At home.
"I seriously don't know what reply to give to her. Isn't it wierd that a guy me like is a virgin, and if Iya Dare hears about it, Jesu ma sokale."
I said to Kola who was seated next to me on a wooden bench at the front of my FACE ME I SLAP YOU. This type of house is typical of buildings in trafficked places in my country. It's built thus; a long lone house which has several rooms facing each other and are divided by a passage. The Landlord (owner) might build twelves rooms, six on the right and six on the left, divided by a passage.
Everyone who lives in that house share the same toilet and bathroom and kitchen. And there are a whole of mess going on. Backbiting and treachery and witchery and hatred and jealousy. For the sake of fuck, how could you be jealous of someone living in such a place?
But don't be surprised, even my best friend, Kola, had wronged me many times but I've forgiven me. He had snatched a lot of my opportunities but as a good friend I didn't let that get to me. And my mother had always told me that only the brave at heart, and courageous ones can forgive and forget. Even when your best friend snatches your job opportunity behind your back?!
And now again, I've told him about the text I received from the unknown American woman. I don't know why I can't keep my mouth shut. But really, why should I have to hide things from my best friend? Isn't having someone to share your problem and wins with the reason best friends were created? Well, maybe I'm wrong. But there's little I could do now. I can't take back the words.
And on the other hand, I haven't been able to reply the message of the woman. The American woman from California. I seriously didn't know how to reply it. I haven't received any message as direct as that ever before. I'm always conservative with whatever I share online.
And that was why I have shared it with Kola. Probably he would have something to say. He always does. Plus there's nobody else I could had told. I don't trust any other person. And what? I can't possibly tell my mother.
"You know, Dare. You're not that kinda street guy. You're the Jesus freak who doesn't really want to stain his ways. Why don't you give me your login details to the app and I'll help you talk to the woman. I'll even send him pictures of my ... you get. And then when she pays or shows interest, then we can share the income."
Kola explained. My keen eyes traced his plain face down to his straight nose. He has this appealing aura, though I've been told countless times that I'm cuter than he is. Plus I'm one feet taller and quite stoic compared to him.
"I don't trust you to that extent, Kola. Given by all what you've done to me. The place you're working now, I should be there and enjoying the benefits and promotions."
He placed one of his hands on my shoulder,
"That's the devil's work na. We already talked about that. Let's not bring up the past. Plus, I always want to help you, you know, but you don't want my money."
I glared at him to read his reaction. I didn't care,
"Are you kidding me? I should take peanuts from what should had been mine? You should be glad that I still regard you as my best friend. I don't even know why I'm keeping you."
"Dare the likely loo..."
He patted me playfully on the shoulder.
"I can't keep a grudge against you. We've been taught and that's what we read in the Bible. Not to pay evil with evil. But one thing I want you to know is that I won't forgive you if you hurt me again."
He scoffed,
"Why would I, ehn, Dare. I don't know what to do to make you trust me again."
I side-looked him and looked away to the endless strughle of the day's activities going on in the street opposite the building.
"So, what would you tell this woman?"
He asked again. I sighed,
"I can't be talking about dick. It doesn't suit me."
"Don't tell me you will just let this opportunity slip away. You have no idea what she has in stock for you. Know that she lives in California, the richest state in the USA. And the fact that she to had chosen you, may be an answer to one of your prayers. Maybe it's God talking to you. After all, there are several hot men in the USA, why had she chosen, isn't it like a miracle?"
I was beginning to tap the back of my sole against the base of the bench.
"Or are you not tired of that your giant roommate?"
I chuckled and he did too. The thought of the rat was sickening. I nodded and turned to him finally,
"I'll give you the details and you'll talk to her. Though I wanted much to talk to her but I don't want to ruin it with my religiosity."
I paused and continued,
"But you will do as you've said. The benefits will be mine and I'll reward you. Take it as if I hired you."
"Now you're talking."
He tapped my shoulder and hugged me slightly.
"See who's here."
He pointed my attention at once. I looked and stood up at once.
"Not today."
I tried to hide and hurry inside but then the feminine voice caught up with me. She had seen me.
"Dare."
"Your babe."
Kola mocked and I shot at him,
"I've told you that I don't need a girl, I don't just know why she's so persistent. At least she should have some self respect. Ladies I know have ego, but I don't --"
"Hey, Dare."
She had gotten to us. She was standing by the stairs of the elevated pavement of the building.
"Lara."
I bit the words and offered,
"Join us."
She shook her head,
"I just want few moments with you alone."
I was moved but then... I turned to Kola,
"I'll be back."
I walked down the stairs as I heard Kola call,
"At least Lara, say hi to me."
She rolled her eyes instead and walked with me to the lips of the road.
"Why do you hate him that much?"
I asked, she wanted to dismiss it, I could read her reaction, but then she struggled,
"He's cunny. I still won't understand why a good person like you keeps such con artist, not even as friend, but best friend. Best friend kwa."
I smiled,
"The Pharisees an Sadducees also didn't understand why Jesus kept friends with the tax collectors."
She smirked and grunted. She's 5'4, thick, curvy and busty. She's beautiful, with straight nose and thick but portal lips. She was wearing a wig. A blouse and Jean with a pair of flip-flops.
"I had a dream about you. Be careful with the person you trust. Tell me, is there something that just came up like an opportunity?"
I wasn't surprised. If I wasn't a spiritual person, as inherited from my mother, I would had thought that Lara is a witch. But I don't know why she only dreams about me.
"Yes, but it's complicated. But I trust Kola, he would handle it."
"Did you just say you trust Kola?"
"Jesus chose the sinners, even Judas, though he knew he would rat him out."
She held one of my hands and place her other palm on it.
"Please don't, Dare. You'll regret it."
I turned in Kola's direction and saw him stood up. He began to walk down the stairs towards us. I sighed.
"It's complicated, Lara. Thanks for your concern."
"Bro, I'm on my way. Send the details through W******p. Don't keep me waiting."
Kola got to us and tapped me on the back. He said to Lara,
"Take care of my friend, Lara."
Lara rolled her eyes and hissed. Then she shook her hand free from mine and glared at me. Then she walked off too.
I stood there wondering. Have I made a bad choice?
Kola Adefarasin."Let's hope she's online."I stared at the inbox for a while. I've been thinking of what to do or what to say to keep the woman. But I've finally come to a conclusion. I wouldn't be outwitted, neither would I ruin it."DO YOU HAVE A BIG COCK?! I HEARD THAT MOST OF Y'ALL AFRICANS DO."I read out the message again. I've locked the door to my house. I'm living in a room self-contain. Unlike Dare's apartment, I have my own kitchen, toilet and bathroom. I do not have to share with anyone. Yet, who wouldn't grab another opportunity of becoming great?!DO YOU WANT TO SEE PICTURES?I replied, and almost immediately, I saw the three ellipses which signifies that someone is typing."Omoo"[Damn]I muttered in my native tongue. I picked up the bottle of Pepsi and drank from it. I have a bed and its rails. I have rug spread across the floor of my room and the walls are well painted. I have a TV set and several other
Few weeks later. Dare."Stick around for a while then in two hours time, close for the day."My boss addressed, on his laps was the secretary I already told you about. At first, he had known too well to hide it from us, but now, he had brought his adultery to work. Even though he already had two kids and wife. Kids who were not doing fine financially. I have no idea why someone could be so inconsequential to give what would sustain his family to a side chick. Pleasing a sidekick at the detriment of his own family. How dumb."Do you want to join us?"He nudged me back into reality. Oops. Why was I still standing there?"Sorry. I'll go now."I turned and walked towards the door."Goodbye, Dare."I heard the secretary call. I didn't want to turn to her but twould be nothing but an insult since she was the mistress of my boss.I turned to her and nodded, but then she winked seductively at me. I turned away immediately and wa
Ojuwoye, Mushin."You've grown to be a tough man, Dare."My coconut head uncle started. He was dressed in white Agbada, costly black shoes, a traditional cap, and lots of 24 carat gold chains drooping from his neck as though he was some mannequin. You know, it's pretty annoying when you have a lot of money but are dumb enough not to know what to do with it or how to WISELY spend it.He was tall and lanky. He had this threatening aura, and his deep brown eyes enflamed his beardy face. He's 6"0, thick neck and long hands, wide palms. Enough of his annoying qualities."Hmm."I made a deep threatening sound in my throttle but then my mom sent a warning signal with her well trained eyes. Wonder! African parents, especially Nigerians are so well skilled in working magic with their eyes and stares.Just one stern stare at your child and he already would be crawling at your feet.I got the message she was trying to put across but it seemed to
At the beach ~Dare Ofegu~"I want to do a lot of crazy things, Lara."I said, looking at the endless water ahead of us. I could see the waves lapping and crashing, the hankering horizon with crazed connection with the clouds, an inexplicable natural advances. I've never heard the call of the seagulls as seen in the movies. Well, that isn't actually my headache at the moment.I took a glance at her, her eyes pacing my face. I have no idea what she was thinking. But I knew she would be wondering why I had brought her to the beach for the first time. Which she didn't know would be the last.You know, it's somewhat a juvenile knack here that when you visit the beach with a lady, you have a nasty thought. For example, when you take a lady to a hotel or brothel, what other explanation is there to make?But even I don't know my stance at that moment. There are a lot of assorted thoughts struggling to dominate
At Work."Ekaaro, ma."[Morning, ma.]I called out to the kiosk's owner who had just showered her pleasantries. I'm not really sure how old she was but she looked fifty. She was always the first person to say a hello to me. Even when I'm absentminded, she would keep the pleasantries up till I respond. Somehow, her kind gestures remind me of Lara. She must have been like Lara when she was young. A lady who doesn't really put much worth in self respect.I hurried towards the building which housed our offices, walking through the large undeveloped and uninhibited compound. I caught the sight of the tree under which I sat the other day to read the ugly news.I'm sure that there would be no one at work because it's just 7:10am. The resumption hour was 8:00am, and many do arrive 8:30am and even up to 10:00. But both those who resumed 8:00 and 10:00am would write 8:00am and no saint has the guts to rat them out, else you wou
Lekki. ~Dare Ofegu~"What are you going to California for? You won't put your mother in the darkness of it all, would you?"I had tried to avoid her gaze in the first place but there is no use anymore. She wasn't the type to be beaten so easily. I knew my mother too well, she wouldn't stop until she had gotten to the root of the matter, believe me. Or better still, you can see for yourself."We already had this discussion, mom. I got an offer to work with a company over there. You know that I write poetry, so one of the companies in California read one of my poems on allpoetry.com and wanted to meet me in person. I have been postponing it but now that uncle is ready to help, why should I let the opportunity slip off my palms?"I quit talking but the stare she was wearing said it all. She was not ready to give in, I could bet on my life. Then she said,"I had a dream."I stood up at once and
Airport.~Dare Ofegu~"I don't want you to go, yet I can't stop you."Lara remonstrated, her right arm tucked in my left. We were brushing sides and standing in the broad gleaming hallway of the Nnamdi Azikwe International airport."I can't help it too. I must go find that traitor and ask him why he had done that to me after the trust. I even told him that I was giving him the last chance and that if he betray me again, twould be the end of our friendship."I explained, untucking my arm as I wounded it around her waist instead. She took a peek at me, I could see surprise splattered on her face."You can't just expect a lion to stop being a lion because you rescued it and make it live in your house. One day, the killer instinct which defines its being would always flare up."She looked away. I scoffed,"Kola is no lion. He's but a hyena. A very funny creature which hardly works but always want to
California."America."I muttered, looking through the window of the taxi. It seemed to too real to believe. I didn't know why I kept doubting whether or not twas true.My experience in the plane had been extraordinary also. Feeling yourself floating amongst the clouds you had always thought to be an illusion. The clouds being your only neighbors."Your first time?"The taxi driver looked at me through the rearview. I looked away from the window to the tough but hospitable face of the driver with scanty beards. I was trying so hard to compare him to the car drivers back in my country."Yes. My first time."I nodded, trying to convince myself. I was the only one in the taxi. I tried to remember boarding a car from Onipanu to Mushin back in Nigeria, we always have four passengers at the back, two at the front. But nah! I'm riding solo in this Taxi, how refreshing."You want me to