A TALE OF MESS

The pressure in his bowels was becoming unbearable, as he ran, scouting for a place of refuge, where he could pass out this natural burden. The camp toilets were no option, they had become quite unusable, due to lack of proper maintenance. It must have been the food he ate from the camp’s kitchen. He had always heard how it was necessary to carry a pack of Flagyll to camp, due to the potential havoc that camp food caused; now he was getting a first-hand experience. It was never his intention to eat camp food, but he was caught unawares by his spending spree. His money was all gone, and his mom had promised to send the next day, so he decided to share with his buddy Bayo, who had gone to queue for the evening meal. He wouldn’t be caught dead on the queue, waiting to collect camp food that would taint his image. He could see a shed ahead; it looked like the generator house. There was no time to think, he could feel it coming any minute. Going behind the generator, he bent down, he had no nylon and there was no time to look for anything to bag his waste, so he did the unavoidable, let it all out in sweet release. He had forgotten to carry anything to clean up, in the midst of the rush, he remembered he carried a book; he tore from it and used that quickly. Getting up and adjusting himself, “that was pretty close”, he thought to himself. He looked around to see if there was anyone coming, the coast was clear. Taking one last look at his heap of mess, someone was going to have to clean it, such was life, Ben thought to himself. The stench from his pile of mess had begun to spread, diluting the fresh air that once filled the shed. Cringing his nose, he quickly left the shed putting his mess behind his memories.
The early preparations for the morning devotion and parade were very annoying. Due to the large influx of corpers, there was a rush for everything which included water and a space to bath. One could easily assume that it was a deliberate attempt to punish them for an offense not yet committed, as there seemed to be a constant struggle for everything and anything. “Why can’t the officials make everything available and easily accessible to everyone”, Ben thought to himself, as he joined the long queue for water. He had to wait a whole 45minutes before getting to his turn. He was lucky that his bucket had filled up half way before the tap stopped running. You could hear the loud hissing and sighing from behind as, the corpers on the queue dispersed, searching for other means to get water. At least he had something to use, he will just manage for the morning. Bathing outside was at your own risk because of the two possible side effects; one being caught by the soldiers or two being seen by a girl. Many guys would prefer the latter side effect as the gossips and giggle would die down in a couple of days, but the former wasn’t as welcoming, due to the serious back aching drills the soldiers could put a man through. Ben had a quick wash, scanning every second for any approaching intruder. He was quick enough and fell into line at the parade ground, before the frog jump punishment was dished out to late comers. Ben went through the morning devotion routine not giving much room for reflection on what was being said. To him the National youth service corp exercise was just a total waste of time, not only his thought, most of his buddies thought so too. The camp was annoying but the girls and booze sought of made it interesting. This was their second week on camp, and it was getting quite boring, as all his female conquests had been too easy. They flocked him like bees to honey. He had the two keys to the heart of the ladies: a fine body and money. He was looking for a more spicy game, this time a challenge, something that would hold his attention longer than his previous conquests. He doubted he could get any, but he spotted her amidst the crowd. Who was she? He hadn’t noticed her before now, for all the obvious reasons, she wasn’t his usual type. She was shorter than he would usually go for, darker than his normal taste, make-up close to natural and that aura around her, he couldn’t place it. Then she smiled, that smile, her smile….. his thought was cut short by the loud laughter from behind him. His friend Bayo tapped him “Did u hear that guy?” A bit irritated by the distraction, “What?” “About the shit they found in the generator house.” Ben looked around sort of hoping no one could pick him as the culprit and then composed himself “Really, that so bad! Who could have done that?” Bayo still laughing “I don’t know but whoever did it, is lucky he didn’t get caught.” Ben nodded in agreement. The truth was Ben could not be bothered about it much; he was never responsible for anything.
Being the last child with all his elder siblings sent to boarding school. He was left with the maids as guides and the television as a companion. His parents were busy people and nothing came between them and their careers. That was fine for Ben, as long as he got what he wanted. His parents compensated him with expensive toys and gifts. He was spoiled rotten and there was no one to share it with. When he got in trouble, there was always someone to take the blame; the maids, the drivers, his teachers, even his so called friends; there was just that person around who could easily receive the blame. Ben wouldn’t forget the first time, he bashed a car. It had been on an opening day in school, and parents were inside with other children, no one came with him, except the driver who came to drop him, which was fine by him. His mum had given him some money as compensation. Ben got bored and decided to go back to the car, he met a friend of his, who had gone to pick his mother’s phone from the car. Ben decided that it was a cool opportunity for them to drive and test their skills. There was no going back by the time Ben entered the driving seat, and started the car; he drove straight into the school gate. Oke and Ben sat down while their parents and the principal talked the incident through; apparently Ben’s mum refused to believe her darling boy Ben could have done it, even after witnesses testified to seeing Ben at the driver’s seat. His mum blamed it on the negligence of the teachers and also the bad home training that Oke got. That night Ben got a bowl of ice cream, with enough mothers’ pampering while Oke got a thorough beating from his mother, for bringing such embarrassment to his family. The bills were paid for all damages and as always Ben escaped responsibility.
He spotted her again at the mami-market, this time she walking with a group of friends. They were going to eat; watching them to find out which tent they would pick to have their dinner. He tapped Bayo and told him there was a change in plans that they would be eating in another tent. Getting into the tent, he ordered food for Bayo and himself, and then announced that he would be paying for everyone, those that knew him hailed and praised him, hyping his already bloated ego, but she didn’t even look up at him, just kept eating her meal. Some girls came around his table to say thanks, using the opportunity to flirt a bit with him; it didn’t take them time to realize he wasn’t interested. Her nonchalant attitude towards his display of wealth, pricked at his ego. The biggest slap to his ego was dealt, when she walked past him towards the person selling the food and gave her money for her meal. The lady selling tried to explain that the meal had been covered, but she said she wasn’t aware of that and could pay for her meal, dropping the money on the table she walked out with her friends.
Bayo laughed as she walked away, Ben looked angrily at him “Why are you laughing? What’s so funny?” “Just tell me you did all this just because of her, she’s not even your type.” Ben wasn’t going to reply his annoying friend right now; he needed to get his act together. The food was nothing like what he used to eat in his normal joint, but he had come here to impress and it didn’t even work. He needed to find that girl; he had enough of this food. Getting up, he paid the bill for everyone and left the tent while Bayo came after him still laughing.
It was the last week of camp, just a few days to the end, and all that filled Ben’s entire mind was getting an opportunity to talk to her. He still tried buying her food for her but she would make sure she paid. He wouldn’t give up, he had never lost a conquest before, and he wasn’t going to lose Onome. That was her name; his good friend Bayo did his research. Onome was the church going type, dedicated to her services and church schedules even on camp, she wasn’t the party type. He would attend services just to see her, and he knew he caught her attention by doing that, but she was so busy after service to talk, it was either prayer meeting or counselling. Ben didn’t understand why he still pursued after this chick, maybe it was his ego, or the thirst for something different from his previous conquests, whatever it was, he was going to reach the bottom of this and this beautiful, different Onome, would be his next conquest. Bayo had told him to give up and enjoy the last few days of the camp, but his ego wouldn’t let him think of the possibility of giving up. It was bonfire night, two nights away from the end of camp, all other activities closed early, so that everyone could get their evening meals from their platoons and join the festivities. He spotted her, all smiles, as usual, sitting in the midst of friends. He wasn’t going to miss tonight. “Hi Onome!” she looked up at him, “Hi, how did you know my name”, “Lucky guess” he replied, showing his radiant smile. “My name is……”, “Ben” she cut in, “how did you know?” he asked, “Lucky guess.” she replied in return. His grin was wide, no girl had ever triggered such intense reaction, or probably he just couldn’t remember right now. Anyways the night went on well, her friends all found excuse to leave as if on cue from an invisible director. He sensed Onome’s embarrassment after her last friend took off, but it was cool for him. They talked for a while, as usual he always wanted to take the shine, and tried to trip her with his tales of endless travels and what his money could do. She looked quite bored, but on second thought no girl could get bored with him in the house. He took no notice of how long he had been speaking, not until the whistles went off for lights out. He realized that she had spoken little and he didn’t even know anything about her. “Well, there will be more opportunities after this” he thought to himself. He escorted her towards the girl’s hostel, and bade her goodnight at the male and female boundaries; she gave him a smile and thanks. No hugs just a handshake. Whatever she thought of him was hard to tell, because she was a pretty hard one to read. Happy about his little victory, he joined Bayo in the hostels narrating his success. His tummy felt funny, but he assumed it would pass, but it didn’t, it became worse, he needed a refuge again, excusing himself, he took off to the only place he felt was safe, the generator shed. Getting there on time, he unbuckled and got down to business, his stomach was in such an uproar, that he didn’t pay attention to the approaching footsteps, “Who de there?” the rugged voice came in pidgin. Ben swore underneath his breath, there was no room for escape, he was still going. The stench of his mess gave away his location, “Na you wey de come shit here ehn? Today we don catch you.” the man who must have been the security man went bunkers, when Ben promised him money for his silence from his awkward bent position. “You de craze, so na me go come pack shit for you. You go hear ween today!” Apparently, Ben was in trouble, there was no room for shifting blames, before Ben could call his full name, which wasn’t long, soldiers had been alerted. By this time his system could no longer pass anything. Before he knew it, he was left in his boxers alone. Ben pinched himself, hoping he could wake up from this bad dream, but there was no waking from this nightmare he created, he was then asked to pack his mess into a nylon provided, at first he was reluctant but after two slaps he did as he was commanded. At least he thought that would end but then he was asked to carry his mess on his head, and follow them. He stayed outside the soldiers’ room, with his heap of mess on his head, while he was watched. Ben wished he would die, he even promised God to change, but no mind game he played would change what was happening right now. His only prayer was that he would be let off before morning parade. But he was in for a big shock; he was the scape goat for all those who had defaced the camp with their faeces. He’s punishment would be a story to deter others from such actions in future. The cold he felt disappeared when he realized that his circle of shame was being completed, he was asked to stand on the podium on the parade ground with his heap of mess. Then for the first time in his life, he actually thought of begging for mercy, so he begged, throwing away what was left of the ego he once had. But it all fell on deaf ears, these soldiers meant business. So Ben climbed the podium, wearing his boxers, with his head bowed and heap of shit on his head. The parade ground went from quiet whispers, to loud talks and laughter as his evil deed was narrated and how he was caught. Corpers stretched to see his face, he bent his head, wishing the ground could open up and swallow him, or he could just disappear. He wasn’t allowed down, till after the morning parade, the sun was up and people could identify him easily now. He was finally asked to get down from the podium, he had no clue where to go now that the punishment was over, raising his head up, for the first time in what seemed like forever, he spotted her, Onome, this time she was looking directly at him, eyes locked. Once again he found it hard to read her; he couldn’t dare think of her now, not now when his image had been razed down to utter nothingness. He lost this conquest, he lost her, the weight of the truth hit him hard, lowering his gaze to the ground, he walked past her with his heap of mess, forgetting the possibilities of knowing her like he did before, when he put his mess behind his memories.