She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. What had happened!!!! She asked herself in amazement. “I paid the lecturer to give me grade A. What am I seeing?”
Aba had been double-crossed. The lecturer took her money but refused to change the grades. There was no way she could report the issue to anybody. What she did was illegal and she had to keep things cool. That meant she couldn’t graduate. All her friends including Erica, Abigail and Bernard were graduating except for Stella and her.
She was very disappointed in the lecturer for not helping her by changing the grade. At that moment, she started thinking and analyzing her life throughout her years on campus. She realized how she had drifted from her usual ways. She used to be very close to God when she was in the Senior High School. She was part of the executives in the Scripture Union. “Oh God, how far I have drifted from your throne.” She said with tears in her eyes.
“How did I get myself into this situation? Aba rhetorically asked herself. “I was a brilliant student right from childhood and was always on top in my class. God please help and restore me. I need you in my life right now but I don’t know how to go about it. I have entangled myself with a lot of things. Please lead me out Lord.” Aba prayed silently.
After the prayer, Aba thought it wise to tell her parents the truth. She had hidden a lot of things from them. They hardly knew her now. “I have to tell them the truth about my graduation. I know it will be difficult, but I need to start doing the right thing. I have made a lot of mistakes during my years on campus. I had acted as if I had no brains to think. I need to take responsibilities for my actions and I am going to start by telling my parents the truth.”
With this, Aba called her parents and told them she was coming home. It had been a long time she went home. She had been giving excuses upon excuses to skip going home anytime she was on vacation.
Aba got to the house to meet her parents and siblings. They were earnestly waiting for her. They had really missed her. Her siblings quickly got up and hugged her. Their elder sister was home and they were really excited. “You are welcome Aba,” Her parents said in unison to welcome their daughter home.
Aba’s parents didn’t know their daughter couldn’t graduate. They were expectant to attend her graduation ceremony and couldn’t wait for her to tell them the date. “Aba, when is your graduation? Her father asked.
Aba kept mute for some time. She thought she had grown in confidence to tell them the truth, but on seeing them physically, she couldn’t muster the courage to tell the truth. Her parents were still waiting for an answer with an expectation. “Dad… Mom, there is something I need to tell you.” Aba finally broke the silence. Her mother sensed trouble and moved closer to her daughter. She knew through her instincts that all was not well.
“What is wrong dear? You can tell me everything.” Aba’s mother moved closer to her daughter. “Humph! I don’t know how to start but all I can say is I couldn’t graduate.” Aba said with her face buried in her palm.
“What!!!” exclaimed her father. “What do you mean by you couldn’t graduate? Her father continue. “I resat a paper and couldn’t write it.” Aba told her parents. She didn’t want to include the main reason she couldn’t re-write the paper. Her father calmed down knowing there was nothing he could do about the situation. The only thing was to register Aba again in the next academic year. “Calm down Aba. I still believe in you and I know you will still graduate. You can stay home for now and register next year to re-write the paper.” Her father said to her.
A weight was lifted off Aba’s shoulders. Her parents had understood and given her a second chance. She was determined not to mess up the second chance being extended to her.
Meanwhile, the day of graduation was due. Bernard was very excited to see his toil not being in vain. He had studied very hard throughout his stay on campus and was feeling very proud in his gown. He had graduated with a first class degree while Erica also graduated with a second class upper degree. They were both excited at the ceremony.
Some weeks after graduation, Bernard was able to secure a job in an oil company. He was offered five thousand dollars as his basic salary monthly. Bernard was very happy. He could now plan to fulfil the promise he made to Erica while they were in school. He had promised her he would marry her after school and that was what he was going to do. Looking at his salary, he would be able to achieve that purpose soon.
Erica was a little sad because she was still unemployed. She had been moving from place to place to seek for jobs but to no avail. She wanted to secure a job to help Bernard in the preparation for their marriage. She didn’t want to push the whole thing on him. She wanted to support him. She continued to search for the job until favor was shown to her one day.
A family friend was able to link her to a consultancy firm. She was also earning three thousand Ghana cedis. To her, that was okay to support Bernard.
Stella was still in her old ways. She was hoping from men to men and making a living out of it. She hardly stayed at home and was always in cars with different men. Her parents tried their best to admonish her, but all fell on deaf ears. She saw herself as a grown girl and didn’t need any one to control her. She had hit a jackpot a month ago when she dated a white guy from England. The relationship didn’t last and she really needed another rich dude to replace him.
Stella was on window shopping at the shopping mall when she bumped into someone. She initially got angry and wanted to attack the fellow with abusive words. When she turned and saw the person who had bumped into her, all her words sunk into her throat. “What a handsome young man!” She admired the stranger.
“I am really sorry lady. I didn’t see you coming. Please forgive me.” The young man apologized. “It is nothing. I wasn’t even hurt.” Aba responded trying to be courteous. “What is your name?” The young man asked. “My name is Stella, you?” Stella answered and asked the young man. “My name is Ken.” He retorted. “I am in a hurry to catch an appointment. This is my card. Call me so we can get to know each other better. In fact, I am expecting your call.” Ken added while handing his business card to Stella. “I will give you a call Ken. I also want to know you more.” Stella said with a smile on her face.
Stella was very excited. She had been fantasizing on meeting a guy like him since school days but had not been successful. The guy had all the physical features she had ever desired. There was no way she was going to let this guy out of her nest. She was going to do everything possible to keep him and if possible marry him.
Meanwhile, Aba wanted to get closer to God again. She was just waiting an encounter. She yearned for it in her heart. She started going to church again and attended all their meetings. She had come to her senses. She had regretted treating Bernard the way she did. If only she could rewind the time, she would have done things differently. Yet still, Aba faced one problem. She really wanted to get her life together, but was still entangled with her old ways. She felt she was in an invincible chain she couldn’t break free from. She needed help badly. Someone who could help her come out of her captivity.
Will Stella be able to achieve her purpose? Even if she succeed, will she be able to keep only ken considering her past? What is Aba going to do about her invincible chains?
Watch out for the GRAND FINALE!!! Don’t miss it for anything!
To be continued….
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