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Back in 2019 as a final year student of the University, I had just one last, ultimate hurdle to cross; Undergraduate Project.

The courses were limited and so lectures were significantly less burdensome as opposed to other sessions prior to that time.

I had a pretty much amount of time within the weeks to go out, meet new people and catch some fun.

On one of the social hangouts, I met this girl, Lizzy. She was easy going and had same vibes like I did.

We got talking afterwards and increased the speed of our verbal and physical contact; it was the "talking phase" as we all know and call it.

So on one fateful evening, she invited me over to her house after about two dates (one at a fast food restaurant and the second at a soft bar).

We had series of chit-chats and laughter.

Her scent filled the air. Our heartbeats I could hear in the dead silence that was fair.

Immediately, her countenance changed.

She seemed bothered and fazed about something which I knew not of.

I inquired about what had gone wrong, but she stared at me and threw her face to the side like one who momentarily didn't acknowledge my presence.

After some mean minutes of my insisting, she grabbed me closer, grasped my two hands into her palm, looked at me with her newly-formed (manipulative of course) puppy eyes and said,

“Benny, baby, I am pregnant for my boyfriend, but it is you I want.”

Currents of shock ran through my spine after her words, that they plunged my face slowly to the side.

“Alaview (I love you) so much Ben...,” her voice echoed re-assuredly after she had re-positioned my face to hers with her fingers under my chin.

I was dumbstruck but firm and composed.

The two minutes silence that followed had me wallowing in my thoughts.

The decision was taken within; I stood up and left her house hurriedly without saying anything other than, “We'll talk later Lizzy.”

I raced down home and for days, I couldn't wrap my head around all that had taken place.

Of course, Lizzy called me a couple of times afterwards, but I ignored every single one of them.

Subsequently, I finished and defended my project, took my final exams and was officially a graduate without a thought of the person of Lizzy and everything that had transpired so far.

-------------------------------------------------
Today, 6th June 2022 (a perfect 3-year duration after I and Lizzy), I had an appointment at Choba and boarded a bus from Ada George Junction.

As soon as I stepped into the first row of the passenger seat and sat down, I was welcomed by a tap on my shoulder from the side.

I took a quick look at my left and boom, Lizzy!

She was quite frankly a shadow of all she was the last time I saw her.

She looked pretty much chubby in physique and darker in complexion. Her breasts were a little bit larger than they were (at least I could notice that).

I screamed when I saw her and gave her an affectionate side hug.

Ten seconds after we pulled off from the hug, (I don't know how I was blind all that long) I noticed a kid who sat on her lap.

"Benny, this is my son," she said after observing my close inquisitive gaze at the child.

"He is 3 years old," she continued.

"Wonderful! Is this the child you were pregnant with the last time ever we met?" I dominantly asked, never minding if it was an offensive question or not.

"Exactly. He's the one," Lizzy said with a gentle smile on her face.

"Oya let me carry him nau.." I requested and she obliged.

Just as I had made the child sit on my lap, Lizzy got a phone call. She picked up and was engrossed in the discussion which got longer.

I brought the boy closer to me, looked at him deeply into his eyes and said,

"So that's how you would have become my step-son today if I had said yes to your mother back then. Ehn?" Then I bursted out silently with an evil laughter.

I didn't care whether the child understood me or not, but I passed the message.

20 years from now, when the child turns 23, let him feel free to remember what I said today and inform his mother.

���

I was at the Bayelsa State NYSC Secretariat, Yenagoa, few days back where I went for documentation as a newly relocated corper.

We queued up to write our names in the "Book of Life" (if you're currently or formerly a corps member, you can relate).

While on the queue, two ladies ahead of me were engaged in a conversation. I was indifferent to all they were saying until I heard them mentioned "Port Harcourt."

It appeared they were both heading back to PH city and one of the ladies offered to give the other a lift.

Like a dead man who had just sprung back to life, I joined in the conversation and said, “Is there an extra space for one? I dey go Port Harcourt too.”

She replied with a shoulder shrug, “No problem,” and I was glad I'd save myself the stress of boarding several vehicles, and most importantly, saving up my t-fare.

Documentations done and dusted, so she led us to where the car was parked.

She was a young and pretty lady, petit and perfectly thick with a puffy, heart shaped lips just below her dainty nose which was framed by a pair of delicate ears.
Her personality was bubbly and she sure had a sugary voice.

My heart skipped the minute she said to me, “Sweetheart please assist me hold these files let me re-tie my shoe lace.”

I was staring at her in admiration until I remembered that I deliberately redeployed to Bayelsa in order to be close to my prospective in-laws.

I came to senses and pinched myself back to reality.

MAN KNOW THYSELF!

I was already rehearsing what my conversation would be with her in that one hour-long journey in the car.

We got into the car and she took the front seat, beside the driver's seat while I sat directly behind her.

I began introducing the conversation I had rehearsed in my head and it was playing well.

Few minutes later, the "driver" whom she had earlier called hopped into the car.

He was a fine, young gentleman who had a dark shade on.

“Chairman I dey greet oh,” I waved to him from the back as I was already feeling at home.
He replied cheerfully, and I continued the conversation with my new friend.

Less than 3 minutes after we entered the express, she ended the discussion abruptly and said to the "driver," “Please meet Ben, he's a fellow corps member, he's joining us to Port Harcourt. Ben meet my fiancé.”

He turned back and gave me a half smile.

I saw how badge: a Naval Lieutenant Commander.

Na so I just sidon for my seat jeje.
I com dey look outside the window until we reach PH like who get memory loss ��

A life of strife & sorrow

Here

I remember clearly sometime in February this year, I was invited by my friend, Josh, to partake in a rehearsal for a stage play performance which would take place later that month.

I honoured the invitation and headed to the rehearsal venue from work.

Prior to my arrival, Josh called to inform me that I would find him in another section of the building where a little birthday get-together was ongoing for a female associate of his.

He invited me to come join in the fun before the arrival of the other actors, since we were about an hour away from the scheduled time.

I arrived the party. The celebrant was unknown to me. It appeared to be a closed gathering between a few selected persons, and as an (illegal) invitee, I was the odd one out.

The only familiar face was that of Josh who invited me over to the party.

The table was filled with small chops, soft drinks, fruits, candies, and of course, an attractive cake that was positioned right in front of the celebrant.

I knew the celebrant and other invitees didn't know me, except of course Josh who was seated by my right.

But I was determined to neither act cowardly nor without a self esteem.

The time came for people to say something (nice) about the celebrant.

I listened ardently and clapped after each person made a speech in honour of the celebrant.

All the speeches were filled with kind words that left the celebrant blushing and “awwwwning.”

As I watched as everyone took turns to say something, I felt triggered to join the bandwagon even though I had nothing to say.

My pride didn't let me stay silent and become a spectator. I didn't want to pass some kinda vibes in the room that I was a stranger and didn't know the celebrant.

So when the make-shift MC asked if there was anyone else who wanted to say something about the celebrant, I threw my right hand up into the air.

I stood up confidently with a touch of ego and started with a false self esteem;

“Ify is caring, loving and jovial. I've known her for quite a short time, but I can testify that she's a go-getter and very passionate at what she does....”

At that point, she looked at me with a lot of question marks filled in her impressed eyes. I didn't let it bother or sway me away.

I initially opted to end the speech with a birthday wish, but I was motivated to go an extra mile and prove a point. So I continued with a daring confidence;

“....just like her lovely husband, Ify is intellectually sound and strong.”

I noticed few raised eyebrows around me, but I was determined to end such a powerful speech as it pleased me;

“....I just want to say that May God bless and increase you today and every day. Amen. Happy Birthday.”

A round of applause followed as I took my seat with pride. I proceeded to catch a handful of edibles on the table and ate it as though I had just earned the right to.

To crown it all up, the celebrant's business supervisor was asked to conclude the wishes.

After about 2 minutes of wishes and prayers from him, he ended by saying;

“My prayer for you is that God will give you the best partner for a husband...”

This was followed by a thunderous "Amen" from the celebrant and a good number of those present.

Immediately,

I opened my eyes in disgust.

My world came crashing down.

Shame held unto me with a tight grip.

I fled the venue before the prayer ended and spent the rest of the day consoling my self.

I received an SMS from my friend josh later that night;

“BRO, WETIN YOU NO KNOW BIG PASS YOU.”


--------------------------------
©EL-Benny
13-12-2021
5:40pm

Chairman, market dey make the thing worse? �

It is neither fashion nor madness.
It is called “E CHOKE”

Let me tell you a true life tale of my old friend, Marvis Isaac (name changed to protect his identity).

Marvis was an old friend of mine; we were both classmates in the same primary school, HAMJO Victory Academy, Ada George Road, PHC.

Marvis, like every other class topper was smart, calm and intelligent.

He was a handsome kid with a curly, brownish-black hair that all teachers and fellow pupils admired.

We graduated from primary school and found a new life at different high schools. I lost contact with Marvis and many other fellow pupils, except for a few who lived in the same neighbourhood with me.

Years passed, and I eventually gained admission into Rivers State University of Science and Technology (as was the institution's name back then). Marvis was almost a forgotten personality to me at the time, since it had been a long time we all headed our different ways.

Once, I was walking home after the day's lectures on a fateful day in 2016 when I heard someone called my name.

“Benard, Benard.” (Benard was the name I was widely called back as a pupil in Primary School by the teachers and classmates)

I paused, turned 180° to find a young dude in his early 20s (most probably) running towards me.

“Guy! How far. No vex. Your face dey very familiar, I suppose sabi you from somewhere” I managed to say those words curiously as I was being tormented by the scorching heat of the sun.

“Benard, na me Marvis. Marvis Isaac that year for HAMJO. You don forget.....” He happily uttered those words as I interrupted him.

“Maaaaarvis, my guy! Omor! See as you Don fresh.” I said as I gave him the best handshake I had ever given anyone all my life.

We had a moment of discussion, exchanged contacts and bade farewell afterwards.

Few days later, I walked through same route and bumped into Marvis again. Apparently he lived in that area.

Between 2016 and 2018 (when I got into my final year in school), I occasionally saw Marvis.

We would talk about memories of our primary school days and class mates.

He would walk me to short distances away from my home.

In 2019, I graduated from the University and Marvis went ghosting again.

I would take that route couple of times but would not find him.

“He must have relocated or perhaps be a big boy somewhere else.” I'd always say in my thoughts.

On Tuesday, 24th August, exactly 15 days ago, I was standing by Ada George Road, discussing with a good friend of mine.

Something caught my attention that made me lose focus in the discussion.

My eyes were gazed on a familiar figure approaching our direction from close range.

“This looks like Marvis.” I said these words to myself that they were audible to my friend.

“Which Marvis?” He asked, but got no response from me.

As the figure approached closer and closer, I could recognize Marvis.

But there was something different.

Marvis didn't seem alright.

He wore rags; dirty rags.

His hair was matted with dirt.

His legs were completely white with black patches.

His eyes were red as if been washed in blood.

He was walking in a haphazard pattern, dragging his bare feet on the ground with every confused step he took.

He was mumbling un-voiced words from his mouth.

He was proudly escorted by flies as he walked past us.

He didn't look in my direction.

I was still lost in gaze.

I couldn't call his name. I couldn't greet him. I couldn't hail Marvis my gee!

It was immediately confirmed to me by my friend that Marvis had turned insane.

“He stays in this our area na. This dude don mad oh. How you take know am?” My friend said to me in a rather lackadaisical tone.

I was broken on the inside.

Destroyed mentally that day.

“We last saw just two and a half years ago, and all these have become of this handsome, sweet, cool-headed gentleman?”

It's 15 days now and I'm still in shock, even while typing this.

I can't judge Marvis.

I can't tell the cause of his condition.

I can't tell if he did drugs; or had a mental condition as a result of a head injury; or attacked by his "village people."

Young people out there, this is for you, you have a thousand ways to protect your mental health. Guard it with all you've got.

Help me pray for Marvis as I make moves to reach out to him soon.

EL-Benny Worika
09-09-2021
Agip Estate, Port Harcourt

Perky20:
How can one gain weight easily without risk of obesity and unwanted fats?

Fast and pray

[/quote]lol