The Custodian Page 2

CHAPTER 2

  The birds flew high in the sky and the sun sparkled far above the skies. A bright morning it promised to be. Students flooded the roads as they made their way to school. Students of Waterfall High School had arrived in school much earlier than students of other schools because their teachers no longer tolerated any form of late coming as they were not happy with the turnaround of events in the state. At about 7:30 am, the students were already gathered for the morning assembly, songs of praises were sung, prayers were also offered and the national anthem and pledge were both recited. Soon, Mr Solanke came to address the students. His eyes were as red as that of a fellow who smoked Indian hemp. The students kept silent and generally thought, just as his mien suggested too that his angry sight could mar the promises in the bright day. For a few minutes, he moved from one end to another, observing the students. Everyone kept silent except a few unrepentant noisy students who still managed to murmur a few things especially about the reasons for the principal’s strange look. Finally, Mr Solanke broke the silence after he murmured a few things to his Vice. As he opened his mouth to greet them, some of the students in front of their class rows who were very close to him, sensed the smell of palm wine coming from him. They could not help bursting into laughter. Their laughs soon infected the whole assembly, as all the students joined the jest forum. “Shut up!” exclaimed Mr Solanke, ”Don’t you idiots have any courtesy at all?” None of the students dared to answer his question, they all kept silent and prayed the worst would not come upon them. Their deafening silence infuriated him further and he ordered all of them to kneel down. He continued to speak thereafter, “Once again, good morning students, I hope you would have a nice time kneeling down. Well, I don’t have much time to waste on you today, so you would soon return to your classes without further punishments. But before then, I have a few important announcements for you. There has been a few changes in our plans. Henceforth, each of you would start to pay a fee that would be used for the development of the school. You would be told how much you would have to pay by your class teachers. Good day.” On hearing that they have to begin to pay another fee, the students who were well aware of the free education policy in the state, began to murmur among themselves. Ignoring them, Mr Solanke simply returned to his office as the students marched on to their classes like soldiers, a practice that had become popular with high schools in Destiny Valley. This announcement did not come as a shock to the teachers. They were all aware of the new plan. Since the government had began its free education policy, Mr Solanke, his vice and the teaching staff of the school had mapped out new strategies of extorting money from the students, among which was the collection of the so-called development fee imposed on the students by the school administrators without any form of consultation with the parents of the students.

  As the sunshine reached its peak, Robert Dickson and his friend David were seen sitting under a large tree in the school compound during break time.

  Robert and David were both in their fifth year at Waterfall High School. Robert was a tall, dark and handsome boy, while his friend, David was fatter but short and light in complexion. By all means, their physical looks were contrasts. However, one thing kept them together. They always reasoned in the same positive direction. Their character had such symmetry that they had never had a quarrel ever since they had been friends. Everyone knew the duo as twins, as it reflected in their behaviour. Just like everyone else in the school, both of them were discussing about the imposition of the development fee on the students by Mr Solanke. David was so devastated as he lamented about the poor state of his parents, “I wish someone could put this people to check.” He moaned. Robert looked into David’s eyes and boldly replied him, “I will.” Surprised, David demanded to know how the 20 year old Robert could put them to check. Robert smiled and told him to watch out. David did not bother to enquire further. He had known Robert for his ability to spring up surprises, though he doubted if he could really do anything tangible to correct the school administrators but prayed a ray of hope was coming from a blue moon. The ever inaccurate time keeper of the school jingled the bell to signify the end of break at thirty minutes past the period allowed for break.

  Despite the similarities in their character, their backgrounds were completely different. David grew up in a Christian family with high moral discipline. Robert grew up in a family that could be best described as free thinkers. The main source of wealth of the latter’s father were the various viewing centres he ran, where many people came to watch football. Mr Dickson (Robert’s Father) and his wife migrated to Destiny Valley when Robert was still a toddler. They got married in Ghana (their hometown) before migrating to Destiny Valley. At Destiny Valley, the Dickson family became very famous and wealthy. He made much money from the soccer viewing centres he established at various locations in the city. Robert was the only child of his parents and he was very intelligent. At about the age of fifteen years, he was put in charge of most of his father’s viewing centres. Life seemed to be a bed of roses for the Dickson family until one fateful night. Mr Dickson and his wife had travelled to see a family friend and left the house in care of Robert. As the bus they boarded entered into the city during their return journey, they began to hear exchange of gun shots. The most dreaded cult group in Destiny valley called, “The Dragons” were exchanging gun shots with the police. This had been a phenomenon that had always terrified the innocent citizens of the city. In an attempt to flee for safety, the scared couple alighted from the bus they were in and took to their heels. Unfortunately, stray bullets hit them in the scamper process and they died instantly. Robert, now an orphan, had to learn to live alone. He took charge of his father’s business and all his assets some of which he sold. As strangers in the city, the Dickson family had no relative close around, but family friends tried to help him in the ways they could. Robert did not allow the events to affect his education, he left his former school, Aala High School and began to attend Waterfall High School where he met David and they both became friends.