That Saturday afternoon, I arrived Oyinbo motor park Lagos to board a luxurious bus heading to Kano where I have been transferred to by my company to resume my job as a Quality Engineer. As I got to the park, fortunately for me, only last ticket was unbooked. I quickly made payment and boarded. Sooner than I had expected, the bus left the park for Kano which was 38 hours long journey from Lagos.
Our bus got to Ibadan and encountered huge traffic that lasted for almost 3 hours caused by an ongoing reconstruction of the expressway by a construction firm that narrowed the expressway. I never imagined we could stay that long in Ibadan.
We journeyed all through out the night and finally arrived Kano the next day evening by 5pm. My joy knew no bounce for the journey mercies. I took my phone and called my colleague that was to pick me up from the bus park as I haven't been to Kano before. He helped me locate a nice hotel around where I lodged closeby to our working place. I had fun in the hotel as there were "live shows" and lodgers are free to come catch their fun.
On Monday morning I resumed at our office in Kano and commenced my site duties as a controller. After a week of lodging in the hotel I decided to ask friends and colleagues at work to help me look for an affordable apartment. After rigorous searches, I was able to find an affordable one. That was when I met Chinedu when I had started living in Karfi, a remote community in Kano occupied by the poor masses majorly children begging for alms with plates instead of enrolling in schools.
I had just stepped out to buy few groceries within the street when my eyes caught a shop built with insect-infected planks but funny thing was that groceries items seems to be in plenty in that kiosk.
"Hello, good evening sir" he greeting.
"Good evening" I responded still gazing at the kiosk.
"Please do you have bathing soup and tissue paper?"
"Yes sir" he responded while getting them for me from the counter.
As I was reaching out for money in my pocket, I asked
"Are you Igbo?" Because the way he hurriedly packed my items speaks alot about it.
"Yes sir, am Igbo" while oozing out a contagious smile. We both smiled together. We began to gist more and on the course of the gist, was how he told me his name as Chinedu while I told him my own name.
Every evening after the close of work and refreshing, Chinedu's Kiosk became a regular place I do hang out and we gist. He told me a whole lot about the town and how to stay out of troubles. But, I noticed that each time the gist of 'girls' arises, Chinedu wouldn't have it and would always find a way to shove it off, besides he rarely goes out because of the nature of his business. Chinedu was never married and don't even want to get married at 40 years old. He often discussed about his parents hating him and loving his other siblings simply because he wasn't financially okay. Because of such treatment from his parents made him leave their home and came to Kano to fend for himself since he's an adult. I hailed him for taking such a decision.
I had lived in Karfi town for three months when my company asked that I relocate back to Lagos since the Government aren't making payments. The thought of leaving Chinedu and his funny gists weakened me the more. I tried to convince my boss for me to stay a month more while we wait for payment but my boss wasn't buying my idea. The day I told Chinedu of my leaving, his mood changed instantly and he has no choice. The day finally came and Chinedu used his motorcycle ( I forgot to share how he cherishes his bike and wouldn't let a finger touch it) to take me to the motor park in Sabongari where I boarded luxurious bus back to Lagos. We both nearly cried but we had to control it because we are men and men don't cry🥰.
Throughout my journey back to Lagos, Chinedu kept calling to find out where we were at every minute. I arrived Lagos successfully and I placed a call to Chinedu informing him that I arrived safely. He was so excited. I booked a taxi to my place while We gisted more over the phone till I got home. We kept talking every week as usual friends would do.
One morning my dad called me to break the sudden dismise of my immediate uncle. I wept but had to gather myself together because that uncle of mine was such a great guy. A day before his burial, I traveled home. After the burial of my uncle. I decided to pay Chinedu's parents a surprised visit since we came from same community. I didn't inform Chinedu about my intention to visit his family in the village. I was able to locate Chinedu's place from the discription he had always used while we talked when I was in Kano. When the bike man took me there. I met with the parents and they inquired about who's family am from, which I told them.
When i told them about a certain son of their who's my friend in Kano called Chinedu. There was abrupt silence. They both looked each other and asked that I repeat myself which I did. They were shocked! Then drops of tears rolled through their cheeks. I wonder to myself what's going which I needed answers to. I calmed them both down and insisted they told me what's wrong.
Could it be that Chinedu which I spoke with last month ago is gone?? Lots of thought kept coming up.
The dad finally broke the silence. He explained to me everything concerning the mystery of friend Chinedu. It happens that my friend Chinedu died through a ghastly motor accident on his way back from Warri. Reasons why he hated Warri girls whenever I discuss about them. I told the parents about my encounter with their son Chinedu. Told them he owns a mini-supermarket in Kano which he manages well. They took me to his grave where he was burial 4 years ago. Certainly Chinedu my friend is a Ghost!
Should I go back to Kano or pretend I don't know he's dead long time ago???