LIFE OF A TYPICAL NIGERIAN STUDENT(6b)

PART 6B

Staring at me at the bathroom entrance was a refreshing bucket of water. I looked left, then right and with no one in sight, I quickly grabbed the bucket and proceeded to bath.

I poured a scoop of  the water on my body and began scrubbing hastily. In four minutes, i was done bathing. I got out of the bathroom and began towelling amidst prayers that the owner won't get to know what transpired. Luckily for me, he didn't or so I thought.

I hurriedly ran into the room meeting a very displeasing sight of my roommates feasting on my beloved golden morn cereal; Was this Nemesis or Karma unleashing its wrath on me? Here I stood watching all fourteen of them munching happily whilst staring at me without an iota of remorse or conscience, and just like that, my golden morn of #500 was gone AH!! that was like 70% of my daily budget. I then remembered I had forgotten to lock my cupboard the previous night.

I was entitled to a #10000(ten thousand naira) monthly stipend and golden morn had a reserved spot on my scale of preference and no matter how tight the list was, I always seemed to squeeze it in one way or the other.

I wish I could create a scene there and then or express my displeasure at their action in a very unruly way, but then my gentle self won't let me coupled with the fact that it was my birthday; ain't letting nothing ruin my day I said to myself. I made for my cupboard, did a quick check and found my belongings Intact and then proceeded to dress up.

I wore an oversized yellow polo shirt, oversized trousers and a slippers I had purchased earlier at TABA( I wasn't the most fashion conscious student) and headed to class for MTH102 test.

As I made for class along the hostel hallway, I walked past Ade my next door hostel mate carrying a pail of water. He had succeeded in getting water utilizing option one. Ade was an introvert to the core, he kept to himself most of the time and had little or no time for frivolities and social activities. He was the only 'girlfriend-less' guy in his room and his roommates would often tease him about being gay or impotent. He marched on not noticing I had attempted to say hello and congratulate him on his fruitful venture.

I walked past the borehole outside the hostel where the supposed queue had turned into an angry crowd, few were even seen fighting as tempers flared. I later learnt the water stopped dropping from the tap and the main tank had to be opened as students dipped their buckets in. Those at the back-end of the queue started causing problems knowing the water won't last their turn.

Even though my stomach was rumbling from hunger by now, I had decided to starve myself until after the test which turned out to be one of my worst experience on campus.