"Mom , stop crying . It is just a graduation . I'm not getting married ." .
I told my mother for the umpteenth time . The poor woman has been crying ever since i put on this nonsense graduation gown . At first when i put it on and the rain drops began , i thought she must have recieved a bad report about my entire school life . It is when someone wants to make progress in life that is when bad luck will come . nonsense! . I am graduating weather the devil likes it or not .
" I'm sorry my dear . It's just i remember when you entered university , during your matriculation you were so young . Now look at you! Oh , how time passes so fast . My baby boy ."
She kept on saying things like this consistently till the point i could swear that her words was an incantation to turn me back into a baby . . Finally , i couldnt take it anymore .
" mom , lets be going. with the way you are crying we will have to swim out of the house . "
She started laughing . The joy of every son is to see their mother smile .come to think of it , In a way she has a point . One day a person is entring secondary school , before you know it ; you are married . time waits for no one . well that's by the way .
After the touching moment , i took my guide cane and practically dragged my mom to the car and we were off . Oh , i forgot to mention . i am blind . I have been since secondary school. The situation greatly affected my mother but after some time she came to terms with it . As for me , i didnt really mind because it gave me special treatment . which you'll understand as you follow up .
We arrived at the school , found somewhere to park and came down . I immediately spotted my friends or should i say they spotted me . my two friends " Emmanuel and Favour " the two of them like each other , but they dont want to take it to the next level . The thing that use to annoy me is that they normally give their self stupidly and unnecessary googly eyes ; not The one you give when you are lost in thought , no . This one is the one you give when you want to dive into the depths of an entity . when something is so intriguing you cant look away ; not with out a slap to correct their senses . that is exactly what i normally do .
We all came together , exchanged pleasantries and left my mom in the guest section not with out her giving me a kiss in front of everyone . the place was packed with students , family members who brought their whole tribe of juda as plus one ; Imagine . Nigerians will never change . Any way , the ceremony began and the vice chancellor gave his speech , his very , very long speech . After which the calling of names and presentation of scrolls began . When my name was called out , i stood up and emmanuel guided me to the front . As i got to the front the vice chancellor had something to say .
" Now everyone, can i have your attention please? . You see , Things happen to people in life , some unplanned and some as a result of their actions . the time you know a strong person is when an unplanned situation is bestowed upon them without any warning . the strong ones rise to the chalange not knowing what to expect . Many people find it hard to rise to the occasion ; they prefair to live in the past than to create their own future . This student wasn't born blind but condition made it so . Most might think that as he entered the school and he is studying a new course he will be disappointed . He wasn't . instead , he rose to the occasion and look at him now! . I hear by prezent you with your scroll for your deligence and dexterity towards your self and the school . congratuations!" I could swear i saw my mom bursting in to tears . I wasn't sure but i know my mom very well .
After the whole stressful programme , it finally came to an end . i went out and chatted with some of my course mates . I wasn't really famous with the ladies , who can blame them . no one likes a guy that needs help to do some things . Anyway i dont really mind . If they want to look deep it is their choice . You cant force someone to like you , it comes naturally .
Meanwhile , At the guest section , there was someone with a hood over their head . After the programme ended , the person stood up and started to walk to the VIP section . The person was blocked by security , but like magic they gave the person clearance to pass . The person made their way to the executive lounge where the vice chancellor and his associates where having their meal . The person walked around the table in slow but confident strides to the vice chancellor's table making sure to make eye contact with him . feeling someone behind him the vice chancellor looked back. The two locked eyes and without saying anything to his associates , he stood up and followed the person . The associates saw this ,but thought nothing of it . if the person was dangerous the security wouldn't have given the stranger clearance . They resumed their discussion as normal .
The two of them found a free section of the private lounge and sat down .
" sorry for disturbing your lunch and interrupting your discussion . I promise , this will not take up most of your time ." The stranger said .
" I need you to orchestrate a occupational transfer for one of your students . You see , i have an eye on one of them and i think that if i bring them under my wings i can groom them into a great and successful individual .All i just need you to do Is to sign this consent form ' that is all ."
Everyone knows that a vice chancellor in a normal context will read the form and scrutinise it, checking for signs of fraudulent activities .not in this case .
The vice chancellor robotically , like a modified japanese android took the form from the stranger and signed it . After he signed it and gave it back , he then asked .
" which student are you planning to take under your wing? " the stranger , hearing the question smiled and said .
" You spoke highly of him during the programme. The funny thing is that, you can see deligence and dexterity in him but i can see so much , much more . i am also a student of this school and i am also graduating today , but i have my own enterprise . During my time hear i have been keeping my eyes on this particular student , watching his moves , scrutinising and evaluating him . I needed to know if he has the potential for the big task ahead . now , iam sure of it ; he is the one . "
Standing up , the stranger's eyes started to glow red. after that the vice chancellor stood up and went back to his associates joining them as if nothing happened . Turning around the stranger took a pen from the table and brought out the form . On the gap that read " beneficiary " . The stranger said
" see you soon , David oluwale Riggs ".
with that , the name was written .