SELF BAIT

-By: Dayo Paul

Ben is known to be naughty by everyone that surrounds him. He’s always carefree and never bothered by whatever keeps other students on their nerves. I was so scared when the lecturer finally announced the deadline for the submission of teak seeds because I had not taken it serious until that moment.

“Ben, we have to go pick seeds this evening”. I told him though he was busy playing game on his android phone.

“Oga chill na” he responded as if nothing will happen if we choose not to submit.

“It must be submitted latest by Friday and today is Wednesday. I don’t think we should take the risk oo.”

He decided to go after much pestering, so we fixed a time and place to meet.

The evening was cool and I really loved it. Ben was busy kicking a round stone as we walked down the road.

“Hello sister, you look gorgeous”, he praised a young lady who was walking by and she responded with a ‘thank you’.

“But….” His statement temporarily stopped her then he continued

“You look so much like one of my neighbors back home”, he said in a jovial way,

“Are you twin?”

“No I’m not”, she replied.

“Triplet?”

“No”

“Quadruplet?”

“No”

“Oh! you must be single”

The lady hissed and continued with her journey.

“What’s the meaning of that?” I asked.

“You see, it’s called whyning and it makes one feel good”. He replied though I wasn’t pleased at all.

We later got to our destination which is several miles away from school. Ben sat under the tree and sighed like one who has nothing left to live for.

“We should start picking.” I said as I brought out a black bag initially wrapped in my pocket.

We picked the seeds for several minutes if not an hour before we decided to leave.

“I think I’m hungry” he said and I knew he was serious.

“I don’t have money with me” I replied then we both sat again.

“I think Sarah’s house is not far from here….We should be able to get something there hopefully.” Ben seemed serious though I wasn’t sure if he was acting or not.

“How can we know she’s at home?”

“She should be.” He stood up and we both left.

We started walking again hoping we’ll meet his good friend, Sarah, at home.

“Wow….see this baldy”, Ben pointed at a man whose car got stucked in the mud.

We moved closer then the man requested that we assist him push the car. Ben declined without much thought and I had no choice than to agree with him so we left.

“Good-for-nothing kids”, The man said and we heard him.

Ben’s temper couldn’t contain it then he shouted as we left;

“bald head”

“What did you just say?” Now it seems the old man’s angry.

We quickly walked as fast as we could until we were assured of our safety.

On getting to Sarah’s place, we met her outside washing some clothes.

“Hey guys, what a visit!” she said with a smile.

“I should help with the remaining clothes”, I said jokingly.

“Do not bother, thanks” she responded.

I wondered why Ben was mute and the look on his face was not that encouraging.

“Who’s that lady?” He finally opened up pointing to a person I never noticed.

“She’s my sister” Sarah replied.

“Your sis…sister you mean?”

I finally saw her face and remembered the lady we met earlier that day. I was speechless.

We were about to take our leave when a car drove in.

“Guys that’s my Dad”, Sarah said and we were relaxed until we saw him.

“Your Dad?” Ben screamed.

(C) ZIK PRESS