The Lecturer's Trap

Linda seemed to ooze confidence as she strutted towards the score-board. It was like she had already seen the results before now, and only came to look again as a formality. Her friends envied her confidence. They wished they had assurance of some sort, to bolster them, but there was none. Moments like these were always full of fear; the hour of reckoning, when your entire semester's work is graded and displayed for all to see. Everyone's heart was beating fast, but not Linda's. She was cool as ever. "Make way! Make way!" She chided to the small crowd of students gathered around the notice board, as she strutted through like a peacock. She was smiling to herself. That little smile a person smiles when they know something no one else does...some dark secret.
It had begun 9 months ago, ever since she entered her final year. Ever since the day when Professor Iyanya had first set eyes on her in his classroom. He had not let her rest. It had started off with small, kind gestures; offering her lunch, complimenting her, asking about her family. That sort of thing. But then, once he started making advances towards her, she knew she was in for trouble. He said he was getting divorced, after 20 years of marriage, and he just enjoyed her company. A common excuse for old hags like him, she thought then; these men who have no shame, not satisfied with their matrimonial homes, and pursue everything on skirt within the campus. Such men were ready to offer the world to any young girl who would accept their advances, but likewise had the power to frustrate their academic effort if they refused. An abuse of position that had frustrated one too many girls, from all the stories she had heard. But now they were no longer stories, the professor wanted her. She was hesitant at first. She knew it was wrong. Besides, he was almost her father's age. Moreover, he was her teacher. However, the professor kept making his advances and soon her resolve grew weak. When she thought about the advantage the affair stood to offer, as against the potential trouble she could face by his wrath, she began to consider the possibility of giving in. She had felt guilty at first but then, "what the hell" She thought. Who was she to refuse him? Her grades were quite low and if this was a means of securing good grades without hassle, then why not? He could easily take out some malicious ploy against her if she did refuse. Such men often had very sensitive egos. Besides you must use what you have to get what you want right? She quickly dissolved her reservation on the matter, and decided to go through with it. It would be over in 9 months. There's no big deal. Girls do it all the time, right? Plus, a little extra pocket money on the side wouldn't hurt. So, with her mind made up, she agreed to his proposal, and they began their extra-marital affair. It would be their little secret and only her closest friends would ever know about it. So that was it. Linda had been seeing the professor all through her final year. And as their final exams approached, while her course mates and friends spent hours in the library, reading and cramming in preparation for exams, she had made her own preparation in bed with Proffessor Iyanya at their usual spot. "Old shameless man," she hissed as she thought back to herself. Well, it was over now anyway. The semester was finished. End of story. Her eyes quickly traced down the list of names in search of hers. "Aha!" She exclaimed, having found her entry. Her friends were eager and anticipating. "What? Tell us!" Linda fell dead silent. She stood still. For a moment she thought her eyes were decieving her. She looked again at the entry to make sure it was hers. There was no mistake; it was her result. Linda......'F' When her friends finally traced her gaze they were surprised. Linda was in shock. Her cheeks suddenly turning red as it seemed all the blood in her body was rushing to her head. Her knees went weak and her throat went dry. "How come Linda?" Someone asked, " I thought you and the prof were..." Linda was utterly confused. Her head was spinning. This couldn't be happening! It must be some sick joke. How could this be? What did he mean by this!? There must have been some sort of mistake somewhere. She had expected an 'A'. Anger quickly began to dissolve the confusion in her mind. It couldn't have been a mistake. He had done it on purpose. He had taken advantage of her. He had used her and insulted her thoroughly,in the worst imaginable way. She had been embarrassed and humiliated infront of her friends. A quick glance across the entire scoreboard told her that she was the only one who failed the professors course. She knew the implication- she couldn't graduate this year. She would have to resit the exam, and that meant another year. Heg had destroyed all her plans and dashed her hopes. She would remain in school. And in that instant of lucid clarity, she realized his true motive; he wasn't prepared to let her go. He was determined to continue their unholy relationship, even if it meant jeopardizing her education in the process.