Farewell To Pauline

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Ife left home to school in distant land where he knew nobody. His urge to seek higher education was undiluted. After writing his school certificate examination, he locked up himself in silent corners reading in preparation for the university matriculation examination. While his mates were busy seeking jobs to be able to acquire basic needs, he buried his head into his studies.

When the results of the exams he wrote were released, Ife grade A and was admitted to study law at the university. He had only read of the University of Ibadan in newspapers, he never knew how far it was from home.

Before he left home, his mother, Ajibike advise him to always remember the son of whom he is. He was never to join any bad gang or bring shame to the family. Emotions rolled on the said day as he carried his tracing bag and other luggage to the park. She asked him to kneel while she prayed for him:

Father in Jesus' name. Behold my son, my only Son, Ifeoluwa. As he leaves to study out of our sights, Lord is with him always. Blindfold any evil device against him. See him through his studies. And let us rejoice in the end over him as we return all glory to you, in Jesus mighty name I have prayed.

Ife chorused amen while she concluded the prayers.

They both walked to the park that is not too far from their residence. When they arrived at the park, there was only one space left in the loading bus, Ifr did not waste further time, he joined and bid his mother goodbye.

When he arrived at the premier university, life was everywhere. He concluded his registration process and got a special accommodation being a law student. In the evening of the same day, Ife joined other boys in the common room to watch an English Premier League match between Hull City and Chelsea football club. It was his first time, so he just remained calm minding his business.

Many new students had resumed earlier than him and had become closer to each other. Hence, they interact freely.

During the halftime break, a beautiful but fragile girl walked up to Ife and asked:

Do you mind, I seat next to you?

Ife looked up and saw how tall, beautiful and fair the girl is and said to her:

Sure, you can seat.

He moved a little and made space for the girl who introduced herself to Ife as Pauline. She told Ife she came closer because he appeared calm and not lousy like other guys in the common room.

These two became best of friends. They were always together. Being a law student herself, Pauline always ensure she sat close to Ife in the lecture theatre. At times, when Ife comes late for lectures, he has a guarantee that Pauline will secure a seat for him, same for her too.

After a month into their resumption in school, the students' union government decide t throw a welcome party for all freshmen. It was a night that all new students always looked out for. There would be awards categories for students. That evening, Ife and Pauline were awarded the Freshmen Couple of the year.

As a shy boy, Ife did not have the impetus to tell Pauline what he felt for her. Until they got to their final year at the university. Pauline on her side was expecting that Ife made the first move that would never come.

After their final papers, they decided to hang out of school one more time before saying goodbye to each other.

Pauline arrived at the location first. She was eager to see Ife. What would have kept him back for so long? As she became weary of what would have happened to Ife, the young man appear with a flower, professing his live for her. It was among night for the lovebirds. Such that, Pauline felt like school just started for them.

School had closed for the year and all students have to evacuate the school premises under specified time.

I've went back to Enugu with double feelings. First, not being able to come out quickly to tell her how he had felt from the first time they met. For five years, he was only able to open up to her once. Now that she had accepted, won't this distance cause more problem for him?

Maybe their live was never meant to be, Ife argued with himself.

After law school, Ife decided to take this a little further when he told his parents that he had found the apple of his eyes. When they visited Pauline's family, Ajibike was shocked to her bones when she discovered that Ife had only fell in love with his cousin.

It 2as at that meeting that the families separated them. Pauline and Ife wept uncontrollably because they have come to love each other so much but there was another they could do.

It was never meant to be.