AGAINST THE ODDS

CHAPTER 3

       It was a nine-hour journey from the village to the city. Throughout the trip, I was in pensive mood. I was angry at cherry's treachery, worried about my lost education, scared about living alone in the city and sad that, father wouldn't allow my defense.
       I couldn't blame father, for the act by cherry was well-orchestrated, and banning me must has been traumatic for him. But it was the right thing to do. He must have felt that all his investment in me was wasted.
       I knew little of the city, and the only times I left school was for the inter-school games which was held annually for three days at the sports stadium. I attended the games in forms three and four since students in year one and Two were prohibited from attending. I was therefore, almost a stranger in this big city.
        I decided to go to the city because I thought it offered a better chance of survival, since it's the only big city. I decided to stay away from the the village and it's environs since I knew some students and classmates lived there and I ran the risk of meeting them.
       It was therefore with trepidation that tired, hungry and thirsty by the end of the journey, I got down from the mammy truck at the last bus stop, realising grimly that I was now alone in the world. With my old and outmoded suitcase, I walked towards a woman selling iced water. I was conscious of the banter from passers-by and people working around the area, but I was not worried; there was simply nothing I could do.
     For thirty minutes, I rested, my mind blank. Afterwards, stretching and my body and feeling relieved from fatigue, I sat up again under the tree to take account of my money. I had about twenty thousand dollars on me, peanut for one coming to stay in the city alone. I was now ready to start my quest for cheap accommodation. The immediate problem was where to put my suitcase as I walked as I walk around to find a room to rent. It was heavy, for it contained, books I had used since form one and a pair of sandals and bathroom slippers. I considered asking the cold water seller to look after it for me, but I decided against it since I knew nothing about her.
      I was contemplating whether to take it to the police station or carry it along when a man came and sat by me. The odour emanating from him was foul, and he wore tattered clothes that were very dirty, showing that he was insane. He grinned at me stupidly. His teeth was tawny with with green traces. I became quite alarmed, for his eyes were red-hot and watery as though he had been looking over sooty fire.i quickly looked around. People walked to and fro without so much as a thought about is; as if we don't exist. By my look and outmoded suitcase and by his grimy clothes with his luggage which consisted of things one was likely to find in the dust bin, we could and actually passed as two lunatics sitting as friends. Smiled, wanly at the thought.
     Two men and a woman threw coins at us. I wanted to leave, but I was afraid my abrupt departure might incense his fragile brain to act foolishly. He kept looking at me; those eyes were unnerving to observe.
     "The city is good eh?" He pointed at the coin.
     "All this plenty money eh? Come on say it. The city is a good place to live in." He smiled that stupid smile at me again and to my surprise quickly took the coins and hid them in the tattered socks he was wearing. I was awestruck because even he knew the value of money and the need to keep it safe. I took a cue and turning away from him, I quickly the the rest of my money from my pocket, I had no socks, so I removed my left old sneaker, placed the money in it and wore it again.
      I turned to him and realise he was watching me intently. How could the city be  nice to me? My first day as a loner and my first pal being a lunatic teaching me how to safeguard money in the city! I thought. He seemed not to care as I made a good my escape.
     Finally, after series of search, for a place to rent, at dusk, I came upon a woman doing her laundry I'm what she considered her compound.
"Good evening, madam"
"What do you want?" She asked harshly in Hausa.
I told her I don't understand and she translated it to broken English, still I'm the same harsh tone.
"Could you direct me to a place I can rent a room?"
"You idiot! If I knew a better place to rent for myself and my children do you think you would have come to meet me at this God-forsaken place and ask such nonsense?" She got up and left.
     I was not in the least offended for her anger came from the fraustration of tending five children in an impoverished environment. I left there instantly and continued my search.
     The building I found was in ruin and it was little wonder it was demolished. The cracks in the wall could have been left by an earthquake, the paint was peeling off and the lawn were overgrown. There were no light, no food, no water and it's fifty five dollars a day. I paid for a fortnight and I was taken to a small room. I extended my hand . "My name is Thomas."
We shook hands. "Everyone calls me 'Big Joe' as you already know."
      The following day, I started looking for work. For a week all my efforts proved futile and I began to get desperate. The next day was Friday and I didn't to try the ridged area. As I walk from house to house, I caught sight of a familiar car, I observed the car closely. I was right. There, sitting be his father, was Emanuel Kwarteng, a classmate from school. I saw his trunk and chop box in the boot of the car. Re-opening day! My eyes misted immediately with tears. Here, I was struggling to get a  lobourer's job with no success while my mate was going to school. I kept watching until the back of the car was lost in the traffic. Father, why didn't you exercise patience? You could have given me a chance to defend myself. I whispered these words to myself. I resumed my search again as always met no success.

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