CHOICE IN A THIN LINE

by Nelson Mandela, Jr

CHAPTER EIGHT

  BACK HOME Home is home; there is no place like home. Mr Collins talking with me in smiling mood. Striving against all odds in Kenya would remain a memory. “Boss, challenges I had in Kenya depresses me. Orube caused it all.” “I arrived successfully from Congo yesterday. Imagine, I was told about excursion I wasn’t briefed about.” “Boss. Your guess really worked perfectly.” “What guess?” “my coming.” “Mr Thomas phoned the pilot, threatening him with all punishment within the court of law.” “I smell sudden appearance of Orube, he was sweating as he landed. Fear in him led him landing in midst of cheetahs.” “Paul. Mr Stingy is dismissed indefinitely!” “boss for what manner of offence?” “permitting bad manners in college he ought to have prevented.” Boss expressions shows all is not smooth in college. “Boss, I am surprised Orube landed in college, gloomed atmosphere panicked me.” “Trust me. I instructed Mr Thomas to tell Orube to land on where he carried you.” “I almost ran into where I stayed. Horn from your car frozen me. Mr Lawal is too dedicated.” “He has to because, I pay him daily allowance.” “Nice boss you are.” “Paul we have one significant thing to discuss. Remind me when I am alone.” “I must boss.” “Paul how happy it is for me to see you.” Hillary expressing her temporal likeness towards me. I know later, within weeks, her nagging attitudes must burst out. “Georgina had prepared your usual room cleaned.” “Thanks Ma’am, grateful for that.” David sat opposite Me looking hopeful. I see stress on him. Absence in boss house has change things within. “Paul wait, tell me, where actually source of money for that excursion came from?” “money they gave me for winning gold trophy was used for the excursion.” “Gold trophy? How much?” “$30000!” “too much!” “$15000 was used for other thing.” “Funny. Used?” “Students protested they need sporting facilities to promote their talents. Mr Stingy agreed he is using rest $15000 to purchase an equipments.” “Mr Thomas knew all. In fact, a student came warning Mr Thomas right in his office. That led to Mr Stingy’s dismissal.” Boss face looked broken, merely staring at him, I can see his displeasure for allowing me being in college alone. “Paul excuse me, I have urgent call to make.” Turning back, I see Hillary following boss and demanding to know secret conversation boss needed to have with me. “David have something unusual for me?” “well... what did you think I have?” “boss private conversation.” “Paul pray boss won’t sent you packing!” “Boss is not such type! Besides, I did nothing wrong!” “wait and see. As he was back from Congo, he was complaining bitterly about nothing.” “You know what? I can pinpoint what led to his rare complain. He loved me. From Congo he must had been thinking about his well trusted housekeeper. Boss worry is his housekeeper safety in Kenya.” David began swallowing his saliva, expressing his bitterness towards ways he was usually snubbed even though he worked so hard. “Paul I was employed before you. Boss have never appreciate whatever good work I did. Why? Why? Will I get any reward?” “someday somehow. Boss must enrol you in college.” “I only want pay rise. Family I left behind depends on me.” “Send this for them.” “Whoa! Paul big money!” “Poor Paul you knew is now bucks up!” “would I be like you, Paul?” “choice in a thing line. Do you prefer working from morning till night?” “for what? even if I earned five times my salary I won’t. Boss know I don’t work extra hours.” “Extra hours working boss like me for this. By chance I heard boss discussed his plans for me. He insist schooling is best for me. Reward of hard work.” “Paul I eavesdrop about boss plans in regards to your case. Favours on only you. Smile Paul!” “David I believe on boss. When you said I should pray so as not be sent packing. Look on my face should have tell I wasn’t scared.” “Unexpected may still happen, Paul. Don’t get yourself carried away with gladness.” David a fully jealous person that needed not to be told about secrets. He had flair for convincing anyone good about the future for others but he never had faith about himself. “Paul get to your room! I want confirmation about you in your room!” same room I left remain untouched until Georgina arranged rough, untidy sides on my bed. Clock struck midnight. In sleep crow of cock heard. I sprung up hitting down; preparation is underway for Mr Lawal to take me to college. Opening the door, new uniforms for new class, new section had been kept well ironed, well hanged for me by side of the door. “Boss orders, all this for me alone?” “now you know!” boss standing far await me till I come out of the room. His feelings towards his dedicated housekeeper is to force himself to see how I would respond to new uniforms bought. “Roundup faster, driver is waiting.” “Boss I should be through two minutes from now!” “rare wisdom shall come upon you Paul.” “So be it boss.” I rushed making myself ready. Light food swallowed down deeper gave more strengths to me. Within minutes after eating, boss car played host to me. Mr Lawal drove rightly. “Paul nice to see you. So it is all about secondary school. I was told you went to Kenya on an excursion. Why did you prefer to come back?” “mission to fulfil, mission to accomplish.” “Come on... what mission?” “Mr Lawal it shall be known soonest.” “Kenya. That is great. Anything surprising in Kenya?” “wild lions take on anyone they come across on broad day light.” “Weird! Wild lions roaming? Is that what you mean?” “yes. From nearby thick bush humans come under attack. I took everything careful. I even climbed a hill just to prevent unwelcomed lions from attacking.” “Warrior Paul!” “King Erodo begged I should stay in Kenya till I want. He called me his prince.” “Prince of what?” “prince of Maasai!” “so you saw them?” “I lived with them so happy. Only that I want to come back home.” “Supposing boss maltreated you, so that means Kenya would be next place you deserved?” “boss is a mind reader. He had not for once provoked me. Therefore, I can’t leave him. I think about him mostly in Kenya.” “During my young age, I try getting out of my country to try other country. No one assisted me. Paul, so lucky!” “I give every thanks to my creator!“ “gotten there. Drop down carefully. After closing I must come to take you home.” “Mr Lawal I shall expect your arrival.” Mr Lawal drove off hurriedly. “Paul Collins! Paul Collins!” students hailing their champion. I seems to be seen like an idol among crowded students coming aright to college. “Happy of your return. How has journey be?” Bravo asked. “So cool there. Next person is you Bravo.” “Stop there! don’t deceive me! Mr Stingy trying to play smart moves had been fired!” “so?” “he paid price for lying. Next on line is you!” “I have done nothing wrong.” “Paul Collins you are also an accomplice. Mr Stingy uses you mainly for lying to make us believe all is well.” “Bravo stop that nonsense. How is all our classmates?” “I won’t even answer until you ap
ologise.” “For what Bravo?” “Paul Collins say the truth. Rumours had gathered around that I suppose to go with you people. Someone explained how my name was swapped. Is it right?” “if is proven, I never did that?” “I am not saying it is your fault. All I am saying is that you knew about it.” Bravo want confessions. I have made up never to tell him all that Mr Adewale said. “Mr Stingy only knew about that. Find him Bravo, he must tell you how he did it!” “Okay. Paul Collins don’t be provoked. Now in another class!” “As you can see, this uniform is for secondary section.” “Won’t you check me in class?” “Bravo Level had changed. Years from now, I would finish first schooling. I must achieve aims I yearn.”

  Bravo shook his cold hands with me, from his battered face he hope one day to be like me. I forced myself from him, he refused leaving me for another time. “Bravo I must come to see how you do in class!” “Paul Collins I am still moody, dolorous as well!” “I did all best, now, I am in full mood to smile. Secondary section!” “Mr Thomas is coming!” “Wow!” students running to coordinate themselves on line. Mr Thomas walked up to me, welcoming me for a safe return. “Tourist!” first word from Mr Thomas welcoming precisely. I greeted him, rubbing my hand on my sweaty head. “How was your journey, sir?” “I should be the person to ask such question!” “Sir, I was told you went for your Masters Degree to Germany!” “Paul your father scared me, right in Germany I boarded a flight back to Nigeria! Mr Stingy didn’t tell me how many days my students especially would spent. I sacked him!” “negotiable matter, sir, call him back, he is ignorant of his mistakes.” “Know what?” “what sir?” “Mr Stingy received bribes, permitting corruption in this college I took years to see it was free of nefarious activities.” Pretending as if I didn’t know about Mr Stingy’s cunning attitude was all I put on. “Sir. Did he confessed to it?” “Paul I make sure I conduct every investigation before I comes out with final decision on major issue. Mr Stingy even confessed he take pleasure in collecting bribes from desperate students going to late night clubbing!” “so baffled to hear this!” “violent students according to him are calm since I returned back and effect some permanent changes.” “Am too glad for your sensible decisions!” “follow me Paul, your class is all I want to see.” Mr Thomas direct me for a new day in secondary school. “Sit front, that seat should be your seat from henceforth!” students in class looked as if a president son has been assigned to their class. Mr Thomas spoke calmly in my ear that I should see him after closing. The teacher in class had already started before I entered. He is speechless until Mr Thomas left. He continued teaching, making way for clearer understanding. I can’t ask of his name, he would put an eye on me if I dare try to do that. Teaching is interesting with him, he repeat his words timely. I turn back counting number of us in classroom. We were fifteen in number. Two girls and thirteen boys. Subject of interest is that subject they received with happy state. “Class, the fifteenth student would promulgate his name before I leave. Do you intend to know his name?” “I want that!” “class monitor, are you on course to answer for others?” “of course!” eagerly, I divulge my name making curious student in class to make an applause. “I welcome this habit, your new classmate would never lose taste of coming here. Paul Collins. Mr Thomas know reason of bringing you among this bookworms, morally well-behaved, brilliant students!” class cool to the core. Students passing watched, to them it seems no one was in class I was. “Paul Collins. As class monitor, I approve decision. Your teacher standing in our midst is Mr Adine. Whatever you don’t understand within his teaching meet him in his office.” Mr Adine staring at me happily. “Class would you not entertain your new classmate?” the class monitor present a slim covered book to me in welcoming manner. Mr Adine left too happy. “Paul Collins is his teaching interesting?” judging Mr Adine on first time may not make sense. Deep within I formulate something reasonable to say. “Perfect teaching from such a genius making our day bright, Mr Adine is nice to be with!” “really?” “trust me!” class monitor speaking to me look around faces in class, smiled as he shook himself. “Oh! Call me—Bege!” seriousness on faces of fourteen students hit harder on me. Within six hours, four teachers had completed their teaching for the day. Mr Lawal drove in, making everything relevant I am doing to be postponed. “Paul come in faster!” all my quiet classmates stood up, waved to see me in such glamorous car they may not have seen in their life.

  Cruising home too interesting especially when in Mr Collins car, been controlled by Mr Lawal. Secondary section having organized students taking things calmly. “Hectic day?” “yes Mr Lawal.” “Primary class over. See yourself different, step in to overcome challenges!” “no matter how rough it is I must fulfilled all aspirations.” We sighted Georgina waiting to open the large gate eagerly. Horning from the car makes her ran pushing entrance gate open. I stepped out, yawned, showing signs of tiredness. “Paul before resting, sweep all part of main parlour. David is sluggish doing it.” “Your wish must be done, ma’am!” “Allowed him to rest Hillary. Stop this cruel proud manners. Paul is my lovely child!” boss mentioned something I considered perfectly right to hear within two years of meritorious services. He loved to feel words I utter, I know since he’s aging, and unable to have his child of his own from Hillary, he is desperate having me as his own. “Paul is employed as an housekeeper, his duties still stands, if he fails to act, I must send him back to that dirty place he originally came from!” “Hillary stop those stupid words you prefer saying!” Mr Lawal, Georgina, looking focused at me, making me to be an abandoned child seeking refuge in an unpredictable home. “Boss, another service?” Mr Lawal asked. “Go home meet your family!” how happy Mr Lawal was, he dashed to avert any call from boss or Hillary. I took two brooms, sweeping despite being tired. Hillary pranced, directing every move I made. Boss flushed in, grabbed the brooms off my hands, threw it far. Hillary Hissed, calling David to continue from where I stopped. Quarrel about happening; boss a gentle man handled the matter as head of his family. “Paul I didn’t forget. We shall discuss in privacy!” that day, boss still made mention of discussing with me. Futile statement to David as he wait anxiously for that day boss would tell all what he has in his mind. Pediment on entrance door signals someone had been making way for smooth entry. David excused himself, went directly to lead the person coming in. “Father Arinze boss!” Mr Collins left all he had been doing in his room, rushed forward to welcome the priest I never knew. Father Arinze blessed the parlour h
e was, instruct me to come have handshake with him. “Remove that amulet. Burn it now!” I obeyed Father Arinze, went outside, set the amulet I have burning. I brushed dirt off me, walked straight in. “Collins is this the one you talked about?” “Father Arinze, he’s exactly the one!” “Paul, want this?” boss would venture his anger on me if I refused collecting Father Arinze’s precious gift. “Too precious Father Arinze!” stunned by cross rosary Father Arinze brought, he didn’t asked if it conforms with my doctrines. Boss first to bring out comments concerning rosary Father Arinze gave me. Discussions with boss and Father Arinze smooth to the core. Father Arinze bilingual words with boss cut me short in understanding further discussions with boss. “Paul I shall leave now. Later, I would show you where I live.” Father Arinze white gown he wore made him nifty walking. “Paul that’s the priest praying for my family all this while. Use that rosary all time. It’s helpful.” I rubbed the rosary gently as I went into my room. Daily schooling helped reshaped attitude I was known for in college. Bege and I famous as bosom fiends. Teachers even called us brothers, things I dire need he gives me, making me to do same to him also. Boss knew Bege as best friend of mine, he even visit Bege weekly. Mr Adine displaying his prowess as a teacher while I was in class, Mrs Fabian waited till he finished, inquired to know how I am since she saw me years ago. I told her three years of secondary not too palatable without her. Mrs Fabian announced she had stopped working, about travelling abroad to study. Mrs Fabian made it clear her prayers were answered. God sent someone helpful to sponsor her and her children to any school in the world. I yelled making students to think I am crazy while snuggling with her.

  Due to stress in secondary school. I saw Jonathan, Michael, Sandra, Bravo for long. Father Arinze rosary part of me. Mr Thomas jocular made him to be loved in and out of college. Lots of privilege boss approved, allowed monthly salary I receive doubled. Cleaning, sweeping, a gradual past. Hillary had no choice but to remain calmly, she knew I am progressing, she began reasoning I could be great someday, somehow, sometime. As years I spent in secondary increase, popularity I had in college brought awards to me. Final year of schooling, I was appointed as an Head boy. I treated students with clemency. History had it no Head boy is soft as I. Conciliating among junior students I did with impartiality. Mr Thomas hand full support to me, sometimes, I receive daily allowance. Within months of final year in college, I finished the mandatory years required for a student. I came out with flying colours in my O’ Level exams. Boss so proud of me. Among my fellow housekeepers jealousy grew higher than ever before. Boss bought ten suits for me. I now wore suits exactly like the one boss loved wearing. Boss begged that I should be controlling his consortia in which I humbly disagreed. He made it clear he had taking me to be his son long ago. Boss expect surprises from me. I didn’t show smiles, delight, and full happiness. Boss asked intentions I have ahead. I told him I want to be a trained seaman with the Nigerian Navy. Boss turned mad and promised to curse me with forefathers if I don’t drop plans of becoming a seaman. I persuade him hour by hour to accept what I want to be. His anger turning to violent as he broke anything facing him. Hillary called me an ingrate who had forgot past harsh living. I was never deterred, hence, I began warming up for whatever happenings that might occurred. Boss complained to Father Arinze on phone about me refusing to heed to his advice. I could hear clearly Father Arinze promising to come, see me personally. Boss silently ordered David to call me. I could feel boss pain digging deep in him. “Paul you have created a rough future of uncertainty for yourself. Seamen die cheaply, making them not recognised in Navy. Change your decision Paul. I would make you Chairman of all the consortia I have within two months from now!” “sir, boss, I can’t please. I thank all your kind gesture towards me, I fully appreciate.” Angry boss ran into his room grumbling. Dumbfounded to see his personal dark shotgun clenched in his hands. He pull the trigger at me, luckily, the dark shotgun was empty of bullets. Boss again tried many times but he failed to deliver. On the process he knelt begging for change of decision. I bluntly refused him nor to look at him. Father Arinze was in unnoticed to me. “Paul I came for you. You know why?” “I guess it’s about future decision I made.” “Have you changed it?” “not at all!” boss in huff, held his failed shotgun, walked out of our discussion. “Is he about to shoot you?” Father Arinze asked audibly. “Boss had, he failed!” “give me your credentials. In a week from now expect any call from me.” I packed all what I can accompanying Father Arinze to his white limousine. He left baffled without speaking to boss. Three weeks later I got a call from boss phone. Father Arinze alert I should get ready. That day he drove in, coming down from his limousine. He explained to boss I am following him to Naval basic training school. Politely I thanked boss, kissed him as I carried everything I can. David, Georgina, Hillary waved as Father Arinze limousine swift out of the compound. “Courses, to be a seaman. Your name on list of intending seamen. I believe you shall come out successful.” “Father Arinze it is decision mom want for me. I shall not let her down” on reaching our destination I pant for fear of new environment. A security on navy uniform blew his whistle allowing his partner to open the well-secured gate. “Father Arinze is this your boy?” “he may!” “welcome boy to Nigeria Naval basic training school!” “thanks!”