CAMPUS PAROL »»»Episode 26 I moved closer to her, then sat on the bed. “Mummy.” I called, tapping her by the arm. She didn’t move a muscle. I angrily shoved her to the bed and shouted, “mummy!” She sprang up like an employee late for work. “Ha! Banji, it’s you.” She said, breathing loudly. “You got me scared.” “Scared? I got you scared?” I asked, with a tiny smile on my face. “Agreed but you almost got me dead.” She smiled and hugged me. “I understand. I can’t die now.” She said, with my chin resting on her shoulder. “I still have a responsibility, you.” “Thank you mummy.” I said and smiled. I let go of her, went out of the house and brought in my luggage. “How are you feeling?” I said as I placed my bag in a suitable corner in the room. “I’m fine just that I have no money to pay for the rent of this house.” She said with her head bowed in sorrow. “The rent has expired and old soldier had sent me a notice.” “Notice?!” I yelled. “Yes, he came yesterday.” “Isn’t he aware you aren’t fine enough to work?” I angrily asked. “He is but do we have any choice?” She replied with a cloud of pity looming around her. “How much is the money?” “Fifty thousand naira.” She replied. “Only?” I boastfully asked. “Is that what you call only?” She asked. “Yes, only but where is it?” “I’m coming.” I said as I walked towards the door to leave the house. “Where are you going?” She asked. “I would be back.” I said and forged out. I boarded a motorcycle to the nearest ATM to withdraw some money. I did within minutes, then boarded the same motorcycle to Old Soldier’s house. I alighted and paid the motorcyclist a fortune, I was rich enough not to feel its effect on me. I walked to the door and I was welcomed by Sheri, who was elegantly dressed and about leaving the house. I hissed and frowned at her, she paid me back with my coin and left. I knocked on the door but I got no response. I knocked again. “Yes, come in.” A bass voice sounded from within, no doubt, it was Old Soldier. I went in. Yes, I was right. “Good afternoon sir.” I boldly greeted, bowing my head. “Hey Banji, ahn ahn when did you return?” He asked. “Just now.” “Have you gone home?” “Yes, I have.” I answered him almost immediately. He cleared his throat. “Banji, you didn’t do well o.” He said, adjusting himself on the couch, then placed away the newspaper he was reading. “You abadoned your mother in the hospital, knowing fully well that…” “Sir sir please I’m not here for that and perhaps my mother is cool with me.” I interrupted as I dipped my hand into my pocket, brought out a pile of money, spat a little on my fingers and started counting. “What’s the money for?” He asked. I deliberately deafened up to what he said, concentrating on the money I counted. “Forty eight, forty nine, fifty.” I mumbled. “Are you deaf?” He furiously asked. “I said what’s the money for?” I frowned, stretched the money to him, which I thought he would reject because I didn’t reply his question but I was wrong, he grabbed it like a tout and smiled. I paused, standing at akimbo and watched him count the money. “Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen.” He counted loudly with a smile on his face, then he looked at me as he kept counting. “Banji, what’s this money for? Forty four, forty five, ehn? Forty nine, fifty, ehn Banji, what for?” “That’s the money for our house rent.” I said, turned around and walked towards the door. He stood. “Was it your mother that sent you?” I turned around. “Sir, you have your money, so who sent me shouldn’t be your problem.” I said, opened the door and left. “Are you talking to me like that?” He yelled loudly, then he came out but he was too late because I was already on a motorcycle. “When I was in the barrack…” I hissed as the motorcyclist zoomed off. Who had the time to listen to his super story? I almost said. I got home in no time, settled my bill, then went in to put a smile on my mother’s face for the time been. How time flies, I had spent three days and two nights with my mother out of the one week break the school gave the students. The ASUU strike that glued our behind at home for five months in my level two second semester, disorganized the school calendar. The school’s way of regulating the calendar was to shorten our break. My mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner, the last dinner before I proceed to the Martin’s residence. I sat in the parlor watching a soap opera, the undercover agent. The soap starred with actors like Christopher Paul Adah, Adesogun Abiodun, Godwin Edoh Ali, Shehu D shehu, Odutuyo Oluwatayo Stephen, Favour Basil, Luckyllj Barnabas, Emmanuel chuckwuemeka Sunday, Okoribe Joyce Abada and Jideonwo Obiangeli Faith. The producer of the soap, AMEBOR GIST pictures and Disney go head to head with their style of production. My concentration was totally consumed by the television program, that I didn’t notice my mother standing beside me. “Baaaaaannnnnji.” She said, hitting me slightly with her elbow. “O ti feran TV ju,” which means, ‘you like television alot.’ I gazed at her and smiled. “Mummy, you nko?” I said and we both laughed. She laid her hand on a stool and drew it closer, then sat on it. “Banji, your father’s people have sent the date for his burial o.” “When?” I said, interested. “Next month.” She said. “On the ten.” “Ok ma.” I said. “Just be strong for me and I know daddy’s eyes would always watch out for us.” “Amen. You too be strong for me because you are all I have.” She said. I smiled. “Ok mum.” “Ehn ehn, so have you called Mr Martin that you’re coming tomorrow morning?” “Muuuuummmmmy, I don’t need to tell him, that’s how close we are.” “Ehn ehn?” “Yes O.” I said and smiled. She raised her hands and looked up. “God I thank you Ooooo. Ehn ehn?” She said, then held firmly her head. “Thank you, thank you.” “It’s God mum, it’s God.” Ring! Ring!! My phone rang. I picked up as my mother exited to the kitchen. “Hello?” “Hello.” A feminine voice hit my eardrum. “Please, is this Banji?” “Yes, this is Ban…” I was saying when I heard a disconnetion tone. Almost immediately, my phone rang again. I answered the call again. “Hello?” “Hello. Please, am I unto Banji?” The same voice protruded out of my phone. “Yes, this is Banji.” I replied, very curious. “Please, who am I speaking with?” “This is Nancy.” “Nancy?” I asked, confused. “Please, Nancy from where?” “Aww, this is Nancy Martin, Samuel’s sister.” She replied. “Oh my God.” I said, partially covering my mouth with my left palm. She giggled. “Come on. How are you?” She asked. “I’m fine. You?” “Fine too.” She replied, then giggled. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you all the while.” “No problem.” I said with a smile on my face. “I got back home three days ago and I had to get my groove back before resuming to school next tomorrow.” She continued. “So dad gave me your number to call and appreciate your kind gesture to Samuel.” “It’s nothing. Seriously, it’s nothing.” I said, patting my head with my hand. “Thank you so much. Dad told me you’re also attending Adusco. Is that true?” I giggled. “So true. Faculty of Art, English department.” I replied. “Wow, so happy to hear that. I’m studying philosophy.” “Are you serious?” “Yeah Yeah.” “Then you must know Rose David, do you?” I asked. “Sure of course, I do.” She said. “Student union treasurer, she’s also in my department, four hundred level now.” “Yeah, that’s true, so what level are you?” I asked. “Three hundred. You?” “Four.” “Wow, finalist things. That’s good.” She teased and we both giggled. “I can’t wait to meet you.” “Aww, I’m coming to your house tomorrow.” I said. She screamed and immediately, I disconnected my phone from my ear. “I’m so happy. Please what time are you coming, so I may prepare you a nice dish?” She asked. I paused and thought for some seconds, then replied. “I would be there by ten.” “Ok dear. I would be expecting you.” She said. “See you tomorrow.” “Ok, bye.” “Bye.” As I was about hanging up, she mumbled a sentence but the phone was far from my ear so I didn’t hear it. “What did you say?” I quickly asked. “Never mind.” She said, trying to hide. I persisted. “Pleeeeeeaaaaaaaasssseeee.” “Ok ok fine, I will tell you.” She said. “I said you have a cute voice.” “Aww, thanks and you too.” “Ok, bye.” She said. “Bye.” I replied, then hung up. Yes! I shouted like I had won the lottery, my mother rushed out of the kitchen to the parlor. “What happen?” She asked, scared. “Nothing mummy.” “Why then did you shout like that?” She asked, squeezing her face in anger. “I’m sorry ma.” I said, stood up and hugged her, then we both went to the kitchen. Mama’s food was very luscious, that I ate more of it in my dreams. The alarm I set on my phone rang out loud, whacking every muscle in my brain. I tried snoozing it but it proved stubborn, so I had no choice than to get up on my feet and properly deactivate the alarm. It was 10:30 A.M. “Banji, it’s to eleven o.” My mother said as she walked into the bedroom. My mother was an early riser, but I was her typical contrast. I rushed to the bathroom, took my bath and got set for the Mr Martin’s residence. “Mummy, I’m going o.” I shouted because I had no clue where she was. “I’m coming o.” Her voice came from the passage. She came in. “I’m ready.” I said to her. “Won’t you eat before going?” She asked. “No mummy.” I said, peeked at my wrist watch. “I’m late.” “Ok” “I would call you regularly.” I promised. “Sure?” “Sure mummy.” I said, then she moved closer and hugged me. I hugged her more tighter, then after some seconds I heared her sniffle. “Mummy, it’s ok.” I said. “I wouldn’t be far from you. I promise to come home from time to time.” She let go of me, wiped her tears with the hem of her wrapper, then helped me with my luggage outside to board a motorcycle. I really missed my mother more when the motorcyclist zoomed off. I tried forcing the tears that saturated my eyes from dropping but all effort proved abortive, it dropped and I quickly wiped it away with the back of my palm. The traffic was less congested so I got to the Martin’s residence less than an hour. My heart was racing very fast, not for fear but for the joy of seeing Nancy. Instead of ringing the intercom, I pulled a call through to Nancy. “Hi Nancy.” “Banji, where are you now?” She asked and quickly added, “the food is getting cold.” I smiled as the worms in my stomach danced at mention of food. “I’m outside.” “Outside where?” “Outside your gate.” “You’re kidding, right?” She asked. “No, am not.” I replied and smiled. “I’m coming right away.” She said. I turned around, backing their gate, feeding my eyes with the massive structure of other massions in the vicinity. “Eleda ma sun.” I said, which means, ‘creator don’t sleep.’ Almost immediately, I heard the sound of the gate opened, I gently turned around and met the shock of my life, Nancy, the friend to the library girl. She came out of the gate, while I stood gazing at her. She snubbed me, then looked to the right and to the left. “I knew Banji was lying.” She said, loud enough for me to hear, then she looked at me. “And you what are you doing here?” I remained mute and was quite scared, praying fervently in my heart like Paul and Silas. “I’m Banji.” I calmly replied her. She hissed. “Which good can you offer?” She furiously asked. “Because the best you can do is to steal but the Banji I’m talking about saved my brother from death so please get away.” I smiled, I had no choice than to swallow all her abuses because I wouldn’t let the devil in me destroy my blues with its reggae. She angrily scrolled through her phone, afterwards my phone rang, she dialed my number. She looked at me, I gazed back at her. “Banji?” She asked, pointing to me. “Yes, I’m Banji.” I replied. She hissed. “Anyway come in.” She said as she walked into the compoud. I gently took my steps, walking behind her straight to the sitting room. I dropped my bags and sat down on the couch. She walked into the kitchen, then came out with a plate of rice and strolled to the dinning table to eat. Since I wasn’t a newbie in the house, I stood up, walked to the dinning table and sat with Nancy. “Nancy, how are you?” I asked with a smile on my face. She snubbed me, concentrating on the food she was eating. “Nancy, where is Dad, mum and Samuel?” She remained mute. “Nancy, why are you acting like this?” I asked. “Is it because of what transpired between us the other day?” “Hey Mr! Enough of my name from your mouth.” She replied. “And are you blind that I’m eating so why disturb me. Table manners please, excuse me.” Nancy had spent all my respect and returned a kobo balance of it to me. I sealed my gutter, rendering the whole place extremely quiet. I stood to return to my seat since I wasn’t welcome, when I heard a clinging sound from the kitchen. Guess that should be Caro, my mind wondered. To satisfy my curiosity, I walked to the kitchen and there I saw Caro washing the dishes. “Hey Caro.” She turned around and smiled. “Brother Banji.” “How are you?” I asked, moving closer. “I’m fine.” She replied. “What of everybody?” “Oga and madam travelled to visit one of their family member that came from London.” She replied. “What of Samuel?” I asked. “Samuel followed them.” “Ok.” I said. “But when are they returning?” “Tomorrow morning.” I checked my time, it was 2:32 P.M. “What time did they leave?” “Around eleven.” “Ok, that’s good.” I said. “So what are you doing?” “Washing the plates.” “Let me assist you.” I said with a smile on my face. “Ha! No o. Small madam would report me.” She replied, truly scared of Nancy. “Ok, keep washing.” I said, shifted closer to the sink so I could see what she was doing. “Brother? So how school?” Caro asked. “School is fine o.” I replied. “I’m going back next tomorrow sef.” “Ok.” “But why are you not in school?” I asked. Immediately, Nancy walked in with an empty plate and dropped it in the sink. I snubbed her and changed the topic with Caro, right in her presence. “So Caro, which musician do you like most in Nigeria?” She smiled as she scrubbed the dishes. “Wizkid.” She replied. “Why?” She giggled. “The song he sang for me. I like…” She was saying when Nancy interjected. “Will you shut up!” Nancy commanded and hissed. I could smell jealousy in the air. Nancy was outrightly green-eyed about our conversation. She wickedly gazed at me as I deliberately sidelined her like a basic calculator manual. She looked for a way to get to me in the kitchen but she found none. Oops! She later found Caro. She sent Caro on an errand that would consume at least one hour of her time. Caro obeyed, then Nancy went to the sitting room to relax. I had no more business with the kitchen so I joined Nancy in the sitting room. I sat relaxed watching a music video that would sure interest Caro but Nancy changed the channel to another, it’s a football channel. I was happy, so happy and getting engrossed. Nancy noticed my interest level had risen to its peak, then she pressed another button on the remote control, changing the channel to a fashion show. Now she has over-did it, I sadly picked up my bags and forged to the guest room to relax. As soon as I got to the room, I fell flat on the bed to sleep. Few minutes later, I heard a knock. “Who’s that?” “Nancy.” “Come in.” I said. She came in, strolled to the bed and smiled. “Banji, I’m sorry.” I smiled. “No problem.” I said. She shrugged in disapproval. “It’s a lie.” She said. “If you have truly accepted, then tell me to join you on the bed.” Huh? My eyes bulged out from within like a owl. I coughed, then cleared my throat. “Ok, join me.” I said, with my arms opened wide. She jumped on me like her playmate, she raised her head to gaze at me, I looked straight into her eyes, then a force pushed my head gradually to kiss her. The same force held her head static and closed her eyes, then we kissed. The kiss was becoming hot, very hot that our clothes fell off our body without our consent. “Nancy, bolt the door.” I managed to say as my mouth was already occupied. Nancy jumped out of the bed, walked towards the door and bolted it. Her stroll to the door gave me an exact view of her derriere, packed in an ebony pant. I had used my magic hands to eradicate her mini skirt during the mouth munching session. She returned fully prepared and I was prepared also. My nozzle had risen up and was ready for attack. Now let the game begin, I said to myself. Bang! Bang!! A knock on the door. WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 27
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 17:17:04 +0000