 |
| Busayo Fakunle, children's story author. |
'That day was indeed an evil one devil drank water.' Busayo Fakunle
When it started to rain yesterday, there wasn't any sign that the heaven would weep at all. Suddenly, everywhere became dark -cloudy.
I was just coming from my children's school almost two miles away after dropping them off when the weather changed totally. It has become my daily routine during weekdays as their dad to drop them off in school. Really, to say fatherhood is stressful is an understatement.
The bike man sped up, trying to perhaps avoid being drenched by the 'gathering' rain. I was scared. The atmosphere became windy. It was too windy. I became more scared when I noticed the 'bike man' had no thought of marching on the brake on such a busy road filled up with fastly moving cars, tricycles, motorcycles, and especially young children who were walking by the roadside, going to school.
Just then, I reasoned like some of our leaders who would finish up road construction and then litter it with 'bumps'. I tightly held on to the iron bar at the back of the motorcycle, hoping it would at least save my 'small body' from being blown away by the wind.
In the twinkle of an eye, dirt and thick dust filled up the air. I was so worried how the bike man kept seeing the road. People ran around, scared of the whirlwind. Road users were all in a haste to get to their various destinations. It was a time when many were going to offices, schools or shops. After gracefully alighting from the motorcycle, I rushed down the untarred road leading to my house. It was actually indescribably dusty and so difficult to walk on. I survived while on it with the help of my handkerchief which is now brownish. On getting on the street to my house, I saw at a distance, one of my neighbours running inside too. She had once had an ugly experience that she luckily survived.
That evening was just few days after the christening of her second child, her first son. I was there in their house to thank my friend who helped me out in the morning to drop my kids off in school with his car. I still hope for one anyway. While exchanging pleasantries with my friend, she came out, luring the baby she wrapped on her back to sleep. She danced beautifully well that I jokingly told her to probably put in for a dancing competition. But then, I noticed, she was tired. It was glaring on her face, yet, kept on with the steps because the baby must sleep so she could finish up with the chores.
Suddenly, the weather changed and became windy. She rushed in, taking her steps like she was in a race with someone. She wanted to get the baby's cloth off the spreading wire at the backyard.
As she was almost done getting the clothes off the spreading wire, her eyes caught something bigger than a bird, flying in the sky. She kept looking as she stood in awe, with the baby, wrapped with the 'praying cloth', at her back. She couldn't believe her eyes. She narrated all for us.
It was the roof of the third house to ours that just passed her. Up till today, believes someone slightly pushed the 'flying' roof away from her side because she didn't move. She was scared that she couldn't take a step.
Meanwhile, while yesterday's rain lasted, I slept peacefully since everyone had left for school/work. Before I offered my lazy self to the 'waiting mat' in the floor, I drank a cup of hot cocoa without being disturbed. Or you think you can eat freely in my house without being interrogated by those guys you call boys? They eat like 'I-don-care' where the money comes from. After few minutes, something woke me up. Hunger.
Hunger has become one of the well pronounced names in my country, where money no longer has value. In my country, many families are friends with poverty. Conscience are bought with such ridiculous amount. What can poverty not do to man? Here, poverty is a weapon used by our leaders to suppress us and kill our dreams. But then, we keep living. Our resilience is legendary though we wear poverty like perfumes. In my country, a President can also be a minister. Are you asking if there are no good brains?
As I rushed out to catch up with a friend on business meeting, I discovered I had to recalculate my transport fares. Things are expensive and so also public transport now. Hardly would you get #20 drop again in Ibadan (lols). The drivers too now complain; 'oil is no longer 3,000, it's now #9,000. 'Motor-parts' are now expensive too. In my last encounter, the driver shared his plights and I nearly shed tears. I wonder why they are still doing it. But then, why am I too still in Nigeria? Anyway, we all complain about our unsatisfactory state of living, yet we don't want to leave for the other side. We want to live long. Then you ask, is there any sense to live long in poverty?
The experience yesterday was the same, how dare you think the driver was telling a lie when you now buy a sachet of water for #20?
Unfortunately, the meeting ended on a sad note. Like seriously, how do you people sustain your businesses? Especially in this 'condusick' environment? I asked and left many questions unanswered till I got home. Or I should become clericpreneur ?
I met them ( the boys) at home, so we entered the kitchen to prepare dinner. Yes, we. I was still sad though, thinking how these drivers tolerate some passengers' excesses, forgetting that we all buy the same garri, rice etc. In fact, I have decided to keep 'my thing' because diapers are also expensive. But, for how long will it go on vacation? Lols.
Whenever it is time to eat, the kids are generally happy. One will sing worship songs while others will carry plates to use as drums. Trust them, they go two rounds, but yesterday, daddy wasn't happy. But then, one played smart on me.
As I took my plate of... to eat, he called me. 'Daddy, I checked your phone, it's (sajing) charging.' Thanks son, I replied.
He came again. 'Baby take book, but I collected it and keep for you.' That's good of you son, I answered, spiced with a faked smile.
Again, he took his steps towards me. But this time, he needed a confirmation. 'Daddy, you know I love you? I will buy biscuits for you tomorrow.'
I didn't allow him to finish the sentence as I slid a piece of fish into his mouth. Then he looked at me in the eyes and smiled. 'Daddy Daddy, (se) you don't want to give me anything before (ni)?
As he walked away, I remembered how naughty I was that I unknowingly or mistakenly poured salt into a stolen garri. And how my elder sister forced it down my throats. Some elders are born wicked Sha.
'That day was indeed an evil one devil drank water.'
I will tell you how he drank the water soon.
Be here!
Fakunle Busayo Nsi
Comments
Post a Comment