Thread by @TundeTASH

The day I slapped my lecturer at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Thread!

You could tell by the way I answered questions in class that I was intelligent. Plus, the outcome of my tests and exams were always As.

The type of A that precedes other ‘As’. Like in the word “aardwolf”. Pouncing on all other students’ As like a hyena would on its preys.

Although, I was humble, friendly and ready to have intelligent conversations about difficult topics with my classmates. However, I ensured this was done in a timely manner that wouldn’t affect my regular study schedule.

I wasn’t necessarily a nerd, but you’d hardly find me in parties or wasting time at female hostels looking for girls. This, I did because I believed it would help graduate as the best student. Also, it was an advise from my dad.

“Don’t go looking for girls with my money.”

By the beginning of 400 level, I already had a CGPA of 6.85 out of 7.0. It was obvious I was going to graduate the best. Although, that year in 2008, students complained about University of Ibadan’s grading system.

Indicating that if the university had a grading system of 4.0 like every other university, they’d probably graduate with a second class upper or lower as the case may be 🚶🏿‍♂️.

This was years before the school’s grading system was changed in 2016.

Grading system or not. I was always on top. Only that life has a funny way of making plans for you. Inserting itself into your own plans without any signs or warning, because life really isn’t a traffic light.

The day I met Amaka was like every other day.

I was studying at the faculty’s main lecture hall as I wasn’t a fan of using the library.

I loved to study alone and I cringed at the idea of being in a space with other students. The thought of it alone makes me withdraw even further.

My room in the hostel wasn’t a good place either, as there was always a contradiction of interest. It’s when I want to read, that a girl visits my roommate.

A recurring coincidence that was out of my control.

To his defense, I think he studied with all the girls that visited.

My right index finger was tapping the top corner of my eyebrow as I often did when trying to link a lost train of thought.

That was when she walked in. Her skin blended with the mahogany seats that neatly formed rows and columns in the lecture space.

A perfect hourglass in the midst of my study chaos.

She walked in through the entrance opposite me, moving closer to my mystified self. I noticed the natural hair, cleft chin and bow legs.

Her features arrested my soul, & my heart was ready to be prisoner for life.

I quickly turned the gaze to my book before she caught me staring. Alas! Before I could recall where I was, or what course I was actually reading that afternoon, I heard “hello”.

I stuttered a little bit before letting air in my throat push the words out. ‘Hi’ I responded.

Amaka told me a classmate of mine had informed her of where I was. She needed help with a course I took in 300 level. A psychology course I had aced during my time. A course that earned me faculty-wide-recognition as no one had ever gotten an A in the history of the university.

We would later become best friends. Share many moments together, including waiting at Physics department to eat hot puff-puff and donuts. Moments I longed for daily. Good grades and graduating as best student weren’t enough anymore.

All I wanted was time with Amaka.

As a student who was able to manage his time, 400 level 1st semester wasn’t short of how I had previously performed. I aced it baje-baje.

However, trouble loomed in 2nd semester after one of my lecturers indicated he couldn’t find my exam papers.

At first, it was like a joke. A joke I invited my parents to school for. I wanted them to come to school, to see if they’d also laugh at the joke.

It wasn’t funny to find that the said course earned me an extra year in school; one of the worst years of my life.

Depression, withdrawal, bruised ego and loneliness to say the least.

Loneliness caused by Amaka’s absence.

She had used me to pass the course she needed help for. The course she eventually even passed by breaking my own record.

To cut the story short, I completed my extra year but did not graduate with 1st class. The course was 6 units and a chunk of my CGPA was affected as I took more courses during my extra year.

Courses I barely passed because my mind was barely in school. I just wanted to get out.

Afterwards, I left Nigeria to study Masters in Psychology in the United States.

On completing it however, I came to the realization that I really did not want to work in the field or fit into any 9-5 schedule.

I wanted a new adventure so I joined the U.S. army.

I had packed my military bag in the morning and headed straight for the station where I would be picked up when I bumped into Chinedu.

A colleague from University of Ibadan. He was the best graduating student. One of the intelligent preys life took from me.

We exchanged greetings and quickly used the 15 minutes wait time to catch up.

There wasn’t anything special about what we discussed except the question he asked me.

“Have you forgiven Amaka?”

Apparently, Amaka was Professor Uchemba’s daughter.

The professor who mysteriously misplaced my exam papers. Who made me have a miserable year in the university. Who made me lose graduating as the best student.

Who made my life miserable.

I sat on the bus on my way to military camp with different thoughts. Should I travel to Nigeria. Should I tell my parents? A million thoughts trickled down the walls of my mind but they dried up as soon as I got to the military camp.

Fast forward to 8 years later. I had become a captain. My team & I were travelling to the military base in Trenton, Ontario for a U.S - Canada seminar.

Although, we were supposed to fly to the Canadian Forces Base, our lead had suggested we go through Pearson airport in Toronto.

He indicated it was a regular military routine. He never stated why, but as a military personnel that’s all we do. Follow orders.

There I was with my team walking through the arrival tunnel of Toronto Pearson Airport dressed in my casual military garb.

I wasn’t really sure if he was the one I had seen. Life again had decided to bring someone my way.

Someone who had caused me so much grief.

Someone who created the dark years of my life that I try not to remember.

I did not care what had brought him there.

There he sat at the waiting lounge with his glasses hanging on his nasal bone.

I signaled for my team to move on that I’d catch up with them. I walked up to him.

In my mind, I had done all sorts to him. Slapped, kicked, punched and what have you. But I did not.

I introduced myself without mentioning my name.

Told him he had taught me years ago at the University of Ibadan in the department of Psychology.

He was pleased and asked what set I had finished from.

That was when the words came out bouncing off my tongue into the space between us.

“I forgive you”, I said.

Excuse me? He said.

My name is Nnamdi Okoro and I forgive you Professor Uchemba.

For the pain you caused me. Depriving me of something I had worked so hard for.

Something I had sacrificed years in the university to achieve. I really do forgive you and please send my regards to Amaka.

I walked away feeling like a new being.

Like I had emerged from a shell that had formed around me over the years.

A shell that was now broken and it was Professor Uchemba’s turn to take it with him for the rest of his life.

I felt new.