THE ADVENTURE OF AKOR
By: Esther Ochoga
EPISODE 1
AKOR’S POV
Today is a great day! It’s just 10am and Id’ve made so much money.
“This okada (motorcycle) get money today oh… let me quickly visit Mama Odashi’s kitchen for a plate of food”.
Mama Odashi, how are you today? “customer welcome”, she said. Abeg give me one plate of rice with two fat meat and one bottle of chilled coke.
While eating, a beautiful damsel walked in, I almost choked by food I was eating because I was already fantasising how wonderful it will be to have this kind of lady.
I noticed she came to buy food in a ‘takeaway’ (disposable plate). I quickly finished my food, paid Mama Odashi and rushed outside to “shoot my shot”.
“Hello beautiful, where are you headed? Can drop you off”, I said…
She looked at me and gave a smirk, “I’m heading back to campus, I just came to get some food” She said.
Do you care for a ride?
“With what she said”…
My heart sunk, and at that moment I wish I had a car, but because I have come this far, I told her on my bike. “Oh you are an okada man (bike man)” she said.
I felt so embarrassed and wanted to say no, but from my looks, wearing an old cap and an ancient boot I quickly said “I do it when I am bored” she said “oh I see”.
She climbed on my bike and we started the journey to her campus, while on our way I asked her “what’s your name?” Betty she said…
Beautiful name I said, where do you come from? She was silent and I didn’t ask further…
We arrived at her school gate and I requested for her number and ask if I can always come and pick her each time she needs a ride.
“She looked at me from my head to my toe” and reluctantly collected my phone and typed her number and she left.
I happily saved the number and left her school when I got another passenger…
BETTY’S POV
Another one today again! I asked myself while walking back to the hostel, “What have I done to all this okada men? why am I only attractive to Okada men?”
…”I know what to do to him” I mumbled to myself and i entered my room.
“Betty, what took you so long?” Anna said…
Anna is my roommate.
She always gets the big boys in town asking her out, but my own case is different. If it’s not a bike man then a bus conductor. . How sure am I that my village people are not after me?
Is not that Anna is more beautiful,I am prettier and even taller.
Betty!!! She yelled and I snapped out of my thoughts.
I looked at her, drop the plate of food on my hands and went to the kitchen to get spoon and water before my phone began to ring.
“Hello”
…this looks like the bikeman number, so he’s actually trying to get my attention. “I will use this one as a scapegoat”, I said to myself before picking up.
EPISODE 2
“Hello! It’s me Akor, the guy that gave you a ride earlier”
My phone was on loudspeaker mode and I noticed Anna was listening to the conversation, so I told him I was busy, he should call back later…”
Anna was just staring at me and she finally said, “who’s that?”
“Are you hiding things from me now?” She said.
Anna please stop I said, it’s just the bikeman that gave me a ride today.
“Hahahaha, she laughed, another bike man?”
‘they do you and bike men?’ She said
…it’s a good thing though, at least you will be getting free ride everywhere.
I was getting really upset at this point and I said; “Anna, can we just eat in peace?”
“Of course my love” she whispered while trying so hard to stop herself from laughing.
TWO DAYS LATER
I called Akor because I needed to do somethings in town and it will cost a lot if I am to pay the transport fare.
“Hello, how are you today he said” Fine Akor, please can I get a ride?
“Where are you now, He said” I am close to the school gate, please if you are coming can you hurry up? Or I should pick another bike?
“I was just praying in my mind he doesn’t give me that go ahead”.
No no he said ” I am coming right now”.
AKOR’S POV
Madam please I will have to drop you here, I have an important business to attend to…
‘Are you mad the woman yelled, is this my destination?’
‘So because a woman called you, you are dropping me here? ‘
“You must take me to my destination” she said…
‘I packed the bike she climb down but refused to give me anything for the lovely ride she enjoyed behind a cute guy like me.’
Stupid man, she said…1 kobo you will not get from me…
Do you know who you are talking to? Who are you?
“An ordinary, jobless okada man is what you are” she said.
An ordinary, jobless okada man?
Do you know I am a graduate? If not because of the situation of this country do you think I will be doing this work?
You are very lucky I have a business to attend to, you would have understood how jobless I can be sometimes.
Now get out of my way ashawo(prostitute)
…while I try to start my bike and leave the scene she continued cursing.
…it is your mama and all your sister including your grandma that is ashawo(prostitute), useless man, efulefu…”
“I tried to start my bike but it was not picking and from the look of things, if these people around leave this woman she may give me a dirty slap, because I can see her hand vibrating already, “what have I gotten myself into? I said to myself”
“Oh God, come to my rescue!…
TO BE CONTINUED….
