My Maths Teacher

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 5

Violet.

Violet would’ve grown bigger by now. She wouldn’t recognize me with the changes in my body and attitude but I needed to see her. I only hoped her family hadn’t moved yet.

Walking down the streets towards where I rented an apartment, I passed Violet’s house which was five blocks away from my apartment. Her mother was busy in the garden, taking care of her flowers.

” Good afternoon, Mrs Kalu,” I waved at her.

She turned and seeing me, she waved back. ” Afternoon, Adam,” she moved away from her flowers and approached me. ” This is a surprise. I thought you Mentioned you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.”

” My bus arrived late last night,” I explained. ” I’m sorry I couldn’t visit you this morning. I had to be in school today as early as possible.”

” Wow,” she covered her mouth surprised. ” You’re a school teacher?”

” Yes ma.”

” Adam,” she sang cheerfully. ” You are now a big boy o.”

I laughed. ” Stop it, Mrs Kalu. You are just saying that.”

” Look at you. When you were just a little kid, you were skinny and dirty but now look at you now. Big body, polished English even the way you carry yourself is enough to tell anyone that you are not a Nigerian.”

We both laughed at her talk. It was the first laugh I’ve had in weeks. I asked for her husband. He was away on a long business journey. I also asked about Violet. Violet wasn’t yet back from school. That’s when I learnt she attended the same school I was teaching in. This was a surprise to me caused I saw no one who looked like her.

” How about you join us for dinner tonight,” Mrs Kalu offered. ” Let’s give you a better family welcome. It’s been such a long time. Six years or More if I am correct.”

” I will make it,” I accepted the dinner invitation.

Beep beep! My cell phone ranged.

I fished it out of my pocket and glared at it. It was a text message. ” Can we sort things out? I really need you.”

I stared at the message for a long time then without thinking twice, I switched off the phone.