Memoir: A Letter to Her.

 By Chioma Benedicta Okwuelum

In the loving memory of Elozino Joshualia Ogege; a deceased 300-Level student of Mass Communication in Delta State University, Abraka. Who died in the hands of ritualists and fraudsters.

My Dear,

Remember our deal? I told you my CGPA would be higher than yours by the end of this semester. You laughed because you thought it impossible. I never agreed with you on that, but deep down my heart, I knew you were steps a head of me. And I was proud of you.

I recall telling you I needed help in one of our courses. Of course, the course was a no-brainer to you, but I was dying in frustration. "Read deep, don't just glance at the topic. When you are done, and you still dont get it, I will step in." You said to me.

"Professor! I'm lucky, sha!" I exclaimed.

Little did I know I would run out of luck. I studied and just as you expected of me, I  comprehended. I was excited. I waited for your return. I thought you would share in my joy but my happiness was short lived by some rumours. People started saying somethings about you. People would always talk. You never stayed out late. You never went out without stating your destination; school or church. I shouldn't have stayed back home. I would have gone to school with you. But you said it yourself, I needed rest. I was seriously ill and going for class would have been an horrendous experience. You planned taking me to the school's health center on your return, if my health deteriorated. I waited for you to return. I waited for days for the rumours to  fade away but as hour became days, the rumours  of your kidnap became my reality.

Do you still want to know about my health? Well, I guess the physicians have no cure for my ailment. You know why? My heart is broken beyond repair because you left me. I thought our lives just started.  I thought we still had lots of moments to share. We were at the verge of entering a new world. A world outside DELSU. A world far away from our families. A world of our own. Did you know all these while that we won't convoke together and you left me in the dark? You just left without a good bye. If only you could hear the good testimonies of people about you my roommate, friend and sister. Even in death your light still illuminates the earth. I'm sure you are already shinning where ever you are. I will cherish the memories you left behind till we meet to part no more.

I pray karma visits those who  sent you to your creator in haste just for their avarice.

Adieu one of a kind! Adieu my Professor!

                                                                            Yours Lovely,

Annie.

                                                  

Chioma Benedicta Okwuelum is a graduate of English and Literary studies in Delta State University, Abraka. She has written some unpublished creative works encompassing poems, short-stories and plays. Nnamdi, a short-story she recently concluded is weaved around the African belief and preconception appertaining to reincarnation. Currently, she is writing a short-story entitled, Human Library which mirrors the emotional struggles different individuals in the society encounter in the course of their existence.