Story: True Life Story Of An Addict

8 years ago

Story: True Life Story Of An Addict

I arrived Lekki a happy man. 11 Freedom Way, Ikate Round-About was the new den. The chance of a good life looms at me. Robbing shoulders with the big boys sounds appealing right? Oh yeah, it does. When I mean big boys, I mean the creame de la creame of that time. As at this time, all the major Nollywood actors, hip-hop artistes and the business moguls prod the area so often. It was a perfect setting to enjoy what life has thrown at me. At least, let me get away from the hustle and bustle lifestyle of Ikorodu surburbs. No disrespect to present Ikorodu inhabitants though, y’all should understand the roughneck, hiccup and frsutrating daily holdups we encounter. It is just frustrating. So, you can imagine how I felt. “This is my small London”, I said to myself, “:::and I’m gonna enjoy it to the fullest.”

I arrived on Friday as planned so that I can set up my apartment. It was a two-bedroom flat storey building, well furnished to taste, neat…but expensive. I thought if I started work, I’ll be able to service the house rent as time goes by. Beside the house is a supermarket; and when I say supermarket, it really was a SUPER market. It has saved me a lot of times when I needed something to eat quickly if I didn’t cook prior.
There is something about this supermarket that I will tell you guys later. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are enough for setting up now. I planned not going to church that Sunday because I thought “I’m still new now. I go go church next week.”

After finishing the setting up around 5pm, I was tired, really tired. “Tomorrow is a big day boy”, I told myself. “So, eat, relax and be ready.” That was exactly what I did. 6am in the morning, I was already on the road. Ikate to Falomo, barring holdup and toll gating* shouldn’t be more than 10-20mins drive. I arrived work that morning 6:37am and waited until the door is opened for business. I sat at the reception, awaiting my oga whom I have called earlier when I left home. I introduced myself to the securities who were surprised to see me waiting for someone that early hours. When I explained myself, they were like, “oga sorry ooo. No vex. We be your boy ooo. Sorry sir.” I put up a smile to show my understanding. Though they left me there on the chair while I await my oga’s arrival, they never stopped checking on me from time to time to show concern and, as I later found out, looking for ‘good favour’. For my mind I was like, “Me? Oga? Sorry? I don hammer.” I was so pleased with that fantasy so much that I never noticed my phone was ringing. I would have heard it rang if not that I silenced it when I came inside the premises cos na Terry G song be my ringtone. A ray of light flashing my eyes caught my attention to the ringing phone. My oga dey call me,

Mr. Toye (That’s my oga’s name. Henceforth, I’ll be using oga):

Hello Femi. Where are you now?

Me: I’m at the reception already sir.

Oga: Oh that’s good a sign that you’ll be punctual. Now go to the receptionist, tell whoever is there that you need a tag to 10 Floor. Once the door of the floor is opened, go inside and wait for me. Tell whoever questions you that I asked you to wait.

Me: Yes sir.

Oga: See you soon. (Drops call).

Mr. Toye is a yoruba man. He was a graduate of Geology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He proceeded Birmingham, England to further his education. He lived the larger part of his life there. How he became a compuer genius I don’t know. The only explanation however was when he told me that one day, God showed him a word, ‘Oracle’ in his dream. He woke up, googled the word and found out that oracle is the leading software giant all over the world. As simple as it sounds, that was his success story. Wetin I find reach this man place no understand me sef. Abi na ifa me I see for dream? Lol. He is married with 3 boys, all based in London, schooling. His wife is a Tele-vangelist, Radio host and public speaker there is London, according to him. I will be telling you more about him subsequently. However, he is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

I did as he said. Truly, few people questioned my presence…and I gave ‘em all same answer, “Mr. Toye asked me to wait for him. He ‘ll be here soon enough.” And soon enough, he arrived. I stood up from where I sat, moved towards him to collect his bag which he refused to give me.

Oga: You’re here as a worker, not as a servant. Don’t try that again. You take my bag when I asked you to, ok?

Me: Ok sir.

He pointed me his table and I followed him. No sooner than he arrived that he called for a meeting. Apparently, he is the boss of the floor…and everone listened as he spoke that morning. I felt a little happy. My eyes kept probing each faces to catch whoever is not on the same page with my boss so that I can report him or her. Lol. After his pep talk, each of them returned to their desk all fired-up for the week.

Oga: Welcome to MTN Nigeria Femi. Here, every second equals a million. Are you ready?

Me: Yes sir, I am

To Be Continued…