That morning, Amopha made her way alongside other students who trotted into the one thousand seat curved lecture theatre. They were having an early morning lecture and she of all people knew better than to be late. The lecturer who was a grizzly elderly man with a youthful stride made an ingress into the room and mounted the podium. Amopha who sat at the second row of chair could see that his eyes carefully scrutinized everyone from his silver rimmed glasses which sat low on his nose, his furrowed white brows creasing every now and then. He went by the name Professor Perkins and was known for his traditional manner of teaching by writing on the board even though a projector was available. To him, handwritten ledgers trained the brain more than fancy gadgets which makes mankind lazy.
"Settle down," he ordered gently and just like that, it seemed like a blanket of silence shrouded the whole room. No one was ready for his witty affronts. He leaned his back on a table, faced the class and began. "I believe this is my third time with you this semester. We have been treating the topic Introduction to Financial Accounting which revolves around the recording, summarizing and reporting of business transactions. It is usually used by…
"Stakeholders" a student responded completely his definition
"Thank you" he responded
"Creditors" another said
"Yes" he said already getting impressed
"Investors!" another student said
"You all are very correct" he said already impressed by their answers.
Louis who was passing through the lecture room on an errand from another lecturer, spotted Amopha in the crowd of students. He halted in his steps and leaned against the wall quietly enough to not be spotted by Professor Perkins.
"I love a class that communicates well. Proves you guys are reading .As I was saying, the creditors, investors, Stakeholders and even the management used this business transactions to generate useful financial information." He said as his eyes darted from one visage to another till it settled on Amopha "You"
Amopha eyes widened a bit as she turned to both sides not sure he was talking to her. " Me sir?" she asked
"Yes you with the cascading ebony locks" the lecturer described as a chuckle arose from the crowd and fell abruptly. Amopha rose nervously, her heart palpitating.
"What is your name?" he asked
"Amopha. Amopha Murray sir" she responded
"Can you tell us the fundamental concepts of accounting Ms. Murray?" Prof. Perkins asked as everyone eyes settled on Amopha. Louis leaned forward but all the same didn't make himself conspicuous to the crowd.
Amopha bent her head downcast, trying to avoid the curious stares around her. Prof. Perkins could hear her mumbling something but couldn't make out what she said. "I'm not getting what you're saying or trying to say Ms. Murray. If you would just be audible"
"Assets, liabilities and equity" she mumbled not staring at everyone who stretched their ears to comprehend her
"Are you hearing what's she's saying?" Prof. Perkins asked as everyone let our a loud NO.
"Ms. Murray, I do not like a lack of participation in my class, everyone must be carried along. You have been so silent in all my classes, I was beginning to think you were an unrecorded liability" At Prof. Perkins last statement, the class burst a gasps and laughter mixed together in a fit of hysteria. Amopha held the top of the chair in front of her, her head becoming more downcast trying to suck in the mortification.
"Let me ask you Ms. Murray, have you said anything since this class began or since this entire course began?" he asked further, his eyes more directly scrutinizing her. Amopha mumbled something, her head still downcast "Ms. Murray, when you speak, you face me" Prof. Perkins said, his voice was stern and strict like a tape stretching through her weaknesses without mercy.
"No sir" she said, her voice finally audible and her visage raised
"Oh my, that's just a shame. I mean, if revenue was a participation, yours would still be in recession" Prof. Perkins said triggering the crowd into another fit of hysteria as Amopha returned her head quickly to it's downcast position. Looking at anybody's face would be her end. "So I ask you again Ms. Murray. What are the fundamental concepts of financial accounting?"
Amopha breathe, her heart palpitated, she was drowning in fear and all she could do to help herself was to mumble hoping that the lecturer would hear her and just spare her the mortifications.
"Assets, liabilities and equity" she mumbled again
"What did you say?" Prof. Perkins said, he was already getting pissed of by her lack of volume.
"She said" Louis said moving out of the corner as everyone simultaneously turned to his direction "assets, liabilities and equity"
"It's Louis Chandler!" a student yelled enthusiastically as everyone gasped and stared awestruck by his presence.
"Decorum!" Prof. Perkins said as everyone became silent
"I'm sorry to interrupt your lecture Professor but I'm pretty sure I heard her loud and clear." Louis said making his way towards the podium. He noticed a lot of girls ogling and winking at him but kept his face straight. He made each steps with controlled precision, not too light not too heavy. Amopha noticed he had a measured and deliberate gait exuding a confidence and authority that by all means caught everyone including the lecturer. His movement was neither sluggish nor rushed but rather purposeful, steady and even paced till he mounted the podium.
"Look who decided to materialize. I thought you were just a ghost asset which exist on paper but in real life" Prof. Perkins said as everyone gasped waiting for what Louis would say .
"I assure you Professor, I am very real because even ghost assets have value on the balance sheets" Louis said throwing the crowd off balance. There was whoa and wow rising here and there. The professor already very impressed drew Louis into his arms in a welcoming hug.
"Awwwww" cheered the crowd. Amopha standing in all of it felt relieved that the presence of Louis had saved her from more of Prof. Perkins accounting related lambasting. But she wondered, Louis was a judge, how did he know terminologies that related to accounting?
"This is a proof of people who still rules the future" Prof. Perkins said making Louis face the crowd. Louis smiled nervously, his gaze settling on Amopha who was still standing.
"Professor, please have mercy on Ms. Murray, the poor kid's been standing all day" he said
"Oh right. Consider yourself a lucky one today Ms. Murray. Class dismissed" Prof. Perkins said as everyone began to pack their books and bags.
"How are you doing my boy?" Prof. Perkins said smiling and placing his hands on Louis' shoulder
"I'm doing fine sir. Although, I've been drowning in several cases" Louis said a s they both chuckled. He noticed Amopha hanging her backpack, already ready to leave the room. "Amopha!" he said raising his index finger up "A moment" He exchanged his last pleasantries with the professor who left the room which was already empty.
Amopha came out of the row of seats towards the passage in slow and hesitant steps. Louis made his way back to the passage and halted in front of her.
"Thank you for the save sir" Amopha said, "I really do appreciate it"
"What will I do to make you call me by my name Amopha?" he asked leaning close to her. She could feel the heaviness of his presence on her. She raised her head and suddenly, her eyes were fixated on his. His gaze was a verdict on its own, steady, piercing, inescapable, stripping her of everything she stood for. She lowered her lashes, heart fluttering but the endearing weight of his stare lingered into her skin. She felt trapped, brainwashed by the stare that could have been ordinary but still somehow managed to be out of this world. This was the eyes he used to break down the pretense of culprits and suspects in the court, to rip their secrets from their obstinate tongue. It was this eyes he was using to stare at her now. She was not a suspect nor was she progenitor of a serial crime. She was just a shy lady trying to navigate her way out of her inferior fits. Why was he staring at her like that?
"Nothing, Louis. Have a nice day" she said rushing towards the entrance
"Amopha" he called as she halted not turning her back to him "Your silence doesn't make you invisible, some of us still see you" he said
For a while Amopha didn't say anything nor did she turn back to him. Abruptly, she raised her shoulders adjusting her back strap on it and left the room.