All Hope Was Lost To Celebration| Real life story

                 Photo: dreamslife.com

Since heaven clapped hands on his life, academic prowess protruded his journey and that, he remained grateful to the almighty God till that last straw broke the camel's back.

He had a sigh of relief the moment he looked at calendar and it was remaining the much awaited convocation ceremony. Although he had one more exam to write before he break his pen and thank God for his grace in the long race, but that didn't bother him at all.  He had been successful in his academic pursuit in the last
 four years.
Since God was on his side, blessing his efforts with A's,  he might graduate as one of the best, if not the best in the department.  Never had he felt such special in his life, even though he has been successful in other areas.

I mate Elochukwu on Facebook and we hungered for when we could meet and see each other. And the fact that I wasn't mobile, nearly killed the appetite.
Finally, God created an opportunity and we cemented our friendship when I gained admission from University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He was a domicile Editor of a popular magazine, an unpublished playwright - whose plays had been acted on stage by different drama groups. He created my blog; aheavypen.blogspot.*** free of charge and promised to buy the domain for me once he graduate. He was already on the radar of success, despite the intimidating level of Unemployment in our dear nation. But nothing  could be more fulfilling  and promisingly great than his graduation with a sharp first class Honour. Probably, he would be retained as a lecturer by University management after his NYSC service.

That will save his family from poverty.  That would make the mother happy and clean the tears she shaded for years.  It will go a long way to motivate many Akara (Beans Ball) women to fry and sell more Akara in other to train a son/daughter who will graduate and throw away their frying pan,  baskets and mortars.
It would go a long way in encouraging concerned kinsmen to always assist Akara women in training a son who will bring glory to the whole kindred.

Elochukwu rose to glory even before the convocation date. A company offered him a job and scholarship to further his education after working for two years. More would still come and he would make the right choice. He counted each day off and marked in new ones. He was fulfilled, very optimistic as we waited for this convocation day.

The whole kindred will come with music entourage to witness the ceremony. Friends will come to witness the event. Class of 017 had already arranged for a grand celebration, because their set produced a first class since last two decades.

The last time we had discussion at a bar when I came to write post utme, he laughed as i bombarded him with numerous question.

"Rising to fame won't  change me at all.  I can't  forget the fact that i came from a very poor family, where bread scarcity is as frequent as the bombardments in the north by Bokoharam"

I laughed at his humorous pattern of words.

"You know i can't. I must give back to the society because I collected Catholics from her.  You na my man naa. I'm much happy now because, we will be seeing every day..."

"Remember me in your paradise oh" I said, scratching my head.

"You don't need to worry about your self o. From merely looking at you hahaha, I'm sure that cathedral of success will fall on you" he said and laughed out louder. "That your pen,  a heavy pen you called it right? That Pen will fetch you fortune in legal profession oh"

I imagined how I will be if a cathedral of success collapses on me. Cathedral of success which was about to collapse it's self on Elochukwu.

"But I wont do one thing. i won't marry until I have paid my mother dozens* of care" he said, now steaming his face.

"Hia Nwokem!  Ibiakwa,  you have come again."

"Most Ladies nowadays are stupid and foolish. Once you place that circle iron in between her fingers, you mother needs permission before she visit her son. If you're not lucky enough - hahaha, your mother and wife will start hot argument who owns you oh. The funny part of it all is that she would go a long way to tell you that the man will leave the mother and stick to a lady and two of them will become one body and soul. I won't marry oh...."

He was so funny that tears jumped out from my eyes in cascades.
We paid the bill and departed to our places; waiting for that day, the day he shall raise the banner of success and the cathedral of success will collapse it's self on him.

The bus ran into the left hand drive; Elochukwu collapsed when he couldn't gain access to air. That words came from my friend, when I came inside school just to take pictures as he break his examination pen.
 It was a celebration that requires pouring of water on the successful heads.

I couldn't believe it was my 'own' Elochukwu, even though I was already crying like a kid.

Some said that Students of the department ran after Elochukwu and his class mate, happily raining water on them.
Finally Elochukwu was knelt down and as happiness enveloped him,  he lay on the floor. The students lie supine on him like some one who scored a wining goal at the world cup Finals.

The river was deep in my Heart. The happiness was outrageously harmful.

Elochukwu on that happy floor singed a contract with death. He left with his dreams, our dreams,  the mother's dreams and the Kinsmen's pride.

Who will buy my blog domain for me? Have I not lost a friend in a dangerous celebration?

That is life. Some style of celebration is archaic and awful and needed to be in check. May God protect us.

©Ben onyekelu olisa

In this long race dear, I shall be counting on you for we all know that success is sacrosanct.

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