Something happened one certain time when I visited my big cousin's home. So the kids in the compound were playing. I went over to where my cousin's first kid was skipping with her friends and said that whoever scores the highest after two skip rounds would get 500naira courtesy of me.
Because they were in doubt, I got out the money and gave it to an elderly person seated just nearby and watching the playgroup.
And the game commenced.
The first kid did 20-something skips and failed.
One did 17 and failed.
So I added/topped the money with extra 500 making it a total of 1000naira.
The next kid got to 97 and failed.
My cousin's kid took the rope. She went 20 and then 50, then 75, then 100, then 115 and was still going.
Ha!
170 and she was still going without faint. 200 and going. She even had a slight smile on her face.
With no hint of tiredness… nothing.
At this point, my heart had begun skipping with her.
But at 236, she failed.
Doing the skips to 210 at a go was no big deal for me but having this little kid do it too and with so much ease was just too much for me.
I could not afford to lose my money..
My money was my major concern more than losing to a child. Anyway I took the skip-rope and failed at 210.
As I expected.
I was about to kiss my 1000naira goodbye.
Before she could go again, my cousin’s wife called the daughter. I decided to seize that opportunity to take a second turn. Maybe the kid's absence would boost my performance.
But I failed at 210. Again. While I was thinking of my life, the other kids began to tell me of how my cousin’s kid could go 300, sometimes 320 at once. How she was the compound's undefeated champion.
Immediately
Anxiety.
Fear
Panic attack...
If only I knew!
She came back shortly after, asked if I had done another turn and what I got. I told her.
Then she asked me how many skips she'd do to get to my score.
Me: 236
She just took the rope with no care. It was written all over her that it was a small challenge to handle. You know that silent yet loud brag, right? The one between pride and confidence? Yeah, that one.
Well, she got to 110, then 170, then 200...
And you know what, the 1000naira was for my money back home. How was I supposed to do? I finally thought to tell them that I was joking about the whole reward for whoever won.
Then at 233, she failed.
I was just 3 skips away from losing my only money.
Breathe in
Quick-sharp, I took my money back. Such rough and nonsense play!
I was about leaving their circle when someone tapped my shoulder. It was her. My cousin’s child. Turns out I had been sleeping and dreaming all along.
My feet were even too heavy and they ached bad.
Her: Uncle, come outside and join us to play skip rope.
Me: who is the we?
Her: me and my friends.
I looked at her and she had the exact same rope from my dream- green with pink stripes. I looked at her group of friends standing just outside the door, all of them from my dream present. I looked at her again and then I remembered my dream.
Me: God forbid! Affliction shall not arise a second time.
So guys, it's been an exciting COMtest so far. I've had numerous laughs on here. You should partake in this too. Here's the link. I can't wait to read yours!
I hope you enjoyed reading this.
Thank you for stopping by!