WHERE IS ARO?

By Olaiwola Faih Adedolapo

There is usually one prayer every new female student has to say upon admission into the University; ‘Father, Queens!’ No one prays for Awo and Idia. And of course, there is usually an exception for Idia if one is familiar with the popular Aroism that is exclusively reserved for the ladies by the Katangites and Baluba kingdom.

And that moment when you attend the university orientation and lay your complaint before the elders; providing them which situations where you have been embarrassed but get shocked by the reply. They would describe how Aroism was better and had greater fun during their days. They would also mention the names of your famous tight-faced lectures and how they were always eager to perform Aro for the girls. They would tell of how it has helped to shape the ladies especially the timid ones and see when Aroism is need for every student in order to graduate in character.

It does not end there. On one of the days you enter the kitchen to cook and a full grown up lady alongside her friend walks to the kitchen and began to cry. You then ask from her moody friend what happened to her and she tells you about how she persuaded her to put on trousers for the first time but get bullied by the Katangites. In your mind, you are like, ‘what would she do if it were the Baluba kingdom?’

And then, you become an addict user of earpieces. It was not that you loved music so much; you just had to insert them into your eyes and walk boldly past the Aro zones. Then their songs would change. It would not be the usual ‘lets-tease-the-ladies joke’. It would be the shout of ‘no-no-no-this is not allowed!’ At this point, you are confident of yourself.

And then Aro begins to die. You tell your friends, ‘Aro is now boring. I am sure those guys are now tied of it. So, each time you walk past the Aro zones, you would look up to see if anyone would come out to say their silly jokes. No one. You frowned.

And when you hear that they had begun Aro for the Jambites, you persuade your roommate to go on a stroll with you. She gets to realize that Aro was still in existence and wants to go back. You then try to act the big and experienced sister and tell how of how childish she would appear in front of everyone if she turns back.

The next day you decide to go out, but everywhere looks dry and chilly. You are like, ‘where is Aro?