In case you you are just joining us, read up here
(1) (2) (3) (4)
..Leaving the gate to the front of my landlord's store, just outside the compound I saw that the old man had locked his shop and there wasn't any need for me to have not walked out majestically and boldly as I ought to. Once the rain starts or it gets a little dark, he would close the store and go inside his house with his small radio always in his armpit like an Hausa man. I respect him for one thing though. He is a pool of knowledge having served the government during the colonial era and partly during the civilian dispensation. He would tell me a lot of stories about those times, boasting and expecting praises from me the listener to applaud him. He would always say, "I served my country well" and beat his chest to that, telling me how many National Honours he should have received if there weren't dirty politics in the system and how they are given. Ever since he retired from active service, his source of sustenance has been from his property located at different areas in town and his grown up children. If not for his second child Jide, whom he has always talked about and boasted that he is doing well in Abuja, he would have lost one of his lands along the major expressway, to those hungry Nike boys. The store he is managing in front of his house is not necessarily because he depends upon that for a living but just for him to have something physical that he is doing; but he is so greedy and very stingy. Upon all his boasting and all that, he must always make sure that you pay him the last kobo you are supposed to pay him. He will never sell something to you on credit, NEVER! even if you are dying. He will always say that creditors are no friends of his and that the government is still owing him what they are supposed to pay him after giving them all his life. He is a disciplined man. At least ever since his wife died about 11yrs ago as he said, he has not remarried and personally, I have never seen or caught him with any woman. He is a church warden in catholic church and would always want me to come to his church, boasting that it's the only true church christ himself instituted; an argument I have never given him the chance to win me in. Among all his tenants, he would always want to talk and discuss at length with me and Iyke because according to him, he would always say that he likes me because I reason fast, and Iyke because they both discuss political issues.
Arriving at the viewing centre, the whole place was so lighted and lively with heavy music booming out into the air. I didn't have that venue in mind initially. I just wanted to dash into one of the random beer joints in my street to see the match with a bottle of soft drink or pay them #50 and seat for the game, but I suddenly decided to make the outing count while on our way out. I had branched to the ATM and swept clean all I have got in my account into my wallet. We alighted from the taxi, settled the cab man and made our way into the venue. She made me cross her hand with mine holding it up just like one would hold a handbag as we moved into the arena. She became all over me with gists after gists, clinging unto my body and laughing heartily and so playful to the notice of everyone. That day was my third day of going to that very bar. The first time was during Iyke girlfriend's birthday party. After which I have visited the place only once with Jenny on a sunday evening to chill out. The place is so fun and lively though, with their lap dancers, comedians and music performers. Their suya joint is superb, their 'point-and-kill' and fish barbecue tastes excellent. They have nice and beautiful ushers. A very large place with club and lodging accommodation too, but be sure to pay through your nose for any of their services. Their beer goes for #500 per bottle not to talk of others like hard drinks if that's what I cared for. I would drink about 2 bottles as against 5 that's normally my take and would be satisfied as though I have taken 10 bottles because of the expenses. The waitress came after a while and brought our order.
The match had also begun around 7:45pm. "Baby, when will the match finish?" Pamela asked, placing her head on my shoulders, pressing her phone with little or no interest at all on the ongoing football match. "It's 90mins game" I responded with a shrug."Mmmtcheew....ok" she said. I ignored her, picked a strap of the suya with a toothpick into my mouth, and sipped my beer gently to push it down and concentrated on the game.
The game had lasted into the 90mins normal play, and now into the first half of extra time and might probably go into penalties but we were yet to take our dinner. "Baby, I'm hungry" she said, and continued "Do they sell food here?" she asked. "Yeah, let's get something and eat" I responded. We made the order and the food was served afterwards. I was sure to go into borrowing that night as my bill would definitely be more than the whole money I have got but at the same time, I need to still act as though it's not a big deal. I was also sure that the 5k 'last card' I had withdrawn from the ATM will be exhausted, leaving nothing absolutely in my pocket. I became humble in thought immediately, thinking of how do we get home from here, how do I pay all the bill am sure will arise from all we have ordered and eaten? I felt so uncomfortable. And it was not like my mother would send anything to me in school anytime soon or for the rest of that month. She had warned me sternly not to call her for anything for the rest of the month and it's just 15th day of the month on the calendar. I pity the poor woman anyway, having sent me money twice earlier that month. After loosing my Dad in an accident involving other three staff of their company where he worked as an Engineer, when she thought life would be so sweet and just two months after having my only sister, she was left to cater for me and my sister all by herself. But I thank God for the kind of courage she has anyway. She has always given us the best; me and my only sister Chekwube from what she makes from her midwife job and as a matron in our Local Government Health Centre. She had used her earnings to complete the building project my late Dad started in the village and also to train us in school. I remember when I got admission newly. She was so excited that she almost emptied everything she has got to make sure she gives me the best. She didn't argue much when I told her I didn't want to live in the school Hostel. I had conditioned her mind to believe that not only will the Hostel environment and the toilet spread disease, but will as well affect my comfort thereby distracting me academically. She believed me at once. She was quick to pay for my apartment even though it was a bit costly and also equipped it with necessary things I needed. I lacked nothing during my first year in school. It would have been a double blessing for me if uncle Benjamin, my mum's elder brother liked the course I was given to study in the university. He had wanted me to study Law in school but I chose Public Administration and he has remained unhappy with me since then. After sending me 400 Dollars from the U.S last year, when he heard I got admission, he has ceased the favour on the ground that he asked me to go for Law. Well, I didn't and wont depend on him. Maybe he will favour Chekwube my younger sister whom he has grown so fond of, calling her every now and then. He has started putting the idea of studying Med-Rehab on her head. Maybe the young girl will or maybe she will not.
Pamela had offered to pay for all we had eaten that night even without me asking her to do that or giving her the impression that I was out of cash. She had called the waitress that served us and was making the payment through POS with her ATM card as I was returning from the convenience where I went to pass hot urine in an attempt to calm my troubled spirit..
Q-therapy