They Were Not Just Books But My Companions As Well

They Were Not Just Books But My Companions As Well

Photo by Anthony 🙂

"Good day sir", the whole class greeted uniformly. "Good day students, my name is Shedrach, and I am your new chemistry teacher. I would have loved to know your names but time wouldn't permit us today, so, let's get on with the business of the day."

The tall, black man with a jovial face introduced himself, after which he began teaching. His class was different, for the first time in my life, I understood chemistry in a different way.

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After his class that day, I followed him to the teacher's room." Good afternoon sir", I greeted. "Afternoon my dear, have a seat. How many I help you"? he inquired. "Sir, I am one of your chemistry students. I must confess I really like the way you teach and I want to know chemistry like you", I replied. He looked at me surprised. "what is your name" ? he asked. "Emmanuel, sir", I responded.

Hmm! He sighed, "Emmanuel, the secret to becoming great is taking your studies seriously, read every day like you are going for an examination the next day", he advised. "Thank you, sir, do have a nice day, we look forward to seeing you in the next class", I replied to Mr. Shedrach and left the office.

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Chemistry became my best subject. Subsequently, I became one of Mr Shedrach's best students and he loves me so much. My chemistry notes are always intact. Those days anyone who is looking for a complete chemistry note comes to me. Everyone wants to borrow my notebook because they know it's not just intact but it's reliable as well.

At some point because of my love for the subject, I bought two chemistry textbooks (Essential Chemistry and Comprehensive Chemistry) Throughout my high school days, I did very well in chemistry and Mr Shedrach was so proud of me.

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After writing West African Examination Council (WAEC) I had to stay back home for almost a year because I didn't hit the point I wanted in the Joint Admission And Matriculation Board (JAMB). I wanted to study medicine, but the cut-off mark Was 250 and I had just 192 points, it was too poor and my heart was so hardened on medicine. I already concluded that I will stay at home and keep trying until I get the point.

I never knew my mom was secretly looking for admission for me in one of the colleges of Education in my place. She already spoke to one of our uncles who works there and everything was arranged without my knowledge.

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One of Those days, I got a call from that uncle of mine, when I picked up, he asked "Where are you"? "I am at home sir", I replied. "Carry all your credentials and meet me at the gate of the College of Education now" he responded and hung up the call.

Different things started running through my mind, 'what is happening"? I reasoned as I dressed up, got my things in order, and boarded a taxi to the place. As soon as I alighted from the car, he was already there waving at me.

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When I got closer to him, I greeted him, "Good afternoon sir". "Afternoon Emmanuel, go straight to the cafe and photocopy all your credentials then meet me at the administrative block". Mr Louis is my role model, I don't argue with him. "Okay sir", I replied as I made haste to the nearest cafe.

After everything, I met him at the administrative block. I was asked to submit my credentials, which I did and we walked out of the office together.

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While we were working he said, "Emmanuel, life starts from somewhere, I understand you don't want to study anything related to Education but you see we can only make plans but God has the final say. Go and start preparing for school, admission will be out soon. While you are schooling here, you can keep applying for your medicine and surgery."

I was pissed off but I forced a smile on my face and said "Thank you sir" and I left. Those days, While I was still waiting for admission, my best friend Leonard visited me. He attended a boarding school back then, I really missed him for the period he was away.

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While we were deep into the discussion reminiscing about old times, he said "Brother guess what"? "Come on Leonard you know I am not good at guessing, just spill", I replied. "Okay, I am writing National Examination Council (NECO) this year". He responded. "Wow ! That's good news brother, I am happy for you. You won't believe that my mom, set me up, I am going to the College of Education Akwanga, I applied for biology/chemistry", I replied Leonard.

"Wow! That's really cool Emmanuel, I love chemistry so much. That reminds me, please can you borrow me your chemistry textbook"? Leonard requested. My heart cut, that's my favorite book. I can lend any other book out but chemistry, gosh! I stayed mute for a while and I said, "Okay! but what will you do with it"? I Inquired.

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"Come on, Emmanuel, stop asking silly questions, your book will be safe with me, okay"? Leonard gave me assurance. "Okay if you say so", I replied. I went into my room and picked it up from my bed. That's where I always keep it because I study it almost every day. The book was like a friend and even more.

I handed over the book to him with grief in my heart but I trust him so much because he is not a careless person. While he was about to leave, I said "The textbooks are two, let me get you the other one as well, I want you to pass your examination very well".

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"Please, do so", he replied. After that day, Leonard returned to school and I didn't hear from him again. Some months later, Mr. Louis, called me and said "Congratulations, you have been admitted into the College of Education Akwanga, but your course has been switched to Biology/Geography". You can go and check the list at the school's gate tomorrow.

I told my mother about it and she was so happy with the news. Meanwhile, I was not, I hate geography, but I had nothing to do. I was just thinking about how I am going to be limited in chemistry because I know I won't have time to study it like before.

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Months later, Leonard finished his examination and came home. He called me on the phone and told me he was coming over to my house. I was happy about it, I can't wait to have my books back. Leonard came to my house in the evening that day and I didn't see him carrying my books. I tried to hold my peace but I couldn't, so I broke the silence, "Bro, where are my books"? I inquired.

"Oh! I know you would ask, well, my loads were much while I was coming home, so I gave some of my books to a friend to help me bring home. Don't panic, we will go to his house this Sunday and get the books", Leonard replied.

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I was not comfortable with that response, and my mood was ruined but I trusted Leonard, he is always the man of his word. Sunday evening we came to the house of the person he gave the books to and we were told he just went out.

That was someone we called and informed we were coming and he consented. We kept visiting this guy and he kept giving one excuse or the other.

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We got lucky one day and found him at home, then he finally broke the worst news I had ever heard, he told us he didn't know where he kept the books, he looked for them but he couldn't find them.

Gosh! My heart broke. Leonard felt so bad, he wanted to get me new chemistry textbooks but I declined. Although they were not just books but my friends as well, but It's life anything can happen anytime. That was how I lost my most treasured textbooks.

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