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Derailed
Silence descended the room claiming dominion despite the large number of people seated
In the dock, right in front of the judge and all the people present was I. Shame wouldn't let me lift up my head to look at the faces of those I have disappointed.
Memories of the past that landed me to my present predicament flooded my mind.
I realized and came to terms that I was the architect of my misfortune.
****Year 2018***
Gaining admission into Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka was a thing of joy for me.
My parents were over the moon when I broke the news to them. They couldn't contain the joy of seeing their first child become an undergraduate.
As I prepared to leave home for school , I may not remember all the prayer points and advices rained on me, but the last words of my father rang in my ears.
His exact words were "Chike , don't be carried away by the fantasies you see in the new world you will find yourself. Always delay gratification unless you will be derailed by it".
I was determined to make my parents proud and I vowed never to let them down.
A book worm would be a perfect name for me then. Night class , group reading, Front seats ; were all words associated with my lifestyles.
My life routine in my early days in the university was a triangle.
Lecture hall ➡️ hostel ➡️ church ↩️.
Looking for me anywhere apart from this three places was a futile search.
This was my lifestyle until I met Caleb in my second year.
He was the " Eve" that gave me the forbidden fruit which opened my eyes.
I began to see more to life than reading.
I began to notice the flamboyant lifestyles of students; Expensive phones, the " dress to kill" outfits , weekend parties , the list was so endless.
I couldn't wait anymore, I wanted to start enjoying while I was still young.
Making money by all means became my priority. I too wanted to belong.
" Wetin you gain" by victor AD became my number one motivation.
In a space of just 2 months after meeting caleb, Reading dropped to the bottom list of my worries . " Living life" made it to the top of the list.
I became an internet fraudster. It really paid me well .
Who said "Use long spoon when dinning with the devil",My candid advice "don't dine with him at all"
My enjoyment was short lived as it landed me behind bars.
***Present**
The husky and loud voice of the judge jolted me from my thoughts.
"Chike okafor , I find you guilty of the charges levelled against. I hearby sentence you to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour" .
As I was led into the waiting van, I stole glances at my parents and siblings
Using one word to describe their facial expressions ,it would be "DISAPPOINTMENT"
" it's just a matter of ten years and I would be out" I said in order to console myself.
A little voice in my head asked me a bitter but truthful question
" Where do you start from after 10 years behind bars?
It was then it became dawned to me that, THE TRAIN OF MY LIFE HAS GONE OFF IT'S TRACK, AND MAY NEVER COME BACK 😭
© Ezewrites
Nwafor Collins Chibueze
AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE NIGERIA
Friday 1st July 2022
In the dock, right in front of the judge and all the people present was I. Shame wouldn't let me lift up my head to look at the faces of those I have disappointed.
Memories of the past that landed me to my present predicament flooded my mind.
I realized and came to terms that I was the architect of my misfortune.
****Year 2018***
Gaining admission into Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka was a thing of joy for me.
My parents were over the moon when I broke the news to them. They couldn't contain the joy of seeing their first child become an undergraduate.
As I prepared to leave home for school , I may not remember all the prayer points and advices rained on me, but the last words of my father rang in my ears.
His exact words were "Chike , don't be carried away by the fantasies you see in the new world you will find yourself. Always delay gratification unless you will be derailed by it".
I was determined to make my parents proud and I vowed never to let them down.
A book worm would be a perfect name for me then. Night class , group reading, Front seats ; were all words associated with my lifestyles.
My life routine in my early days in the university was a triangle.
Lecture hall ➡️ hostel ➡️ church ↩️.
Looking for me anywhere apart from this three places was a futile search.
This was my lifestyle until I met Caleb in my second year.
He was the " Eve" that gave me the forbidden fruit which opened my eyes.
I began to see more to life than reading.
I began to notice the flamboyant lifestyles of students; Expensive phones, the " dress to kill" outfits , weekend parties , the list was so endless.
I couldn't wait anymore, I wanted to start enjoying while I was still young.
Making money by all means became my priority. I too wanted to belong.
" Wetin you gain" by victor AD became my number one motivation.
In a space of just 2 months after meeting caleb, Reading dropped to the bottom list of my worries . " Living life" made it to the top of the list.
I became an internet fraudster. It really paid me well .
Who said "Use long spoon when dinning with the devil",My candid advice "don't dine with him at all"
My enjoyment was short lived as it landed me behind bars.
***Present**
The husky and loud voice of the judge jolted me from my thoughts.
"Chike okafor , I find you guilty of the charges levelled against. I hearby sentence you to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour" .
As I was led into the waiting van, I stole glances at my parents and siblings
Using one word to describe their facial expressions ,it would be "DISAPPOINTMENT"
" it's just a matter of ten years and I would be out" I said in order to console myself.
A little voice in my head asked me a bitter but truthful question
" Where do you start from after 10 years behind bars?
It was then it became dawned to me that, THE TRAIN OF MY LIFE HAS GONE OFF IT'S TRACK, AND MAY NEVER COME BACK 😭
© Ezewrites
Nwafor Collins Chibueze
AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE NIGERIA
Friday 1st July 2022
