At 18, Pascal chose the Army over poverty. His father called it betrayal. He called it duty.
Pascal! Pascal!! where is this boy for goodness’s sake Mrs Vincent wondered. He is not always the outing type where on earth could he have gone?
What is the matter? Why are you shouting on top of your voice like that? Mr Vincent asked.
Is it not your son, for the past 2 hours I have been looking for him, he is nowhere to be found.
My son? Mr Vincent asked.
Yes dear, Pascal.
Do you still call that one a son? A boy that has refused to learn the mechanic work I chose for him. Can you imagine? I took him to my friend’s workshop, and he promised to teach him free of charge for the sake of our friendship, but Pascal refused. My other friend Ekene in Nnewi also agreed to allow him to learn the trade of selling motor spare parts under his tutelage, yet Pascal declined, and you still call him a son? Mr Vincent queried.
Oh no honey please don’t say that. You and I know that Pascal has always wanted to further his education but due to our financial situation he could not. Learning craft or business is not in his agenda as you can see, Mrs Vincent concluded.
Ok, so what do you suggest should be done since we don’t have the wherewithal to send him to the University 3 years after he finished secondary school? Do you mean he should continue staying at home and be eating food? Mr Vincent queried.
You know it is not my wish for him not to further his education but as you know since my retirement, my pension cannot buy a bag of rice, and he is not the only child that we have to train in school. It really bothers me each time I see him like that with his intelligence locked and keyed in the box of financial constraints, Mr Vincent lamented.
Do not worry my husband God will surely make a way for our son to achieve his academic heart desires, Mrs Vincent assured.
Amen my dear. Do not bother yourself about him he is a man and capable of taking care of himself wherever he may be, please come and get my food ready I am famished, Mr Vincent said.
I know if I tell them my plans, they will never allow me so I will remain here in my friend’s place until the time is right for me to execute my plans, Pascal thought in his mind.
Pascal why are you so quiet? Are you sure you are ready for this? Sule asked.
Ready for what? Pascal fired back.
It is not easy to be a soldier oo. Our people say, It is easy to pretend to be mad, what about the trekking and homelessness in it? Sule warned.
Oh that? I am very much ready, Pascal assured him.
Ok, in that case you will have to stay here with me as this is weekend, on Monday I will take you to the café to fill the Army form online since you don’t know anywhere here in Zaria. But are your parents aware of your ambition and decision to join the Army? Sule asked.
No I cannot tell them, Pascal responded.
Why? Sule asked.
Because they would not agree to it and my dream of becoming a soldier will be thwarted. But why do you think they would not allow you to join the Army? Sule asked. Because they are made to believe that soldiers are wayward, heartless, wicked, womanizers and illiterates, Pascal said.
So, you know all these, yet you still want to join the Army? Sule asked.
I do not believe in that narrative. I believe there are good and wonderful soldiers out there who are excelling in their different areas. The whole Army should not be branded as such rather they should be praised for their sacrifices of laying down their lives for the unity and safety of the nation even though as they say, in every 12 there is a Judas, Pascal said.
That is good to know that there is someone like you who still has faith in the Army, Sule said. Go in and have some rest after such a long journey from the South, Sule added.
Thank you very much my friend for agreeing to help me, God bless you, Pascal said.
Amen! Sule answered.
I promise you that if I am successful in joining the Army, I will not disappoint you, I will do my best to make you all proud as our people say, “even if the mud does not stick to the wall, it will at least leave a mark”, Pascal promised.
I believe in your abilities my friend, goodnight and have a sound sleep, Sule said.
Goodnight too, Pascal responded.
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