EPISODE 1
It was the end of the month and as usual, the NYSC monthly Federal allowance was being eagerly awaited by Bode. The previous allowance hadn’t stood the test of time. It had vanished as quickly as it had come. Though a meagre compensation for being compelled to pledge willingness to work under the sun and in the rain. Prudence however wasn’t one of his virtues, it was far too alien to him. The delay in payment gave birth to a despicable resentment and anger he felt for no one in particular. To him, this was an unfair subjection to hardship in the guise of “youth service”. “It was never this bad back in school” he fussed as he sprawled himself into a white plastic chair he had sighted at the corner of his balcony.
Feeling at ease with the unusual serenity that had enveloped the ambience of his 2-storey apartment, he heaved a deep consolatory sigh of relieve . It’s been five months since he got his call-up letter for youth service. The jolly travails he had envisaged borne from his regal perception of corp members each time they don the khaki attire with envious pride did little to quench his wanton thirst for expedition. That he couldn’t wait to heed the clarion call was stating the obvious. The feeling was overwhelming. He had always admired their poise and elegance each time they passed by him on the road and had eagerly anticipated with strong affection the arrival of the D-day. He had been expecting Wale’s call since news filtered to him while in Ibadan on a visit that the posting had been pasted in his school. As if on cue, the call came through “Guy, Na Ebonyi state dem post u go”, Wale echoed on phone has he picked up the receiver to answer the call.
That’s some months ago, now he’s faced with the harsh reality of things. He had heard fond tales of corp members who wallowed in paradise while serving and some whose tales were reeked with woes and 'hardship'. Considering his present status cum challenges, he knew he had been dealt the latter. As he caressed the opened sachet water in his hand, he realised his quest to wriggle himself off the hunger that had taken comfortable solace in his belly wasn’t yielding substance but he was clueless, being penniless made sure that rational thoughts were paralysed. Perhaps a sachet of water and groundnut weren’t a potent antidote for a gruelling hunger. This was a test of his endurance but he had lived like a wanted man for far too long. Replicating these woes for a few more days made disaster inevitable. He was a ticking bomb ready to explode. “I go collapse one of these days if things remains the same” He thought.
His ordeals in the early part of the day had been one he could give anything to forget. Having been granted permission to close work earlier than normal at his PPA (Place of Primary Assignment), he headed straight for the bank. This courageous decision was informed by his conviction that his account must have been credited but the notification may have been held by network. This wasn’t an unusual occurrence afterall. This conviction was made all the more credible when he discovered that Mike’s account had been credited. Mike, a fellow corp member in the same office with him had received an alert that his allowance had been paid into his account. “Me don get allowee alert o” he said with a big smile that showed it was long overdue. “U mean am?” Bode enthused as he left his seat abruptly, taking quick strides towards Mike’s corner to ascertain its credibility. He grinned as he hurriedly read the message with a thoroughness he had never disposed to his office works.
The keke (tricycle) driver slowed down on sighting he was waving at him. A little haggling ensued over the fare and the driver drove on after an agreement had been reached. No sooner had he entered than he felt jolted to consciousness by an hovering uncertainty from within him. He silently hoped he wasn’t embarking on an aimless journey. The #50 fare he had paid the driver when he alighted from the keke was the longest sole occupant of his wallet. It had been in the solitary confinement of his treasure armoury for days. It was as though he had been pepper-sprayed when he opened his wallet to let go of the last surviving legal tender he had had. The sight that greeted him prompted a sneeze, it was horrible!. The wallet that had boasted of various carefully laid naira denominations just some weeks back was now the abode of used bank tellers, leaflets and pamphlets.
The banking hall was as usual, a hub of varying transactions when he entered. The queue formed in front of each of the four tellers at the counter was quite intimidating. On one of those days when his pocket was hefty, he would have left without hesitation but this wasn’t one of such days. This was a day to be not only patient and humble but hopeful. Ideally he could have made use of the atm but his atm card had been rendered invalid the previous week due to manhandling. He positioned himself on the queue meant for withdrawals and silently hoped his departure from the bank to his house later wouldn’t be done on foot under a notoriously frying sun.
A tap on his shoulder from directly behind him prompted him to look back. “How far Bode?.....collect for two o” Bridget said jokingly. She had come into the bank after Bode had entered but he hadn’t noticed her. Bridget was a corp member too and a member of his CDS group (Community Development Service). A tall pretty ebony beauty possessing the prayer points of most ladies. Her physique could make any girl grow enmity for God for being hurriedly made. That Bridget was richly blessed with pleasing cum big bosoms capable of turning a full-grown man into her puppet was an understatement. Though recession was evident in her behind but which man born of a woman picks that over divinely crafted bosoms.
The banking hall was as usual, a hub of varying transactions when he entered. The queue formed in front of each of the four tellers at the counter was quite intimidating. On one of those days when his pocket was hefty, he would have left without hesitation but this wasn’t one of such days. This was a day to be not only patient and humble but hopeful. Ideally he could have made use of the atm but his atm card had been rendered invalid the previous week due to manhandling. He positioned himself on the queue meant for withdrawals and silently hoped his departure from the bank to his house later wouldn’t be done on foot under a notoriously frying sun.
A tap on his shoulder from directly behind him prompted him to look back. “How far Bode?.....collect for two o” Bridget said jokingly. She had come into the bank after Bode had entered but he hadn’t noticed her. Bridget was a corp member too and a member of his CDS group (Community Development Service). A tall pretty ebony beauty possessing the prayer points of most ladies. Her physique could make any girl grow enmity for God for being hurriedly made. That Bridget was richly blessed with pleasing cum big bosoms capable of turning a full-grown man into her puppet was an understatement. Though recession was evident in her behind but which man born of a woman picks that over divinely crafted bosoms.
If God ever went to school, he must have read Industrial Design with Ceramics option and Bridget must have been his final year project. Bode had been on her heels for awhile now but she had been stalling with her response. He had persuaded her to no avail but she had been indifferent. Somehow, Bode believed if he tried harder she was definitely going to cave. To him, Bridget was a puzzle that needed unraveling. A prize worth dying for. Bridget wasn’t convinced his profession of love didn’t have more to do with lustful desires for her than any iota of love. Having been heartbroken everytime she gave her heart out …….who would blame her?.
“Ehhhhh, fine girl. What’s up?”. He said with an unusual meekness. “Why today of all days?” he thought to himself amidst giving her a slight hug. The remark he made about her hair produced a roar of laughter from her.
“Next please” he heard the petit beautiful fair-skinned female cashier say with a befitting smile that showed good breeding . He had stood for more than 30 minutes on the queue chatting with Bridget, now it was his turn. He felt a sudden impulse to exit the queue, walk away and revel in his temporary penury but the hunger that beckons was laced with a devouring preface. Besides, Bridget’s presence made it the more impossible. “Save me this potential embarrassment” chorused repeatedly in his mind as he approached the cashier with a timid composure that betrayed his towering 6ft plus frame……….
© Foltem
“Ehhhhh, fine girl. What’s up?”. He said with an unusual meekness. “Why today of all days?” he thought to himself amidst giving her a slight hug. The remark he made about her hair produced a roar of laughter from her.
“Next please” he heard the petit beautiful fair-skinned female cashier say with a befitting smile that showed good breeding . He had stood for more than 30 minutes on the queue chatting with Bridget, now it was his turn. He felt a sudden impulse to exit the queue, walk away and revel in his temporary penury but the hunger that beckons was laced with a devouring preface. Besides, Bridget’s presence made it the more impossible. “Save me this potential embarrassment” chorused repeatedly in his mind as he approached the cashier with a timid composure that betrayed his towering 6ft plus frame……….
© Foltem
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