I both love and hate the dry seasonal wind, love it for the peaceful slumber it gives while driving away whinning insects, hate it for its chilly stings on wet body despite scooping a 100 or above degree Fahrenheit of water which with a passing wind (air) blows out the steaming steam to ice. The holiday is almost coming to an end with a week and a weekend more to spend before the welcome of the new session, I needed to rush back to school to do massive clean up of dust (thanks to the friendly air) and get settled in and prepared for the coming hectic semester.
After a hurry bath to escape the breeze, I oiled my dried up body after wearing my clothes to prevent further biting teeth to my skin. Mom as usual has packaged my luggage after many huffs and puffs and cursing, the woman is wonderful, I doff my cap for her when it comes to bag arrangement - I am lazy at it - and loading. I looked at my bag and began the calculation of dragging this bag from one junction to another until I got home in school and came to conclusion that a cab hiring was best, I am conserving much of the strength for the clean up not waste it on pulling and pushing and yelling also at passenger-seeking drivers who might pounce at me for my 'onye ocha from the abroad' looks when I am core Nigerian. I told mom my plan and she concurred with me, I said my goodbyes to everyone after receiving plenty hugs and well wishes not forgetting the advice to eat well too.
First junction junction from home, Obinze popularly known as FUTO junction, was successful as I got there in time awaiting buses going to PH. The wait unknown to me was a long one which was unusual and unexpected as my feet began aching and my belly joined in protest as well. In my wait with other passengers, I in my mind's eye began to take a careful look at my room in school and the thorough clean I was going to perform while forgetting my present state of environment and didn't hear or should I say see the man who asked me a question of my destination. I absent-mindedly answered to return to my thoughts when my nose twitched thrice to the fouled air. I looked around tracing where the bad breathe was been produced, I was shocked as well as surprised to see a mad man stand few inches from me, other passengers had moved few distances away to prevent contact with the insane human, I was left alone as I couldn't run due to my heavy bag. The man smiled at me revealing years of browned rotten dentals as I smiled back at him while trying to think of a defense mechanism from the intruded presence. I was scared as I remembered listening to stories of these abnormal sapiens and their violent behaviours to people, I resorted to completely ignoring him and his antics while staying as calm and collected as possible.
'Don't worry, he won't bite, he is totally harmless to YOU. He will protect'. That was the soothing yet alarming voice I heard in my head. Why will this dirt protect me and from what and whom? Are there no other sane human around to protect me??? Why send this? Of all beings to send it is a short-circuited mind? Sometimes you really do surprise me in weird ways, what do you expect people to say, to think and react to ME! For heaven's sake (which I know you abode) can you please send him away, please, for my health and public face?.
'No!. Respond to his every question and treat him as a sane being'.
Immediately the voice died out and gave its instruction, I experienced an inner calmness and a certain level of relationship with the homo.
'where are you going? Port Harcourt?'
'Yes'
'Are you really going to school or you are going to see a man?'
'I am going to school. Are you blind? How can I go to see a man with this heavy load with me. What kind of question is that? If I am going to see a man I will be so casual abi?'
'sorry aunty, I was only asking a question, I know you are telling the truth. I was testing you'.
My mouth opened and closed quickly wondering what sort of being I have gotten myself in a discussion with. After his questions, I saw the way his eyes looked at my body doing some form of scrutiny. I was afraid that he was going to grab my hand bag which contained my money and other important things and run off. I was in fright he was going to turn so violent at an instance and I would be at his mercy pleading for my safety while screaming for help from people. I was perplexed.
'don't worry, you think too much I won't harm you. You have a quiet spirit and you are friendly too. I will ensure you get a bus and nobody disturbs you. But be careful with your heart. You won't have your wish, society will be against it'.
Did I hear right? Did he just read my mind and told me not to worry? What wish was he saying? Why is he giving fore advice, to or against whom and for what? What sort of morning is this? Lord why?
'Haba ma, you ask too many questions, relax na. I say relax'. I had to shut my mind else he continues reading me like a book.
'what is inside your nylon?' I asked half curious to be safe biko
'my breakfast'. He brought out a half eaten loaf of dirtied bread to show me and dispel my fear.
Silence. Silence. Long silence.
'when you get to school ensure you eat very well, you look thin'.
'yes sir'.
'and don't fall in love with me, I won't be here for long either because I change locations in case you come looking for me'.
I swallowed really hard at those sentence. I was transfixed as I watched him stand in the middle of the road flagging down buses for me and getting into fights with conductors who charged high. He growled at rude boys and men who tried wooing but fled at his sight and his sudden change in countenance. He protected me. He was successful in bringing a bus to a halt and helped me with my bag into the vehicle as he gave the conductor a warning never to charge high as he would know and he will hunt them down. The passengers laughed as they looked at him with disgust and me with pity for having to deal with a useless madman. As the vehicle gathered motion, the man ran along as he shouted 'I love you'.
It is four days now and my mind has refused to shut out the experience, my heart does a little skip at the thought of him as I contemplate whether to make the journey to Owerri to see my mad lover.