Story: True Life Story Of An Addict

8 years ago

Story: True Life Story Of An Addict

Me: Better. So, where are you?

Osas: At work. Where else would I be?

Me: Dunno. I am at work too, though bored.

Osas: Bored? Why?

Me: I don’t look the part today and I can’t explain the source of this boredom.

Osas: Don’t worry. It’s one of those things we face at work. You’ll get over it.

Me: Hopefully. Tell me, what are you doing this weekend? Do you work?

Osas: Work on weekends? Of course not! I am always indoors: cleaning, cooking, washing and preparing for the next working days.

Me: That sounds more like me!

Osas: Is that what you do too?

Me: Exactly: clean, eat, wash, sleep…repeat process again!

Osas: Hahahaha. Funny you.

Me: What do you say about we hanging out one weekend?

Osas: Hmmmmm. Where?

Me: What is that? It will be in your house of course, not mine.

Osas: Can’t we meet in any eatry? There are so many of them around us.

Me: No. I prefer a secluded place. So, I think your house will be better.

Osas: I have to think about that ooo…cos I can’t remember the last time a guy came to visit me.

Me: Don’t worry, I won’t stay long. I will be out of there before you say Jack…

Osas: We’ll see about that. I hope you’ll manage my place. I don’t have the best apartment.

Me: I don’t care. Even if you live in a single room, so long it’s your own, I am ok.

Osas: It’s ok then.

Me: This Sunday then, after church.

Osas: Ha? That fast?

Me: The earlier the better.

Osas: What do you mean?

Me: Just kidding. You choose the time then.

Osas: Hmmmm. It’s ok, Sunday after church. But please call me when you’re coming, ok?

Me: You bet!

Osas: Alright.

I felt relieved. Life returned to my state and I started glowing. Happiness swallowed up my boredom. I can’t wait for weekend to come. I called it WOW (Weekend of Wonders). Since that time, I started looking forward to seeing Osas. Well, not for anything ooooo. It’s just the chance to meet a ‘friend’, *coughs* that’s all. I planned my movements already. I am deleting my browsing history with Deola permanently on Saturday. I hope she’ll accept and move on. But one thing I couldn’t explain was the strange feeling of joy whenever I imagined myself beside Osas. “Femi what’s happening to you?” I heard my heart cry out. My mind was made up to quit this player life, and I am serious about it. I deleted Mary’s number off my phone, same thing with Cynthia’s and all other girls I ever had any fling with, whose contacts I still keep. I was left with Deola’s and Osas’ number. I intend to keep Deola’s number still because I respect and love her courage. In spite of all my harsh behaviours, she kept her cool and was composed. Well, probably she sees it as a punishment for what she did to me or as a means to win me back. The former seemed reasonable. There are women like that who are sincerely sorry for their actions and are ready to take any punishment measured out. The latter however, is a forgone conclusion. There is no turning back now. I can’t walk that road with her again; no; not anymore.

A man is a man,
A race, a race;
I’ve done the best I can,
Let’s see who dictates the pace!

I am a Negro to the bone,
This is my life, not your own;
Love ravaged in a cage,
Next chapter, turn the page.

I may not be a sage,
Cos I am yet of an old age;
High up the mountain I climbed,
Listening to a melodious chime.

Away from this miry life,
A life I got stabbed with knife;
Please put all the blame on me,
Wetin my eyes dey find na im e see.

I closed from work on Friday around 1pm. When I got home, I noticed that the supermarket was fully opened again for business after some weeks of opening and closing, apparently in honour of Ini or something I know not off. I would have gone to sympathize with Ini’s bereaved family had she allowed me follow her home that night. So, getting her address was a bit difficult for coupled with my resumption. Finally, I had the chance to speak to one of the girls who told me all I need to know,

Dora: Good afternoon sir.

Me: Thank you. Do you know me?

Dora: Yes I do (she looked around to see if her madam is anywhere near). You are Ini’s boyfriend.

Me: How did you know that?

Dora: (She smiled) She told us of course. There is no day she doesn’t mention your name or talk about you.

Me: Is that so? Tell me, do you know her home address.

Dora: Don’t tell me you don’t know.

Me: You see, it’s very complicated. She won’t allow me come to her house.

Dora: Eeyah. I know her house.

Me: Can you tell me please?

She gave me her address and I decided to go there that same day. I said some prayers before leaving home. I asked God to teach me when to talk and when to keep quiet. I left home around 4pm cos I figured her sister would have been home by then.

I was right. I saw her sitting outside under a canopy in company of two elderly men. I moved closer and greeted them. She answered politely and said some good words. She called out someone from inside the house who showed me the way inside.

Ini’s Sister: I will join you soon please.

Ini’s Sister: Thank you for coming sir. I don’t think I’ve seen you before.

Me: You’re right ma. My house is close to Ini’s shop. I am sorry for your loss ma.

Ini’s Sister: My brother… what can I do? That’s the way God wants it.

Me: May God be with the bereaved family.

Ini’s Sister: Amen. Thank you for your kindhearted gesture.

Should I tell her that Ini was my girlfriend? Ha? I don’t think that will be wise of me; no, not in this kind of sorrow-filled and temper-heightened environment. I kept quiet and played along. I was offered a drink which I stylistically rejected. After spending few more minutes, I prepped myself to leave.

Me: I want to start going ma.

Ini’s Sister: Oh, this soon. You didn’t touch your drink too.

Me: Yes ma. And on the drink, I am fasting.

Ini’s Sister: Ok oo. God bless you my brother.

When I got back home that evening, I reflected on my life. King Solomon’s word will for eternity, while the earth remains truth of all truth: “Vanity of vanity, …all is vanity.” I prepared eba that night for my supper. After the meal, I resumed reading my long deserted novel, The Color Purple. I was reading this novel until I slept off. Then I had a dream. A dream about Osas and I. let me cut short the long story, it was a romantic affair. There is definitely an explanation for this: which simply is, sometimes, we dream about what we are thinking. My heart was on Osas whenever the romantic scenes in the novel are narrated. I woke up 3am and coined the following lines. I specifically wrote this down because this looked rather strange to me,

She brought me a joy brand-new,
A feeling beyond dreaming;
Her chat silenced my thoughts,
I became sedated by her flawless beauty.

You brought me out of a melancholic state,
I wish I can have her on date;
She’s more beautiful than Kate,
Silence everyone – my love is not your playmate!

This is not a flattery,
I write what’s on my mind;
I don’t mind exhausting my battery,
As long as you I can find.

Imagine a kingdom with you as the queen,
Imagine me too as the king;
What a fortunate kingdom that would be,
A kingdom blessed with beauty, joy, peace, love and bliss.

My ink is almost dry,
Yet, I’ve got many things to write;
Pardon my simple lines,
It’s meant you alone; take it, it’s all thine!

My heart felt you
My ears heard you
My eyes saw you
My body needs you.

You’ve been my joy
An unbreakable bond
Unsearchable love
Everlasting chord!

Come to my hood,
Let me be your groom;
I want to eat your food,
I wanna be your duke.

You are so amazing,
Gorgeously charming;
Radiantly blazing,
You are so interesting!

The world is filled with billions,
Nigeria has her millions;
Can I make your heart my asylum?
Cos its’ you I have found in this millennium.

Save all these grammar
I no won form ajebutter
I be original pako; no graver
But I sincerely love you – no drama!

Before you start throwing stones, I discarded the feeling after a sober reflection.