Heartstrings in Dissonance, Love’s Awakening

Chapter Five

On a video set, to shoot a music video of a popular artiste in the Country, who also happened to be my best friend. Surprised, right? I know you will be. We’ve been friends since our university days. I’m a friend keeper, right? You can say that again. She understood and knew me well, that’s why we got this far. Sky is a bright, playful lady. You will be wondering how we became friends, right?

Sky and I were Coursemates in school, two opposite sides of a coin. We were never friends in my first to second year. In our third year, an incident happened that made us close. A so-called lecturer had been on her neck for a relationship, which she didn't agree to. Then threatened to deal with her, but that didn't make her indulge. Our first semester result was released, I went to check it on the board when I saw her sitting on the floor, her friends surrounded her, saw her crying. I don't care, but I guess I couldn't turn a blind eye to her. I knew what happened. She said something that made her friends leave one after the other. I moved closer to her and asked her what the matter was. Though I knew what happened, 'cause I happened to be at the place that time.

I was his Course rep then, he called for me, I was in his office about to knock the door when someone from the inside flung the door open. She didn't look up to see who was in front of her, she left. I noticed she was crying. The lecturer didn't say anything, not even responded to my greeting. I suspected a foul play, but I wasn't sure. I had to clarify my mind, that's why I asked her what was wrong. She told me all what happened. I was annoyed, how can this lecturer fail you for that? He was the most respected lecturer in Campus. His course also happened to be a high unit in the department. I vowed to deal with the man.

I wrote a letter to our department Executives, but it wasn't fruitful. The man was a senior lecturer in the school. I had to write to students. I asked them if anyone's interested, we should meet up. Students turned out, students who were also victims came and told us their stories. We gathered and mapped out plans on how to get rid of those wicked lecturers. A petition was written to the Vice-Chancellor of our school for the removal of the senior lecturer, misusing his power as a teacher. The Vice-Chancellor, though disciplinary, could do nothing because the lecturer was well connected and also lack of evidence. The news was all over the campus.

Sky got to hear about it, came to me. So we became friends, we worked together. When our plan A didn't work out, we used our plan B. We invited a TV presenter, we explained everything to her, she was interested. We made a plan for her to come during Convocation which was in two weeks' time. We called the victims and told them they will be interviewed, and other students who couldn't come out but have the same experience. After the ceremony that day, the presenter interviewed the victims we've gathered, and indirectly asking other students about their favorite and non-favorite, promised them their face won't be shown. Some students mentioned lecturers who abuse their power over them, the presenter asked questions when not satisfied with their answer probe them further. Until their answer was satisfactory.

The presenter called to tell us this Case is beyond her power, because the top management in her workplace got to know and stopped her from presenting it. We lost hope we don't know what to do anymore. Until an idea stuck to me. We decided to make it known to the government. We collected the recorded files, posted on all social media we know, paid bloggers to post our news. It was a difficult task, but we tried our best. Waited for weeks we didn't hear from anybody. We gave up.

The lecturers who were called out did their findings to know who were behind what happened, We were dealt with, None of us passed, especially we the leaders. I was scared because I don't have any means to get out of poverty than Education.

I had to stop associating with them. I ignore, avoid them. They got the wing of it. Came to me thinking I was threatened. I told them I want nothing to do with them anymore. They should leave me and face themselves. (I just don't want to fail) they were pained, they left me including Sky. I became my old self. During lecture one day, Secretary to the Vice-Chancellor came and called out names out and told us he wants to see us.

I was scared, many thoughts on my head, "How did the VC got to know our names, Hope I won't be expelled". I was out of my mind. We got to the VC's office. He welcomed us and told us to seat down. We saw some strange faces. We were asked some questions concerning the Case. I couldn't talk at first, I don't want to be expelled. Sky explained to them what happened and our work in the case. We were told to leave, but thanked us before leaving. We got outside, "why didn't you talk, were you deaf, or are you scared of the lecturers, or you've been bribed".

One of them asked angrily. "Shut up, You're very foolish, is it your business if I've been bribed or not, I shouldn't have done anything in the first place. I turned to the lady, you should have allowed the lecturer to have the way with you. Some of you are just lying, maybe the lecturers have done it and you didn't just say. See how all this will ruin my life. I have no hope except this Education and you to ruin me, never. A guy punched me in the mouth, you're very stupid, you think we have other means too.

We just decide to stand on our ground." I left them angry at them and myself. Why did I agree to do this in the first place? I should have minded my business. Now I have an extra year to battle. What if the lecturers don't grade me anymore? I think I have to beg the lecturers after the other, I can't go back home. I was called on again, this time only me, I've decided to leave for another school to start over. I was thinking about the money when I got to his office. I saw a beautiful lady with him.

"Is VC doing the do too, or maybe his daughter sha?". He told me to sit down, and asked me who posted those things online? (I had to tell the truth I'm leaving the school anyways). I explained everything to him. From petition to social media. Though there's positive response but nothing happened that's when we gave up. (Where would I get money for another school fee now my prob).

I was in my hostel, cleaning. When people noise got my attention. It wasn't a normal noise, it was a shout of jubilation. Went to check when my room mate though we don't get along explained what happened. So the government has been working undercover, sent spies disguised as students. New students in their first year. The Accused lecturers were caught.

"So these lecturers still have the audacity to abuse their power even after being accused. They thought nobody could do anything to them. Well, they've met their match. They were asked to resign immediately, including the senior lecturer who was disturbing Sky. That's how the case got settled.

Sky came to visit me and thank me for all I had done. I was surprised because I had denied them at the end. She smiled and said, "I don't blame you, I understand you." The VC actually called on me again, so I explained everything to him. And he said your explanation matches. So I asked him about you. He told me you're the first person he called, while I'm the last person."

She hugged me and said she was grateful. "If it wasn't for your ideas, things wouldn't have gotten settled. But you need to watch what you say. Hurtful words are not easily healed." She told me to apologize to others and settle with them. I didn't even budge. That's how we became friends, but the rest don't want anything to do with me, and I don't care too."

Adedunmola 😍