03-02-2024
If I were to ask my circle of friends what my role was...
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I certainly have done that several times. At age 21, I had two ladies with whom we studied together for exams and tests in the class.
I used to be in the seat directly behind them in the class because I didn't have enough balls to sit directly facing the lecturer in the lecture room. Even if I were occupying the space, I would leave immediately after a lecturer arrived.
It used to be like a displacement situation, but the two of them used to sit where I could not sit. One day we just left the class and were going home so I asked them what they perceived about me in the class.
They told me that I used to act as a disorganizer. I distract people by not sitting down most of the time while trying to change positions.
Most of these times, I used to be in the front role because I wanted to discuss with them. I did that for a long time and after a while, we finished our first year at the university.
By the time we got to the third year, we had fewer combined courses in the faculty of science and a few people had changed their courses from physics to other science or education courses. I thought it was better to do self-assessment again.
I asked them about my role in the friendship again, and they told me that I was a comedian. That has never been my intention when I thought I was getting their attention.
Title earned: a disorganizer.
After a while, I started sitting a bit farther behind them. From the end of one class until the beginning of another, I would sit in the middle, which is two seats behind them.
These two ladies were so vast and fascinating and hence I like talking to them. After the class, I would start a chat with them without leaving my seat, but some other guys in the class would hijack the conversation and take over.
After a while, it will become a general conversation, and almost half of the class will engage. It took me a while before I realised that they don't like that form of communication.
The duo doesn't like the general-class chat that is supposed to be a "dialogue." When I found out, I was reputationally busted and barged a class "disorganizer" once again.
I summoned my courage and decided that I would be sitting in the front row. Without any further ado, I would go and sit in the front row after getting to the class.
Afterward, we sit together most of the time. Once I noticed that it was taking a lot of time before the lecturer arrived, I would engage her in a funny conversation.
Over a short time, the two tagged me as a comedian. What I observed is that people observe you per time—the time you spent with them—but the cumulative report can only be known if you ask them about who you are.
Many friends will be sincere with you. Over time, once I call any of these ladies, the first thing is that they remind me of how I disturb the class.
I see that as a kind of bad reputation. These days, I try to be moderate because I never know who is looking at me and taking note of what I am doing.
My entry for Hive-naija contest