The morning bell clanged like a cracked cymbal, dragging Kalu Egbe from a restless sleep. He sat up quickly, momentarily confused. Then the stench of sweat, old clothes, and the faint sting on his arms reminded him—he was still in Dormitory Block C.
"Nna m ichi oke..." he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
All around him, juniors scrambled out of their bunks like ants fleeing fire. A few seniors barked commands. "Sweep here! Mop there! Who no go fetch water, no go bathe!"
Kalu grabbed his towel and bucket, following Nedu outside. The sky was barely bright, but the borehole queue was already long.
As they waited, Kalu whispered, "This line no dey move. If I no fetch water, Big Mouth go kill me."
Nedu chuckled. "Guy, welcome to FGC. No water, no peace."
After nearly an hour, Kalu finally filled his bucket. The return journey felt like triumph. But halfway to the hostel, a tall senior in boxers stepped into his path.
"You, fresh boy. Bring that water here."
Kalu froze. "Senior, please..."
"Shut up! You fetch am for your papa?" The senior grabbed the bucket, water sloshing over. "Next time, fetch two."
As Kalu watched his effort walk away, he clenched his fists. "Nna m ichi oke..."
He turned to Nedu in frustration. "This place dey suck person dry."
Nedu nodded grimly. "Na so. Wait till we reach dining hall."
Later that afternoon, Kalu and Nedu rushed towards the dining hall. The aroma of beans and yam porridge filled the air. Bell clangs echoed: "DINNER TIME!"
They weren't running for excitement—they were running for survival. First come, first served. Slow boys went hungry.
As they neared the hall, a voice boomed from above.
"You there! Red bucket boy!"
Kalu turned. A senior leaned out of the window of Dorm B, shirtless, licking his fingers.
"Me, Senior?"
"Yes, you! Bring your food to me. Sharp-sharp."
"But—"
"You wan chop wetin? You no hear me?"
Kalu swallowed. He turned around slowly.
Nedu hissed, "Guy, na every time? You go die of hunger o."
Kalu nodded, defeated. He walked towards the senior's dorm, empty plate in hand.
Nearby, two other juniors were arguing. One had just lost his food to a different senior, who now sat on a veranda bench eating like a king.
Inside the dining hall, Matron Nnenna stood watching the chaos. Her face was blank, eyes tired. She saw Kalu turn away from the food line but said nothing.
"Madam, them dey take our food," a junior complained.
Matron waved him off. "Go back to your dorm. Or you want me to punish you?"
Kalu's stomach churned. The smell of porridge was thick in the air, but all he had was emptiness.
That night, back in the dorm, Kalu lay awake. His stomach growled. He had eaten nothing.
Across the room, a junior sobbed quietly. A senior was snoring nearby.
Kalu's thoughts raced. This place will break me... if I let it.
He whispered again, "Nna m ichi oke..."
Somewhere outside, the borehole pump groaned in the dark.
Tomorrow, he would try again.
To be continued...