I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give fate the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
-Lee Ann Womack
"You say?" Itoro asked Pelumi beaming with laughter. "I got it!" Pelumi exclaimed.
"Say what?" "When did you find out? Who called you? Did they call you? Is the salary good?"
"I-t-o-r-o! One question at a time now!"
"Sorry, I'm just overjoyed for you."
" I know." Pelumi replied while taking off her shoes and rubbing her aching feet.
"Someone from HR called me this morning. I am starting at Ferguson and Fletcher next week."
"This is good news! Abasi Sosongo!"
Itoro began to sing the praises of God and call him lovely names. "You know what? I am coming home with a bottle of Irish cream and that suya you love a lot."
"Come with Ice block too Itoro. Sounds like you want to heat up my insides with this Irish cream and suya combo. Someone hearing you praising God now will say you are a born again sister."
Itoro chuckled. "Ahan, does the Bible say we can't drink Irish cream? Anyway, I am still bringing it with me tonight. I'm sure God won't mind."
"A couple of my friends will be going to Tarkwa Bay this weekend. You should come along Pelumi. Good way to celebrate this good news."
There was a silence on the line. "Pelumi, what do you say?"
"Sounds amazing but I need to shop for a few nice work wears this weekend."
"Know what? Kevwe sells these beautiful clothes for work."
"Ah, Itoro! Kevwe? No please. Then she'll come and be hounding me for money? Mba!"
"Okay,okay, I get your point. There's someone else who sells lovely work clothes. Her shop is around Mobolaji Bank Anthony way. I'll text her addesss. You might want to pop in tomorrow and get whatever you want."
"Coolio, thanks Itoro."
"Girl, you know I got you. Talk to you later." Pelumi hung up with a smile on her face. She was looking forward to the Tarkwa Bay Trip in two days.
******************************************
Liyel Akenzua pulled into his parents home at Banana Island.
"Oga Liyel, good evening."
"Adamu, yaya jiki?"
"Lafia kalau!" Adamu replied shining all his thirty two teeth. Liyel smiled. He got out of his car and stretched before proceeding with getting his luggae from the trunk or rather, the booth like the biritsh and nigerians called it. He pulled his small luggage from the car. He was here to spend the weekend with his parents.
He could hear music around him. "Adamu, what's happening here? Is there a party?"
"Kind of like a small party. Your parents have guests."
"Ah, I see." Liyel loosened his tie from around his neck. He could hear Sunny Ade's song in the background. 'Easy Motion Tourist'. He also heard laughter and loud voices.
"Oga, make I collect your luggage?"
"Yeah, sure. Nagode." Liyel answered and walked towards the garden area where he knew his parents would be. He spotted Najite, Aunty Tamuno, Uncle Priye, some other men whose faces he couldn't place, three young ladies and their cousin Okon.
While his dad was from Cross River State, his mum was from Delta. Although the Akenzuas were originally from Edo State, his great grandfather had settled in Cross Rivers. He heard stories about how blessed his great grandfather had been and he attributed his good fortune to the support and warmth of the efik people. His mother, Nengi Akenzua was a blend of Ijaw and Itsekiri. Then they also had cousins who were from Rivers State. They were truly a One Nigeria kind of family.
The men were loud. They got animated talking about Nigerian politics. "What is Bubu doing in Aso Rock? The man is just sleeping and running to London every now and then for treatment." One of the men shook his head vehemently. "It was very clear Jonathan was in the best position for the job. But no, Nigerians kept shouting 'send him to Otuoke, send him to Otuoke'!
Now the deed is done and people are biting their fingers. Well, let us see the crop of people who are capable of removing Buhari and preventing him from a second term."
Liyel laughed and caught the attention of his parents. "My son, when did you arrive?"
Ndifreke Akenzua was delighted to see his second son. "Just now dad. Good evening."
"Liyel, Liyel!" Uncle Priye rose to hug him. "Let me introduce you to my friends."
Uncle Priye interrupted the conversation with his dad. "Liyel. These my friends control the Nigerian Petroleum industry o!
This is my very good friend, Donatus Saro-Wiwa. He sits on the NNPC board. This man to my left is Dikibo Asari. He is a director at NLNG. You might want to get their contacts."
Liyel winked at his uncle. The man was well connected.
The men seemed pleased to meet him. "We have heard many good things about you. Keep up the good work". He went to get an extra chair so he could sit with the men and get to know them. This was how one networked. He was sure that the new connections would come in handy at some point.
The music switched to that of Oliver De Coque's. The atmosphere felt very relaxing. He had come to surprise his parents but they ended up surprising him. "Oga Liyel, what would you like to eat? Good evening sir."
The music changed to Lagbaja's Africalypso.
Aunty Tamuno and his mum switched their dance steps. Mehn, he hadn't heard the song in a long time. He wondered who the DJ for the night was. Must be one of Okon's friends.
Some four hundred years ago
They took away my forefathers
From Africa to America
My forefathers took along their music
And some became jazz
Some became soul
Some became rhythm and blues
Swing, big band, bop, hip hop, funk, jazz, rap, reggea, ragga,
And some became calypso
The body can be enslaved but never ever the spirit
So whereever there's soul in the music
Whereever the spirit moves the music
Whether in Jamaica, whether for Cuba
Even in Trinidad and Tobago
Whether Brasilia, I say Brasilia
America, Europa, Australia, Asia
Whereever there's soul in the music
Behind it you find the African
"Nengi, I am beating you oh!" Aunty Tamuno moved to the right and to the left.
"For where? Liyel, is she beating your mum?"
"Mummy, leave me out of this oh. You are both doing great."
"Oga Liyel, what would you like to eat?"
"Fimisade, what's available? You know I'm not fussy where food is concerned". She ran through the list.
"Okay, the peppered snail sounds just fine."
"Look who's here!" Najite jumped up excited. It was Tare who she hadn't seen in a while. Behind Tare was Ivan followed by Nkoyo.
"Oh boy, I didn't know you were heading here too."
Ivan shook his brother's hands in their typical boyish style.
"I came here to relax this weekend. I would have called you to let you know I was here later tonight."
"Sleek!" Ivan looked around.
"Tare is moving back to the house." Nkoyo told them all.
"Tare, is this correct?" Liyel asked her clearly surprised since Tare loved her independence.
"Yes, I get worried about mum. She seems okay on the outside but I know daddy's going in and out of the hospital is starting to take its toll on her. I just want to be here to support her and be there for dad too."
"Thanks, sis. What would we do without you amazing Ladies? Why don't we go join the party?" Ivan told them walking to the kebab stand.
******************************************
Nkoyo stretched and yawned. She opened the curtain in her room and watched as the sunlight streamed inside. She mumbled words of prayer, walked sluggishly into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. Next, she rinsed her mouth with mouth wash. She wanted to keep tooth decay and cavities at arms' length.
Throwing a silk robe on, she walked to the balcony in her room which had a great view and marveled at the work of God. She was awed at the beauty of nature
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
Boy, was she glad to be alive and basking in good health. She thanked God for her family that was closely knit in love and unity. Their parents had done a fantastic job of raising them.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee, scrambled eggs and sausages kissed her nostrils. She wore her flip flops and dashed downstairs.
Everyone was sitted at the breakfast table except her. "Good morning, mummy. Good morning ,daddy."
"Sleeping beauty, wake up and smell the coffee. Look at the time you are just waking up! Cinderella!"
Nkoyo stuck out her tongue at Tare. "Don't hate sis, appreciate!" She proceeded to take her sit at the table.
"See this small girl o. You are clearly spoiled. So the rest of us on the table look like what? Statues?" Nkoyo gave Liyel the look she usually gave him when he was being irritating.
"Nkoyo, can you pass me the orange juice?" IShe looked around in confusion.
"Right there by your left hand. Thanks." Ivan grabbed the jug of juice and poured some of it into his glass cup.
Liyel nudged Najite who had been sitting quietly picking at her food and not saying a word. "Are you okay? You have barely said a word all morning."
I'm fine. She gave him a small smile.
"Where is aunty Tamuno?" Liyel questioned.
"Oh she had to dash down to Lagos Island early this morning to check out some new laces. Najite explained. You know she's the lace supplier for the Danjuma Wedding."
"Right.." Nkoyo said biting into the french toast that had been begging her for attention.
******************************************
“Oga, remove the sun glasses so you can see well na! Be there forming fine boy. See as you hit someone's car! We were on our way to have fun. How can you be a kill joy just like that?"
Itoro's car was dented but not badly. "It’s not that even badly damaged." The guy countered.
Pelumi hissed. The thunder that will fire this man's mouth ehn!!
"I apologize. Let me call my mechanic. Your car will look brand new when he's done. "
Ugh, who was the man deceiving? Itoro's car was an old Toyota corolla from year 2000. There was nothing new about it. "Where are you ladies headed? I can drop you off or I can pay for an Uber if you'd prefer that."
Itoro looked at her. She shrugged and gave her the NO look. What if the man was a kidnapper? These Lagos men couldn't be trusted.
"Well, we are headed towards Tarkwa Bay and that'll be out of your way. We can Uber instead."
Ivan opened the door to his navy blue Mercedes Benz class GLE Suv and picked up his wallet. Pelumi did a quick scan of the guy who was dressed in Jeans and a red Abercrombie and Fitch polo shirt. He had on sunglasses and a cap. Maybe he was bald or had receeding hair.
"Do you know how long it'll take your mechanic to get here?" Pelumi rolled her eyes. "Patience is a virtue." The guy replied her. "He said in another twenty minutes."
Ivan looked at the lady who stood before him in a floral print dress. She was Mrs Spitfire. Her skin was like caramel and it glowed. She had her hair up in a bun and very light make up on her face. She was beautiful but not his type. She didn't look like a model. She also wasn't light skinned and exotic looking.
Lateef was calling his cell phone. "Oga Ivan, I'm five minutes away. Too much traffic. I'll be there soon."
When he hung up, he looked at the owner of the car. She was only about 5'4 but much calmer than Mrs Spit fire. She had on a pink graphic tee on jeans. She wore a pair of blue sneakers that looked really comfortable.
Lateef alighted from the motor bike. "Lateef, please take this car with you and make sure it looks brand new tomorrow.
"Ladies, can you please exchange phone numbers with Lateef?" Itoro and Pelumi got the address of the man's auto shop. Ivan handed them twenty thousand naira.
"This is for your Uber to your destination."
He gave Itoro his cell number. "If this doesn't cover your transportation, please let me know and I'll be sure to reimburse you. This is all the cash I have on me at the moment."
He watched Lateef drive away. When the ladies were in the Uber and headed for their destination, he got into his car and drove away. He was headed to Kunle Aderinokun's house.
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give fate the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
-Lee Ann Womack
"You say?" Itoro asked Pelumi beaming with laughter. "I got it!" Pelumi exclaimed.
"Say what?" "When did you find out? Who called you? Did they call you? Is the salary good?"
"I-t-o-r-o! One question at a time now!"
"Sorry, I'm just overjoyed for you."
" I know." Pelumi replied while taking off her shoes and rubbing her aching feet.
"Someone from HR called me this morning. I am starting at Ferguson and Fletcher next week."
"This is good news! Abasi Sosongo!"
Itoro began to sing the praises of God and call him lovely names. "You know what? I am coming home with a bottle of Irish cream and that suya you love a lot."
"Come with Ice block too Itoro. Sounds like you want to heat up my insides with this Irish cream and suya combo. Someone hearing you praising God now will say you are a born again sister."
Itoro chuckled. "Ahan, does the Bible say we can't drink Irish cream? Anyway, I am still bringing it with me tonight. I'm sure God won't mind."
"A couple of my friends will be going to Tarkwa Bay this weekend. You should come along Pelumi. Good way to celebrate this good news."
There was a silence on the line. "Pelumi, what do you say?"
"Sounds amazing but I need to shop for a few nice work wears this weekend."
"Know what? Kevwe sells these beautiful clothes for work."
"Ah, Itoro! Kevwe? No please. Then she'll come and be hounding me for money? Mba!"
"Okay,okay, I get your point. There's someone else who sells lovely work clothes. Her shop is around Mobolaji Bank Anthony way. I'll text her addesss. You might want to pop in tomorrow and get whatever you want."
"Coolio, thanks Itoro."
"Girl, you know I got you. Talk to you later." Pelumi hung up with a smile on her face. She was looking forward to the Tarkwa Bay Trip in two days.
******************************************
Liyel Akenzua pulled into his parents home at Banana Island.
"Oga Liyel, good evening."
"Adamu, yaya jiki?"
"Lafia kalau!" Adamu replied shining all his thirty two teeth. Liyel smiled. He got out of his car and stretched before proceeding with getting his luggae from the trunk or rather, the booth like the biritsh and nigerians called it. He pulled his small luggage from the car. He was here to spend the weekend with his parents.
He could hear music around him. "Adamu, what's happening here? Is there a party?"
"Kind of like a small party. Your parents have guests."
"Ah, I see." Liyel loosened his tie from around his neck. He could hear Sunny Ade's song in the background. 'Easy Motion Tourist'. He also heard laughter and loud voices.
"Oga, make I collect your luggage?"
"Yeah, sure. Nagode." Liyel answered and walked towards the garden area where he knew his parents would be. He spotted Najite, Aunty Tamuno, Uncle Priye, some other men whose faces he couldn't place, three young ladies and their cousin Okon.
While his dad was from Cross River State, his mum was from Delta. Although the Akenzuas were originally from Edo State, his great grandfather had settled in Cross Rivers. He heard stories about how blessed his great grandfather had been and he attributed his good fortune to the support and warmth of the efik people. His mother, Nengi Akenzua was a blend of Ijaw and Itsekiri. Then they also had cousins who were from Rivers State. They were truly a One Nigeria kind of family.
The men were loud. They got animated talking about Nigerian politics. "What is Bubu doing in Aso Rock? The man is just sleeping and running to London every now and then for treatment." One of the men shook his head vehemently. "It was very clear Jonathan was in the best position for the job. But no, Nigerians kept shouting 'send him to Otuoke, send him to Otuoke'!
Now the deed is done and people are biting their fingers. Well, let us see the crop of people who are capable of removing Buhari and preventing him from a second term."
Liyel laughed and caught the attention of his parents. "My son, when did you arrive?"
Ndifreke Akenzua was delighted to see his second son. "Just now dad. Good evening."
"Liyel, Liyel!" Uncle Priye rose to hug him. "Let me introduce you to my friends."
Uncle Priye interrupted the conversation with his dad. "Liyel. These my friends control the Nigerian Petroleum industry o!
This is my very good friend, Donatus Saro-Wiwa. He sits on the NNPC board. This man to my left is Dikibo Asari. He is a director at NLNG. You might want to get their contacts."
Liyel winked at his uncle. The man was well connected.
The men seemed pleased to meet him. "We have heard many good things about you. Keep up the good work". He went to get an extra chair so he could sit with the men and get to know them. This was how one networked. He was sure that the new connections would come in handy at some point.
The music switched to that of Oliver De Coque's. The atmosphere felt very relaxing. He had come to surprise his parents but they ended up surprising him. "Oga Liyel, what would you like to eat? Good evening sir."
The music changed to Lagbaja's Africalypso.
Aunty Tamuno and his mum switched their dance steps. Mehn, he hadn't heard the song in a long time. He wondered who the DJ for the night was. Must be one of Okon's friends.
Some four hundred years ago
They took away my forefathers
From Africa to America
My forefathers took along their music
And some became jazz
Some became soul
Some became rhythm and blues
Swing, big band, bop, hip hop, funk, jazz, rap, reggea, ragga,
And some became calypso
The body can be enslaved but never ever the spirit
So whereever there's soul in the music
Whereever the spirit moves the music
Whether in Jamaica, whether for Cuba
Even in Trinidad and Tobago
Whether Brasilia, I say Brasilia
America, Europa, Australia, Asia
Whereever there's soul in the music
Behind it you find the African
"Nengi, I am beating you oh!" Aunty Tamuno moved to the right and to the left.
"For where? Liyel, is she beating your mum?"
"Mummy, leave me out of this oh. You are both doing great."
"Oga Liyel, what would you like to eat?"
"Fimisade, what's available? You know I'm not fussy where food is concerned". She ran through the list.
"Okay, the peppered snail sounds just fine."
"Look who's here!" Najite jumped up excited. It was Tare who she hadn't seen in a while. Behind Tare was Ivan followed by Nkoyo.
"Oh boy, I didn't know you were heading here too."
Ivan shook his brother's hands in their typical boyish style.
"I came here to relax this weekend. I would have called you to let you know I was here later tonight."
"Sleek!" Ivan looked around.
"Tare is moving back to the house." Nkoyo told them all.
"Tare, is this correct?" Liyel asked her clearly surprised since Tare loved her independence.
"Yes, I get worried about mum. She seems okay on the outside but I know daddy's going in and out of the hospital is starting to take its toll on her. I just want to be here to support her and be there for dad too."
"Thanks, sis. What would we do without you amazing Ladies? Why don't we go join the party?" Ivan told them walking to the kebab stand.
******************************************
Nkoyo stretched and yawned. She opened the curtain in her room and watched as the sunlight streamed inside. She mumbled words of prayer, walked sluggishly into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. Next, she rinsed her mouth with mouth wash. She wanted to keep tooth decay and cavities at arms' length.
Throwing a silk robe on, she walked to the balcony in her room which had a great view and marveled at the work of God. She was awed at the beauty of nature
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
Boy, was she glad to be alive and basking in good health. She thanked God for her family that was closely knit in love and unity. Their parents had done a fantastic job of raising them.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee, scrambled eggs and sausages kissed her nostrils. She wore her flip flops and dashed downstairs.
Everyone was sitted at the breakfast table except her. "Good morning, mummy. Good morning ,daddy."
"Sleeping beauty, wake up and smell the coffee. Look at the time you are just waking up! Cinderella!"
Nkoyo stuck out her tongue at Tare. "Don't hate sis, appreciate!" She proceeded to take her sit at the table.
"See this small girl o. You are clearly spoiled. So the rest of us on the table look like what? Statues?" Nkoyo gave Liyel the look she usually gave him when he was being irritating.
"Nkoyo, can you pass me the orange juice?" IShe looked around in confusion.
"Right there by your left hand. Thanks." Ivan grabbed the jug of juice and poured some of it into his glass cup.
Liyel nudged Najite who had been sitting quietly picking at her food and not saying a word. "Are you okay? You have barely said a word all morning."
I'm fine. She gave him a small smile.
"Where is aunty Tamuno?" Liyel questioned.
"Oh she had to dash down to Lagos Island early this morning to check out some new laces. Najite explained. You know she's the lace supplier for the Danjuma Wedding."
"Right.." Nkoyo said biting into the french toast that had been begging her for attention.
******************************************
“Oga, remove the sun glasses so you can see well na! Be there forming fine boy. See as you hit someone's car! We were on our way to have fun. How can you be a kill joy just like that?"
Itoro's car was dented but not badly. "It’s not that even badly damaged." The guy countered.
Pelumi hissed. The thunder that will fire this man's mouth ehn!!
"I apologize. Let me call my mechanic. Your car will look brand new when he's done. "
Ugh, who was the man deceiving? Itoro's car was an old Toyota corolla from year 2000. There was nothing new about it. "Where are you ladies headed? I can drop you off or I can pay for an Uber if you'd prefer that."
Itoro looked at her. She shrugged and gave her the NO look. What if the man was a kidnapper? These Lagos men couldn't be trusted.
"Well, we are headed towards Tarkwa Bay and that'll be out of your way. We can Uber instead."
Ivan opened the door to his navy blue Mercedes Benz class GLE Suv and picked up his wallet. Pelumi did a quick scan of the guy who was dressed in Jeans and a red Abercrombie and Fitch polo shirt. He had on sunglasses and a cap. Maybe he was bald or had receeding hair.
"Do you know how long it'll take your mechanic to get here?" Pelumi rolled her eyes. "Patience is a virtue." The guy replied her. "He said in another twenty minutes."
Ivan looked at the lady who stood before him in a floral print dress. She was Mrs Spitfire. Her skin was like caramel and it glowed. She had her hair up in a bun and very light make up on her face. She was beautiful but not his type. She didn't look like a model. She also wasn't light skinned and exotic looking.
Lateef was calling his cell phone. "Oga Ivan, I'm five minutes away. Too much traffic. I'll be there soon."
When he hung up, he looked at the owner of the car. She was only about 5'4 but much calmer than Mrs Spit fire. She had on a pink graphic tee on jeans. She wore a pair of blue sneakers that looked really comfortable.
Lateef alighted from the motor bike. "Lateef, please take this car with you and make sure it looks brand new tomorrow.
"Ladies, can you please exchange phone numbers with Lateef?" Itoro and Pelumi got the address of the man's auto shop. Ivan handed them twenty thousand naira.
"This is for your Uber to your destination."
He gave Itoro his cell number. "If this doesn't cover your transportation, please let me know and I'll be sure to reimburse you. This is all the cash I have on me at the moment."
He watched Lateef drive away. When the ladies were in the Uber and headed for their destination, he got into his car and drove away. He was headed to Kunle Aderinokun's house.
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