Janet sat down again, this time paying full attention to the story her father was about to narrate. She knew for sure that listening to other people's love story will surely help her own love story as well, picking from the experience of those who were involved in the love story she had listen to. She faced her father, placing her check on her palm and her elbow on her lap.
"Before I talk about any other thing." Mr. Ray said. " Let me firstly tell you about my background. One background, they say cannot put one's back on the ground. My name is Raymond born to the family of Mr. And Mrs. Jerry:"
* * *FLASHBACK
Born to a middle class family, Ray had always fantasized on being the breadwinner of his family. He wished he become the first rich guy in the family. Even at the age of five, he always said it. He admired the Ferrari owner in their area who happen ed to be the richest man in their area then. Ferrari was considered special as at that time and whosoever has it according to them must be very rich.
"Dad, what can someone do to become a very rich man?" He had askedbhis father one day while lying on his father's lap on the couch in the sitting room one day. The amazed father looked at his six years old son.
"Why... why did you ask that question?"
"Because I want to be very rich too, dad."
"What does this little boy understand by being rich?" The father, Mr. Jerry asked himself. Then, he faced Raymond and said; "You have to face your study squarely my son. If you want to become very rich in the future, you must always lead your class in every aspect."
Believing his father, he was determined, but he wondered why his dad was not so rich. "Does that means my father was not always leading in class? Because he told me that if I want to become very rich, I must always lead my class. Well, the reason behind my father not being rich is not my business for now, Imust change my family's story.
Fully determined as he believed his father's words, he was always leading in class till he graduated from Primary school. It was then in secondary school that he realised his father had told him a lie.
"Leading in class in every aspect is not in anyway pertaining to getting rich." He realised. "In Nigeria self, no matter how brilliant you are, you will end up being jobless even after you graduate from University. Jobs are not easy to get in Nigeria, so what will be the value of education?"
The richest man in their area was even self employed, his wealth is not as a result of education.
"Dangote self." He remembered. "Is not enjoying Education. He is a common cement seller, Sugarcane farmer, and a Spaghetti seller and yet, his name is being heard all over the world, especially in Africa. I even learnt Bill gate is a school dropout."
So far, he had thought of abandoning education and get himself a trade that pays off, but how will he ever tell his father who so much valued education that he is not interested in attending school again. He knew he will have to endure as his father will never allow him to dropout of school. Even throughout his tertiary education, he was just putting up not knowing that education would do him some good. He was invited by brewery on the same day he graduated from UNILAG: University of Lagos. His certificate was the best of the best which made many companies and organisations to start looking for him. He considered the one with highest salary offer and from their he was able to raise some money to start living on his own.
Israel, Samad and Marvellous were his best friends then. They had all graduated from the same University. Not being able to raise money and start living on their own as they were not being paid well in their place of work, they had begged Raymond to accept them in his house and since he was lonely on the three bedroom apartment he had rent, he had to accept them on the condition that they will all leave his house once he gets married.
He had accepted them before he realised how bad they were. They were used to drinking and smoking and even attending night parties. He had to tolerate them for the main time, he knew he will get married some day. Telling them to move out of his house would be a great problem for him. He had warned them many times but they would never listen.
"No wonder why they were not being able to gather money to get themselves an apartment, since they are spending all their income on alcohol and night parties." He had said to himself.
"Raymond, one of our friends has thrown a party tonight, you have to attend the party with us." Israel said one day when the guys were gathered in the sitting room with Raymond himself.
"Trust me." Raymond said. "I will never attend a night party. Even, parties organised in the daytime, I don't attend. You can go on your own, I guess. Thanks."
"What is wrong with this guy, ehn." Marvellous lighted his cigarette and relaxed on the couch as if he had bought it. "When will you be civilised, ehn?"
"Raymond." Samad called, wether you like it or not, you're gonna follow us to the party today. And, nobody can stop it. Stand up now, go and take your bath and dress up."
"What is the problem with you guys? Is it a must I attend the party with you?" Raymond was angered.
"For tonight, it is a must." Samad said taking a sip from the glasscup of Goldberg before him. "Don't think that I will be scared by this angry voice you are using. I'm fully determined to take you out tonight."
"I support you, Samad. This guy must be taken out tonight, enough of staying indoor all time." Marvellous said
"Yeah, I support you guys." Israel joined in. "He talked of getting married some day. How will you find whom to marry if you stay indoor at all time? You have no choice than to follow us tonight. After tonight, you may decide to continue following us or not, but tonight, you must follow us."
Raymond had no choice, there was no one to come to his aid. He had to follow his friends to the pub. He went in, took his bath and get dressed up reluctantly.