IN THE DEN

 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 I had requested from her. 

‘Well, the thing is that we have an acting class rep already and he is my friend. Also, he is many steps ahead of me; in fact it’s not even possible to contest against him.’ I said and the, narrated to her how he was made the acting class rep and even became the class group admin and all rest of the. After telling Eloka these, she had advised me to still continue with the race. She told me her own story and how she was able to defeat even the acting class rep during her time. She advised me to start lobbying people, to publicly declare my interest. Her explanation though seemed awkward, felt so possible. This made me to start an underground campaign in my class group chat.

‘Pls can we all settle down, we have the departmental excos here to address us” Mark shouted on top of his voice that morning. We exchanged a glance. I was tensed, I doubt if he was. I guessed there was something he knew that I was not aware. However, beyond that suspense, I saw an extended hand of friendship. We both knew that day was for the election. I had discussed it with him the previous night, pleading with him that whatever happens during the election let it not affect our friendship.

As Micheal came up to address us, I went closer to the window and rested my head on the wall. Everywhere was occupied so there was nowhere I could sit.

‘Great Jacksonits!’ Michael shouted and no one answered anything. We knew not what to response. Micheal took notice of that, I guess, so he wasted no time in telling us to respond ‘great’ whenever he exclaimed that.

‘I welcome you all once again to this great department. I must say that I am awed by your number as today is your first official class. I was expecting a scanty class but you guys really amazed me.’ At that the class murmured in low voice laughter.

‘Due to your turn up, I think we should just rush and help you guys to elect your class representatives so that in our subsequent meetings, we will know the right people to approach.’ At the mention of election my heart skipped. I looked where Mark was and we both caught sight of each other and smiled it away.

‘I was told you already have an acting class rep, is that true?’ he asked and the majority of those in class exclaimed yes. That gave a pinch on my skin. ‘Is he doing well already or should we change him?’ no one said anything when he asked this question. ‘It seems you guys didn’t understand what I said, I am asking whether he should continue or we should do the election?’ I looked up and caught sight of most of those I had tried to lobby in privately. They had this kind of sorry look on their face but I gave each a smile, nodding in support of what Micheal said. At first the voices that responded, ‘let him continue’ were low. However, the tempo rose when he repeated the question.

‘Okay then, behold your class rep, Eno Mark’ he said, holding Mark’s hand up. And I breathed out, though with a mixed feeling. I looked at Mark who was already engrossed in the ecstasy and smiled. When the loud applause was over and the Excos gone, leaving the election for other positions in the class in hands of Emmanuel, I walked up to Mark and gave him a hand shake. ‘Congrats bro, the work has started.’ I told him, beaming with smiles and he replied, ‘omo guy, this thing go hard oo.’ ‘Don’t worry, we are with you.’ I told him as we focused on the election for other position.

‘Finally,’ Emmanuel began after the election had been conducted. ‘These are your class Excos, please respect them and listen to them. If you have any issue that you can’t settle with them, you can always come to the MACSA secretariat to lay your complaint. 

Also, like I have always said in your class group, don’t spend your money on frivolities, very soon you will know why. Don’t as well buy any material from anybody other than the one your lecturers will give you, many of such people will soon come to deceive you. You better be as cunning as the snake in this school.’ He concluded. 

‘Osita why didn’t you contest for any other position, DOS would have fitted you oo’ Emmanuel asked me when he was done addressing the class. I smiled and told him I won’t be able to do the work. ‘You know what, don’t worry, Mark!’ he said and turned to call Mark who was being congratulated by all. When he came around, Emmanuel told him to allow me handle one of the courses that was elective for us, SOS 121. I was not really in for that job but I had to take it. I was ready to support Mark wherever I could.