Crossroads

by Feyisayo Alao

It was 6:30pm. Lara waited for Stella to come. She arrived before 7.00pm. Some girls and guys in shorts and joggers stood while others sat watching.

  ‘Welcome you ladies.’ Timi greeted as he saw them.

  “Hi!” Lara responded.

  “This is my friend, Lara Williams.” Stella introduced.

  “Hi Lara. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”Timi hugged her.

  “Timi, Stella has told me a lot about you.” Lara replied.

  “Will you like to join the rehearsal?”Timi asked.

  “I’ll just sit here and catch all the fun.” Lara whispered smiling.

  They practiced the steps they learnt from a frustrated man who was trying to cross the road. Some others were learnt from swaying trees, girls skipping, and basketball players. Also, from a policeman who was jumping, screaming and demonstrating as he spoke to a small man playing loud music from his car. They mimicked them all and practiced more moves which had been learnt before.

  Timi, Stella’s friend was the one in charge. They took their partners, ready to dance while Lara watched or rather learnt. It went on for hours, more songs, more moves. Everyone enjoyed it, happy, gisting and dancing, also changing positions. They started all over again, counting one…two…three.

  When they were finally through, Stella woke Lara, who was dozing on the bench. She was tired from the day’s activity.

  “Hey, it’s time. Let’s go home. Stella pulled her as she staggered to her feet.

  “Hmm…. Okay! I’m awake… yes! I’m awake.” Lara murmured as they strolled home.

  In Lagos, Michael joined the football team in the University. He became the team leader. One day a motivational speaker, Steve Harris, came to the University of Lagos. During a seminar, the speaker spoke about his childhood and his education. He mentioned how he struggled earlier in life, the sacrifices he had to make and all the challenges he faced before he became well known. He talked about the days he had to do some odd jobs before he made it. His speech on how he met Fela Durotoye (his boss) touched everyone. Michael promised not to stop inspiring his teammates and succeeding in class too.

  It was a busy week full of activities for Michael. The next day, his colleagues and himself had an excursion to Erin Ijesha waterfall in Osun State, Nigeria. They took off from the University of Lagos, and arrived at Osun State in the afternoon.

  The indigenes stared at them as they drove in. Having all alighted from the bus with their bags, one of their lecturers led the way. The students climbed the steps with laughter, chatting and kicking dry leaves.

  ‘We can come here for picnic or even researches.’ A boy said as he posed to take some snap shots with a group of girls.

  ‘More please. Let’s form a curve on the dried leaves.’ Another suggested, excited.

  Getting to the narrow steps with thin railings, the students got scared because looking down, what could be seen were sharp rocks, darkness and trees. Michael stared with his eyes wide open. As they climbed, Tutu missed a step falling towards the rocks. She clung to Michael, pulling his legs, and crying for help. Michael was caught off guard, so he slipped. Everyone paused until both of them had been rescued.

  “That was close.” Michael told himself as he stared down at the sharp rocks. They all proceeded, climbing the mountains. They were able to get to the fourth level before turning back. The mountains had mysterious appearance. The water came with force and splashes.

  ‘Wow! The fishes, the crabs and snails are real and beautiful,’ a dark guy commented.

  ‘We can pick some for practical.’ Titi suggested.

  ‘That’s if it’s allowed.’ The lecturer answered.

  It was said that people hardly got to the seventh mountain. Also, report had it that the water comes out of a pot on the last mountain. Anyway, they didn’t dare to find out.

  Michael had a match in two days at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). He thought of this as they left Erin Ijesha recounting the adventurous moments to one another and looking at photographs taken with their camera phones as they moved back to Lagos.

  Having parked his things in Lagos, he got ready to go to UNIBEN. The Match was a tough one. It was lecture free week, so, he still had some time for extra-curricular activities and reading as well. His football team was making headway in Benin. They played with excitement and confidence, even when it rained. Luck seemed to be on their side, Mike’s team won. On their way back, the news got to them that the date of their first general paper had been shifted to next week which called for double celebration. They had won and they also had enough time to prepare for their examination. After all the activities, he rested and focused on his final year examination.

  Lara was doing fine in Chicago. “Sweet chops” was doing fine too. It wasn’t really easy combining Sweet Chops with good grades in class but it was fun. People ordered for more cheese and chocolates on Wednesdays, more of Ice Cream on Fridays. Lara asked Stella to come join them. She showed her amazement by jumping on the bed and throwing the pillows in the air. One can imagine what Sweet Chops would turn into with dance, chocolate, spelling game, paintings and Ice Cream, wow!

  That night, she picked her pen and wrote her thoughts on paper:

  Every race has a colour.

  Every colour has a uniqueness,

  a form of childishness and desire.

  Different in every way but beautiful.

  Focus not on the negative but the positive and you’ll get the best from them.

  Generalizing based on tales told doesn’t define who an individual is.

  Whether black or white, red or brown,

  I have learnt to love them all.

  Few month later, all students rushed into their classrooms to avoid being late for lectures. Mr. Whales walked into the lecture room, pointed at five notorious girls in school and tongue-lashed them. They were caught laughing at him as he came in. Mr. Whales often pushed his neck forward, adjusted his glasses whenever he walked and that looked funny to them. He was nicknamed Mr. Double Eyes. He was a tall, black American, with full gray hair. The whole class was silent. He called the best ten in class, and then looked straight at Lara, who still stood since she was called.

  “Hey you!” he said pointing.

  “Sir,” she trembled with fear.

  “You’ve been doing great and I want you to do better. It’s your final year, no joking with your studies. In the last test, you had a lower grade. What have you been thinking of lately, you had better sit tight.” he commented.

  “Have a nice day everyone.” he said and then turned to a guy who was dozing on his seat.

  “You follow me!” he screamed. The guy who had saliva all over cleaned his face with his arms, staggered and stammered as he packed his bag and followed.

  In her final year, Lara succeeded in getting a first class after much hard work. On her graduation day, the school was crowded with students in their graduation gowns, parents from all over the world, relatives and well wishers.

  The heads of various departments and important guests were there present. Balloons were released in the air. Certificates were given to all students. Everyone stood up to cheer them, especially those that were given awards. So, Lara was noted for the outstanding student in her department. She checked in the crowd in search of her family members but they weren’t there.

  Her Sweet Chops family gathered together feasting, jumping, snapping photographs. The graduation ceremony ended very early. Various cars were seen at the parking lot including a white Limousine waiting for someone no one knew. Still in the celebration mood, Lara said goodbye to the last of Sweet Chops family at the park. She packed her gifts hoping to get a Taxi to take her home. Suddenly, she heard a voice screaming her name. It was actually from the Limo. As she walked towards the car, she thought of who it was, may be Nicky, yes it should be, that will be a big surprise. What will she be doing here oh! May be Mike’s mum! No No. I give up.

  “Mum! Is that you, when did you get this? Oh no it can’t be! What ar
e….”Lara whispered not knowing what else to say.

  “Sssh” Helen hushed her “come on in we didn’t steal it don’t be silly. It was hired. It’s a surprise for you.” Helen whispered back and laughed aloud then continued.

  “Let’s go home, you must be hungry. I’m sure.”

  When they got home, everyone was celebrating and jubilating with meat in between their teeth. Neighbours came to say hi dropping congratulatory cards, gifts and beautiful flowers.

  As Lara laid on her bed, she thought about the last mail she got from Nike and also went through that which Michael sent. Nike had established a Non Governmental Organisation and her group had taken over the south-western part of Nigeria. Michael too, according to the project he talked about some years ago, had also keyed into Nike’s vision. Though, he did his own differently he was actually into motivational speaking. He had been going to different states in the east, moving to the north, organizing conferences, enlightening the teenagers about the power they possessed. The National Youth Service Corps Scheme in Nigeria supported and helped them in meeting their target.

  Lara decided in her mind to start same in the U.S. with this words echoing in her mind:

  “You also will command nations you do not know, and people unknown to you will come running to obey.”

  Chapter 11