So I went to the market to buy a live chicken, which was of course, killed by the seller. Apart from the bitter woman who parked directly in front of me and insulted the life out of me when I asked her to move her "keke", there was something intriguing I observed.
"Madam, which one you wan buy?" asked the butcher as he held out two squeaking chickens on both hands.
"Give me the one on the left hand," I said
And with that instruction, he dropped the other back in the cage.
Whilst he killed the chicken, the others in the cage continued as though nothing had happened, as though the chicken, whom I'd like to call Ngozi, had not just died.
And then it hit me. So many people die everyday, a few make the news, a few leave their world a better place.
As the year runs to an end(...yea...runs cause it's as though the clock is in some kind of competition with Usain Bolts)... I reminisce on the deaths of quite a number of celebrities this year: Robin Williams, Joan Rivers, Paul Walker, Kefee, Myles Munroe, Chaz B, Nelson Mandela, Justus Esiri etc
I don't think I've covered half the list of people whose life works touched you and me one way or the other. But then try to think about how life has continued, with their memories serving only as embers from the past.
Morale of my story: enjoy life, worship your Creator and always remember that the day of your death ought to be better than the day of your birth. (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
Sunday 30 November 2014
A bachelors thanksgiving
As a young man growing up, I had basic comfort at every point in time. I had a decent 'cortina by Bata' shoe like everyone else, I even had my kito and cross-trekkers sandals unlike our president who 'had no shoes growing up'. Fast forward a few years and here I am, living thousands of miles away from home, working a decent job, living a rather decent life too. It was thanksgiving day for a few people on the 27th of this month and my old boys association decided to send me a mail extending warm greetings and the usual banter. The mail had a funny paragraph though, they told me not to bother returning the award I won earlier this year 'most eligible bachelor' because the foresee I will still be the one next year.
Sitting alone in my house I decided to write this to express my gratitude, while I'm thankful for life, family and the good people all around me, I decided to extend that gratitude to the inanimate things that have made my life much enjoyable this past few years.
My Car.
My 3.0L V6 baby, you have made commuting very easy, you have protected me from the harsh sun and the constant rainfall in this city. The numerous potholes and flooded routes were no match for you. Through my early morning drive to work and my late night movements you have not for once broken down and left me stranded. Between the sounds from your speakers, the climate control and the heated leather seats you have served me comfortably and for that I'm thankful.
My refrigerator, microwave, juicer and dishwasher.
You have kept me properly nourished and taken care of my need to stay healthy. You all have worked together to achieve this. Special thanks to the microwave, many people try to paint you in a bad light, saying the healthy meals you give me can cause cancer and I ask them, what in the world does not cause cancer these days? I hear no reply.
My washing machine, drier and pressing iron.
You all have kept me good looking. You have saved me from the horror I lived through in boarding school where I had to bend my back washing clothes endlessly only to spread them in the hot sun and have rain ruin everything again. Once again, special thanks to the drier, Ignorant people will talk endlessly of how you shrink and damage clothes. I have used you for nearly 4 years now and all my clothes are still intact. It all boils down to getting the right settings.
My Tv, game console and sound system.
Though the years, you have kept me and my friends entertained. Never a dull moment with all of you. Oh and thanks for helping me disturb the neighbors whenever they piss me off.
My workout equipment.
You all give me a tough time, you have kept my organs fit and my body sculpted like a true roman. Thank you for not making me look like a baggage handler in the process.
My bed.
Thanks for being there to sooth my aching body every single night when I get back home, the comfort of those sheets make me feel like pharaoh sometimes. With your big size I am constantly reminded of the need to get a permanent resident in here 'I'm working on that'.
Now to all of you reading this, we all have more than a billion reasons to be thankful.
Happy thanksgiving!
Roman.
P.s to the doormat, thanks for keeping out the dirt.
Friday 28 November 2014
Friday Frills
Dream great dreams and make them come true. Do it now.
Never affirm self-limitations.
What you believe yourself to be, you are.
To accomplish great things, you must not only act, but also
dream, not only plan but also believe.
If you have built castles in the air your work need not be lost -
Put foundations under them.
You can always better your best.
You do not know what you can do until you try.
Nothing will come of nothing. if you don't go out
on a limb, you're never going to get the fruit.
There is no failure except in no longer trying.
Defeat may test you, but it need not stop you.
If at first you don't succeed, try another way.
For every obstacle there is a solution.
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
The greatest mistake is giving up.
Wishing will not bring success but planning, persistence and a burning desire will.
There is a goldmine within you from which you can extract all of the necessary ingredients.
Success is an attitude. Get yours right...
Now go out and show off the colours of your rainbow.
Monday 24 November 2014
I Choose To Move On!
- Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.
That's because when you are gone, it wouldn't matter whether the person apologized or not, or whether you were able to pay the person back in his own coin. What will matter is whether your heart died, wounded.
Wounded with the words of others, words that bordered on issues that you would rather not talk about, words that pinched on where it hurt the most.
Wounded with betrayal on the day you least expected from the one you least expected. The one you would have taken a bullet for, happened to be the one holding the gun.
Wounded by life, itself. By the times opportunities slipped to an "unworthy" neighbor or the times death snatched those you thought you would never be able to do without. By the painful realization that life would go on no matter what.
But whether good or bad, everyone has a fair share of reasons why they would never remain the same again.
And whether you realize this or not, life is programmed to bring offenses your way. Whether you are sitting in a cave, picking your tooth with your leg crossed minding your own business or you are at Ojuelegba struggling for a bus, offenses will come. What matters is how quickly you let go and MOVE ON!
In summary, dear visitor, as you go on your journey, remember to travel light.
Sunday 23 November 2014
To All Those Who Refuse To Be Mediocre....
It's almost midnight on my almost favourite day of the week: Saturday! It's the day I can waste the most. I can wake up late (after sleeping late on Friday night) and sleep late as well (Sunday morning will suffer it). No other day like that...early morning wake up on weekdays demands early night retirement...although I think the concept of rest is more psychological than consequential.
Digression.
It's past midnight now. Had to feed Buffy. And clean up her mess. Sigh. Nothing good comes easy. Nothing comes easy.
I've been watching an interesting series recently (I'm sure I'm one of the last people to, unless you are behind me. :o tsk tsk tsk).
'Gidi Up'.
The effort put into this Nigerian series is amazing, Everything has been done to make sense. From lighting, sound, picture, acting, script, location, etc. Even the extras in the cast do great job!
I've sort of given up on Nollywood. It's been too insulting for my intelligence to bear. That notwithstanding, I know a good thing when I see one. And 'Gidi Up' is great!
The bigger significance? 'Cos surely all this can't be, just for a TV show? Well, no.
The point here is that in our everyday lives or endeavours, challenges exist (piracy, hard economy, cost optimisation for instance in Nollywood). And it is okay to accept these challenges and deliver like the rest of the crowd. But certain people (Gidi up) step out of the comfort zone to deliver something extraordinary! And they prove to the rest of the world that it is possible to do just that despite the challenges.
Trying not to sound paid for all this "torch-lighting" on 'Gidi Up', a few others in this same industry I know have beat the odds are Kunle Afolayan (at least 3 times), the 'Spider' series, 'Bachelors' started quite well as well.
I know not if these outliers made money out of their outstanding delivery, nor if it was as much as the average shoot-this-movie-in-3-days Nollywood flick would have made but I must say that their effort to break mediocre has been worth it for me.
So, this is my toast to all those who try to make it past basic. All those who make an extra effort to be better, above the average. Kudos. This post may not add to your ledger entries, but I promise to famz you all once I find an opportunity :D
Dear Reader, it's okay if you are comfortable with your everyday now. But my 2 cents? Break mediocre! Gidi Up!!!
Thursday 20 November 2014
Rays From An Eclipsed Sun IV
While she was still trying to get over the shock of the new revelation, when Tony's best friend called for her. The doctor had news for them.
Tabade had died, Tinu had survived. But she may never be able to use her legs again, the doctor said.
------
Tinu explained how she had felt uncomfortable with the lies Sam had fed Tabade. And how she had had feelings for him for a while.
Monday 17 November 2014
Rays From An Eclipsed Sun. III
On the evening when Tabade's bestie brought the news, Sam joined him to LUTH.
Tony's ping came in just as she sat in the waiting room outside the ICU. She told him what had happened
and he said he would be on his way.
The air was thick with a mix of various odours. The accident and emergency section
was chaotic with both accident victims and fatally sick people being wheeled in. The ambulance alarm refused to stop.
Apparently, Tabade had collided with a "God is Good" bus, 22 people were involved.
An unknown number survived.
-----------
"Madam, will you stop shouting! Do you think you are in your backyard or what?"
Please contain yourself!" screamed a nurse. The woman's bones were shooting out of a joint in her leg.
Sam could not understand why the nurse had to be so cruel.
Apparently, all the nurses were cut from the same fabric. And life in itself had dealt an unfair deal to too
many.
The screams from the sickle cell patients undergoing their crisis made Sam shudder. She wept. She wasn't sure whether it was the
sympathy she felt for the patients or the deplorable state
of the Nigerian health care system, whatever it was, she knew it weighed heavy on her.
It was as she strolled outside the hospital to recieve some fresh air that Tony arrived. He hugged her and then sat down with her.
"Sam, I need you to be strong, okay?"
"Yea, I am. I'm trying to, I mean its hard you know. They won't even let us see them", she said as she forced a smile.
"This may not be the perfect time but there's something I need to show you"
He handed her his phone, the browser had a blog opened.
-----------
"Sam! Samantha!", Tony shook her out of the shock.
Tony went on to explain how he had gotten the link on his bbm
group. The gist accompanying the link was about how Lagos babes lie
and try to trap men. Sam's journal was scanned and used as a case study.
Sam's full name was mentioned, along with Tabade's.
The blog post was written by one UNIT.
Tony's ping came in just as she sat in the waiting room outside the ICU. She told him what had happened
and he said he would be on his way.
The air was thick with a mix of various odours. The accident and emergency section
was chaotic with both accident victims and fatally sick people being wheeled in. The ambulance alarm refused to stop.
Apparently, Tabade had collided with a "God is Good" bus, 22 people were involved.
An unknown number survived.
-----------
"Madam, will you stop shouting! Do you think you are in your backyard or what?"
Please contain yourself!" screamed a nurse. The woman's bones were shooting out of a joint in her leg.
Sam could not understand why the nurse had to be so cruel.
Apparently, all the nurses were cut from the same fabric. And life in itself had dealt an unfair deal to too
many.
The screams from the sickle cell patients undergoing their crisis made Sam shudder. She wept. She wasn't sure whether it was the
sympathy she felt for the patients or the deplorable state
of the Nigerian health care system, whatever it was, she knew it weighed heavy on her.
It was as she strolled outside the hospital to recieve some fresh air that Tony arrived. He hugged her and then sat down with her.
"Sam, I need you to be strong, okay?"
"Yea, I am. I'm trying to, I mean its hard you know. They won't even let us see them", she said as she forced a smile.
"This may not be the perfect time but there's something I need to show you"
He handed her his phone, the browser had a blog opened.
-----------
"Sam! Samantha!", Tony shook her out of the shock.
Tony went on to explain how he had gotten the link on his bbm
group. The gist accompanying the link was about how Lagos babes lie
and try to trap men. Sam's journal was scanned and used as a case study.
Sam's full name was mentioned, along with Tabade's.
The blog post was written by one UNIT.
Thursday 13 November 2014
Rays From An Eclipsed Sun II
Tinu worked in Ikoyi too. She had soon become used to greeting Sam in the traffic jams on third mainland bridge every other morning after their chance meeting at a wedding.
Soon, they became close friends and even started pooling each other's cars.
------
Tabade had truly been a breath of fresh air. In fact, he became the only reason why Sam had a smile on her face these days.
Weeks after their meeting, Tinu joined them more frequently for dinner and movies.
"Babes, why must Tinu join us this evening again?" asked Tabade.
"Ahan, you know she would be very lonely now. I'd work around this next time, ok?" replied Sam.
Tinu soon became a part of the fold.
------
Tony had wanted to talk to her for a while now. He knew Tabade had come across her journal and wanted to tell her.
Tabade had found out that not only was she 4 years older than she admitted, she also could not bear children.
Tinu had given Tabade the journal.
Soon, they became close friends and even started pooling each other's cars.
------
Tabade had truly been a breath of fresh air. In fact, he became the only reason why Sam had a smile on her face these days.
Weeks after their meeting, Tinu joined them more frequently for dinner and movies.
"Babes, why must Tinu join us this evening again?" asked Tabade.
"Ahan, you know she would be very lonely now. I'd work around this next time, ok?" replied Sam.
Tinu soon became a part of the fold.
------
Tony had wanted to talk to her for a while now. He knew Tabade had come across her journal and wanted to tell her.
Tabade had found out that not only was she 4 years older than she admitted, she also could not bear children.
Tinu had given Tabade the journal.
Monday 10 November 2014
Rays From an Eclipsed Sun. I
Part 1
The sun rays made her half dyed hair glow. Soon, she would be at the car park and then on her way home.
Life would continue as it always did. Confusing. The headline news on most blogs that morning carried news of one Dr Myles Munroe. Sad event, she mused. But then as always, life must go on.
She reminisced on her early days in the university. On how Tekena had left her for her best friend after making her undergo three abortions. She no longer appealed to him, she heard. He did not have the guts to say this to her face.
As she approached the car park, Tony honked at her.
"Sam, I've been trying to reach you all week"
"Good night Tony, I'd call you this eve, inugo?"
Driving home, she listened to MI ft Waje's One Naira, If only Tekena had understood that it wasn't ever about money, but about her sincere love for him.
But then what made her wet her pillows that night wasn't the loss of Tekena, but the betrayal of Voke, her then bestie.
She remembered the sharp pain she felt, years after university, when she saw a bbm contact update his profile with "Happy Married Life Tekena"...he had married Voke.
....
Tabade's call came in some minutes before 11pm.
"Am I on to Sam?"
"Yea, who is this?"
"It's Tabade, the guy who tried to toast you last Wednesday at Shoprite, remember me?"
"Ohhh, yea I do? Bawoni?"
"Haha, so you speak yoruba?
They connected. She blushed at the thought of the breath of fresh air Tabade would bring into her life.
She would watch her weight now and put on more makeup. She would dye her hair back to normal, again.
The sun rays made her half dyed hair glow. Soon, she would be at the car park and then on her way home.
Life would continue as it always did. Confusing. The headline news on most blogs that morning carried news of one Dr Myles Munroe. Sad event, she mused. But then as always, life must go on.
She reminisced on her early days in the university. On how Tekena had left her for her best friend after making her undergo three abortions. She no longer appealed to him, she heard. He did not have the guts to say this to her face.
As she approached the car park, Tony honked at her.
"Sam, I've been trying to reach you all week"
"Good night Tony, I'd call you this eve, inugo?"
Driving home, she listened to MI ft Waje's One Naira, If only Tekena had understood that it wasn't ever about money, but about her sincere love for him.
But then what made her wet her pillows that night wasn't the loss of Tekena, but the betrayal of Voke, her then bestie.
She remembered the sharp pain she felt, years after university, when she saw a bbm contact update his profile with "Happy Married Life Tekena"...he had married Voke.
....
Tabade's call came in some minutes before 11pm.
"Am I on to Sam?"
"Yea, who is this?"
"It's Tabade, the guy who tried to toast you last Wednesday at Shoprite, remember me?"
"Ohhh, yea I do? Bawoni?"
"Haha, so you speak yoruba?
They connected. She blushed at the thought of the breath of fresh air Tabade would bring into her life.
She would watch her weight now and put on more makeup. She would dye her hair back to normal, again.
Sunday 9 November 2014
Women, Wives and Mothers...
Growing up, I had always wondered why we had different days dedicated to the celebration of Mothers. Fast forward 20th of February 2012 my first real job at a big company, I had picked out 3 shirts the night before not knowing which I will eventually settle for. 5am, the alarm rings through the mornings peace, I have heard too much about rush hour traffic so I decided to set out of the house by 6am for resumption at 8. "Hope you have everything you need for your first day!" that was my mum, yes mother I'm sorted! I replied. "I made a sandwich for you, you may be hungry before lunchtime" mum I'm alright!, I whispered to myself "I don't want to be the new guy with a food flask at the office"a quick hug and I went out the door. 9:30 and the hunger was real. I could hardly concentrate anymore, I wish I had taken the sandwich, it was then I realized that almost everyone else had some form of meal arrangement or the other. The rest of the day after lunch was fine and before I could say FASHOLA it was 5pm official closing time. Like everyone else I lingered till about 5:30pm before leaving the office. Ikoyi-3rd mainland axis was a nightmare and I was right at the center of it. Is this not the road I cover in less than 20 minutes every weekend. The crawl through traffic was excruciating, I had been over my playlist twice I had to turn it off. I finally got home around 8:30pm absolutely knackered, straight to my room, took a shower, packed my bag for the next day, I heard her come come in some minutes after I did. All I could remember was waking up Tuesday morning for the same routine, but this time around I happily took my breakfast pack to work. Saturday morning at the gym was when it occurred to me how strong this woman was, with 4 grown up children and a husband, she caters to us all, makes breakfast for those who want, resumes at her office like everyone else with daily tasks and targets, comes back home and prepares dinner for everyone. I was too lazy to eat dinner all through the week how much more the person that had to cook every evening. Shout out to all the good women all around the world. I 'Roman' hereby declares today, the day after and the next day as Mother's Day.
Roman Payne...
Rays from an Eclipsed Sun. Prologue
Prologue.
Tabade never came to pick her up later than planned. He
never did. The time read 9:05 pm and still, he was nowhere to be found. Samantha
paced around the room, trying his number over and over again; still she could
not reach him.
She pinged her best friend Tinu, to nag again about how
Tabade had recently changed towards her but the pings did not deliver.
She pulled her off shoes and earrings. Sitting by the vanity
mirror, she stared into an almost perfect reflection of beauty. Beauty which
perfectly masked the hurt she felt on the inside.
She remembered the poems by one @scarville on twitter and a
certain deep sadness swelled on the inside. She quickly wiped the tears off her
eyes as she heard the knock on the door. It was Tabade’s best friend, really
strange she thought.
As she ushered him in, he suddenly held her tight as he
delivered the news;
“Tabade and Tinu were involved in a ghastly accident!”
Blackness!
All the masks in my world
All the darkness in me
In search of one star
To make me breathe again
To make me see again
twitter: @scarville Saturday 8 November 2014
November 2014
So every day, I'm thinking of how to turn this blog into what I want it to be. And I'm slowly but surely getting there.
I came across a certain writer whose works I am going to focus on when writing this next story. A deep, deep writer.
The world is full of so many stories and I really hope to be able to perfectly combine some pretty interesting chronicles into this one story all in honour of this writer.
The next story is titled, "Rays From an Eclipsed Sun". As usual, I am going to write the story in bits and pieces.
To the writer whom I owe this honour, I hope you find the pieces worthy of your ingenious works of art.
Let the story begin...
I came across a certain writer whose works I am going to focus on when writing this next story. A deep, deep writer.
The world is full of so many stories and I really hope to be able to perfectly combine some pretty interesting chronicles into this one story all in honour of this writer.
The next story is titled, "Rays From an Eclipsed Sun". As usual, I am going to write the story in bits and pieces.
To the writer whom I owe this honour, I hope you find the pieces worthy of your ingenious works of art.
Let the story begin...
All my goodbyes didn't know how to leave you behind...
Friday 7 November 2014
Proverbs 7: You were WARNED!!!
To all my guy-men out there (including myself)...
I really could't have put it better myself. And i really couldn't edit the bible, so please pay attention especially to the emboldened verses.
'Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
At the window of
my house
I looked down through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.
8 He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.
I looked down through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.
8 He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly and defiant,
her feet never stay at home
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly and defiant,
her feet never stay at home
…
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
…
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”
21 With persuasive words she led him
astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer stepping into a noose
23 till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer stepping into a noose
23 till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.
24 Now then, my sons, listen to
me;
pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death!'
pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death!'
I know. You already know this. Lol. It is a reminder.
It's Friday evening. I have an appointment tonight. She did not explicitly tell me verse 18... but you know how this thing goes.
Am I an Ox heading to my slaughter? #Sigh.
Strange Faces. Epilogue
"Nosaaaaa...oh no...Nosa who did this to you?" I asked. As long as I remember, this has been the question on my mind.
As the nurse injected me once more, I had the same dream I had been having for some nights now.
Mama had died from shock. My lawyer had pleaded mental insanity hence I was admitted to a psychiatric home. I had murdered four cultists.
"Take me to Ugbowo campus!" I shouted just as I woke up from the nightmare.
There was no cab guy to answer me this time, only stares from strange faces
.
If you go to Okada Mental home in Benin, you will hear the story of a girl named Rose. She was a cultist, now she's a prisoner.
Thursday 6 November 2014
Strange faces.III
Part 3.
I explained everything to Tony. I also told him I had nowhere to run to since my mother will never accept me back. I was so sure she would say I was a bag of trouble. Afterall, Nosa was in her final year in the same school without any issues.
"Ah Rose, this one na serious one o. The only way to protect yourself right now is to join a cult," said Tony.
The initiation ceremony was horrifying. They flogged me till I passed out. But then I was safe with these new friends though they were strange faces.
"14 missed calls?! Why does Nosa want to kill my battery," I asked myself. I called back but her line was switched off. "If only I was still staying on campus, I'd have dashed down to her room, later sha."
I'm in a cab to Ugbowo campus. I'm going to see if truly Tony was seeing well when he said he saw Nosa's corpse lying at the faculty.
If only this cab guy would stop me. I'm about to start a war.
I explained everything to Tony. I also told him I had nowhere to run to since my mother will never accept me back. I was so sure she would say I was a bag of trouble. Afterall, Nosa was in her final year in the same school without any issues.
"Ah Rose, this one na serious one o. The only way to protect yourself right now is to join a cult," said Tony.
The initiation ceremony was horrifying. They flogged me till I passed out. But then I was safe with these new friends though they were strange faces.
"14 missed calls?! Why does Nosa want to kill my battery," I asked myself. I called back but her line was switched off. "If only I was still staying on campus, I'd have dashed down to her room, later sha."
I'm in a cab to Ugbowo campus. I'm going to see if truly Tony was seeing well when he said he saw Nosa's corpse lying at the faculty.
If only this cab guy would stop me. I'm about to start a war.
Wednesday 5 November 2014
Strange Faces. II
Part 2.
All of us had agreed there would be neither squatters nor male visitors. We also agreed that our female visitors should not sit on the bed of other room mates. Nonye passed the motion and I seconded it.
"Nonye what's the meaning of this? I mean did I ask you to choose the upper bed? I thought we agreed to not allowing male visitors? So what's this ratchety fellow doing in the room? On top of my bed for that matter?!" I was furious.
Why is she trying to signal to me? I mean does she now think I'm deaf and dumb??
I went on and on about how I had suffered to get a hostel space and how I did not want anyone to inconvenience me.
Nonye and I did not go to the reading room together that night. She was still angry with me though she seemed bothered about something bigger than our fight.
Just as Nonye was walking out of the hostel, NEPA restored power.
"Nonye I think say you and Rose dey fight? Why you com wear her cloth?" Shouted Titi as she chewed her last biscuit while looking through the window to the main road. We all laughed and said Nonye was too peaceful to hold a grudge.
"They've killed Rose ooo. Those cult guys ehhhh. There's a crowd at Ekenwan road right now. I recognized her cloth. Her face looked disfigured! I hear say she dey rude to the Capone wey com visit her roommate. Dat girl no dey hear word..." narrated the girl from the other wing.
As I heard her from the bathroom, I knew it was time to pack my things.
All of us had agreed there would be neither squatters nor male visitors. We also agreed that our female visitors should not sit on the bed of other room mates. Nonye passed the motion and I seconded it.
"Nonye what's the meaning of this? I mean did I ask you to choose the upper bed? I thought we agreed to not allowing male visitors? So what's this ratchety fellow doing in the room? On top of my bed for that matter?!" I was furious.
Why is she trying to signal to me? I mean does she now think I'm deaf and dumb??
I went on and on about how I had suffered to get a hostel space and how I did not want anyone to inconvenience me.
Nonye and I did not go to the reading room together that night. She was still angry with me though she seemed bothered about something bigger than our fight.
Just as Nonye was walking out of the hostel, NEPA restored power.
"Nonye I think say you and Rose dey fight? Why you com wear her cloth?" Shouted Titi as she chewed her last biscuit while looking through the window to the main road. We all laughed and said Nonye was too peaceful to hold a grudge.
"They've killed Rose ooo. Those cult guys ehhhh. There's a crowd at Ekenwan road right now. I recognized her cloth. Her face looked disfigured! I hear say she dey rude to the Capone wey com visit her roommate. Dat girl no dey hear word..." narrated the girl from the other wing.
As I heard her from the bathroom, I knew it was time to pack my things.
Tuesday 4 November 2014
Strange Faces. I
Part 1.
"Mama, I just gained admission to study in Uniben!" I exclaimed. After seven years of writing JAMB I finally made it.
My mother is a widow. My father died in the civil war. She often says that Nosa and I are all she's got. She often says that only the tough get going in life.
"Better be careful o Rose. You know you are a jambite. I mean did you hear of what cult boys did to that medical student last week? They raped her and threw her body into that bush path. The one in Ekenwan road naa...didn't you hear??? "asked Tony.
I heard. He could not understand why I seemed so cold. You see, the girl in question was my bunk mate.
"Mama, I just gained admission to study in Uniben!" I exclaimed. After seven years of writing JAMB I finally made it.
My mother is a widow. My father died in the civil war. She often says that Nosa and I are all she's got. She often says that only the tough get going in life.
"Better be careful o Rose. You know you are a jambite. I mean did you hear of what cult boys did to that medical student last week? They raped her and threw her body into that bush path. The one in Ekenwan road naa...didn't you hear??? "asked Tony.
I heard. He could not understand why I seemed so cold. You see, the girl in question was my bunk mate.
Strange Faces. Prologue
"Ugbowo! Ugbowo Campus! Sisi u no dey go? " Shouted the cab man. My thoughts were far gone. "I dey go Oga, no vex," I said.
If only he had a moment to listen. I'd have told him I was not a sisi. I'd have told him to stop me ; to shoot me if possible.
If you've not met me, my name is Rose and I'm a cultist.
Monday 3 November 2014
What a Week!
“**#!#%&@*!” A string of expletives comes out of my mouth as the alarm shatters my sleep. Monday morning! Again!
“Aaargh!” Sigh. I drag myself into the bathroom, groping in the dark. Somehow, my brain refuses to send the commands for my eyes to open fully. It’s probably still trying to enjoy the last lingering sweetness of sleep.
“**#!#%&@*!” Another string explodes as the cold water hits my face. My brain is awake now. I rushed my shower and was back in the room in no time. My brain starts to think of what to wear. An intelligent brain I have, but a lazier body. I know, from the bottom of my heart, that figuring out what you’ll wear in the morning the previous night can save you 30 minutes of dressing time. But I refuse to! Am I cursed? I say my prayers.
Sigh. I drag out clothes though. And a pair of shoes. Check. It looks neat. No need to shine them. Clean socks (don’t mess with athlete’s foot I remind myself). Dress up. Overdose myself with perfume. Why bother? I don’t even perceive them by the time I get to my car. Sigh. I pray other people do even up till close of work.
Rev my lovely mercedes’ engine. She’s old but she’s an awesome piece of engineering. Sally. She has taken me places. So when people ask “who drives this museum artefact?” I just wink at her. They’ll never understand.
Get to work. Pray to find parking space that is close enough to the office but won’t damage my career (parking in your bosses’ spot would do exactly that!). I’m 30 minutes early and I manage to occupy the last spot in the “nearest” space for people like me. Yea, that red camry behind me can’t park here…I took the last slot.
In the office now. What do I do? That’s story for another day. Most of my work is supposed to be on the field though so if it looks like I don’t have anything to do in the office, please don’t tell HR.
Looking up some office babes on the company network. Office babes. Hmm. Sounds tempting. Like the fantasies we had back in our broke school days. Dating a working class chic. Hmm. My friend recently got threatened by his banker chic – now ex. She was going to acidize his face if he tried to collect the expensive phone he had bought for her just before she dumped him. He had been totally played. She’d monitored his accounts and then flirted her way into his life. Sigh. What is the world turning into?
Fantasies don’t ever cover the minor details… for instance that a working class chic would still ask for N10,000 monthly maintenance fee from her boyfriend. Nor that that fair maiden you were breaking your head for would rather hang out with your boss. Hush. Don’t think about it too much. Just shake your head and keep fantasizing. Hmm. Mary is online. Should I…. Oh. There’s an email. Excel sheets! Lawd NOooooooooo!!!
Tuesday. Wednesday. Same. Thursday. Is today Friday? No. Sigh. Same. Friday!!! Yaaay! No night events this weekend. Sleep! Real chilling is when you have no alarm to wake up to. Watching tv. My phone rings. Gurl from Uniport. The rest of the evening is story for another day. Respect the school, that’s the point here.
Saturday. Sports club. 10am. A few good friends. That’s really all we need here on earth. A few good friends. We play lawn tennis. Maybe I should call it tennes because it’s nothing like what is seen on tv with the Nadals and Williams. Professional amateurs we are! But we have fun. And then table tennis. More fun. 4 pm. Everyone heads home. Some of us would have body pains for days.
Sunday. My birthday. I’m really shy about things like these. So I hardly tell people just before. Special apologies to Ify. I get loads of calls and messages. I’m sure I won’t read the ones on facebook for instance. Gave up trying to reply them all years ago. But it does make you appreciate yourself and people around you. A few of my friends come to the house too. I laugh even more pains into my body. Lord I thank You for my life and the life of the people I know. A toast to how far we’ve come!
“**#!#%&@*!” Monday morning! Again!
Written by Kenzo.
“Aaargh!” Sigh. I drag myself into the bathroom, groping in the dark. Somehow, my brain refuses to send the commands for my eyes to open fully. It’s probably still trying to enjoy the last lingering sweetness of sleep.
“**#!#%&@*!” Another string explodes as the cold water hits my face. My brain is awake now. I rushed my shower and was back in the room in no time. My brain starts to think of what to wear. An intelligent brain I have, but a lazier body. I know, from the bottom of my heart, that figuring out what you’ll wear in the morning the previous night can save you 30 minutes of dressing time. But I refuse to! Am I cursed? I say my prayers.
Sigh. I drag out clothes though. And a pair of shoes. Check. It looks neat. No need to shine them. Clean socks (don’t mess with athlete’s foot I remind myself). Dress up. Overdose myself with perfume. Why bother? I don’t even perceive them by the time I get to my car. Sigh. I pray other people do even up till close of work.
Rev my lovely mercedes’ engine. She’s old but she’s an awesome piece of engineering. Sally. She has taken me places. So when people ask “who drives this museum artefact?” I just wink at her. They’ll never understand.
Get to work. Pray to find parking space that is close enough to the office but won’t damage my career (parking in your bosses’ spot would do exactly that!). I’m 30 minutes early and I manage to occupy the last spot in the “nearest” space for people like me. Yea, that red camry behind me can’t park here…I took the last slot.
In the office now. What do I do? That’s story for another day. Most of my work is supposed to be on the field though so if it looks like I don’t have anything to do in the office, please don’t tell HR.
Looking up some office babes on the company network. Office babes. Hmm. Sounds tempting. Like the fantasies we had back in our broke school days. Dating a working class chic. Hmm. My friend recently got threatened by his banker chic – now ex. She was going to acidize his face if he tried to collect the expensive phone he had bought for her just before she dumped him. He had been totally played. She’d monitored his accounts and then flirted her way into his life. Sigh. What is the world turning into?
Fantasies don’t ever cover the minor details… for instance that a working class chic would still ask for N10,000 monthly maintenance fee from her boyfriend. Nor that that fair maiden you were breaking your head for would rather hang out with your boss. Hush. Don’t think about it too much. Just shake your head and keep fantasizing. Hmm. Mary is online. Should I…. Oh. There’s an email. Excel sheets! Lawd NOooooooooo!!!
Tuesday. Wednesday. Same. Thursday. Is today Friday? No. Sigh. Same. Friday!!! Yaaay! No night events this weekend. Sleep! Real chilling is when you have no alarm to wake up to. Watching tv. My phone rings. Gurl from Uniport. The rest of the evening is story for another day. Respect the school, that’s the point here.
Saturday. Sports club. 10am. A few good friends. That’s really all we need here on earth. A few good friends. We play lawn tennis. Maybe I should call it tennes because it’s nothing like what is seen on tv with the Nadals and Williams. Professional amateurs we are! But we have fun. And then table tennis. More fun. 4 pm. Everyone heads home. Some of us would have body pains for days.
Sunday. My birthday. I’m really shy about things like these. So I hardly tell people just before. Special apologies to Ify. I get loads of calls and messages. I’m sure I won’t read the ones on facebook for instance. Gave up trying to reply them all years ago. But it does make you appreciate yourself and people around you. A few of my friends come to the house too. I laugh even more pains into my body. Lord I thank You for my life and the life of the people I know. A toast to how far we’ve come!
“**#!#%&@*!” Monday morning! Again!
Written by Kenzo.
The Thread That Connects Us All.
She would never see me that way. She recently just said she sees me as a brother, I honestly wonder where that came from. Not that I'm angry, no I'm not. Ok, maybe a little pissed. Not at her but at the circle of life.
Rosemary just called me to her office, she said she had something to say. As I watched her fiddle with her hair, I imagined what could possibly make her so nervous. "There's something I've always wanted to tell you Osita..."
I went blank. I honestly thought we were really cool as friends because she had often teased me about Rolake and the other chics that easily caught my attention. I mean... It was just weird sha. So I told her I didn't know what to say because I did not see her that way. But that we would always be friends so there was no need for any "awkwardness".
So as you may have guessed, that was the last time she spoke to me. I tried to keep in touch but all I got were monosyllabic responses bathed with sublime hatred. I finally heard from a friend of hers that I led her on. See wahala o!
When Rolake told me she sees me as a brother, I remembered the look on Rosemary otherwise perfectly rounded face. It was one of confusion. One of despair.
I would never be hers, Rolake would never be mine. And if I do not find "THE ONE", I would settle for whatever the puppet master strings.
It's Monday and November. November is usually better than September, so have a great new month ahead!
Sunday 2 November 2014
A pen. A pad. A scarf. My glasses. The clock. V
Part 5. The End.
As Sister Nela ushered Senior Obiora and me into the convent's meeting room, I heaved a sigh of relief. At least now I would have a chance to explain myself. Now I would get justice, I said to myself.
"Anita, you have broken the school rules o. How dare you call the head boy by name? I mean, who gave you the right to walk into the senior's block at this time of the day? Shouldn't you be at prep? You know these things are not allowed. We clearly stated that such blatant disobedience leads to expulsion. I have no choice but to do so. I mean, it's unheard of," said Sister Nela.
I could not believe my ears. As tears freely rolled down my cheeks, I mustered words amidst broken chords.
"Senior Obiora abused me physically, Sister. I am pregnant for him. He wrote those letters that were found in my box, I just found out today because Dumebi knows his writing; he tutors science students in Physics. She is a science student Sister..." I choked; the pain was too much to bear.
"He knew I had reported him to Father Henry hence the conspiracy to get me expelled. I believe Father Henry told you this that day at the assembly. I don't know why I am the only one getting expelled, I don't understand. Where is Father Henry, he would vouch for me
I received a letter from my House Mistress the following morning. I had been expelled. "This is unusual o Anita, why dem no announce your offence for assembly as dem dey do before na. Wetin happen sef? Wetin you do?" she probed.
"I called the Head boy by name. He gave me a child. The school will rather part with the gifted than with the rich. I would survive Ma."
My aunt sent me back to the village to give birth to stay with my grandma. Three months later, I lost the pregnancy. I was however determined to continue my education and become the lawyer I had always wanted to be.
How I graduated from law school is all history now. As a high court judge, I need to be objective in this case of manslaughter, it's The State against one Obiora Omelora.
My clock tells me it's five minutes before I change my scarf to a wig. I just penned down my judgement on a pad and pulled off my glasses.
I know God will forgive me.
The End.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
(JRR Tolkien)
Saturday 1 November 2014
A pen. A pad. A scarf. My glasses. The clock. IV
Part 4
I ran. I ran as fast as I could to the prefects' lounge. There he was.
"How could you.. do this Obiora, how dare you?! I'm carrying your baby!", I screamed just as my palm landed on his face.
The room was dead silent. It was common knowledge that my aunt worked as a janitor in Senior Obiora's house. I usually assisted her during the holidays. You see, his father was a diplomat ; he belonged to the untouchables. On the other hand, I am an orphan with no one in this world except my aunt.
She couldn't quit her job at the diplomat's house just because Obiora raped me. She just could not. "How will I survive Anita? Please abort the baby, " she explained. "The rich always win my dear. Soon you will realise that. It's just how life is".
I had told Father Henry of my predicament during my last confession two months before. He promised to help and support me. He said he loved me and did not mind going against the tides to prove it. He lied.
When blackmail and politics shook his castle, it appeared it hung solely on the air.
P.S.: Watch out for the next one. It's the last part!
I ran. I ran as fast as I could to the prefects' lounge. There he was.
"How could you.. do this Obiora, how dare you?! I'm carrying your baby!", I screamed just as my palm landed on his face.
The room was dead silent. It was common knowledge that my aunt worked as a janitor in Senior Obiora's house. I usually assisted her during the holidays. You see, his father was a diplomat ; he belonged to the untouchables. On the other hand, I am an orphan with no one in this world except my aunt.
She couldn't quit her job at the diplomat's house just because Obiora raped me. She just could not. "How will I survive Anita? Please abort the baby, " she explained. "The rich always win my dear. Soon you will realise that. It's just how life is".
I had told Father Henry of my predicament during my last confession two months before. He promised to help and support me. He said he loved me and did not mind going against the tides to prove it. He lied.
When blackmail and politics shook his castle, it appeared it hung solely on the air.
P.S.: Watch out for the next one. It's the last part!
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