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My friendship with Remi, blossomed over the next few weeks as we entered into the long vacation, I made sure I saw her every day, sometimes we would sit under the tree in front of her house, discussing nothing or some beautiful nonsense till late in the evening it was one of those evenings when we were together that she asked if I had thought of what I want to do after secondary school, I felt insulted by the question but common, she is Remi, she can ask anything from me. I told her I want to go to university, she asked, to study what course? I had to confess that I have not given it a serious thought as we still have one year of secondary school. She said she already knows what she wanted to study which is Pharmacy and she would like to attend Obafemi Awolowo University, because her father attended the same school. I asked why was she telling me all this and also asking questions, she said – she wanted to encourage me to be more serious as we are going to SS3. Truly I went home that day thinking about what I want to make of my life. What course do I want to study, what school do I want to attend, not like I know so many schools anyway apart from University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife. I was planning on growing a new leaf and following another path for my life rather than wasting my time causing troubles, when one of the chiefs in the neighborhood brought some work-men to start clearing the bush of the plot of land beside our house. Our house is built on one plot of land but there is another plot besides that Maami is keeping for us. Now this Chief has approached Maami to sell it to him so that he can use it to build a bakery but Maami declined. This very day, he brought work-men to clear the bush and left instructions for Maami that whether she likes it or not he would use the plot of land, he erected a signpost on the land. I was not around but I was given the information when I got back home, I was fuming with anger. I ran out, Maami ran after me and dragged me down. When I saw her crying I melted and I started crying also. So next day I went to visit my friends and I told them, what the chief did, Wakili stood up without saying anything and started gathering stones, I asked him what he was going to do with that, he said he knows the bar where the Chief goes to drink every evening, that we could just smash his car's windows with stones as a warning. I remained silent while seated on the stone, I thought of the escalation pathway of such action, what if the Chief raised alarm, what if he becomes injured, what if he has his boys with him and it became free for all. The suggested action has trouble written all over it so I told them we are not following up on that path. When I got home I could not sleep, I was troubled that I am the only male in the house and I could not do anything about this issue at hand without engaging in violence. When I woke up an idea came to my mind, why can't I call my uncle if he could send some soldiers to threaten the Chief. I know Maami will not support such action so I crept out of my bed and washed my face, I know exactly the person that can help me. Harmed with Maami's diary that contains important numbers I head to the health center. The nurses started trooping into the center, I hid behind the gate waiting for the lovely reverend sister to pass. Fortunately for me, she recognized me. I had to apologize for not waiting to see her the other day I came to check Remilekun at the center. I told her I need her so that I will not get in trouble. She held my hand and led me to her office. She made tea for me and said I should drink while she goes around the center for the morning situation report. She came back 30 minutes later. She sat down and asked that I explained everything to her, she seems genuinely interested in the whole saga. I told her I need to use her phone to contact my uncle. She asked if it would not be too early to call. I said my Uncle has said we can call anytime. She dialed the phone for me, my uncle was so happy and surprised to hear my voice. I did not waste time, I went straight into the story. He said he would come over as soon as he has time but I should not tell Maami, all in all it was a four minutes call. When the call dropped, I looked into the sister's eye, I did not know what to say to thank her, because thank you would not do it. She patted me on the head and said. Don't worry about it, you have a very good heart do not waste it away in this village. I noticed it the very first day I saw you, I wanted to speak with you the day you came to visit your friend. Do not waste your life away in this village, you are born to become more. I prostrated for her and left sluggishly, apart from Maami and Mr. Oyeboade our English teacher, no one else has spoken to me like this. I don't even know what they all see in this brute. |
crossfm:Thanks so much. |
Finally i got an offer from Woodland lettings to check an apartment on Ridgeway road. So i chose a date which was confirmed with the landlord. I used google map to navigate to the terrace building. The landlord has two flats in this building but i chose the one that was uppermost on the second floor. The flat goes for £1100 with a deposit of £1200. I followed the agent to Station road where the office is, i paid the withholding fee immediately and got the required forms. I got all the forms filled, reference sorted within one week. we signed the tenancy. The building is built on a ridge, one of the highest point in the town. Same day i sent a mail to the company managing my present tenancy that i will like to terminate the tenancy by the end of May, it was accepted and and the coast was clear for my wife and children to come over but they would need Visa of course. In the month of May, i started buying household materials.... |
It was four weeks to end of the term and next week is the promotion exam to the highest class the Senior class 3. I was burning the candles at both ends just to make up for lost times or wasted times, those times I have used playing table tennis, fighting or chasing troubles. I am game in all subjects except mathematics, I recall selling my mathematics notebook in Junior class 1, i thought to be in Secondary school meant you can choose the subjects you want study so i can do away with mathematics for good but Mr. Oyemade used his cane to reset my brain till I saved enough to buy another notebook as I could not bring myself into telling Maami, she is the only person on earth that I can't lie to, except Remi of course. I was suffering from what i later learned to be dyscalculia and dyslexia. Writing distresses me, it is like writing or thinking about writing causes some ink or chemical dry up in my brain. I remembered the first time I wrote a full page on my notebook copying from the blackboard back in primary five, sitting beside me was Remi. She was writing effortlessly, I could not appear to be lazy so I kept at it but after writing a full-page, I believe the chemical dried up in my brain, i could not write again. The teacher called me to come forward and explained to him why i stopped copying. I told him with teary eyes i told him, i could not write again but i do not know the reason. The teacher gave me a huge knock on my head with his knuckles, it felt like a crater was created in my skull. I wished i have gotten help at that time. The examination week came and gone without any event, except Liadi that was caught with expo during the geography examination, the poor guy sucks at geography, he once argues that a hill is bigger than a mountain. Fortunately for him, he was not sent off the examination room, he was moved to another seat, just behind me so I had to help a friend in need. After the exam, he hugged me like I was a duvet. After the closing bell on Friday, we all heave a sigh of relief, knowing we are closer to finishing our secondary education, I looked for Remi everywhere to ask about the sciences, she was nowhere. I asked my friends to please help me look for her. Only to be informed that she didn't come to the school for the final examination. I didn't wait for any further explanation I dashed to the road running to her parents' house which is about two kilometers to the school. I didn't even notice that my friends were following me with two of her friends. We got to her house only to discover that she was sick and has been taking to the only health center Our ladies of St' Agnes close to the town center. When we got to the center, I was faced with the problem of which hall or part of the center she was, so we were just roaming the corridors when a reverend sister noticed us. Reverend sister – Hey Kids, God bless you, what are you doing here instead of being in school. All – Good afternoon Ma, we have closed for today ma. Reverend Sister – oh seriously, it is 2 pm o, so why are you here roaming around. Me – one of our classmates was brought here by her parents. Reverend Sister - When and what is her name. All chorused – Remilekun. Reverend sister – Remi okay, please follow me, but I can't take all of you to see her now, can three of you follow me. So I told my friends to stay behind while I went with the other female students. I have never been to a hospital or health center, I have been sick before but Maami will call the nurse to give me an injection at home. So, the environment is a rude shock to me, it was so neat, quiet with some lovely scents coming out of some windows as we passed on the corridors. There is also a gentle breeze rustling the numerous coconut trees around the premises, I have never seen a more peaceful place and I thought this would be a nice place to live or work. The Reverend sister stopped at the entrance of ward six and we entered a large hall like my classroom only that this place was filled with beds and people, the hall has many ceiling fans and mosquito nets on each bed, I ran my eyes around the hall and I couldn't have missed her. Me – There she is. Reverend sister – You have a sharp eye. What's your name? Me - Jagamu Onleowo Reverend sister - haha Patako esin, you are the notorious Jagamu. Remilekun beamed with smiles though her face was laced with tears as we approached her. She asked Jagam, why are you here. Me - I heard that you were sick and you didn't come for the final examination today, with serious concern shown in my voice. I turned back to the reverend sister, thank you for bringing us here ma. Reverend Sister talking to Remi, Remilekun how are you now? make sure you relax don't let this hordes disturb you. Turning to us, please don't disturb her, and you have less than twenty minutes. Jagamu please see me before you go. All chorused, Yes ma, thank you Ma. I reached for Remi's hand and she smiled. Can you see us here at all? Bunmi asked. Remilekun – I am sorry Bunmi, Rolly. You know I can't ignore you Remilekun – Laughing now, so how was the final paper? Me – Fine. But what happened to you, I saw you last night and you were fine, what happened? You got me worried, I mean you got us worried, Bunmi and Rolly started laughing. I asked them, are you not worried. The two friends giggled again. I have learned to ignore people, especially a group of giggling girls. So I kept my cool allowing the girls to have their gossips and catching up about the exam. On my part I was just imagining what was wrong with the other people on the beds, and telling myself how long have they been on the bed, it is a big deal for a restless soul like me. It was Bunmi that remembered I was still on the seat. Bunmi - Jagam, you are still here? Me - was I not the one that lead the two of you to this place, don't just include me in your gossip or else I will give you your size. I winked at Remi. Rolly - Jagamu, alpha omni-know the way, don't you have shame? you want to fight in the hospital. Me - Is it written anywhere here that, please do not fight here. By the way, this is a Health center not a hospital. Thinking aloud, a hospital could be bigger than this? Remi - smiling,( in a mocking tone) Professor Jagam, please tell us the difference between a health center and a hospital. Me - I don't know, I just feel there should be a difference between the two. Fortunately, a nurse was passing by on the corridor, I ran after her. Me - Aunty good afternoon Ma, Nurse - Yes good afternoon, how can I help you? Me - I and my friends were arguing about the difference between a health center and a hospital. Nurse - what's your name? Me - Jagamu. Nurse - Give me a few minutes, let me complete what I am doing, I will be back for you. Ten minutes later, she entered into our hall. Me - Thank you, how did you know I am in this hall ?. Nurse - I saw you entering back into this ward. Rolly - what's a ward? Nurse - this building is called a ward, not a hall, a ward is a place where sick people are placed for treatment or observation. Now Jagamu back to your question, basically a health center is a place where sick people go to for treatment without placing them on admission. In some places it is called a clinic while a hospital is a more organized, bigger and specialized place that has more departments than a health center. Me - Thank you ma, trying to cut the discussion, since I Have gotten what I wanted. There is a difference between the two. Nurse - Jagamu, that is a weird name. Is it an alias. Remi - ( not allowing me to respond). It is his name, real name. His mother said there was a heavy Gunshot immediately he was born, Jagamu was the sound made by the gunshot. Moreover he was troublesome right from the time he came out. Me - Don't mind her ma, Maami said it was a gun salute. Nurse - interesting as she was, walking away, you know you can change it later in life. All chorused - Thank you aunty. Bunmi and Rolly stood up to go, I told them that I am not ready. Within me I was thinking how could I go without knowing what happened to Remi. Rolly is a witch, she knew what I was waiting for. she blurted out, you plan to stay so that you can pester her till she tells you what went wrong with her. Me - how is that your concern, don't you know your way back. You can go, I'm not ready. I stood up to hold the side of the bed like a baby holding on to her mother's leg. Remi - Jagam I have menstrual pains. Me - I dropped back to my seat in shock. Why, how, what causes that. The two girls hung to themselves as they laugh their hearts out. Remi - she saw the shock in me, Haha Jagamu, don't you know your biology again. when I said you should attend classes, you'll be out playing table tennis. Me - coming back to my senses, I remember we have been taught female menstrual cycle, I had to sound tough to save face,-hey hey, don't start that, I know the menstrual cycle, that 28 days a month experience Bunny - Remi, leave him, he can't understand. Remi - the nurses said, the pain is caused by a chemical called prostaglandin released in the womb. So are you satisfied now? Me - when are you going back home? Remi - the doctor is coming back this evening, the nurse said I will be discharged when he comes. We left Remi on her bed and proceeded to the reception hall where my friends were supposed to be, they were nowhere around so I concluded they have gone home. I got outside and someone whistled at me from above obviously my friends had climbed the coconut trees when it is obvious there are no ripe nuts on the trees. I wonder if there is anything these ones cannot do fun, I just ignored them and proceeded to Maami's shop I couldn't be bothered by them, my crush is sick. Remi was discharged later that evening. The next day was a Saturday, Maami has taught us that Saturdays are for cleaning the house, doing laundries and revision of what was taught during the week while Sundays are for church and Godly activities. So she does not open her shop on Sundays. She makes sure we attend Sunday School in the morning and the church service would not end until 1 pm or later. The next few weeks were fun-filled as end of session activities were rive in the school, sports, cultural display and the almighty award day. The last day of the term and session when all the parents, guardians, clergy and all school patron come to the school for the mega party and award participation. As usual I and my friends are always onlookers or at best chaperone, standing at the gate to scare away trouble makers from other schools. With our perennial poor performance it would be a miracle to win any award. Right from my primary school days I have struggled with writing, I just write little that can make me to pass, I don't like taking notes in the class because for reasons I do not fathom, writing causes me distress so I prefer to sit and listen to the teachings and so far that has been working for me. |
crossfm:Many thanks for the encouragement, I have started using Grammarly, which should take care of the tenses. |
collinsuchendu:Welcome on board, my friend. |
ashatoda:Welcome, i will try. |
Smartmed:Welcome, on board. Concerning, plagiarism i do not know how to deal with that too. I hope i will get the necessary help if there is such concern later on. |
Oloniyan:Welcome on board, I think it is a pan-yoruba word. may be it diffused from the quoted origin. |
Olalekank:Welcome on board, i recognise you from the other thread. |
Back at the school later in the afternoon, I hooked up with Remi who was waiting for me in one of the empty junior classes. Our favorite rendezvous. I met her reading the old vintage magazine series Hint. Me - Hello Remi – where have you been ? Me – I have been to London now, Remi – Has anybody from your family been to London, London Ko, Jandon ni. Me – stuttering, Remi, it is only you that can speak to me like that, Do not worry, I will take you to London one day and you will remember this your statement. Remi – Are you angry? By the way where is my better lover magazine that I gave to you last week. Me- I have not finished reading it, when I finish it I will return it. Remi – Liar, That’s a lie, I saw the magazine with Abdol earlier. Are you lying to me now? Me – You know I can not lie to you now, ok, I was done with it but Abdol wants to copy some lines from it. Do not worry, I will get it back from him tomorrow. What’s happening in the hint today? Remi – Just the usual lovey-dovey stories now. When are you having your next subject this evening. Remi is the science class While I am in the art class. Me – I have government in the next 15 minutes but I think I have a table tennis bet with Durotoye before then. Remi – Can’t you do without tennis in a day, must you bet. Jagam don’t play tennis this evening, go to your class and relax before the next subject. Me – Leave me jare, you are not maami. Please wait behind for me after close of lesson, let’s go home together. Remi – If you play tennis, I will not wait for you. Me – If you don’t wait, I will unleash Wakili on you, she smiled as she knows I can not do that, but she did not say anything again as she stood up to go back to the science class. Some of her jealous female friends call her Jagam because she is close to me. I still wonder why a good natured and beautiful girl like Remi will be a friend to a ‘rough neck’, ‘red head’ like me. |
Mr Odiein – Sit down students, who can tell me the english names of these crops, Oriza Sativa. Some voices at the back – Mimo. Mr Odiein – discorea alata. Same set of voices - Mimo. I noticed it was Wakili and Abdol. I mouthed at them , what are you doing, what is wrong with your head? Mr. Odiein – Discorea rotundata, Zea mays, Medicago Sativa Wakili and Abdol – (loudly now) Mimo, Mimo, Mimo ni olorun awon omo ogun, meaning holy, holy holy is the lord of host. Mr Odiein – Who are those miscreants ? He looked at my straight face, J.J stand up, who are those ?. Me – I don’t know sir. Mr Odiein- Ok come out here, he started rolling his write sleeve. When some one shouted, it’s not him Sir. Remi – Sir, It was Wakili and Abdol. Fortunately, the two of them stood up same time to confess that they thought the teacher was speaking in tongues. The teacher took them out for some serious cane lashing. During the first break Liadi confided in me that while the rest of the students were having the morning devotion, himself and Abdol were in the jungle enjoying a experiments, smoking wet Oshogbo weeds and Wakili came to join them after the devotion. The two came back to the class later in the afternoon after they have been made to cut almost half of the foot ball pitch under the sun, they were angry, hungry and grumpy. To make peace, I told them we are going to Maami shop for our Lunch break if they promise to forget what Remi did. Wakili – J.J why are you always covering this girl now.? Abdol – She does not even mind you, let us put your fear in her for once. Me – Do we have a deal or you want to go hungry for the whole day, we do not fight girls or over girls. Always remember that. All- Let’s go to Maami’s shop. Maami has a Worobo, the local variety shop, it’s only cat’s head you can’t find in her shop, it is the proceed from the shop that caters for two kids and herself. Abdol cannot keep a secret, the other time his dad shot at a man who was trying to trespass on his cocoa farm. Abdol announced it to the whole class that his dad shot at a man and missed. He gave a full download of what transpired in the morning to Maami, he dare not mention the weed part otherwise Maami will chase him out of the shop. She once beat all of us with omorogun- stirring stick. Later in the afternoon, I was seated with my friends when one haughty student from the Community high school passed by, there is unending, sometimes bitter rivalry between my school L.A secondary Grammar school and Community high school. This rivalry resonates from generation past till date with no known cause despite the fact that they were established same year and located directly opposite each other on major highway that crossed our town, sometimes the two schools are called the sister schools. The local government has banned football matches between the school because it always end in Fracas. win, lose or draw there will always be blood. Some matches had resulted in a town wide riot that mobile police unit were deployed from Ibadan to quell it. I shouted at the boy, Ebaosofo, His name is kazeem but we prefer to call him ebaosofo obeosoro, because he loves food, there was an incident where he went for an owambe party that he was not invited to, he was informed that there is no meat in the soup again, he said obeosoro meaning soup is not an issue just give me the eba and put the remaining soup even it is just the oil. He has been bearing the consequence since then. Kazeem looked back and shouted back kolero Jagamu and he picked race. My crew wanted to chase him but I have gotten used to the Kolero tag that it doesn’t bother me again. In my second year in Junior school, I had a fight with another student who wanted to cheat me out of winnings in table tennis, I threw the tennis racket at him and he collapsed but for the speedy response of the Physical education teacher who was trained in first-aid response the boy would have died. I spent 3 days in the police station, served two weeks suspension from school and my mother had to write several letters of apology to the parent teachers association, the school’s board and the local inspector of education, before I was recalled. Afterwards I started hearing rumors that the boy said I hit him with a Juju ring. So the name Kolero( meaning no cure when hit with the juju ring) was added to my name, I fought it for awhile but my mother advised that I should let it go otherwise it will lead to more fight and more troubles. Kazeem fled but came back with some boys threatening to cause troubles for my maami if I do not come out to face them, Maami went out of the shop to plead with them because she knew trouble is brewing. I sent Wakili and Liadi to go through the back of the shop and surround them from the back while I told Abdol ( he is always the smooth talker) to go with Maami. They were still shouting at Abdol and Maami when the two brutes hollered from their back. Where are they ?, the boys recognized those voices and fled in different directions like rats at the site of the resident cat. Maami came back to the shop and started scolding me for almost starting a fight in her shop. She said, she would drag us to the police station by herself if we fight again. |
I dashed to the assembly point with my bag still strapped on, not a new thing though. All students must gather at the assembly point for songs and prayers for the day by 8am. Mondays to Thursdays are for Christians prayers while Fridays are exclusively for Muslims. I looked round for my guys, only Wakili is around, we call him Wakili ijesha. The other two boys, Liadi, oko-iya Oyo and Abdol Bororo are not around yet and I know where they would be. The group of friends which consist of myself J.J, Wakili, Liadi and Abdol are known as Patako Esin, the Horse’s hoof, it started as derisive name because of our hard stance, naughtiness, dirtiness and bully disposition. But with time we bear the name with pride because we believed it radiates it radiates strength. I am the De facto leader of the group, Wakili and Liadi are the scare face bouncers while Abdol is the negotiator, smooth talker. On the other hand the teachers call us Jagamu and Co because we are always together. Immediately after the morning devotion, Wakili disappeared, it is easy to notice he is missing because we all sit at the back of the class. He reappeared thirty minutes later with our other friends. Just as I was about to ask them why were they all sweaty, the Agriculture Master came in. Good morning Sir, the class chorused, standing straight, not out of respect for the man but for the big cane he always carry with him. |
oluwatosin070:Welcome on board |
Luchiano54:Yes, it is a small world. |
Chapter one. Teenage life, blushes and Blunders. I have a vague picture of who my father was as I was very small. 4 years old when he went ‘away’ that was the word my mother used when I asked my mother as I had not seen him for days, Don’t worry Jagamu, she said with tears in her eyes, your father has gone away, but he is always with you and she entered into all the lineage greetings called Oriki. When I grew up a little I learnt he died during the 1993 election saga. He has finished from school, fresh from serving his nation in the national youth service corp, but his former school Great Ife students’ union invited him to join in their protest march against the military as was rive in the days. He went to the protest march but never came back as he was hit by a ‘ground nut’ from an unknown soldier, to cover up their track of death they always take the corpses of their victims. It was an anticlimax that my father died that way because his older brother was already a Major in the Army. I was informed that he tried a lot to retrieve the corpse but the powers that be, wouldn’t yield. He left the burden of two kids to a young woman. Mother took up the challenge with both knuckles, she resigned from the teaching job she had so she could have time for us, more so the teachers have been owed several months of salaries by the military junta. She started selling varieties of product in front of our house. One would expect my mother to be soft on us, as myself and my sister are all she got but no, she is a strict disciplinarian. I recall one day that she gave me a mathematics assignment in Lacombe textbook telling me to finish up before she comes back from market. She came back to found out that I have not only failed to finish the assignment the little I did was all incorrect, she beat me to the extent my sister was begging her not to kill me, one sweet thing is she will beat you and as you are crying she will be crying letting you know that she does not enjoy beating you but she must do it for you to become a better person. My name is Jagamu Onleowo, born in iseyin, a rusty brown roof houses dominated town in Oyo state. Life in my town is very rural and basic, we had few needs which are access to water, a market to sell and once in a while owambe party so that we can eat lots of meat. Iseyin oro, oko oke, ……., that was my mom giving me ancestral greetings as I prostrated for her, the usual way of greeting an older person in Yoruba land. My mother would delay me by long eulogy early in the morning and still complained that I am slow in the early house chores and consequently get to the school late, but I have learnt my lessons, or should I say the lesson has been inscribed into my skull by Mr Odiein’s cane. So this morning I quickly got up before my mother finishes all the greetings, I picked up my bucket to get to the government well. There is one bore hole drilled by the Honorable Sonari, that is the man representing Iseyin local government in the Oyo state house of Assembly. The bore hole was commissioned with pomps and pageantry, the whole state government executive and legislative apparatus led by the Governor himself came to my street to commission this bore hole called constituency project. The opposition figures made a big joke of it that we are still spending scarce fund to commission just a bore hole in the 21st century. But who cares, I don’t have to trek 5 km to River Mokuro to get water every morning again. At the bore hole point, which is just like 2 plots of houses to mine, I met the usual faces, Folake omo iya alate (Folake the daughter of the woman that sells provisions), Remi (my crush), Booda Kunle (Brother Kunle, who just finished his national youth service.) Me – Folly, Good morning, Remi, Remi, hope you are fine, Booda Kunle, Good morning Sir, slightly bending to greet him. Booda Kunle – Jagamu the Jagamu, hope you are good, morning this morning. Me – I’m fine Sir. Folake- is it me you are calling Folly, am I your mate ?. Folake is two years older than I am. I just ignored her, Folake and Booda Kunle filled their buckets and left leaving me and Remi, who just stood around with a straight face, i filled her bucket and mine. Me – Remi you didn’t wait for me after lesson yesterday. After school hours, we do have extra mural classes arranged by the teachers to collect extra fees. Remi – Leave me alone, did you even wait for the last subject, you were out playing table tennis. Me – But I was still around the school at least. Remi – she lifted her bucket with the right hand and raised her left palm, meaning - talk to my hand. On getting home, mother was already fuming with anger, so you mean, this is the first bucket you are bringing back. Me – Maami, I am sorry. Maami – Keep the sorry to yourself, Quickly fetch two more buckets for me and you can go for your bath. If you like take for-ever for the two buckets, just know Mr Odiein and Agbaakin are still there. I am lucky today, I entered the school gate at 0758Hr, just one minute before the bell rang. I met the punctuality and the labor prefects at the gate, the look on their face suggests that they wish I am one minute late. That will for-ever be a wish as I know my ways, My name is Jagamu Jungle, J.J for short. I know all the manned and unmanned, legal and illegal entrances to the school, the illegal and unmanned entrances are called Jungles. Any day that you see me at the gate, just know that I am on time. Other days I use the jungle routes, some of them so obscured that only few people know about them. But myself and my cliques know the route like the palms of our hands. |
[b][/b] Hello, House I am Quaint Soknown, a would be writer. I salute the erudite writers who has been given us fluent and copious stories to read in this section. This is my first attempt of writing a book so i will appreciate your comments and commendations. The story is about the life and times of a boy, right from childhood to adulthood, his passions, challenges and triumph. He is the indomitable Jagamu Onleowo, the reknowned Jagam-Buller in the military circle, a bully with consciense, a scholar, a loving man, a fierce friend, a true patriot that was ready to die for his country. He was many things in one body. His base was rural but his reach was global because he is the Jagam-Buller. Genre, Reali-fiction. ( yes i know, it is a new word) that will one day find its way into the oxford dictionary. Do not worry, you will remember you heard it first on this thread. Disclaimer - ''This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual places and events however real, is purely coincidental.'' '' No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the writer'' qs. 2020
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Please allow me to break the news here, i have started working on a book, a reali-fiction (whatever that really means). I will post the thread here on Nairaland's Literature section, i will put the link on this thread. Thank you to everyone that has read my Journal, the journal continues because i just got to April 2019. Starting this journal has really taught me some personal lessons which i will take into the next project. I appreciate everyone who has read and commended me for the write-up despite obvious inadeqaucies, I have never written a story before. You will agree with me that the year has been an unusual year, time to do unusual things. So this is the new story in my signature. Modified. https://www.nairaland.com/5801826/jagam-buller-soldier-boy
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Luchiano54:Oh okay, how are you keeping? You know i had to go back to read all that i have written so far to make sure i did not reveal anyone's identity un-necessarily. |
ambo1:Thanks, may be my alter ego is feminine. |
Smartmed:Most people start to search for house two to three months ahead, before their present tenancy expires. |
About 32,000 deaths, that's like a football stadium size of people gone. It's a serious problem. If this step back fires, who will trump blame. May be UN. |
collinsuchendu:Lolz. |
My wife went for the IOM with the children after she has scheduled an appointment and paid the necessary fee. As usual she with IOM, she met a mammoth crowd in the hall. She was given the form to fill, she got to the point where she needed to put the address of the place she is going. She didn't know which address to put, she called me but i was at work. i usually put my phone on silence on the ward unless i have critical time bound medications that i need to set personal alarms for. She was calling for like 30 minutes, no reply from her man. Anger was setting in. My first break was between break was between 1015hr and 1030hr, sitting down for the first time since i resumed in the morning, i checked my phone, i was alarmed with the number of missed calls, i dashed out to call her. If i were in her shoes, i would be boiling with rage too. I am sorry could do a lot in a relationship so says a wise man, she became calm. Now the dilemma, should i give her the present address knowing that i will move out before she comes over, i decided to give her the Hospital's address, that is not changing anytime soon, moreover it is the address on the CoS. She did the x-ray and the children were examined but not subjected to x-ray. The x-ray report was reviewed by the physician attached to the agency and certificate issued to them with the special instruction not fold or allow the certificate to be wrinkled. In the evening, it was my turn to be angry when she told me she used motor bike on Mobolaji bank-anthony way as she was going back home with the children. How, why i mean four people on a bike, i was outraged, but i remembered i have done that in the past too. It is amazing how human mind can select what to remember or forget, whichever one that is convenient. I have a tripartite lifestyle now, go to work, come back home, go for agency work. Work on the ward is becoming more convenient, recently SASH increased the bank rate, so you earn almost what you will earn working with agencies so i decided to stick with doing bank shifts on my ward or some familiar wards. Working on the ward started becoming routine-like with few surprises now and then but overall manageable. The hierrachy of the ward has changed. The ward that i met when i resumed is not the substantive manager, The substantive manager has been on Marternity leave, due to come back fully in April, so she resumed 18 hours/week shift in March to ease her re-introduction into scheme of things. In April the matron who is her boss resigned, the substantive ward manager then applied for the matron post and she got it. So the position of the ward manager was then advertized openly, we expected that the person that has been standing in as the ward manager to apply for the post, but she declined, she said she does not want it, quite surprising. she said being a substantive ward manager will detract her career trajectory. So the band six lady that i worked with on my first day, applied and got the job, the lady that was standing in as the manager reverted to band six, quite strange. Spring was upon us, i started having issues with my eyes, itchy, watery eyes, could not see well, some says it was hay fever, but i know usually have hay fever, it was not like this. I went to Spec-savers, got my eyes checked, did well on the tests but not well enough, would need some augmentation, simply glasses. So i have to select a frame, paid for it and they will put the glasses in it to be collected at a later date. The glasses made me look like a village headmaster but since they do not know what a village headmaster look like here they started calling me Professor because of the glass and the name stuck like glue. I went back to the market looking for a house, a two bedroom apartment to rent in anticipation of my family. I renewed my registration with the letting agencies and online sites. Some landlords would say, they do not want fmaily with Children, some no children less than 10. No pets No smokers. All sort of conditions. Finally i got one very close to the town center, very lovely neighborhood. I booked viewing with the agent. I called on my friend to view it with me, to view through the 'ladies' eye. It was a very good apartment on St anne's road, two bdroom with free parking space, good energy rating, lovely non communal backyard garden, all £950 it was too good to be true. I told the agent i will see her in the office tomorrow and pay the withholding fee. I called her the following morning to check if she is in the office already only to be told that someone paid the with holding fee last night. I was furious with myself. I continued searching. I got another very good one, not close to the town center but close to a good school at £1100/cm, i inspected it alone with the agent, i love it so i paid for the withholding fee immediately, i do not want a repeat of what happened at the house on St anne's road. i got all the necessary forms. I sent out the reference forms, some came back after few days, after a week. the land lord said he is travelling so he would not have time to complete the process. so my money will be returned to me. I was dissapointed but kept searching...... |
Iruosonobrugwhe:If you apply together, then you have to travel almost together, reason- you have to travel within some days of receiving your visa. So that you can meet up with the collection of your Brp. You can not collect on anyone's behalf. You have to consider accommodation also. Having family with you could be a big support base for you as you prepare for the exam or it could be a big distraction. No two circumstances are the same. |
Luchiano54:Thanks for your comment, when did you arrive and are you in Surrey. |
Chi59:You are right, It is an emotional blackmail. Making critical live decision while sky-diving with all the adrenaline blaring away. they expect someone to jump in on a moving bandwagon because someone is on his knee and in front of camera, Kudos to Ladies that have 'man' up and walked away. What happens to the ol' fashioned way of sitting down to discuss your future together. These days if it is not on camera, glam and gram, it is audio. |
I continued with my agency work in my spare time. I registered with another agency, this one is in Redhill, a stone-throw to my house as a matter of fact. Smartheart Professionals, this one seems to be more organised than the first agency that i was working with. I send my availability to them and they would book me on available shifts. A particular day in February at the height of Winter, i got a shift in Sunrise of Purley. A posh nursing and residential home in Purley, (one of the popular sunrise and gracewell homes.) I left home 0625hr to catch the 0630hr Bus 405 to Croydon. It takes about 28 minutes to reach Purley from Redhill. I have disembarked and walking to the Nursing home before i was jolted back to reality, i had no beanie and no gloves, the wind was strong and billowing in serious fury driving the winter cold into my bones. I trekked for just 5 minutes but it seem like eternity, when i got the home and wanted to sign, my fingers were gone, my ears were like dried leaves. I sat down in the warmth of the office for some minutes to get the blood flowing again, Signed in, got the hand-over, grabbed a cup of tea, and started work. At close of business, i trekked to the bus-stop but missed the bus, i had to wait for another hour before the next bus comes, a dilemma should i walk back to the home and come back when it is about time for the next bus or stay hoping another bus by stroke of luck get diverted to the bus-stop. Against better judgement, i decided to wait stupidly at the bus-stop, hammered by the wind and shaking like a leaf, i tried everything. Physiology ( deliberately initiating shivering to generate some heat), Ergonomics (leaving only oneleg exposed, sitting on the other one, chemistry( pooling saliva in my mouth,warming it up with my tongue before swallowing unfortunately no Costas in place i could have gone for some coffe) Psychology ( positive thinking, i am not cold, i am not cold turning into song, singing with gnashing teeth and shivering lips.) all in a bid to stay warm. Well the bus came 10 minutes late, I was looking at the poor driver like where have you been all this while dude. I learnt to always have my beanie and gloves in my bag. |
Olalekank:Please tell them. |
Chuchu27:Thank you. |
collinsuchendu:People like you would start missing Nigeria after 6 months. No place like home, my friend. |
Yemisih:It is possible, but you will not be able to use the accommodation provided by the trust for the family. I have a friend that came with hubby and daughter. She stayed in the accommodation but the family was with her relatives in another town. After the OSCE, she got a house for the family to move back together. Her daughter was schooling in the other town during the OSCE, when the family moved in together, she got another school for her. It's government responsibility to provide school for the children once you have made the application. I have another friend that moved with her son, no relatives. Before she came, she has identified with a church, church members helped her to secure accommodation and sometimes helped her to look after the son when she was preparing for OSCE. She quickly got a car, because she was from a Caribbean country that drive same way as UK, she was still using her home country driving driving license. My point is, everything is possible, it all depends on your level of support. |
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is how you deal with plagiarism because am very sure the moment this story hits chapter4 it becomes hot cake fir silly bloggers looking for content
