The Final Year (vol 1)

Hangout

"I knew something was wrong yesterday but it's okay if you choose not to tell me, I will figure it out eventually. You know I always do" Seyi said as he drove.

I sat beside him in the car trying to control my snickers. I know he is trying to make me spill but am going to let him find out at his own pace.

He is going to find out that his innocent, dear sister is in an arranged marriage with an hotheaded nincompoop.

I have been thinking about what will happen if my brothers finds out or they happen to meet him. Will they  like him? Preferably detest him? Will they recall that he  was that bully in kindergarten that I always tell them about?

Oh my God! What if they knew and they didn't tell me? What if they like him or accept him?

No! I quickly killed the thought, in fact I trampled on it, doused it with gasoline then burned it.

"Teni!" I jumped turning to look at my brother who was staring at me in concern. "You did it again" he said before turning to the road as he drove.

"Did what again?"

"You zoned out... " he pointed out.

"Am alright brother... "

We were heading out, he is going to drop me at Filmhouse Cinema at Mainland, Surulere precisely. Am going to the cinema with Tomi, Femi and Keseina.

Then he will be heading to Olaiya canteen, don't ask me why. He just loves the place.

I stare out through the window, looking at the ever busy and rowdy life of the Lagosians. Everyone was busy with one thing or the other, either buying or selling, talking or shouting.

This is Lagos, there is no dull moment.

My stomach churns as I see kids who should be in school hawking. This is so wrong, I felt my heart break as I saw a little girl not more than seven years running after a moving vehicle just to sell the goods placed on her head.

At times, am scared for my country. If the future of tomorrow is treated this way, what does the future hold for this country? What does the future hold for Nigeria? 

The funny and yet most annoying thing is that our so called leaders always emphasize on the fact that we need young leaders and yet they refuse to leave the position.

The same set of people who led us during independence are still the same set of people who are leading us till now.

Bunch of old, power and money starving fools!

"We are here"

I look up at the cinema trying to see if I could spot my friends in the midst of the people trooping in and out of the large building. I see them standing beside a black Toyota Camry with tinted glass. That must be Femi's ride, he informed me he will pick Tomi and Kesiiena on the way.

"So... Where are your friends?" Seyi asked looking excited. They both have been ever since they learnt I started making friends.

"Over there" I pointed out as his eyes followed my hand.

"Oh.. She is a pretty one" he grins as I rolled my eyes.

"Yes she is, and no! She is taken, like she has an admirer who happens to be a friend of mine so it is a no! " I warned him knowing how unserious he can be.

He let out a dramatic sigh.

"Fine... Whatever you say your royal Highness.. " I unbuckled my seat belt as he does the same.

"where are you going?"

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" I stared at him looking bored. "Okay... Maybe some other time" he puts on the seat belt.