Life On Campus

Episode 13 (Finale)

Mario called out. The name drifted slowly into Betty’s ears…she could
feel her ears itch. She looked around and Lo and
Behold, G-gal came forward. Betty gasped for breathe, she could feel her legs go
weak. Trouble! she glanced at Jay-Jay, he wore a
stern look and his boys too. From which planet did G-
gal drop? “You are Gloria?” Bar. Mario resumed her
meaningless questions. “Yes..” G-gal replied in a thin voice.
She looked miserable. “You were there when Emeka Jonas was shot?” G-gal looked at Jay-Jay, he gave her a warning look,
she looked at Betty briefly, she felt sorry for herself. “I wasn’t only there…I shot him!” she replied
straightly. “You what?” The Judge gaped.

Everybody in the court were like Ehn! “COOUURT!” There was silence again. “I beg your pardon?” Bar. Mario continued. “I shot him, I am the killer not Betty.” G-gal explained
quietly. The Judge rose from his seat.
“COOUURT!” everybody stood up. The case continues after Ten minutes. Betty was confused, was she dreaming? Is G-gal
sane? She looked at Jay-Jay who kept a neutral face.
Edith and her mum were weeping. Next ten minutes! It
seemed like eternity. “COOUURT.”

The Judge came back, and the judgement resumed. “Hope you know the implication of what you’re
saying?” a man with a worn-out wig sitting at the
prosecutor’s panel asked G-gal. “Yes, I know, I’m responsible for it.” G-gal replied, her
eyes were full of pains and regrets. “What makes you want to confess?” The Judge
couldn’t help asking. He adjusted his wid-rimmed
glasses and peered through at G-gal. “I…I…erm..” her voice trailed off. There was a commotion of whispers in the court. “COOUURT!!”
everybody kept quiet, the few moments of silence
that followed by, seemed like eternity to Betty.

She bent her head gently, she resumed counting her
toes. She was startled by G-gal’s scream. “Help o…see him o…his ghost is following me o…”
G-gal made to run out of the dock but some policemen
held her still. “Ghost?” Betty shuddered. “Ghost?” the Judge echoed after Betty. “I saw him by the window, he was staring at me.” G-
gal whimpered. Everybody turned to look at the window. “Haaaaa! See him! See him o! Emeka Biko nu ooo,
please ooo,” G-gal screamed again, pointing towards
the door.

Everybody turned to the door again. Betty saw him, she gasped.
He was standing there, he looked fresh, he looked
more of human to be called a ghost. She have heard
of ghosts, she thought they were myths, but now she
is seeing Emeka’s ghost.

She was trying her best to breathe, she placed her hand across her chest as if to pacify her heart. She
could feel her head spinning, her vision was getting
blood, she was wet with sweat. “I’m not a ghost, its the real me, Emeka.!” Emeka said
as he confidently walked into the court room. That was all Betty could hear, she felt her legs go
weak, she tried to breathe through her mouth…
And…she passed out.

---

Betty opened her eyes slowly, she felt weak. Where
was she? She looked round, she was on a hospital
bed, a drip attached to her hands, she tried to sit up
but was held down by a strong hand, she looked up. “Sorry..” Jay-Jay whispered. She shut her eyes and opened them again to be sure
whe wasn’t dreaming. “Sorry, ndo.” It was her mother’s voice. What were they doing here? They were supposed to
be in court. “What am I doing here?” she said slowly. “You need to rest.” Jay-Jay calmed her. “What did the judge say? I’ll be jailed?” she
whispered. “No, you’re free now.”

Jay-Jay smiled. “And Emeka’s ghost?” she asked again. “Right here baby.” Emeka sat down on her bed side. She froze, her eyes wide, she opened her mouth to
scream but her throat was dry. “I didn’t die, I’m alive, for you!” Emeka whispered. “You didn’t die?” she found her voice
“You are not a ghost? You’re Emeka?” she sat up, she
touched his hand.
“He is not a ghost.” she muttered.
“He is alive!” she screamed hugging Emeka. “So what about G-gal?” she hugged Jay-Jay after
regaining her compusure “She would be hanged.” Edith quipped. “Edith? You’re here?” Betty hugged her friend.
“Thanks for everything.” she sobbed. “Its aiit now. You’re free, I have my friend back!” Edith
wiped her tears. Betty sniffed.
“Mum, Jay, Edith, Emeka…” she wiped a tear.
“Thanks for everything, thanks for being there.” she
was crying. Dr Amah held her daughter soothingly. “how do I thank you, young man.” she smiled at Jay-
Jay.. “No need to thank me,” Jay-Jay chuckled. “Can we meet your parents, atleast to thanks them
too.” Dr Amah persisted. “Well…errm, I’d take you to see my dad, but now,
Betty need to rest.” Jay-Jay replied. “Guy, tell us how you escaped now..” he patted
Emeka. “Bros, no be small tin, its a long story o..” Emeka said
humorously and they all burst into fits of laughter.

Betty laughed with all her strength, its been a quiet
long time since she laughed.

---

“Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable.”

Jay-Jay said as he ushered Betty and her mum into
his father’s house. “Errm what do I offer you?” he added directing his
question at DR Amah
He didn’t wait for her reply before proceeding
towards the fridge. “Here.” he said presenting two glasses of Juice to
them.
” make yourselves comfortable, lemme notify my dad
you’re here.” mother and daughter both searched the room with
their eyes.
The sitting room was extra-large and
beautifully decorated. “His father must be very rich..” Betty whispered to
herself. Robert emerged with his son.
“Really so where are they?” he was saying. He stoped in his tracks. He jaw dropped. Dr Amah stood up swiftly.
“What are you doing here?” She countered, her lips
wavered as she spoke. “This is my house!” Robert said quietly regaining his
voice.

“Oh my God!” Dr Amah muttered. Jay-Jay looked at his father then at Dr Amah. What
the eff was going on! “Mum you know him?” Betty asked curiously. “I…I…I…” Dr Amah’s voice trailed off. “You what?” Betty looked at her mum searchingly. She
watched her mum broke uncontrolably into a sob.

She turned to look at Jay-Jay who was asking his
father the same question.
Robert sighed heavily. “Dad talk to me!” Jay-Jay barked loosing his patience.
“Who’s she? You sister, your mistress, your client or
what?” “Your mother.” Robert said slowly.. “My mum?” Jay-Jay whispered,
He looked at his crying new-mother, then at Betty
who stood transfixed. “I’m your mother.” Dr amah broke the silence. “he is your father.” she addressed Betty. Betty turned to look at Jay-Jay, he held her gaze, she
saw that glint in there, “So you are my sister?” Jay-Jay voice was faint.

Betty flew into his arms with Joy. Robert moved towards his wife
“I’m sorry..I shouldn’t have left, I should have…” Dr
Amah said anidst tears. He pulled her to himself
“Welcome home Linda.” He whispered soothingly as
he hugged and kissed her. Betty and Jay-Jay watched their parents re-unite.
“awww” Jay-Jay muttered as he saw his father
kissing. “mum?” jay-Jay hugged his mum.

Betty hesitated as her father turned towards.
“Come to papa,” he laughed as he hugged her tightly.

---

That night was a memorable one for the Roberts.
Jay-Jay hovered round his sister, they talked and
talked, she showed him her engagement ring which Emeka gave her…He told her is in love with
Edith..and so on Robert was with his wife, one would think they were
newly wedded. “Welcome back home.” He kept telling her. And they made love that night after 23 years…..

And..They lived happily ever after.

THE END