Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Unspoken Desire

This is fictional. I love using first person singular because it makes me feel what my character is going through.

it is just a story. Enjoy!



The sound of his laugher fills the kitchen even though he is in the next room. My skin crawled but at the same time my heart also leaped.

He is the happy type and his laugher is the contagious kind. I remember those days when we were young and I loved to hear him laugh. I secretly blushed when Mom use to say “A happy man is a good husband”.

"Aunty Naomi, Mom is on the phone” my niece yelled

I dropped the peeled onion and cleaned my hands with the apron around my waist. I picked up the mounted phone in the kitchen

"Hello"

"Naomi, I will be home late. I have to stop by mom’s house... What is that loud noise?" my sister asked

With sadness I answered

"It is your husband laughing”.

Friday, May 25, 2007

What season are u in?

Ecclesiastes
Chapter 3

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a
time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

I don’t know why this particular chapter is always left for funerals! This is the meaning of life itself. We should read and reread this chapter while we are alive, so we can understanding what living a good life is.

I have passed different seasons in my life and will still pass many more. Some I overcame, some I rectified my wrongs and others I am still struggling with and in Jesus name I shall be Victorious.

There are many times I have groaned and cried “God, why me?”, there are occasions that I have fought with GOD ( I know, I am such a silly girl). And there are times I will call on him to remember the promises he made. When i am finished with my tantrums, i read the bible to show God his promises, then I remember this chapter and it gives me the clarification – we have to go through all season “under the heaven”

Why?

Because God has made us in such a way that we are not satisfied with life as it exists "under the sun.” If we were, we will not look towards heaven. We have to be pushed out of our comfort zone in order to praise him. And by virtue of this appointment of God, all vicissitudes which happen in the world, whether comforts or calamities, come to pass. Which is here added to prove the principal proposition, That all things below are vain, and happiness is not to be found in them, because of their great uncertainty, and mutability, and transistorizes, and because they are so much out of the reach and power of men, and wholly in the disposal of God."

This is to remind me how much life is beyond my control."

So whenever that promotion didn’t fall through – I remember my planting season

When that boy breaks my heart – I remember my healing season

When things are not going right in my life – I remember my build up season

When that thing I am asking God is not yet here – I remember my time to get season.

New opportunities will arise; but sometimes we’ll just have to wait patiently for such opportunities. At other times we’ll lead more aggressively, other times we’ll need to stand back and watch as God works as only He can to prepare us for the next season in our life.

know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor -- it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).


While you are in whatever season - always REJOICE! "There is nothing better" - literally, "not good for a man except to REJOICE, to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good." God is indicating that this is as good as it gets in this life.


That you REJOICE
That you do good while you live
That you see the fruit of your labor
And that you recognize all of this as a gift from God.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

How the company views its employees

The family picture is on HIS desk. Ah, a solid, responsible family man.
The family picture is on HER desk. Umm, her family will come before her career.

HIS desk is cluttered. He's obviously a hard worker and a busy man.
HER desk is cluttered. She's obviously a disorganized scatterbrain.

HE is talking with his co-workers. He must be discussing the latest deal.
SHE is talking with her co-workers. She must be gossiping.

HE's not at his desk. He must be at a meeting.
SHE's not at her desk. She must be in the ladies' room.

HE's not in the office. He's meeting with customers.
SHE's not in the office. She must be out shopping.

HE's having lunch with the boss. He's on his way up.
SHE's having lunch with the boss. They must be having an affair.

The boss criticized HIM. He'll improve his performance.
The boss criticized HER. She'll be very upset.

HE got an unfair deal. Did he get angry?
SHE got an unfair deal. Did she cry?

HE's going on a business trip. It's good for his career.
SHE's going on a business trip. What does her husband say?

HE's leaving for a better job. He knows how to recognize a good opportunity.
SHE's leaving for a better job. Women are not dependable

Friday, May 18, 2007

Second heart break!

I have always been an avid reader. Being an only child for a while before the other little munchkins came along and stole my "shine", I read because there was no one to play with. Yes sure, I had cousins and friends, but they too had houses they had to return to. Reading gave me imagination. Imagination gave forth images. I had to put them down into words because it is too much in my head.

Such is this story. Enjoy!


Despite the ten years of separation, I still feel the same strong urge to hug and kiss him. He was sitting in the back sit of my mom’s car. They came together to pick me up from the train station.

Why is he with mom? I thought. Why would she think it is a good idea to bring him along? Did she think I am over him? I refuse to look at him; it brought back so much pain. I remembered the day they broke us up, the hours I spent crying and the minute I had to let go. I still remembered how mom lectured me on the consequences of being strongly attached to anyone or anything beside her and dad. My friends also told me it’s for the best. It was time to move on.

I never did move on. Nothing compared to him. I decided that he was going to be the last in my life. I needed no other replacement.

I knew all my reminiscing was of no use. He now belonged to another. Someone I know for a fact doesn’t deserve him. She never treats him well; I have seen them a couple of times together. I usually just stared at him from afar, even though no words were exchanged, I knew he was not happy.

My mom sensed my uneasiness, she squeezed my hand, somehow telling me I had to be strong. She asked if I was alright, I nodded. We talked as if he was not in the car, he too just gawked ahead. We got to his home. I refused to say another goodbye. As mom opened the back door to let him out, aunty emerge from her house

“Nadia, what are you doing here” she asked my mother

“Hello Anu. I came to return your daughter’s teddy bear. I found it behind the couch this morning; she must have left it after your visit last night”.

Mom handed him to aunty Nadia and we left their house.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

I hope it's Finished!

I lie if I say I am keen on blogging this story. It chokes my spirit. Hopefully it will be the last we will hear of it. I mean, I am not use to having drama like this in my life.

Anyway, I conclude the story with sadness- Seye’s wife is now in the hospital with a broken jaw. I will tell you the version of the story I heard. Which I don’t believe wholeheartly.

Allegedly, Seye went home after he spoke to me to “warn” Olatilewa to stop the harassment. They argued for at least an hour and she still didn’t see reason. He then decided he had had enough argument for the night; he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door. His wife ran after him, I guess to drag him back into their flat. She ran down the stairs to catch him in the lobby because Seye took the elevator. She slipped, fell on the stairs and rolled down 2 flights of stairs. I have been to their complex and I can tell you those stairs are steep. Her lips were cut and her jaw broken.

Only God knows if that is what really happened. Just read on to see the reason why I think maybe – just maybe Seye beat his wife to this condition. The story of falling down might just have been concocted to avoid eyes in the hospital.

I know some readers have questioned the wife’s insecurities in her marriage. Well she has her reasons.

Seye called me yesterday to relate the story to me. His words “she got what she deserved – my God, can you believe I found your name and phone number under her pillow”.

Allied: Don’t say that, I pray for her recovery. But why does she have my name under her pillow? Anyway, I am not afraid I am covered by the blood of Jesus. But Seye, please don’t call me anymore, at least until she knows there is nothing bwt us. I can’t handle stuff like this. I will hate to come to London and the girls are holding on to their husband and Boy friends just because they see me in sight. Please I don’t like drama.

Seye: Ahh... Allied ma so be mo (don’t say that again) you are breaking my heart. I like talking to you. You are just a nice girl.

Allied: please understand... I just want to clear my name from this mess. Or do you want people to think it’s true. Think about your own reputation (Why did I think he even had a reputable one)

Seye: What if I tell you it will not bother me?

Allied:
what do you mean?

Seye: When you were in London, did you realize I came by all the time? I like your spirit. I had to question God why I didn’t meet you earlier. I know I shouldn’t be saying this but I like you and I am telling you that now……and,

Allied: Seye kilo ro pe on so? (What do you think you are saying) ahh... alokoba ma n e ke? (You are a betrayer) Ase oto ni pe eniyan buruko ni e (So it is true you are a mean person) I can’t believe what I am hearing? Don’t you know you are married?

Seye:
Allied ma binu (don’t be angry) but I had to say it. I felt this way a while ago. We both know I can’t marry you, but who knows what can happen in the long run?

Ori boy yi o pe (this boy is crazy)

Allied: You know what…. Seye, please don’t call me again – cause if I say what is on my mind – I will wrong God. I have many names I want to call you right now, but you are not worth it. Please jabo lori phone mi jo (get off my phone)

I hung up. People, what kind of man is this? His wife is in the hospital and there he is trying to “toast” another girl.

All is well. I have decided to put all this behind me. And I pray that God heal his wife completely- physically and emotionally.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Something is up

Hey all...

Hope all is well with everybody? This week has been a blessing even with all the “buts” in it. I promised I was going to give the update of Mrs. Olatilewa. Anyway I don’t like the way the drama ended (has it?)

After my conversation with the wife, I immediately picked up the phone and called the husband’s sister (Sister Bose) to tell her what happened. The sister said I shouldn’t worry; she will talk to Olatilewa and sort things out.

My mind was then at ease…. (Maybe I should not have relaxed so much)

Sister Bose’s way of approach baffled me. She called her brother Seye to ask if he is in love with me (WHAT!) – From where to where? (Her brother told me this)

Seye called me to apologize about his wife behavior but he said something that also baffled me as well “Allied sorry about this whole thing – the girl is crazy and I assure you that it will never happen again, I will deal with her”

Allied: “Wa (come) what do you mean you will deal with her?

Seye: Don’t worry about that, I will show her what she wants to see

Allied: hmm Seye, I am know this is ur household, but I hope you are not going to do what I think u will do?

Seye: What is that?

Allied: (I swallowed and spoke in a whisper) you are not going to hit her?... right?

Seye: Allied leave that one alone… I am just calling to apologize... Sister Bose said u were angry. I will take care of it... I will call you later

Allied: Seye, a real man doesn’t hit his wife ooo… I will be disappointed if you do, and please it will look like you are beating her for me… What kind of man are u? Seye please this is not how to solve the problem. Just tell her we are not dating... Seye... Emi so temi (I am saying my own).

Seye: Don’t worry I will not do anything... I will just warn her… I have to go. Sorry again.

Seye hang up. For a reason, I was afraid. What have I caused? Husband and wife will be fighting cause of me? When did I reach this stage?

I decided to call Sister Bose.

Sister Bose: Hello, Allied, I have spoken to Seye, and he is going to talk to Olatilewa, so she will not bother you again. But I have something to tell you.

Allied: what is it?

Sister Bose: I know my brother, I think he likes you.

Allied: Aunty Bose, what are u saying? Seye has said anything of the sort. We do not chat and we have only spoken on the phone twice since my visit to London

Sister Bose: I know, he told me as well. But I am just saying. He might have an agenda.

Allied: Well be rest assured that nothing will happen. I do not date married men. I will not destroy someone else’s happy home.

Egba mi ooooo… I have to go to a meeting now.. will continue the story later.

Friday, May 11, 2007

What is she smoking?

See me see trouble ooooooooooo

I woke up this morning to blinking lights … I looked towards my window still and there sat my laptop. Kilode? For some reason, the machine did not go into sleep mode. I looked at it closely and I saw someone had sent me numerous IMs. All saying “husband snatcher - leave my husband alone”

Okay oooooooo…. What is this nonsense? Tani eni to ni ise se ? (who is jobless person?)

I sha got up – I kuku have mortgage, car insurance and the whole lots to pay, so I cant afford to luxuriate in bed or reply to this crazy Ims… so I got ready for work.

I got to work and did my routine of prioritized items… made my coffee, checked emails, and checked my Oga’s calendar so I can know when to goof of during the day… As I did this, did that, I got another IM – the screen name I could not recognize. It said

Olatilewa: Good morning husband snatcher.

Me: emmm I reject that - Please who is this? O se aro (it’s too early for this)

Olatilewa: Please I know I im u so much last night, but I am begging you, please leave my husband for me.

Abi nnkan she girl yi ke ?(Is something wrong with this girl?)

Me: Please whoever this is should stop; I have a lot to do this morning…

Olatilewa: U have broken my home and u have the nerves to tell me, you have a lot to do… Ashewo oshi

Ahh… Egba mi... Is this for real?

Me: seriously who is this? Are u serious? Who the heck is ur husband?

Olatilewa: So… u steal husbands in bunch, you don’t even know who you are f***ing anymore…

Okay – at this point – I thought this is not a prank – this girl seriously think I have something with her husband. But I am sure it’s a case of mistaken identity.

Me: Olatilewa or whoever u are... I am not sleeping with anyone and the person I am dating is not even Nigerian, so I don’t know what you are talking about. And by the way what is ur husband’s name – just curious?

I don’t know why I gave her all this information – it’s not her business anyway, but I had to let her know, she is talking to the wrong person. I shouldn’t have even asked what her husband name was … but I did. For some reason this implicated me more.

Olatilewa: please don’t give me some sorry story – I know for a fact that he chats and calls you every night.

Me: say what!

Olatilewa: I am begging you… if you don’t want the whole of London to come down on you, you better leave him alone and go find your own man

Me: London? I don’t even live in London

Olatilewa: U don’t? How come u guys chat every night?

(eyeroll) Gosh! Did she really type that?

Me: what is your husband’s name?

Olatilewa: Seye (* name change)

Me: Seye? What is his last name – I know a couple of Seyes in London

Olatilewa: Seye Last name

Me: oh… Tilewa, it’s me. Allied. Remember I came to your house 2 weeks ago when I was in London? I came with Aunty Bose (*name change) your husband’s sister. I am the girl that is helping your husband with the Bank statement.

Olatilewa: U are a liar – you came into my house with the pretense of helping him, but I know your true agenda. Both of you pretended as if you don’t know each other... now you are so acquainted.

Me: Olatilewa, please give me my respect... I am not seeing your husband nor do I intend to. Also I do not chat with your husband every night. He had my screen name because I cannot pick up his calls due to the time difference. I told him if he has any question regarding bank statements– he should just send me IM. Your husband may have been chatting at night, but I assure you that it not with me.

Olatilewa: I am just warning you, LEAVE MY HUSBAND ALONE

Olatilewa has signed out!

See me see trouble… how do I sort out this problem now…?


To be cont.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

I am here!

Hello

I am not new to the blog world but new to the “Niaja” blogging (whatever that means). It is so interesting to read Nigerian bloggers for some reason. I feel a connection at some level (I don’t know why that is).. and they are much funnier.

Anyway, Una welcome me oooooooo… I will try to pen my thoughts down here carefully; I have always being a listener, so I guess it will be hard doing all the talking (or typing).

I will be *ranting* about random things, things that interest me, stories I write, poems I have written and other observations. I am someone who likes to try new things, hopefully I don’t bore you.

Some rants will make sense and other wont, the rants you don’t understand, means I am also trying to figure stuff out – that is where I will need your help. My grandmother always told me “it easier telling a stranger your story - because he/she won't be bias” I hope this adage will hold true to my benefit on this blog.

I will try to remain anonymous so I can be free with my thoughts – (hopefully)!

Till then

Later