Chapter 6
Uncertain Horizons: Bayo's Struggle with Power and Reality
Dr. John was about to say something, but Dr. Harold interrupted him, his hand lifting in a slow, hushing gesture. He then looked at Ms. Anderson, conveying a calm, tacit order for silence. "Please, Mary, a modicum of decorum," he uttered smoothly. Swiveling back to Dr. John, his lips curled into a sardonic grin, "It seems Philip is eager to present our latest colleague, hailed as the preeminent mathematician of our era."
Dr. John remained unfazed by Dr. Harold's comment. He wasn't relying solely on Bayo's reputation; he wanted to give him a chance to prove himself. After all, even someone with a criminal past could turn their life around and be productive.
Maintaining a neutral expression, Dr. John subtly waved his hand and said, "Alright, calm down." He let out a reserved sigh, not giving them a chance to argue. "Our superior has allowed me to bring someone new."
Dr. John's plain account did not appease Dr. Harold, who showed his displeasure and discontent. Philip had ignored to introduce Bayo to them or vice versa. Dr. Harold glared at Bayo and sneered, saying, "This alleged flop had nothing else to offer." Dr. John had planned this deliberately because Bayo had not earned their respect yet. He was a student, but his future input in the research could make him their peer if it is significant enough. And if they did not treat him as an equal, they would at least not scorn him or regard him as a mere student.
Ignoring Dr. Harold's remark, Dr. John retrieved a piece of paper from his drawer and handed it to Bayo. The content was a complex mathematical problem, deliberately made more challenging by Dr. Harold.
Although Dr. John noticed this subtle change, he chose not to address it. If Bayo couldn't approach the problem with a practical mindset and prove himself, he didn't deserve to be there.
Dr. John believed this altered exam would shape Bayo's fate during the high-pressure scenario unfolding in the workplace. Every move was crucial; even the most strategic thinker could become a mere pawn. Dr. John was practical and intended to navigate life with precision.
"We can't simply allow you to stay here," Dr. John said, his tone crisp and formal, sounding even harsher than before.
Dr. Harold scornfully laughed, "Oh, are you giving up so soon? How pathetic." He pinned the fault on Dr. John for proposing such a senseless idea, belittling the importance of their research. He had a longstanding hatred for the blacks due to his awful experience. He also resented the idea of people like Bayo, who lacked worldly wisdom, coming before him to try to impress him. But their superiors had approved him. So, he decided to put Bayo to the test himself.
Dr. Harold devised a cunning plan to test Bayo's determination by switching the test. If Bayo could successfully solve it, it would prove his immense potential, and he would patiently await the perfect moment to execute his plan.
Upon hearing Dr. Harold's words, Bayo's expression darkened. The man was really starting to get on his nerves, pushing him to the brink of frustration. Did he have nothing better to do than to pick on someone younger?
Bayo was about to voice his thoughts, yet Dr. Harold's interjection flowed with an unsettling serenity, "Thirty minutes." The corners of his mouth lifted in a mirthless smirk, "Quite simple, wouldn't you agree? A mere minute should suffice for an endeavor of this nature." However, the layers of meaning dancing behind his poised facade suggested a labyrinth of challenges that belied the simplicity of his statement.
Dr. John allowed Dr. Harold to continue his charade. He knew how to handle him and would serve him his just desserts when the time was right. He had prepared a game and would watch Dr. Harold fall into his trap.
Taking a deep breath, Dr. John turned his intense gaze towards Bayo, "If you pass this test, I will put in a good word for you at Harvard." As Bayo's spirits lifted, he added, "But it won't be a permanent solution. Until you complete our current project..."
Bayo realized that this meant any slip-up would result in his expulsion and deportation. Anxiety gripped his heart, knowing that this system could easily benefit ambitious individuals like Dr. Harold and Èsù, whose true intentions he didn't know.
Staring at the problem before him, "Prove every continuous function on a compact metric space is uniformly continuous," Bayo waited for a minute, but nothing happened. It had only been a day since he acquired the powers of the orisha, and he was still unsure how to wield them.
Bayo's face contorted into a frown as he narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. He discreetly brought the paper up to his Dada hair as if attempting to alleviate an itch on his head. He believed that his Dada hair would work wonders if the paper grazed it, as it had turned sacred and stranger since his metamorphosis. But a crushing void haunted him, making him feel empty. His scheme had fallen apart. He felt empty because he had relied on something that was not outside but within him, and it had let him down.
Dr. John observed Bayo with narrowed eyes, his thoughts concealed behind a veil of mystery. Meanwhile, Dr. Harold couldn't help but smirk at the sheer absurdity of Bayo attempting to solve the question. Little did Bayo know that Dr. Harold had personally handpicked that particular question.
As the tension in the room thickened, Bayo's resolve wavered ever so slightly. A subtle sheen of sweat slowly glistened upon his brow, each droplet reflecting the inner turmoil of a man standing at the crossroads of destiny.
Bayo tried different methods - such as shutting his eyes, puffing his cheek, nodding his head, stroking his beads and necklace - to access the orisha's might, but sadly, none worked. Unfazed, he resolved to solve the mathematical problem with his mortal mind. 'Just when I needed that extra boost of power,' Bayo chuckled to himself in a self-deprecating manner.
With his arms folded across his chest, Dr. John maintained a stern gaze as he sighed and shook his head.
Bayo, weighed down by doubts, almost admitted defeat to Dr. John, knowing Dr. Harold would approve. The entire office had lost faith in Bayo, as he had already used up twenty out of the thirty minutes allotted by Dr. Harold. Suddenly, a screen materialized in Bayo's mind, and the mathematical problem appeared typed out in blue. It was as if Bayo's eyes were acting as a typewriter, transcribing the problem onto the screen.
With a pen, Bayo surprised everyone, especially Dr. Harold, who frowned deeply. Bayo swiftly decoded the theory, connecting words to formulas seamlessly. He wrote, "A function is continuous if it does not jump or break," and supported it with the equation, "Let f: X→Y be a continuous function from a compact metric space X to a metric space Y."
Dr. John's heart skipped a beat as he witnessed Bayo's remarkable aptitude for mathematics as if he were a majestic eagle soaring through the sky. Bayo's exceptional first attempt earned him Dr. John's one percent favorability.
On the other hand, Dr. Harold dismissed it as a mere stroke of luck that allowed Bayo to solve the first part of the mathematical expression.
Initially, Mrs. Christian was nonchalant, whistling away as no one paid her any attention. However, her demeanor changed when she observed Bayo's swift problem-solving skills. It seemed Bayo wasn't solving it on the spot, but instead..., Mrs. Christian halted her actions and observed intently.
At the same time, Ms. Anderson, who had been hiding in her small corner, feeling frustrated with her research hitting a roadblock, stood up from her desk upon noticing everyone's focus on Bayo.
When Bayo finished solving, their breaths were already heavy and rapid. 'I know there may not be any significance in struggling,' Bayo maintained his pessimistic outlook.
Dr. John took the paper, subtly nodding but maintaining his indifferent expression. Bayo's handwriting was impeccable, resembling calligraphy.
Dr. Harold and the two ladies also approached, their eyes piercing the work fiercely as if searching for any invisible errors.
This mathematical problem was not rare and did not require any machinery to solve. The three guys picked up a paper and began verifying the problem.
Bayo's heart raced as they did so, but he forcefully suppressed it. His ability to see the worst in people and situations had kept him sane in this world full of absurdities and surprises. Ironically, Bayo was the most emotionally driven person one could ever encounter in a lifetime. He told himself he wanted to be emotionless like heaven, but in reality, Bayo was merely a counterfeit.
They finished the verification process in ten minutes and double-checked their outcomes for precision. They then carefully examined Bayo's work, using their work as a benchmark.
Dr. John heaved a silent sigh, feeling that swapping the work was in his favor, especially since the math problem was challenging and would impress their superiors the most.
Dr. Harold clenched his teeth and pondered, 'I may have failed this time, but it must have been pure luck that Bayo got the answer.' He pondered this while exhaling deeply.
Dr. Harold was determined not to let any additional uncontrollable factors disrupt his plan to climb to the top. He saw Bayo as a nuisance and would continue to target him. Despite the turmoil in his soul, a faint smile flickered within him. He wondered which of his feelings was genuine and which was a mask. He had a hidden agenda and a lofty aspiration.
With a smile, Dr. John assured Bayo, "I will speak to Harvard management as per our agreement." His tone was sincere.
"Thank you," Bayo replied bluntly.
Waving his hand dismissively, Dr. John instructed, "You can go home and await the decision of my superiors. If I arrive before noon, you're safe. But if you don't see me, prepare to leave America."
Bayo nodded.
As Bayo left the office, his mind raced with thoughts of what awaited him at home.
Meanwhile, Dr. John sighed, his fist subtly clenched.
Ms. Anderson and Mrs. Christian's expressions remained unchanged, their thoughts hidden.