Oluwayinka Ajibade

The Blind Timekeeper Oluwayinka Ajibade

The class was in session; the chemistry teacher was going around, looking at the work of the thirty-four students. They were very quiet as they were engrossed in their work; the teacher offered corrections and answers their questions as he paced from one row to another. Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by the shrill cry of a student. "My eyes! My eyes!! I can't see again." Ethan's shrieking made the teacher ran to his side. His eyes had turned completely different; he appeared to be looking but it was obvious he could not see a thing as he had stopped blinking. "What is the matter, Ethan?" the confused teacher asked. The whole class had converged around him."Sir, it is my eyes! Somebody should help me!! I can't see!!!" He cried bitterly."Take it easy, Ethan; it is possible, some particles flew into your eyes." The teacher said calmly and turned to the class, "Is there anybody with water?""Yes sir, my bottle contains water," Mariam said and hastily ran towards the teacher with her water bottle."Sir, my eyes are hurting me! Help me to the clinic." He insisted vehemently."Let me wash your face first," The teacher said firmly as he led him outside. They washed his face without any improvement after which they led him to the school clinic. When nothing could be done, he was taken to Arawa Specialist Hospital where he was confirmed blind. The news spread fast like a bush fire around the whole school and the school was brought to an abrupt close that day. "The timekeeper is blind! What a tragedy!!" the teachers discussed in hushed tones, "Does he have eye problem before now? What could have happened? Is it because of reading with poorly illuminated light?" When they took him home that day, his mother could not believe it. The Assistant Principal Administration was the head of the delegation that brought Ethan home with the school medical officer, the health prefect, and two of his classmates. They came with the school bus; Carol thanked them profusely and the Assistant Principal said they would come to take him for a scheduled medication at the Specialist Hospital in two days. They left after counselling Carol not to panic that everything would be alright."How did it happen?" Carol asked her son as she was taking him to his bedroom and settled him on his bed. "You should have called or even ask Geena to call me?""I was attempting some questions in chemistry when everything went blank." He explained. "You know they don't allow us to use phones in the school.""Yes, I know that, but you could have at least pleaded with one or two teachers to get words across to me instead of leaving me in the dark until now." She said, "How are you feeling?""I can't see anything; everywhere is just dark. There is this noise in my head as if a bell is being jingled." He explained as she helped him change from his school uniform to casual wear.