Episode 44
It really wasn’t easy standing before pairs of intelligent eyes to defend myself. I had no choice than to quickly come up with an easy to believe half truth. There wasn’t any way of fully denying getting involved with Comfort, so what i did was to accept responsibility with a little make up story.
I told them my affair with Comfort started way back when i was still a student and that she was a family friend’s daughter, but we kind of broke up when i left the country for my masters degree.
“I returned and got married to another woman, a situation than infuriated Comfort’s parents, who were aware of our relationship. However it never ended like i wanted, because as soon as i started working in this great school, Comfort used the opportunity as a student to revive our relationship. It really wasn’t easy for me and when i finally told her to leave me alone, she accused me of impregnating her, equally telling her parents about it” I lied effortlessly, but unfortunately i was lying to experienced old men and women who easily picked up many flaws in my story.
“you know i don’t think it’s quite a coincident that the girl Comfort, was your family friend, studied in the school that employed you and equally was a student in your department. Your defence is quite unbelievable and poor anyway we don’t have the right to judge you. You have told us your side of the story which will now be our side of the story as well. Your fate will be decided by the disciplinary panel who will forward their decision to the school senate for approval. As for now, simply stay away from my classes. I will assign another lecturer to cover your courses. The last thing i want is for you to head to any class and be insulted. Hope you all agree with me” the H.O.D asked everyone in the room. They all nodded in approval.
I left the H.O.D’s office like a broken man. My dignity and pride lost. I equally was on the verge of losing my job. I just didn’t know what to do.
I was deeply thinking in my office when my father in law walked in with his usual grace. I gasped with delight on seeing him because I wasn’t expecting him at all.
He was the only person that had the kind of influence that could turn things around for me in the school.
“I can’t believe our secret is now public. How did you let things get this bad?” he asked, sitting on an empty chair, facing me. I swallowed hard and shrugged, saying nothing.
“There is nothing i can do about it for now because, a Rev. Father is in charge of the disciplinary panel. The man is a very straight forward person and I can’t influence him to kill the case, and i’m afraid he will do a very clean investigative job before submitting everything to the senate for approval. I’m a member of the senate but once the report gets there, hmmmm you are as good as fired. Anyway we still have a month to set things right” he addressed me with concern while i looked up hopefully at him.
He was the only friend and father i had in the school but then it was still two of us against a whole lot of people interested in casting stones on me.
To be continued
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