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The auspicious date finally approached. I jumped into a white Lacoste and blue jeans, and plopped my feet into a newly bought birkenstock. I don’t have a car so I joined “trotro”. I could have gone with my friend who had an unregistered Elantra to boost my clout, but I rescinded that idea. It’s unreal of me. Yes! What was surreal was my quest to have answers prepared for some of the usual questions I envisaged I’d not escape. Soon, I was done with the hour and more journey. I got to the destination safely. All praises to God was all I could say.
A befitting welcome was extended to me. Following that, I was told by the members of the family that my father in-law had stepped out just before I arrived. So, I had to wait at a place on the compound of their house. I sprawled myself in the chair reserved for me. A bottle of water and malt were served. Though malt is my favorite drink which I know I get to drink once in a year, I couldn’t enjoy it this time. I had deliberately assumed fasting. It was my prayer that the spirit of good luck will remove any unwarranted impediment from my speech today, at Golgotha. I know fasting could help me galvanize through easily.
Three hours eroded into the waiting period. It wasn’t long before I was benignly informed that my father in law may not grace the meeting, since he was running late. I enthusiastically told them that I’d wait for some few hours more, no matter the strands. Since this was an official meeting, I couldn’t just leave without seeing him.
Some moments after 3:15 p.m, I heard a car break creaking. I turned to the eastern corridor from where I was seated. Behold, here comes my in-law and, in his company, was another genteel man. (Guys, at this point I nearly shit on my shitty self. But “weytin man nor see before aaa. Rasta man throw one stone. And ‘odeeshie’”). I precipitately moved close to extend greetings to them right before they will think of stepping off from the car. I did it religiously (have you seen how I’m putting my “Courtesy for Boys and Girls” knowledge to good use? Let us get serious. Don’t laugh, please. As for Business students, we hardly fiddle with first impression; it’s a god we worship.
“You’re Abdul, right?” I responded, “yes, ‘Baba’”. He then introduced the man in his company to me — “this is Yakub, my Junior brother. Yakub, this is ‘Abdul’. What followed was a foreign tongue so I couldn’t grasp what those words mean. Conversely, I could see Yakub grinning. The smiles on his face perforced me to know that my coming isn’t a portent of perdition. My father in-law said to me, “I am very sorry for keeping you waiting. I’d join you soon.” I retreated to my seating area in peace. I can now say that the first task was well accomplished.
To be continued…
Story By Yours Only,
Abdul Rahman Odoi (@Big Odoi)
Edited by Hafiz Laryea
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