Story of a Survivor - Season 1 - Episode 40

5 years ago

Story of a Survivor - Season 1 - Episode 40

During the last term holiday, I waited till a week into the holiday.

On a certain Saturday I drove
down to Abakpa Housing estate.

I parked at the front of the incomplete building adjacent to our House and waited in the car, the air conditioner was on, the Car engine was running, and I sat watching.

I looked at the incomplete building, I looked at
that spot on the pavement where I had fallen
asleep some years back, I actually ate Akara and Bread plus a Sachet of water there! I gave out a short laugh when I remembered I actually defecated in one of the rooms that day when my Stomach was rumbling. I smiled and did the sign of the cross. Look at me now in an airconditioned four wheel drive at the same place I was years back as a pauper! I changed the CD playing to a Gospel tape. My mood changed, I became sober, all glory to God!

I had waited for about fifteen minutes when I
saw him come out of the incomplete building in company of another young boy who looked a little older than him; he looked to his right, then to his left, lifts up his right hand to his mouth and dragged! He puffed out very thick smoked from his mouth as he coughed, he passed the thing to his colleague who also drew a very long one before tossing the stump away, he exhaled smoke from his mouth and nose. They shook hands and departed quickly.

Junior walked past my car, he stared at the
windshield but could not make out the figure
inside, as he moved away I wound down the
window and called out his name: junior! He spun around like someone caught in the act, he saw me and he was embarrassed, he could not look at me straight in the eyes, he bowed his head in shame as he trudged towards me. He knew I must have seen him in the act. I have lived in the Barracks long enough to identify the smell of Indian hemp A.K.A “Igbo”

I looked at him, a replica of my Father, he should be about fifteen years old but he looked older, he had grown up, broad Chest and sprouted moustache, his eyes were no longer innocent, they looked dirty, my Brother was going down.

So you dey smoke igbo now? I asked him as he
got to my side; he kept quiet, he was just staring at his feet. Come inside Motor I said; he
obediently passed through the front of the car to the passenger side, as he opened the door and came , I noticed he was uneasy with the
temperature in the car.