Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Valor had gone to trouble Richard saying things that would flatter him. “Bro, you are just wasting your time in this school, you should have gotten married by now so that when I come to your house, I’ll be hearing words like “Daddy! Daddy! and you will be like, Junior go and sleep, go and meet your mummy let me rest.” Richard replied “You are talking, by now, you should have had four children, buy your motorcycle, automatic marriage, no waste of time. Just look for a woman and marry at once. Before you know it, your beards will be fully developed, grey hairs become a privilege.” “That one is a small thing, my mother was talking to me about finding a wife before leaving school.” Richard started laughing. Then Valor continued “She said girls are lazy, they won’t cook but only eat fast food. She further said, if you look at their waste bin, you will see bread packets or noodles, tin milk containers, moin-moin leaf wrap, and so on. I asked her how she knew, and then she said that she normally sneaks on their waste bin to see what’s inside.” Before he completed his statement, Richard’s hands were on his head and he was laughing uncontrollably, He said, “Oh my gosh.” They both laughed again. Richard then reacted, “But what she said is true, if we want to know girls that can cook, we should check their waste bins.” Valor replied comically, “Eh, that one is simple, we should begin with your girlfriend.” Richard opened his eyes wide and looked at Valor with a frown. His reply was unexpected, but he agreed, “If we check mine, then we will check yours as well. By the way, is it Gift, or Alice now, or you have another one?” “I don’t have any currently, and I am not a flirt to jump from one girl to another. So, we should just check other girls we know.”

***

It is a new day; the boys went house to house to see and understand girls’ way of life and how they cook. There was no book to describe girls except your encounter with them. These boys met a girl called Sandra on her way to the hostel. Valor knew her better, “Hello Sandra” “Hi, big men of Aluta, how are you?” “We are hungry and thought of coming to your room. We know you will not fail us.” “Seriously, ok then, come with me.” They followed her to her room where she served them rice and beans. “Wow! It’s delicious.” They commented and did not bother to check her waste bin. But Richard pretended to get fresh air by the window side and peeped through. It was confusing; he did not see it.

They moved to another girls’ house. She was on her way home. They cajoled her “Mitchell, you quiet girl” Richard had ways of getting peoples’ attention. “How was your day?” “Awesome!” She replied. “So where are you going?” “I’m going to my house.” “At where?” “The next street.” “Is that why you are walking so fast” “No, I just want to go home and relax, I had a hectic day” “Okay, sorry about that. You know years have passed and we will soon leave school and you don’t even care to show us your house. Is this how you want to leave us?” “No please, you guys are free to come and know my place.” They followed her till they reached her house. They entered the house. It was a beautiful one. They moved around looking for pictures. Valor asked, “What do you have to serve your visitors?” “You will relax, let me get you sardines. I have bread here.” “I don’t eat sardines” “Richard, what of you?” “Give me bread and water” “No way! you cannot come to my house and eat dry bread and water. That’s impossible!” “Then you will add milk” “I have tin milk here” She served them. After eating, Valor decided to go and throw the wraps and the tin away. He tip-toed, opened the waste bin, and looked inside it. He could see eggs shells, bread packets, tin, tomato containers, banana peels. “so expensive.” He left quietly without being noticed. They sat with her for a while, made some jokes, and then left. These two idiots have tried other girls around them; it was not too bad but funny with the experience. They also met one of their friends that accepted them without any long discussion. She took them to her house. “I’m living alone,” she said with a proud expression, “and I have only one chair for myself, Valor, you can sit on the mattress, while your friend takes the chair.” Richard was glancing through her table, picking things up and putting them back. He picked up an eye pencil, looked at it very well. She had collections of them. Richard also saw candy and two sachets of dry gin. He picked it and showed her. She collected them from his hands and opened one and started drinking. She checked her locker, there was no

provision and then said, “I will not leave my house for the both of you. One of you should go get something for us to eat. I will give you a hundred naira to add.” Valor volunteered, but Richard insisted on going. They had agreed on a special food down the street, fried potatoes with stew and soft drinks. When Richard left, she went closer to Valor, handed over the other gin but he refused to collect and said, “No, I don’t like this one. I prefer the one that is flavored.” “at least you can have a taste.” “No, thanks.” “Emm, there is this thing that has been bothering me for a while. I don’t know how to put it, but it’s confusing.” “Go straight to the point” “The point is, my eye hurts and my heart always has this palpitation every time. I was wondering if you could help me resolve it with your intelligence.” She was trying to undress. Immediately, she unbuttoned her shirt and came closer to him Valor said, “I suggest you should see a qualified doctor” “that’s why I have come to see you” She was coming closer to seduce him, but he thought about pushing her away in her own house, he shifted backward. She continued to draw closer to him until he rested on the wall. It was a nice position for her to overwhelm him. Valor had started sweating, looking for what to do to distract her. She turned her leg unto the bed. Richard opened the door holding nothing except the money. Valor stood up immediately and was looking at Richard “Where are the potatoes?” He replied, “The woman said that It is finished.” She had buttoned up very fast. She said, “Oh, I’m very hungry. You can get tomatoes; I have spaghetti here. We can prepare something fast.” They both replied, “No, that will take a long time, we did not plan to stay much longer, we should be on our way.” She walked up to Valor and rested her hand on his shoulder and said, “Sorry, next time you come there will be something to eat and we’ll enjoy ourselves.” He replied, “There will be no problem with that” “I’m always free in the evening” “That one is sure” “Thanks dear for considering. Goodbye.” Richard was already outside waving goodbye to her. She waved back and closed her door. They walked to a point and started laughing and jumping. Valor kept his hands on his waist. Richard said, “That girl is not a small girl. Her waste bin is filled with that thing she was drinking” “did you check?” “Yes, I turned to the other side of the house and checked when I went outside.” “She was seducing me; I was thinking of pushing her away when she moved me to the wall.” “I knew it already, that's why I did not go and buy it.” Valor was surprised and wanted to kick him. “So, you were outside listening?” “I heard everything. I suspected her move and intervened. You should be thanking me” “No, I knew what to do” While they reached the end of the street, Richard remembered that he did not return her money. He went and returned it while Valor waited. When he returned, Valor told him that they should also visit his girlfriend’s house. And Richard replied, “I trust my girl, she takes care of things herself. She can cook better” Valor was smiling as Richard was talking. He nodded to the good words he was hearing while they kept walking home.

***

Early afternoon, after a lecture, the two friends visited Richard’s girlfriend’s place. The whole place was neat and tidy. She served them beans and plantain on different plates. Valor was impressed at her well-being. She ate with Richard while Valor ate alone. He was smiling looking at how they sat on the floor to eat. Valor teased them to feed each other. “Richard, is this how you are going to do on that day? Open your mouth and eat from her hand.” Richard was intimidated because Valor was making fun of him. He could not wait for the food to finish. He found a way to punish her by telling her to wash his hands and clean his mouth after the food. Valor had thought of a lot of things to be done but He excused them and went home. “Sister and brother, I am very sorry that I have to leave you guys.” Richard was anxious about why Valor left him. “Can’t you wait, Where are you rushing to?” “That exam I told you about for only my department for the 85% credit, you remember?” “Yes” “it’s tomorrow,” She said, “I thought final year students were done with their exams.” “Yes, but this one is different.” He picked up his bag, hung it, and left them. While he was walking home, his mood changed. He knew that he was about to face a challenging exam, all the best of the doctors will set the questions; it was an opportunity for him to win and stand out during graduation. Everyone is looking forward to standing out, nobody wants to be average. Sometimes, people may call your success being proud, but they may not know how you strived both day and night just for you to be in that position of being happy for the effort you put, also for the blockades you escaped. Valor placed some books on the table reading all night. He revised some past questions. He pondered on how the exams would be. He laid on the bed and asked himself, “What if I don’t succeed” He shook off the bad thoughts and stood up to his studies. He always remembered his rule, “Attempting is worth folding of arms.” He tried to encourage himself. He thought if he failed, Gift would say that he was proud because she had offended him. He humbled himself and said a little prayer. After praying, he gained the courage to study. On the other side, John was sleeping waiting for the day to dawn so he could revise. He believed in reading at dawn rather than dusk. After studying, he wore his clothes and moved to school.

In the examination hall, the doctors and professors were all smiling at the amazing number of students writing the exams. There were only eighteen of them that could meet the 85% requirement. The instructor gave them the instructions, “Write your name and your registration number on the spaces provided. The exam is very simple. You have 20 objective questions and 20 subjective questions, a total of 40 for only 20 minutes. Remember no malpractice, no friendship, your time starts now.” While the instructor was talking, Valor’s eyes were on John. All the boys in the hall and one girl began the exams as fast as they could. Valor began to answer the questions; he tried to speed up to his very best. The whole hall became very silent. The concentration everyone had just because they had to be the best which was very necessary. Valor looked at John, he was not rushing, but he bent his head, looked at the questions, and kept on nodding. Valor became confused, “Why is he not writing, what’s wrong with that boy, maybe he wants to fail.” Valor kept on writing as well as others. After 10 minutes, he looked at John again. John was looking at his wristwatch and looking at the invigilators around, he stretched himself, buried his two hands between his legs pushing himself forward and backward. Valor was distracted, his heart was beating so fast. He wondered what was wrong with John. “Is this boy, okay?” Immediately, John stood up and left his seat, submitted his papers, and left the hall. This made everyone surprised at his speed. Everyone in the hall became busy writing the examination except Valor who only sat there, staring at his papers. He looked at it again, read the instruction “Answer only number 13.” He marveled, at this point, so many thoughts came to him. “Oh God help me,” he said. He knew that there is no more time. He started looking left and right, he called for the invigilator and told her that his pen was not writing that the ink had soaked his book. The lady pitied him, she changed the sheet and gave him a new paper and a new seat, she even helped him with her handkerchief to clean his hands and gave him another pen. Valor was already sweating. The invigilator had told him to be very fast and that there is no more time. He took his pen down to no 13 then he looked at the instruction again, “In this very question, answer only number 20.” He smiled; the question was very simple. He became very focused and kept writing for the remaining minutes, he sat there looking at every other person. The time was up, they all submitted their papers and left.

Valor went and sat down under a tree. His morale became very low. He rewound his life considering the past events, the nightclubbing, dating, and the waste bin stuff, thinking about Gift, likewise Alice. He wrapped up all the past events and said, “All those things are useless, very useless. How I wish everyone would be focused like John. There should be no means that one should be proud, but I was not proud but only happy for my progress. If I was not careful, I would have ended up average. No, no” He kept saying things that made sense and did not even make sense until Richard came to him. “Why are you sitting this way? Is it that you did not write well?” “I wrote well, just sit down” Richard sat down with him “then what is the problem? Is it that Gift showed up and she changed your mood?” He replied “All those things, checking of waste bin challenge was a waste of time. It does not worth the exams I wrote today.” “How was it?” asked Richard. “It was challenging. We were given 40 questions for 20 minutes, and there was this guy that had been challenging. He did not write anything while we were writing.” “So, is that your business?” “It is not my business, but it became my concern. He was right, the instruction on the paper said to answer only one question while we were rushing to finish. I never knew, but I was observing him, he was not even writing but became very nervous. Few minutes later, he submitted, and it took me some extra minutes to realize that.” “How did you do?” “I removed my pen and floated my script especially at the top where I wrote my name and Registration number, then I floated the remaining. It was very bad. I could not believe myself doing that. I collected another script and answered and then submitted it.” Richard was amazed by his story. “Your professors are very creative.” He kept silent with valor for a while and then broke it again, “Yesterday, you had the mind to play I and that girl.” Valor smiled, “Yes, you like her” “Why didn’t you stop that nonsense and you made me kiss her yesterday.” “How, when” “When you left us, you shouldn’t have left us.” “Sorry, but it was not so bad” “I was surprised, she became very happy, moving up and down, so caring. I just sat relaxed and watched how you can make somebody happy” “Yes, of course, you were doing what you know you could do best” “I’ll slap you, I’m not ready to be a father. Yesterday, I felt as if I was already a father. My mind blew” “Yes, I knew. You were already flying in the heavens” “It’s your turn to fly. You should go see Alice. This is getting to a month and you have not done anything” “I told you she was not all that beautiful, and I don’t even know her very well.” “Then you should at least look for her and say something to her face, you appreciate her feelings towards you, but things may never work out” “Yes! Valor stood up, I’m going to end this relationship once and for all. I know what you want, you want to check her waste bin” Richard smiled. Valor was still bold and spoke angrily jokingly “your girlfriend’s food had purged me yesterday, and secondly you let her know we were coming and gave her money to cook. Why did you rush to protect that which you owned? See your life, you don’t want me to laugh at your girl, but already she had packed enough pepper into the food that I spent 30 minutes in the toilet.” Richard was frowning. He knew that Valor had already read his intentions, that’s why he was pouring words anyhow. “So, Valor, are you not so kind to meet that pretty lady? At least do you know if she is dreaming of you.” “to cut the matter short, we will go to her house this evening only if you are sure of the address.” Richard was happy, but Valor’s morale was still low.

#She_is_beautiful

When it was evening, Richard was happy leading Valor to her house. Although he was not sure of where she lived, his happiness and boldness kept Valor alive about his surety. Valor had been looking around the street as they walked into the compound Richard had pointed. Valor stopped him and said, “I have seen her” “Where is she?” “In that shop.” Richard was not sure of the person and asked, “How are you sure of the person when she is backing us. If she is the one, then you should go to her.” Valor said, “I’m scared of using the wrong words” “Then you should wait for me to go and bring a dictionary from the house, just go and the right words will come out from your mouth.” He summoned courage and went to the shop. It had candlelight in it that was shining. The light from the candle was reflecting on her face. Valor greeted her; she answered and did not even bother to turn. He unveiled the hood he wore and called her by her name, “Alice” She turned. Valor was surprised at how beautiful she looked. The reflection of the candlelight on her face changed her looks. Valor admired her for two minutes, she did the same; they were staring at each other without saying a word. Then she replied, “Oh, it’s you. I thought you didn’t care.” “No, I was exhausted with lots of activities.” She cuts in “Liar, a guy like you with high standards, forget the nonsense you just said.” She collects her change and left the shop. Valor ran after her, stopping her beside the shop. “Just listen to me,” he said. “Then say it” “Calm down and listen to me, please. At first, I never thought of loving you, you took me unawares. I’ve met so many girls, but the truth is you cannot be compared to the ones I met. Something happened this afternoon that made me speechless for almost an hour. Then I thought of you. I realized how precious you are. Come on, I’m in love with you and I just want you to change your mind about me please.” “I’ve heard you. You asked me that night if there was another person in your life.” Valor became amused and looked sideways. She challenged him. “Now, look me in the eyes, and tell me that you love me” He turned to her, he blinked and blinked and blinked and said, “I love you” She hugged him very tightly. He kept turning his head that his life has been turned just in a day. Firstly, by the exams and now by her actions. However, Richard could see them from a distance. He had his share of life experience which made him not to laugh not even be surprised to see them embracing each other. “What happened, instead of a breakup, they are embracing each other. Or maybe it’s their best way to say goodbye.” Alice had persuaded Valor to come to her house to stay for some minutes before leaving. “I came with someone” “Who?” “My friend Richard” “Where is he?” valor points to where Richard was, but he was not there. “He was over there,” he said. “Then where has he gone to.” “Before Valor could answer, Richard was already walking towards them.” “Here he is.” They exchanged pleasantries and moved to her house. Richard was confused about the issue. They all sat on the floor to sip garri with groundnut. Richard was too quick to leave the food for the two of them. He thought maybe Valor has changed his mind and he now likes the girl. He imagined what to do to get revenge. He persuaded Valor to feed Alice. Then he replied, “That will not be necessary, this is just garri and not cake.” Alice interrupted, “It doesn’t matter, just do it.” Valor understood what Richard was up to, so he had to feed her just to be at rest. Richard came up with troubles upon troubles, but Valor never minded him. He came up with another one. “Valor, imagine your spouse comes back from work and she is very tired, can’t you cook for her so that she will rest?” Valor was too quick to answer, “Why not? I will cook” “Then you should help Alice to cook while she relaxes.” Valor looked at Alice and she smiled. It was a very nice idea. He looked at Richard and he was rolling his beard. Alice, leave it for me. I’ll continue the cooking, “He said.” She had already parboiled the rice and was ready to prepare Jollof. Valor stood up, washed his hands, cut the onions, opened the tin tomatoes. Richard was giggling and Alice asked him, “Can you cook?” “Yes, he replied” “Okay. One day we will see,” replied Alice. Valor was able to control his anger while cooking. He had put in the required ingredients and finished the cooking. When it was done, he was happy that the food was tasty. He served them. Richard was too quick to taste the food. Alice could not wait to taste the food as well. She nodded with satisfaction after the first spoon. Valor could not join them, but he was happy that he won Richard’s mind. Alice asked him, “Why are you not eating the food you cooked?” “There’s no problem, I’m not hungry.” She took a spoon full and went to his mouth. He received it; she was very happy that he can cook. Richard could not recover from his shame as they went home. Valor’s morale became very high again as Alice held him on the waist as she walked them home. While they went, Richard asked, “how come you like her suddenly. So, you have been pretending not to love her all this while” “I was just trying to avoid her. That’s why I didn’t see any good in her until when I saw the little shadow on her face in the shop. She was so beautiful.”