₦airaland Forum

Chapter One

The cloud was so dark-blue, thunder bolts rocking the expanse, flashes of lightening criss-crossing the sky furiously, the surrounding trees swaying to the command of the rushing wind. Idjerhe was exhausted after finishing his rounds of palm wine collection. He knew now it was time to go, but he kept soliloquizing about the hardships his family faced; his son Akpovi whom he sent to live with his younger sister in Elele, Rivers State, had just returned home last night ; his sister Efemena, sent Akpovi back home because she could not raise the money to register him for his Senior School Certifate Examination, SSCE.
,Akpovi was a gifted child endowed with uncommon natural abilities, with a giant drive and to change the fortune of his family, but it seemed like his ambition had been punctured after his father Idjerhe told him that he could not be enrolled here in Ogbia, Bayelsa State, due to financial difficulties he faced: that the family owed mama Tammi who usually rescued them in times of needs, to the tune of eighty thousand naira; and that did not include the money of foodstuffs they bought on credit, she wanted her money back now. So enrollment was out of the picture as the family struggled to eat a square meal..
Idjerhe on that day before he went to collect palm wine, had asked Akpovi to think about what he could do now that his dream of becoming an engineer was fading away. That night Akpovi cried helplessly, he could not be consoled. He did not sleep well that night as he was lost in his thought. He remembered his friend, Danagogo, who lived on the other side of the street, with whom he used to play, before he left Bayelsa for Port Harcourt. When he woke up in the morning, he decided to go and look for Danagogo after he had finished his house chore.
The rain had pouted heavily the day before, and the unpaved street road to Idjerhe's compound had his potholes filled with water. Idjerhe the palm wine tapper was absentmindedly peddling his rickety bicycle home with his remaining energy, as the two gourds of palm wine hung on a stick across the bicycle's carrier, danced to the rythm of the peddler, so as to beat the looming rain storm that was chasing him behind. He spotted a black range rover suv coming in front of him some distance away, he decided to veer a little to his right hand side to avoid a pothole filled with water; at that very moment, the suv had pulled closed to him, the suv sped past him through the pothole, splashing the smelly muddy water all over his body. He stopped to look back if the suv occupants would stop and say, '' sorry''', and probably give him some money to wash his well worn out tapping attire, but no. Instead what Idjerhe saw was a lady youth corper wearing national youth service corp, NYSC uniform, that poked her head out of the driver's window of the suv, waving at him with laughter.
At that very spot, Idjerhe changed his decision and made a vow to himself, that his son, Akpovi must go to the university, and would wear the NYSC uniform upon graduating, he swore he would find Akpovi's enrollment fee even if it meant selling all his properties; as he bent down to pick his cap that had worn out , he rained down curses on the lady corper who mocked him, humiliated him and maybe deliberately splashed the stinky water on him. He continued riding this time in deep meditation, calculating how he could raise the money. He remembered his friend Tare, who once told him that a litre of palm wine sold for a thousand naira in a certain hotel in Lagos; Idjerhe thought if he could gather twenty litres gallon of palm wine and send it to Tare in Lagos, the horizon could be clear for Akpovi to enroll for his SSCE. He did not that he would see hell and experience death for Akpovi to go up. His house was one hour thirty minutes away

Chapter Two

The way to Danagogo's house was not straight; as the footpath off the street was blocked by unpainted and unplanned buildings, Akpovi had to meander here and there like a snake before coming out in an opened field. Two groups of boys gathered this way and that way, around the center of the field, it was obvious they were about to play a football game, the ball was held by one of the boys in the centre of the field. The tallest amongst them tossed a coin upward, upon landing the two groups chose their goal post and they began to take their positions on the field. A certain player looked in the direction of Danagogo's house and recognized Akpvi and tapped Danagogo on his back and pointed to the path leading to their compound, he sighted Akpovi and sprang to his feet in hot chase, the captain of his side shouted at him; "you will be replaced!".
Instinctively, Akpovi turned back and saw someone running towards him and narrowed his vision, as if he zoomed in on him, he instantly recognised him. Akpovi stood hands akimbo on the spot, grinning from ear to ear; Danagogo had planned to stealthily walk up to him and shock him, he would not get that thrill now. As Danagogo drew close to Akpovi, Akpovi began calling all his guy's titles, "Danagogo, the chief priests, the hammer head of terror, the beast of no burden", Danagogo cut in, "Akpovi the book worm, the only beast with two heads", by this time they were now separated by arm's length, they locked themselves with a gripping hug. They had been friends since their childhood, they had been through every adventure together. Danagogo was older by one year; Akpovi now was seventeen years old and they had been separated by four years. Inseparable best friends again .
They spent the time to get to Danagogo's house recalling their playful escapades, gossiping acquaintances, relating happenings that had gone down since their separation in the area. Danagogo asked Akpovi what brought him to Ogbia at this time from Elele when schools were preparing their students for the forthcoming SSCE. Akpovi wanted to steer the conversation away from that subject, but Danagogo was insistent. Akpovi gave up and promised he would tell him when they get home. Akpovi in turn asked him what was his situation like since he had stopped going to school, Danagogo answered that he had started taking training as auto electrical technician, that in less than two years from now, he would be his own boss. Akpovi was very impressed. Danagogo was not the type cut for paper things, he struggled through clenched teeth to reach senior secondary school five; nothing read from books or taught in class went into his head, how much more retention. Ironically, Danagogo came from a family of studious persons; Danagogo was the last born and the only one that was not a graduate.
The last turn to Idjerhe's compound had just been negotiated by his haggard bicycle, he could now see his house blurred from afar, as he continued riding, his vision of the house became clearer and clearer, and the house becoming bigger and bigger. He spotted Ejiro his daughter coming out from the outdoor kitchen. Ejiro had been the mother of the home since Idjerhe's wife died seventeen years ago while given birth to Akpovi. He did not marriy again despite so much pressure from his family to remarry. Ejiro was older than Akpovi by five years, the two of them were enough for Idjerhe. Originally, Idjerhe was from Delta State, but decided to settle here in Bayelsa after the çrude oil drilling company that employed him wounded up twenty years ago. He recklessly spent the money he saved while he was working for the company, womanizing and getting drunk to stupor. Now that he had stopped the life of debauchery , he was hopping that Akpovi would lead a decent life and would not take after him
The house was very modest, needless to say; Ejiro knew Idjerhe's bicycle sound, the unique sound had registered in her brain, she turned back and saw her father, and
said, "Papa welcome, hope your trap caught something for me to roast", Idjerhe shook his head in the negative as he parked his bicycle. Ejiro noticed his attire was wet when it had not started raining, and she asked again," Papa did you run into the rain?, your clothes are wet", he answered her as he was entering his room, "Ejiro it is a long story, by the way where is Akpovi?, I will tell both of you the incidence that led to my wet clothes later".
Danagogo fetched their house key from a hidden keg at the back of the house, and opened the corridor, his aging mother had gone out to the open market to display her whares. Danagogo and his friend recaptured moments from the past and were almost lost in time, Akpovi looked at the wall clock, the time was almost 5:45 pm, he told Danagogo that his father normally returned around this time. Danagogo wanted to prepare something for them to eat but Akpovi declined, insisting he must go now. "Aright", said Danagogo, " but you promised to tell me what brought you to Ogbia now", Akpovi's demeanour changed instantly, and he said, " ok let me gist you as I go home ". Akpovi broke the silence after Danagogo locked the door, " life is not fair my friend, back in Port Harcourt I worked very hard for my aunt, but she kept complaining about business returning nothing; and the closing date for the expiration of the registration for SSCE is drawing closer and closer; almost every one in my class has registered, while me that is adjudged to be the best in my class did not know my fate. As a result, I told my aunt I would come to Ogbia to see my father to help me out, but sadly, the situation here is not any better". Danagogo shook his head in solidarity. "My father has asked me to think of what I could do now that my deam of becoming an engineer is fading a way". Danagogo sighed., but said to Akpovi, " all hope is not lost, you can still make half of your dream come true; I know you like working on electronic and electrical stuffs; you can join me in my work " . Thanks brother, I will think about it", Akpovi said. By this time, they had almost reached Idjerhe's compound. Danagogo parted ways here with Akpovi, with the promise to see the next day.

Chapter Three

Ejiro finished the food preparation and came out of the kitchen to tell her father to go have his bath; as Idjerhe got ready and was coming out of the house, Akpovi almost collided with him, "sorry Papa", Akpovi blurted out, " where are you coming from ", Idjerhe asked, " I went to see my friend Danagogo". "Stay around till I finish my bath and taken my meal, I have a good news for you", said Idjerhe. As Akpovi's father was walking away, Akpovi could not contain his excitement; he rushed towards the kitchen to see Ejiro as he made Michael Jackson moves, Ejiro said in special English, " ebi like say you don hit jackpot ", noticing his bright outlook; Akpovi asked Ejiro to guess; she could not guess right. He finally said," Papa has a good news for me, and what good news would I possibly be told by him at this time ?", he asked rhetorically".
Idjerhe came into his parlour after taking his bath and saw Ejiro and Akpovi quietly eating a meal of fufu and egusi soup at a corner; he entered his room and changed into a trouser and shirt. Idjerhe came out and sat on a chair by his dining table and began to eat the food Ejiro served him. All the while, Akpovi was not eating with concentration, he wished his father could swallow his food in one swoop and tell him the good news he had for him, even though he had already widely guessed that it must be in connection to his SSCE registration.
Idjerhe cleared his throat and let out a loud yawn, he was obviously tired and sleepy, but he remembered his promise to Akpovi. He called Akpovi and Ejiro inside as they were busy chatting away outside. They came in in tandem, and sat on a double chair facing their father. Idjerhe began sleepily, "to start with; Akpovi, I resolved that you will going back to school", Akpovi giggled like a baby. Idjerhe continued, " I have already done my calculation of how to raise your enrollment fee before the expiration of registration for the SSCE. You will go to the university and make me proud, I will sell everything I have, including myself to make sure your dream come true", by this time Akpovi knelt down in front of his father, tears rolling down his cheek. "Eemh, I am expanding my palm wine business to a new frontier, the day after tomorrow I will start fresh incursions on virgin palm wine trunks, in the swampy right side of the Ariansa mangrove. Now, Akpovi this is your task in my new project, I will need about twenty to twenty five new plastic cans to collect palm wine for at most three days, which I will send to my friend Tare in Lagos, to sell in a big hotel, and would send the money back to me, and you will be good to go." Get up my son", Idjerhe said "the will of God must be done". Idjerhe really did not know how the will of God would later be.
Ejiro reminded her father that he promised to tell them why he got drenched from his business when it did not rain despite the stormy weather moments ago. Idjerhe had thought it over while in the bathroom to keep the details to himself. " Well", he began, it was partly my fault, I lost concentration on the road because I was meditating, while I was trying to negotiate my way around a porthole filled with water, an suv sped past the pothole splashing water on me, the driver waved me to say sorry as she drove off. At this point Akpovi sprang up to his feet and said," Papa I will buy you an SUV after I become a graduate. First thing tomorrow, I will meet Danagogo and find more than twenty five plastic cans and wash them clean". "Okay my son", Idjerhe said, as he rose up and staggered sleepily to his room.
In the morning of the next day, Ejiro woke up at about 6:30 am and went out to look at Akpovi's door, he had left home at about 6.00 am, his door flung ajar as he hurried out. He did not have a decent sleep because his brain released alot of exciting hormones, he became hyperactive and could not calm down throughout the night. By 6:30 am, he was already knocking at Danagogo's door, it was Danagogo's mother that first heard the knock; " who is that!? ", she thundered " , "it is me mama, Akpovi ", Akpovi said, "what is it that cannot wait till the dawn of day", said mama; at this point Danagogo came out of his room to open the door. Akpovi did not say anything, he just went straight to Danagog's room and lay on the bed. When Danagogo joined him, he only said, " I am on a mission, but first of all, I need to doze off, I have a sleep hangover". The day was on a Sunday morning.

Chapter Four

Akpovi woke up about 8:30am, he felt better now, the hangover was gone, he tried to roll over on the bed to have a better view of the outside through the opened window by the bed side, just then, Danagogo worked in, he had gone to freshen up in the bathroom; he playfully tapped Akpovi in the head and said, "small boy, you have not told me your mission here, I hope you are not planning to steal a goat and hide here"; Akpovi jumped out of the bed laughing out loud, " you are really crazy, no wonder they call you the hammer head of terror, big head", said Akpovi as he tried to hit Danagogo on the chest, but he skipped away. Akpovi sat on the bed and waved Danagogo to sit by his side, Danagogo made him assure him he would not hit him, he promised not to. Not taking any chances, Danagogo sat on the far end of the bed. Akpovi laughed and said, "so you do not trust me". " Well I want to tell you about my mission here. I am going to summarize; my father wants me to go back to school ", at this point Danagogo drew near to his friend. Akpovi continued," I do not know what informed his change of decision : he has given me a task to carry out to raise my registration fee for the SSCE"; Danagogo cut in, " the task of....", Akpovi continued , " he has asked me to gather twenty to twenty five plastic cans, that he would be going to a fresh ground, to collect palm wine; he said my registration fee would be ready in few days after he has collected the palm wine".
Danagogo knodded his head on approvingly as Akpovi reeled out what he had to do, Akpovi for now was new again in the area and therefore needed a guide in Danagogo as to how to find the cans he needed. As if Danagogo knew what he was thinking, told him that he should not bother about where to get the cans. Danagogo left the room to see his mother who was shuffling plates in the kitchen; Danagogo called out, "mama!", as he went into the kitchen and said, " mama you remember I told you yesterday about Akpovi's situation, his father needs plastic cans to collect palm wine to raise his registration fee". Danagogo's mother bought plastic bottles which she used for her business, she gathered a lot of bottles, packed in the corridor corner of their house, but Danagogo needed to seek the approval of mama first. Mama granted Danagogo's request but warned him not to tamper with her her new plastic cans; mama sold different traditional liquor medicine in plastic bottles.
Danagogo's facial expression as he walked back into his room could be best described to be of someone who had just won the champions league; his entry was triumphal. "Akpovi come on kneel down for me and tell me I, Danagogo am the boss", Danagogo said jokingly as he beat his chest. Akpovi said, in special English, " ebi like say your trap catch elephant o ", yes indeed said Danagogo," elephant of plastic cans". Akpovi exploded into laughter, " you never ceased to amaze me with your theatrics, you are really crazy". "So what is the real deal?", Akpovi asked, " my friend follow me now and stop asking questions", said Danagogo.
They both came out of the room and Danagogo led the way to a corner at the end of the corridor, covered with a trampoline, Danagogo raised the trampoline, and Akpovi's eyes flashed on the heap of plastic bottles, each atleat one litre, exactly what he needed. He tapped Danagogo on his back and said,"you are really the boss", he was so happy. His friend was happy for hin too. Danagogo told Akpovi about mama's approval, he skipped to the kitchen where he thanked her profusely, he almost laid on the kitchen floor. Mama told him it was okay, that the new plastic bottles with fresh labels should not be touched, Akpovi knodded his head up and down and bounced back to meet Danagogo. Danagogo told Akpovi he had not finished his morning domestic ritual, so he left Akpovi to sort the heap of plastic bottles alone.

Chapter Five

The time now was around 12:50 pm, Idjerhe hunched over some pieces of tools that he was putting together for the exploration of the new terrain to exploit palm wine. He sat on a log of wood on the shade of his mango tree, as he sharpened the edges of the tools he used to make incisions on palm wine tree fronds. The day was a bright sunny day, and he hoped and prayed the weather would remain so throughout the week. A dried mango leaf fell close to his right foot and he raised his head, he shifted his glance to his right and saw someone that looked like Akpovi struggling to steady a wheelbarrow load on a foot path towards his compound, he concentrated his gaze and the person turned out to be Akpovi. Idjerhe rosé to his feet and doubled his strides to help his son. Akpovi could see his father now, and was now smiling sheepishly. His father tweaked his name, "Akpos", he fondly called him this name when he did what delighted his heart."

Op, you are doing well