ENO - CHRONICLE OF THE AFRICAN MAID.

“Eno! Eno!! Eno!!!” Young David screamed. “Why is my food not ready”? 

I came out of the bathroom while having my bathe. I was using the detergent I salvaged washing his clothes from dusk till dawn of the previous day and the lather was still over my body. I grabbed my patched piece of ankara fabrics I use as my towel to quickly cover my aging body. There was really nothing to be ashamed of having lived the better part of my fleeting life.

I missed my step as I paced down the stairs to meet him in the living room downstairs.

“Yes oga” my voice shook from the excruciating pain I felt, kneeling before him.

“Are you deaf? You this good-for-nothing scanty old fool”

Before I could say anything, he replied in an even harsher tone.

“I’ll be leaving for the office in 10 minutes” the arrogant bank manager said “and de no born you well if my food never ready”.

I left for the kitchen limping from my sprained ankle while coming down the stairs. Like I knew what was coming I’d already fixed his breakfast and had it packed – Bread, baked beans, fried eggs and Mango juice. I took it straight to his car and kept it on the foot mat of the owner’s corner.

Do I really deserve this? I thought for a second. It’s been 32 years still my heart can’t let go. I blamed myself for what happened many years ago. "I should never have left, I really shouldn’t have" nodding my head in regret.

The lather on my body had already dried up by the time I was done from the kitchen. Had to do the dishes and boil beans with the pressure pot using low heat, against dinner. Needed to buy time so I could rinse my body or even have my bath afresh when Young David had gone. All through yesterday, I worked all day that I barely had time to take my bath. My back was aching really bad. I hoped I could steal a few minutes to see a doctor while oga was away.

“Eno! Eno!! Eno!!!” Young David screamed.

I’d gotten use to his shouting already. I went to him and told him the food was in his car already. He walked passed without saying any other word.

Hours later, I got a call from Young David to prepare the guest rooms and that I should fix eba and ogbono soup with goat meat as against the beans. He said we’ll be having 3 guests over for the New Year celebration. I quickly went to get a few things from the market at the end of the street. This would be the first guests on a New Year eve in my 5 years of stay.

While setting the table having fixed dinner, I replayed that fateful day my baby was taken from me. I was only 17 years old . I cried my eyes out, especially because my baby was barely a year old. I kept my distance from them and vowed never to come close until the shocking news about my son’s alleged demise. The sharp hunk from Young David’s car broke my thoughts. It was just about time when I had gotten the table set. I went upstairs to look a bit presentable. I wouldn’t want oga’s guest thinking low of him when they see me I muttered.

My heart skipped when I saw the guests. With my face down, the unfathomable thought rang through my head…What if they find out? I stifled a deep sigh of relief as the guests headed straight to the dining table while I took their bags into the rooms. I wanted to escape but how could I pull this? I wasn’t expecting this, not this soon. It was young David’s dad, mom and his youngest sister, Dami. 

“Eno are you foolish or hadicapped? Come here and clean this water that mama spilled”.

Trying to avoid eye contact, I proceeded to wipe the puddle of water that was steadily soaking the table cloth. I risked a peek at mama’s wrinkled face, how can she be so docile after living a lie all these years?

“Will you get your sluggish-wrinkled-stinking silly self from here” Young David yelled.

Papa jerked in surprise at those foul words. I spun around to escape from their midst when the napkin mistakenly pulled one of the glass cups.

Dami sitting next to mama, quickly reach out to the falling glass cup as I did same in reflex. I quickly turned my face away knowing she had seen me properly. 

“Sister Bola!!!” Dami exclaimed, calling me by my first name. All eyes focused on me.

Young David was perplexed asking what was going on. Papa coughed repeatedly and reached out for his glass of water.

“Who is Sister Bola?" Confused Young David asked. "Are you referring to Eno my maid?”

“Hush” papa’s deep voice spoke calmly as ever. I knew this was the end of the road for the poor lad.

I spoke firmly for the first time to Young David,

"I am not Eno, I am Bola your biological mother".

On hearing my testimony, proud Young David broke into tears and their minds sagged.

DARK SIDE - BEAUTY, LOVE & LAUGHTER

I watched my 7 year old niece as streaks of warm tears ran down her tender cheeks.
Sobbing quietly, as she saw the little children maltreated by some cruel step-mother in the
movie. I marveled how she was able to relate with reality at such tender age.

Sending me a mail several years later, she told me she was seeing this guy in her
NYSC and he's the best thing that's ever happened to her. I had mixed feelings even
though I knew it was a part of life's hurdle we get to scale at some point.

I thought carefully before replying for the best possible advice. I told her I truly share in her
joy and know what it feels to be in love. That everyone deserves to have such genuine
feelings but there is a dark side to beauty, love & laughter which everyone should be aware of.

True beauty finds expression when nothing at that moment seem attractive.
How best you handle disagreements depend on how long your love is going to last.
The great lessons of true laughter could be learned from the sad yet honest tales of sorrow.

To have it all; keep it simple, be polite & honest about your feelings and finally
there are no perfect relationships only perfect emotions - Never Lie to Yourself.

SWEET NOVEMBER!!!

It all started when I realized I had this bubbling euphoric feeling on my inside... The sun never went down cos you lit my heart even at night fall. When it was dawn i was certain I love you this much...









I couldn't get my mind over you or what i felt about you. I think I had my feelings all muddled up or something but what i felt was real...

Maybe I needed a pill to get this strange feeling over with... but the only medication left was this capsule encapsulating tiny pills of love...





I couldn't tell day from night cos i was dreaming about you all day and looking forward to the next moment I'd be with you...








I work all day in a bid to raise as much as I could just to have you by me forever but for every bucks i made, your love outweighed it even more...






With every passing second revealing how much I need, miss and love you, I realized it had no regards of the changing tides...





I thought it was a mirage when I stood from afar. Coming close, I found out nothing really did change because time and time again i found my heart was perfect with you inside...







Blurry!!! The final picture may seem, but the mist and life's morning due gives way to the rising of the determined sun...







Dreams come true, but only those who dream would realize that moment when their dreams finally come true. A mile, two, three, a thousand away from where I am now... I can't really tell but I HAVE A DREAM!

I'M IN ℓ♥√ع WITH AN AIR HOSTESS

We were about taking off when she did τ̣̣ђё general safety ritual. Ȋ̝̊̅ couldn't care less anyway, I'd missed my flight τ̣̣ђё previous day so Ȋ̝̊̅ had my thoughts preoccupied.

We were on air when Ȋ̝̊̅ saw τ̣̣ђё air hostess talking with one passenger. She was tall, dark & beautiful but she was married (from τ̣̣ђё ring she wore) still her warm smile caught my heart's attention.

Ȋ̝̊̅ pushed τ̣̣ђё call button hoping she'll attend to ♍ε̲̣̣̣̥ but i† was this dark calm dude that came to ♍ε̲̣̣̣̥. Nice smile though but Ȋ̝̊̅ preferred hers . Well Ȋ̝̊̅ quickly asked for water ^_^.

There was a little turbulence & panic was gradually beginning to replace τ̣̣ђё conditioned air. Too bad τ̣̣ђё oxygen masks under the seats couldn't help.

Her team tried to keep a calm. Τ̣̣ђё captain said some things Ȋ̊ could only remember him urging everyone to please remain seated and ensure our seat belt was fastened.

Everyone obeyed but τ̣̣ђё hostess and her team. They didn't sit instead they were moving around ensuring everyone was "well bound", clearing the remaining plates and cups used by passengers.

Her team acted like nothing was happening. Ȋ̝̊̅ observed her smile didn't fade out either. She paused to listen patiently to anyone who beckoned amidst τ̣̣ђё turbulence. Ȋ̝̊̅ fell in  ℓ♥√ع  with her even more.

"She's been trained", Ȋ̝̊̅ said inaudibly. Ȋ̝̊̅ knew Ȋ̝̊̅ could do i† if she could, or if her team could. They kept i† intact till everything became normal.

They must have mastered τ̣̣ђё art of creating a balance from inside out, Ȋ concluded. In life, we experience such external turbulence - low on cash, irrational attitudes, crisis in relationships, jilts, bad habits... the list almost endless. 

Choose to be like an air host/ hostess, developing your inner strength enough to give you good composure when external factors set in. Τ̣̣ђё Holy Spirit does make a difference at life's turbulence.

LIFE IS INCOMPLETE...

Feelings sometimes are like armed bandits. They sneak on you when you least expect. There are some feelings you seemingly can't explain to persons who don't have a firsthand idea about what you're trying to describe.

If you've never lost someone really dear right in your arms, i bet you don't have an idea. It's the same for giving birth, you can never really understand what it means for your first issue to announce your fatherhood or your reward as an expectant mother as the case maybe.

Of all these very peculiar feelings, as an African in Africa, there's one feeling that is like catching a glimpse of a wishing star and remembering to make a wish. Sometime you get to experience it once or more, but it's certainly not a very often experience.

Other times you wonder if it has gone extinct with the difficult challenges we face everyday. That feeling if not experienced, then i'd say "life is incomplete". It is that moment when you are overwhelmed with that blissful feel and there's just one thing which follows...

It's the golden Tears of Joy - a treasure no one can take from you.

I'VE COMMITTED SUICIDE!

I felt as a child, prisoners are those behind bars. Τ̣̣ђё face of τ̣̣ђё man behind bars on τ̣̣ђё monopoly board that read "IN JAIL" seemed pretty sad and did get ♍ε puzzled.

Freedom to me was anyone who wasn't behind bars. I decided to act right in order to remain free. But with age for most of us comes wisdom.

Ȋ̝̊̅ could place accidents, illness, old age, wars, assassins, but not suicide. Ȋ̝̊̅ asked like most of you did, "why would anyone kill his or herself"? Knowing Ђδω hard i† was to as much as inflict myself.

Then I was introduced to heartbreak in my quest for ℓ♥√ع . Failure - too bitter a pill to swallow. Meals weren't 3-square, sadness gave me a cold pat. Death prove i† had a right to my ℓ♥√ع one and I had wailing to comfort me. Crippled by fear; I never knew life could be so uncertain.

Now I know τ̣̣ђё real imprisonment is not being behind bars of iron nor τ̣̣ђё shackles on our feet but τ̣̣ђё virtual ones created by τ̣̣ђё perception of our minds which is τ̣̣ђё probable culprit for most suicide (deliberately terminating anything precious) - taking your life, failure to believe in your dreams, lose faith in yourself, refusing to try again, inferiority complex, refusing to face your fears... Etc.

Never had this pure words made much meaning - People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at i† and don't quit. Isa 26:3 (MSG)

DEAD HORSES - Chronicle of the African Male.

I remember walking out of Aniyun Hospital, Ifako-gbagada, just behind Total Filling Station in Lagos. My Cousin Kayode helped me gently into the car. I asked him where my luggage was as I was told they would have to refer me to another hospital for the operation. I couldn’t seem to place what he was saying as the pill they gave me a few minutes ago seemed to take a toll on me. I fought to keep my eyelids opened…  That was all I could remember.

 Finally when I was able to open my heavy eyes, I felt this splitting headache banging the walls of my head. Squinting my eyes from the warm sun rays that passed through the window; I saw two white ladies in white walked pass. “Oh my God” I said inaudibly with great trepidation. My heart raced even more audibly than my aching head because I felt I had died and I was in heaven. He is awake!!! Another lady on white exclaimed.

“Oghene megwo megwo megwo, Jesu wekobiro [thanking God in her dialect] an elderly woman said. Then I knew this has to be earth, not heaven. I would recognize my mother in-law's voice anytime. She has always been very religious and passionate about her faith. She was held back by one of the ladies as she attempted running towards me. The white lady approached me. She gently laid me back to bed, as I struggled to get up. A black doctor came and told the nurse to allow me. I could recognize that by the stethoscope he had around his neck.

“Good morning Femi”, his deep voice seemed to echo with a warm dimpled smile. I’m Doctor Sesan and this is Christie Hospital in Manchester, not sure if you know. Since you arrived, you have not been concious and it’s about one week you’ve been here in this hospital. I was really puzzled. Before I could ask one of the thousand questions that came rushing into my mind, my mother in-law forced her way through. My son, my son, my son, thank God. “Doctor I hope he’s fine, hope everything is okay, I hope…” “Mummy he is fine, se gbo?” Doctor Sesan spoke softly patting her shoulder. “Mo gbo yin oko mi,mo gbo yin” [sobbing].

My mother in-law is God-sent. Ever since I lost my mother, she has been more than a mother to me. She barely even makes me miss my late mother. “Let me call your brother that you are awake. I would ask your wife Tega to steam the goat meat pepper soup and bring it down as soon as possible”. “Megwo mummy [as the Uroboh people usually greet, meaning I am on my knees] and sorry if I caused you much worry” I said with an exhausted smile. “Femi Femi Adefemi?” She called with a slight change in her tone, how many times did I call you? So ra yin o…” Doctor Sesan interrupted with a warm laughter, “mama the mama, no time for that now, thank God the operation was successful and he’s alive and well”. “Abi o, oko mi [my husband], you are right. I was able to laugh gently, knowing my mother in-law and her funny gestures. “He would be discharged in three days, so we can monitor his health” Doctor Sesan said as he excused himself with a warm smile. I heard him say “I’ve missed Nigeria” while he showed himself out.

Three weeks gone and it was the 1st of October, which happened to be my birthday. I was still in the UK with the rest of my family. What a remarkable day as it was the day Nigeria gained her independence in 1960. Plans were already made to host a good number of our Nigerian friends within the neighborhood. “Femi, Femi o” my mother in-law screamed. “What is it mama”, I said with a grumpy look. “Tega’s water has broken o” my mother in-law exclaimed.” Jeeeeeeeeeeez!!!” I exclaimed. I ran faster than my thoughts and drove straight down to Christie hospital which was not so far from where we resided. Like Doctor Sesan knew, he was coming out of the hospital’s entrance. “Sesan! My wife my wife” was all I could say. She was quickly taken in by a smart looking team…

After a couple of minutes, I was sweating profusely even at that time of the year. About an hour later, Doctor Sesan came out and told me, I have a set of triplets. What??? I screamed. I couldn’t tell how I felt on hearing the news. I dropped down on the floor. I actually passed out not being able to contain the emotional bliss. I was revived a few minutes later. I quickly rushed to see Tega. “Baby how are you feeling?” she smiled and pointed towards the lovely looking babies, all girls.

 I had more guest showed up later that evening than expected. A handful came for my birthday, others for the arrival of my children. Now I’m beginning to think whose birthday it originally was. It was my wife’s first delivery after ten years of waiting. The garage was filled with gifts cause there was barely space inside from human traffic. I excused Doctor Sesan to the pool side where no one could really see us and opened up my true feelings to him.

“Sesan” I called him in a broken voice; “I am finished. What do I do and where do I start from? I am 45 years today. Tega and I have known for over 15 years now. Every time she or any member of my family brought up the idea of wedding then, I would tell them what was the rush all about? That we are going to spend the rest of our lives together so they shouldn’t hasten me. I honestly wanted to have some more freedom. I felt marriage got lots of responsibilities and was not ready to deal with that. I said the future would take care of itself. Ten years ago when we finally got married, we’ve not had any issue till today. Retirement is at age 55 in the firm where I work. So in ten years’ time I would be out of active employment. No doubt I would be aging fast too. When I return back to Nigeria next week, what would I do? How much resources would it require me to raise three girls at the same time? I would barely even have quality time to spend with them owing to the fast developing society we are in. By the time they are in their teenagers season which happens to be a crucial moment in their lives, I would be like their grandfather. Then there's very little i can do or influence in their lives as at then. My fears are more than words can put together'. Doctor Sesan could barely say a word when I expressed my fears.

A day of bliss yet my heart drowns in overwhelming sorrow. Today is independence yet I feel enslaved by my past. The time I felt I once had, now slipping away – tick tock it kept ticking. Taking small strides one could barely notice unlike the minute and hour hand. Those little drops have turned into an overwhelming flood. If wishes, they say were horses even beggars would ride but of what good is it if wishes were dead horses? Not even the fortunate would be able to ride. Dark hairs slowly turning grey – now I wish I had married sooner.