CHAPTER 5

After series of meetings between my mother and brothers, they agreed the only place that suits me is an environment of God. Maybe somewhere spiritual enough to chase off the demons of badluck leading me to constant misfortune. It wasn't like they loved or wanted good out of me, they were actually scared they would be the next victims of my escapades and it was really dangerous living with them. I had two options, either to go to the only catholic convent in Shagbo or convert, become a Muslim and live with the cleric in the mosque a stone throw to my house. I didn’t embrace the conversion idea, going to the convent wasn’t an idea I really loved either. Now I go dey live with dem reverend father, catholic priests and nuns in a very weird lifestyle. Most importantly I would miss my home, my beautiful mother and my fun-to-be-with brothers but, e be things!

I really didn’t like it at the convent, most especially my first day there. They did receive me in warm arms. I saw many other teenagers like me. " These guys must also be trouble-makers and thorn in the flesh to their parents.” The convent was seen as a correctional facility by the illiterate parents of Shagbo. It also had a boarding school meant for formal education. Movement out of the convent was restricted till visiting hours which was only 12pm-5pm on Saturdays. Stuff like phones, game sets, gadgets or even certain books (If not religious-inclined or educational) was seen as contraband. This would be seized by the sisters. Cash wasn’t allowed. Life was hell for the first two weeks cos I had to be adjusting to an entirely new system. I cried most nights. I really missed my home. It even got to a point mama stopped visiting me but I moved on with my life. Gradually, life started becoming interesting>>>>>>

I met Chukuebuka. It was one afternoon after the rigorous choir sessions. It was lunch time. I rushed to the dining hall happily cos I greeted this Sandra girl I always had my eyes on”Hi” and she replied me “Hello darling” This sent shiver down my spine. My joy knew no bounds. That was a perfect shot already but I was a ‘wowo’ boy(low classed). I sucked at conversations so I couldn’t maintain it . Nevertheless, the joy I got from the response was enough. I was bumping and bouncing my way to the dining hall till I mistakenly ran into Chukwuebuka who was carrying plates of hot beans in a tray. The beans fell over and the plates shattered on the floor. As fast as possible, he landed me a thunderous slap. My eyes blinked as if they lost connection to my brain. I started seeing twinkle little stars like I was in a trance. It took a few minutes before I gained consciousness. I lost appetite already. I didn’t even see the person that slapped me again. In tears, I headed towards the lobby. I sobbed over my mattress and soaked my pillow with tears. I was just thinking of how unfortunate I was. Even papa’s slaps when he was alive never hammered me like that. “Ha! Life no fair,this life no balance!”

I suddenly felt an arm on my shoulder. “I am sorry”. I looked back and saw the remorseful face of the person that slapped me at the dining hall.”You’ll need some money to take care of the sore on your face”. He dropped some N200 notes on my bed. “ Omo see money” I thought. The sight of the money dried up my tears immediately. I didn’t need anyone to tell me “Apology accepted”. A smile sneaked from my face out of my undue excitement. “Bro, it’s okay”. I took a deep breath. He stretched out his hand for a handshake. “We cool bruh?”. “We cool” I replied. That was how I got to meet Ebuka. He was a cool guy with a Londoner accent. He came from a well-to-do ‘tush’ family and not a low-classed boy like me. The scent of his cologne lasan don do. Everything about his appearance was just fresh. I started to wonder what someone like him was doing at the convent. He later told me everything. He was a drug freak! He told me he had popped almost all kinds of hard drugs in the world. His parents were rich so that wasn’t a problem. Aside drugs, he had spiritual issues. He could suddenly start behaving weird as if he was under the influence of a demon. He shared many confidential things with me. There were times he would just suddenly start hitting his head on the wall. A time, he striped himself naked in school and started running about the premises. The shame and embarrassment from this incident stopped him from going to school. He was sometimes chained down with shackles both on the hands and feet by his parents but guess what? He broke the chains with his teeth. After the whole show and demonic influence, he showed a whole lot of sobriety, calmness and guilt written all over him. It was the night he attempted suicide he was brought to the convent. I remembered I had also once attempted suicide. 

The demon had already taken over. This time, he wanted to take his life. He already tied the rope on the fan in the master bedroom, already tying up his neck in anger when his mother came in. It was very difficult resisting him till they called the reverend father. After a whole lot of spiritual battle, they were able to restore him back to calmness. Afterwards, the reverend father requested that he should come stay at the convent for a close spiritual monitoring. His parents agreed joyfully. What did you expect; they were rich busy parents who had little time for the poor boy. They promised to make everything needed available and also maintain a close watch.

“So that was how you got here”? I asked him.”Yes” he nodded affirmatively. “Would you share with me how you got here too”? “That’s a story for another day, its late already. Let’s go for the evening prayers” that was how my friendship with Ebube started.