When Beauty Becomes A Crime (Episode 9 & 10) Before Banji could continue his statement a familiar voice sounded beside him. It was Oyinkansola. She wanted to buy a universe math-set and onward exercise book. Banji felt cold wind gush into his veins under the hot weather. “I…I…mean,” he stammered, trying to hide the subject of the stolen money, “I wonder if this brand of Bic is still many in your store. So, I will come and buy it later.” “So, you are not buying it now? What would you do about your replaced four naira coins then?” The woman’s statement sliced through his heart like a razor blade. He scratched the back of his neck and quickly left the woman’s stall. He had taken a few steps away when he heard…. “Hey, Mr. Disaster!” It was Oyinkansola’s voice that pierced through his direction. Could she be referring to him? No, she must be calling someone else. He hastened his steps. “There might be a DISASTER if you wouldn’t listen to me” was resounding through his head like the beat of a talking-drum. With that, his feet slowed down like a vehicle that was out of fuel. He took a backward glance to confirm if she was referring to him. “Don’t you know yourself again?” Oyinkansola said with a naughty smile, “ehn , you thought I won’t remember your face?” His feet sank to the spot in wonderment. For a moment he thought he was dreaming. He never believed Oyinkansola could ever tease him. “Oh, it’s because my name is not Mr. Disaster,” he said as he turned to her, the distance between them, roughly six feet, “my name is Banji.” “Okay, Mr. Banji. May I know what is wrong with your money?” “Oh, never mind,” he said dismissively, waving his right hand. “Okay o,” Oyinkansola said as she walked away from the woman’s stall. She headed towards the opposite direction. Banji felt courage denying him. He wished to tame that miraculous sun to dry his cloth. He thought this was an opportunity for him to approach her. Just then the woman called Oyinkansola back for her five naira balance. “Oh, I forgot to tell you,” she said to the woman, “use the change to sell for Mr. Disaster.” She motioned to Banji who still rooted to the spot in confusion. When Banji was about to utter a word she hurried away as if she had springs attached to her legs. “Hey! Hey! Hey!” Banji ran after her in order to thank her, and most importantly to express his feelings, but Oyinkansola didn’t stop. When Banji caught up with her, she snubbed “ En, en, en, what is it?” “I just want to thank you for your kind gesture” “ Never mind,” she retorted, still walking on. “And I wish I could know you bet….” “Oh, hang it there!” She snapped and stared at him as though he was a disgusting element, “Is it a crime to do you guys a favour? Our pastor asked me to help somebody today. So, nothing attached to that! Good day.” She waved insolently across his face and walked off. Banji shook his head slowly, wondering what a tough girl she was. Was she not the same girl that just exchanged banters with him? *** Some days later, Banji was in the classroom fiddling with the pen he had bought with Oyinkansola’s money. It was funny to him that he had to write her a letter with that same biro. For the past few days, he had decided to give her a break. Besides, he had been pondering on how to compose a creative and breath- taking letter, but couldn’t figure it out. Now he just had the inspiration. It was the first period on Friday morning. The biology teacher had just entered the classroom with a lesson note which had been made so voluminous by merging several notebooks together. After ruling the board and writing the date, the man began by revising the last topic which was PARTS OF SKELETON. He began to test the students by asking them questions on it. He began from the first row by the window. Some students were unable to answer the questions correctly and they were asked to remain on their feet. When it was Banji’s turn, fortunately, the teacher asked him the part he had studied quite well. He answered and gave an explanation that really impressed the man. He asked the class to applaud him with a sounding clap. After testing a certain number of students, the teacher began to scribble the current note on the board. Banji thought of seizing the opportunity to write the letter at the middle of his notebook. For a moment, he bit the butt of his pen, reflecting on the strategic way to start. He began: Dear Oyinkansola, I am writing this letter with a golden pen, for you appear to me as a gold.You might be surprised as to how I get to know your name. You were passing across my classroom the first time I set my eyes on you, it felt as if a rib was missing from my body. I realize that without you, I am incomplete. I have searched through the dictionary for the words that would best describe how I feel for you, but couldn’t find any. To me, you appear brighter than the sun. The smile that nestles on your dimpled cheeks is more appealing than a full moon at the peak of a mountain. I’m a butterfly that used to recognize ROSE as one of the jewel flowers, but the day I came across a flower named OYINKANSOLA, I realized no flower is more beautiful. Baby, If I decide to analyze your beauty I will end up writing a whole textbook and that might take me a lifetime. According to your name, HONEY DROPS UPON FORTUNE. You are both the honey and fortune of my life. I don’t know what will become of me if you say NO to me. I may end up committing suicide. I am resting my golden pen at this juncture. I will be looking forward to a positive reply. From Banji…the boy you called Mr. Disaster. He canceled those words at the first paragraph, thinking they were unnecessary. When he wanted to rewrite the letter a hand grabbed the notebook from his desk, and he looked up to see the biology teacher************* Episode 11 is next & will be posted @8:30AM***********
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:48:02 +0000
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