samuelkew:
LOVERS AND MOTHERS
1. BUDDING
Until Daniel came to our house in 2017, I didn’t know his mum and my mum were friends. They’re friends that could die for each other. They’d made promises to match their son and daughter in future. One never attended a party without the other. One never gave a suitor a chance without the consent of the other. I never knew our parents used to be sworn sisters.
Daniel’s mum had always told him stories of a sister she found in a friend. His mum and her childhood friend lived together for four years in a house they rented as hostel. It was a room self-contain in a house at the street opposite Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi Aba. They read together under trees and they watched movies together. They bathed together always. They always ate together. I believed his mum was sincere that she and her childhood friend often fell sick at the same time. If Daniel’s mum and her childhood friend were not both first in class in a term, then one would be first and other, second. They’re always leading the class. His mum’s friend usually travelled to Lagos for holidays and his mum remained in Abeokuta. Each one always brought gifts for the other. I always wished for a friend like that. But instead of a sister-friend like that I found a boy-friend. Daniel used to call me Oyin which means honey. And I used that name more than any other name. We’re very close friends. We’re friends for six years because we never expressed love to each other until after we had finished WAEC in 2017. I just know we had feelings and unintentionally didn’t express them. Maybe he was too shy to say it, maybe he was afraid. Since girls do not usually do the chasing I only waited for his second coming.
Daniel’s first coming was on a Tuesday, thirteenth of November, 2012 when I ran into a snake behind our class. We’re in J.S.S 1 at that time. I had gone to the school market to buy food and pies. Although Daniel never liked girls he’s very kind to everybody. Girl’s liked him. He’s handsome. He’s fair and square shouldered. He also looked quite muscular and we had seen him proved his strength carrying things alone where two would struggle. “Snake! Snake!,” I suddenly shouted and others disappeared as if I blew warning trumpet for war. Daniel was coming from the staff room where he’d gone to meet our class teacher. Then he rushed to the place and quickly got in between me and the snake. He had no stone or stick in his hands. Maybe he didn’t think before jumping to the scene. His eyes were fixed on the snake as he gently pushed me away. It’s a tense moment. Death faced us so he wouldn’t have possibly known that his hand touched my breast when he pushed me. And I didn’t think about it until it’s all over. But I felt something that day. It’s not love. It’s a feminine wakening. He touched my body and stood in my place defenseless, beaten twice by the python. The snake escaped but badly bruised. Daniel matched it with his boots. Different stories would linger on till we finished school. But he’s rushed to FMC which was just directly adjacent our school. I wanted to stay beside him. I just felt like never leaving his side. But the health prefect stayed, our class teacher was also there and his mother would come after I had gone. The following Monday, he’s back, exquisite and clean. I think he came back better. It’s as if he had fought death and won. His confidence and smiles increased. During break time I went to him. “Daniel, thank you for saving me,” I said. My Daniel just smiled and winked. Maybe he meant nothing with his winking but it unlocked the passion in my heart. “I’m glad you’re okay now. I was just blaming myself …” I said.
“Just enjoy the peace all around you. I’d rather die than watch you get bitten by a snake,” Daniel said. At break time we went to the vendor together. And we walk together to the bus stop after closing. Since then there’s been no closing to our closeness. The farther we are from each other the deeper we yearn for each other. Holidays used to be interesting but not after that moment of my feminine priming.
Whenever I told Daniel about guys who told me they loved me he’s always strange. He’s always jealous. When I told him about Johnson, he went to Johnson and warned him to leave me alone. Johnson never listened until Daniel punched him in the face. We were in JSS 2 and Daniel said they must not spoil me. “Daniel, stop acting like my big brother,” I said. I never understood what I really meant. But I said it. Tunde never listened until Daniel kicked him hard; we were in Jss # then. Bolly didn’t listen because he’s huge and we’re in SS1. He felt like he’s adult.. He challenged Daniel. They fought. But Bolly’s fall was faster and funnier. It’s just two punches, right side and left side, Bolly fell and cried with intense pain. Then the guys left me alone. Daniel became more lovable. After being punished, given four strokes of cane for punching a fellow student, everybody liked him or feared him. To teachers, Daniel’s an upright leader. To guys, he’s a boxer or trouble maker. And to girl … the girls were jealous of me because guys fought over me not because they thought Daniel was worth their jealousy. After all Daniel had ignored them beyond their forgiveness. But I was proud of myself. I didn’t know how Daniel got to be so strong that he could beat every rival and make everyone fear him.
One day, while we waited for taxi at the bus stop in front of our school, Daniel brought out his phone from one hidden place inside his school bag, switched it on and called his mum on phone. He gave me the phone. She must have asked him to. And I spoke with her. That was in January, 2016. She’s too sweet. “Omo mi,” she said. I wondered if she called me her child as Daniel’s friend or as his girlfriend. She told me she’d been telling Daniel to bring me home. She’d only seen me in photos -photos we had taken on the day of our Inter-House sport, on Literary and Debating Day and on Cultural Day. When she said that, I looked at Daniel with surprise. “You … showed your mum my picture?” I asked. He didn’t say anything, just nodded with a smile, blushing as I was. “Yes, my child,” Daniel’s mum said. “Look, don’t come without telling me first oh, I want to welcome you like a princess. You know my son doesn’t like to talk. He’s always alone. He’s also too shy to make friends with boys. But you changed him, or you’re just different. You’re his companion. Both of you are like white and black, bread and butter, sugar and tea, soup and iyan … you know. Thank you for making my son a good boy.”
She’s right. I made Daniel a good boy. I mean he changed for me. As an only son, his mum never discouraged him from anything. She never complained about anything he did. And Daniel couldn’t do anything for himself by himself. He’s always sending friends errand and giving them money because his mum or people did virtually everything for him. If possible she’d release the invisible from her anus on his behalf and do the visible too on his behalf. Daniel didn’t know good from bad. “But why was he childish at times …” I asked. “Hmm, I am just praying that God will change him oh. I have been putting him in God’s hands since he’s born. He’s my only son, you know.” I knew what the problem was. His mum endured all his deeds, good or bad. She would then pray to God so that Daniel could change. That’s really strange to me. “Thank God he’s changing ma.” I replied.
I didn’t tell Daniel to change. But he knew I didn’t like some foolish things he was doing. The day he sent a friend to buy food and fought him for buying two pieces of meat instead of four, I didn’t speak to him throughout that day. The day Daniel tore Jide’s notebook, I frowned at him throughout the day. The only time I spoke about his behaviour … I told him what he did was devilish, was when he destroyed Chucks’ bicycle because Chucks’ flatus smelled too bad. I told him he’s childish, bad, wicked and foolish. He’s very sad. I felt sad too. But since that day he began to change because he didn’t want me to get angry. He wanted to please me. If the whole world thought he’s good and I thought otherwise he’d believe me.
In December, 2016, as we finished first term examination, I followed him home. Wow! I was wrong about Daniel. He’s not totally bad. There were boys and girls whose house weren’t worth a toilet in Daniel’s house. And they’re always telling us what they had in their houses. Big TVs, Washing machine, Big Generator, Big bathrooms, big kitchen even if it’s kitchenette and every other big thing. I told them big things too, at times. But I never lied like most of them. When I reached the house I marveled. The arch at the entrance was adorned with voluted flowers. And in the big compound I saw blocks of labyrinthian flowers forming paths to God knows where. I walked straight and entered into the house, My God! I saw lawns and trees like a mini golf pitch. I saw peacocks prancing and birds delighted to see me. The truth is I didn’t believe such a place could be in Abeokuta. There are beauties in the world. I took pictures in the compound, sat on the lawn, stayed near the birds, posed near water fountains, spread on the lawn and later ran into the paths. I almost got lost. People would see the pictures and ask, “You travelled to London? Is this America? Wow, where is this?” I just didn’t answer them.
I was afraid of waters but I still swam in the swimming pool because I trusted Daniel. He didn’t let snake bite me even when I was just a girl. He would face death now that I had fully blossom. “Daniel, is this your house or you have brought me into one big hotel?” I asked Daniel after I came out of the pool, Daniel smiled and said nothing. That smile of his … I decided I must know what utterances hid behind them. His mum had travelled out of the country that time. I learnt that Daniel had a personal driver and guard. I had seen them in school before but Daniel told me they’re his big-bros. He ran to meet them and hugged them. There’s a gymnasium and there are trainers in the house. Now that I had seen the palace I knew why even at a young age he could make Bolly cry just by throwing two punches. Men bigger than Bolly live in his mother’s house. Daniel once told me that a man must be strong enough to defend himself from any threats. But he wasn’t going to admit that it’s more than strength. He’s trained and skillful. I remembered that time, he’d punched Bolly on the sides just below the ribs. The burden of his blows must be rock breaking. As I thought of these things I just felt like there’s no one else I’d ever wanted than a man with whom I can feel loved and safe. He told me his mum employed guards and trainers for him. He didn’t know why but he’s sure it had something to do with the death of his father or his mum’s father.
“Daniel,” I’m very sorry,” said I after I found out that there were many workers in that house. I looked at him with my passionate eyes. He looked at me, askance. “For what?” he asked, “Oyin, for what?”
I found my tongue stiff and lips glued together. I just hugged him dearly and for long. “You’re not foolish. You didn’t even live like you’re different” I said. I realized there’s no way he could try, try a little to do anything by himself. Daniel told me that his mum wanted him to study abroad but she also wanted him to attend the school where she met her husband, Daniel’s father. Chief Daniel always wanted his children to attend the school he attended. He promised to create a paradise for his children so they would be satisfied with living in Nigeria. And he did. Daniel’s house was a father’s promise fulfilled. I only didn’t like that patriotic spirit he transferred to Daniel. Even our leaders who made oath to serve Nigeria romance the West and Asia like homeless peacocks and vultures. My brother always said it’s suicidal to die for Nigeria and even Angels at the gate of heaven would send Nigerian heroes to hell for a wasteful death. But if one lived in that house there’d be no need to wish for more except one has accidentally seen a greater beauty in Paris.
At sunset, Daniel and I sat beneath a tree in the compound. We faced the west and talked about the West. He loved the West so much that I found it strange that he never tried to travel out of the country. His mum wouldn’t stop him if he wanted to. She wouldn’t deny him anything, I was sure of that. I believed Nigeria would be better. I used to have hope. But Daniel didn’t. “If anyone died for this country,” he said, “the angel calling names will send the person to hell.” ‘Why did you say that,” I asked. “It’s a sin to commit suicide and that’s what it means to die for this country.” He called the country a jungle where democracy is just in principle rather than in practice. He called it a den of thieves. He called the country names. I felt uncomfortable because my mum raised me to be a patriot. I always argued with my brother about better days coming.
“I don’t understand you, Daniel. I was thinking you love the country very deep. I thought you needed some new views of life. And yes, you do need that,” I said.
“In the West animals are treated with respect,” he said.
“What’s your point?” I asked.
“The point is, if the people aren’t cared for the animals won’t be cared for.” He said.
“Yes, but there are also poor people there,” I said. “Oyin, it’s not only about money, it’s also about the people, their laws and their respect for lives and properties.”
“Daniel, you don’t mean there are no crimes or criminals there? Do you? Is there a perfect country? Aren’t they not the ones who put Africa into much of her problems …”
“Shhhh! Oyin, are you sure you’re not getting too angry? For this country’s sake? The problem is our failure to tell ourselves that we’re part of the problem, that we caused a lot of our problems. Africa wasn’t innocent. They fought wars and had slaves before colonization. Wasn’t Oyo an Empire, or Benin, or Zulu … If Oyo was an Empire does that not mean that Oyo, like other empires ruled over other places as colonies? Every people in history are guilty of power and war. The discomfited only just always seem most miserable and cheated. But the cheated was also a cheater.”
I didn’t like to hear such words. I never reasoned like that. But he told me anyway. And he’s serious. I figured the only way to get his smiles buried was to discuss Nigeria.
“It’s not the West that caused us not to use our brains. If they told us to hibernate our brains in religious and ethnic sectionalism did we not see them use theirs in tolerance and progressive innovations?”
“We’re a mismatch union, it’s the fault of those that joined us as one without healable differences or gradable compatibility” I said, as my last point. Daniel whistled. “I expected a reply but you whistled? Eh? So, …” I was still talking when I heard sounds of footsteps, ordered steps. Then I turned and saw two men coming to us, taking same steps beautifully. I loved the rhythm. One carried a basket full of fruits and the other, a basket full of drinks. A lady walked behind them in same steps, maybe not intentional ordering. They’re bringing snacks and pieces of fish, meat and chickens. They dropped them and packed the ones we’d devoured.
“We’re a mismatch reunion, you’re right,” Daniel said. “But we’re not the only multicultural country, are we? We may have problems of differences but not a good excuse for not growing.” I had never seen him unsmiling like that.
The way Daniel played with his dogs surprised me. He kissed them. “Ayanma. I’ll never let you kiss me with that mouth you have used, have been using to kiss dogs,” I said. Daniel looked at me with a mischievous smile. I felt bad for saying those words. How could I be so careless? I’d said it anyway. Then he stood up and I did the same. He walked about two steps towards me, pulled me close to himself and looked at my face. I saw it in his eyes. My heart was wary but will. I wanted to feel his pink lips. It’d be the first time someone kissed me. And slowly, he might have seen my heart begging him to act like a knight and not a servant. “Stop,” said I, weakly. “Should I stop?” he asked. “Yes, stop stop!” I muttered. But my hands … held his head close. I opened my mouth, saying no. Then I brought out my tongue for French kiss. “You wanted me to stop?” he asked again. “Yes,” I muttered again. And he stopped. I was panting. My heart was beating fast I could hear the sound, khukhu, khukhu. And I was wet in between my thighs. Why I was angry that he stopped I never knew. “Fool!” I murmured. And he smiled like a hunter whose trap had just caught the game.
The following day Daniel took me to Lagos. We sat at the backseat and discussed. The driver smiled at times though he pretended not to be listening to us. Daniel told me he’s sorry. “For what?” I asked. “For doing that to you,” he said. I told them to take me to Oshodi. I didn’t want my mum to meet him without her readiness. He told me he’d love to meet my mum that very day but I wouldn’t let him. I knew he wanted to come to my place before we finish WAEC. I wish he had been able to but he wouldn’t until we had finished WAEC.

Dobson43:

samuelkew:
LOVERS AND MOTHERS
1. BUDDING
Until Daniel came to our house in 2017, I didn’t know his mum and my mum were friends. They’re friends that could die for each other. They’d made promises to match their son and daughter in future. One never attended a party without the other. One never gave a suitor a chance without the consent of the other. I never knew our parents used to be sworn sisters.
Daniel’s mum had always told him stories of a sister she found in a friend. His mum and her childhood friend lived together for four years in a house they rented as hostel. It was a room self-contain in a house at the street opposite Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi Aba. They read together under trees and they watched movies together. They bathed together always. They always ate together. I believed his mum was sincere that she and her childhood friend often fell sick at the same time. If Daniel’s mum and her childhood friend were not both first in class in a term, then one would be first and other, second. They’re always leading the class. His mum’s friend usually travelled to Lagos for holidays and his mum remained in Abeokuta. Each one always brought gifts for the other. I always wished for a friend like that. But instead of a sister-friend like that I found a boy-friend. Daniel used to call me Oyin which means honey. And I used that name more than any other name. We’re very close friends. We’re friends for six years because we never expressed love to each other until after we had finished WAEC in 2017. I just know we had feelings and unintentionally didn’t express them. Maybe he was too shy to say it, maybe he was afraid. Since girls do not usually do the chasing I only waited for his second coming.
Daniel’s first coming was on a Tuesday, thirteenth of November, 2012 when I ran into a snake behind our class. We’re in J.S.S 1 at that time. I had gone to the school market to buy food and pies. Although Daniel never liked girls he’s very kind to everybody. Girl’s liked him. He’s handsome. He’s fair and square shouldered. He also looked quite muscular and we had seen him proved his strength carrying things alone where two would struggle. “Snake! Snake!,” I suddenly shouted and others disappeared as if I blew warning trumpet for war. Daniel was coming from the staff room where he’d gone to meet our class teacher. Then he rushed to the place and quickly got in between me and the snake. He had no stone or stick in his hands. Maybe he didn’t think before jumping to the scene. His eyes were fixed on the snake as he gently pushed me away. It’s a tense moment. Death faced us so he wouldn’t have possibly known that his hand touched my breast when he pushed me. And I didn’t think about it until it’s all over. But I felt something that day. It’s not love. It’s a feminine wakening. He touched my body and stood in my place defenseless, beaten twice by the python. The snake escaped but badly bruised. Daniel matched it with his boots. Different stories would linger on till we finished school. But he’s rushed to FMC which was just directly adjacent our school. I wanted to stay beside him. I just felt like never leaving his side. But the health prefect stayed, our class teacher was also there and his mother would come after I had gone. The following Monday, he’s back, exquisite and clean. I think he came back better. It’s as if he had fought death and won. His confidence and smiles increased. During break time I went to him. “Daniel, thank you for saving me,” I said. My Daniel just smiled and winked. Maybe he meant nothing with his winking but it unlocked the passion in my heart. “I’m glad you’re okay now. I was just blaming myself …” I said.
“Just enjoy the peace all around you. I’d rather die than watch you get bitten by a snake,” Daniel said. At break time we went to the vendor together. And we walk together to the bus stop after closing. Since then there’s been no closing to our closeness. The farther we are from each other the deeper we yearn for each other. Holidays used to be interesting but not after that moment of my feminine priming.
Whenever I told Daniel about guys who told me they loved me he’s always strange. He’s always jealous. When I told him about Johnson, he went to Johnson and warned him to leave me alone. Johnson never listened until Daniel punched him in the face. We were in JSS 2 and Daniel said they must not spoil me. “Daniel, stop acting like my big brother,” I said. I never understood what I really meant. But I said it. Tunde never listened until Daniel kicked him hard; we were in Jss # then. Bolly didn’t listen because he’s huge and we’re in SS1. He felt like he’s adult.. He challenged Daniel. They fought. But Bolly’s fall was faster and funnier. It’s just two punches, right side and left side, Bolly fell and cried with intense pain. Then the guys left me alone. Daniel became more lovable. After being punished, given four strokes of cane for punching a fellow student, everybody liked him or feared him. To teachers, Daniel’s an upright leader. To guys, he’s a boxer or trouble maker. And to girl … the girls were jealous of me because guys fought over me not because they thought Daniel was worth their jealousy. After all Daniel had ignored them beyond their forgiveness. But I was proud of myself. I didn’t know how Daniel got to be so strong that he could beat every rival and make everyone fear him.
One day, while we waited for taxi at the bus stop in front of our school, Daniel brought out his phone from one hidden place inside his school bag, switched it on and called his mum on phone. He gave me the phone. She must have asked him to. And I spoke with her. That was in January, 2016. She’s too sweet. “Omo mi,” she said. I wondered if she called me her child as Daniel’s friend or as his girlfriend. She told me she’d been telling Daniel to bring me home. She’d only seen me in photos -photos we had taken on the day of our Inter-House sport, on Literary and Debating Day and on Cultural Day. When she said that, I looked at Daniel with surprise. “You … showed your mum my picture?” I asked. He didn’t say anything, just nodded with a smile, blushing as I was. “Yes, my child,” Daniel’s mum said. “Look, don’t come without telling me first oh, I want to welcome you like a princess. You know my son doesn’t like to talk. He’s always alone. He’s also too shy to make friends with boys. But you changed him, or you’re just different. You’re his companion. Both of you are like white and black, bread and butter, sugar and tea, soup and iyan … you know. Thank you for making my son a good boy.”
She’s right. I made Daniel a good boy. I mean he changed for me. As an only son, his mum never discouraged him from anything. She never complained about anything he did. And Daniel couldn’t do anything for himself by himself. He’s always sending friends errand and giving them money because his mum or people did virtually everything for him. If possible she’d release the invisible from her anus on his behalf and do the visible too on his behalf. Daniel didn’t know good from bad. “But why was he childish at times …” I asked. “Hmm, I am just praying that God will change him oh. I have been putting him in God’s hands since he’s born. He’s my only son, you know.” I knew what the problem was. His mum endured all his deeds, good or bad. She would then pray to God so that Daniel could change. That’s really strange to me. “Thank God he’s changing ma.” I replied.
I didn’t tell Daniel to change. But he knew I didn’t like some foolish things he was doing. The day he sent a friend to buy food and fought him for buying two pieces of meat instead of four, I didn’t speak to him throughout that day. The day Daniel tore Jide’s notebook, I frowned at him throughout the day. The only time I spoke about his behaviour … I told him what he did was devilish, was when he destroyed Chucks’ bicycle because Chucks’ flatus smelled too bad. I told him he’s childish, bad, wicked and foolish. He’s very sad. I felt sad too. But since that day he began to change because he didn’t want me to get angry. He wanted to please me. If the whole world thought he’s good and I thought otherwise he’d believe me.
In December, 2016, as we finished first term examination, I followed him home. Wow! I was wrong about Daniel. He’s not totally bad. There were boys and girls whose house weren’t worth a toilet in Daniel’s house. And they’re always telling us what they had in their houses. Big TVs, Washing machine, Big Generator, Big bathrooms, big kitchen even if it’s kitchenette and every other big thing. I told them big things too, at times. But I never lied like most of them. When I reached the house I marveled. The arch at the entrance was adorned with voluted flowers. And in the big compound I saw blocks of labyrinthian flowers forming paths to God knows where. I walked straight and entered into the house, My God! I saw lawns and trees like a mini golf pitch. I saw peacocks prancing and birds delighted to see me. The truth is I didn’t believe such a place could be in Abeokuta. There are beauties in the world. I took pictures in the compound, sat on the lawn, stayed near the birds, posed near water fountains, spread on the lawn and later ran into the paths. I almost got lost. People would see the pictures and ask, “You travelled to London? Is this America? Wow, where is this?” I just didn’t answer them.
I was afraid of waters but I still swam in the swimming pool because I trusted Daniel. He didn’t let snake bite me even when I was just a girl. He would face death now that I had fully blossom. “Daniel, is this your house or you have brought me into one big hotel?” I asked Daniel after I came out of the pool, Daniel smiled and said nothing. That smile of his … I decided I must know what utterances hid behind them. His mum had travelled out of the country that time. I learnt that Daniel had a personal driver and guard. I had seen them in school before but Daniel told me they’re his big-bros. He ran to meet them and hugged them. There’s a gymnasium and there are trainers in the house. Now that I had seen the palace I knew why even at a young age he could make Bolly cry just by throwing two punches. Men bigger than Bolly live in his mother’s house. Daniel once told me that a man must be strong enough to defend himself from any threats. But he wasn’t going to admit that it’s more than strength. He’s trained and skillful. I remembered that time, he’d punched Bolly on the sides just below the ribs. The burden of his blows must be rock breaking. As I thought of these things I just felt like there’s no one else I’d ever wanted than a man with whom I can feel loved and safe. He told me his mum employed guards and trainers for him. He didn’t know why but he’s sure it had something to do with the death of his father or his mum’s father.
“Daniel,” I’m very sorry,” said I after I found out that there were many workers in that house. I looked at him with my passionate eyes. He looked at me, askance. “For what?” he asked, “Oyin, for what?”
I found my tongue stiff and lips glued together. I just hugged him dearly and for long. “You’re not foolish. You didn’t even live like you’re different” I said. I realized there’s no way he could try, try a little to do anything by himself. Daniel told me that his mum wanted him to study abroad but she also wanted him to attend the school where she met her husband, Daniel’s father. Chief Daniel always wanted his children to attend the school he attended. He promised to create a paradise for his children so they would be satisfied with living in Nigeria. And he did. Daniel’s house was a father’s promise fulfilled. I only didn’t like that patriotic spirit he transferred to Daniel. Even our leaders who made oath to serve Nigeria romance the West and Asia like homeless peacocks and vultures. My brother always said it’s suicidal to die for Nigeria and even Angels at the gate of heaven would send Nigerian heroes to hell for a wasteful death. But if one lived in that house there’d be no need to wish for more except one has accidentally seen a greater beauty in Paris.
At sunset, Daniel and I sat beneath a tree in the compound. We faced the west and talked about the West. He loved the West so much that I found it strange that he never tried to travel out of the country. His mum wouldn’t stop him if he wanted to. She wouldn’t deny him anything, I was sure of that. I believed Nigeria would be better. I used to have hope. But Daniel didn’t. “If anyone died for this country,” he said, “the angel calling names will send the person to hell.” ‘Why did you say that,” I asked. “It’s a sin to commit suicide and that’s what it means to die for this country.” He called the country a jungle where democracy is just in principle rather than in practice. He called it a den of thieves. He called the country names. I felt uncomfortable because my mum raised me to be a patriot. I always argued with my brother about better days coming.
“I don’t understand you, Daniel. I was thinking you love the country very deep. I thought you needed some new views of life. And yes, you do need that,” I said.
“In the West animals are treated with respect,” he said.
“What’s your point?” I asked.
“The point is, if the people aren’t cared for the animals won’t be cared for.” He said.
“Yes, but there are also poor people there,” I said. “Oyin, it’s not only about money, it’s also about the people, their laws and their respect for lives and properties.”
“Daniel, you don’t mean there are no crimes or criminals there? Do you? Is there a perfect country? Aren’t they not the ones who put Africa into much of her problems …”
“Shhhh! Oyin, are you sure you’re not getting too angry? For this country’s sake? The problem is our failure to tell ourselves that we’re part of the problem, that we caused a lot of our problems. Africa wasn’t innocent. They fought wars and had slaves before colonization. Wasn’t Oyo an Empire, or Benin, or Zulu … If Oyo was an Empire does that not mean that Oyo, like other empires ruled over other places as colonies? Every people in history are guilty of power and war. The discomfited only just always seem most miserable and cheated. But the cheated was also a cheater.”
I didn’t like to hear such words. I never reasoned like that. But he told me anyway. And he’s serious. I figured the only way to get his smiles buried was to discuss Nigeria.
“It’s not the West that caused us not to use our brains. If they told us to hibernate our brains in religious and ethnic sectionalism did we not see them use theirs in tolerance and progressive innovations?”
“We’re a mismatch union, it’s the fault of those that joined us as one without healable differences or gradable compatibility” I said, as my last point. Daniel whistled. “I expected a reply but you whistled? Eh? So, …” I was still talking when I heard sounds of footsteps, ordered steps. Then I turned and saw two men coming to us, taking same steps beautifully. I loved the rhythm. One carried a basket full of fruits and the other, a basket full of drinks. A lady walked behind them in same steps, maybe not intentional ordering. They’re bringing snacks and pieces of fish, meat and chickens. They dropped them and packed the ones we’d devoured.
“We’re a mismatch reunion, you’re right,” Daniel said. “But we’re not the only multicultural country, are we? We may have problems of differences but not a good excuse for not growing.” I had never seen him unsmiling like that.
The way Daniel played with his dogs surprised me. He kissed them. “Ayanma. I’ll never let you kiss me with that mouth you have used, have been using to kiss dogs,” I said. Daniel looked at me with a mischievous smile. I felt bad for saying those words. How could I be so careless? I’d said it anyway. Then he stood up and I did the same. He walked about two steps towards me, pulled me close to himself and looked at my face. I saw it in his eyes. My heart was wary but will. I wanted to feel his pink lips. It’d be the first time someone kissed me. And slowly, he might have seen my heart begging him to act like a knight and not a servant. “Stop,” said I, weakly. “Should I stop?” he asked. “Yes, stop stop!” I muttered. But my hands … held his head close. I opened my mouth, saying no. Then I brought out my tongue for French kiss. “You wanted me to stop?” he asked again. “Yes,” I muttered again. And he stopped. I was panting. My heart was beating fast I could hear the sound, khukhu, khukhu. And I was wet in between my thighs. Why I was angry that he stopped I never knew. “Fool!” I murmured. And he smiled like a hunter whose trap had just caught the game.
The following day Daniel took me to Lagos. We sat at the backseat and discussed. The driver smiled at times though he pretended not to be listening to us. Daniel told me he’s sorry. “For what?” I asked. “For doing that to you,” he said. I told them to take me to Oshodi. I didn’t want my mum to meet him without her readiness. He told me he’d love to meet my mum that very day but I wouldn’t let him. I knew he wanted to come to my place before we finish WAEC. I wish he had been able to but he wouldn’t until we had finished WAEC.