SATURDAY NIGHTS WITH SPARKS

HE TRIED TO TOUCH ME!!!

During my long wait for NYSC, I took up a teaching job in a primary school in Yola, Adamawa state. I was assigned to primary Three. I had 19 amazing students, 16 Muslims and 3 Christians. I taught every subject except IRK (Islamic Religious Knowledge) and French, and this remains one of my most thrilling life experiences.

I had this wonderful student. For the sake of privacy, let's call her "sweetheart". She has two sisters and they are unbelievably intelligent. How can all your kids be first in their classes?? And the gap they give the second position is outstanding. Her handwriting is "pitch perfect". Let's just say I am in awe of this girl child.

I will mark her script and search for where to subtract marks?? Can you imagine she also excelled in "Fine freaking Arts??? How can you possibly love math and know how to draw the entire farm tools too?? And before you think the exams are easy, I set a standard in my class. My exams for 8-year-olds had objectives, subjectives and theory. So if you passed my exams in flying colors, you are really good. I was a cool teacher, huh??....lol

Then, her dad approached me to teach his extra brainy kids. At this time, I already had about 9 students I was teaching at home. I was making about 70k monthly (salary plus lesson fees). As a fresh graduate, that was big money!!! So I accepted to teach them because I knew these kids wouldn't give me lot of stress.

I started teaching them at home. They own a very big compound; the gate is quite far from the house. There is a small shed beside the gate where we hold our lessons.

Everything went smoothly until this fateful day. I arrived at the house for my lessons only to find out they were not back from school. I waited patiently till they got home with their dad. I watched them get dressed and helped them tidy up so we could begin. I was just dishing out instructions to the kids, which notes to carry, when their dad called me inside the house.

 Ghen ghen!!!

Now, this man is the most strict "morafocker" I know. I have never seen him smile!! Kanye West has got nothing on him. His daughters dread him!! So my mind was crystal clear as I stepped into the house.

He just grabbed me to himself...and for a second I thought something evil was behind me, but when he brought his face towards me...it dawned on me that the irate wanted to kiss me. So many thoughts ran through my head...What the freaking frack?!!!!!!!! what's going on here?? Did I miss a memo or something??

Maybe you don't understand me yet. There has been no sort of "chyking" or flirting whatsoever, so this came as an unpleasant surprise....almost like a demon visited him momentarily. In shock, I pushed him away, totally disgusted!! He dragged me forcefully to himself again, and I shouted "leave me alone!!!!"

That's when his daughter, "sweetheart" was approaching, he left immediately and went into his room. My eyes brimming with tears, I walked back to my students, shaken to my bones. I was teaching and crying, and my babies couldn't understand what was wrong with aunty. That was the last day I stepped into that house.

Funny enough, the he-diot...abi he-goat never deemed it fit to apologize for such unruly behavior; rather he called to rant about how I abandoned his kids.

Na there I provoke!! I cursed the man with all the venom I had in me. I have never abused any elderly man like I did to that man, I wasn't even interested in the lesson fee for that month again sef.

When I think back on all these memories that shaped the person I am today, and what many women have to go through in the hand of randy bosses, I am thankful that I wasn't a victim.

Moral lesson - Many people go through a lot in the workplace and this applies to both sexes. Staff are poorly appraised and victimized because they won't "gree" for madam/oga.

Speak out!! Fight it!! Report it!!

Make where you work a great place for yourself....nobody will do it for you.  This table I am shaking has soooooo many people on it.....u will fall and break your leg... It's your girl SPARKS!! and I have malaria...nobody should disturb me ooo

About the Author

Here is what Andikan Inyang also known as 'Sparks' has to say about herself......................

As a Chemical Engineering graduate, former Immigration Officer and present day banker.....and most importantly, a foodie, I hide behind my pen.......therein lies my strength. I hope to pursue a career in writing and explore the world of poetry. So help me God.