The Price Of Freedom

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At the tender age of 16 Ikechukwu feared his father, Mr Ibe who was a very strict man and believed in proper discipline. Every day Ikechukwu came back he would check his Assignments to ensure he was doing well academically. But unfortunately, when Mr Ibe got transferred to another state by his office, things took a new turn.

After the departure of his father, Ikechukwu felt like a free bird. No one checked his assignments and no one scolded him when he came back home late. His mother who was too occupied with work and household chores, wasn't able to monitor him closely.

"My bro! You are so lucky. No one to dictate for you or give you rules to abide by. I wish I were like you." Eric said to Ikechukwu one afternoon during lunch time at school.

Ikechukwu's face broadened into a smile, "I'm telling you bro, I can do anything now without getting scolded at all the time. That reminds me, I would love to play some video games, it's been a while."

"Then I know just the perfect place." Eric said, and they both laughed happily."

"Let's go to the shopping mall this evening, there is an amazing Acrade center there." Eric said.

Ikechukwu hesitated and voiced out, "Evening? My mother would notice my absence."

"She is always tired after work, she likely won't even notice your absence. Even if she eventually discovers, just tell her you slept over at my house." Eric said as he tried to convince his friend.

"Alright let's go then."

After a long night at the Acrade center, Ikechukwu got back home around 5am. He tried to sneak in to avoid his mother noticing, when he heard her voice.

"Ikechukwu, where have you been?" She asked.

"I was at Eric's place last night, we were doing some assignments together."

"Stop lying, I called Eric's mother yesterday and she said you weren't there."

"I..."

"Keep quiet! I will let this slide but i promise you next time such repeats itself, I will call your father right away."

The mention of his father sent a shiver down his spine. "I'm sorry mum, it won't happen again."

Ikechukwu's case became worse, he skipped classes, stopped doing his assignments and his grades became bad.

After the session had come to an end, Ikechukwu returned home with a very degrading result.

"Ikechukwu! Is this what we sent you to school to do? What kind of result is this? You keep following bad friends around that don't add any value to your life." His mother scolded him after checking his results.

Ikechukwu bowed his head, his face, buried in shame.

"I'm calling your father right away."

She went inside her room and spoke for a while on the phone, with her husband, then she called her son to come.

"Ikechukwu! Come here, your father wants to speak with you."

"Ikechukwu, what's this i'm hearing? This isn't who I trained you to become. You will relocate at once to this place, I have to discipline you accordingly ." A shiver went down his spine, as he heard the cold voice of his father.

The next day, Ikechukwu travelled to meet his father at the City where he worked.

"Papa, good afternoon." He greeted his father, upon his arrival.

"Welcome to the city of port Harcourt” His father said, as he drove him home.

His father enrolled him in a popular lesson center in the City where he prepared for his senior waec. Ikechukwu was no longer able to live that lifestyle because of the fear of his father. He now took his studies seriously.

One cool evening as they sat on the dining table having dinner, Ikechukwu's father drew his attention.

"My son, you know you have a very short time to cover up all your subjects as you have missed a lot due to the reckless lifestyle you choose to live. Just remember your exam is around the corner and you have to put in extra efforts if you want to pass." He advised his son.

"Yes papa, I know, I will try my best not to disappoint you again. Ikechukwu replied his father with a voice, full of remorse."

The day of the examination finally came, and Ikechukwu sat for the senior waec examination. After a duration of one month, the results came out and he failed woefully.

“I wish you had adhered to my warnings and advice, now look at how you are messing up your life, But it’s not too late yet to make amends.” Ikechukwu’s father said to him.

From that day onwards, Ikechukwu vowed to take his studies more seriously and stay away from negative influence.