AFTER SCHOOL HOURS. CHAPTER 1

ONE: THE MEETING POINT

Kunle Fosu enters the school gate and having seen other late comers on their kneels, he joins them. The Labour Prefect, Social Prefect and some other Prefects were with canes in their hands. “By the time I finish with you” shouted Adebayo Folayan the Labour Prefect “you would regret coming late to school today”. “Some of them are addicted to late coming” retorted Funmilayo whose eyes have been on the new student who has just entered through the gate.

“Look this way” commanded Adebayo. “Look around, you will see that the compound is dirty. You will all drop your bags and move round the compound. Pick all the dirt and make this place clean, after which you can join others at the assembly ground”. The students started working, all are eager to pick and go except one. Funmilayo walks towards the new boy who is still on his kneels with his bag. “Hey you, what are you still doing there?” shouted Funmilayo. “I am on my kneels” responded Kunle. “Were you deaf or are you blind? Can’t you see your mates are already cleaning the compound? Asked Funmilayo. “I am sorry, I cannot pick dirt, I prefer to be flogged” Kunle said calmly.

Funmilayo looked around, other Prefects are supervising the other late comers who are cleaning, assessing what they have picked and telling them to go pick their bags and join others at the assembly ground. Funmilayo sighs “there is no one to flog you” she said. Comically, Kunle responded “oh I am sorry, how long has it been? Funmilayo is lost; she is confused about the question. What do you mean? She asked. “Your hand, when did you get the injury” Kunle answered. “And who told you I have an injury on my hand ? Funmilayo asked. “You were looking for who would flog me, yet you have a cane in your hand. The only thing that would have held your hand back is that there is a wound in your hand, except if on the other hand , my charm has started working on you” Kunle said. Funmilayo started laughing and stopped abruptly. “I can see that you lack respect and you are not disciplined” she said angrily. Hey you! She called to one of the students who have come to take his bag. “Please help me tell the Labour Prefect that his attention is needed here. I would make sure you are dealt with” she threatened. “Those words no longer scare me” Kunle responded calmly. His guts and confidence irritates Funmilayo. She stared at him for a while. He is definitely new in this school because she has not seen his face before. He is also handsome and calm but she was going to push those aside and see to it that he gets the punishment he deserved for being so rude to her. Kunle looks at her from head to toe. She is not looking bad. The frame she has formed is that of a woman.

Funmilayo though 16 years of age has grown into a woman. She, before coming to school that morning  as she normally do everyday, have to do her house chores, she has also been a helping hand  ever since her father drove them out of the house.  Although she is not very brilliant but among the nominees for the post of the Social Prefect, she emerged the most qualified. And here is a boy who does not know what she goes through every morning and yet gets to school before 7am. She could not stand being humiliated without doing anything. She lacked the courage of using the cane, not only on this new boy but on all students. Most times she sheds tears mere watching a student being flogged either by a student or a teacher. “I am sorry for hurting you” Kunle said. Those words melted her. She mumbled her mouth looking for what to say, she prays earnestly in her heart not to do anything stupid in front of him. But just then, Adebayo comes to her rescue. “Should he be flogged”? Adebayo asked. “Yes! Discipline him as you deem fit” Funmilayo responded and walked away. “What class are you in?” Adebayo asked. “Your junior by one year” Kunle had answered. “I see, is that why you think you can talk to a Prefect anyhow? I am sure you are a new student here; it is only new students who don’t know that we value respect here. You people are not taught how to respect your seniors” Adebayo had lamented with pride. Kunle on the other hand had burst into laughter at his words and this had infuriated Adebayo the more. Adebayo is seen rolling the thick long cane popularly called “Pankere”. His veins are now visible. He raised the cane up in anger but on  a second thought, put his hand down and shouted “Ride on a bike, I will teach you a lesson. Nonsense, I am talking and he has the guts to laugh. Am I a clown? Ride a bike I say” 

Kunle had gone to a corner and given a posture of someone on a bike. His posture doesn’t look like it is tough, this had infuriated Adebayo the more and he had gone ahead to flog Kunle on his outstretched hands. Kunle had taken in the pain and had once again laughed. This again had brought down the ‘Pankere’ in three fast strokes behind Kunle. It was at this time that Mr. Toba who happens to be the teacher on duty for the week strolled and asked all to run down to the Assembly ground including the Prefect and those serving punishments. Kunle had swapped out of his pain immediately to take a long stare at Adebayo. “If you like, lay ambush after school hours. I will be ready to receive you”. Having said this, Adebayo had turned and walks straight to the assembly ground and Kunle had turned from a stern look into a smile which gradually turned into laughter. Adebayo had stood still without turning back to know what was happening; that could keep him laughing but Kunle had laughed pass him walking straight to the assembly ground without turning back.

Watch out for Chapter 2

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