Some months later,Mrs.Tinu, was approached by the two of the elders on her way back home from the market square.
"Mrs.Tinu ! How is life going for you ? one of the elders asked.
"My elders ! Everything is alright as the gods assured me"
" Are you sure ?... the second elder replied putting down his face in doubt.
"My elders! Is there anything you need from me because I have to return home at this moment"....Mrs.Tinu answered.
They both smiled, hitting their staff on the ground, one of the elders stared long at her and then said.
"Actually,it has been months since we set our eyes on your son, hope he's still alive ?
"What type of question is this,my elders. Since the death of my late husband,none among you has ever asked of my well being neither you ever speak out any solution to my son's situation and now, you are asking me of my son, you felt you had no business with me since my late husband's death,why then do you bother to ask after my son..."
" Mrs.Tinu,an adage says that... what the husband denies the wife is available in the market...,we might not know what happens indoor, but note it that nothing remains hidden to our gods and one day,it will be known"
One of the elders stated pointing at her.Mrs. Tinu looked into their eyes and said.
"... and note it also that a man's words are used to judge his mind"
The elders laughed as she turns and walk away from them.
"Don't worry Mrs.Tinu,one day, the wind will blow and we will see the fowl's buttocks"
The elders said, laughing badly.
****************************************
Saliki traveled to the city where he was staying with his friend,Jasco,who lives in an apartment.
Jasco who a graduate who goes around with his certificate in search of job, but never finds one because of his rugged life,his attitude seems intolerable to the public and was well known for such. Saliki ran into him when he was on his way to the city,he couldn't recognize him not until he called him by his name, Saliki turned to check on who calls for him, eventually ,he was Jasco. Jasco decided to take him in since he had nowhere to stay for the day.
Saliki has lived with Jasco for some months, Saliki remained idle doing nothing,he yet has not known his exact purpose of traveling to the city and he is yet to find out.
Severally, Saliki has had this conversation with Jasco on issues concerning their financial and occupational state, but no reasonable outcome of their talk.
"Whatsup mehn!
Jasco said giving a handshake to Saliki who was lying on a bench in the room,he wakes up to reply back.
"Guy ! life no better for us ooo,things no dey turn out by as I planned" ... Saliki said, scratching his head and sitting up.
"Come on ! why you dey do like say you no go be man one day, cheer up, life go better for us soon"
Jasco pats on Saliki's lap trying to gear him up, but Saliki who felt that Jasco didn't understand what life is all about for him kept on sighing and flipping his head.
"Jasco ! I wan ask you something"... Jasco nodded in agreement.
"Are you trying to inform me that since you graduated, you've never been employed as a worker in this and you never care to know the reason why this happens...."
"Employ Kee, employ nee... listen guy ! I wan run my own life,I no need anybody who go run am for me, Oluwa nah my backup,if I fit do am,he go fit do am Wella for me,nah him...
Jasco was still asking when Saliki interrupted.
" Jasco ! you mentioned of Oluwa, who's Oluwa ? what does it mean and what type of language is it ?
"You must be joking because I know Wella when you dey joke,my mind and sensation have sense am"
"Wait Jasco, that's not what I am asking about, seriously ! Who is Oluwa ? I haven't heard of whoever and whatever it is, it's just strange to my hearing "
Look Saliki ! You too dey take everything for play,I no dey in the mood to talk about him now, let's talk about other important aspects.
Jasco stared at Saliki who wanted to know the answer to his question, Saliki looked back at him and sighed.
"Well Jasco ... what do you want us to discuss about ?
" Now you come,mehn!
Jasco said, sitting up and moving closer to Saliki.
" .... remember what I told you about people refusing to employ me and I have been jobless for years, doing nothing and bearing a negative reputation.I carry others luggages and they pay me, the income is what sustains me ".
"What of your friends ? didn't you ask them for their help ?.... Saliki interrupted with the question.
" I know that's the one question you had in mind to ask me, but as you can see,I have no friend, friends I had have moved on with their lives,I am planning on joining a mobilization with some friends and employing myself in a job and boom ! very soon...sooner...soonest than you know,I will be heard greatly round the city, people will know me as "JASCO DE GREAT",they will show me that respect and honor I have missed and longed for years,they will be under me, begging and requesting for my help,they will pay for their negligence towards me,I will do great things in this city,my recognition will change everything and everyone for good.
Jasco stood up,demonstrating his actions and laughing badly,he continued naming things he would do if it turns out well for him, Saliki was sat watching him in astonishment and imagining what will be the result if Jasco happens to be whom he thinks he would be, Saliki imagination about him was negative at that moment.Saliki, seeing that Jasco won't stop his talking,spranged up and called him by his name.Jasco stopped, smiling at Saliki, he said.
"Oh boy! what now? why mentioning my name ?....
"Listen Jasco ! I know how angry you are about how people rejected you and I know you are desperate to bring them under your feet but you don't have to do it this way.All you have talked of is evil for you to go into, you don't know the path you are heading towards with these thoughts,discard it and let's think of a better profitable way to make our dreams come true, there are many ways to kill a rat and join me so that. we can find that one right way to kill a rat "
Jasco didn't feel comfortable with those words,he angrily let out some cautioning words to Saliki.
"Well ! it's never your fault, you were born and trained in the rural area, what do you know about city life ? With your local life, you don't know about the nigga's life, you don't even know about Oluwa and you advising me to join you so that we can kill a rat.Have you seen a rat in this apartment since you stepped in,I have been killing rat and will continue killing it.I am acquainted with city's life,I know every strategy to any problem and right now, you've got a problem.Believe me when I tell you that the strategy to your problem is to shine your eyes, learn from me, follow me to achieve my dream and you will achieve yours,
think good of others and the good return to you numerously"
Jasco left him amazed, Though Saliki don't how to play the city's game but for now,he chooses to stay cool,head down and learn the rules of the game. Saliki wondered of something purposeful to do with his life,he thought of finding a job to restrain from idleness.Since he was brought up in a rural area,he have got to learn the way of the city.
After some months, Saliki went into the city in search of lucky job. He started with walking round the city,he could read the writeup on the banners and billboards which were placed,he came across a bar, though he actually don't know what it's all about, but he can still see some eating, jesting including the drunkards.
"Their own world is better off for them"
Saliki thought.
He continued trekking round the city,he could see some group of young guys of his age sitting in an isolated area, their mouth wide opened as they laugh out loud to their amusing discussion, having cigarettes in their hands and uncork drinks. At the sight of Saliki ,they made whistling noise to him.
"Hei guy !....(one of them called)
What are you mopping at ?
Come over here and join us "
"Doesn't he look like a two years old boy".... the other said.
They all laughed mockingly at him.
Saliki quietly walked away,he then came across a brothel, the ladies dressing naked, some of them twisting their waist,he saw some of the men and guys publicly and sexly kissing the ladies lips. Saliki couldn't watch them for long,he bowed his head and shame and walked by. Still trekking like a sheep without shepherd, Saliki saw some group of men in a store with a small television placed before them, everyone of them had a smile on written on their face,they shouted out loudly at the score of a goal by a team player. Saliki smiled and passed by.
Saliki saw some young guys hustling and serving their master.
" How humble they are to call another MASTER,they had the choice to deny the fact that they can't be under anyone, but they decided to lower themselves and serve the king, that day will arrive when they will too become a king "
Saliki decided to go back home being famished and hungry.Unluckily for him,he got home without any achievement,he was also glad that he got to see what the city is made of.
Saliki got home, throwing himself on the bench, his tummy was rumbling,he picked up one among the two manageably leaking cup, fetched water from a Blue gallon kept in the room, the water had some dirty particles in it,he felt bad. Saliki poured the water in a small kettle in the room and place it on the fire lighted stove. After some minutes, the steam rushed out the kettle hole, Saliki poured it inside the cup,he couldn't let it get cold because of how parched he is,he blew some air into it and sadly drank it.