The gentleman gave quite a speech because the applause was deafening. “Did you Notice that young man” asked Doris. “Which one” I pretended not to know who she was referring to “the one with the ash suit, mr dimples” I faced her and said “oh now you have nick named him mr dimples” we chatted and joked all the way home. Before we separated to our respective lodge I told her ” don’t dream about mr Dimples he is far from our league”. She laughed and said “I thought you didn’t notice”.
Life continued for me, God gave me favor everywhere I went. My past became only a sad memory. Aunty christy opened two more business centers and ask me to run one of them. She told me I was good luck but I knew God blessed her because she was a kind soul.
( It is more blessed to give than toreceive).
I blossomed into an attractive woman, God made me an envy among my peers. Having excellent grades made me the favorite of all the lecturers. I didn’t have time to Date in school, guys were even afraid to approach me. They see me as a nerd. I have a set routine, from class to work and later to church.
Years past without me noticing and at long last I was a graduate of the Amadu Bello university. Aunty christy was there to share my joy. I cried for joy and for my parents who were not able to witness this happy moment of my life.
While waiting for my call up letter to NYSC, My long awaited prayers for aunty christy finally came through. She met the love of her life and she was getting married. I was so happy for her. She has been my rock all this years therefore I took it upon myself to plan her wedding. Her family resides atlagos so we had to travel to lagos for the traditional and white wedding.
Six years ago I left lagos as a young girl. Now am returning as a grown woman. “Did I really want to visit the place that held such sad memories” my answer is No but aunty christy needs me. “So lagos here we come”
Lagos didn’t change, still the same hustling and bustling. We arrived late at night but everywhere was still busy unlike Zaria that is usually very quiet at this late hour.
We would be staying with aunt christy’s uncle, he would give her away since her dad is no more. Her mum was already at the gate waiting for our arrival. The moment she saw us she ran and hugged her daughter, not to long we were surrounded my her family. They didn’t seem like strangers to me because I have heard a lot about them. But I was a stranger to them so aunt christy took me round and introduced me to the entire family.
Plans for the wedding was on full gear. I took time to ensure nothing was left out. I focused on the wedding but my mind wandered sometimes to the Badmos family. ” How are they doing How is yinka, Has chief come back toNigeria” I wondered.
One afternoon I decided to visit them. Aunt christy said she would follow me and we went. We got to the house. I could not knock or ring the bell, I was scared. Christy noticed and decided to do it herself. She rang the bell three times before someone came to answer.
“Hello how may I help you” a teenage voice said. I had already turned backwards because I was not sure who would answer the bell. I turned to face the speaker ” please am looking for Chief Badmos resident, am I at the right place”. He said ” I don’t know anyone by that name that stay’s on this street”. He told us to wait so he could ask his mum.
He came back with his mum who explained to us that the former tenant finished their own building and transferred there. ” Do you have the address please I asked” she said shedidn’t have the address. We thanked her and left.
Not meeting the Badmos family was a big disappointment to me because I wanted to thank chief and even his wife for their help years back.
The day of the introduction came. A lot was still left unfinished and I was really busy. I rushed to the market to get some things. On coming back I saw a lot of cars packed outside “oh my God am late” I said to myself. I rushed to go inside the gate to prepare myself for the ceremony.
The next thing I know ” I was pushed backwards and I fell.
Who was this person that is careless not to have been careful with the gate. I was ready to give the person a piece of my mind. ” Didn’t you know you ought to be careful with the gate, you almost killed me”
I looked up and it was mr Dimples.
Stay tuned for more…..