Thorns In My Boot - S01 E26

Story 2 years ago

Thorns In My Boot - S01 E26

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 26

Amaka came around for Christmas. I had

written all my examinations and I was

somehow free for the time. She was

depressed after I told her of what I had

been through since the month of May when

she left and what prompted my being an

Okada Rider. Tears rolled down her cheeks

as I spoke, especially the fact that I now

survive as an Okada Rider. I kissed away her

tears, I told her to allow me to ride the

Okada now that I could, I told her to take

solace in the fact that I am also in school,

and I told her that an Okada man is better

than a Prisoner. She understood. She always

does. We made love slowly and purposefully

that night, the tears came running down her

cheeks as she mourned and clung to me as

if I was drifting away.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Together, Amaka and I went to the

headquarters of the 82nd Division of the

Nigerian Army to see the general Officer

Commanding, our mission was to book an

appointment with him. We got there and

filled the forms handed to us by the

Secretary, a Staff Sergeant with very

conspicuous tribal marks that gave him

away as an indigene of Oyo or Ogbomosho.

He read through the form that we filled and

he asked me the purpose of our visit. I said

it was official

Of course I can see that is what you wrote

here! But how official do you mean? He

snapped.

Okay! Sorry sir, I came in respect of being

recalled into the Army. My C.O has sent my

letter to him.

Since your C.O has sent your letter to him

then what are you here for? He asked

Oga sir! I said: it is a long story please; I just

need to see the G.O.C.

You can’t see him now until after the

elections! You know we are handing over to

Civilian by April or May so everything

concerning recruitment and recalling of

Soldiers have been put on hold until after

the military hands over! He said with a touch

of finality.

Amaka then stepped forward and asked; are

you saying the G.O.C cannot see a Soldier in

distress because of elections? How is that?

Please who are you madam? Are you a

Soldier or the Wife?

I am his Lawyer! Amaka replied

Oh! You see yourself now young man! The

Civilians have not taken over yet and you are

bringing a Civilian Lawyer to see the G.O.C!

Can’t you get a Military Lawyer? Or are you

not aware that we have our own Lawyers?

He asked

Oga! Amaka interrupted, we are not here for

any case! Everything has been settled in

court already, I am just here to attest to the

fact that this man here is free, that’s all!

Who told you he is free? Ehn? Who told you?

The stripped face asked

Please what is going on in this Army

Division? Amaka asked aloud. First! It was

the R.S.M stopping him from seeing his

Commanding Officer! And now you too do

not want him to see his G.O.C! What are you

Guys afraid of? Ehn? What are you Guys

hiding that you do not want the Authorities

to know?

Look here woman or young girl or whatever

you say you are! Stripped face stood up

from his sitting position and fumbled with

his belt; who are you calling Guys? Are you

mad? Ehn? Look I have daughters of your

age at home no, so don’t come here and

insult your father!

I am not insulting you! I am only stating an

obvious fact! If you have nothing to hide,

then let him see his G.O.C! Amaka insisted.

Just like that? If you have nothing to hide

then let him see his G.O.C! He mimicked

Amaka. Do you know the meaning of G.O.C?

It means general Officer Commanding! This

man is bigger than any Governor! He

commands more than ten states in the east,

south- south and middle belt region! And

you just want to walk in and see him like

that? He brought out a note book and

started flipping through the pages; you see

all these names? These are people that are

on queue to see the G.O.C, some of them will

not see him till another G.O.C takes over!

Come back after the presidential elections I

say!

Okay! No wahala! Ojo please let us leave this

place! Amaka said as she left the office while

I tagged along.

As we stepped out of the building and

walking towards the Car park, we saw my

R.S.M discussing and gesticulating frantically

with a Captain on Uniform, he was facing

our position while the Captain backed us

but he stopped talking the moment he saw

us, the Captain turned back too to stare as

us as R.S.M told him something pointing his

stick at me.

What are you doing here? He barked as he

approached us with his swagger stick

stretched forward, Amaka walked away to

the Car while I stopped. I decided to answer

him because of the presence of the Captain.

By the badge and Beret of the Captain he is

from the Finance Corps.

I am coming from the G.O.C’s office I told

him.

To do what? He shouted; he looked visibly

scared; are you mad? Look at this criminal o!

Look! The fly that refuses to heed warning

follows the Corpse into the grave o! I have

warned you to stay of the Army premises

but you are being obstinate abi? Okay we

shall see! We shall see! Have you heard of

accidental discharge before? Have you heard

of stray bullet before? Don’t worry, soon you

will not only hear of it but experience it and

you will not live to tell the experience!

The captain also seemed uncomfortable as

he looked from right to left to be sure other

s Soldiers are not watching the scene.

R.S.M, take it easy! The Captain said, there

are better ways of handling this issue.

Which issue Oga? The R.S.M asked; issue

with this small rat? This silly Scallywag? I

cannot have issues with him! He is a

dismissed Soldier!

R.S.M, please come along! The Captain said

as he hurriedly left the scene, the R.S.M

followed him murmuring. Amaka was

already in the Car waiting for me.

We drove to the Mammy Market so I could

get my hair cut; I got to know from Ayo that

I could also see the G.O.C at the Golf course

the same days the C.O goes there.