THE DEVIL IN ME
EPISODE 2
MY MOMENT WITH ADAOBI
Ibudu and I were still arguing, he insisted that I take the drink. The most annoying part was when he asked me if I was a woman? It only took my self control not to shove him on the ground and give him the beaten of his life, maybe that will help him discover my gender. The garrulous fool would not keep quiet, he continued,
“Ikemba! Are you really a man or a woman? Which gender do you belong? If you don’t take this drink from me I will consider you a weakling. In fact from now onwards, you are considered a woman in my mind.” This impudence and insult slashed into my heart like a sharp sword used to slice beef.
I could feel the bile of anger in my mouth, I just have to walk away else, I will definitely do something that I will regret later. I felt so embarrassed. How could Ibudu belittle me like this? I felt the anger bubbling up inside of me but I took control.
“Thanks man.” I walked away in silence leaving him standing with his devilish tongue. As I walked away I could feel the tears building up inside of me. I just needed to release the emotions or I will explode. I walked to the library, got myself a seat at the back where no one will come asking questions, then I allow my self to release the long built-up river of tears. The tears came in rivulet, cascading down my cheeks. I could feel the torrent of it.
I was shaking like a child in convulsion and a water leaf poured with boiled water. I just let it flow with my head on the desk where no questions will be asked. This was the opposite as a soft hand tap at my back and interrupted me. I refused to lift up my face whoever it is should just mind his or her business, though my first suspect was Ibudu. My seat mate which I never took notice of whispered to my ears to raise my face up.
The tapping came the second time, I reluctantly raised my face up and behold a beautiful angel released from the heavenly prisons was standing before me in all feminine glory with her friend smiling like the people on the packet of Oxford cabin biscuits, with her beautiful dimples and diastema forcing me to look unapologetically. Finally, she Said,
“How are you Ikemba?” I responded
“I’m good. How did you know my name anyway?” the question just came out without thinking. Looking confused myself, I cannot remember speaking to her before this time, I was wondering if she is a magician with people’s names. Her response threw me off balance, “Never mind.” she replied, I just stared at her.
“Are you serious? Okay!” I shrugged.
“So could I at least know your name?”
“My name is Adaobi and this is my friend Tina.” she introduced.
“Hello, Tina!” I waved.
“What a wonderful name you’ve got there.” Addressing no one in particular but was intended for Adaobi.
“Do you guys mind sharing a seat with me?” I asked, they both nodded and sat beside me. We started chatting from something to nearly nothing as we discussed sweet nothings. The conversation led us to a family discussion, she told me more about her family, most especially her dad who was the General Commander of Army.
We continued this way as if we have known each other for ages other days. Talking as best of friends. She was really a nice and open minded lady. She told me all about Tina, how she and Tina met and ever since they have bonded together and they have been inseparables.
We could say they are like husband and wife or maybe lesbian lovers. We continued this way for a while until the time for their Chemistry Lecture came, they took permission to leave.
“Can I walk you guys to your lecture hall?” they both declined my offer as they hurried off.
“See you guys around.” I said. After they had left, I felt better, I could feel the inner joy in me building like a skyscraper of Dubai. I felt like I have just conquered the hardest battle. I caught myself grinning from ear to ear as I gathered my things for home, I walked or should I say I swagged out of the library as I headed to my lodge. With my joy still intact, I sighted son of the devil Ibudu coming towards my direction.
I could have turned away but it was too late as he was already too close, waving those heavy palms of his at me, I muttered under my breath here comes the Lucifer himself,
“Hey guy!” he said.
“I can see you are so happy, what is the reason behind this happiness of yours? Have you won lottery or American visa?.” he continued,
“Now guy gist me wetin dey make my man grin like an idiot?” he questioned looking at me this time intently.
“Hahahaha!” I laughed one of my fake laughs, but I could not hold the news back, so I shared with him,
“Finally guy, I got to talk to her,” Ibudu would not let me finish before he interrupted me,
“You mean the girl?”
“Yes.” I replied proudly,
“We met at the library and had a chit-chat.” Ibudu on hearing this drew closer to me brought out his bottle of vodka and handed to me.
“Drink this because you are a very brave guy, I knew you could do it.” he lied,
“You know man, you don’t have to keep yourself locked up any more, you need to come on board to know, see and experience what you have been missing out, in this jungle there are so much games and fun to have,” Ibudu advised.
With the drink still in his hands, he dragged my hands, squeezed it tightly like a trained soldier man, he gazed into my eyes, daring me to say no, instead I dragged the drink from him opened my bag and dropped it there.
“Please let us try to meet here by 6: oo pm, because I have something important to discuss with you.” I was like what will this j**k possibly have to discuss with me apart from trash?
To be continued.
