Chapter 52

The Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Nairobi, Dr. Ahmaddu Al-Ghazal was a short and powerfully built Arab whose black hair was curled. It was difficult to guess his correct age, but most students thought he was in his early fifties.

Al-Ghazal appeared to be quite a popular lecturer among the students partly because of his long experience as a lecturer who had taught in several universities abroad but more recently at Makerere University before taking his new appointment in the University of Nairobi.

In particular, students enjoyed his criticism of the Western nations as he gave bold lectures. Some students, however, thought his criticism of the West sprung from his dislike of Christianity and capitalism.

Esau and Gloria sat in the lecture theatre, which was filled to capacity, but at the end of that introductory lecture on African politics, they felt they had come out with nothing despite cheers from the students.

They watched Al-Ghazzal, who wore a brown suit, a white shirt, and a navy blue tie as he was summarising the points he had delivered.

"Are you really getting what the professor said about state and stateless societies?" Gloria asked Esau, who sat close to her during the lecture.

"I couldn't make head or tail out of the entire lecture. May be..."

Esau was cut short when Al-Ghazzal made an important announcement, "I know some of you may not have understood this lecture as it is your maiden one. It's always like that with freshers."

The students in theatre sat quietly listening as the professor of politics went on, "I have, however, prepared a list of tutorial groups for you to join so that what you do not understand during lectures, can be clearly explained and discussed in those groups. I am always available in my office, room 42, for further discussion on the lectures I have delivered. If dissatisfied, come to our department and see me. I am always available on Friday afternoons."

With those words, Al-Ghazzal strode out of the lecture theatre through the exit. There were murmurs as the students watched him leave.

Then Gloria rose to her feet and said, "Come, let's go to the cafeteria. I would like to buy you some coffee."

"That's nice of you," he said as they walked out of the lecture theatre.

At the cafeteria, they found students queuing to pay for drinks. Gloria told him, "Sit while I go and get our drinks."

"Sure, thanks for your concern."

Esau chose a place at the corner of the restaurant and sat down as he watched her join the queue. He had sat there for about five minutes when he saw Al-Ghazzal walk into the cafeteria with some students and then go to a seat at the back where he sat down.

The male and female students who had accompanied Al-Ghazzal joined the queue. Esau then remembered overhearing a student say it was Al-Ghazzal's habit to go for coffee at 10 o'clock. He liked coffee.

Then he saw Gloria coming towards him carrying a tray with their cups of coffee. Her hips swayed as she moved gracefully. Esau saw Al-Ghazzal watch her keenly and turn his head as she went past him. She was quite a sensation.

The other students who sat at their tables also stared at her large hips, curveous figure on the black tight-fitting jeans she wore.

Gloria laid down the tray and sat facing him. "Did I take long? The queue is rather long, I think the authorities should open another cafeteria downstairs to serve the campus community."

"It's alright, beb. You've not taken long."

Then, they sipped their tea in silence. It was Esau who opened the talk, "Do you know something? You've stunned people here with the matching clothes you've worn today. The jeans reveal your figure. Even the professor couldn't help staring at you as you passed."

"Is that so? I hardly noticed."

"The other students also admired you as you passed."

"You're flattering me, my love."

"Believe me, I am not. I watched everything as I sat here waiting for you."

"Well, why can't they look elsewhere instead of staring at women as if it's the first time they are seeing a woman in trousers?"

"They just can't help it. The fact is, you have a beautiful figure with large hips that men admire. I can't help feeling jealous. Even Al-Ghazzal, maybe after you as he seemed moonstruck by your figure."

"He won't get me, beb. He's too old for me."

"Don't say that, my love. It's said campus ladies would go for anyone who is ready to spend and give them fun. That includes the lecturers. There's a rumour that Al-Ghazzal has affairs with female students. He has been branded the campus senior bachelor."

"Do you doubt my love for you, beb?" Gloria quizzed him as she looked straight into his eyes.

"Not really, sweetie. I was just speculating and saying so. I've heard male students saying the ladies here who don't want to study hard always befriend their lecturers so that they may be given better grades."

"I've also heard. But that's them; not me!"

"I agree with you, my love," Esau tried to calm her down and offer comfort.

But he knew she was among the ladies who gossiped about lecturers on campus; and she seemed to like gossip although outwardly she pretended not to.

Gloria turned her head. She saw Al-Ghazzal's brown eyes gazing at her. The Arab professor smiled. Gloria turned her head away from him and said, "You were right. The man is smiling at me."

"Just ignore him," he said. Then he seemed to reflect on something, "But come to think of it, it's not good to be unfriendly to him. I've been thinking that we have to go to his office one day for him to explain the parts in the lecture we never understood."

"You're right, honey." Gloria turned her head and smiled at Al-Ghazzal, who was still staring at them.

Satisfied that Gloria was friendly, Al-Ghazzal turned to talk to the students who sat on the same table with him.

They sat chatting for the next twenty minutes. When the coffee in their cups was finished, they rose to their feet and were ready to leave.

Esau was the first to speak, "Come, let's go and greet the professor on our way out."

They walked over to Al-Ghazzal's table and stopped. Esau cleared his throat, then he said, "Professor Al-Ghazzal, allow us to introduce ourselves. May we please?"

Al-Ghazzal eyed them for a few seconds, his eyes focusing more on Gloria. Then he said, "Sure, go ahead."

The other three students, two males and a female, who sat near the professor, looked at them with a lot of interest.

"We are freshers, your new students, to be exact. I'm Esau Karahani. My companion here is Gloria Auma."

"Go ahead; how can I help you?"

"We heard your announcement at the end of the lecture that whoever had personal problems with the lecture should come to see you."

"Yes, I said that. But you'll remember I also said I was always available on Friday afternoons."

"We would like to see you this Friday."

"Sure. You're all welcome."

"Sorry to have bothered you while you are having coffee with your friends. We won't take any more of your time." Esau said and began moving towards the exit.

"Bye, professor!" Gloria remarked as she smiled at Al-Ghazzal and followed her lover.

Outside, they paused. Then Gloria remarked, "He seems quite a reasonable man."

"That's why he's a professor."

"So, we'll see him on Friday as you suggested?"

"Yes. But I think we should invite him to discuss our problem over a drink in a quiet joint in town. I don't know whether he'll accept that," Esau expressed his misgivings.

"It's a good idea because we need to sit at a table and discuss our matters without disturbance. I think you should let me be the one to suggest that to him."

"Oh, yes! He's more likely to accept than if it were to come from me."

"It's agreed then," she said as they went on their way to the library to search for the texts the professor had recommended.