Another interesting edition of
your popular reality write-up, as anchored by MIMI ADEBAYO. Enjoy it after the cut…
We eventually finished up with
our purchases and decided to hang out at KFC.
There’s an awful lot that people
who haven’t seen each other in eighteen years have to catch up on but I had
this weird feeling that I couldn’t pack rediscovering Biyi into a few hours.
So while he spoke, I knew I
wanted to see him again. More importantly, I wanted him to really see me again.
Not me in my casual, shopping wears looking almost-tired.
Biyi turned out to be quite the
talker; not in a sloppy, unintelligent way. It was amazing that even at this
age, I found his knowledge hypnotic. As he spoke, I was transported to those
years ago when he educated me about the newest thing he’d read about. Even at
that young age, he’d loved books. He knew all about dinosaurs by the time he
was ten.
‘So what do you do now?’ he
asked, spooning icecream into his mouth.
‘I am a teacher and I also do a
bit of social work.’
‘Wow. You’re giving back to
humanity. That’s beautiful. I always knew you had a big heart.’
He was beaming at me in a way
that made me feel guilty. Yes I was into social work but not because I wanted
to give back to humanity. I had gone into social work two years ago when I
realised I had to do something to remain sane.
I shrugged away the memory. Biyi
didn’t need to know that. Not yet anyway.
‘So, you? What did you end up
using your knowledge for?’ I asked, stirring the discussion away from me.
‘Well, I just finished my PHD. I
was offered a lecturing spot in the University I graduated from.’
‘Wow. See, I knew you had to put
all that sabi-sabi somewhere. You always had your nose buried in a book.’
He laughed. ‘It’s not my fault
na. So, how are your parents? Taye?’
When Biyi and I were neighbours,
it had just been my sister and I. Years later, my mum and dad would bring two
more kids into the world. This, Biyi did not know.
‘They’re all fine. Taye…got
married last year. She is a nurse.’
‘That’s beautiful news.’
‘I have two other siblings too.
Mum had two boys later.’
‘I thought as much.’
‘Well, that’s my life in a
nutshell. I’m basically boring.’ I gave a small laugh to cover my
embarrassment.
‘I find that hard to believe. A
beautiful woman like you, boring? Ba!’
I inclined my head.
‘No special someone?’ he asked.
I shook my head, unable to form
the word ‘no’.
‘Aah, don’t tell me you were
waiting for me,’ he winked, playfully.
‘Maybe. We are after all,
married.’ I nudged him.
‘No, seriously, tell me. You’re
what…twenty-seven now?’
‘I’d be twenty-eight on Saturday.
Which reminds me, you’re invited to a small party at my house.’ I was quick to
change the subject. It was also another opportunity to see Biyi.
‘Would you tell me then why no
man has snatched you up?’
‘Maybe,’ I said, lightly.
When we parted ways, I thought
about the man that had snatched me up once.
Credit: PM
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