Crossroads

by Feyisayo Alao

Many years had passed, Mike was older. Companies were asking him to come and work for them. He got a job in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Mike’s father was a wealthy business man in Ikoyi who got his money through hard work. He had enough investments and estates at home and abroad. Mike packed to one of the houses owned by his father in Abuja.

  Two days before he left, Nike got married to Felix, Michael was there with her and helped her in every way he could. It was a small, colourful wedding and her band made the day beautiful. Everyone dressed in ‘agbada’, beautiful wrappers, blouses, beads, head ties and caps. The fact that Nike was getting married didn’t mean they couldn’t still be good friends. His ‘Minister for Information’ that keeps him abreast of Lara’s adventures which she never told him in full was being taken away. They both had not seen Lara for years. They only called, chatted on online and shared pictures. They both missed Lara but life had to move on.

  Tosin, Nike’s neighbour moved to England. He did more of website designing. Nike never heard from him again since he left.

  The project Mike was handing went on well. He invented machines and trained youths. Foreigners who came to inspect his work loved it and asked him to come and establish a branch in their country. They were Americans. Mike was really glad. Who knew it was going to be his last exciting moment. He planned to leave for a year or two and come back to take charge of his business and his father’s investment here in Nigeria. His dad encouraged him to go with the men after getting proper and adequate information about what the foreigners did and where they worked.

  Mike had covered the northern part and work was going on, mind transformation of the young ones. Felix and Nike also continued with the group and the vision.

  With Nike married and Lara in Chicago, Mike was alone unmarried. He was packed, ready to move to the strange land for a new experience. Of course, Lara must be preparing for her marriage too. Things like that, ladies won’t tell you, they only shock you with it when you don’t expect, he thought. Mike misplaced his address book when he was in school. It was stolen with his empty purse but that wasn’t a problem. He knew where she lived, that was one thing he could not forget. He could just pay her a visit. Not a bad idea, he told himself. He wasn’t planning to intrude if she was in a relationship, he just missed her, he warned himself. Since he finished Youth Service, Lara had stopped communicating, he couldn’t just show up in her life like that. As he stepped out of his house, he deleted Tracy’s picture from his mind. She’s been on his neck for years wanting him to propose but she’s not his type. Tracy was his classmate in the university.

  It was Christmas time; snow all over, trees with Christmas lights, kids running around with balloons, flower and cakes. Gift shops were filled with people wanting to get gifts for their loved ones. There were so many “Father Christmases” with red caps, costumes and big bellies, Kids and adults displayed fireworks, families made little fire to keep warm while some roasted some meat.

  Lara spent time arranging tiny stars, Christmas bells and balls on the family tree. She hid gifts belonging to everyone under the tree, before going to say hi to her Sweet Chops family. Sweet Chops looked lovely with kids coming in to get chocolates, ice cream and cookies. They made great sales, playing the Jingle bell… Jingle bell… song.

  Lara had a new friend, Dan, a friend of the Sweet Chops family.

  “This is for you Lara. Merry Christmas.”He said giving her a little parcel.

  “Oh oh oh Jingle! Jingle! Thanks” she replied mimicking Santa clause, with all ladies screaming. They all welcomed him, celebrating as they watched Stella and Timi dance. Sandra and Tess, the two other girls formed some kind of dance, while Dan danced with Lara, all making Christmas wishes. Dan wasn’t from a rich home but he was brilliant, hard working, helpful and very happy and that was what mattered. Some kids stood out waiting for the first star in the sky. They believed the first bright star was the wishing star which made their wishes come true. As it appeared they all went…

  “I wish! I wish! ....”

  wishing for toys cars, shoes, cheese, more chocolates and Christmas meat. Lara sneaked home, leaving her friends to continue the celebration. The entry point of Lara’s home was decorated with flowers and Christmas lights. The door wasn’t locked. The house was so bright, beneath the Christmas tree was full of gifts. After dinner, they all came together to open their gifts because they spent all day celebrating after service. I bet there were enough gifts to open. U.S. rocked with music.

  This day was fun filled in Nigeria. It was a bloody season for innocent cows, goats, and hens. Bundles of fire woods were gathered with large pots to boil and fry. It was a cold night and smoke from the woods was seen going up into the sky. Mother held hand fans to help the fire consume the sticks well. The dry sticks crackled as they caught fire. Children wandered the streets with “disco” lights. Babies gathered together and played with sand, expecting some tiny meats to come their way. They glanced at their mothers every now and then.

  Various homes were beautified with Christmas lights and decoration. Many received cards, gifts and hampers from neighbours. Despite all the wars and hardship that had passed everyone seemed to have forgotten all as they danced and sang.

  Nike and Felix went with their team to different secondary schools and organized another Christmas festival like the last one. All students dressed in costumes and Christmas caps. They all looked like Santa kids with their red and white caps. Drama and dance groups performed and the teenagers had a lot to eat. The schools looked attractive with the coloured paper decorations all over. ‘Bata’ dancers were set for their performance in their attires. The team went ahead to establish a craft village. They taught the unemployed graduates how to knit, make cane chairs, tables, baskets, vases, kante, tie and dye materials, and horticulture. Artists were also brought in to display their works. So, Christmas day was busy for the crafting village workers, they produced in large quantity and distributed. This was their gift to the graduates that had been unemployed for years.

  After the day’s activity the band gathered for a little celebration with full instruments: violins, trombones, saxophones, piano, drums and guitar. They sang, played, laughed and gisted.

  ‘Did you see the joy in the eyes of those kids?’ Rita said excited.

  ‘Yes! Yes! This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.’ Felix exclaimed.

  ‘Really?’ Nike turned to listen attentively.

  ‘Yes! This is one big family making people happy. That’s what I want to leave for.’ Felix answered. The whole band played on till dusk.

  Michael landed in the United States, in the midst of all the celebration and adventure. Christmas was over and everyone prepared for the New Year. One hour to 12 mid-night, churches, and streets were filled up with people, some with candles. They started the countdown and screamed “happy new year!” fireworks all over, different colours in the sky, as the church bell struck twelve.

  In Nigeria, immediately it was fifteen minutes to twelve, all those in shops, bars and various places made sure they were in church. Some had the belief that anyone outside the church was vulnerable to all forms of harm and evil. Some others believed that it was good starting the New Year with God. Teenagers and even adults got into action after the grace, throwing bangers all over the streets. People left church making New Year resolutions, new plans and new dream lists.

  Celebration ended, Lara got a job so soon, leaving her friends Sandra, Tess and Stella to manage Sweet Chops which is now bigger. They made cool money but she just desired more. She worked somewhere really far from her home. Lara happened to be the secretary of the company, a larger version of Sweet Chops, “Candies and talents” was its name. They did training on events management, interior decoration, involved in catering service and also organized singles conferences. These attracted many people from all over America and United Kingdom.

  Michael was enjoying the newness of year and was taken on tour to his place of interest. At the end of the
tour, Mark and Stephen, his hosts briefed him about a two-week meeting that would take place on a ship. So, they headed for the seaport. It was a retreat during which freshmen were to be trained by experts which Michael was one of them.

  Guys with coloured backpacks queued as they moved into the ships chatting. Families waved them goodbye. A guy quickly stuck in some snacks into his already full bag, whistling. Another stared at the ship and then at the sea a little frightened. He said some prayers and tightened his pack round him.

  As they all got on board and settled down, the captain warned,

  “This training is for the confident and the prepared. Welcome on board gentlemen.”

  Speakers took their turns, they all had great feasts but short time to rest. Michael showed samples of some things he had made. The trainees were made to draw up sketches of things they would like to produce. The experience was beautiful. As the retreat was gradually coming to an end, they found time for games. The men sat in twos as they enjoyed chess with concentration, drinking and feasting.

  On the last night of the retreat, the weather changed. They were far from land. The captain reassured every one and encouraged them not to fret. There was a great storm that shook the ship. As the captain struggled, trying to get to the land, they hit a rock undersea. Water rushed into the holes in the ship.

  ‘Help! Sammy, help!’ the man on dreadlocks called.

  ‘Pull out the broken pieces of wood, man!’ another screamed holding on to his bowler hat.

  ‘Jump, it’s going down.’ The bald headed man shouted as he fell off.

  Men jumped into the sea to survive as the ship began to sink. By the time it was out of sight, everyone had left and struggled to stay afloat. It was survival of the fittest. The rescue team came quickly and transported them with helicopters and sail boats to the nearest hospital. One body was found and three people were missing and Michael Davis was one of them. The search was still on.

  The news spread fast, families were seen at the port. A beautiful girl was just screaming.

  “Dada…Dada!”

  Everyone stood in shock. When Richard and Aderonke got the news, Richard fell ill. He could not imagine who would take over his business and inherit his wealth. Aderonke grew older suddenly, their only child was gone. There was controversy over the issue of his body. It was nowhere to be found. For now, he was on the list of the dead and it remained so. Mike was gone.

  Chapter 12