Eight inches of wingspan, eight feet buried deep and eight years as a larvae... I'm a creature of myth, miracles and revivals. Three to six segments and long courtship calls, I am destined to live and spread my seed all around the world. Exoskeletons drum and call out to everyone and remind them it's time. Like a squeaky door, moved by the quiet wind that mimics a ghost. But instead, the drum roll echoes and lingers until we are all whole. And then our mating song morphs into stringed instruments.. Like a cricket watching and singing as the orchestra takes on a higher note and peaks.
Ours is the sound of attraction and love and companionship that lasts a lifetime. Smile my beautiful Cicada, ours is a union that is immortal and forever.... Just you wait and see...
The sky poured out scattered raindrops with no direction. Just water aimed at getting us all wet, especially my hair. All that drying and styling and getting it into curls, all wasted.
Go, go, go, I said pushing Henrik and Ajoke. Behind was Celine, she had sprained her ankle and only I could see it.
I rush back in and help her up on her feet and Henrik helps to. Ajoke was on the lookout as she beckons us to move faster.
Bala heads towards her and placed her on hi shoulder. I never imagined big bellied Bala had that much strength.
Henrik grumbled and picked Celine up and ordered that he only wants to see my behind. Me, running fast and away from the chaos.
The event was a disaster and I expect that Nnoye was somewhere, crying and blaming herself.
As we get to the car, low and behold she was inside Ajoke's tour-like car. Crying and calling, but far away from the chaos.
'You left US', Ajoke screamed in horror.
'I got a call and the event was loud'
Henrik drops Celine beside Nnoye.
'Just get get in'
'I swear I didn't know, the security was drunk and shot his gun'
I did not like Nnoye's excuses.
'He shot at least five rounds'
'In the air'
'Nnoye, are you trying to defend the idiot?'
I asked my silly friend.
'I saw it .. And...'
'I told all of you, that this was a bad idea. Tried to get it into your thick head that it was too soon after our holiday'
Bala was sweating and looked like an exhausted bear.
Henrik said nothing, he drove and squeezed the steering wheel and I just turned to Nnoye.
She started to cry more than normal and it upset her baby. I mean, I could see the child twist and turn in her belly and it scared me.
I grabbed Henrik who looked up at his rareview mirror.
None of my girls wanted to console her, Ajoke squeezed her own hands across her chest and Celine massaged her sprained ankle.
I look at Henrik and he slowed down as I crawled between the front seats on my knees to the back.
'Ade, I can stop', Henrik stated.
'Do not stop this vehicle'
'Just drive', Bala announced.
At the Ahmadu Bello strip, cars made abrupt U-turns. As policemen diverted traffic.
'What is going on?', Henrik asked the officers.
'Armed robbers... A shoot out...'
Henrik did an abrupt U-turn and we all watched others do the same.
'My home is closer, we all stay there tonight'
Bala instructed and we all nod.
Well except our crying friend.
'I didn't tell the man to shoot and had no clue he was drunk. Why am I the one that always ruins trips?'
Her question was legit and somehow, she was still trying to prove she was one of us.
'Nnoye, because you take crazy chances. More than any of us...'
'And try to save money on security...', Ajoke adds.
Bala and Celine pinch her from both sides and she winced audibly.
'Fiji was good', I try to soothe her aching ego.
'My in-law organized that trip'
I ignored Ajoke's silent... 'oh ooo'
'Because of you, like you said... You didn't know he would drink'
'Because he should have had a supervisor... Someone he is accountable to...'
Ajoke was not letting this go and I heard Henrik chuckle.
I look up straight at him and he fake coughs to cover up.
'Ajoke is right, he has a supervisor'
And then she wiped her tears and called her press friends and paparazzi.
'I knew it was going to be in tomorrow's news'
'Should I cover up for the bastard, that almost killed you and the only friends I ever had?'
'No', I add and widen my eyes at Ajoke.
She needs to stop this nonsense this minute.
'I will tell others not to be cheap when it comes to lives. Human lives and .....'
The phone on speaker started ringing and the woman on the other end picks up.
Nnoye was fierce and angry and got her point across and then called the supervisor to tell him about his drunk security detail.
It made me see her in another light, she was strong. And we all have to give her, determined.
I looked in the car and inside were our treats, cakes, tarts and more.
I had to do something about it and I sit and grab one. Ajoke that was frowning, stopped.
'That's what pained me... The catering was from the best and I didn't get to taste it all'
Nnoye sighed and pulls out coolers from under the car seats.
'I saved everything for everyone'
Ajoke bites into the sweet delight and rests her back.
'Delicious'
Nnoye laughed and we all join in.
'But I can't forgive you for been in the car, when we were all in danger...'
'Ajoke', we all shout her name and laugh
So, surprise. We all made it tonight as friends, still.
My phone gets WhatsApp messages and Henrik checked and I sighed.
Here we go again...
**Season 2, Episode 49**
*"ADE'S JOURNAL", 49, COPYRIGHT 2017*
**BUSOLA ELEGBEDE, COPYRIGHT 2017**
No comments:
Post a Comment