EPISODE 3
Signed and sealed with the official seal of the Cole house. I, Tope Cole, a thirteen year old tenth grader, born and bred in Ann Arbor, Michigan United States of America, who couldn’t fight for himself and had never left the bosom of his beloved mother for more than eighteen hours was going to Nigeria. Yes, NIGERIA! What was he thinking? What were they thinking rather? This was definite a plan by my aunt Wunmi to murder me and I was going to get a lawyer. I looked at my smooth black skin as I lay on my bed and thought about the mosquitoes. I had heard there were a lot of them in Africa and Thomas, a Nigerian boy who also attended Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor said the mosquitoes there were as long as my index finger. The first and last time he went there, he came back two weeks later with malaria. I had never been sick before, at least for as long as I can remember. I also heard they lack electricity in Africa. The books in school always portrayed Africa as a continent lagging far behind other continents. I couldn’t sleep. Not since my father came into my room three nights ago bearing the death sentence. I had told him I would learn how to fight taekwondo and stand up to the eleventh grade bullies but he just smiled and told me not to worry. He didn’t believe me. Today, I came home with a letter from Principal Fitzgerald inviting any of my parents to school. One of the eleventh grade bullies had tried to pick on me singlehandedly and thanks to my two nights of online taekwondo training, I unleashed the wrath of a black tenth grader on him. After we were separated by a teacher, the boy had a broken nose and multiple bruises. I thought that would prove my point to my father and make him change his mind. After all, he always told me to man up. No, it only gave aunt Wunmi more reason for me to go with her to Nigeria which also meant another reason for my father to let her take me. She said if I was disciplined enough I wouldn’t fight in school. My father just nodded. Can you imagine?! Were these not the same people that said I was too soft some nights back? I felt like crying. No, I cried all afternoon and nobody could console me, not even my mother.
I spent the next few days processing my travel documents and as if they were happy I was leaving, all my papers were issued without any delay. I felt a ray of hope when my flight was scheduled for two days after aunt Wunmi’s flight. Do you know this woman went to reschedule? My life was officially over. Not that I really had one though. All through elementary school and my few years in high school I couldn’t boast of five friends. Mixing with the other kids at school was a tough one for me, even with the other black kids. But as I said earlier, I care less about all these things. Socialization had never been my forte right from the beginning. But I was going to miss Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor Hands-on museum and the Matthei Botanical Gardens. Beautiful places. We usually went to Buhr Park during winter for ice skating and my father once took me to the Blind Pig when his favorite music band came on tour. My dreams of going to college! My father said I would have no problems acing my SATs because I was smart and he wanted me to go to either Stanford, Princeton, CALTECH, MIT or Columbia University, some of the best colleges in the states but all miles from here. But my mother insisted I attend Washtenaw Community College, somewhere around the corner. But now, I was going to another continent. I pray I don’t do college over there. I once heard my parents discussing about the frequent strikes their universities embark on, some lasting up to six months! I don’t even want to talk about it anymore.
The D-day finally came, it was a Friday. My mother had been crying all day. Her beloved only child was about to be taken to Africa to be ripped apart. The night before, she had spent hours preparing me and aunt Wunmi burst into wild laughter this morning when she saw the two huge boxes my mother had packed for me. I ended up carrying one.
As we boarded the plane, I turned back to take a last glance at my mother and my life. She waved and seemed to be shouting something but I couldn’t hear anything. Tears stung my eyes, hot tears. I finally entered the plane and minutes later, I was fast asleep. Welcome to the beginning of the end of my life, or so I thought.
Friday, 24 June 2016
Thursday, 23 June 2016
LOVE LUST by Adesoye Seun
EPISODE 2
As I was behind the shower curtain hoping the guy was fine, he came crashing in breaking down the door latch. He looked at me. I looked at him. Mehn, the boy was FINE; he was chocolate coloured with very nice skin, long thick lashes and full almost red lips, he was also tall and looked quite fit. I was already half in love. All these observations happened in like a millisecond and when I came back to reality, he looked surprised; I guess he wasn't expecting to see a half naked girl hiding behind a shower curtain. As he was about to open his 'oh so fine kpomo mouth' to probably fire me questions, the outer door opened.
"What's happening?" Moyo asked as she came in. Ah! What excuse would I give that would make sense now?, I thought. "I'm confused right now. There's a strange girl in your bathroom half nude" said Mr. Fine boy. His voice was deep. Mature. I loved it. "Strange girl?", said Moyo and she came to look. She saw me and laughed. She laughed so hard she was almost crying. At first I was smiling but after a while I was like 'What's wrong with this one sef? What's funny?' This of course was in my mind, I didn't want to loose my job so I continued smiling. I looked at Mr. Fine boy, he looked confused. That one is his business jare. Moyo finally finished laughing and asked what happened. I actually told her the truth, abeg she was not my mother and luckily, she smiled in understanding. She even apologized for not telling me her brother was coming over. Ehn? Her brother? That one was testy territory oh, I began to loose interest.
Mr. Fine boy cleared his throat. "I'm lost. Please find me", he said. "Banjo, meet my new PA, Funmi. And Funmi meet Banjo, my younger brother" said Moyo. Hmm. Banjo. Not common. I said hi from behind my shower curtain, that was when it hit me that I still wasn't wearing anything on top. "Hi Funmi" said Banjo. I think he noticed my sudden discomfort and added "I'm sorry for breaking the door down on you, I thought you were some sort of burglar. We'll leave you now to err...finish dressing up" and he shooed Moyo out and closed the door. Hmm. He was astute. My interest budded up again but I shut it down. I finished dressing and went out to meet them. Moyo was already going through the files and when I came in, she smiled and thanked me for finding them and cleaning up; I did a good job and she was impressed. I was pleased with myself. I asked her if there was anything else she wanted me to do before I went and she told me to get her food. Meanwhile, as this exchange was going on, Mr. Fine boy, sorry Banjo just kept on looking at me. I could tell his interest was heightened. I collected money from her and was walking towards Jesus Embassy when someone jogged up to me. "Hey" said Banjo. I was surprised. Why did he follow me? "I know you're probably wondering why I followed you. I couldn't help it. You're really pretty'. I was so surprised at the sudden compliment, I blushed. Nobody really calls me pretty; I'm considered 'okay' and guys didn't really pay attention to me because I didn't really have the 'assets' and now see this fine boy calling me 'really pretty'. I decided to burst his bubble. "Thank you. But you don't have to lie to get yourself a girl", I said and turned to walk away. "Wait...you don't know you're pretty?" he said with surprise. I rolled my eyes. He thought for a moment and then he went completely off course and said "Let's go get the food. Moyo's hungry and we have to go out soon". And I was like 'What?' This boy is just mean, he couldn't even continue the wooing. I ignored the pain I felt and we went to get the food.
As we were waiting for our turn, Banjo began a conversation with me. He wanted to know my department, my level, my hostel, my age, my siblings' names, everything sha. I told him as much as I could (I cannot resist fine boys) until the food was ready. He was pretty funny so I laughed a couple of times and one time he was with his phone when I was laughing but I took no notice of it. We went back to give Moyo the food and she immediately began eating, hunger has killed the poor girl (lol!). Moyo told me I could go since she was going out with Banjo afterwards and I thanked her and said bye to Banjo.
IAs I was behind the shower curtain hoping the guy was fine, he came crashing in breaking down the door latch. He looked at me. I looked at him. Mehn, the boy was FINE; he was chocolate coloured with very nice skin, long thick lashes and full almost red lips, he was also tall and looked quite fit. I was already half in love. All these observations happened in like a millisecond and when I came back to reality, he looked surprised; I guess he wasn't expecting to see a half naked girl hiding behind a shower curtain. As he was about to open his 'oh so fine kpomo mouth' to probably fire me questions, the outer door opened.
"What's happening?" Moyo asked as she came in. Ah! What excuse would I give that would make sense now?, I thought. "I'm confused right now. There's a strange girl in your bathroom half nude" said Mr. Fine boy. His voice was deep. Mature. I loved it. "Strange girl?", said Moyo and she came to look. She saw me and laughed. She laughed so hard she was almost crying. At first I was smiling but after a while I was like 'What's wrong with this one sef? What's funny?' This of course was in my mind, I didn't want to loose my job so I continued smiling. I looked at Mr. Fine boy, he looked confused. That one is his business jare. Moyo finally finished laughing and asked what happened. I actually told her the truth, abeg she was not my mother and luckily, she smiled in understanding. She even apologized for not telling me her brother was coming over. Ehn? Her brother? That one was testy territory oh, I began to loose interest.
Mr. Fine boy cleared his throat. "I'm lost. Please find me", he said. "Banjo, meet my new PA, Funmi. And Funmi meet Banjo, my younger brother" said Moyo. Hmm. Banjo. Not common. I said hi from behind my shower curtain, that was when it hit me that I still wasn't wearing anything on top. "Hi Funmi" said Banjo. I think he noticed my sudden discomfort and added "I'm sorry for breaking the door down on you, I thought you were some sort of burglar. We'll leave you now to err...finish dressing up" and he shooed Moyo out and closed the door. Hmm. He was astute. My interest budded up again but I shut it down. I finished dressing and went out to meet them. Moyo was already going through the files and when I came in, she smiled and thanked me for finding them and cleaning up; I did a good job and she was impressed. I was pleased with myself.
I asked her if there was anything else she wanted me to do before I went and she told me to get her food. Meanwhile, as this exchange was going on, Mr. Fine boy, sorry Banjo just kept on looking at me. I could tell his interest was heightened. I collected money from her and was walking towards Jesus Embassy when someone jogged up to me. "Hey" said Banjo. I was surprised. Why did he follow me? "I know you're probably wondering why I followed you. I couldn't help it. You're really pretty'. I was so surprised at the sudden compliment, I blushed. Nobody really calls me pretty; I'm considered 'okay' and guys didn't really pay attention to me because I didn't really have the 'assets' and now see this fine boy calling me 'really pretty'. I decided to burst his bubble. "Thank you. But you don't have to lie to get yourself a girl", I said and turned to walk away. "Wait...you don't know you're pretty?" he said with surprise. I rolled my eyes. He thought for a moment and then he went completely off course and said "Let's go get the food. Moyo's hungry and we have to go out soon". And I was like 'What?' This boy is just mean, he couldn't even continue the wooing. I ignored the pain I felt and we went to get the food.
As we were waiting for our turn, Banjo began a conversation with me. He wanted to know my department, my level, my hostel, my age, my siblings' names, everything sha. I told him as much as I could (I cannot resist fine boys) until the food was ready. He was pretty funny so I laughed a couple of times and one time he was with his phone when I was laughing but I took no notice of it. We went back to give Moyo the food and she immediately began eating, hunger has killed the poor girl (lol!). Moyo told me I could go since she was going out with Banjo afterwards and I thanked her and said bye to Banjo.
I was walking and thinking of the sleep I was going to sleep before class when I heard my name. I ignored it the first time, then I heard it again. I turned. Banjo was coming towards me. "Hey, what's wrong? Does Moyo need something?", I asked. He shook his head. "I want to show you something." "What?' I asked, quite surprised. He brought out his phone. "Look", and he gave me his phone. It was an S6 Edge, very nice phone. I saw a picture of me laughing on Snapchat, his Snapchat! and there was a caption: 'The prettiest girl I've ever seen'. Wow! That was...deep. I looked at him. "Prettiest you've ever seen? Isn't that a bit too much?" I asked. "No, it's not. It's my truth." he said simply. I didn't know what to say to him, I guess he could see that. "Go and rest. I know you're tired. I'll see you soon", he said and walked away. I just stood there, stupefied. I had found my Prince Charming, literally. was walking and thinking of the sleep I was going to sleep before class when I heard my name. I ignored it the first time, then I heard it again. I turned. Banjo was coming towards me. "Hey, what's wrong? Does Moyo need something?", I asked. He shook his head. "I want to show you something." "What?' I asked, quite surprised. He brought out his phone. "Look", and he gave me his phone. It was an S6 Edge, very nice phone. I saw a picture of me laughing on Snapchat, his Snapchat! and there was a caption: 'The prettiest girl I've ever seen'. Wow! That was...deep. I looked at him. "Prettiest you've ever seen? Isn't that a bit too much?" I asked. "No, it's not. It's my truth." he said simply. I didn't know what to say to him, I guess he could see that. "Go and rest. I know you're tired. I'll see you soon", he said and walked away. I just stood there, stupefied. I had found my Prince Charming, literally.
As I was behind the shower curtain hoping the guy was fine, he came crashing in breaking down the door latch. He looked at me. I looked at him. Mehn, the boy was FINE; he was chocolate coloured with very nice skin, long thick lashes and full almost red lips, he was also tall and looked quite fit. I was already half in love. All these observations happened in like a millisecond and when I came back to reality, he looked surprised; I guess he wasn't expecting to see a half naked girl hiding behind a shower curtain. As he was about to open his 'oh so fine kpomo mouth' to probably fire me questions, the outer door opened.
"What's happening?" Moyo asked as she came in. Ah! What excuse would I give that would make sense now?, I thought. "I'm confused right now. There's a strange girl in your bathroom half nude" said Mr. Fine boy. His voice was deep. Mature. I loved it. "Strange girl?", said Moyo and she came to look. She saw me and laughed. She laughed so hard she was almost crying. At first I was smiling but after a while I was like 'What's wrong with this one sef? What's funny?' This of course was in my mind, I didn't want to loose my job so I continued smiling. I looked at Mr. Fine boy, he looked confused. That one is his business jare. Moyo finally finished laughing and asked what happened. I actually told her the truth, abeg she was not my mother and luckily, she smiled in understanding. She even apologized for not telling me her brother was coming over. Ehn? Her brother? That one was testy territory oh, I began to loose interest.
Mr. Fine boy cleared his throat. "I'm lost. Please find me", he said. "Banjo, meet my new PA, Funmi. And Funmi meet Banjo, my younger brother" said Moyo. Hmm. Banjo. Not common. I said hi from behind my shower curtain, that was when it hit me that I still wasn't wearing anything on top. "Hi Funmi" said Banjo. I think he noticed my sudden discomfort and added "I'm sorry for breaking the door down on you, I thought you were some sort of burglar. We'll leave you now to err...finish dressing up" and he shooed Moyo out and closed the door. Hmm. He was astute. My interest budded up again but I shut it down. I finished dressing and went out to meet them. Moyo was already going through the files and when I came in, she smiled and thanked me for finding them and cleaning up; I did a good job and she was impressed. I was pleased with myself. I asked her if there was anything else she wanted me to do before I went and she told me to get her food. Meanwhile, as this exchange was going on, Mr. Fine boy, sorry Banjo just kept on looking at me. I could tell his interest was heightened. I collected money from her and was walking towards Jesus Embassy when someone jogged up to me. "Hey" said Banjo. I was surprised. Why did he follow me? "I know you're probably wondering why I followed you. I couldn't help it. You're really pretty'. I was so surprised at the sudden compliment, I blushed. Nobody really calls me pretty; I'm considered 'okay' and guys didn't really pay attention to me because I didn't really have the 'assets' and now see this fine boy calling me 'really pretty'. I decided to burst his bubble. "Thank you. But you don't have to lie to get yourself a girl", I said and turned to walk away. "Wait...you don't know you're pretty?" he said with surprise. I rolled my eyes. He thought for a moment and then he went completely off course and said "Let's go get the food. Moyo's hungry and we have to go out soon". And I was like 'What?' This boy is just mean, he couldn't even continue the wooing. I ignored the pain I felt and we went to get the food.
As we were waiting for our turn, Banjo began a conversation with me. He wanted to know my department, my level, my hostel, my age, my siblings' names, everything sha. I told him as much as I could (I cannot resist fine boys) until the food was ready. He was pretty funny so I laughed a couple of times and one time he was with his phone when I was laughing but I took no notice of it. We went back to give Moyo the food and she immediately began eating, hunger has killed the poor girl (lol!). Moyo told me I could go since she was going out with Banjo afterwards and I thanked her and said bye to Banjo.
IAs I was behind the shower curtain hoping the guy was fine, he came crashing in breaking down the door latch. He looked at me. I looked at him. Mehn, the boy was FINE; he was chocolate coloured with very nice skin, long thick lashes and full almost red lips, he was also tall and looked quite fit. I was already half in love. All these observations happened in like a millisecond and when I came back to reality, he looked surprised; I guess he wasn't expecting to see a half naked girl hiding behind a shower curtain. As he was about to open his 'oh so fine kpomo mouth' to probably fire me questions, the outer door opened.
"What's happening?" Moyo asked as she came in. Ah! What excuse would I give that would make sense now?, I thought. "I'm confused right now. There's a strange girl in your bathroom half nude" said Mr. Fine boy. His voice was deep. Mature. I loved it. "Strange girl?", said Moyo and she came to look. She saw me and laughed. She laughed so hard she was almost crying. At first I was smiling but after a while I was like 'What's wrong with this one sef? What's funny?' This of course was in my mind, I didn't want to loose my job so I continued smiling. I looked at Mr. Fine boy, he looked confused. That one is his business jare. Moyo finally finished laughing and asked what happened. I actually told her the truth, abeg she was not my mother and luckily, she smiled in understanding. She even apologized for not telling me her brother was coming over. Ehn? Her brother? That one was testy territory oh, I began to loose interest.
Mr. Fine boy cleared his throat. "I'm lost. Please find me", he said. "Banjo, meet my new PA, Funmi. And Funmi meet Banjo, my younger brother" said Moyo. Hmm. Banjo. Not common. I said hi from behind my shower curtain, that was when it hit me that I still wasn't wearing anything on top. "Hi Funmi" said Banjo. I think he noticed my sudden discomfort and added "I'm sorry for breaking the door down on you, I thought you were some sort of burglar. We'll leave you now to err...finish dressing up" and he shooed Moyo out and closed the door. Hmm. He was astute. My interest budded up again but I shut it down. I finished dressing and went out to meet them. Moyo was already going through the files and when I came in, she smiled and thanked me for finding them and cleaning up; I did a good job and she was impressed. I was pleased with myself.
I asked her if there was anything else she wanted me to do before I went and she told me to get her food. Meanwhile, as this exchange was going on, Mr. Fine boy, sorry Banjo just kept on looking at me. I could tell his interest was heightened. I collected money from her and was walking towards Jesus Embassy when someone jogged up to me. "Hey" said Banjo. I was surprised. Why did he follow me? "I know you're probably wondering why I followed you. I couldn't help it. You're really pretty'. I was so surprised at the sudden compliment, I blushed. Nobody really calls me pretty; I'm considered 'okay' and guys didn't really pay attention to me because I didn't really have the 'assets' and now see this fine boy calling me 'really pretty'. I decided to burst his bubble. "Thank you. But you don't have to lie to get yourself a girl", I said and turned to walk away. "Wait...you don't know you're pretty?" he said with surprise. I rolled my eyes. He thought for a moment and then he went completely off course and said "Let's go get the food. Moyo's hungry and we have to go out soon". And I was like 'What?' This boy is just mean, he couldn't even continue the wooing. I ignored the pain I felt and we went to get the food.
As we were waiting for our turn, Banjo began a conversation with me. He wanted to know my department, my level, my hostel, my age, my siblings' names, everything sha. I told him as much as I could (I cannot resist fine boys) until the food was ready. He was pretty funny so I laughed a couple of times and one time he was with his phone when I was laughing but I took no notice of it. We went back to give Moyo the food and she immediately began eating, hunger has killed the poor girl (lol!). Moyo told me I could go since she was going out with Banjo afterwards and I thanked her and said bye to Banjo.
I was walking and thinking of the sleep I was going to sleep before class when I heard my name. I ignored it the first time, then I heard it again. I turned. Banjo was coming towards me. "Hey, what's wrong? Does Moyo need something?", I asked. He shook his head. "I want to show you something." "What?' I asked, quite surprised. He brought out his phone. "Look", and he gave me his phone. It was an S6 Edge, very nice phone. I saw a picture of me laughing on Snapchat, his Snapchat! and there was a caption: 'The prettiest girl I've ever seen'. Wow! That was...deep. I looked at him. "Prettiest you've ever seen? Isn't that a bit too much?" I asked. "No, it's not. It's my truth." he said simply. I didn't know what to say to him, I guess he could see that. "Go and rest. I know you're tired. I'll see you soon", he said and walked away. I just stood there, stupefied. I had found my Prince Charming, literally. was walking and thinking of the sleep I was going to sleep before class when I heard my name. I ignored it the first time, then I heard it again. I turned. Banjo was coming towards me. "Hey, what's wrong? Does Moyo need something?", I asked. He shook his head. "I want to show you something." "What?' I asked, quite surprised. He brought out his phone. "Look", and he gave me his phone. It was an S6 Edge, very nice phone. I saw a picture of me laughing on Snapchat, his Snapchat! and there was a caption: 'The prettiest girl I've ever seen'. Wow! That was...deep. I looked at him. "Prettiest you've ever seen? Isn't that a bit too much?" I asked. "No, it's not. It's my truth." he said simply. I didn't know what to say to him, I guess he could see that. "Go and rest. I know you're tired. I'll see you soon", he said and walked away. I just stood there, stupefied. I had found my Prince Charming, literally.
Monday, 13 June 2016
LOVE LUST by Adesoye Seun
Episode 1
Today is my first day of 'work' and I'm anxious and a little nervous. It's not an official job per say. I'm a student and I just wanted to make a little cash for myself to buy things that I don't need, just to show I'm a 'big girl'. I was told about this lady who needed a personal assistant but I didn't want to accept because I thought she was a hotshot and I didn't want to go too far from school and miss my boring classes. I'm a student, unfortunately but then I was told she's a too student and was also in my school. My interest was heightened mehn, a student who needed a personal assistant is not something you hear around a lot so I agreed and we agreed upon a meeting.
Her name's Moyo, she was actually pretty and had that willowy figure that models had. She told me all she needed me to do and it was all very professional and I accepted, the pay was good, that was all that mattered 😁. She even had an office on campus and she gave me the spare key. I felt so responsible mehn 😂. Moyo had a lot of things on her plate; she was a model, a makeup artiste, a fashion designer, a photographer and part owner of an ushering agency. Like anything students were into, she was too and that's a lot really to handle with school. In my heart, I was like 'Na wa oh, oversabi' but who am I to judge really? I was getting paid well so I should just keep my mouth shut and mind my business which was what I proceeded to do 😁.
Moyo and I had agreed that she'd call me whenever she needed something done and if I'm not available at that point in time, I'll let her know but I'll still have to do it before the day runs out. It was all pretty fair considering I was supposed to be by her side 24/7 but I guess she was just trying to relate. So I went for my 8am class which ended up really annoying and I was just going to rest up in my hostel before my evening class when Moyo called me. She said she wanted a few files from her office and that I should tidy it up since it was a little messy, she would come by later to pick up by the files and then I would get her food. I was like 'I can handle it', probably sure the office was spick and span and she was exaggerating. So as a working class babe, I changed route and went to Moyo's office.
It wasn't hard locating the office but when I got in, I just stood in the doorway and looked. The place was a mess; it looked like it hadn't seen a broom in a while, files were strewn everywhere and there was no proper walking space. Underneath all the ugly, I could see the true beauty of the place. It was really spacious and the wallpaper was beautiful and really complimented the tiled floor and after walking around a bit, I discovered a pretty toilet with a little shower cubicle but the mess! Who was going to clean it? Of course it was me, I was just in denial at that point, servant life is not easy 😢. After a bit of moping, I inspired myself, more like deceived myself and put on my superwoman cape (imaginary of course, I'm not that much of a kid 🌚) and I got to work.
I swept, I mopped, I arranged, I washed, I was trying to impress my new boss after all so it had to be good. I went to the doorway to try to see my work through new eyes and I gotta admit, I tried; the tiles were all shiny, the files were arranged on the shelves and the toilet and shower cubicle was clean, it was all very spick and span. I was proud of myself 😊 but then I was all dirty, considering the amount of dust balls I ate, yes, I had a right to be all dirty. I wanted to go but Moyo wasn't back, What was taking her so long? I thought. I called her but she wasn't picking up, she was prolly busy doing one of her numerous work related stuff. I was beginning to itch but I didn't want to go because I didn't want to have to come back so I decided to wait a bit more.
I was still itching when an idea hit me. Why should I be sweaty and all when I could easily take a shower quickly in the cubicle and dust off my clothes? I didn't think about it much and I entered the bathroom and dusted off my clothes. I was still enjoying my shower when I heard the door to the office open. I froze. Ehn? Who was that one? I didn't expect anyone to come talkless of barge in. What was I to do? I was panicking inside.
"Moyo! Moyo! What's up? I'm here" a male voice said. Ahh. I'm dead. It's even a guy. I was still not moving. "Answer me now. I can hear the shower running" Shoot! I forgot to put off the shower in all my fear. I put it off. "Moyo? If you don't answer me, I'm going to enter oh". I could hear him voice coming closer, it was at that point my brain booted and I flew out of the cubicle and leaned against the door, in my birthday suit. I had to say something. I couldn't let one possibly very ugly guy come and see me naked so I did. "Wait, I'm coming", I said. "Moyo? You don't sound like yourself. Are you okay?", the guy asked. "I'm fine. I'm coming. Chill." I replied, trying to keep it neutral. "Chill? You're definitely not Moyo. Who's there? Come out right now!" Ehn? Come out like how? I had to wear clothes first at least now. He kept on telling me to come out and while he was ranting, I locked the door and quickly started wearing my clothes.
As I was wearing my jeans, I just heard "I'm breaking down the door since you refuse to come outside." Na wa oh. This guy isn't joking. "I'm going to count to three. One!" I really didn't care if he broke down the door, I just wanted to be fully dressed before he entered. I came to work as a PA, not an ashawo. "Two!" I was putting on my bra. My hands were shaking so I couldn't hook it properly. "Three!" I just gave up and went to hide inside the shower cubicle, using the curtain to cover my upper half. I could hear him gathering up momentum to crash into the door and stupid me that I am just kept on thinking 'I hope he's fine sha'.
Today is my first day of 'work' and I'm anxious and a little nervous. It's not an official job per say. I'm a student and I just wanted to make a little cash for myself to buy things that I don't need, just to show I'm a 'big girl'. I was told about this lady who needed a personal assistant but I didn't want to accept because I thought she was a hotshot and I didn't want to go too far from school and miss my boring classes. I'm a student, unfortunately but then I was told she's a too student and was also in my school. My interest was heightened mehn, a student who needed a personal assistant is not something you hear around a lot so I agreed and we agreed upon a meeting.
Her name's Moyo, she was actually pretty and had that willowy figure that models had. She told me all she needed me to do and it was all very professional and I accepted, the pay was good, that was all that mattered 😁. She even had an office on campus and she gave me the spare key. I felt so responsible mehn 😂. Moyo had a lot of things on her plate; she was a model, a makeup artiste, a fashion designer, a photographer and part owner of an ushering agency. Like anything students were into, she was too and that's a lot really to handle with school. In my heart, I was like 'Na wa oh, oversabi' but who am I to judge really? I was getting paid well so I should just keep my mouth shut and mind my business which was what I proceeded to do 😁.
Moyo and I had agreed that she'd call me whenever she needed something done and if I'm not available at that point in time, I'll let her know but I'll still have to do it before the day runs out. It was all pretty fair considering I was supposed to be by her side 24/7 but I guess she was just trying to relate. So I went for my 8am class which ended up really annoying and I was just going to rest up in my hostel before my evening class when Moyo called me. She said she wanted a few files from her office and that I should tidy it up since it was a little messy, she would come by later to pick up by the files and then I would get her food. I was like 'I can handle it', probably sure the office was spick and span and she was exaggerating. So as a working class babe, I changed route and went to Moyo's office.
It wasn't hard locating the office but when I got in, I just stood in the doorway and looked. The place was a mess; it looked like it hadn't seen a broom in a while, files were strewn everywhere and there was no proper walking space. Underneath all the ugly, I could see the true beauty of the place. It was really spacious and the wallpaper was beautiful and really complimented the tiled floor and after walking around a bit, I discovered a pretty toilet with a little shower cubicle but the mess! Who was going to clean it? Of course it was me, I was just in denial at that point, servant life is not easy 😢. After a bit of moping, I inspired myself, more like deceived myself and put on my superwoman cape (imaginary of course, I'm not that much of a kid 🌚) and I got to work.
I swept, I mopped, I arranged, I washed, I was trying to impress my new boss after all so it had to be good. I went to the doorway to try to see my work through new eyes and I gotta admit, I tried; the tiles were all shiny, the files were arranged on the shelves and the toilet and shower cubicle was clean, it was all very spick and span. I was proud of myself 😊 but then I was all dirty, considering the amount of dust balls I ate, yes, I had a right to be all dirty. I wanted to go but Moyo wasn't back, What was taking her so long? I thought. I called her but she wasn't picking up, she was prolly busy doing one of her numerous work related stuff. I was beginning to itch but I didn't want to go because I didn't want to have to come back so I decided to wait a bit more.
I was still itching when an idea hit me. Why should I be sweaty and all when I could easily take a shower quickly in the cubicle and dust off my clothes? I didn't think about it much and I entered the bathroom and dusted off my clothes. I was still enjoying my shower when I heard the door to the office open. I froze. Ehn? Who was that one? I didn't expect anyone to come talkless of barge in. What was I to do? I was panicking inside.
"Moyo! Moyo! What's up? I'm here" a male voice said. Ahh. I'm dead. It's even a guy. I was still not moving. "Answer me now. I can hear the shower running" Shoot! I forgot to put off the shower in all my fear. I put it off. "Moyo? If you don't answer me, I'm going to enter oh". I could hear him voice coming closer, it was at that point my brain booted and I flew out of the cubicle and leaned against the door, in my birthday suit. I had to say something. I couldn't let one possibly very ugly guy come and see me naked so I did. "Wait, I'm coming", I said. "Moyo? You don't sound like yourself. Are you okay?", the guy asked. "I'm fine. I'm coming. Chill." I replied, trying to keep it neutral. "Chill? You're definitely not Moyo. Who's there? Come out right now!" Ehn? Come out like how? I had to wear clothes first at least now. He kept on telling me to come out and while he was ranting, I locked the door and quickly started wearing my clothes.
As I was wearing my jeans, I just heard "I'm breaking down the door since you refuse to come outside." Na wa oh. This guy isn't joking. "I'm going to count to three. One!" I really didn't care if he broke down the door, I just wanted to be fully dressed before he entered. I came to work as a PA, not an ashawo. "Two!" I was putting on my bra. My hands were shaking so I couldn't hook it properly. "Three!" I just gave up and went to hide inside the shower cubicle, using the curtain to cover my upper half. I could hear him gathering up momentum to crash into the door and stupid me that I am just kept on thinking 'I hope he's fine sha'.
Thursday, 9 June 2016
MAKING ME
EPISODE 2
The way he laughed, you would think there was a stand up comedian performing in the house, or his favorite comedian Kevin Hart. My mother just stared at him as he tried helplessly to catch his breath. My father was the clown of the house. He always made us laugh and he laughed at almost everything. My mother even told me he laughed hard when she told him she was pregnant. Well, he was at it again. I was sure he was going to make fun of me. We literally waited five minutes for him to catch his breath. "C'mon", he finally said with water in his eyes from laughing too hard. "And you couldn't throw a single punch? Not one?", he burst into another round of wild laughter. My mother took off one leg of her slippers and flung it at him. "Tunde be serious for once!", she yelled. "Okay okay", he said wiping his eyes with the back of his palm. "But you have to learn how to stand for yourself champ. Nobody is gonna do that for you." I think that made my mother more angry because her tone increased. "Tunde are you okay?! What if he fainted? Or was hospitalized eh?"
"You take things too seriously dear, it was just a face wound", he said as he stood up from the couch to face me. "Champ, this weekend I'll take you to the gym. You need to build those muscles of yours", he said and took off into the passage leading to the bedrooms as the second leg of my mother's slippers went flying at him.
Aunty Wunmi, my father's immediate younger sister arrived the States from Nigeria today and I heard my father tell my mother some days back that she was on a business trip and would be staying for two weeks. I had seen her once before now, three years ago when she came for her first business trip. I think it's natural for every family in Africa or Nigeria to have one female sibling that just talks a lot. God! I've not seen anyone who talks as much as my aunt Wunmi. The last time she came when I was ten, she talked so much to the extent that I began to thank God I wasn't living in Nigeria because I thought everybody living there talked as much as she did.
By four o'clock after I was back from school, the door bell rang and I went to get the door. My father stood there with my aunt Wunmi, a stunning replica of her elder brother. Well, only facially. They were a complete opposite in everything else. I got my lanky body frame from my father, but not my height. Aunt Wunmi was a short, chubby woman. Her face lit up immediately she saw me and my eyes immediately focused on her lips, those thick lips clothed in purple lipstick just like the last time. They parted. "Americana!!", she screamed in a high pitched voice just like my mother's. She never called me my name. "How are you eh?", she asked as she pulled me to herself, gave me the tightest hug I had ever received, pushed me back to take a better look before giving me an even tighter hug. "You are now a big boy o. What is your mother feeding you? Bawo lara e?" I knew she asked me something in Yoruba and the look on her face made it clear she was expecting an answer. I just looked at her and smiled. "Eh? Egbon mi", she turned to face my father with arms akimbo like she was preparing to fight him. "So you have not taught this boy our language yet. What are the two of you waiting for eh?" My father just smiled, told her there was still time and we all went inside. A high pitched scream met another high pitched scream and my mother and my aunt Wunmi started chatting like two long lost sisters reuniting for the first time.
I have a bad habit of eavesdropping on my parents conversation. That night, my father and aunt Wunmi were discussing and I decided to pick up my bad habit. My mother was in the kitchen. It seems they were talking about me because I heard 'Americana' and there was laughter. I was sure my father was telling her about my encounters with the eleventh grade bullies. "But why is he like that? So quiet", she asked my father. " You were not quiet like this when you were his age o", she added. "I believe he would adjust at his own time", my father said. "My last son, Jide is his age and that one is as wild as anything you can think of. You know, it wouldn't be a bad idea if our 'Americana' goes back with me to Nigeria. All these 'ajebutter' would shake off", she said looking serious. I felt a knot in my stomach. Aunt Wunmi had a way of making my father succumb to whatever she feels is right. The last time she came, she told my father I wasn't old enough to have a phone. I don't still have a phone till date. I almost fainted when my father said he would discuss the topic with my mother. If he didn't say no now, there was no 'no' later.
The way he laughed, you would think there was a stand up comedian performing in the house, or his favorite comedian Kevin Hart. My mother just stared at him as he tried helplessly to catch his breath. My father was the clown of the house. He always made us laugh and he laughed at almost everything. My mother even told me he laughed hard when she told him she was pregnant. Well, he was at it again. I was sure he was going to make fun of me. We literally waited five minutes for him to catch his breath. "C'mon", he finally said with water in his eyes from laughing too hard. "And you couldn't throw a single punch? Not one?", he burst into another round of wild laughter. My mother took off one leg of her slippers and flung it at him. "Tunde be serious for once!", she yelled. "Okay okay", he said wiping his eyes with the back of his palm. "But you have to learn how to stand for yourself champ. Nobody is gonna do that for you." I think that made my mother more angry because her tone increased. "Tunde are you okay?! What if he fainted? Or was hospitalized eh?"
"You take things too seriously dear, it was just a face wound", he said as he stood up from the couch to face me. "Champ, this weekend I'll take you to the gym. You need to build those muscles of yours", he said and took off into the passage leading to the bedrooms as the second leg of my mother's slippers went flying at him.
Aunty Wunmi, my father's immediate younger sister arrived the States from Nigeria today and I heard my father tell my mother some days back that she was on a business trip and would be staying for two weeks. I had seen her once before now, three years ago when she came for her first business trip. I think it's natural for every family in Africa or Nigeria to have one female sibling that just talks a lot. God! I've not seen anyone who talks as much as my aunt Wunmi. The last time she came when I was ten, she talked so much to the extent that I began to thank God I wasn't living in Nigeria because I thought everybody living there talked as much as she did.
By four o'clock after I was back from school, the door bell rang and I went to get the door. My father stood there with my aunt Wunmi, a stunning replica of her elder brother. Well, only facially. They were a complete opposite in everything else. I got my lanky body frame from my father, but not my height. Aunt Wunmi was a short, chubby woman. Her face lit up immediately she saw me and my eyes immediately focused on her lips, those thick lips clothed in purple lipstick just like the last time. They parted. "Americana!!", she screamed in a high pitched voice just like my mother's. She never called me my name. "How are you eh?", she asked as she pulled me to herself, gave me the tightest hug I had ever received, pushed me back to take a better look before giving me an even tighter hug. "You are now a big boy o. What is your mother feeding you? Bawo lara e?" I knew she asked me something in Yoruba and the look on her face made it clear she was expecting an answer. I just looked at her and smiled. "Eh? Egbon mi", she turned to face my father with arms akimbo like she was preparing to fight him. "So you have not taught this boy our language yet. What are the two of you waiting for eh?" My father just smiled, told her there was still time and we all went inside. A high pitched scream met another high pitched scream and my mother and my aunt Wunmi started chatting like two long lost sisters reuniting for the first time.
I have a bad habit of eavesdropping on my parents conversation. That night, my father and aunt Wunmi were discussing and I decided to pick up my bad habit. My mother was in the kitchen. It seems they were talking about me because I heard 'Americana' and there was laughter. I was sure my father was telling her about my encounters with the eleventh grade bullies. "But why is he like that? So quiet", she asked my father. " You were not quiet like this when you were his age o", she added. "I believe he would adjust at his own time", my father said. "My last son, Jide is his age and that one is as wild as anything you can think of. You know, it wouldn't be a bad idea if our 'Americana' goes back with me to Nigeria. All these 'ajebutter' would shake off", she said looking serious. I felt a knot in my stomach. Aunt Wunmi had a way of making my father succumb to whatever she feels is right. The last time she came, she told my father I wasn't old enough to have a phone. I don't still have a phone till date. I almost fainted when my father said he would discuss the topic with my mother. If he didn't say no now, there was no 'no' later.
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
Dream
DREAM
Is it just me,
or is everyone just oblivious of the maladjustment of the government
who swore with great intent there would be an increment of the standard of living, to end suffering, enduring and put an end to starving?
Or aren't we seeing, even in our state of penury that our 'leaders', have
turned professional liars, deceivers, stealers and evil doers?
Or can't we see them lavishing and squandering, winning and dining on
our labour and sweat while we watch and regret?
Perhaps I'm in a dream and all this is not real.
Perhaps I'm too bothered that my fears have become surreal, and made
me think it's all reality.
If it's a dream then I want to wake up!
How could I enjoy a dream where the ideals and morals we held up high
have become so cheap and dispensable that money can buy?
Or a dream where honor is determined by riches and integrity is thrown
into the ditches?
Or a dream where to have is glory and to have not is a horrible story?
Where to live is to be malevolent, dishonest and sly,
and to be truthful and honest is to die?
A dream where evil has become civil and criminal has turned to legal?
Where it is detrimental to be optimistic and beneficial to be pessimistic?
Where to be corrupt is power and to be just is slander?
A misinterpretation of society and a mirror image of poverty?
Where lack is the order of the day and to be hopeful is to be tagged a fool?
A nation in discord with no solution we can afford?
Where promises have found a different meaning and manifesto is nothing
but empty words and sweet talking?
Where to have faith is to be gullible and to have hope is insensible?
Oh I want to wake up!
So all these abnormalities can stop.
But wait!
Something is wrong. I can't seem to wake.
It's then I realize...I'm awake...
I'm awake!
So the dream...it's actually a reality and a factuality that we can't escape.
And now I feel like dreaming, a dream that would take a different shape.
So this is where I leave you, as I go in search of that dream.
Is it just me,
or is everyone just oblivious of the maladjustment of the government
who swore with great intent there would be an increment of the standard of living, to end suffering, enduring and put an end to starving?
Or aren't we seeing, even in our state of penury that our 'leaders', have
turned professional liars, deceivers, stealers and evil doers?
Or can't we see them lavishing and squandering, winning and dining on
our labour and sweat while we watch and regret?
Perhaps I'm in a dream and all this is not real.
Perhaps I'm too bothered that my fears have become surreal, and made
me think it's all reality.
If it's a dream then I want to wake up!
How could I enjoy a dream where the ideals and morals we held up high
have become so cheap and dispensable that money can buy?
Or a dream where honor is determined by riches and integrity is thrown
into the ditches?
Or a dream where to have is glory and to have not is a horrible story?
Where to live is to be malevolent, dishonest and sly,
and to be truthful and honest is to die?
A dream where evil has become civil and criminal has turned to legal?
Where it is detrimental to be optimistic and beneficial to be pessimistic?
Where to be corrupt is power and to be just is slander?
A misinterpretation of society and a mirror image of poverty?
Where lack is the order of the day and to be hopeful is to be tagged a fool?
A nation in discord with no solution we can afford?
Where promises have found a different meaning and manifesto is nothing
but empty words and sweet talking?
Where to have faith is to be gullible and to have hope is insensible?
Oh I want to wake up!
So all these abnormalities can stop.
But wait!
Something is wrong. I can't seem to wake.
It's then I realize...I'm awake...
I'm awake!
So the dream...it's actually a reality and a factuality that we can't escape.
And now I feel like dreaming, a dream that would take a different shape.
So this is where I leave you, as I go in search of that dream.
MAKING ME
Episode 1
I saw it coming. And the painful thing was that I couldn't do anything to save myself as the clenched fist buried itself into my abdomen. I doubled and felt another jab to my left jaw. The taste of blood slowly filled my mouth. I felt my face with my hands to make sure my glasses were intact. I couldn't do without it. I just remained crouched, backing my locker as I felt two more blows land on my back. "Thanks for the lunch punk", he said followed by a round of cruel laughter from the other bullies. I looked up to see them, all four of them walking away with my lunch pack for the third time this week.
My name is Tope Cole, and what you just saw is the life of a black tenth grader. I live in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan State with my Nigerian parents. I don't consider myself to be a Nigerian because fourteen years ago, Mr and Mrs. Tunde Cole relocated to the United States of America and fortunately for me, I was born a year after, just me. The only thing I regret is that I didn't get a white skin. That, has really affected growing up in a city like Ann Arbor. As if being black skinned wasn't enough, the good Lord gave me a small body frame and bones in place of flesh. Last year I spent eighty percent of my allowances on junk food and the wind still tossed me around like a plastic bag whenever I walked. So picture a black boy, small and lanky, with a pair of glasses that never leave his face and thick black afro hair. That was enough cause for the big boys in eleventh grade at Skyline High school to pick on me. Plus I'm a nerd, or something like that. I'm sure you watch high school movies where jocks pick on nerds all the time. Yeah, that's me, helpless little me.
I picked myself up and wiped off the streak of blood on my lips. Everyone in the hallway just stared at me. No one wanted to help a black boy. Okay some did. But then, they all feared the bullies. But I didn't care. As a matter of fact, I was fine with it. I had gotten used to the beatings and insults. As long as I went to school and came out with good grades, I cared less about everything else.
I got home that afternoon and my mother, Mrs. Yewande Cole got all mushy on me. "Oh my God!", as I walked into our house on 35, Howard Lane. " What happened to you?", she asked in her high pitched voice as she pulled me to herself and started fumbling with my battered face. I just kept quiet and let her enter her rage mode. "Who did this? Your father must see this", she said still tilting my face from side to side. " This is the third time this week, we must sue that school. Is it a crime to be black? Ehn?" She snuggled me and I found it hard to breathe with all my face buried in her breasts. "Pele omo mi", she said softly in her native tongue, Yoruba. I always loved it when she spoke Yoruba to me. It has this strange soothing power accompanied by her sweet voice although I never understood what she always said. As she still snuggled me, I just wondered how my father would react to my story.
I saw it coming. And the painful thing was that I couldn't do anything to save myself as the clenched fist buried itself into my abdomen. I doubled and felt another jab to my left jaw. The taste of blood slowly filled my mouth. I felt my face with my hands to make sure my glasses were intact. I couldn't do without it. I just remained crouched, backing my locker as I felt two more blows land on my back. "Thanks for the lunch punk", he said followed by a round of cruel laughter from the other bullies. I looked up to see them, all four of them walking away with my lunch pack for the third time this week.
My name is Tope Cole, and what you just saw is the life of a black tenth grader. I live in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan State with my Nigerian parents. I don't consider myself to be a Nigerian because fourteen years ago, Mr and Mrs. Tunde Cole relocated to the United States of America and fortunately for me, I was born a year after, just me. The only thing I regret is that I didn't get a white skin. That, has really affected growing up in a city like Ann Arbor. As if being black skinned wasn't enough, the good Lord gave me a small body frame and bones in place of flesh. Last year I spent eighty percent of my allowances on junk food and the wind still tossed me around like a plastic bag whenever I walked. So picture a black boy, small and lanky, with a pair of glasses that never leave his face and thick black afro hair. That was enough cause for the big boys in eleventh grade at Skyline High school to pick on me. Plus I'm a nerd, or something like that. I'm sure you watch high school movies where jocks pick on nerds all the time. Yeah, that's me, helpless little me.
I picked myself up and wiped off the streak of blood on my lips. Everyone in the hallway just stared at me. No one wanted to help a black boy. Okay some did. But then, they all feared the bullies. But I didn't care. As a matter of fact, I was fine with it. I had gotten used to the beatings and insults. As long as I went to school and came out with good grades, I cared less about everything else.
I got home that afternoon and my mother, Mrs. Yewande Cole got all mushy on me. "Oh my God!", as I walked into our house on 35, Howard Lane. " What happened to you?", she asked in her high pitched voice as she pulled me to herself and started fumbling with my battered face. I just kept quiet and let her enter her rage mode. "Who did this? Your father must see this", she said still tilting my face from side to side. " This is the third time this week, we must sue that school. Is it a crime to be black? Ehn?" She snuggled me and I found it hard to breathe with all my face buried in her breasts. "Pele omo mi", she said softly in her native tongue, Yoruba. I always loved it when she spoke Yoruba to me. It has this strange soothing power accompanied by her sweet voice although I never understood what she always said. As she still snuggled me, I just wondered how my father would react to my story.
Tuesday, 7 June 2016
Sometimes in Forever (Poem)
SOMETIMES IN FOREVER
Are we so blind that we can't see,
So bound that we can't break free,
So broken without a will,
And left without a soul that we can't feel?
That we cannot but gather and whisper,
And mourn and groan and shiver?
Not even to stand together,
If not always but sometimes in forever?
That we can't stand against oppression, suppression, transgression and dejection?
Even if we lack action, can't we find unison and draw attention?
They say silence is the best answer not violence, fine.
But when the silence becomes exploited and leads to a reign of madness,
tell me, does that make sense?
In anticipation of a better future,
We sit and watch the present rupture.
A future no one is willing to stand and fight for,
and yet they say the 'future' is secure. I laugh.
If not always but sometimes in forever,
and when I say forever I mean till this world is over,
can't we stand and stop being run over,
downtrodden, maltreated and stepped upon by those who claim to 'hold' power?
They say power is in the hands of the people,
but when they don't know what power is, they become feeble.
You see, power is the ability to exercise your will, it makes you capable.
And if the people can realize that they would be unstoppable.
Some may say it's hard and some IMPOSSIBLE,
but take a look at that word again, it says I'M POSSIBLE.
And if I'm POSSIBLE then you are POSSIBLE which makes us POSSIBLE.
And if we are POSSIBLE then the whole world is POSSIBLE.
And if the whole world is POSSIBLE then there is no impossible.
Then if there's no impossible...think about it.
If not always, sometimes in forever.
Are we so blind that we can't see,
So bound that we can't break free,
So broken without a will,
And left without a soul that we can't feel?
That we cannot but gather and whisper,
And mourn and groan and shiver?
Not even to stand together,
If not always but sometimes in forever?
That we can't stand against oppression, suppression, transgression and dejection?
Even if we lack action, can't we find unison and draw attention?
They say silence is the best answer not violence, fine.
But when the silence becomes exploited and leads to a reign of madness,
tell me, does that make sense?
In anticipation of a better future,
We sit and watch the present rupture.
A future no one is willing to stand and fight for,
and yet they say the 'future' is secure. I laugh.
If not always but sometimes in forever,
and when I say forever I mean till this world is over,
can't we stand and stop being run over,
downtrodden, maltreated and stepped upon by those who claim to 'hold' power?
They say power is in the hands of the people,
but when they don't know what power is, they become feeble.
You see, power is the ability to exercise your will, it makes you capable.
And if the people can realize that they would be unstoppable.
Some may say it's hard and some IMPOSSIBLE,
but take a look at that word again, it says I'M POSSIBLE.
And if I'm POSSIBLE then you are POSSIBLE which makes us POSSIBLE.
And if we are POSSIBLE then the whole world is POSSIBLE.
And if the whole world is POSSIBLE then there is no impossible.
Then if there's no impossible...think about it.
If not always, sometimes in forever.
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