Chapter 9

The Cat and Rat Continue

"Let me warn you," Richard screamed at Adamu again, "don’t ever barge in again without first knocking. Any day you try such shit again, I’m going to break your head, you hear me?’’

"Alright sir, I heard you sir!’’ Adamu hollered, with unsure minded like a Korofo soldier taking a suicidal mission order from a General. But he was raising his nose, mocking the threat in the semi- dark room, thinking that would not be possible. Even the teachers wouldn’t deliberately break a student’s head no matter the offence let alone a fellow student.

"Oh no, that’s too harsh on the boy! It hasn’t gotten to that yet!’’

"This boy needs iron hands. I told you before and I’m repeating it again, to his face. Didn’t you see how he barged in and didn’t knock? He was even told where he should put the food before he knew it."

"I know he needs serious admonition, but taming him with too much threats is simply out of it. I’m not in support for capital punishment as a way of correcting a child, okay? Beating up a child like a goat anytime he or she errs, oh no, that’s a barbaric and archaic way of discipline. Perhaps, you would just be making his body rigid with your beatings. Therefore, eventually, he won’t fear your beatings anymore, thereby becoming more daring and stubborn. So, admonished him with words of mouth alone, that will do as time goes on.’’

"I heard you, Mister-words-of-mouth-admonisher. The day he’ll embarrass you in the presence of other senior students in this room is so much around. Have you forgotten the scriptures which say pared the rod and spoilt the child...?’’ Richard stopped talking, noticing how Adamu was ascending the bunk. He let out a shout suddenly, "You dumb and dirty pig! You’re at it again, staining my bed as usual with your muddy legs, aren’t you?’’

"No, sir! I’m climbing the bunk carefully so I won’t step on your bedspread,’’ Adamu tried to defend himself, even though he actually stepped on it. ’’I’m not staining it at all…’’

‘’You liar! The day I’ll amputate those dirty toothpicks you call legs is still coming!’’

"Richie, let the boy have a moment of peace, and leave some for yourself too,'’ Adrian said to Richard gently. "There’s no way he’ll climb up to his bed without stepping on yours, even if it’s a little bit. You are aware that these bunks ladders have broken long ago aren’t you? And he’s got no wings. If he’d gotten wings, he would’ve been flying to his bed out of the fear for your constant nagging and scolding.’’

"Have you ever allowed Tolu to step on your bed when climbing to his?’’ Richard pretended to be offended, his eyes bellowed on Adrian.

"Why wouldn’t I? Weren’t you here when the boy hadn’t travel to Osun state for the long vacation?’’

"That’s not true! You even scolded him more than I scold Adamu...’’

"Can you cross your mind on that? You have beaten Adamu up several times. Have you ever seen me laid even finger on Tolu before?’’

Richard became hissed and became silent. He was getting fed up of the argument and questions. He didn’t want to reply Adrian anymore. After some moment of silence in the room, Richard remembered something very vital to him. Suddenly, he sprang up in high spirit, breaking the pin-drop silence lingering in the room.’’ Oh, I have some Math problems to solve tonight. I’ve been battling these Algebraic problems since last term. I was even glad the Math teacher didn’t set them as part of the promotional exam. I swear I would have fumbled. My instinct tells me it might come out in our West African Exam next year," he announced loudly.

"Bookish boy!’’ shouted Adrian jokingly, his mood changed to a very friendly one that you would think he wasn’t the one exchanging hot words with Richard few minutes ago. "There isn’t a day you won’t go to the dining hall for ghosting. Don’t you think you’re burning both sides of candles?’’

"Ghosting" was the students' secrete word for the hidden night studies class, especially for the senior students. The location must not be known by a teacher or housemaster. Many times, Mr. Cowtail had caught Richard, Adrian and some students ghosting, but had left them unpunished but with serious warnings that the principal must not discover. He had done this because he wanted them to pass their exams excellently well. He knew it would be a pride for the school if the students passed outstandingly but other teachers, especially the principal didn’t think that way. They thought the students should rest after everyday works in the classrooms, to allow their brains cool down, not studying at nighs to make them hotter.

"Let me burn it!’’ said Richard with enthusiasm. "I prefer hurting myself doing something I love than receiving a reward for something I don’t love. ‘’

"But don’t you think too much of everything is bad? Don’t you think you study too much at night and need some rest?’’

"What should I be doing in school if not studying? I didn’t dodge my parent’s chores and errands to be playing in the college. Perhaps, you know, I’m not a genius like you. If I don’t study very hard, I hardly grab things into my brain.’’

"A genius, you said? Well, I’ll take that as a mere flatter or rather an unfounded complement.’’

"I mean it, Addie,’’ said Richard unsmilingly. ‘’ I do wonder how a boy could be doing excellent well in his studies and sports at the same time.’’

"Who’re you referring to?’’

"You of cause!’’ Richard said enthusiastically. ‘’You’re a genius man.’’

"You see, talent is not something to conceal. If you’ve got it, it better you flaunt it. When you’ve been blessed with a talent but refused to exhibit it, it will die with you, burry with you and won’t benefit anyone. You’ve got a nice bow legs, a good feet for running, an athletic body but chose to use all that to carry your science books all about only.’’

Richard looked offended by Adrian’s remark and the same time remorseful. He glided away from him and returned again. To do what?