It was 9:30pm when I woke up from my sleep I
immediately remembered that I had to be at
babis for the fundraiser. The election was to
hold in 6weeks time, though we had campaign
posters all over the campuses (mini and main);
National was having the upper hand. He had
more financial power than Abayomi.
Abayomi came from what I would describe as
an average family; his dad was a retired banker
while his mum was a civil servant. My dad ran 8
big stores in Alaba international market. He
dealt with the importation of Samsung and
sharp electronics.
My dad didn’t go to secondary school talk less
of a university. He came to Lagos immediately
after the Biafran war, worked as a sales boy for
Mr koledowo of blessed memory at idumota.
Idumota was one of the biggest markets in the
70’s. Things went smoothly for a while until Mr
koledowo’s wife died. He never really recovered
from the shock. He himself died November
17th, 1979, leaving his store to my dad. Shortly
after his demise, his family came to close the
store leaving my dad with nothing. My dad had
made some friends with some Ghanaians who
were regular customers. Mr Antwi allowed my
dad stay with his family provided that my dad
worked for them for free. As providence would
have it, in 1983 the Ghanaians were evicted
from Nigeria. Though the government of Nigeria
said it was due to economic hardships, my dad
always maintained that it was a form of
retaliation. In 1969, Nigerians had been evicted
from Ghana. Once again, my dad inherited
another man’s store. Fast forward to 2007, my
47 year old dad, Chief Dike was a millionaire
my mum was an house wife.
I had supported the elections financially even
more than Abayomi, but it wasn’t enough. A lot
of freshers adorned tee-shirts with National’s
beaming smile on them. Even some girls in my
compound had theirs, disloyalty!
I wouldn’t have been able to get to babis on
time if I had boarded a taxi, I decided to meet
John, my neighbor who had a car and could
easily drop me off.
Me: john!
No reply…
I knocked his door but he didn’t open, I was
forced to peep through the window because I
could hear music from his one room apartment.
Lying in bed was John, with his Unclad albeit a
G-string girlfriend sprawled like an eagle beside
him. Cans of sprite and a bottle of Johnny
walker were nearby.
I walked to Itamerin bus-stop to get a bike to
babis.
Babis was crowded when I got in, it was filled
with most of the club guys and girls unwinding
from the week long lectures. I skimmed the
crowed until I saw Abayomi seated with some
people just by the bar. I was squeezing myself
for a way through the crowd when a hand pulls
me back. Turning back I saw the slim body and
apologetic smile of Acho.
Acho: I thought you said you were staying
indoors tonight
Me: its really none of your business Acho
Acho: I see you have already forgotten about
me
Me: you are kindha smart, now let go of my
hand some people are waiting for me.
Acho let go immediately, ‘yahooze’ by olu-
maintain was booming in the back-ground as a
couple of students flooded the park that stood
as the dance floor.
Acho: I will miss you
Me: I bet you will honey.
She continued walking to the area were
Abayomi sat. he didn’t see her as he continued
arguing fervently with somebody, she didn’t
recognize the person nor the other people
sitting around the table. It wasn’t long before
Abayomi saw her and screamed.
Abayomi: you can be very annoying!, we have
been here since 9pm, look at the time you are
coming
Me: Ab, is that how to talk to a lady, your mum
did a rotten job raising you
Abayomi: you papa left yansh!
Me: ishiewu
Abayomi: come and hug me jor
Me: body odour o….
I quickly scrutinized the people sitting around
the table. Dada was at the right hand side of
Abayomi, Kofo sat at his left with her fake lashes
almost covering her eyes, Uche was holding a
bott
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