I had made all the necessary preparations for my national youth service. Beyond the preparations, I was so anxious to be at the camp. Two days ago, I successfully printed my call-up letter which states my state of deployment as well as my camp venue. I was so happy that day that I spoke with my mom on the phone that evening. I could feel the joy that resonated from her heart when I mentioned to her that my state of deployment was the Edo state. “How did you do it”? She inquired. “it’s God” was my only response. I could hear her thanking God and singing some local Thanksgiving songs. Edo state is a nearby state to Akwa State. They are in the same geo-political zones. Many of my friends could not believe that I did not bribe my way to serve in the same geo-political zone. Most times, the national youth service body ensured that no one served in the same zones. Mine was a miracle. Indeed, it was a miracle.
The day for my leaving for the camp was fast approaching and my heart could not contend my joy. As the first graduate in my family, it was a rare thing to have someone who graduated with a good result. To some families, it might mean nothing but to us, it means a lot. Despite the financial constraints my mom and dad went through, they ensured that they gave me the best support they could to aid my journey to Okada, the location of the national youth service camp.
On the day of to journey to Edo state, I was already awake as early as 1 o clock am. I arranged everything I needed into my box ensuring that none was missing. At exactly 4am, my phone rang, I knew it was my mom, and as I picked up the phone behold, I was not far from the truth. “hello” her voice came echoing, I decided to place the phone on a loudspeaker to enable me to do other things while speaking with her. “Good morning Mom” I greeted her.
“I and your dad just finished praying for you,” she said
“Thank you” I complimented.
“You are welcome my son,” she said “I hope you have finished packing your stuff”? she asked
“Everything is in place” I responded.
“The Lord will go with you and make every crooked way straight,” my dad said quoting the bible. I responded with a loud “amen”. I could feel their joy even though my elder sister was severely unwell. No one could tell us what was the cause of my sister’s sickness. All the series of tests run on her showed that nothing was wrong with her, yet her situation became worse each day.
“Remember the family you are coming out from” has been a piece of advice that my mom will always leave with me whenever she speaks with me. “I won’t disappoint you guys,” I said as she hung the call.
At noon we arrived at the camp. Camp life is nothing but a regimented life. The soldiers at the premises started shouting at us, giving us instructions and also punishing those who were found to be disobedient. After three weeks of intensive military drillings and other lectures, we were out of the camp to our various places of assignments. In all of this, my mom will be calling to check up on me and asking whether I have eaten.
At my place of primary assignment, I became dedicated and hardworking, ensuring that I did my work of teaching diligently and effectively. As a secondary school teacher, I became friends with all my students and the female students were used to coming around to our lounge to help us do one thing or the other. I never associated so closely with female students because I knew the implications of doing such. Many of my fellow corps members ended up dating them and having carnal knowledge of those girls. I was infuriated that I had to caution one of my colleagues. “I hope you know that all these things you guys are doing are not right I hope you know,” I said looking into his eyes.
“Won’t you mind your business”? he thundered at me
“It’s not a matter of you shouting at me” I interrupted him. He wanted to respond when I cut him in “You were sent to teach these children and show them the right life path, but you guys are ending up destroying their future”. At this point, I was beginning to raise my voice when other corps members came out to enquire what had happened. “Whatever consequence that comes as a result of your action, you will bear them alone,” I said as I walked past them. I could hear them asking what is the problem.
The following day, a call came through from my mom, she was crying profusely and I could hear other people crying in the background. “What is the matter”? I asked, my heart beating seriously as if it would forcefully sever from its socket. Suddenly, my heart went to my sister and I asked, “How is Ruth”? There was no response, only the sound of people crying. “Talk to me” I shouted. “Your sister is dead” the response came like a sword piercing my inner heart. I was speechless, my phone slipped out of my hands, and tears began to rush from my eyes. I was broken. Every organ in my body ceases to work. Suddenly I heard a knock on my door, I was too weak to respond to the person, but after several knocks, the door was forcefully opened and three men in black uniforms introduced themselves as policemen who were there for an arrest. It was at the police station that I learned that all the male corps members in our lounge were arrested for the alleged defiling of minors.
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Wow this is just not good, when you think you are getting better sudden challenges will just heat you Soo bad, that you can imagine crying over the loss of your sister the next minute you were arrested, how did your parents cope with That news.
It was the darkest moment of our lives....
Choi, the last paragraph so touching.. facing two heartbreaking issues at the same time. How will you share the tears.
The lord will always give his children a way out of every situation because life is full of challenges.
Thank you so much....
You are welcome sir
This is well told, @newbreed. You had my attention and I was interested to see how things turned out. When the police came to your door I was surprised, because you had cautioned the others but hadn't done anything wrong yourself. In the end, though, I was left wondering. What happened to you? Did the police find out you were innocent? Did the others go to jail. It would have been very good to learn how this all worked out.
When you write a story and get someone's attention, as you got mine, it's good to reward them with information about the outcome.
Good writing... continue to write,please :)
I am thrilled by this comment. Thanks so much