Hacked Chapter 7----Monitoring Spirit

        CHAPTER SEVEN
        Monitoring Spirit

'Silent cry'. That's the title of my autobiography. It is the record of all my experiences, all my wishes and my intents. The poor millions of ink are buried in the cemetery of my diary, which I guard immensely . No one knows about it and no one must know. And that's because of what it entails.  Here is an example:
   
"Johnson Akinlabi, you received your death penalty the day you took advantage of my innocence and made me a wimp. You are accursed for the countless times you bulldozed my dignity and beauty and turned me into a desert.
      Over and over again, i had stabbed you in my heart. You are just a living ghost in garment. I swear!  Your pyre will burn for eternity..."

I have had my days numbered in my parent's house as my JAMB examination approaches. I was so eager to get to University. Of course, my desire was not only to be an undergraduate but also to be free from all my problems.

I had concluded in my heart, that, i just don't want to be away from home, i want to be far away. However, all these hopes and plans were completely shattered, when Father told me he would drive me himself, down to the JAMB registration centre.

Before then, it was a Tuesday 

morning. During the morning family devotion, which we often struggle to do once or twice in a week.

After Paul and Prisca had excused us, by leaving for their room, as instructed by Father. Mother and Father  went straight to the point of telling me about their decision on the university they had both decided I go.

Father cleared his throat as he uttered those annoying statements, that seems to send no signals to my brains for interpretation.

"Our decision was influenced by our finances. We cannot afford to send you to a state or private university, we have decided that you should go to the federal University around us, we can at least afford that, quiet well.

Since we reside here in Modakeke ( a town in Osun state, very close to Ile- Ife), we would prefer you go to Obafemi Awolowo University, in Ile-Ife, The greeeeaat Ife. He stretched the word 'great' to make it look like they have done me a greeeat favour.

Father continued " you see my daughter, OAU is one the university many people pray to attend. And getting admission to the school is competitive and we know...... "
"so my daughter, you have to make us proud by studying hard, in order to get in." That was his last statement and it was the only thing my brain had received and interpreted. They both looked at me as if they wanted me to know my head like a lizard, in approval.

"I don't want to go to OAU" was the first statement I uttered as I turned facing mother directly. " I don't want to go there, and why are you guys the one deciding for me?" There were lots of things I wished i could have said other than this, but my mouth and shaking voice betrayed me completely.

My eyes were pregnant with tears, when Father cut in, as Mother asked me the reason why I had said that. He said,
"we completely understand you, but trust us, we have your interest at heart. Besides, this University is one of the best in the country and here it is in your backyard. So, why bother looking for what is not missing. You see my baby girl...." He continued as he stood up from the one seater he sat on to the three seated I was sitting, placing his hands on my shoulder.

Mother made her way to the kitchen as she perceived that the discussion was over and that Father is giving me the best advice.

My poor Mother, what does she know? Since she didn't go beyond school certificate level. My Almighty graduate Father is the best instructor when it comes to academics in her mind as well as the best father figure in her mind.

The Lucifer himself sat beside the computer man, who was asking for my details at the registration centre.
I wished mother had handed the money directly to me instead of giving it to Father. I would have succeeded in my plan of choosing Nnamdi Azikwe University.

" What is your university first choice?"  I looked straight into my father's eyes, and tried to decipher what his intention could be for him to want to make me go to a University close to our home.

I stammered as I responded " Oba, Obafemi University " I swallowed the 'Awolowo'. The computer man understood, since he is very familiar with names of institutions.