*My Tomato Jos **
Episode 1.
I had just finished my NYSC service. The real life starts after service because by that time there wouldn’t be any allowee or parents funding, by that time you are already a Man of your own. Instead of going back home as most of my mates who finished service with me did, I decide to use the money I had saved up during my service year to rent an apartment while I go hunting for a Job. Job hunting is a very difficult and tedious process expecially if you are a fresh graduate with no feasible working experience. I finally got a Job at a community school, still in that state I had served.
The Principal: So what is your name young man??
Me: My name is Chike Ma.
The Principal: My name is Mrs Adibe.You would be resuming work on Monday, is that okay??
Me:( Joyfully) Very sure Ma, I am very Glad, Thank you.
Mrs.Adibe: we expect you to be diligent and hardworking, also remember that you are a example to this youths, so handle them with care, be of a good behaviour so that they would immitate.
Me: Sure I will ma.
Mrs Adibe: Also the dressing roster, from Monday to Thursday we dress corporate, then on Friday we dress cultural.
Me: Okay ma.
Mrs.Adibe: Finally, You would start by taking, JSS3 English language, Remember they are about to write their Junior waec please take care, I know you studied Economics/English education but we have a economics teacher right now taking the senior class, he would soon be posted by the government to another school. So if let’s us see how good you would be handling the English class, then If I am impressed, once he leaves you will take over.
Me: Yes Ma, Thank You very much.
Mrs.Adibe: Please make sure you resume work by 7:00am.
Me: Okay Ma.
I had a lot of work to do, I had to impress the principal if I was going to replace the current Economics teacher. Economics was a passion for me and teaching it would be a dream come true pending the time I get a better job probably with an accounting firm, Ministry or a Bank. I got to my apartment which is a One room apartment, the only expensive gadget in my room was my T.v set which I bought while still in school. My one room apartment was a typical one, One bed, my cupboard, my wardrobe hanging at one corner of the room. I was a very neat person so my room was neat and properly arranged. Ada latter visited me, Ada was my neighbours who had a crush on me, I knew it but I was not interested in her, I had a lot of things on my mind.
Ada: Bros Ck.. How far ( she said as soon as she sat on my bed)
Me: I dey Ada.. How you dey
Ada: Fine!! I.just dey see you dey smille as you dey come back from where you go today, any good news??
Me: You dn dey monitor me ba??
Ada: No na, I just one be my brother keeper
Me: ( teasing her) who be your brother??
Ada: (chuckle) My boy friend and neighbour.
Me: ( smiles) You ehn, well I dn finally get Job for ‘ Umuokoro community school’ that one wet dey opposite bus stop.
Ada: Wow!!! Soon our money go dey come.
Me: (smiles) who be our??
Ada: Okay, you done cook.
Me: Noo, since today I never eat anything, i just dey too tired to cook.
Ada: Eyaa, where you cupboard make I see if I go fit make some thing for you.
I pointed my cupboard to her, Ada was a very nice person. She had a Chocolate colour, she was not so tall, had a very good backside and medium size front. I was not just interested in all her ‘ greenlight’ I was just too busy for that. She prepared my meal and we ate happily.
Monday came so quickly and I resumed work, The school was a mixed school, the discipline level was so low, students would wear pink sors, they made any type of hairstyle, the girls shortened and slimfitted their skirts, I was so disgusted by this attitude and promised my self to change things at least to impress the principal. The morning assembly was well organised, the principal also introduced me.
Few minutes latter I had a class, I was to take Jss3 on English, Jss3 class had 10 alms, from Jss3 A to J. It was hell of work for me. So today I was going for the first class with my lesson note and my cane. I got to the class, after the usually grettings I proceeded with the days work.
Me: Okay my name is Mr. Chika, I will be taking you on English language.
Students: Yes sir
Me: our topic for today is A noun, a noun is a name of any person animal place or things. Example includes, Chika, Biro, pencil , dog etc . so who can make a sentence with a Noun in It??
There was a lot hands up so I pointed to a guy.
Me: Tell us your name and answer my question.
Student 1: My name is Okon.
Me: Good answer my question.
Okon: I go noun noun, I go see you noun noun, I like my class noun!!..
Me: ( angry) shut up!! Is that what I taught You.
To be continued, like and comment for more
