NKEM 7
"It is a lie", his voice rang out beaded with a hearty laugh as he made towards his friend who had risen from the bench where he sat to meet him. They hugged for what seemed like eternity, patting each other on the back. When they finally disengaged, they walked back to the front of a building where construction was going on. Labourers milling about, carrying concrete from the concrete mixer groaning with a loud noise. Bricklayers yelled at the top of their voices to the labourers to supply them concrete. The bricklayers were flooring the first storey before another one would climb on it.
The two men observed the work and the noise going on around the building. Close to where they stood, a young man was fetching water into the concrete mixer as soon as the previous concrete had been thoroughly mixed and poured to the ground where some men were feeding it to the labourers who carried them to the waiting bricklayers at the top of the building. Ibe carried the bench farther from away from the noise and they sat down.
"When did you return and what are you doing here", the new friend asked, his eyes still following the various movements in the building.
He chuckled, touched his belly leisurely with an exaggerated pose and pointed carelessly to the building.
"This is my house". He said it with pride.
The newcomer shook his head in shock. He made a tour round the building that was sitting at the centre of the land. When he returned, he held his friend and gave him a closer look as if he didn't observe him properly while he came to the site.
"No one said you have hit it this big, Ibe. My friend, I am happy for you."
He shook his hand again and observed the building for the umpteenth time. They finally sat down on the bench.
"But Ibe, you didn't do well. You mean to tell me that you are in this village and I, your friend, Emeka, know nothing about it."
"Sorry my friend, so many things are happening so fast. It wasn't intentional and more so, I never planned to stay this long".
"So when did you return from Obodo Oyinbo?"
"It's roughly four months ago but I shuttle between here and Lagos", he said signally to a woman who had come to sell food to the labourers.
"Four months ago and no word from you".
"I am deeply sorry, my friend.
When the woman came, he asked her the food was available. When she told him, he turned to his friend.
"Will Apu be okay for you my friend?"
Emeka smiled and clapped his hands together in a playful manner. He turned to the woman.
"Nna, please don't mind my friend, you can go." The woman turned and left.
"This is not a place to celebrate your return from Obodo Oyinbo, and your new project. he said. However, the real celebration would be when you have finished this building."
"If you say so, then it is okay. He looked at Emeka and held him by the shoulder.
"Emeka, how have you been?"
Emeka sighed and scratched his head as one does when life hasn't been kind to one.
"We are living and trying to make headway", he said.
"And your girlfriend of those days? I am sure she is now your wife".
Emeka laughed bitterly and slapped his thigh.
"That one, she left for Lagos and the next thing I heard was that she had become pregnant".
"That's very bad", Ibe moaned.
"Anyways, I married someone else and she is still my wife. We have two sons already."
"Oh! That is good", Ibe nodded.
"What about you Ibe? You should be married as well?
"Not yet my friend. I haven't found the right lady."
"Well, you will find her someday. He rose from the bench and dusted his trousers.
He was inches taller than Ibe but looked very old.
"My friend, I was actually going to see a friend who had invited me over. He wanted to go and see his girlfriend's mother".
"Oh that is serious. But are you sure you are not still angry with me..."
Emeka waved his hand and shook his head.
"If I were angry with you, I would not even stop immediately. I saw that it was you. I would have just moved along. No, my friend. I have no anger in my mind towards you".
"Okay. About your friend's visit, I thought such an event was left for the early evenings when most of the people had returned from their farms."
"This one is an exception. Nkem insisted he wanted it to be a noon affair".
"Did you say Nkem?" Ibe asked with a pang of jealousy blushing his cheeks.
"Yes, Nkem the musician. Don't you know him".
"I have heard the name but I have never seen him before", he lied.
"You can't miss him. He is very popular especially with Gladys whom he is planning to marry."
Ibe felt a sudden anger rise inside his belly causing him to spit in disgust.
"Is everything alright?"Emeka asked, observing his friend who seemed to be acting strange all of a sudden.
"Nothing Emeka. I am just surprised that Gladys is getting married soon."
"Oh you know her", Emeka asked and soon answered his one question by himself. "I forgot she is also from this village."
Emeka patted Ibe on the shoulder.
"I would have asked you to join me but, he pointed at the building, you need to monitor the work going on here. Once more, congratulations on your new project.
"Thank you my friend", he said, smiling stiffly.
When Emeka had left he started barking orders at the labourers and the engineer who had just come to the site. He complained at the slightest mistake, insulting and threatening to sack any worker from his site. The workers stared at him, wondering what evil had befallen the man who had been cracking jokes with them earlier. The news that Nkem would be going to see Gladys' mother to begin preparation for marriage infuriated him. He hated Nkem. Even more, Gladys who had openly disgraced him and his family when they carried wine to her mother.
The young man who was fetching water and who had heard all their discussion moved towards Ibe.
"Oga sir. Sorry o. Is it the same Nkem that impregnated Adora that is getting married?
Ibe, who had wanted to shout at the young man paused when he heard what he said.
"What did you just say", he said instead. Before the young man could speak, he added.
"Are you sure of what you are saying.?'
The young man nodded and said.
"Infact, I know the girl and her mother".
Ibe smiled. He gave instructions to the site engineer and left with the young man.
THE END
What is going to happen next? Let's wait and keep our fingers crossed. Until next time, keep doing you. I remain Yours Truly,
Julius Topohozin
