BEHIND THE MASK
EPISODE 2
© Jones Kwesi T
I do ponder over this question, “Is man by nature, good or evil?”.
Yeah! this is because I’ve come to the realization that, as human
as we are, we are very unpredictable. Well, the good book in
Isaiah 45:7 says, “I form the light and create the darkness, I bring
prosperity and create disaster; I, the lord do all these things.”
*_How it all started_*
I was very fortunate to grow up with my parents. The parental
bonding was there between I and my parents and everything
around me looked smooth. We lived in an Estate belonging to an
oil production company where my dad was a high ranking
member. I have two other siblings who are all abroad now. My
mother is a devoted Christian and to be honest, she is the one, I
can say, is behind the success of our home. We affectionately do
refer to her as first lady. When things went tough, she locks
herself in the store room and pray for the whole day, sometimes
without regular meals. At times, I do get angry at her because
some of the things she does pray over could easily be handled by
humans, but my mother will still pray to God about it. Truly, not
long after her prayers, things do turn into their normalcy. At
dawn, she wakes us up and say we should pray. Ah! Those were
the most annoying parts of my day. That moment I want to enjoy
the better part of my sleep, she will be like “Johnny!!! It’s time for
devotion. Hurry up and join us”. Another annoying moment is
when she comes to the room and pulls me by the legs forcefully,
in times I don’t show up. Her popular saying,: “My son,if you
want to succeed in life, then let prayer be your key”. After
listening to that, I will have no other option than to follow her.
On Sundays, every member of the church could say that I will
become a pastor one day. How wrong they were. Anyway, God
does His things mysteriously.
My daddy also learnt to seek the presence of God through my
mother. My mother was able to boost my father’s Christian life.
He flourished at work as well. As a matter of fact, things were
moving on progressively for my family.
Due to this type of home I came from, I looked almost different
from my peers. Despite we being rich, I didn’t show off. I dressed
as simple as every average person did. I also lived a chaste life.
Academically, I was good so I equally had most of my teachers as
my friends during my Junior High School days. My worst position
in class was third. I wouldn’t say the class was not very
competitive but I was naturally good. My mother always said, my
success was due to the divine grace God placed on our home so I
shouldn’t be complacent otherwise I will fall. I agreed with her
because some people do see their successes as a result of their
own hard work forgetting that it was God who gave them the
strength.
One interesting thing in life is that, the devil does not like where
there are good things, so he will find ways and means to destroy
anything good. What happens too is that, he always looks for
weaker vessels closer to the main target and the main target here
was my mother. This is because she was the one holding the
anchor and foundation to the house through her fervent prayers.
So once the foundation is broken, there will be easy access to
whatever he wants.
I sat for my Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE, and
had aggregate 6 with eight 1s and two 2s. My family, school and
church celebrated with me. They were all proud of me. But do
you know that not all people who laugh with you actually wish
you well? Oh yea! Am telling you if you are not aware. They may
laugh with you but beneath them is very horrible. But with God
on our side, we shall smile at the storm. The wicked one equally
has beautiful ways of getting to it’s targets.
Even though I was offered to study at Adisadel College since it
was my first choice, I told my parents that I’ve changed my mind
because most of my friends were placed at Asamankese Senior
High School so they should make arrangements for me to join
them there. I was the only student from my school who had
Adisadel so I decided not to go. My mother do listen to me a lot
so she was able to convince my daddy. My parents did the
necessary arrangements and got my school changed and that was
the beginning of my woes.
The first year at the secondary school favoured me well. I
maintained my good performance from Junior High school. The
seniors and house masters were always around to make sure
everything was in order. My partners were equally proud of me. I
attained the title, doctor from my parents, after my first term
results was released because I was equally a science student.
Things started turning around when I got to my second year. I
was no longer a fresher so the supervision from seniors and
masters were not as effective as it used to be. To the teachers
who were boring, I was mostly, all the time absent from their
class. My friends and I will be in the dormitory and play card
games. When the house prefect or house master is coming around
to inspect the rooms, we quickly go into hiding. We had some
coconut tree behind the dorm, at times we will steal the coconut
and blame our juniors for the missing coconut. This life was
growing gradually. During our worship periods, I attend
whenever I feel. Sunday church service was seen as a disturbance
to my life. My performance at the end of the first term in the
second year, even though was not abysmal, was not the best. My
parents queried me about my performance and I took an excuse
that the higher we go, the tougher the subjects became. They
bought all the necessary text books for me just to help me
improve upon my performance. During the second term, my
friends persuaded me to vie for the Students Representative
Council position as president. I had three close friends; Amos, Eric
and Joshua. They helped organize people to join my campaign for
the presidency. I went through the vetting process and came out
successfully. I was smart looking and the favourite candidate to
most of the students and teachers so I easily won the elections.
The lady who won the position of the Girl’s Prefect was this
beautiful damsel. I guess God took His time when creating her.
She was just too beautiful, fair in complexion and of average
height. Anytime she smiles, you could see her beautiful dimple
and that touched my soft spot. The name she used as her teaser
during campaign was ” *Enyonam*”. I was not into ladies before
that time so stop thinking too far.
My friends who helped in the campaign were appointed to
occupy the other higher positions. Amos was the compound
overseer, Eric was the house prefect and Joshua because of his
love for food, I made him occupy the Dinning Hall prefect
position. I won’t say we didn’t work when we took office. We
really worked but we took advantage of the position and messed
up our own lives. My friends started influencing me to take a
girlfriend because they were all in relationships so why won’t the
whole school prefect have one? I was a virgin and knew nothing
about girlfriend issues. They do influence me to follow them to
town in the evenings to have fun. At times, we do go to the clubs
and other jamming places. Other times I follow them blindly
whiles they gamble at odd places. I thank God for given me
speed. There was fight during one of the gambling point and only
the fastest survived. It became necessary I get a girlfriend
because,from the look of things, I was not being a real man. My
friends said I was having the spirit of a woman so I should look
sharp and get a girl. Skimming through all the ladies on campus, I
saw no lady more beautiful than the Girls Prefect, GP. I told my
friends that the GP was my taste.
Amos: Haha, Johnny, I can see you love big things. Anyway, your
eyes are good but charley, I don’t think the GP will be best for
you.
Eric: Ah! Amos which one is your problem? Why can’t John date
the GP? Have you forgotten he is the Senior Prefect, SP, and can
get whatever he wants at anytime?
Amos: Hey my friend, that girl who sees herself as a superior over
other students like that? I don’t like girls of that character oo.
Anyway you kraa your parents are rich so you can easily spend
on her. For me, I will always go for the ones most guys will be
rejecting. Such girls, they already know that their market is low,
they will give you correct Romeo and Juliet moves. Haven’t you
heard the Chemistry teacher has something to do with the GP?
Joshua: Ehn! Information minister! So Amos, you know about
everybody in this school. Now the Chemistry teacher is having an
affair with Enyonam. Man, stop discouraging our guy. SP, I will
personally do this move for you. Just give me the go ahead and
within a week, she will be yours.
Amos: Look at you. You think this is about asking people to carry
pantry bowls. Go try your luck and see how this girl will make
you look like a small boy. Charley SP, don’t put your trust in this
Dinning hall number nine oo.
Me: Why are you guys behaving as if I can’t approach the girl
myself? I will show you people levels. We are getting late for the
executive meeting. Let’s get going.
At the meeting, I couldn’t look into Enyonam’s face and she
noticed it herself. After the meeting, she came to me whiles
sitting alone going through the minutes of the just ended
meeting.
“Hello SP! It looks as if you are not feeling very well”, she said
with a smile showing her beautiful dimple. “Enyonam I’m fine.
Just worried about something which I don’t know how to go
about it”, I said to her. “Oh really. What is the problem? I’m your
GP and I believe you can share your worries with me. Talk to me
because a problem shared is half solved”, she said with a very
soft and soothing voice. Seriously speaking, I just couldn’t help it
so I just needed to say something to save the situation. “I’ve been
thinking of what we can do for the school which will leave a
mark from our administration.” I lied. “But you had very good
ideas in your manifesto So what else do you want again?” She
asked looking straight into my face. I jokingly replied, “Your
boyfriend must be very lucky to have you because you are very
caring”, she laughed and replied “that’s just me, and I’m not
having a boyfriend.” “Oh really? I thought you have one. Why
should a beautiful girl like you be single till now?”, I asked. “And
Why are you also not having a girlfriend till now?” She asked
back. “Because I’m waiting for today to tell you that I want you as
my girlfriend.” I said unconsciously. “You must be joking. I’m not
interested”. she said and walked out. My three friends were in a
distance observing all what was going on. They ran to where I
was, in laughter after she left.
Joshua: Hahaha! I thought you said you could do it alone. Have
you seen your end?
Me: Oh. I told her what was on my mind but she said she was not
interested.
Joshua: My guys, that’s how they behave from the beginning. I
wish you know how frustrated she is after not accepting. Give her
pressure and soon, she will be yours forever.
Eric: yeah! For the first time this food master has spoken sense.
We all laughed over it.
Since then, all my energies were channeled on winning the GP
but she also seemed to be difficult.
One day, the school
counsellor sent for me. I knew it was going to be about my office
duties but my expectations were wrong. He said all my teachers
are continuously complaining of my dwindling performance. He
tried counselling me and to a point, suggested I resign my post or
give myself some break and sit up. I assured him not to worry
hoping I will bounce back. Personally, I could see that my parents
would be worried if I should disappoint them. I made a resolution
to have more time with my books. Anytime my mother calls, her
last comments was a reminder of prayers. My results this time
around was alarming when I brought It home. What happens is
that, my friends do wake up at dawn to read but because waking
up at home was a worry to me so I decided to have enough sleep
at school to compensate the morning devotion times at home. My
friends were maintaining their performance while mine was
falling.
At home, my parents suggested they would change my school if I
don’t improve in my next performance. On the other hand, peer
influence was actually eating me up. I started drinking during my
last term as the school prefect. A week for us to hand over since
we will be preparing for our final exams, Enyonam was
celebrating her birthday so I decided to buy her a phone as a gift
because she was using a very old phone. I bought her an Infinix
Note 3. She was very much pleased with it but rejected it. She
said her parents will not be happy seeing her use a phone that
they did not buy for her. I did all I could but it didn’t work. On
the day of our handing over, she wrote a letter to me, and the
contents;
” _Hello SP, Thanks for your affection towards me. I equally do
feel the same for you but I didn’t want that to interfere with our
administrative work that’s why I rejected all your offers. But one
thing is for sure, if we are really meant to be together, we will.
Take care. Yours in love, GP_”.
After reading the letter, I felt some joy within myself. I met her on
campus that evening and together with my three friends, we
visited the night club to have our first date.
…to be continued
EPISODE 2
© Jones Kwesi T
I do ponder over this question, “Is man by nature, good or evil?”.
Yeah! this is because I’ve come to the realization that, as human
as we are, we are very unpredictable. Well, the good book in
Isaiah 45:7 says, “I form the light and create the darkness, I bring
prosperity and create disaster; I, the lord do all these things.”
*_How it all started_*
I was very fortunate to grow up with my parents. The parental
bonding was there between I and my parents and everything
around me looked smooth. We lived in an Estate belonging to an
oil production company where my dad was a high ranking
member. I have two other siblings who are all abroad now. My
mother is a devoted Christian and to be honest, she is the one, I
can say, is behind the success of our home. We affectionately do
refer to her as first lady. When things went tough, she locks
herself in the store room and pray for the whole day, sometimes
without regular meals. At times, I do get angry at her because
some of the things she does pray over could easily be handled by
humans, but my mother will still pray to God about it. Truly, not
long after her prayers, things do turn into their normalcy. At
dawn, she wakes us up and say we should pray. Ah! Those were
the most annoying parts of my day. That moment I want to enjoy
the better part of my sleep, she will be like “Johnny!!! It’s time for
devotion. Hurry up and join us”. Another annoying moment is
when she comes to the room and pulls me by the legs forcefully,
in times I don’t show up. Her popular saying,: “My son,if you
want to succeed in life, then let prayer be your key”. After
listening to that, I will have no other option than to follow her.
On Sundays, every member of the church could say that I will
become a pastor one day. How wrong they were. Anyway, God
does His things mysteriously.
My daddy also learnt to seek the presence of God through my
mother. My mother was able to boost my father’s Christian life.
He flourished at work as well. As a matter of fact, things were
moving on progressively for my family.
Due to this type of home I came from, I looked almost different
from my peers. Despite we being rich, I didn’t show off. I dressed
as simple as every average person did. I also lived a chaste life.
Academically, I was good so I equally had most of my teachers as
my friends during my Junior High School days. My worst position
in class was third. I wouldn’t say the class was not very
competitive but I was naturally good. My mother always said, my
success was due to the divine grace God placed on our home so I
shouldn’t be complacent otherwise I will fall. I agreed with her
because some people do see their successes as a result of their
own hard work forgetting that it was God who gave them the
strength.
One interesting thing in life is that, the devil does not like where
there are good things, so he will find ways and means to destroy
anything good. What happens too is that, he always looks for
weaker vessels closer to the main target and the main target here
was my mother. This is because she was the one holding the
anchor and foundation to the house through her fervent prayers.
So once the foundation is broken, there will be easy access to
whatever he wants.
I sat for my Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE, and
had aggregate 6 with eight 1s and two 2s. My family, school and
church celebrated with me. They were all proud of me. But do
you know that not all people who laugh with you actually wish
you well? Oh yea! Am telling you if you are not aware. They may
laugh with you but beneath them is very horrible. But with God
on our side, we shall smile at the storm. The wicked one equally
has beautiful ways of getting to it’s targets.
Even though I was offered to study at Adisadel College since it
was my first choice, I told my parents that I’ve changed my mind
because most of my friends were placed at Asamankese Senior
High School so they should make arrangements for me to join
them there. I was the only student from my school who had
Adisadel so I decided not to go. My mother do listen to me a lot
so she was able to convince my daddy. My parents did the
necessary arrangements and got my school changed and that was
the beginning of my woes.
The first year at the secondary school favoured me well. I
maintained my good performance from Junior High school. The
seniors and house masters were always around to make sure
everything was in order. My partners were equally proud of me. I
attained the title, doctor from my parents, after my first term
results was released because I was equally a science student.
Things started turning around when I got to my second year. I
was no longer a fresher so the supervision from seniors and
masters were not as effective as it used to be. To the teachers
who were boring, I was mostly, all the time absent from their
class. My friends and I will be in the dormitory and play card
games. When the house prefect or house master is coming around
to inspect the rooms, we quickly go into hiding. We had some
coconut tree behind the dorm, at times we will steal the coconut
and blame our juniors for the missing coconut. This life was
growing gradually. During our worship periods, I attend
whenever I feel. Sunday church service was seen as a disturbance
to my life. My performance at the end of the first term in the
second year, even though was not abysmal, was not the best. My
parents queried me about my performance and I took an excuse
that the higher we go, the tougher the subjects became. They
bought all the necessary text books for me just to help me
improve upon my performance. During the second term, my
friends persuaded me to vie for the Students Representative
Council position as president. I had three close friends; Amos, Eric
and Joshua. They helped organize people to join my campaign for
the presidency. I went through the vetting process and came out
successfully. I was smart looking and the favourite candidate to
most of the students and teachers so I easily won the elections.
The lady who won the position of the Girl’s Prefect was this
beautiful damsel. I guess God took His time when creating her.
She was just too beautiful, fair in complexion and of average
height. Anytime she smiles, you could see her beautiful dimple
and that touched my soft spot. The name she used as her teaser
during campaign was ” *Enyonam*”. I was not into ladies before
that time so stop thinking too far.
My friends who helped in the campaign were appointed to
occupy the other higher positions. Amos was the compound
overseer, Eric was the house prefect and Joshua because of his
love for food, I made him occupy the Dinning Hall prefect
position. I won’t say we didn’t work when we took office. We
really worked but we took advantage of the position and messed
up our own lives. My friends started influencing me to take a
girlfriend because they were all in relationships so why won’t the
whole school prefect have one? I was a virgin and knew nothing
about girlfriend issues. They do influence me to follow them to
town in the evenings to have fun. At times, we do go to the clubs
and other jamming places. Other times I follow them blindly
whiles they gamble at odd places. I thank God for given me
speed. There was fight during one of the gambling point and only
the fastest survived. It became necessary I get a girlfriend
because,from the look of things, I was not being a real man. My
friends said I was having the spirit of a woman so I should look
sharp and get a girl. Skimming through all the ladies on campus, I
saw no lady more beautiful than the Girls Prefect, GP. I told my
friends that the GP was my taste.
Amos: Haha, Johnny, I can see you love big things. Anyway, your
eyes are good but charley, I don’t think the GP will be best for
you.
Eric: Ah! Amos which one is your problem? Why can’t John date
the GP? Have you forgotten he is the Senior Prefect, SP, and can
get whatever he wants at anytime?
Amos: Hey my friend, that girl who sees herself as a superior over
other students like that? I don’t like girls of that character oo.
Anyway you kraa your parents are rich so you can easily spend
on her. For me, I will always go for the ones most guys will be
rejecting. Such girls, they already know that their market is low,
they will give you correct Romeo and Juliet moves. Haven’t you
heard the Chemistry teacher has something to do with the GP?
Joshua: Ehn! Information minister! So Amos, you know about
everybody in this school. Now the Chemistry teacher is having an
affair with Enyonam. Man, stop discouraging our guy. SP, I will
personally do this move for you. Just give me the go ahead and
within a week, she will be yours.
Amos: Look at you. You think this is about asking people to carry
pantry bowls. Go try your luck and see how this girl will make
you look like a small boy. Charley SP, don’t put your trust in this
Dinning hall number nine oo.
Me: Why are you guys behaving as if I can’t approach the girl
myself? I will show you people levels. We are getting late for the
executive meeting. Let’s get going.
At the meeting, I couldn’t look into Enyonam’s face and she
noticed it herself. After the meeting, she came to me whiles
sitting alone going through the minutes of the just ended
meeting.
“Hello SP! It looks as if you are not feeling very well”, she said
with a smile showing her beautiful dimple. “Enyonam I’m fine.
Just worried about something which I don’t know how to go
about it”, I said to her. “Oh really. What is the problem? I’m your
GP and I believe you can share your worries with me. Talk to me
because a problem shared is half solved”, she said with a very
soft and soothing voice. Seriously speaking, I just couldn’t help it
so I just needed to say something to save the situation. “I’ve been
thinking of what we can do for the school which will leave a
mark from our administration.” I lied. “But you had very good
ideas in your manifesto So what else do you want again?” She
asked looking straight into my face. I jokingly replied, “Your
boyfriend must be very lucky to have you because you are very
caring”, she laughed and replied “that’s just me, and I’m not
having a boyfriend.” “Oh really? I thought you have one. Why
should a beautiful girl like you be single till now?”, I asked. “And
Why are you also not having a girlfriend till now?” She asked
back. “Because I’m waiting for today to tell you that I want you as
my girlfriend.” I said unconsciously. “You must be joking. I’m not
interested”. she said and walked out. My three friends were in a
distance observing all what was going on. They ran to where I
was, in laughter after she left.
Joshua: Hahaha! I thought you said you could do it alone. Have
you seen your end?
Me: Oh. I told her what was on my mind but she said she was not
interested.
Joshua: My guys, that’s how they behave from the beginning. I
wish you know how frustrated she is after not accepting. Give her
pressure and soon, she will be yours forever.
Eric: yeah! For the first time this food master has spoken sense.
We all laughed over it.
Since then, all my energies were channeled on winning the GP
but she also seemed to be difficult.
One day, the school
counsellor sent for me. I knew it was going to be about my office
duties but my expectations were wrong. He said all my teachers
are continuously complaining of my dwindling performance. He
tried counselling me and to a point, suggested I resign my post or
give myself some break and sit up. I assured him not to worry
hoping I will bounce back. Personally, I could see that my parents
would be worried if I should disappoint them. I made a resolution
to have more time with my books. Anytime my mother calls, her
last comments was a reminder of prayers. My results this time
around was alarming when I brought It home. What happens is
that, my friends do wake up at dawn to read but because waking
up at home was a worry to me so I decided to have enough sleep
at school to compensate the morning devotion times at home. My
friends were maintaining their performance while mine was
falling.
At home, my parents suggested they would change my school if I
don’t improve in my next performance. On the other hand, peer
influence was actually eating me up. I started drinking during my
last term as the school prefect. A week for us to hand over since
we will be preparing for our final exams, Enyonam was
celebrating her birthday so I decided to buy her a phone as a gift
because she was using a very old phone. I bought her an Infinix
Note 3. She was very much pleased with it but rejected it. She
said her parents will not be happy seeing her use a phone that
they did not buy for her. I did all I could but it didn’t work. On
the day of our handing over, she wrote a letter to me, and the
contents;
” _Hello SP, Thanks for your affection towards me. I equally do
feel the same for you but I didn’t want that to interfere with our
administrative work that’s why I rejected all your offers. But one
thing is for sure, if we are really meant to be together, we will.
Take care. Yours in love, GP_”.
After reading the letter, I felt some joy within myself. I met her on
campus that evening and together with my three friends, we
visited the night club to have our first date.
…to be continued
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