"Bro, she's so fine. I love her so much, and I'm sure I will meet her someday," Kayode, the short guy with dark skin, said to me.
"Look, I've told you many times that she's a celebrity and there's no way you can meet her. She’s up here," I said, demonstrating by raising my hand. "While you are down here," I added, bringing my hands down.
I was speaking to Kayode, my friend who had fallen in love with a female musician from our country, Simi. Kayode is a lively guy; he's jovial, and everyone loves him. We all know he has a crush on a celebrity, and he remains convinced that he will meet her someday, even though their worlds are very much apart.
Generated using POE
Kayode and I attended the same coaching lesson because we are on holiday, but when school is on section, we attend a different school. I live very close to Kayode, so we became friends. One cool evening after I got to Kayode's house, Kayode started telling me about a party hosted by Simi at a university not a few hundred kilometers away from us, and he was very determined to buy the ticket and attend the party.
"Fash, the ticket is just 20 thousand naira only; I already saved up 2 thousand naira. If I ask my three elder brothers for help, saying it's for my lesson, they sure will turn up. I will not let my mom know." Kayode was explaining his plan with excitement in his eyes, and I watched him with worries and doubt in mine.
"I don't think that plan will work; you know, brother Seun will call your mommy to ask. He is very inquisitive. I will advise you to ask Brother Samson and Kunle for help rather than Brother Seun," I told him, and he saw how worried I was.
"Don't worry, Sebi; he is my brother. I know how to talk to him and ensure he doesn't ask my mommy." He said he was so sure about how everything would turn out. With the boldness in his eyes, I was rest assured that things would work out fine.
We continue to talk about how to make more money for the ticket before the event day as we make our way to the lesson under the cool evening.
The next day, I made my way at the same time to call Kayode for a lesson, but I was met by his mom.
"Good evening, ma," I greeted her, but I could see a little sign of anger on her face as she forced a smile on.
"My son, how are you?" She answered as she adjusted the big blouse she was putting on that almost covered her entire being, then tied her wrapper around her waist. She sat down on the three-sitter couch in the living room and called for Kayode.
Generated using POE
"Kayode !" There was no answer
"Kayode !!" There was no answer
"Kayode !!! How many times have I called you now? If I enter that room, I promise you, you will meet your guardian angel. You better come outside now if you don't want another beating today."
Immediately I heard "beating." I became scared.
"What has Kay done? Hope I am not in trouble. I should have just gone to wait for him at the lesson." All these thoughts started running in and out of my mind as I waited for Kayode to make his appearance.
I was as the curtain at the entrance of the passage that leads to his room moved a little. I knew he was there, but he was yet to make an appearance. "Come outside now," his mother screams at him. The air in the room was dense, and the pressure was high as I waited for Kay to come outside. He slid the curtain to the side and came out, but the person I saw wasn't the Kayode I know; I saw a homeless boy who has faced the storm of life standing in front of me.
His face was swollen like he was sting by bees; his lips were huge, and there was bangage on his hand.
"Ma, did Kayode have an accident?" I asked out of the shock of seeing Kay, but his mother replied with a question.
"Don't you use to talk to your friend? Can't you both advise each other?" The look in her eyes felt like a lioness who has locked on his prey. I became so scared I couldn't do or say anything.
"Do you believe Kayode used my phone to text his brothers at the university, asking for lesson money?" she began. "This is lesson money that I have already paid for, which makes me look incompetent. Thank God Seun called to ask about it because he knows I don’t joke when it comes to their fees; that’s how I caught the thief. I really laid down the law with him, and I'm confident he won’t do that again." At that moment, I understood the accident that had happened to my friend.
"Now go inside the room and talk to each other never to steal again" She instructed us both but I had nothing to do with this. I couldn't refuse her so I walked into Kay's room with him. He sat on the bed as I sat on the chair in his room.
“If only Brother Seun hadn’t called, the money would have been completed by now.” I looked over at Kayode and caught him daydreaming again after making that statement.
“Look, Kay. Let’s stop this daydreaming of yours and focus on passing our exams. When we become rich, you’ll be able to invite Simi to any party you like,” I told him, but it felt like he wasn’t really listening as he stared out the window, lost in thought.
I decided to let him do what he wanted, but I promised to tell his mom about any of his dubious plans, and that seemed to catch his attention. Eventually, we started talking and laughing again, but the sight of Kayode lingered in my mind.
The end.
