Call to Duty # 10

Balogun and Otun have met yet again at the same place under the tree where they had discussed the possible outcome of the stakeholders' meeting that had taken place in the palace. The two men were a little moody about the outcome of the meeting. Adisa had pulled a fast one on them and they don't know what to do,whether to join the Corper in the community development or just tarry along. They just sat down there sipping their palm wine while gazing at the empty space in front of them. Though there are few things going on around them,it's obvious that they are not aware.
"Balogun,what are we going to do now?" Otun broke the Silence.
"Are you asking me,what can we do? The King has spoken and you've heard from the Prof...everyone seems to be okay with the Corper's plan. So..."
"Is that what you are going to say?"
"What do you want me to say? So many are in support...this is democracy era you know?"
"Does that mean you are still on the same ground as you were before?" Otun asked to confirm things. Balogun paused for a while shook his head disappointedly and looked at Otun releasing a big sigh.
"My brother,what can I tell you? Honestly,the state government's presence is not any where us here...the ones that are left are there as they are not...nothing is happening here,I mean nothing" Balogun began.
Initially I was against the Corper because I felt hurt that he's not being punished for his blasphemy but now...now...I  am beginning to think of him as a hero!"
"Hmmm?"
"Yes! I mean didn't see him talk so confidently about his plan? If a non indigene who haven't spent a year with is would be so vocal and confident about our development, wouldn't it be a shame on us the indigenes if we refuse to stand by him to make our home town great again?" Balogun had asked a perplexed Otun who had other plans in mind.
"Look,Otun,the boy has a good plan for us and the King has spoken and he spoke well...let's join hands with the boy make Ijinle great again!" Balogun concluded. Otun was speechless.

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Keji was preparing for the market where she sells raw food. Akanni sat back on the bed watching do the sorting and packing. He couldn't keep his eyes off his very beautiful wife whose voluptuous backyard won't let his 'staff of office' with the sexy motion it has taken to.
As she bends,walk and squat intermittently kept him hard,rock solid.
"Akanni,what is wrong with you,are not going to work today?"
"Of course,I will"
"Ehn,stand up now,it getting late you know?"
"I know but..." Akanni began as he stood up for Keji to see things herself. When she saw the erection...
"Aahhh!" She exclaimed and hurried to leave the room with her things but Akanni caught up with her
"Where are you running to,what's the hurry?" He queried as he puts his arm round her neck reaching beneath her bra.
"Ooooh!Stop it Akanni,it's too late for that"
"It's never too late...you know now...come on...just a little quickie...you know?" By this time,Akanni had both of her breasts in his hands one of them already straying down below her pant. Eyes closed,body leaning backwards on the broad chest of her lover,Keji fell freely into his hands as Akanni laid her gently on the bed...

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Kole had just concluded with a class session with the S.S.S. 3 (Senior Secondary School 3) and had just sat down when Rachael walked in looking so tired and dragging her feet. She had barely reached her when she just dropped into it like a log of wood. Kole laughed making jest of her.
"What's funny?"
"Nothing...nothing o,I no talk o!"
" I didn't say you talked,you were laughing and asked what was funny?"
"Well...don't worry,it's no big deal"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Anyway,na you sabi. Have you noticed anything different in your friend?"
"My friend,which one of them"
"Adisa of course! Who else?"
"That one? Well,I'm happy for him!"
"Huh?!"
"Yes now,what do you want me to say? He insulted a King to stardom! I have no grudge against him o! Him don hit jackpot be dat...na my prayer make me too hit am very soon." Kole said checking through the books on his table. Rachael paused and gave a long stare look at her colleague who is obviously tired of gossiping.
"Na wa o!"
"Wetin?"
"Hmmm...na you na...you...and me"
"What about us?" Mole inquired raising his head from what he was doing.
"Ah! Tor!!!"
"What is it na?!" Mole asked impatiently.
"If what the King said about Adisa is anything to go by,Adisa had just landed himself a multimillion Naira deal. What about us,what have we landed ourselves...the service year is winding up and the free food would soon stop coming in...what do we have to fall back onto?" Rachael submitted. Kole paused for while,puts his hand under his chin for a thoughtful instant.
"You are right,you know,despite my sacrifice to save,that question remains a big puzzle for me?"
"Imagine!"
"Eh,what can one do? In the absence of nothing else,I would go back home start a little buying and selling with the little I've saved."
"What exactly do you have in mind?"
"Now,that's the One million Dollar question that remains unanswered!" Kole said that and went straight back to work. Rachael sat back for while shook her head pitifully and sat right to check through her table.

Call to Duty # 9

Akanni is still thinking deeply about his most pressing problem of the moment - how to earn enough money to cater for his,his wife's and children needs when his friend Komolafe walked in. Komolafe had to jilt his friend to consciousness as soon as he realized that his friend had not noticed him.
"Akanni,what is the matter,why are so lost in thought,what are you thinking about?"
"Hmmm...my friend,what else would I be thinking about,ehn,what?!"
" Keji again? I told you,I warned against getting married to such a beauty.I told you she's not meant for our type!"
"Haba! You know how it all happened you know that I had no problem letting her go but..."
"But what?! You had alternatives,there was Bunmi who is equally well endowed both front and back,the only difference was that Keji was more beautiful and lighter in complexion...yes,she was a smaller size and shorter height,nonetheless ,she was a perfect replacement to Keji..."
"Hey,hey,hey! Stop!!!"
I know,I know you'll flare up,this has been your attitude anytime we tell you the truth about Keji. I only wish you would keep your marital problem with her to yourself and stop bringing it to work. Bunmi would never threaten you knowing fully well that you are doing your best to earn enough money to cater for the family's needs."
"Listen to yourself! What makes you think Bunmi would be different is she not a woman too?"
"Yes,she is,but a very different one from Keji. While Keji was proud and pompous,Bunmi was gentle and humble. You know much you had to put to get Jamiu off your back. Well,unlike Jamiu, I shall continue to prick your conscience for picking Keji over Bunmi!"
"What's your problem now? Fine,I have challenges with money now,but,it wasn't like this,you know...I used to be okay...just because...anyway,it's not your fault...not your fault walahi!" Akanni said in the midst of tears. Komolafe,knew he had just broken his friend who was truly financially fine as a bachelor. Ever since he was robbed of some brand new tyres he had just procured for the vehicles of a bank in town,he had been paying back the money through his nose. It took the intervention of the King himself to broker the deal of paying back in instalments.
Komolafe was moved too,he hadn't wished to hurt his friend. He moved close to him and put a hand around his neck.
"I'm sorry,but,that was the reason we told you to stay off her. We all know that Keji agreed to marry you then because of your financial status. It wasn't like she loved you."
"Of course,I know,is it an offense to wanting to have the goodies of life?"
"Of course not! It's just that we shouldn't go for them when we have doubts if they'll last"
"But,she's still in my home,she haven't left me!" Akanni protested to the amusement of Komolafe who laughed at his comment.
"Calm down bro,calm down. What's the use of sticking with you as a great source of sorrow? I mean,what's the use of a woman in the house if you can't have her anytime you wish to? If you'll ask me,there are other reasons why she remained stuck to you"
"Other reasons?"
"Yea!"
"Like?"
"Well...you can't tell. It could be probably because of what people might say if she had deserted you in your trying times. She knows what we your friends are capable of...especially Jamiu who had openly asserted that she'll leave you in times of sorrow...yes! That could be the reason!"
"Ehn???"
"Yes! But,don't bank on that for long...she would still make the move anytime she finds a big money bag as a suitor...she would just deny you and leave!"
"God forbid! I mean,after 3 kids? No way!"
"Tehahahahaha"
"What's so funny?"
"You are!"
"Me,how?"
"You seem to under rate the beauty of your wife. The other time I saw her in trousers,I was blown away myself. Now,imagine it was some other guy from out of town cruising in his brand new jeep...hmmm...my friend,this was the reason why we fought so bitterly against your choice then!" Komolafe said. Akanni was short of words. He let out a huge sigh of regret.
"But,looking on the bright side..." Komolafe began. His friend raised his head on hope.
"...I think you'll be getting another chance financially if what I heard transpired in the Palace today is anything to go by."
"Really,what is it?"
"Remember the Corper with a big mouth?"
"Corper?"
"The Corper that said that the King is clueless!"
"Okay! I remember,what about him,what has he got to do with anything" Akanni asked looking confused .
"Well,him don land one big contract and he'll be needing a lot of hands to carry out the contract"
"Really?"
"Yes o! Smart guys don dey go visit am dey congratulate am say make him no forget them for him kingdom o! I'm on my way there myself!"
"What of Jamiu?"
"Jamiu,Jamiu no get sense walahi. The idiot had gone to the place...he called to inform me on phone on his way back,can you imagine?"
"Jamiu,hm! Would be ever change?"
"Change ke? The day Jamiu change na the same day the Devil go repent!" They both laughed.

Call to duty #8

"My dear corps member,I have a question for you.But before I ask you my question,I would like to express my gratitude to the King, his royal Highness for making this clarion call. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first of its kind in this part of the country. Our rural fathers,these days have been relegated to the background, they watch helplessly as their subjects are shortchanged and abused by the political class. Here's our king daring to be different. May you live long in good health and prosperity and the enviable pace you are about to set,it is my prayer that God Almighty Bless and crown our collective efforts with success." Professor Makinde Ali stood to address the people after the brief break given immediately after the Corper's presentation. Everyone chorused 'Amin'.
"Now,my question. Is this a developmental model you found in a text book or somewhere on the internet? I'll like to know how viable it is because ... hmmm...the project as presented would gulp millions of Naira..."
"Like how much are we talking about Professor?"
"It can't be less than N100 million!" The Prof responded without thinking. The Balogun laughed shaking his head disappointedly.
"You see,young man,although, I must salute your courage and passion but,my son,this is nothing but a pipeline dream! This is why I need to know if you have a plan for the funding of this project .I don't know if you have an alternative means of funding the project,I can confidently assure you that the fundraising you hope to organize won't fetch you the kind of money you need for the project" The Prof said. Adisa laughed.
"Thank you,sir,for your observation. The fundraising is not for raising all the funding I need but to raise enough cash for kick off. I can assure you sir,that the project is self sustaining ...the project would take care of itself!" Adisa responded. The Prof nodded in agreement.
"Corper,I doubt if you understood the Prof's question. What we are saying here is that we are not interested in embarking on a white elephant project that would get half way and crash!" Balogun bellowed.
"God's grace sir,this project would be successful provided you cooperate with me." Adisa smiled.
"Thank you Corper. 'Kabieyesi o!' Greetings to the king,greetings to the chiefs,greetings to all present today. May God Almighty Who had made it possible for us to meet today make us successful all the time." Iyalode prayed. Everyone chorused 'Amin o!'
"Corper Adisa,my son, we have heard you and from the presentation you have made,it's glaring that you meant well. Personally ,I'm convinced of the workability of the project. I know that it would work well if we put hands together as a team. This is why I'm humbly seeking that we give the Corper a chance and cooperate with him and see how far we can go! Kabiyesi,I beg you to consider and grant my plea for the Corper.Kabiyesi o!" Iyalode knelt to pay homage to the King before taking her seat.
In a similar manner,every chief was summoned to say something and each agreed that they should give Adisa a chance. It was only the skeptical Balogun that added that the support would be a twice in a year thing. Every half a year,the progress of the Corper would determine if he should get more support or not. Adisa was smiling all the time. It's the King's turn to talk.
'Kabiyesi o!' Everyone chorused
"My people,I'm a very happy man today.As a matter of fact,I'm the happiest man on earth today! Corper Adisa,on behalf of the entire indigenes of this town,home and abroad,I want to thank you for your passionate love with which you have presented this proposal of yours.The way I see you now is like a son of the soil from another town,I'm really grateful,the whole town is grateful. Please,accept our gratitude." The King had begun. Corper Adisa had squatted by his seat since the time the King mentioned his name.
"Arise"the King commanded."Don't worry,stand up!" Adisa was hesitant until the Professor stood up to help him up. All that time,Kole and Rachael could not hide their amusement. This came all as a big surprise. They came to the program to make jest of Adisa when he eventually gets rejected by the royal council. To their dismay,it's the opposite of that that happened. Adisa is being celebrated! On the other hand,Shade was so happy for Adisa that she began to shed tears...tears of joy for Adisa. Her anxiety with which she came in has suddenly transformed to internal bliss and harmony. It's as though she had just been relieved of a very heavy burden.
"I don't want to say anything because I don't have much to say. The passion with which the Corper had presented his proposal had woken the Giant in me. Corper,I can see very clearly what my job is and exactly the best way to go about it. I shall be forever grateful for it!" The King continued .
"My people,the Corper is right,if there's anyone that should be concerned and ready to go any length to ensure that we continue to develop and move from strength to strength,it is I!" The King said,beating his chest.
"Truly,no one can be more passionate about Ijinle kingdom than the Ijinle people...Corper,I get your message and I'm ready to set the pace for all other kings of Nigeria to follow!" The King declared. The people shouted 'Kabiyesi o!!!'
"I'm,therefore,declaring to you,Corper, my unconditional  support for your project. Just ask and you shall be given if it's within my reach!" The king said pointing towards the Corper. Balogun was shocked to hear this. He had hoped the King would agree with him and place the Corper on his toes.
"Balogun,I understand your view very,very well and I know you are right. But,I want you to observe the uniqueness of the Corper's plan. His plan is putting everything within our reach...we don't need anyone's support or approval to make  or execute virtually every step in the plan. Never have I seen a beautiful plan as this! I also want you to note that everything in the plan revolves around and about the town. This is why I'm suggesting we give him a free hand. But,as you have rightly suggested,we shall be demanding for account of his stewardship every 6 months...I have spoken!!!" The King declared. Everyone around chorused 'Kabiyesi o!'

Call To Duty # 7

"I must warn,however,that the move forward is a long,difficult and challenging move indeed.This is not to scare anyone,but,to strength us and help keep our resolve to advance to greater heights in very high spirits!" Adisa continued.
"Having said that,I'll like to begin by presenting a skeletal outlook of the whole project.I call the project 'Project A'." Adisa said and his audience gave a round of applause.Just about the same time, Rachael and Kole walked into the court.They were directed by a hand gesture to join Shade at the back of Adisa.
"Project A has 3 main phases;the first phase is the 'Fundraising',the second is the 'The lay of Foundation' while the third phase is the 'Get to work' phase. The first phase that's the fundraising phase has to do with the most challenging This is because it's why you make sacrifice without expecting anything in return" Adisa continued.By now,the whole court is as silent as a graveyard as everyone in the court is paying rapt attention to the Corper in the spotlight.
"But I tell you,without the sacrificial contributions,this project has no life and would be dead on arrival.Come to think of it,you won't be putting in too much and it won't be a lifelong levy...it's just a token required of you as a true son or daughter of the soil.It's the token that would go down in history to be instrumental in the rapid development of Ijinle town. One thing I can assure you is that your name shall be written down in the book of history of Ijinle town and consequently in the history books of Nigeria as a great philanthropist and patriot that put the town and country's interests ahead of his personal interests" Adisa explains. Once again,there was another round of applause. Adisa's confidence is hitting the rooftop it shows overwhelmingly in the tune of his voice which seem to inspire his audience to give a louder applause each time they had to clap.Shade was beaming with smiles all along while Kole and Rachael watch with awe.
"To really get it right doesn't cost as much as we think it would if each and everyone of us contributes his or her own quarter to national development.The second phase which is the foundation phase is where we look inwards and assess what we have and how we can use it ti get what we want.Straight to the point,this is where we go back to memory lane,this is where we go back to history to find out we are known for traditionally...as in the job that our fore-fathers are known for.From my little findings,I learnt that it is agriculture.The staple food of the town was pounded yam while the major cash crop the town is known for is the palm tree." Adisa revealed.The King,his chiefs and all the elderly persons in the gathering nodded approvingly. Adisa was happy to see this.
"With the funds to be raised,we shall re-awaken this sleeping giant in us and bring the town back to live!" He declared.Everyone gave a thunderous round of applause.Balogun didn't know when he stood up to applaud the young man who smiled excitedly back at him.
"It is from this very familiar background we shall spring up and generate the much needed revenue to get the third phase started.The 'Get to Work' phase.In the get to work phase,funds from the the foundation stage shall be strategically expended to make life a lot easier and comfortable for the residents of this great town.A major aspect of life that would be tackled is food sufficiency,security and education..." Adisa continued to thrill his audience with the simplicity of his plans for the town.

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Akanni has not been himself ever since the night his wife would allowed him full access after a very long break.'Komolafe's right' He thought to himself.To win the heart of a woman,you must be ready to spend generously on her.There he was with barely enough to feed on.They'd had to skip lunch most of the time.Even dinner at times is a big problem.It was at that point that she became very aggressive and apprehensive.
He's been thinking very deeply about a way out.He trying extremely hard to fashion out a legal and easy way to make enough money to keep the sanity of his home that have just recently resumed.The N3 000 gift from Aro is fast fading out and unless he finds a way to make a little more in the next few days,he'll be back to 'square one'.God forbid!    

  

Call To Duty # 6

It's 3 a.m. early in the morning when the alarm of Corper Adisa's phone rang.He wasn't really sleeping when it did.He hardly slept all night long.He couldn't tell if it was excitement or anxiety that had so much overwhelmed him to have denied him his much needed night rest!
All the same,he has to get up and begin preparing for the day.After his normal stretching,twisting and bending,he did his normal 50 push ups and 30 minutes non-stop skipping before heading out to fetch water for his bath.
"Adisa,how far? Good morning!"
"Hey,what's up Shade?"
"I'm fine,I'm cool.How about you?"
"Me?Cool as always"
"Wow! That's awesome!I can't imagine a guy facing the Council of Elders to be feeling cool about anything o!"
Adisa laughed
"You are so funny!I don't see any big deal in that...probably because I've been looking forward to such an opportunity as this for a very long time now"
"Really?"
"Yea!"
"Hmmm?Nawa o!"
"You see,my dear,I've been scheming and planning for a very long time...as in stuffs that have very simple and plain solutions have proved so difficult hard that people perambulate around them aimlessly without solving them.I haven't been able to prove any of my theories true.Finally,here it is!" Adisa explained excitedly. Shade was happy to see him in such a high spirit.
'And there was I having sleepless night over him!' she thought to herself.
"Do you understand?" Adisa asked
"Of course,I do" Shade nodded "It's just that I don't know if I can come along?" She asked.Adisa looked surprised.He wasn't expecting it. Especially the shyness with which she requested it.
"Oh,it's okay...no problem!"
"Okay?"
"Okay!"
"Okay,see you later in the morning"
"Yep!" Adisa responded as he moves towards the well while Shade makes her way back to her room.
"Ehen! By what time are you leaving for the Palace?" Shade asked
"Yea,I shall be leaving by 9:30 a.m. prompt."
"Then,I'll be coming to your room by 9."
"Okay,that's fine,I'll be expecting you,then!"
"Yea,bye." Shade responded in a rather sweet tone that sent a little shiver down the spine of Adisa.That's the kind of shiver that one feels when one has just fallen in love.Though strange,Adisa recognizes it and was kind of pleased with it.

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Akanni had just woken up from his slumber.He stretched himself with both hands up as he let out a very big yawn. Last night reminded him of the honeymoon days after his marriage to Keji his beloved wife. Everything came back flashing in his head as though it happened yesterday. How could he ever forget the sweet memories of those days. It was like a week in Paradise with an angel!
'Nawa o! Money dey try o!When was the last time I enjoyed Keji like this? Just N2 500 fa and she gave me all that 5-star treatment! What if I came home with N5 000 or N10 000?Kai! Money good for body o!' He thought to himself as he approached the bathroom to ease himself.
He looked back at his bed to take another glance at the sleeping beauty in it. 'How I wish everyday would be this sweet! I wish the money can keep on coming in like this...ha! My God,na where your eyes dey?!' He queried as he shut the door to the toilet.

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"Your Royal Highness,Kabiyesi,the Council of Chiefs,distinguished ladies and gentlemen here present,my name is Mustapha Salman Adisa and I'm here to present a blueprint on the advancement and the Development of this noble town of ours,Ijinle." Adisa began his presentation. Along with the King and the Chiefs sat some eminent sons and daughters of Ijinle town who live nearby.Most came from the state capital while the remaining few came from neighboring towns and villages. They were seventeen in number.
"By the order of his royal highness,I have put together this little piece by which,as far as I know,this town would be moved to very great and enviable heights,God Willing" Adisa continued. Shade who was also in her full Khaki and boots as was Adisa was seated behind him praying for the safe delivery and acceptance of the blueprint.As far as she can tell,the plan is feasible and realistic enough,the problem has always been the fear of discarding it without a trial.Though Adisa is not worried about that,but she is very worried.
'What would the world think and say about us,what would our fellow corps members,especially Rachael and Kole say if he should fail?Hey! God,please o,he must not fail o!' Shade thought to herself.   

Call to Duty # 5

It's been a week after the encounter with the Corper and the Balogun and Otun were relaxing under the big kolanut tree in front of Otun's house with a gourd of fresh palm wine and fried bush meat.
"Otun,tomorrow is the D-day?"
"Hmmm?" Otun queried with his mouth half full of wine.
"Ehen,now...the Corper...corper Adisa,have you forgotten?"
"Oh! Yes,that's true,the young man with a very big mouth!" They both laughed sarcastically.
"That boy,does not know anything and I pity him,oh,I pity the woman that bore him,by the time the King is through with him,he would beg the mother earth to swallow him alive!" Balogun commented.
"Well,I don't know because...hmmm...that boyseem so sure himself,he spoke so confidently about his plans for the village" Otun observed.
"Oh,please spare me that! Is he the first to do that,haven't we seen and attended countless number of politicians coming up to give similar speeches in the past,what exactly has that brought us? Nothing! Just a bunch of lies rehearsed for so long that they can say them out and make them look like they are true!" Balogun barked.
"Well,I don't know,but,something tells that this one is different...especially when we consider the fact that the politicians are beyond our reach while the Corper is at our beck and call..."
"That's it! That's a fact the Corper is about to realize in a very bitter way.He might be hoping to fool us with his sugar coated mouth and build a castle in the air and disappear into thin air after the completion of his term as a corper here.He is in for a shocker! I shall see to it that he stayed back to work the magic he promised to work.I'll let him see clearly that he is the fool not us! I will show him pepper!" Balogun declared in anger.
"Calm down,Balogun,calm down.I doubt if he's that stupid.If he is,well,I pity his father along with his mother,in fact,I pity his entire family for the loss incurred in him!" Both men laughed wildly.
"Wo,change the subject please,there are much better things to discuss.Tomorrow,we shall here his plans...ehehn,what of the proposed hotel your friend is intending to build in this town,how far has he gone with it? We have done our part when is he paying our balance as agreed"
"Otuuuun!You like money!"
"You nko,what do you like,poverty?"
"Eh!God forbid!"
"Ehehn,yan me better jare!" Otun inquired
"Well,as promised,he is coming to town next week and..." Balogun began.

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Jamiu and Akanni were struggling over a bowl of garri and 'Kuli-Kuli' (groundnut cake) when busted into their presence and almost spilled their garri.
"Ah-ah!Ogbeni,se o si,what's wrong with you,you won put shine-shine for our garri ni?!" Jamiu protested.
"I'm sorry,I'm sorry" Komolafe apologized. "Have you heard?"
"Heard what?" Akanni and Jamiu chorused.
"Aro is now a millionaire!"
"Which Aro...eh-eh-eh...that drunkard?!" Jamiu queried
"Yes,yes,he's the one!" Komolafe confirmed it.
"Millionaire,how...how come?!" Akanni asked. Komolafe slammed Jamiu's hand with a flyer.Jamiu quickly looked through the piece of paper with popping eyes.He suddenly hissed and passed the paper to Akanni who was equally eager to know the new magic in town.
"Gambling?" Jamiu asked and hissed again before Komolafe could respond.
"It's not gambling o,they call this one 'Bettings'..."  
"It's the same thing,otondo!" Jamiu interrupted
"How much did he win?" Akanni asked
"Who cares if he had won N100 million,the fact remains that he got it from gambling!" Jamiu said before Komolafe could answer.
"And so,what does it matter,is it not better than stealing,armed robbery and the embezzlement of government fund? At least,he didn't have to steal it...he only tried his luck and won!" Komolafe responded in defense. Jamiu started laughing.
"See this one o!I'm sorry,but,I didn't realize that you are this daft!" Jamiu barked.
"Hey,hey,hey!!! No insults,please, no abusive words today.If you have something to say,just say it!There is no need to fight over such a trivial issue as this,please!" Akanni weighed in.
"Thank you jare,Akanni.However,he needs to apologize for hauling insults on me before we can continue" Komolafe protested. Jamiu looked at him and hissed looking away.
"Jamiu,oya now haba!"
"What?!"
"Aplogize now!" Akanni demanded. Jamiu paused for a while looking away
"I'm sorry,but,it's unfortunate that such stupid thing could excite you this much"
"In as much as I agree with you,it's still not enough reason to abuse him"
"I know and I'm sorry.But,come to think of it,how many people with long lasting wealth do you know that made their first million from gambling,what am I even saying,how many existing millionaires do you know made their money from gambling or...betting as you call it,how many hmmm?" Jamiu asked in a friendly manner. His friends were silent.
"None,abi? why then,do you rejoice with someone who made an easy million,do you need to be told that such money don't last long? I give him a year...just a year,that is when he thinks of investing it,come back to see the business or investment a year afterwards and tell me what would be left of it!" Jamiu continued. 
"Hmmm...that's true o! That is when you win.We shouldn't forget that countless number of people had to loose for him to win. This is not to forget the gambling house owners themselves,don't they too need money.I don't know about anyone else o,but,as for me,before I can give out a million Naira to anyone,I would have had N100 million paid into my account!" Akanni observed.
"Hm! God bless you for that statement!" Jamiu said in agreement.
"But...but...considering the amount it costs to enter into it,I mean,N100 won't kill you!" Komolafe queried looking worried.
"Yes,you are right.But,in reality,how many people play for the first time and with just one entry and made a million,how many do you know,how many have you heard of?! Ogbeni,reason! The Gambling house owner did not set it up so that you can win,he set it up so that he can win!Like I said earlier,for every million you win and cash out,the game owners would have made hundreds of millions,that's why they keep coming back for you...they making millions to billions from your foolishness!" Akanni explained.
"Wait,Akanni,wait,let me help.Ogbeni,how many senators,governors or their family do you know that  has taken to gambling as profession or past time? None! That's because you can only hope to loose more money than you make from such useless fronts!" Jamiu declared.

"Ehn...okay.What are we going to do,are we not going to collect our own share of the money. Our friend have just made N2.5 million and every Dick and Harry in town have been paying him visits and have been smiling home with thousands. So,far,none have left with anything less than N1000!"

"N1000?!" Akanbi asked 

"Yes o!" Komolafe answered.

"Ehn,Jamiu,at this juncture,I think we need to put morality and reality aside and think of our dear poor belly and our integrity and ego that have suffered humiliation several times over in the hands of our wives. I trust Aro,if he see me today,at all,at all e go sama me with at least...hmmm...N3000 and that,my brother is sure ticket to enter Keji tonight!" Akanni said and they all busted into laughter.

"Akanni,kanni! Ha! Keji is in trouble tonight!" Jamiu hailed his friend.

"Yes o,she is and na throughout tonight I go take nak  am....so,I no com shop early tomorrow, na because I won take one leg reach Paradise!" Akanni annpunced.They all laughed again.Jamiu finished off the rest of the garri as they set to follow Komolafe to rejoice with Aro.
 

Call To Duty #4

"Have you noticed something Rachael?"
"What?"
"Ever since Adisa came back from the Palace,he has not been himself" Kole observed
"What do you expect?The poor guy have just landed himself in a very hot pot of soup!" They both laughed.
"And what is so funny in that?" Shade demanded as she approached them at the centre of the Corpers' lodge compound.
"Eh! Sorry o! Im wife don land o!" Rachael announced
"Why don't you guys,mind your business if you have nothing ggod to offer?"
"No vex abeg! Shade,abeg no let im know abeg,I no want wahala o!" Kole begged
"If e hear nko,shey na we say make im go talk wetin pass im mouth,na we put am for trouble?"
"Trouble,what are you talking about?"
"Oh,you don't know,so you don't know that the King have heard of the mockery your husband made of the him? The King have summoned him to explain himself and from the look of things,your husband would be spending an extra 6 months in this horrible town without pay!" Rachael said and  laughed mockingly. Kole had joined her as Shade watched them laugh as though laughing is strange to her.When they stopped laughing,she clapped her hands in amusement .
"Shoo? Enemy plenty like this?Do you guys realized that what happened to Adisa could happen to anyone,besides,who told you that he's going to serve an extension,na who tell you that,shey na the Z.I. or you just dey ,manufacture am from your industry of lies?"Shade queried. Rachael started laughing again.
"Babe,you too local,you never upgrade,that one no be secret na,in fact,na the talk of the town now.As part of his punishment for insulting the King,he'll have to stay back to serve the town for extra 6 months after which the NYSC year of service is over.Abegi,na who go dey pay am,the King?" Kole started laughing and she quickly joined.Shade walked away.
"Uuuuh! e pain am! Go meet your husband,tell am make e take heart,e go soon dey over" Rachael shouted. Shade shook her head in disappointment. It's not like she didn't know what had transpired between Adisa and the King,in fact she knew that the extra 6 months wasn't a punishment.She knew it was Adisa's idea. This is because she was the only one that approached Adisa to know what transpired between him and the King.
'I only wish Adisa would be my date as they say' She thought to herself as she passed by Adisa's room peeping through the window. Adisa was still planning and scheming,the only thing he's been doing  every evening ever since he came back from the King's Palace.
'This could be my break through in life,Shade.So, be happy for me!' He had confided in her.She smiled as she the scene flashed through her mind. 'I'm happy for you dear,I just hope I'll also be there to enjoy the dividends with you...love!' She smiled again,only this time on the verge of laughing.