IN THE DEN

 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 what’app group that the second year class rep, Emmanuel had created for us. It rang like a bell to me. Mark was already a step forward than I was.

Emmanuel came into our group during the long striking period. He had guided us with the things we needed for our registration and resumption. On some occasions he had organized quiz for us. I couldn’t help but wished I could be like him. Just last week, he had told us that it was customary that he created a what’sapp group for our class which would serve as the official group for my set. Initially he was the only admin in the group, adding everyone by himself until that evening that I was checking through to see the contact of the fine lady I had met. I wasn’t bothered at first until after his announcement that night.

THAT NIGHT ON THE WHAT’SAPP GROUP

‘Good evening guys’ greeted Emmanuel. Usually he engaged us in our what’sapp group, trying to update us on the happenings in school.

‘As you know, you have no class rep presently. I have tried so far in making sure that things have been smooth for you guys. To add to that, I want someone to be acting as your class rep until you guys elect a class rep. I hope that is okay with all of you?’ he texted.

Not much people were active online although the few of us on responded

‘@jek: I no get problem with any one oo, mine is when is clearance starting?’

That was the first response that came. Following immediately was another from 

‘@clair: who then do you want to be acting now? Abeg make una allow school to resume before carrying everything for head na. haba

@al-boss: make una allow the unserious students to breathe na’

I didn’t respond in the group. I calmed to read only comments.  

Emmanuel then sent another message,

‘@Eno Mark will be your acting class rep. I met him in school yesterday and showed him places you might need to know. I as well showed him some of your potential lecturers.’

At that moment I felt a little angry. How can he appoint someone to be acting? How about others that are vying for that same position? I immediately messaged Emmanuel and complained to him that the appointment would discourage some people that wanted to contest from contesting. 

‘I understand you bro’ he wrote, ‘but that is not really a hindrance, they can still contest during the election if they like. And if they make their interest public, I will still involve them in what is happening. I appointed Mark because he is already in school and has even indicated interest. Do you plan to contest?’ that was really the last question I expected from anyone because in as much as I had interest in that position and was not happy that another was appointed already, I was not really sure if I could do the job. Nevertheless, I told him yes.

‘Just always make yourself available in school and I will take you round together with Mark whenever I want to show him round the school.’ He wrote and I kept staring at that message, asking myself if actually I wanted to do that.

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