SWEET OLEANDER

CHAPTER 9 The crossroads

Mr Travis Ojong 's face turned purple, he twitched like a worm thay was trampled on.
"What happened, tell me why you look like you were punched in the stomach" Bachot asked."
"That's what it feels like" Mr Travis Ojong confessed.
"Where is Minen, what happened to her?"
"She... she.."
"Ojong my man.... take it easy"
Mr Travis Ojong sat on the nearby sofa.
"When it comes to business, my sister seems alive, but when it comes to matters of the heart, it is like a torrent of foolishness hits her unconscious. Of all things to do, you run away with a man.
A man who has no financial future. Ah, Minka, Minka, " Mr Travis Ojong lamented, tapping his forehead with his hand.
"I just got off the phone with her" He paced about the room for a minute, and then he sat. His friend, Bachot, had gulped the water, which remained in the tumbler, he was so close to choking.
"Now that you have ascertained that she is the one who texted you and that she decided to do what she did, what have you decided to do?"
"Bachot, I am one of those who will hand her over to her husband on behalf of our late father. I wouldn't sit babk and watch her display foolishness, "Mr Travis Ojong protested.
"Ojong, you have done your best. You see, the person in question is an adult,you need to tread carefully," Bachot cautioned in a persuasive tone. Mr Travis Ojong's fist tightened, and his eyes grew wild like a dragon's about to spit fire.
"You don't expect me to sit back and watch my sister throw away all that she knows about dignity to follow a man who doesn't value her, do you?"he thundered.
Bachot saw that coming already, he heaved calmly, his gaze didn't move from his friend's face.
"You must know that she went there herself and she wasn't forced there. We are talking of a grown woman here. If you are to go there, would you be able to accuse them of anything? What would you say is your reason for coming?"
Silence fell in the room, Mr Travis Ojong strolled and slumped into a nearby chair.His hand supported his jaw. Did this have anything ro do with the dream he had where a lady was covered in a pool of her own blood and he was the only one who could rescue her?  What would become  of Minen?
    He hoped Manyo and his family members will treat her well.
Bachot was convinced he had driven a thought home.
His gaze fell on his son, he had grown so much and so quickly, he had not come to know the latest Ogar. Ogar had been in the kitchen a few minutes ago washing plates. When he arrived in the palour, he kept himself busy pressing his father's phone.
He was playing a game he adored, and Cake Crust and Bachot could see how engrossed he was in it.
He was thankful the epidermic was fizzling out, and soon, he would dedicate time to family, especially to Ogar. He needed to introduce him to manhood and draw him closer. He, being a guide throughout life, should be his best friend, and he would not fail in that responsibility. He was his first son.
After all, if not that the world hasn't changed so much, maybe he would have experienced the initiation from boyhood to manhood. The world Bachot knew as a child where he played in the sand and went swimming in the stream, with friends, hunting for birds, went fishing in the river, playing football,among other things was fun.
The world was different. Nearly everything they did as boys is now done virtually; from football to the game of cards, name them. There are more video games and apps to keep one busy.  He had discussed with his wife should anything happen to him, Mr Travis Ojong should groom his sons especially Ogar.
"Hmmm", Mr Travis Ojong heaved. "Bachot I just remembered my farm, it's like there is a meeting around the corner", he said.
No response.
"Bachot oo" Mr Travis Ojong called out as he rose to tap his friend on his shoulder.
"Ehn, were you referring to me? What were you saying?" Bachot shrugged, startled.
"I said ehn, I was just thinking of the meeting we were supposed to have," Mr Travis Ojong began. " the initial date was today but there was a change. I feel obliged to call although we were assured that the new date will be communicated to us"
"Maybe you should. Is it a general meeting or is for only cocoa farmers"
"Those with plantain and banana plantations would be present, among others"
"Oh, it's a general meeting then"
"Of course, the year just began and there is alot we need to discus. You remember the army worms in my farm I told you about?"
"Oh yes"
"Ot turns out I am not the only one with that challenge. I learnt there is a solution already, but in Benin Republic, I believe we would be dire need on how to get it"
"Oh, that will be great. I hope it's not the kind that causes problems after eliminating the pest?"
"How do you mean?"
"You know there are those chemical that when they kill the animal, the predator of that animal feasts on the dead animal & it dies too. If that cycle repeats itself long enough, some animals go into extinction"
"Oh, ... oh.. you have a point there. I see it" Mr Travis Ojong admitted
"But what do I do now nor, this situation is quiet a challenge, my means of livelihood is at stake"
"There is more than one way around a thing is it not?"
"Right, there is", Mr Travis Ojong admitted.
"After the project where some of our younger colleague were taken for training in a neighbouring country , alot has changed"
"It should. Agriculture is a sustainable sector of the economy."
"Food is a necessity"
"Of course it is, good food especially. We are privileged to have a lot of it in our region"
"Alot oo and many advantages. Let me even callthis persone first and see", Mr Travis Ojong frowned as he inspected his phone and heaved a sigh. He dropped the phone on the chair beside him.