One Call Way

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 13

The school was really a sight to behold, the structure was magnificent.

Dad drove to the car park and parked the car.

” we’re here kids ” he said smiling as he unbuckled the seatbelt which held him to the car seat.

We all alighted from the car and I could see two eighty leaves higher education writing note in Happy’s hand while Chris got his phone with him.
I was left to wonder why Chris had his phone with him because back in my former school, bringing of phone to school was against the law.

The school’s car park was filled with different exotic cars while some were just parking during the time we’re still there.

” you two go to your class ” dad said to Chris and Happy as we got to the front of a building which had a large inscription ” Staff room ” on it.

I imagined how the building could be for the staff alone

” okay dad ” they said in unison smiling as they took another route leading to other buildings inside the school.

” let’s go in son ” dad said smiling as we enter the building with dad pulling the glass which had the inscription “pulled to open” on it.

The atmosphere changed at once as we entered. Everywhere was chill as the air-condition machines inside it were hell bent on working towards the money used in purchasing them.

” good morning sir ” a security personnel greeted dad as he moved closer to us.

I was mesmerized at the arrangement of the floor.
There was a receptionist stand which had four people, two ladies and two guys, all dressed corporately in white shirts and black bow tie.

I couldn’t see the color of what they had beneath but I was certain it was black too. They all had a computer each in front of them and a land phones was beside the computers .

Their was some steel chairs arranged in a corner and I presumed it was meant for parents or guardians who’s there to see the principal.

” morning ” dad reciprocated his greeting and head to the receptionist stand and I followed behind him.

” hello lovely ” he greeted the female receptionist he made a stop in front of her.

” good morning sir, how can I help you ” she asked professionally.

” I’m here to see the proprietor ” dad replied her.

” do you have an appointment with him ” she asked.

” yeah, I do ” dad replied her.

” you’re Mr Tokunbo right ” she asked as she suddenly got her fingers running on the keyboard attached to the computer in front of her.

” yes, I’m Mr Bello Tokunbo ” dad replied proudly.

” yes you are ” the lady said smiling and I knew she had checked his picture on the computer.

” I’ll take you to him, give me a second sir ” the lady said as she made attempt to got down from the chair she’s sitting on.

” your one second is up ” dad said smiling.

” sir ” the lady said looking confused.

” you asked for a second and it’s already up ” dad replied her.

” I’m sorry Sir ” she pleaded.

” I’m just joking with you, sit down back, I know my way around here ” dad said as he started heading to one of the two staircases inside the room. I swiftly peeped at the color of her skirt and it was a jackpot for me. It was a black skirt.

” his office is on the third floor ” dad said as we started walking on the staircase.

” it’s like he’s your close friend ” I said smiling.

” you’re kinda right but we aren’t close to how you’re evaluating it in your mind, he was more closer to your dad than he’s to me even tho we’re all childhood friends but my time outside of the country did it portion in making me the second seater ” he replied smiling.

I knew that dad was closer to the owner of Hibiscus valley, I even heard mom saying that dad was the contractor who commissioned the building of the school.

” he’s not always available in school but he decided to br here this morning so that he can see you ” dad said as we got off from the staircase connecting the first floor and second floor
On getting to the second floor, I saw something that mesmerized me.

It was like seeing houses inside a house.

Every teachers each had their offices, it was looking like a big cubicle facing themselves. The structure it was all built looked complicated and I might make a hole in my brain if I try to explain it. But it was all built with tampered transparent glass which made it easy to see what every teacher is up to in his or her office.

Most of the offices were empty depicating that their owner are yet to get to the school.

” Ben ” dad called my name when I had got carried away with what I was looking.

” sir ” I replied snatching back to earth.

” this way ” he said smiling and I followed behind him.

We finally got to the third floor and everything in view was screaming that only the owner of the school own the third floor.

Instead of a visible view like the other floor, there’s a door with two security men standing in front of it.

” good morning sir ” they greeted as they saw dad and one of them opened the door.

” good morning ” dad greeted them as we entered.

The office looked like a living room, if not for the absence of some furnitures it would have easily qualify for a living room.

Three chairs and desks without anyone was their.

A big lcd TV displaying nat geo wild clung on the wall in an angle which allow for the three people who’s got their position behind the chairs and desk an easy access to watch it.

I saw three shut doors inside the room and of them had the inscription ” the owner ” boldly written on it.

Dad head towards the door and I followed behind him.

Dad subtly knock on the door and ” come in ” says a voice from inside.

Dad opened the door and we got introduced to another large office and a young man who was clearly dad’s agemate or a little above or below him sat comfortably on one of the two sofas inside the office.

The two sofas faced each other with a beautiful glass table creating boundary between the two. A cup which I presumed contained coffee or tea was on the table emitting steam. A bouquet of flower also sat comfortably on the table.
Behind the table and sofa was a medium size desk which had only a laptop, few files, a name tag and a land phone on it . And a vacant executive chair sat valiantly behind the desk and sitting comfortably in an angle was a mini shelf which was beautifully designed by whoever made it.

The young man was dressed casually in a white tunic. He had a hearty smile on his lip as he stood up when he saw dad.
He looked familiar and I was sure I had seen his face somewhere but I couldn’t remember where.

” Tokunbo ” he said smiling as he came to meet dad midway to where he was sitting and they hugged.

” Ben ” he called out stretching his hand at me requesting an handshake and I shook hand with him.

” you’re now a big boy ” he said smiling, staring at me.

” you’re barely ten years old the last time I saw you ” he added as he ushered us to sit on the empty sofa which was opposite the one he’s sitting on with a glass table in their middle.

” when I came over to your place to fight with your dad when I learnt that he enrolled in a government school for the continuation of your education after you’re through with primary, tho I asked him to enroll in my school for free because he’s done a lot of things for me, he’s really a nice nan ” the man which I presumed his name to be Popoola Olamilekan from the name tag on his desk said as he took His handkerchief and clean his face. I could see that he was getting emotional as he started talking about dad.

” but he said he wanted you to learn things about life in different perspective and told me he’s gonna enroll you here when you get to ss1 but death only made that a mere talk and I didn’t know anything about the bank taking over all his properties and by the time I find out, you and your mom were gone without a trace ” he said and he finally stopped talking.

” I would have come to see you and your mom since you both return but I was in Singapore and I had to cancel my plans and return back to the country yesterday so that I can personally register you into the school instead of any of my principals. ” he said and I felt like an important personality at once.

” thank you sir ” I muttered.

” stop embarrassing me ” he said smiling.

” don’t thank me for anything, I’ve not done anything for you compare to all what your dad did for me so if you ever need anything, don’t feel shy or pullback to ask me ” he added still smiling.

” why are all the desk outside empty ” dad asked speaking for the first time since we entered.

” na so I see am oo ” Mr Popoola said in pidgin English smiling.

” those fools because I rarely come to the school and since they know I’m out of the country , always come to the school anytime they want but I’ll show them pepper when they get here ” Mr Popoola added still smiling.

” just warn them for now, and keep your pepper in your pocket ” dad said smiling.

” have you eaten ” Mr Popoola asked me probably to get dad off the topic of saving his employees.

” no sir ” I replied politely.

” the breakfast period always end at nine where the kids that didn’t take breakfast from home get to eat in the school cafeteria but you’re my guest for today so I’ll be ordering your food for you up here to eat ” he said as he stood up and head to his desk, took the phone on the land phone, click some digit on its keyboard then placed the phone on his ear.

He ordered for his special delicacy on the phone and asked that it should be brought into his office before the lapse of five minute.

” o ga oo ” dad said in Yoruba as Mr returned to the position where he was sitting before he went to place the order.

” ki lo ga ” Mr Popoola asked smiling as he took a sip from his tea.

” you can’t even ask me if I’m going eat or if I’ve eaten from home ” dad said trying hard to look serious.

” the food in my school is for my students not for their parents and you’ve got a wife and I’m sure she’s already package your breakfast for you ” Mr Popoola said smiling.

” you can never change ” dad retorted also smiling.

” I’ve got somewhere to be right now, so it’s all you and your guest now ” dad said as he stood up.

” bye bye ” Mr Popoola said nonchalantly.

” be a good boy son, you’re gonna love it here ” dad said to me patting my shoulder before he finally exited the office.

” so how have you been fairing ” Mr Popoola asked me.

” very fine Sir ” I replied him feeling kinda timid.

I suddenly felt like an unwanted person in a no man’s land and felt insecure.

” I’m talking about the coming together of your mom and Tokunbo, are you cool with it ” he asked me and I felt more uncomfortable.

Even tho I was cool with everything but I wasn’t ready to start discussing it especially with someone who seemed like a stranger but I don’t think I got any choice than to reply except if dad return to save me from metaphorical hotseat I suddenly find myself.

” I’m cool with it Sir ” I replied briefly.

” I know you can’t be cool with it just like that ” he said with a short pause,left out a crooked smile before he got his tea off the table, took a sip before he return it to the table.

” I know how you must be feeling but it’s great to accept it soon because it’s fate playing a tricky game ” he continued as he gaze was fixed on me.

A soft knock suddenly sounded on the door. I heaved a sigh of relief. I was sure it was my savior.

” that should be your order ” he said smiling.

” come in ” he said aloud.

The one who had knocked the door came in.

She was wearing a corporate black skirt and white shirt, a pink apron and pink head wear.
On her hand was a covered fancy tray which I knew was harboring my meal.

” good morning sir ” she greeted Mr Popoola as she dropped the tray on the table and uncover it, revealing two covered plates, spoon, fork and knife and to grace it all was a chivita juice.

She placed everything on the table and head to the shelf at one angle inside the office, opened it and brought out a glass cup, she opened a door I didn’t took note of inside the office, revealing a dark room which got lit as she entered.
She came out few seconds and the cup was wet.

She placed the cup on the table before she exited the office.

He didn’t ask me any question about how I felt again as I ate the delicious meal I was served.
We only talked about some of his histories with dad and when I was through with my meal, he made a call again and the plates was accounted for by the lady that brought them.

” I don’t want you to go now because the students are still observing their breakfast period right now, hope you won’t mind keeping me company ” he asked after the lady took the plates out.

” I don’t mind sir ” I replied him.
Hearing how he was talking about my biological dad made me feel free with him as we both discussed like we’ve been closed before.

” time tend to fly fast when you got a great company ” he said as he checked the time on the wristwatch which was clinging to his wrist.

” it’s nine already ” I asked him.
I was already comfortable talking with him and forgotten about my main purpose in the school.

It was like I had come to visit a friend and return home.

” yes kiddo ” he replied smiling as he stood up.

He went over to his desk to make use of the land phone again.

He called three recipients and ask them to meet him in front of the staff room.

After he’s through making all the calls, ” it’s time to start your journey here ” he said smiling.
” let’s go ” he motioned to me as we exited his office
When we got to the second office, the three empty chairs and desks were already occupied by their owner.

They all rapidly stood up as they saw him and greeted him.
He didn’t say anything nor reply their greeting as we exited the office.