Don't stop believing because you didn't get it, just keep trying until you achieve it. Trying on your own is like jumping into the lagoon and trying to learn how to swim, no lessons or instructor in sight. Just false hopes of grandeur as untrained limbs give up and the surface slips further and further away. That is gambling now, let's try something else. This time, you exercise and build your muscles. Read up on swimmers diet and change yours and get an Olympic medalist as an instructor for a year. And every month you swim in the lagoon and increase your distance for another full year.
What happens now, when you go into the lagoon to race, do you have a chance?
Whatever you believe in, works. Only if you put in the time and effort with successful trainers in that field. So why don't we?
The cool air that followed after the angry intense rain makes me smile. Not because of the traffic Lagos will definitely have after every rain fall. But because that cool breeze that stings and tingles my skin brings joy to my face. As I am about to bite into my favourite meal, lobsters in grilled potatoes. I stop.
I was deep in thoughts and analyzing situations I jumped into without thinking or any mentor in sight. What terrible hard lessons those were.
I give this vivid instance because I am staring at another disaster about to happen. I am in Nigeria, so it's not a natural disaster but man made.
For some strange reason, Nnoye has ruined it all, so I drop the lobster and know I won't continue. She has walked into my favorite restaurant with the saddest looking woman I've ever seen in this world. I have family members that would never show skin, and they have light and joy in their faces. They are conservative and extremely modest, but will never look as sad as this woman approaching me. I am not a fan of florescent colours and hated the florescent green and lemon and it's the horrid nineties days all over again. This woman had both miserable colours on, it was like the nineties clashing with the twenties.
And it certainly looks like Nnoye picked this woman out, on purpose to make Nnoye look good.
I shake my head as if trying to shake the disturbing colours out from my mind. Maybe I will be lucky, just maybe they didn't come in together.
As she approached, the hem of her not midi or maxi skirt frayed and I fought the urge to try to fix it. They both echo my name and I look behind for an alternative exit. Before the florescent woman got to me, I saw her whip her phone out and prepare to take a selfie with me. I put on my shades and moved away, shaking my hands and protested vehemently.
'No, no no'
I did not believe my eyes, is she for real?
'Maybe later', Nnoye tells her seeing I was disturbed by her rude attitude.
I gave Nnonye the first look of approval and relaxed a bit.
'This is Favor..', Nnoye starts to say and her friend cuts her short.
'We were in school together', she beams as if I recognized her.
'Secondary school?', Favor adds.
I shake my head.
'Uni', she announced loud and in a squeaky voice.
'What course?', I say trying to piece her face to my engineering course mates.
'Diploma, but I left for spiritual reasons'
I paused and gave her a blank look, why on earth does she think I would remember her.
'Really', I said but I meant shocker.
'She said you will marry this year', Nnoye adds out of nowhere.
I was too irritated by the sudden prediction they expect me to be impressed by.
'Nnoye, what about you?', I had to ask.
This my clueless friend brought a soothsayer to predict my life, what about hers.
'Nnoye will marry this year'
'Good', I add as if saying of course you would say that.
'What do you want?', I ask irritated by this whole situation.
'The Lord said, run across my altar and he will come'
'Who?', it was my trick question. Was she expecting me to join her cult. Act ridiculous and wear ridiculous colours as I running across their jazzed up alter.
Of course husband's will come, a performance like that will be epic. The outfit this woman had on was reflecting the sun into my eyes. I signal to the waiter, and change my mind and walk towards him. Ignoring all their calls as I pay for my meal. Plus the one they had just ordered, it was a treat from Ajoke because she could not attend. In fact, I order fresh meals and ask them to deliver to Ajoke's office and send her an emoji that made her call me. I ignore the call because I know her, she knew.
My dear Ajoke knew, that's why she dodged this lunch meeting. I go to say goodbye and apologize for leaving so quickly.
'It is a sin to want to raise children alone...', this florescent woman that did not respect personal space. Whispers in my ear as if trying to hypnotize me.
I give Nnoye a wicked side eye look, she was in trouble and she knew it. How dare she share my personal decision with her cult members, now my story will be all over the news. I restrain myself and do not react to this ambush, instead I put a fake smile on and then turn away from them.
I just wanted to get away and thank God Ajoke's driver was waiting.
I thank him for waiting and step into her car cursing quietly as I did. And shut my eyes for a moment.
I told Nnoye a personal decision, in fact I didn't. I shared the news with Ajoke and she happened to gate crash and over hear my private conversation. Instead of respecting my decision, she goes to her magician to try to change my mind. Are they going to be there when I raise my children, the rage I feel right now drains me and I exhale hard and inhale harder. I need to relax.....
The amount of government work these agbaya's have is amazing. How can someone who barely spends three hours with me in any week, feel the need to come and sway my decision. Na die she dey.
Just wait until I give Ajoke a piece of my mind, I've told her to stop pushing Nnoye on me. We are not friends and will never be...
After all, she is the reason Daniel Ojora is not my first option, after she jumped and quickly had a child with him....
Wait oooo, is this still an issue with me? What is wrong with me?
And then talk about the devil, my phone is ringing and just guess who is calling....
**"ADE'S JOURNAL", Season 3, Episode 84**
*"ADE'S JOURNAL", 84, COPYRIGHT 2018*
**BUSOLA ELEGBEDE, COPYRIGHT 2018**
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