeptical about contesting against Mark. ‘Well initially I did have interest in running for the position of the class rep but I am having double mind’ I answered her after what seemed like eternity in minutes. ‘Why would you have double mind? You look capable of doing the job.’ She said as she made her way to get me a glass of water...

 Episode 4 (FACTION. ALL CHARACTERS ARE FICTION) In our what’sapp group, some days later when our conference registration was about to start, Emmanuel wrote: ‘Before I forget, you people should be very careful how you spend money o, you will have more than enough to spend your money on, don’t waste it.’ I was not online when he sent the information. My data subscription had expired. So when I subscribed, the messages swooped in. comments were as well trooping in. ‘@Obum-candle light: no be you go tell me wetin I go do @Martinez; my money or yours, guy rest @Angelic face: oga emma, you don dey do pass yourself oo’ There were several of such messages that I just scrolled down without reading all. I had no much money so I was not disturbed by that, I knew I was not extravagant. Should I say Ebuka did not read that advice or that he was just indifferent about it? Whatever, he soon had no choice than to pay for his negligence. The first Meshai I ate at SUB was bought by him. He had aske...

 Episode 3 (Faction , a ll characters are fiction) Throughout the long period of strike, I had engaged with most of my potential course mates. The first, as you know, was Mark. Edwin was also another of them. In fact before school resumed fully, I had not less than twenty people I was hoping to call friends however, Edwin was different, we were very close that I had to pin his chat while we were still on strike. ‘Guy, there will be no dulling when we resume oo’ he had said one time. ‘Seriously, and I just hope I will be able to read too because omo, I am finding it difficult to read lately’ I had told him. ‘That one is your business na, all I know is that I will drag you to wherever I will read whether you like it or not. We die in this.’ He said and we laughed it. In the other hand, I never spared Bona and Andline. I don’t know why but I just hated those two from the first day they entered that our group chat. I never failed to banter whatever they said. In fact, it was bantering ...

 Episode 2 FACTION. ALL CHARACTERS ARE FICTION) ‘First is academic excellence,’ I thought, ‘how about business, I have none? Politics should be the least then. But since Mark seems more mature and more with experience and friendly too, I think I should not thwart this friendship we are building by contesting against him if he comes out.’ I kept adding and removing throughout the night.  ‘Ann!’ I jolted back to reality.  I had seen pretty ladies but hers had made me feel drunk. Well I had to pretend when I saw her because it would look embarrassing if making advancing was the first thing Mark would know me for. Nevertheless, I discreetly sort for a way to ask her out. It was a complication of options. I needed to make friends but she appeared prettier than someone I could just befriend.  I rushed to our class what’sapp group and searched for her name. It was on the process of searching for her name that I found out that Mark had already been made an admin in the new w...

Episode 1 (FACTION. ALL CHARACTERS ARE FICTION) As usual many people were around when I entered school. The environment was very busy like market place. I was sweating furiously as well. I had been on the pedal for about half an hour now. Riding my sports bicycle from my house to school for the first time, my body couldn’t hide the pressure. I was coming to see my first potential course mate, Mark. We had been chatting online throughout the period ASUU was on a striking action. He just entered campus a day before as we all were preparing to resume school. He was coming from another state, Imo. Anticipation was an understatement.  As I took a left turn at ICT, going towards the second gate, I felt that spirit of curiosity.  Over the time, Mark and I had grown this unexpected fame within the class’ group chat. Although we quiet differed in approach to things, we appeared to have understood each other more. However, I was coming to meet him solely because I had interest in becomi...

Episode 5(final confession) THE ENCHANTED LYRICS THAT BURROWS INTO THE MARROW You've never failed to put a lovely smile, Even when thorns wrinkled your glowing beauty. You've never failed to look fine Even when the pace seemed sticky. It's been a while That I"ve written these lines. For anyone, none worths the rhymes. But you scaled through with mights. Yes I see special Buried in your potentials. I know the moment is indeed crucial, But believe my flow, I won't be partial. Times and tide may turn our hearts; The pains of life which opens some scars But golds pass through furnace to have its sparks You are the strongest I've known, jewel. Do you know that feeling When i see you singing, It billows my hearts, and like bell, ringing. Should I say I like you? No, that would be a hike too. But it's no joke, I love you. Kenewrites