Chapter 5: Principal’s Dilemma

As I talk am, na so I mean am.

This morning first period—Class 3 maths—me, I no go show.

Who go take over? Na dem sabi.

Ten minutes after bell ring,

Somebody knock office door.

I dey enjoy my flask of Lipton tea. "Come in."

I drop my flask, pause the Nollywood film wey I dey watch, answer.

I look up, see principal face—round, no emotion.

He sip drink, drop the cup, face me serious, then ask,

"How e take reach like this? Students and parents fit misbehave, but you, after seven or eight years, how you go just follow them?"

Principal voice get that tiredness, like person wey don try settle quarrel between landlord and tenant too many times.

Then he try reason with me:

"You always dey handle graduating classes. You know how important e be..."

I just laugh.

How e take reach like this?

I no talk, just carry my phone, show principal the WhatsApp group.

Make he see everything, as e be.

No be only last night, but all the messages since I take this graduating class, from the first time parent begin insult me.

Out of 53 students, almost every parent don insult me at least five times, and e no make sense.

This one never happen for any class wey I don lead before.

And till yesterday, I just dey endure.

After principal read all, the talk wey he wan talk just die for him mouth.

Nobody know how long pass before he remove glasses, eye just dey lost as he look me.

I fit see the stress for his face. E be like person wey dey carry generator for head.

"This set of students and parents really get serious wahala."

I just reply calm: "If parents no like me as class teacher, I understand. You no need feel anyhow. But if you think say I do wrong since yesterday, or say I no fit lead graduating class, or you want move me to junior classes or even sack me, I no go argue."

"No, no, that one no go happen."

Principal rush reassure me.

I smile: "When I drop that message for group last night, I don ready for any result. This time, I no go compromise because of exam. Exam dey important, but if teacher, student and parent no fit agree, to force everybody together go just spoil things more."

I pause, make sure principal dey hear the pain for my voice. "So," I look principal well, "I go accept any punishment, but I no go continue as class teacher and maths teacher for Senior 3, Class 3."

Principal just sigh, rub him head like person wey landlord just increase rent, stand up. "Alright, since you talk so."

He wear glasses back, look me with pure frustration.

I smile, stand to see am off, then ask, "So, who school wan give Class 3 now?"

Principal purse mouth, look tired. After small silence, he look me, talk,

"The parents say dem like Mr. Femi."

Me: "......"