* * *
The wind is nearly moving like a torrent and the elliptical leaves of the old almond tree are repeatedly rustling synchronously just outside the west entrance of the school auditorium at Wellson State University. About fifty people including Wilson and Shola are seated in the well lit and ventilated hall, facing a table of three panelists and speakers, one of whom is Thomas, and also, a female event anchor who is about to declare the event open.
Shola's phone rings and it breaks the partial decorum of the vicinity. Immediately, he picks it up and answers it. It is Jimmy.
"Shola, how far nau?"
"Bro, I dey o. How your side? "
"Ee dey well, my guy! Abeg you fit send me that girl number?" Jimmy asks.
"Which girl?" Shola inquires in confusion.
"This girl for our class nau, wey ee sister marry that day.. Stella."
"Ohh. Okay, no wahala. I'll send you her number now."
"Thanks bro!.. Ah.. Na music I dey hear for background so?.. Which side you dey?" Jimmy asks in curiosity.
"I'm at that Social Impact and Leadership program Thomas invited us to the other day. Na me and Wilson.. we just say make we reach here, learn from the speakers small before we come for the match this afternoon."
Upon hearing this, Jimmy becomes shocked, "And una no even call me?? Una sef.. I no dey like wetin una dey do o! We dey there together when dis guy dey talk about these things.. and una no even fit hala me sey una dey go the event. "
In response, Shola says in an apologetic tone, "No.. bro.. I be no know sey you be wan come.."
"Why I no go wan come??" Jimmy rebuffs.
Shola is at a loss for words. He notices that some of the people around are already looking at him and a bit disturbed by the drama on his phone call. So he slowly rises up from his seat and begins to walk outside to a more private place while trying to conjure up the most diplomatic and emotionally tactful response he can think of, "My bro.. see.. no be so. I no be know sey you dey this interested, if not, I for call you.. And based on sey we get our semi-final inter-faculty match later today, I be no know whether you go fit make am. Even me sef, na work I first come for oga Cosmas shop this morning, before Wilson hala me sey ee dey school, na'i we align sey make we go this event. Since 9:30am na'i we dey here this morning, and na jus now, by 10:15am dem wan finally start. And the good thing be sey ehn, we dey talk so.. if you wan come, you go fit still come. Dem neva start things proper. You fit still make am.."
Jimmy sighs and responds, "Anyhow sha.. Where I dey no too far from school.. I fit start to dey drive come. "
"Ehen.. that one just beta. We go keep seat for you." Shola replies with warm relief and a smile.
"Where di event dey hold? Na 600 LT? " Jimmy asks.
"No, the main auditorium."
"Okay.. we go see nau." Jimmy responds.
"Yeah, sure bro!.. Baba Jay!!.. Daddy Jimmy!.. See you soon." Shola echoes, before ending the call.
Walking back into the auditorium, Shola then takes his seat and tells Wilson to place his bag on the other chair beside him.
"Who be that?" Wilson asks.
"Na Jimmy. Ee dey vex sey we no call am. I be no even remember sey ee be wan come for the program." Shola responds .
YOU ARE READING
Green Diamond
General FictionOlushola Joseph Ojo is a young adult from humble beginnings and with a trove of dreams mostly unclear yet exceedingly promising, all of which are tied to the socioeconomic and political cogwheels of a society of simmering hardship. Armed with littl...
