Hello Everyone,
I hope we are enjoying May and the spring... Yippie...
Without much ado...I present to you the story of the Month... Pls Enjoy. xxx
It was precisely 4:00 pm, when I finally arrived in Ibadan. I had no choice but to endure the hot ride including the gruesome heat. Coming back to Nigeria can only bring a smile on my face, having endured four years of adapting to the UK's weather, I was glad to be back home. However, this new city have just arrived in is not my home but it will be over the next coming weeks, months and years. I had just got back from the UK when I came to know about the opportunity that would take me to this city. I was not only excited at the thought of the project am working on but the idea of working along side the new changes in Nigeria. It was our era, our time to take charge and make Nigeria the forefront of African countries. The plans on getting our independence was only too sweet to contain not much longer I said to myself but had to quickly re position my mind to get familiar and get to work.
It was during one of our several outings to the local market that I first laid my eyes on her. She had a basket clung to her arm, full of goodies. I could see fresh plantains, tomatoes, okras and some more my brain could no longer bother to figure out. I had thought had seen beauties but she was an eye to behold. I suppose what I first noticed about her was her immaculate English while conversing with the trader. Her beautifully shaped elongated fingers paraded the air as she tried to describe something the trader couldn't understand. She really was beautiful and I could only find myself gaping at her lovely features. I was lost in trance to notice my colleague had been trying to get my attention. I was definitely dreaming, I had to see her again I thought. No, I had to meet her and get to know her. For the next couple of days, I would be mesmerised by a special stranger. I devoted a great deal of my time mentally hatching plans on how to find her and meet her again. It wasn't until three months later that I saw her again, this time it was in a local primary school where she taught. We had to go there as part of our project, I found out later she was working for the local ministry who had taught her how to read and write. She spoke such impeccable English I was impressed.
Finally, we were introduced by the madam of the local primary school who talked about how wonderful she is to the school. I sat in the most uncomfortable bench, watching with admiration as she poured the tea out for us to drink. The school has potential I heard my Manager say but the rest became humming sounds. She was cultured I could tell by the way she presented the cups of tea and carefully curtsying at the same time. I smiled to myself and made a promise that I must get to know her if it was the last thing this project offered me. The following Sunday, fate was on my side, I left the local church to run some errands and who did I bump into.
She had the cutest eyes and softest lips and looked so innocent, which was very much appealing. I stammered to say hello while she addressed me by my surname. Mr Uzo, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn't aware you worshiped at our local church? Sheepishly all I could mutter was, I visit occasionally. I ravished my brain to think of a more appropriate answer but all I could try to mutter again was nothing. She proceeded to ask me questions about the service and if I had enjoyed it in which I sorta quivered. All I did mentally was to kick myself in the butt. No woman, ever, has had such a strong spell on me. I had definitely lost the plot here, my naughty boyish manner had certainly let me down causing me to be tongue tied and appear absolutely foolish. I could only nod, smile and appear to be engaged while I forcefully racked my brain for a meaningful contribution to the conversation which by now looked like I lacked interest. She had to, I could tell because she was trying to manoeuvre her way around, I had to excuse her as I was blocking the way. I summoned the courage to say goodbye and hoped to see her soon.
My hope didn't let me down, I saw her precisely two days later at a gathering. After drinking some local appetizer which undoubtedly loosed my tongue, I found words flowed easily. We had spotted each other across the room and I came forth to say hello and apologised for looking lost the last time we met. I had quickly used the opportunity to invite her for a meal or so and we could talk. She hesitated, I could see the frown appearing on her lovely smooth forehead and it was only the thought of behaving inappropriately that held my hands firmly in my pockets. I looked lovingly and wished I could soften the frown. I could tell she was mentally checking if she was available and if at all she wanted to meet with me. I tried my charm which always worked with most ladies including my mother. I had turn my bug looking eyes into that of a cute puppy that couldn't be resisted. I had found this worked amongst the ladies in my family as well as abroad. The lists of girl friends I had were simply mesmerised by it. It was my go to charm and I was desperately hoping it could work with her. What was only minutes possibly seconds felt like years when she finally answered, she would let me know. I was gutted and kicking myself in the butt for not trying harder. It wasn't so long when we all went our separate ways and I had felt disappointed but not defeated.
Back in the project accommodation, myself and couple of colleagues could only engage in conversations about the local girls and their charms, and all I could think of was my lovely sweet, sweet, sweet Ajoke as I later found out she was called. I had received a note from one of the lads and in it was neatly written when and where she was available. My cup couldn't get any better, it completely ran over with all sorts, from joy, to excitement to utter thrill.
Coming to Ibadan had change my life for the best, I couldn't imagine life without her. Ever since we had met up, we were inseparable, we shared memories and dreams about the future. I had told her about my childhood in the local village. I enjoyed living in the city but my village is still the best. We both agreed there was nothing like living and running around in the village. Ajoke cooked the most delicious food, I automatically stopped eating at our accommodation. She fed me well and fed me big, my heart was always merry. I liked her innocence, she was intelligent yet she was vulnerable, I liked how she squirms when she sees crawly and slimy animals. I wouldn't forget the day she screamed when I showed her the mark where that horrible snake had bite me in my teens. I liked how she eventually calmed down and stroke the deep scar. She was inquisitive, she would ask me loads of questions about the plans for Nigeria, and what the British Colonel planned to do. She wanted to know more, she once said she would like to study abroad like myself so she could sound white. I had corrected her, telling her it was not something she should strive for. Speaking our indigenous language is part of our identity and if you pronounced words differently its shows you still had your identity in your origin. I told her she spoke well and that was good enough without going abroad. It is far more important that we maintain our true origin. I had decided not to go very deep into the racial and injustice I faced with my African brothers and sisters studying abroad. I slowly lured her into telling me stories about her children and she loved telling it. Each day, was an exciting day, we would plan to meet, hug each other and leave late for our respective homes. I had three months left till the project was completed.
I have to stop here if not it will be too long......
Thank you for reading and stay tuned more like keep refreshing the page for the rest of the story.
P.S. Job 8 21:22. He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with joyful shouting.
Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tents of the wicked shall be no more.
Amen somebody....
No matter what the circumstances are, you have to believe it will change. Xxx
.
I hope we are enjoying May and the spring... Yippie...
Without much ado...I present to you the story of the Month... Pls Enjoy. xxx
It was precisely 4:00 pm, when I finally arrived in Ibadan. I had no choice but to endure the hot ride including the gruesome heat. Coming back to Nigeria can only bring a smile on my face, having endured four years of adapting to the UK's weather, I was glad to be back home. However, this new city have just arrived in is not my home but it will be over the next coming weeks, months and years. I had just got back from the UK when I came to know about the opportunity that would take me to this city. I was not only excited at the thought of the project am working on but the idea of working along side the new changes in Nigeria. It was our era, our time to take charge and make Nigeria the forefront of African countries. The plans on getting our independence was only too sweet to contain not much longer I said to myself but had to quickly re position my mind to get familiar and get to work.
It was during one of our several outings to the local market that I first laid my eyes on her. She had a basket clung to her arm, full of goodies. I could see fresh plantains, tomatoes, okras and some more my brain could no longer bother to figure out. I had thought had seen beauties but she was an eye to behold. I suppose what I first noticed about her was her immaculate English while conversing with the trader. Her beautifully shaped elongated fingers paraded the air as she tried to describe something the trader couldn't understand. She really was beautiful and I could only find myself gaping at her lovely features. I was lost in trance to notice my colleague had been trying to get my attention. I was definitely dreaming, I had to see her again I thought. No, I had to meet her and get to know her. For the next couple of days, I would be mesmerised by a special stranger. I devoted a great deal of my time mentally hatching plans on how to find her and meet her again. It wasn't until three months later that I saw her again, this time it was in a local primary school where she taught. We had to go there as part of our project, I found out later she was working for the local ministry who had taught her how to read and write. She spoke such impeccable English I was impressed.
Finally, we were introduced by the madam of the local primary school who talked about how wonderful she is to the school. I sat in the most uncomfortable bench, watching with admiration as she poured the tea out for us to drink. The school has potential I heard my Manager say but the rest became humming sounds. She was cultured I could tell by the way she presented the cups of tea and carefully curtsying at the same time. I smiled to myself and made a promise that I must get to know her if it was the last thing this project offered me. The following Sunday, fate was on my side, I left the local church to run some errands and who did I bump into.
She had the cutest eyes and softest lips and looked so innocent, which was very much appealing. I stammered to say hello while she addressed me by my surname. Mr Uzo, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn't aware you worshiped at our local church? Sheepishly all I could mutter was, I visit occasionally. I ravished my brain to think of a more appropriate answer but all I could try to mutter again was nothing. She proceeded to ask me questions about the service and if I had enjoyed it in which I sorta quivered. All I did mentally was to kick myself in the butt. No woman, ever, has had such a strong spell on me. I had definitely lost the plot here, my naughty boyish manner had certainly let me down causing me to be tongue tied and appear absolutely foolish. I could only nod, smile and appear to be engaged while I forcefully racked my brain for a meaningful contribution to the conversation which by now looked like I lacked interest. She had to, I could tell because she was trying to manoeuvre her way around, I had to excuse her as I was blocking the way. I summoned the courage to say goodbye and hoped to see her soon.
My hope didn't let me down, I saw her precisely two days later at a gathering. After drinking some local appetizer which undoubtedly loosed my tongue, I found words flowed easily. We had spotted each other across the room and I came forth to say hello and apologised for looking lost the last time we met. I had quickly used the opportunity to invite her for a meal or so and we could talk. She hesitated, I could see the frown appearing on her lovely smooth forehead and it was only the thought of behaving inappropriately that held my hands firmly in my pockets. I looked lovingly and wished I could soften the frown. I could tell she was mentally checking if she was available and if at all she wanted to meet with me. I tried my charm which always worked with most ladies including my mother. I had turn my bug looking eyes into that of a cute puppy that couldn't be resisted. I had found this worked amongst the ladies in my family as well as abroad. The lists of girl friends I had were simply mesmerised by it. It was my go to charm and I was desperately hoping it could work with her. What was only minutes possibly seconds felt like years when she finally answered, she would let me know. I was gutted and kicking myself in the butt for not trying harder. It wasn't so long when we all went our separate ways and I had felt disappointed but not defeated.
Back in the project accommodation, myself and couple of colleagues could only engage in conversations about the local girls and their charms, and all I could think of was my lovely sweet, sweet, sweet Ajoke as I later found out she was called. I had received a note from one of the lads and in it was neatly written when and where she was available. My cup couldn't get any better, it completely ran over with all sorts, from joy, to excitement to utter thrill.
Coming to Ibadan had change my life for the best, I couldn't imagine life without her. Ever since we had met up, we were inseparable, we shared memories and dreams about the future. I had told her about my childhood in the local village. I enjoyed living in the city but my village is still the best. We both agreed there was nothing like living and running around in the village. Ajoke cooked the most delicious food, I automatically stopped eating at our accommodation. She fed me well and fed me big, my heart was always merry. I liked her innocence, she was intelligent yet she was vulnerable, I liked how she squirms when she sees crawly and slimy animals. I wouldn't forget the day she screamed when I showed her the mark where that horrible snake had bite me in my teens. I liked how she eventually calmed down and stroke the deep scar. She was inquisitive, she would ask me loads of questions about the plans for Nigeria, and what the British Colonel planned to do. She wanted to know more, she once said she would like to study abroad like myself so she could sound white. I had corrected her, telling her it was not something she should strive for. Speaking our indigenous language is part of our identity and if you pronounced words differently its shows you still had your identity in your origin. I told her she spoke well and that was good enough without going abroad. It is far more important that we maintain our true origin. I had decided not to go very deep into the racial and injustice I faced with my African brothers and sisters studying abroad. I slowly lured her into telling me stories about her children and she loved telling it. Each day, was an exciting day, we would plan to meet, hug each other and leave late for our respective homes. I had three months left till the project was completed.
I have to stop here if not it will be too long......
Thank you for reading and stay tuned more like keep refreshing the page for the rest of the story.
P.S. Job 8 21:22. He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with joyful shouting.
Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tents of the wicked shall be no more.
Amen somebody....
No matter what the circumstances are, you have to believe it will change. Xxx
.
Nice story, I want to know how it ended sha...did they take the relationship further, what happened after the project ended?
ReplyDeleteLol...... u have to wait nah... lol...thanks for reading hun.xxx
DeleteWow, a very nice well told tale. I hope to come back for more. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks hun..... yep pls do come back..
DeleteXXX
Job well done.
ReplyDeleteAjoke oooo! Village love is sweet. LOL! Please come and continue.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
lool.... as in.. I can wait to finish off.
DeleteThanks for the thumps up boo. xxx