We were seated when the vice-chancellor came into the conference room. Earlier, Abayomi had called me that we had been summoned by the vice-chancellor for an emergency meeting. National and his deputy were to our left. Prof Akinbiyi, the VC was a man of medium build, his grey hair was bushy. I wondered if most professors generally scattered their hair to look mofasa.
VC: how are u doing?
We answered that we were fine. He didn't beat around the bush, he wanted to inform us that the school management would support any candidate that won , that we would be partners and if we had any grandiose plans that might conflict with the vision of the school if elected. After the meeting I had the opportunity to explain to Abayomi what had happened earlier when Yewande came to my lecture hall. I told him I wasn't comfortable with Jafar's kind of security.
Abayomi: why don't you want to go?
Me: why should I go?
Abayomi: are you scared?
Me: nope, but I shouldn't be visiting a guy by 7pm in his house na
Abayomi: I want you to go, I want you to ask him about National's involvement in the Ijebu-igbo fracas.
Me: why don't you ask him yourself?
Abayomi: I would be going to Ikenne to campaign to the medical students, Timi and myself.
Me: how is Timi?
Abayomi: he is fine, he sends his regards
Me: tell him I send mine too
Abayomi: you should call the guy sometimes, he misses you.
Me: why should he miss me, he has Annie
Abayomi: does he?
Me: what do you mean?
Abayomi: I think you both should sit down and talk, that's all..
Me: I hear…how is kofo?
Abayomi: we are over
Me: because I am going to quit if you don't stop ramming her
Abayomi looked at me and winked.
Toun and I were watching Prison Break in her room when we heard a knock on the door, it was 7pm and I thought Abayomi had changed his mind about going to Ikenne. Uche was by the door.
Uche: hope you are ready?
Me: Jafar sent you?
Uche: yes, I am waiting outside.
Toun: Tee, should I come with you?
Me: nope don't worry, lemme just change my clothe
Twenty minutes later, Uche drove me to Jafar's crib.
]As expected a lot of guys were in front of the premises, some guys where in the sitting room playing snooker. With the amount of cash displayed, they were definitely gambling.
Uche: Jafar say make una comot.
He didn't need to talk much, the guys filed out like they were remote controlled. Uche told me to wait for Jafar, while he left the apartment. I was alone by myself in the premises. I could hear the guys gathering outside, shouting, laughing and always in an excited state. It was clear that Jafar was not around. The AC in the premises was in full throttle, I was dressed in a short gown with a scarf covering my hair, I was cold. After 30minutes I had gotten enough, I decided to leave and was on my way out when I heard a car pull into the drive. I peeped through the window to see Jafar get out the Benz. He brought out some bottles of liquor from his booth, the guys hurriedly took it from him. Then they started singing, songs that talked about freedom from oppression,suppression et al
As he entered the sitting room, I made up my mind I was going to give him a piece of my mind. Jafar was wearing a hooded top with a blue denim jean. His Vuitton frames were brown, sitting well on the bridge of his nose.
Jafar: I am sorry for the delay, I was held up..
Me: I can see
Jafar: goodevening ma'am
Me: good evening Jafar
Jafar: are you hungry?
He stood beside the snooker table, he just asked me If I had eaten like I was his daughter.
Me: I am good. Can we talk about what happened to Acho?
Jafar: yes, but I am very hungry, can u cook?
Me: I beg your pardon?
Jafar: I am not a very good cook, but I try to.
Me: Jafar, its late…lets talk so I can go.
He looked at me and smiled. Some minutes later he came back with a canned Coke and gave me. He went back inside his room and when he came back, he was on singlet and a boxer short.
Jafar: lets talk in the kitchen, I am famished.
Me: ermmmm….ok…
The kitchen looked very tidy, I was sure it was so because of the amount of girls that visited. The kitchen was bigger than my room, I admitted to myself.
Jafar: my favorite food is Yam and egg, what is yours?
Me: Rice, jollof.
Jafar: do you like fish?
Me: yes
He smiled as he brought out some fresh tomatoes and pepper from a fridge with a transparent door.
Jafar: you will see some eggs behind you, while you deal with that I will peel the yams..
Me: what are you trying to do?
Jafar: we are cooking, later we eat..then we talk.
I quietly started cutting the tomatoes….
Me, Chief Dike's daughter.