A GIRL'S MIND[CHAPTER ELEVEN]

A deep gloom hung over the entire nation.There were religious riots in the north and bloody reprisals followed in both the western and eastern parts of the country.The glow of democracy was gradually being dimmed.And then examinations began in the nation's higher institutions of learning and there was a resurgence of cult activities resulting in attacks,reprisals and vendettas.At the country level,everyone nursed the fear of a breakup.At the educational level,everyone realized cultism is deeply rooted than most people know.1

A students' union president was attacked in Lagos as two lecturers were murdered in separate incidents in Ibadan and Benin.There were attacks and reprisals from Port Harcourt to Jos and in Calabar,a final-year medical student was axed to death in vendetta as he emerged from his last examination over his twin brother's involvement in an attack in the past against a member of a rival cult and as he abandoned his university education to escape the terror network of the opposing cult,his innocent brother became the cheap prey.2

From the universities,nasty rays of cultism were beaming into the college.The village daily market and the kiosks around had been ransacked twice or thrice just before nine o'clock in the night.But a worst terror was sailing in!3

It was a hot Friday afternoon.The Awi Junction which is also a bus-stop was busy with passengers,mostly students returning to the ever beckoning port city,Calabar,for the weekend.A grey-painted station-wagon sped from the direction of Calabar and came to a crawl just after the junction,leaving the carriageway for the gravelled sidewalk.4

As the car stopped and barely missed hitting a well-known and flamboyant second-year NCE student,Chop-pay,son of a rich cocoa merchant,who had suddenly heard the scrunch of the tyres on the gravel and jumped out of the car's way,then turned and literally frothing in the mouth with anger to confront the driver.But what he saw coming he never bargained for!Four vicious-looking youths clad in black tee-shirts,jeans and boots sprang from the doors with axes heading towards him.The driver still on the steering-wheel shot into the air.5

Chop-pay's bones melted but all the same he turned and dragged them along in flight.The young men with axes went after him with kicks,blows and wicked swipes of their weapons.Chop-pay blindly ran into a chemist's shop as the shop attendant hastily ran out.The cult boys crowded in.Sickening thuds and squeals were heard and then the sounds died down.The four youths emerged from the shop,their weapons wetted red and shimmering in the sun.The driver shot into the air again as the others strode towards the car already parked facing the direction of Calabar and chanted their cult's name,jumped into it and banged the doors.The driver zoomed off along the deserted highway.6

Students emerged from hiding and packed the pulpy giant who was trapped in a tight corner of the chemist's shop and were surprised to notice his pulse.Cult boys always snuff out the lives of their victims!Chop-pay was rushed in a hired bus to a private clinic at the local government headquarters.7

One did not need to be shown who a cult boy was as the horrible news seeped through the village.These young men raced into hiding,watchfully appeared again at dusk and hurriedly picked a few of their belongings [without prior intention of travelling] and sneaked away.8

The torrential June rain descended on the village just as night settled.9

*         *          *10

With the examinations fast approaching,students had been pairing up to read.Naturally,Titi and Eddy were much closer now as they studied hard for the gruelling days ahead.With the downpour outside,they bent over their books until well past midnight.Wearied with reading,they decided to rest.They came and slept on the same mattress as all their room-mates had left for home in the afternoon.Even with the extent of trust she had in her boyfriend,Titi felt funny sleeping together with him on the same mattress and with just the two of them in the same room - thinking of the deafening roar outside this dark night.Then Titi became scared.Young men were unpredictable,especially if you are at their mercy.Though she wore jeans trousers and a cardigan over her vest,she still felt quite insecure.11

Just then Eddy rolled over and let his hand play on her tummy,tracing her belly-button.He was fascinated  with it.Then he kissed her lingeringly on the face.Knowing there were limits [as she would say] - he stopped,said good night and moved back.He brought the cover cloth from under his pillow and was about spreading it over them when Titi spoke:'Do you sleep without praying?'12

Eddy laughed.'Of course,very often.I hope that doesn't turn you off.'13

'I just think it's good to pray for God's protection.As we sleep we don't know what flies around us.'14

'Okay,sweet,'Eddy said adoringly.'Teach me how to pray.'15

Titi got up on the mattress and kneeled and Eddy did same,facing her.She linked her hands up with his and then prayed.16

'Gracious Father,the Creator of life,we thank You for Your ceaseless love and care.We thank You for our lives and protection.We ask for forgiveness of our sins as we've sinned against You by the way we think,talk and walk.Forgive us all.Continue to guide and guard and bless everyone.Heal the sick,provide for the needy,help the helpless,strengthen the weak and set free the oppressed.Put wrong all the plans of the evil-minded ones and shine Your light into the world of those still living in the dark.Let all come to the full realisation that You remain the One and Only true God that must be called upon and worshipped.In Your abundant love and mercy,see us through the dreadful night.In Jesus mighty name we pray.Amen.'17

'Amen,'Eddy answered in unison.'I didn't know I have a pastor as a girl-friend,'he teased as they reclined on the mattress and he spread the big cover cloth over them.He played with her tummy again,kissed her,said good night again and rolled over - giving her his back.18

'Good night,'Titi,whose fears had greatly subsided now,replied.19

And all through the night all Titi ever felt was Eddy's back and a gentle snore that lasted until daybreak.In the morning Titi became filled with admiration and absolute trust for her boy-friend.She blissfully cradled him from the back as they dreamily listened to the dawn chorus and vehicles zooming along the highway.Eddy felt slothful putting on the radio or even exercising.There was no need upsetting the feel of luxury he had wrapped around him just now.20

END>>>Chapter Eleven.21