He wakes up early from bed, says his morning prayers, has his bath, irons his rented suit and prepares for school. In all excitement, he dresses his bed, few hours from now he will be a graduate of mathematics after many years of toils and pains. He hopes to have a beautiful sleep when he returns but only fate knows if he will return to this room.
Today is his project defence, it is not easy to make a first class in Mathematics, this he knows, his CGPA cannot let him down, he feels himself, proud but not conceited. On his way, he recalls those days in his first year and when he was a sophomore, how he had to be on queue for almost everything; payment of school fees in the bank, stamping of course registration forms, submission of online printout of result slip for stamping, registration of general courses, rushing to sit in the front rows in class so as to hear lecturers who sigh out words in the name of lecturing.
He has overcome all the stress from his oppressors who hide under the cloak of professors, he has overcome many a girl who comes to seduce him to bed in the name of asking for academic aid, he has overcome several threats from cult boys for walking with the most beautiful girl in class, he has overcome all attempts to initiate him in cult groups, he will be free in a few hours time, this he is certain. He eats his breakfast of bread and beans, this has become his morning ablution over the years, perhaps, his balanced diet.
On his way to school, he feels himself, his well ironed navy blue coloured suit with red vintage tie and white shirt never fail to attract the eyes of many a student heading to class. He greets anyone who comes his way and smiles at them while waving them off. He shakes firmly with boys and pats girls on the shoulders, hugging is never his style, perhaps, it is a taboo to hug.
He enters the last street heading to the school gate, between the school gate and where he is is a small feeder road, a young gentleman just comes up from the feeder road, his smile is enticing, he love his white Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt, he compliments him for that and he smiles and say a thank you. 'Please where is Eyo Street?' the young stranger inquires of him. 'Oh!, just after the school gate, let me walk you there, I want to get some material from the printer over there'. He says.
They walk pass the school gate, and like a glimpse of an eye, a police van appears, carrying about eight police officers, the young man with him tries to run, but he is outran and apprehended by the fierce looking police men. Both of them are bundled into the police van, for the young stranger admitted they were together. They are heading to Calabar where the young man had stolen and escaped police arrest but had some of his team members arrested. He tries to explain everything to the police but these police officers are not in the mood of listening to his pleas.
On their way to Calabar, the young stranger jumps off the police vehicle when it slowed to a speed bump, he his shot thrice at the back which pierce through his heart, he dies at that instant and the police pick his body into the back of the van and drive off. The innocent to-be graduate is taken off…. Then silence becomes a virtue and life becomes beautiful only in the eyes of a baby.
