Kasarachi – Episode 29

That Wednesday morning, I was so excited when I was preparing for school. I mean who in my shoes wouldn’t be…?

I am going to be writing my final papers today and a week after the exams, all the results of final year students would be out and a certificate of graduation would be issued out to deserving students.

When I was about to leave the house, I felt very uneasy and disturbed in my spirit which I didn’t understand why. 

I just had this heavy nudge in my spirit to worship God and pray against any evil counsel and unjust plans of the enemies.

I kept wondering why I should pray such prayers this early morning when I am already running out of time. My exams starts by 9am and this is 8:43am already. 

The distance to my school would take 10 to 15 minutes if I use a vehicle which I always do. 

So I would make it on time if I leave right now and not later than this, else I will be so late.

I tried to push the feelings aside as I walked out of my bedroom door but instead of going away, the nudge became stronger.

Honestly, this has never happened before so I was skeptical and disturbed as to what warning God was trying to issue out to me.

I decided to succumb to God’s leading instead of ignoring it. I’m big on obeying God no matter the circumstances and he has never failed me, except in very few cases which I believe he has his reasons why.

I went back into my bedroom and I sang a few worship songs as directed by the holy Spirit. After that, I said a short prayer with the prayer points that were led in my heart. 

Firstly, I prayed against any evil counsel and gathering about me. 

Secondly, I prayed against the evil unjust plans of my enemies coming into manifestation. 

Then lastly, I prayed for a successful examination today. 

After the prayers, I hurriedly left the house for school. By the time I boarded a vehicle, it was 9am on the dot. 

Oh no, I am damn late!!!!! I uttered loudly as I urged the driver to please drive faster.

Arriving at the school hall for exams, I discovered that I was about seventeen minutes late, and unfortunately the examination had begun already. 

I was directed by the invigilator to sit at any of the back seats because the front seats were filled up by students who came earlier

Ah, how I hate the back seat a lot! 

In a way, I started regretting spending time to sing those worship songs and say those prayers which lasted for more than ten minutes. That singular act of obeying God is what led to this lateness for my exams.

It was later that I understood that God truly never lies. When he lays it in our heart to pray and worship, then we should obey him promptly even without understanding why.

Two hours and thirty minutes passed. I had finished writing my first paper and was waiting outside like the rest of the students. 

It remains the second paper which is also the last exam I have to write as a final year student and then I will be done with this school for good.

I feel so happy! I can’t wait to be addressed as a graduate.

Then with my certificate I’ll seek Mrs Sharon’s help to connect me to a reputable job, since she and her husband have already given me their blessings to do whatever I desire after my graduation.

Honestly, God has been so faithful in my life and I’m more than grateful to the people he used to bless me here in Canada. To me, they are like angels in human form.

I have even graduated to seeing Mrs Sharon as a madam and now see her as a big sister. My big sister! Oh, I owe her a whole lot. 

I can’t start to recount all she has done for me because it is really much academically, physically, financially, and even spiritually. 

Do you also know that Mrs Sharon had put in a lot of effort five years back to ensure that Don got a life imprisonment for what he did to me and the other girls…? 

During Don’s interrogation before his sentence, he had confessed all of his different hideouts. Then afterwards, it was traced by the police officers and his thugs were apprehended and imprisoned too. 

The other k1dnapped victims; all of which are females were rescued by the officers and set free to their individual families.

I was really happy after Don’s case was finalized, meaning that he will not bother me again. It did cost Mrs Sharon a lot of funds but she didn’t mind. So honestly she is one of God’s greatest gifts in my life.

I just can’t wait to start working so I would be able to spoil her with my earned money, and not with the one she pays me with.

Soon, all the students including me were called into the examination hall for the second and ultimately the last paper. 

The exam began in earnest and it was to last for two hours like the first paper.

One hour into the examination and I had solved like 75% of the questions on paper.

The questions were tough but I was trying my best to solve the ones I know very well first before trying to tackle the other ones.

I was about switching to the other side of the paper when the door to the hall was pushed open. 

This got the students attention including me who wanted to see who it was.

I turned only to see Halima walk into my examination hall with a wicked smile plastered on her face. Our departmental examination officer was right behind her which got me alarmed!

“What is she doing here and why today of all days…?” I asked within me as I tried to re-concentrate but I couldn’t do so again.

In my second year, I discovered that Halima is one of the huge financial investors in the school’s development and growth. 

I was told that the school delegated a role in the school to her in appreciation for her contribution over the past ten years. 

The role she was given is what none of the students in my department seem to know, it is more like a private information that isn’t meant to be disclosed to students.

My heart is beating so fast on remembering how Halima has threatened me in the past! 

Mrs Sharon has told me a little about her personality, how she doesn’t joke with her words and carries it out until the very last!

I’m just hoping that her coming here has nothing to do with those threats. So please help me Lord!

The examination officer walked to the front of the hall and stood there looking at us. 

Then he asked a question that further increased my inner fears and anxiety.

“Who in this hall goes by the name Miss Kasarachi Arinze…? I’m made to understand that she is a student here. If you know it’s you….please be on your feet!” 

Everybody’s eyes turned to look in my direction knowing that I am the only bearer of that igbo name in the whole of our department. 

I swallowed the saliva in my throat as I stood up with shaky feet. I was scared and I’m sure it was evidently shown on my face.

Halima smirked on seeing how scared I looked contrary to the bold Kasarachi she used to know before! 

I mustered the courage to speak out not minding the curious and disdainful look on the faces of the students in the hall. 

None of them have ever really liked me anyways, because I am the only African igbo girl in our department. 

That’s why I kept to myself and minded my business throughout my years in the school. 

I don’t even have friends as I barely relate with anyone except I have questions to ask. I don’t also look for anyone’s trouble and nobody looks for mine either as that would mean breaking the school rules of ‘peaceful coexistence’ and ‘no violence’. 

So to them, I’m that quiet and calm girl who annoyingly sucks because of her African tribe, skin color, and demeanor. Well I am a proud igbo woman so honestly I cared less!

“It’s me sir. My name is Kasarachi Arinze” I said with a slightly confident voice 

“Mrs Halima is she the student you were talking about who defied the code of conduct of our reputable institution….?” The examination officer asked Halima who nodded with a feigned serious face 

“Yes chief. It was brought to my notice last week but I decided to wait until I had conducted my own investigation and gathered the facts. As the underground investigator and disciplinary officer….you know that I cannot afford to be wrong so I’ve gathered enough evidence to back up my claims” Halima said gently and then the examination officer turned to speak to me 

“Well Mrs Kasarachi Arinze you have been accused of a very grave moral misconduct. As a result of this charge….all of the disciplinary officers would love to meet with you in the office right now! That’s where your punishment will be decided….after all the evidence and facts presented by Mrs Halima are analyzed and found to be true by the school authorities”

There were murmurings from all angles of the hall from the students. I suppose they were wondering what grave misconduct I had committed that couldn’t wait until after the exam.

I could see their mockery and accusing eyes as they stared at me. I know the majority of them are happy that I am in trouble and if not for the presence of the adults in the room, they would have criticized me openly.

Even me, I don’t even understand what the accusations are about but I do know one thing for sure! That everything happening here is all Halima’s handiwork.

I would not even be surprised if she had all of this planned out long before now and just wants to ruin my joy on a day that is supposed to be my happy day. 

I bent my head as I swallowed the saliva in my throat over and over again. Tears were about coming out of my eyes but I pushed it in so as not to appear defeated.

But why me oh Lord….? I muttered rhetorically under my breath 

Just when I thought my life was finally going to end as a fairytale, this ugly-hearted woman had to show her claws and brought into reality her threats. 

All for what…? Because I choosed a better life for myself and not what she offered me.

It’s been close to six years already, can’t she just forgive and leave me alone! 

For Christ sake, she doesn’t own me and has no rights to decide what decisions I made that will be good for my life and future!

She is a selfish human being and to imagine that I actually mistook her to be a good person not knowing that she is wicked like Don in a different way.

I controlled myself from crying or showing how hurt I felt as I lifted my head and looked at the examination officer 

“I do not know what this is about sir but please can I at least finish writing my exam…? I still have a lot of questions on the paper, I haven’t answered yet” I said gently 

“I’m sorry Mrs Kasarachi Arinze but you can’t do so. In fact, that exam should even be the least of your worries. What your prayer should be is that you do not get expelled from this school for misconduct!” Halima said with a pretentious caring voice

The murmurings increased in the hall and despite the invigilator’s attempt to maintain the quietness in the room, it was futile as the murmurings increased instead of decreasing. I felt so ashamed at this point.

I tried so hard but I couldn’t hide my emotions anymore so I voiced out to the shock of everyone who wasn’t aware that I know Halima on a personal level.

“Do you hate me this much Mrs Halima Sadu….? As a human rights activist…how does pinning a misconduct on me an acquaintance paint a good picture of you…? And if I may ask you….what exactly is the misconduct you are accusing me of….?” I asked with my eyes fixated on Halima who was thrown off balance by my questions. 

The examination officer was perplexed when I mentioned Mrs Halima’s surname. He had to query me when Halima wasn’t saying anything as a response to my questions.

“Do you two know on a personal level….? I didn’t mention Mrs Halima’s surname or profession earlier….so how do you know those accurate personal information about her Miss Kasarachi Arinze….?” 

“I don’t mean to be rude but why don’t you direct the question to Mrs Halima….? I believe she has a better response than I do” I said still looking audaciously at Halima 

“Mrs Halima do you know Miss Kasarachi Arinze personally and in what way please…?” Mr Henry asked now looking at Halima for an answer 

Halima smirked subtly at me and then she quickly wore a serious look on, before giving Mr. Henry a response that shocked everyone in the hall including me…..

(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH’S HEART stories)