it's the eighteenth birthday of kalu, his appearance had gradually masculinized, girls found his chiselled features highly irresistible both the younger and the older ones and his age mates aswell. kalu inherited many handsome features from the parents but it was like what he inherited from the parents wasn't good enough, so his creator had to bless him with extra attractive features so that he was far more charming than the parents.
When he was just a little boy, he had been the favorite of all women around. every one of them liked taking him along where ever they went, it was like his company brought a kind of elation to them. those of them that weren't privileged to take him at a particular time due to the mother's excusable rejections sometimes, would at least like to touch him and play with him for a while before leaving. It was the wish of all the unmarried young women to give birth to a son as good looking as kalu when they got married. Mrs kachi, the mother had caught herself in fracas with the husband several times just for allowing some of those women around their neighbourhood to carry the boy, when he was just a toddler, but failing to return him before the father got back from work.
Abuchi had been putting up his best in making sure that kalu felt at home in his stay with him. he had been providing him with everything necessary that he needed recognising the fact that kalu was the apple of his elder sister's eye, the whole world would have him to blame if anything should happen to the boy or should the boy complain of any kind of maltreatment. kalu on his own part kept doing everything possible to be in the good book of his master, operating with a profound wisdom of putting familiarity aside.
As kalu's birthday approached, Abuchi had been disturbed on how best to make the day a special one for him. he had personally resolved to give him a robust celebration, and not just robust celebration but also in a befitting enviroment. He never revealed his plan to kalu knowing that he had only but one friend to invite, if at all he would let any one know.
On the day kalu was born, Abuchi was still then in the village he had not been taken to the town so he was the one assisting his sister which was kalu's mother, for kalu's father was down with fever at the time. since then everything about kalu's birth had been registered in his head, he had never forgotten the list part of it for once since the birth of kalu.
The issue of kalu not socializing that much had been noticed by Abuchi and he had tried as much as he could to encourage him to be free in making friends, thinking that he was leading that kind of life for the sake of not drawing criticism from him, but after much persuasion Abuchi had finally came to realize that it was just his nature, the spot of a leopard couldn't be washed off from it no matter the kind of soap. kalu wasn't living that way as a result of fear or trying to please any one or for any ulterior motive, he was just being himself, so Abuchi had learnt to allow him live his life the way that best suited him.
Since he had decided to keep only but one friend.
Abuchi in trying to show how much he cared, had familiarized with this only friend of Kalu, John. he had already informed John as the D-day approached about the birthday, knowing fully well that kalu wouldn't even remember, let alone letting anyone know about it, although he appealed to him to keep the information up his sleeves, so that everything would appear as a surprise to kalu when the time came. on the day before the D day, he made sure that he was through with all the arrangements which was according to his own biddings.
It was on Sunday morning and they all usually woke late, not really late in the real sense of lateness but not as early as compared to other days, when they had to go to the market. all the people in the house had already been informed that it was kalu's birthday so they had been awake before him so that they could wish him a happy birthday as soon as he woke up as suggested by the boss, Abuchi.
being the only one in his room, kalu didn't notice that every other person in the house were already awake when he woke up, something he hated the most, on few occasions that it had had to be that way, his forehead would wrinkle in frown revealing how unhappy he was.
As soon as he opened his door to go for his normal sweeping routine, he was met with an avalanche of birthday wishes. being unaware that it was his birthday, he was fixed to the spot with so much surprise, he stood wondering how all these people came to know that he was born on that particular day. then he saw his uncle who was to be the last in wishing him a Happy birthday as already planned, walked out from his room, making a wonderful song with his own wishes. it was then that kalu came to understand how the other people were able to know that it was his birthday, cause he knew so well that the uncle knew everything about his birth, he then came to realize, as an intelligent boy, that there was a plan all this while. Abuchi full of smiles wished him a happy birthday just like the others. kalu was stunned at the surprise he got that morning. he showed his appreciation to them all for wishing him a happy birthday, then he went to the balcony not knowing what his feelings was like. Any way every other person should be happy about such a scenario but in his own case he was battling with a mixed feeling for it was the very first time in his life that he got such a wish from other people aside from his parents. after standing for a while, the feeling of surprise lost it's stand and he was then left with happiness.
As he came back to the sitting room, Abuchi who was already seated there, called him and told him all that he had planned for the celebration, so he had to start getting prepared, for it was his day.
kalu's happiness increased as he heard all that was in store for his birthday. the first time he would be having a party to mark his birthday. Abuchi had bought a nice wrist watch to present to him as a gift during the celebration which would take place later in the evening. And he had also invited his own friends, he saw it as an opportunity to entertain his friends for it had been long since he invited them for a celebration, the last time was when he was newly settled by his boss and that was done on a low key. He had been preparing to call them for a bigger one on his wedding day but it is still okay if he did it then in his nephew's birthday, for most of them had invited him often for their own occasions either for a birthday or a remembrance party. For him never to have invited them for once was then trying to portray him as tight fisted man. everyone knew that he was already well to do as it stood. His house, a story building duplex was fast under construction, his plan was to pack to his own house before he could now look for a woman to settle down with, he had from the start refuted the idea of getting married while still a tenant in someone else's house.
In the evening of that day, Abuchi drove all of them in his Toyota jeep to the hotel which was one of the most expensive hotel around the neighborhood.
the feeling of surprise was reignited in kalu as he stepped into the event hall which was already arranged for the celebration. the beautiful birthday cake that had his name engraved on it with the icing sugar, the expensive wines that adored the table, the expensive decorations in the hall, were enough to set one's mind at edge.
the hall was already filled with different personalities, both young girls and boys, although kalu knew most of the faces that were there, and as they were mostly his uncle's friends but there were other ones that he had not seen before. those were mostly the ones that accompanied the ones that were known.
John was there already, "how come all this things were being planned and I had no idea about it". kalu wondered in his mind "even my friend John whom I have never discussed anything about my birthday with, since we started our friendship already knows about it, how then did he come to know, that means many thing has been going on, on the background without my knowledge".
As they stepped into the hall the guest in one chorus and at the same time erupted into a melodious birthday song to lighten up the atmosphere and to cheer up the celebrant, and kalu's spirit was lifted by that..
All the settings, the arrangements, the people in attendance, infact everything about the birthday left kalu in awe, he never knew how to appreciate his uncle, he had surprised him with many things in the past but this particular one was beyond his expectation and explanation.
kalu got many gifts from his uncle's friends that day. He was so happy to the extent that he lost the appetite for food. there were different varieties of food that were prepared by the hotel kitchen, and drinks too, were assorted.
kalu apart from being the celebrant, was at the center stage of admiration, he was admired by every woman that was in attendance especially the young girls. he was gorgeous in his attire, for his uncle made sure that all he wore that day were new. he was dressed in a blue jean and a light blue shirt with a loafers shoe all to match. As kalu stepped outside the hall, one of the young girls who had been dying to talk with him, saw that as an opportunity to satisfy her desire and followed him immediately.
The young girl told kalu how she felt about him as they were standing all alone outside the hall. the girl was beautiful and nicely shaped. she lived around their market vicinity. she sees kalu almost everyday most especially in the evening as he went home after closing from the market. so it had been long since she had started holding him in admiration. kalu had also been seeing the girl but he had no idea what the girl felt for him. the girl's father was a customer and a friend to Abuchi, and that was how the girl gained her access. the father couldn't come but he gave her the permission to go if she wanted. kalu didn't know what to say to the girl as she was professing her feelings to him, he stood speechless listening to her every word twisting his fingers in a way that suggested shyness. finally when the girl hit the nail on the head by asking him to be his boyfriend. Kalu then saw a crack on the wall, to let her know his stand, he then told the girl abruptly that he wasn't interested. at that time, kalu never knew what love was all about. he couldn't imagine himself falling in love with any so called girl, what was more important to him was the business of his uncle, he was always filled with the thought of how he could elevate the business, he has learnt from child hood that there was time for everything, now wasn't the right time to keep a girl friend, to his understanding, it wasn't even right for a man to keep a girl friend, any man that wanted to be with a woman must be with his wife, when a man is not ready to get married, no need of him going close to a girl. he had on several occasions argued that with his friend John who never agreed to that idea, many times that some girls had tried to win his affection by going through John to help them convince him, being afraid of his rejection if they were to go by themselves, kalu would never agree with John no matter how John tried to make him shift from that position, all his efforts had proven abortive. and many of such girls had been foolish enough to bring expensive gift to John just for him to accept to embark on the errand. by the end of the day, their plans would fail and they wouldn't have the courage to ask for their gifts back. John would be the one to benefit because kalu would never engage himself with such a gift.
The girl's smiling face gradually works into a frown as she stood helplessly not knowing what to do again. there were a lot of things running in her mind as she stood with kalu in what could be described as moment of silence. she didn't know whether to accept his refusal and let him be or to start begging him, she had never begged a man all her life and she had sworn never to do that. it was as if they were both stuck on tiled floor or as if they were on a bet in which the first to go would lose. they kept staring at each other, although kalu was remorseful for making the girl felt so bad but he never allowed his feeling to find his way in his facial appearance. He never knew what to say when the girl asked him for the reason for her rejection all that could escape from his almost -tight lips was that he wasn't ready for a relationship yet.
the whole situation was saved when John walked out from the hall, the way he saw the both of them standing he knew especially from the girl's expression that she had met a rejection from kalu. he could have left them and went back inside but what he had come for was very urgent and crucial, they were looking for kalu inside for closing prayer as the party was already coming to an end, as the norm held.
many other girls at the party were trying their lucks by making a seductive body movement towards him. but he pretended not to notice any of such body language, holding unto his believe that it wasn't yet the time to get into a relationship. after the party ended, everyone went home so happy and satisfied except for the girl that took the bold step in approaching kalu and undressing her mind to him, her day was ruined by the answer she got from him.
That night as they got home, feeling so exhausted from the day's activity, kalu only managed to undress and slipped into his night wear, then he catapulted himself on the bed without caring about taking his night bath, he was so weak to do that. as he was lying on the bed with his mind flooded with the thought of all that had taken place that day, sleep took a better hold of him.
As he was fast asleep he found himself, seated in a field with a young beautiful girl. since he has been seeing girls and known what beauty was all about, he hadn't seen any, as beautiful as this girl. they were holding hands together as they were seated in the garden chatting. kalu felt so relaxed in the company of the girl. they were so comfortable in their discussion as if they had known each other for a long time. the girl introduced herself as rose and kalu also introduced himself to the girl, everything was happening as if in real life.
unlike kalu, who would wake so early the following morning, it was quite understandable that he had a stressful day the previous day, so no one bothered to knock on his door to wake him up. but that was not really the reason he overslept, he was actually kept in the sleep by that wonderful dream he was having. he never wished to wake from that sleep cause he was so much enjoying the dream. by the time he finally woke up, he was surprised to see that the day had already brightened. he quickly jumped out of the bed and rushed into the bathroom to prepare for the business of the day which was going to the market. after he rushed to take his bath, he quickly dressed up and left the room, as he came to the sitting room, he noticed that other servants had all gone to the market. that was the first time that someone had gone to the market before him in that house. he noticed that Abuchi was still in his room, he didn't want Abuchi to notice that he was still at home so he quietly opened the door and sneaked out. not knowing that Abuchi had already known that he was late already, it was Abuchi that had not allowed anyone to disturb him, he gave the instruction earlier as he came out that morning and noticed that kalu wasn't yet awake unlike him.
kalu meditated upon that dream all through that day, he wasn't yet sure if it was really a dream cause everything was still so clear to him as if they were real. although there was nothing about the dream that was bad to him, he really loved everything about it but the fact that it was only a dream was the bitter part of it. as he was seated in the shop, he was racking his brain trying to remember if he had ever met the damsel he saw in the dream any where in the physical. He was quite sure after much thought that he had not met such beauty in the physical. the name that the girl told him in the dream kept resounding in his head. At a time he didn't know when he was forced to ask a customer if he knew anyone by the name Rose, the customer not caring to know why he had asked the question told him at once that he knew no one by that name, it was then that kalu instantly regained his senses and realised that he wouldn't have asked at all. but it was burning in him like a furnace not to keep this wonderful dream to himself. but he knew that he had only but one person to relate such issue with.
Clara had been filled with the hope that Rose's condition was just for a while. "things about evil does not last long, it takes only but a short time before it's filthy hands are cut short" that had been the words of his father, and Clara strongly believed those words. clinging to those words she had been waiting in anticipation for the appearance of rose so that she could prove to all those that had been entertaining the awful thought that she had lost her senses, wrong.
she had been hoping to be the one to present her sister Rose to her family alive and healthy, on that day they would be filled with shame and wouldn't know how to start from, in apologizing to her for all the insults and maltreatment she had got from them in regards to Rose's story and situation.
But as time elapsed that hope gradually faded. and the fading of the hope was accompanied by the ugly face of impatient. she must step out of her comfort zone to see the restoration of Rose or her final elimination, for one thing is certain- she could never be herself once Rose still remain in that condition. For as the tradition taught, there was no in-between in life, it is either one is alive and be present in the physical state or one is dead and be present in the spiritual realm, one could not be alive and be present in the spiritual realm at the same time. it is time for her to give herself a peace of mind.