WHAT'S WRONG, JAMIE?

WHAT'S WRONG, JAMIE?  

It was 7:30 am, and more than half of the three hundred seats in the lecture hall were already occupied. The remaining quarter or more would definitely be insufficient for other students who would later arrive.

History class in Daisy University was one of the most crowded classes in the institution. It was because many students offered it as a borrowed course, while others had it as core departmental course. Some students didn't like to attend it, but today's was a must-attend, reason being that it would record a new, distinguished face, Prof. Asemoah, a veteran historian whose exploit in the University of Ghana spoke loudly. He had been known to be pretty strict, thus before he mounted the podium, the students maintained grave-yard quietness.

"Morning, class," the white-beared professor greeted, and amidst the student's response,James sneaked in and disappeared into the rows.

"Characters," Prof. Asemoah breathed and gave an ominous grin. This made the students to warily hold back or muffle their different reactions. Then, the lesson commenced.

"Today,we shall delve into Trans Atlantic slave trade in Africa," he spoke and his words got the students busy ,all heads were bent downwards,scribling on the papers.

"Let me test your aptitude a bit ," he added as he stepped down from the elevated floor.He worked some steps towards the first row and the students were jolted into alertness.The first desk was more reactive ,almost hysterical; the students therein wore different looks- some brows were furrowed and tension lurked around the others.

"I just read this topic last night,"James whispered to a girl beside him.

"What impact did the Trans Atlantic slave trade have on Africa?" The question came. "Yes...Yes," the professor scanned through the faces , holding his index finger in the air.

 "Yes, you," It landed on James Godwin,and many heaved a relief sigh. James himself felt glad,but he never showed it.He was going to give this man a tip of his intellectual potentialities.

" Negative, sir," James started...

"Why are you answering my question as if we are members of the armed forces." The lecturer threw him into the shackles of ridicule.

"I meant negative impact,sir. It didn't ..."

"Hold your peace my friend!" Prof Asamoah bursted, as James refused to give up. "Do you just say 'negative impact' without giving a basic reason." He asked, a question-blow that finally killed James' s initial nerve.

" Yes you,go on," the mean -looking professor turned his attention elsewhere.

"The transatlantic slave trade radically impaired Africa potential to develop economically and maintain its social and political stability..."

"Interesting. Help some layman here to understand better," The professor commented, obviously to spite James.

"... The arrival of Europeans on the west African coast and their establishment of slave ports in various parts of the Continent triggered a..."

" That's okay," Prof. Asamoah interrupted , as the girl rattled it off.

" What's your name ," he asked, beaming happily.

"Adebimpe fashiola ," the ebony slender girl replied.

"You're wonderful .That was an exact way of answering question. Straight -forward and meaningful. Not beating about the bush," he praised her and indirectly sneered at the other students, particularly at James.

The lesson continued , but disinterest had surged up within James. The lecturer's words sounded loathsome to him and he hardly waited for him to conclude before he headed to the exit .

"Man, that was really bad. He never even gave you a chance ," Richard said as he drew abreast of James who was prancing along the walk way.

" Yes , man .He's the lecturer and I am just a student," James gave the laconic response.

"That's right," Richard admitted .

" But , that girl was something else. look at the way she answered the question, as if she was reciting an elementary poem," he added.

"Hmmm," James first exclaimed and then nodded in affirmative.

When they got close to the gate , a car drove past ,and they caught a glimpse of the same girl, sitting behind the wheel.He 'd get to know her better, but not today, James implicitly vowed.

**

It was on a sunny Saturday .The temperature was high, making everyone to crave for a wintry atmosphere and James knew where it could be gotten; he'd go to the beach.

The nearest was at Eleko ,one of the fairly visited beaches in the city of Lagos. As he got to the place, it already was seethed with people -the day's sun was baking, enough to be the reason.

To prove his surmisal, he saw some white folks, relaxing in the bank of the river, where the water splashed them with chilly liquid as it traveled to and fro. Perhaps, those ones were not accustomed to the tropical nature of Nigeria.

From the place he stood, he noticed that the sun was going down, even though it still bathed the river with some orange rays. But, when a certain breeze blew and combed his hair and the water surface with some dynamic wave, he knew that twilight was creeping in. At least one would have a little rest from that scorching sun.

"Hey, bro." Someone tapped him from behind, startling him to his feet.

"Hey, Rich...you..."

"I scared you? Oh my God! I'm the man," Richard said as he simpered at him.

"Hell no! Alright, yes. You did...but you better watch it before you get a bullet next time," James admitted, and then added a threat, after he realised that denial would worsen the case.

"Shut your mouth, punk, " Richard pushed forward, but James returned him a warning glare and both laughed.

"I thought you'd given up on any other thing outside education. Shouldn't you be in the library by now?" Richard asked, and made a funny grimace.

"Yes. You're right, but I wanna slow it down a bit," he replied.

"Better for you," Richard nudged him.

"Hey, look...look," Richard poked him on the shoulder and directed his sight to a slender, young woman, clad in white, sleeveless, flared gown. "Is that not Adebimpe, from our department?" He asked James whose sight was already glued on the girl figure.

"Yes, that's her," he confirmed and remained focused. "Wiu-u-u-u...she looks very beautiful," he cooed, shaking his head a number of times.

"Yo-o-o-o-o, my boy is in love. Come on, go get her, son," Richard teased and playfully pushed him away.

"I'm gonna kill you," James said under his breath as he headed towards the girl.

James was a confident young man who had no phobia about talking to a woman, unlike some guys within his clique who'd practically rehears their words, or even gave attention to the way they walked before they'd get a little courage to woo a woman.

Though he was handsomely fair and pretty tall which were genetic features he got from his American mother, it was his confidence and witty nature that gave him an edge over his contemporaries.

The more he drew closer to the girl, the more beautiful she became. Whenever the breeze blew, it kept flashing him a dazzling thigh and a comely material underneath the short, or better still, skimpy gown, making him more captivated.

She didn't notice him untill he was standing right beside her.

"Hello," James spoke in a husky tone.

"Hi..." She coldly replied and looked somewhat jittery. "Hey, it's you," she beamed when she'd recognized him.

"Yes. It's me," James smiled and offered a handshake, but to his amazement, she chose a hug and he obliged her.

"I...em...ah..." He stuttered, an act to cover up his excitement. He had for a very long time had a crush on her, but he had chosen to keep his feelings latent, probably because he had been preoccupied by his own choice of working harder in academics.

"I know you...James Godwin, " she called his full name, to his surprise.

"Did you Google me?" He joked,and she laughed, making him notice for the first time, the dimples and the diastema that beautified her.

"No. Come on, are we not in the same department?"

"Yea. That's correct. We are." James affirmed,having both his hands in his side pockets.

"But, you don't know my name," the girl surmised and James was caught puzzled, thinking about what Richard had called her earlier.

"Says who? I know your name."

"Ok. Let's hear you, " she demanded, looking straight at his face.

"Ok...Ok, I give up, " James surrendered, after the silence was becoming embarrassing.

"Adebimpe Fashiola. Bimpe for short, " she said and looked away , almost backing him. He knew what she wanted... It was a prerogative of every woman, and he did it for her.

"Ok. I'm sorry ," He held her on the shoulder and she turned around smiling.

" It's ok, " Bimpe said.

"So...," They said simultaneously, then Bimpe paused for him to go on.

" Hey, Bimpe," a lady called from behind them." We are going," the lady said.

"Oh. I'm so sorry , but I have to go now," Bimpe apologized , and gave him her phone number. Before James could utter another word she had already disappeared.

" Damn!" He exclaimed. Why had luck been so unfriendly to him?Even the phone number she left was not complete .If only the school was not on vacation, that wouldn't have been a problem. Now , more problematic was the fact that one Mr . Richard was waiting for his return with his pile of questions and unavoidable ridicule.

***

James remained restless till the dawn of the next day which was Sunday. Almost all through the night, he was awake, tossing and turning in his bed , anticipating a sooner arrival of morning. But , the night seemed to linger forever.

During those antsy hours , his mind suggested somethings which he tried . One of which was to search for the girl on the social media. He entered her name , rearranged it but he rather found different people. When he realized that women hardly used their real names on social media, he gave up. The only option he was left with was to exercise patience till morning. Perhaps, he'd go back to the beach or he might coincidentally run into her on the way. Then, nature came nocking and he subconsciously drifted into sleep.

The Sunday morning was already mature before James woke up from the sleep that never seemed to come. It must have been someone's voice or a vibration alert from his cell phone that'd woken him up. But, since he had no plan of attending the day's worship,he stretched and layed back. When he was half asleep, the sound came once again. This time,he could tell it was his phone. Hence, he picked it up and squinted. It was a message from facebook, by an unknown person. He wiped his eyes for a clearer vision and the message read: " Hi, Jamie. It's Bimpe." His mind fluttered with happiness and he viewed the profile to see the picture, but just like he had insinuated, the name was different, but the picture was hers.

"Hi, how are you, dear, " he replied and hoped she'd see the message sooner. And she did.

"You didn't call me, why?" She asked.

"The number you gave me was not complete... I tried my best to reach you." He explained.

"Really? I'm sorry about that. It was a mistake," she apologised, and then sent him the correct number.

"Thank you," James appreciated and put forward a question, not wanting to lose her again. " What would you do in the evening?"

"Nothing. Why?"

"Because, I want us to meet again, same place, at four."

At this point, Bimpe delayed the reply and James feared she might turn him down.

"Ok, " a message flashed. She equally added some emojis which James took his time to interpret.

"Please, come alone, this time," he wrote, indirectly referring to the way their last meeting ended.

"Ok," she accepted.

Before the agreed time for the date, James was already at the beach. He stood at a point from where he could easily sight someone. When his phone rang, he suspected she had arrived, and after answering her call, he moved to meet her. He didn't want to keep her waiting for a second.

"Hello, gorgeous," he saluted, when he was few steps away.

"Hi, handsome, " she reciprocated and moved forward to meet him. This time, James didn't stretch his arm for a handshake, rather he opened them wide and she collapsed into his chest. They hugged for ages, commenting on each other's looks.

"Come with me," James said and took her by the hand to the vegetative part of the beach where people used for picnic. He excused himself and went away. The next minute, he reappeared, having a bottle of wine and a familiar restaurant grocery bag in his hand. When, the content of the bag was unveiled, there were set before them a pair of fried chicken thighs, wine glasses, and then the bottle of wine.

"Wo-o-o-o," she clapped as the bottle popped.

"Eh...ok, to what do we make this toast," the excited Bimpe asked, wriggling happily.

"To us, of course," James answered, already raising his glass. "To lovely friendship,"

"Yes," she responded.

"And...eh...to long life,"

"Ye-e-e-e," she stressed the response and they clinked their glasses. Then, a momentary silence ensued, during which each of them gave attention to the mouthwatering chicken before them.

"What?" She asked shyly when she looked up and met his eyes fixed on her.

"You're very beautiful," James cooed.

"Thanks. Please,eat your food," she replied, trying to control the emotional tingles he was given her.

"I love you so much, Bimpe," James dropped

"Wha...," She tried to speak, but couldn't. She coughed repeatedly. James noticed she was choking when she made a signal for water. "Shit!" He cursed. He didn't come with water. Her situation was getting worse by the minutes; the incessant cough wouldn't allow her say a word 

"Bro. Have this," a man beside them threw him a bottle of water. Yet,the water was not remedial to the situation. In stead,she was gradually getting weak as she gasped for air. She kept making this signal that James couldn't understand. He had better taken her to the hospital, his mind warned.

Hence, he carried her in his arms and rushed to his car. Then, he sped off to the hospital. Enroute, he had one eye on the road and the other on her, calling her repeatedly to keep her conscious. But, he developed goose bumps when he noticed she was no longer making a sound, though they had driven into the hospital by then. He brought the car to rest at the block of emergency unit where they were given a prompt attention.

After she'd been wheeled away by the nurses, James remained pertubed, walking from wall to wall. When he'd grown so impatient, he walked towards the door, to peep and know the situation, but he was anticipated by a nurse who just appeared and beckoned him from the door way.

"She's fine. You can come and see her," the nurse said.

When he entered the room he noticed she had been placed on drip.

"I 'm fine," Bimpe said to someone on phone, and then put the phone away to enquire something from James.

"What's the name of this place? " She whispered.

"Magnus teaching hospital," he answered.

"Yes, Magnus teaching hospital," she replied the caller and the call ended.

"That was my mother," she said, but James only nodded , looking so worried.

"Jamie," she cooed." Please , relax.I'm fine, now. Please,come." She beckoned , and he went and sat beside her.

" I am asthmatic," she revealed , and the words walked straight to James's heart and raised poignancy . That was when he realized that the signal she was giving was probably for an inhaler. Anyway,he didn't ask her.

"Sshhh," James shushed as he gently touched her forehead." You don't need to talk now. All you need is rest," he added and adjusted the pillow for her to prop up herself.

There was a knock at the door, and then it opened ajar. When the female visitor popped in her head, Bimpe beamed, "That's my mom." But James was blown away and instantly ticked off.

"Mom , this is James my friend. Jamie, this is my mother," Adebimpe happily introduced and watched their reaction.

"Hi, " James forced with his face downwards .

"Mmm," the woman hummed in response, and Adebimpe was sheerly taken aback. She threw an enquiring look at her mother and then at James.

"How are you, dear... What really happened?" Her mother asked and tried hard to hide the sterness on her face.

"I'm not fine, " Adebimpe blurted out.

"Don't worry you will get better," her mother said, ignoring the fact that she wasn't talking about ill health.

" Excuse me , " she said and left the room for Bimpe and James for some minutes.

"Jamie!" Bimpe bursted , jolting him out from his rumination.

"Yea..." He answered.

" What's going on? I have been calling your name ."

"Nothing. I 'm fine. Sorry, I didn't hear when you called," James pretended.

"Then , why are you guys acting strange?" She asked , not willing to accept James's pretence.

James drew closer to her after some minutes of hesitation. She,too, carefully sat up in the bed because she noticed that he wanted to whisper.

"Ok... Here is the thing..." James started

"Bimpe, darling, I 'm so sorry. I was on call with someone," the woman interrupted them, halting whatever James was about to say.

The room became quiet and everyone was busy with thoughts. James suspected the woman was up to something. Thus, he stood to his feet, ready to go .

"I...ah... Bimpe, I wanna take my leave now," James informed. But hardly had the words left his mouth when two police officers, in company of the hospital security, bursted in.

"Officers, here is the criminal. Arrest him," the woman pointed at James.

"What's going on?" Adebimpe questioned and tried to get out of bed, but her mother held her down.

"What's wrong , Jamie?" She wriggled and James did not protest.

" What's wrong , Jamie?" She cried louder, but he was dragged away