A Dying Fear 

“I have no choice other than to ask him, no matter what. Although everyone knows he is a terror and someone who no one would be able to approach, at least he is not God," I said to Tayo, who was my best friend.

“But you should know how tough he has been, especially given his abusive nature. I'm not ready to be abused," Tayo uttered.

“But how long should I keep silent on this issue? Is it until it gets out of hand?” I replied to Tayo, who was so concerned.

Kevin Bidwell

Lecturer has been a very tough person who everyone has been finding difficult to approach. He has this nature of rudeness and toughness. He is someone who always goes straight to the point when he is talking and lecturing. Likewise, he also talks harshly and does not want anyone to get close to him or complain about anything about him.

“I would rather not carry his course over again, as I have carried it over before. I need to go and meet with him just to explain my pains and let him put me through what to do," I said to Tayo.

“But I had told you what he said in the class: that you are going to carry the course over again. Everyone burst into serious laughter at the way he said it. He was so serious about it and was not ready to listen to anyone's pleas. You dare not talk when he is talking and dare not say a word in his presence," Tayo replied.

“With the way you are saying it, I must not say a word related to the course I carried for him, right?” I asked.

“I think you should go and just try your best," Tayo advised.

“Will you follow me down?” I said to Tayo.

“I will," he replied.

We fixed a date and chose the best day, which was Tuesday. This was his relaxing day. He always relaxes in his office without going out.

When it was Tuesday, we proceeded on the journey to his office. We got to the corridor leading to his office, and I began to shiver. It was as if his painful words were hitting me strongly.

“Tayo! Anytime I see his door, I will drown in fear, even without sighting him," I said with a fearful look.

“We have to go in," Tayo advised.

Immediately we stepped into the corridor; the door flapped open, and we saw our lecturer, Mr. Charles, coming out with his colleague. I looked back at Beckon Tayo, who was nowhere to be found. I pretended I was picking up something and left without Mr. Charles noticing me.

Immediately after I got to my hostel, I saw Tayo, who, I don't know how fled, or should I say disappeared, without my notice.

“How come I did not see you when Mr. Charles came out of his office with his colleague?” I asked Tayo.

“Didn't you observe his face when he came out of the office?” Tayo replied.

“I thought I was the scariest being on earth, but I never knew someone was more scared than I.”

“It's not like that," Tayo replied.

“I think you don't dare to encourage me to go to his office, as you are not man enough," I said to Tayo.

“Hmm… see who is talking. Have you been able to go to his office alone? If you are not afraid, then go ahead to his office without my presence," Tayo said, trying to play smart.

I summoned courage and put up the habit of a man since I am a man, just to go ahead to Mr. Charles’, my lecturer’s office. At least, a man can only die once, and he is not a lion who everyone must be scared of, nor is he God. Even one can approach God and speak his mind undoubtedly. I tried to put on a brave face and proceeded to his office. Immediately, I got to his door. Fear, in the form of terror, gripped my feet, and my heart became so heavy. “Calm down, man!” I said to myself.

I knocked on the door as if an ant were scratching it. No one would be able to hear my knock, just because of the fear in me. I tried to crack my throat and tapped the door so hard. He answered and asked, “Who are you?”

“It's me, Adams, one of your students," I replied.

“Oh, come on in.” At first, I was surprised to hear him say I should come in with a soft voice.

“Alright, sir,” I replied as I jumped inside, erasing the dying fear in me. Immediately, I sighted Mr. Charles with a bold face, and I knew I was in for it today. In another way, I must achieve my aim.

“Good afternoon, sir," I said, this time with a smart look.

“How are you today, and what brought you to my office this crying afternoon?” His reply got some fear running through my heart, but then I just wanted to fulfill my aim: at least man must die once.

“Sir, it's about the course I carried over last session," I replied.

“You just need to go and prepare for it, or what do you want me to do for you?”

“I heard you said I would still carry it over again, and I just want to ask what I have done to you, sir," I asked without missing a word and with boldness.

“Who said that to you?” He asked.

“My friends said those words to me since I missed your class just because of my health issues," I said to Mr. Charles.

“I only said it jokingly. Why would I fail you, and for what purpose or what should be my gain after failing you?” He said this as some smiles returned to my face.

Mr. Charles is not the way we saw him to be. He is a simple man.

“Thanks, Sir. I will do my part by reading so intensely," I said.

“Just read your books, and you will pass my exam," he replied.

*Thanks, sir," I said as I walked out of his office, happy and smiling.

“How did it go?” Tayo asked, as I was not ready to say otherwise.

“It went fine, and Mr. Charles is a nice man and a jovial being. He is not the way we saw him to be. You can see now that I'm a real man," I replied.

“I admired your courage," Tayo replied.

This was how I got out of my real fear.