Story: True Life Story Of An Addict

8 years ago

Story: True Life Story Of An Addict

With much elegance and flawless panache, I showed Anita my apartment. She came inside looking so relaxed and comfortable. “Hmmm, you’ve got a nice place uncle.” “Please call me Femi. As to your compliment, thanks; but your brother’s is so heavily furnished that you’ld think he is a senator.” Challenged by my words, she rushed out of my house, eager to see her brother’s. “Wow! My brother is rich. I love this.” Truth be told, Godwin furnished his house so much that you would think he’s the landlord: imported electric appliances filled everywhere. I don’t think he has ever bought any goods in Nigeria. His sofa was magnificent, his rugs excellent, even the freshner in his house never deteriorates. Sometimes, I wonder why Godwin had refused to reconsider dating again. No girl, I repeat, no girl can resist the splendour of Godwin’s apartment. Furnished to taste really.

“What should I get you?” I asked Anita as she still busy savouring her new palace. “Oh uncle, I don’t think…” “Femi please”, I cut in. “Sorry Femi, I’ll be fine for now. I need to shower and take a nap. The journey was too strenous for me.” “Ok then. Call me if you need anything ok.” “Haba! I know your place now. I’ll come instead. Or…are my not welcomed.” Confused of how to reply her, I said eventually “Why not? You just left the place few minutes ago. So, feel free, I’ll be at your service.” “Oh thanks Femi. You’re really nice as my brother had said.” Filled with a little shyness, I replied her “Oh, thanks for the compliment. I’m just me. I’ll see you later.”

Her words cut through my fragile mind again. I asked myself, “Are my really a nice guy?” I wobbled into my house seriously disturbed. I was lost in this thought when my phone rang. One of my boys was calling. My presence is required at the shop. Quickly I got dressed. I knocked on Godwin’s door to inform Anita that I had to settle an issue in the shop. She responded from the bathroom. Also, she requested I get her something when coming back, preferably Ice-cream. Ehn ehn? Na there e dey start oo. You wan lick ice-cream abi? No wahala.

I arrived shop in a jiffy. The issue on ground was that a man came to return a phone he had purchased last week by my boys won’t budge. He complained of frequent over heating when charging. I sensed it was the phone’s battery. So, I changed it for him, tested it and everything was fine. The man thanked me and left. I asked about the day’s sales. “Impressive sir”, one of them replied. “Ok. I’ll be on my way. Let me know if you need anything.” I requested 10k from the boys which was provided instantly. I rushed to one Chicken Republic close by to get Anita the ice-cream she had requested for. In addition, I bought some chicken laps too.

I was on my way home when something struck my mind. “What is wrong with you Femi? You hardly know this girl now. Why are you acting as if you’re tripping for her?” My little explanation for my weird action was that Godwin has requested that I should make her sister feel at home. Secondly, I had promised myself to be nice to her. So, without much-ado, I shrugged off the thought as my hurried my steps home.

When I got home, Anita had changed into a black skimpy gown, with more than half her laps in full view. I almost dropped what I carried in awe of this fresh-never-seen-before laps. When she sight me, she ran towards me and collected the ice-cream from me. “Welcome Femi. That was fast. Hope there was no trouble at the shop?” “No, not at all. Just a minor issue which I sloved almost immediately.” “Ok. Thanks for the ice-cream ooo…. What? You bought chicken too?” “Yes, I felt you should eat something before I cook dinner.” “Wow! Truly my brother was right about you. Thank you so much.”

While she thanked me, my eyes stayed glued to Anita’s laps. Weird, wicked and dirty thoughts flooded my heart, thought that I can’t be proud of. I thought of what to do that moment to avoid spoiling the good reputation I’m building. There used to be a bench in the balcony. So, I brought it out, cleaned it and gestured to Anita that we should sit her and catch some fresh air. She agreed to it and there we sat…for 2hrs discussing and gisting about stuffs that will eventually employ my 3rd leg. Like I said earlier, “na she cause am oo”

I watch as Anita consumed the chicken and ice-cream as if her life depended on it. I was tempted to think perhaps she’s a glutton. I felt like engaging her in normal discuss but how will I start? I qucikly excused myself that I need go ease myself. When I got to toilet, I thought about how my entry point will be like. What can I discuss with her? Football? No! Politics? She is not Grace. Relationship? Too early. Then I suddenly realised she’s a studying accounting, same as me. Good! We’ll discuss purely academics. I quickly tidy up and went back to join her at the balcony. This was our conversation:

Me: Tell me how school has been?

Anita: School? Good ooo. I enjoyed the first few months until…

Me: (Curious) Until what?

Anita: I was still busy doing my registration, medicals, getting used to my environment, securing accommodation and the likes when one of our lecturers announced a pop test the following day, Wedensday, GES 101. I didn’t hear about it until almost 11pm on Tuesday. So, I didn’t prepare fully. I did poorly I in the test and I knew it. On Thursday, the names of most of us that did poorly in the test were announced in class by our course rep, with each student given different day and time to go meet with the lecturer. Mine was on Monday, 6pm.

I made sure I finished all my work early enough that day so that I can go meet the lectuer. Exactly 6pm on dot, I was at the door of his office, knocking.

Lecturer: Yes, come in

Good evening sir. You said I should see you today.

Lecturer: Ye….s, I did. I think you are A…ni…ta.. Michael?

Yes sir! That’s my name

Lecturer: You did so poorly in your test. How did you pass your Post Jamb Exams (He said angrily).

I’m sorry sir. I didn’t hear about the test until late time on Tuesday. I’m a very disciplined and focused girl sir. I promise to do a 360 turn-around sir!

Lecturer: (Apparently impressed by my response, laughed a little before he said)

Good girl. I like your type. It shows you will be very brilliant and focused. However, here in this institution, you need more than mere academic performance to succeed.

(Gently he stood up from his seat, walked towards me and said).

You see Anita, you need people like me. I’ll take care of you, give you good grades and preferential treatments above everyone else in your class. All of these on just a simple request from you..

“And what will that be sir?” I asked.

Lecturer: I want you for myself. I wanna write my name in gold inside you. I want us to be together. You know, like lovers.

Ha? Sir, I’m still very young ooo. I’m just 21 sir. I wanna do very well in my studies. Relationship is a distant secondary priority for now sir.

Lecturer: I know. That’s why I want you. You know what? Just go and think about it. Give me a response latest Wednesday.

“Ok sir. I will.”

I was about to leave when he said,

Lecturer: Anita, while you think about it, just know that I don’t take a ‘No’ for an answer…

To Be Continued…