SISTER ADURAGBEMI
Part 12.
By Ojo Rhoda Ayanfeoluwa.
The two ladies had been looking forward to living life on campus. They were so eager to have a taste of what campus life was all about. They had no choice than to be doing countdown.
Resumption came so soon for the daughters of Akinpelu.
Few weeks to the resumption, their mother ensured that all their materials like provision, food stuffs etc were ready.
Before they embarked on their journey to school, their parents didn’t fail to give them some pieces of advice. They were encouraged to draw closer to God and abstain from all appearances of the evil. They were warned against keeping company with bad friends as keeping company with bad friends corrupts good manners.
They were enlightened further on the dangers of pre-marital sex.
After the pieces of advice given to them, their parents prayed for them.
Yes, ready for the journey ahead. They were ready to launch into a new aspect in their lives.
Their parents followed the daughters and assisted them in getting some of their things to the hostel, although their father wasn’t allowed to enter the female’s hostels.
When everything was set, Adura broke down in tears.
The feeling of missing her mum and dad stroke her heart so hard that she felt she might not be able to survive life.
Their parents rushed down to her, hugged her and encouraged her to be of good faith. They reminded her of the dream she dreamt some months ago.
Since all these while, Sade was also in tears, but their parents didn’t notice. It was when she sniffed so loud that they knew she had been crying.
Their mother too had been encouraging herself not to cry. But the moment she saw Sade in tears, her tears betrayed her. Tears forced itself out of her eyes. Their father had to take up the duty of consoling three ladies at the same time even though he was shedding tears deep within him.
After what seemed Iike eternity, their parents departed.
They were left all alone to figure out some things themselves, although they asked for help from people where necessary.
****
Adura’s first day in school was a total mess for her.
She had been looking forward to receiving lectures, but her expectations died immediately, although she latee encouraged herself. Against all odds!
Her sister, who had been her supportive system advised they went to class early in order to secure spaces at the front.
They had woken up early enough to get themselves ready.
As they were going to the class, all eyes were on them. Many said a lot. Many pitied her. Many mocked them.
But, she wasn’t really moved as her sister engaged her in a discussion that kept her laughing and laughing, over and over again.
The way she was laughing to the discussion made registered another thing in the minds of people passing by. They felt she was mocking them.
One walked up to her and warned her sternly never to laugh at him again. He said people were supposed to be laughing at her not that she should be laughing at him.
Sade, who listened attentively at the guy suddenly spoke up.
“I guess you are one of the fools I have met today. How will you say my sister is laughing at you. I was sharing something with her to make her laugh, you came here telling me trash. Oh, I see you are disappointed in her state right? You were thinking she would be wallowed in self pity because of her condition. You were expecting her to always shed tears instead of laughing. Now, I see! Non.sense.” Sade said as she hissed like a snake.
The boy threatened, but he was defeated. He walked away shamefully.
Immediately they got to class, all eyes were on them.
Some laughed at them so hard that Sade felt the intensity. It was as if she should leave her sister alone, because it was her sister who has the disability, but she was partaking from the reproach coming to her sister.
No seat for Adura at the front, but she was determined to seat at the front. Her sister tried all she could to discourage her, but all became futile.
She sat on her wheelchair in a corner at the front.
When the lecturer entered the class, his eyes went straight to Adura where she was seated.
He thought she was a begger.
He walked towards her and asked if she was a student of the institution.
She proudly said a fat “yes” to the lecturer by beaming with smile.
Everywhere was silent, because everyone was paying attention to what was going on in the class (Adura and her lecturer).
People who knew the lecturer before that time knew he was a wicked man. A man without human feelings. A man difficult to please.
People thought Adura had found favour in the sight of the lecturer because she was able to engage in a discussion with him.
Although, some were critically observing the next line of action to ne taken by the lecturer.
“You see…..” Mr. Lecturer said as he tried adjusting his tie.
“I don’t know why a beautiful lady like you will have to undergo stress in your critical state to come down to a university like this. Haven’t you been told about the operation of the school? There is no room for lazy students or students like you in this school, because the stress in this school is enough to kill you.” He said, laughing out loud.
Many people in the class laughed along with him while some were nodding their heads negatively at the words he said. Some were murmuring.
” Stop that noise, else I will conduct an impromptu test for you on what I have never taught you before.” He announced.
Everywhere became quiet again. The fear of writing tests swallowed the noise that was already coming from the bottom of their bellies and hearts.
“Well, young lady, I really feel for you. Did anyone ever announce to you that something good will ever come out from you? If no, I see no reason why you should stress yourself. Because, even if you have your certificate, no one will be willing to employ a lady with disability. In fact, a man in his right senses will never settle for a woman like you. Your children will not like to be recognized as the children of a lame woman. So, why the stress?” He asked sarcastically.
Adura was fighting her tears. She didn’t want to look defeated in the sight of her lecturer.
Sade couldn’t take the matter anymore. Anger was etched all over her face.
She stood up from her seat at the back and walked straight to where her sister was.
“Are you the sister to a lame?” The lecturer asked sarcastically.
“Please, take her to the back. I wonder why God made you perfectly but decided to bless your sister with disability. This God sha… Nawa ooo.” He said as he went straight to the topic for the day.
Sade took her sister to the back. As they were going, eyes were following her. She just couldn’t hold those tears.
They gushed out!
Adura begged her sister to take her home, but Sade wasn’t ready to miss the class for any reason.
They had to wait till the class was over. Adura jotted things down.
The lecturer’s conscience pricked him so hard that he asked if the lady he embarrassed was still in his class, because one part of him told him the lady might have taken her leave.
He was happy when he found out that she was still in the lecture theater room.
Despite all he had done to Adura, he wanted to prove a point that people with disability suffer brain problem and are dullards
He asked a question based on what he just thought them. He asked no one to say the answer until they are being called to do so.
The man walked to the back and called Adura to answer the question
Everyone was laughing. They felt she was a dullard. Many were against the way the lecturer had been treating her ever since his period began.
To everyone’s greatest surprise, she answered the question perfectly. The lecturer wasn’t convinced. He asked her another question, she answered brilliantly.
The man was pushed to ask for her note.
He was surprised. The note was neat and well arranged.
He couldn’t help but announce that Adura was truly a rare lady with strong determination to achieve excellence against all odds.
To be continued.
©️Ojo Rhoda Ayanfeoluwa.
