There were many students who queued up that morning at the entrance of NEDU BLOCK, a prominent classroom in the university of Uyo, pending the approval of Prof. Dickson before they can enter the class. They were new students who have just been admitted into the university.
Prof. Dickson was known to be a strict disciplinarian both by his students and even among his colleagues. One of his rules that distinguished him from other lecturers was that no student should step his or her foot into the classroom once he had already entered the classroom for lecture.
Has he had often declared many times before the students he had the privilege to lecture, Prof. Dickson believed that students are to be found worthy in learning as well as in character at the end of their studies in the university before certificates are conferred on them.
"We cannot continue to disgorge half-baked graduates into our society,it is our responsibility to inculcate right values into our students as lecturers",
that was his watch-word which endeared him to so many of his students and colleagues who were happy about the revolution orchestrated by his watch-word which swept the entire university of Uyo community like wildfire.
Will you quickly step out of my class, how dare you walk into my class with such an audacity?, Prof. Dickson barked at a female student who attempted to walk into the class. She was yet to be briefed about his rules.
Let me warn you all, he continued, I know some of you are already accustomed with the wayward and unscrupulous lives you had lived in your homes and in the high schools you attended. You must be aware that I, Prof. Dickson, do not condone any act of irresponsibility from my students. No student enters my class once I am in. If you are a student who is serious with your studies, there is no excuse that is plausible enough to explain justifiably why you should not be in class before your lecturer comes in. I will only pardon you on the condition that today is your first encounter with me, you will never enjoy such grace as far as I remain your lecturer.
All the students who were at the door post trooped into the class as he bade them to come in with a gesture.
Udo was one of the lucky students who came to the class early before the arrival of Prof. Dickson. He was watching the whole episode as it played out before him.
His eyes had since been fixed on her since the lecturer shouted at her. It was not because of the pitiful look she wore, there was something extraordinary about her.
It was not in her looks neither, though she possessed features that Udo admired in woman. He just felt it, it was so strong; very strong that he cannot explain it with mere words. He knew it was love, but of what use was his love when he lacked the courage to express to her how he felt about her?
He remembered the last time he felt that way, that was when he was in high school. He had crazily fallen in love with a damsel named Beauty, but he was always so scared to see her face-to-face.
It was Edwin,his childhood friend, who bore the letter that expressed his feelings to Beauty. Edwin was the good guy who facilitated communication between the two lovebirds.
When Edwin finally arranged their first meeting as lovers in the school premises, Udo showed up but could not utter a word throughout the one hour that their meeting lasted. All he did was to smile foolishly with his head looking downward while he scratched the floor with his right foot like a hen scavenging for her meal in a trashcan.
He was still reminiscing on his love life in high school when he felt a nudge on his right shoulder. It was Stephen, his course mate and friend who was sitting beside him.
I have called you many times,Udo. You seemed to have been lost in your thoughts. Is your mind obsessed with something?
Udo was trying to find the right answer to his friend's question when the girl that was embarrassed by the lecturer walked down to his seat. Without saying a word,he knew she was looking for a place to sit down, so he gently shifted for her.
This will be the end of our class today, I did not come to lecture you, today was for familiarization. Have a wonderful day, Prof. Dickson announced as he walked out of the classroom with his bag.
Hi, my name is Udo, he said in a shaky voice as he stretched out his hand towards the girl, requesting for a handshake.
I am Emanuella,Ella for short. It is my pleasure to meet you, she replied with her face brightened up with a smile that deliberately exposed her lovely dimples on both cheeks.
You just stole my heart from me, Udo said in a quaky voice.
Excuse me?, Ella replied, bursting out with laughter.
Udo knew too well that he was not romantic in his approach, but he was happy that at least he had proved himself to be a brave man for the first time in his life.
For Ella, she knew his words were true, she did not need any other evidence. She saw it in his eyes.