DREAMS PART 1

The big and luxurious lobby was now getting busy with dignitaries of all kinds; it was when the senate President’s entourage arrived that I knew I was in the right place with the right people. Governors, ministers and their wives were all in attendance. Power and influence were at par this faithful day.

Senator Osawumi Tunde (OSA) as popularly called when finding his way to the top had always had the courage of a leader. Reading his biography written by one of the topmost writers in town Dr. Ajadi Iyiola, one would know he was far from silver spoon while he was born. He really was born with no spoon. His contest to the national assembly was with many hassles including an election tribunal,

all which ended in his favour anyway.

His person can be felt like Jesus entering into Jerusalem. That was the closest I’ve been with him. He looked towards me and I bowed to show some respect though I am older than him. Other dignitaries respected him also. He is really the number three citizen of the country. His wife looked beautifully elegant. Stare not for long else you might see no more. She radiated the beauty of the first in the man and with her by his side you know he is really presiding over senators. Then I knew rich people know themselves, also their wives. One peculiar thing is the smile they keep, like they have no problems. Though it looked plastic but you can’t but do it, so I started smiling also.

Exchanging pleasantries with ourselves and the champagne been rolled in trays, I watched my thoughts not to flow in a different realm from others. It was obviously a groove of the Whos’ but the question is who is making it happen?

They all had surnames that appear on Google for holding one position or the other in this country. What would you expect in terms of security? All I thought of was which day would I mount the seat of power in my own nation. Designers were supposed to see the glamour of their designs in the rich and know it was not really meant for everybody. The reporters were trying to capture every part of the drama and a live broadcast was inevitably uninterrupted but in a short while, the real drama was to begin.

I excused myself to the gents to get prepared. The master of ceremony has already started to greet his way to the stage and then I was off. I washed my face as I saw on TV and clean from a sheet of tissues that was beside the sparkling ceramics. I knew I would soon experience the greatest applaud in my life and from tomorrow, I would be a force to reckon with in this country. Nigeria has tortured me and now it was my turn to torture Nigerians. I checked myself in the mirror and I was looking so neat.

Opening the door I saw the wife of the defense minister, she has just ended a call, Francis she called me: that’s my first name I thought but I wasn’t angry. Answered like I was expecting her to know me and told her how well I like policies her husband just introduced into the force we laughed over my broad knowledge a little before she started complementing my book. She said she has been told by many how respectful I am and how intelligent I am. Thus she needs me to accept an offer from her. Tell the world my husband is the inspiration behind this writing.

My story is well spelt out and the chapters show glaringly how he grew to be who he is, not a defense minister. He never joined the force and never married a Yoruba woman. Don’t bother yourself too much Francis, as she put her hand on my shoulder. Five million naira she whispered and she was gone. I stood there a little, thinking to myself, would this be one of the obstacles that will affect my rise, not at this time nothing can stop me.

The master of ceremony has introduced some dignitaries. The royal fathers were seated and I was sighted and told in two minutes I would be coming on stage. I remembered my physical and health education teacher. We were thought how to breathe in and out.  I applied that to show no sign of fear in me but I was a little tensed.

Let’s put our hands together for Professor Francis Itohan. With a great applaud and a standing ovation I knew everything was possible just believe. I remembered hours of study to get to this level in life and rejections I‘ve received, now I know the sky cannot even limit me I’m going somewhere if you’re interested let’s glide.

Waving to acknowledge the applause I slowly with a glaring smile climbed the stage to deliver the speech in a writing that would change our nation and Africa in general. With a buzz sound in my ear I turned and discovered it was my alarm it was morning again, almost getting drowned in my sweat, I put on my rechargeable lamp, it was 5.30a.m . The darkness ravaged the whole town but I know if I don’t get out of that bed I’m losing livelihood. The senate president, defense minister’s wife, royal fathers, designer clothes, governors were all dreams.

I felt like going back to sleep but I knew for that dream to be actualized I need to be awake. I rushed three blocks around the corner to get a bucket of water to follow the custom of ablution.

Queued a little to get a space in the bathroom and the normal dress code never changes, off I am to catch a bus and the day just started. At the junction the long bus (molue) was already slowing down and the shouts of ojodu Berger produced so much noise. I got on the bus with my usual standing position finding my way to get a seat at every bus stop and failed till I got to work.

The office has not changed only one thing changed that day, I had a parcel on resumption and then I knew I was acculturated to the company personnel and the identity I got would make my whole morning. Now I know I am a full staff and nothing can stop it again. People now know me with my place of work and parcel can be delivered to me at work, because my house really had no address. A step at a time walking to my department and waving with the hand of parcel while tearing it, a letter this long should be an admission in all these schools I’ve applied to but why my company’s letter headed. Then I felt the chill of pain flow through me and the words read carefully:

We regret to announce to you that your services would not be required in this company any longer. This is the board’s directive and all entitlements would be paid. The papers for your payment are enclosed in the parcel delivered to you we wish you luck in your future endeavors

Signed

Thomas yori

 NB: i wish to apologize to all my readers that I've been distracted lately by another assignment which just finished. now I'm back and fully prepared to share the stories. good guys would continue after this series.... thanks for your understanding. i love you all