Chapter 6

       The cackling noise from chirping birds with pointed beaks leaning on downtrodden boughs overshadowed the rumbling torrent of the flowing sea. A wavering wind whirred, positioning the leaves in diverse places on the sandy floor surface with white pebbles stationed near the seaway. Tall sandcastles stood still, kids yelling with great focus and excitement just as they will if Santa Claus was to arrive on Christ's day. Colourful bikinis greatly occupied everywhere with young ladies marvelling at the sight of the seawaves and husky men showcasing huge shoulders, their boxershorts revealing half of their thigh.

        Linda Solanke flinched, girdled by mirth and inestimable joy with her bikini clinging tightly to her body frame with a tanned derm and hat shoving away the beams of light illuminating from the clouds. She silently giggled with garbling glee, running - her legs squibbling with the beachsand as she endeavoured not to destroy any sand- castles to avoid pleading with a crying kid for hours or being seen as a wicked elderly. It was herculean to calm down a kid and she wasn't a patient one. His voice cracked, almost subdued by the silent whispers of the sea and the crooning beach-lovers bonding happily at its edge with their gleeful faces. It was a moment for man to shower adoration on his beloved especially for those whose busy schedules eat up their time mostly. Linda glanced across the sea, eyes directed at his muscular gait graciously carried with the ebony skin glinting in the scorching sun. 

            " You should agree that I'm a better sprinter than you can ever be, Kev! I'm the deer and you're the turtle, dumbhead. " she teased, stopping awhile. 

           "Well, I'm not a cheater as you are and I'm giving you this moment to win. Ladies first, you know. " the tall, muscular Kevin replied, adjusting his red shorts amidst curious glances from some skinny ladies laying idly.

          "Only losers utter such words, accept the loss babe." Linda chuckled, her palms supporting her waist side with her revealing thigh disclosing its prescence as the wind blew off the bikini slightly. 

           "Wait then, crazy debater. " he challenged, finally arriving at the spot where she stood. 

       Linda's face glimmered, her hips being encircled by the hands of her beloved. Silently, she watched him stroke her damp neck with his cold forefinger, a distant and desirous look in his eyes and his stern face welcoming a smile. The tiny mole beside his nose seemed to cohort with the lips as it parted like a splitted nut. He held voraciously her tilted chin as she shuddered with mixed feelings - wondering if to stay still or urge her beloved. 

         "Hey Kevin, why don't we go ahead and watch the sea waves. " Linda suggested like a curious one. 

           " We could rather stand here, we both know you're worth watching than the wave, love. " Kevin declared, suppressing the smile with a smirking grin. He could convince her so well. To him, she was his beautiful doll - one worth watching and revered. He swirled her with his coarse palms holding on to her soft fingers as they stared longly at each other, her curly hair blown slightly at the wind's pleasure. Their eyes interlocked, gaze resting wistfully on each others face now far away from the excited kids with the serene atmosphere coupling their silent nature,  - words unravelled nor spoken.

         Linda awakened , grunting surly after realizing door of mares wasn't closed yet. It was as usual - cold, serene and lonely. She shuddered, hearing her alarm beep. The earlier dream was like a flashback - a trip to Hawaii, which we once embarked on, she thought. 

         Clasping tightly her mini - gown, she realised it was half past 2. One hour ago, she decided to take a short nap after a cold shower. Another free saturday to relish, as savoury as a chef's treat. She plod down the staircase, striding towards her TV as she heard a faint click from the alarm bell outside. She despised her privacy being invaded and she was grateful the postman knew this. 

              "The postman must have dropped something.. " she mesmerized, opening wide the aluminum door to the paveway. Her new painted mailbox beckoned unto her with its flinged door, Linda picked up the envelope still closed with glue. 

          "We apologise....... , Linda scrolled. The Casat organisation and other companies across the country - Fisco firm, Elite international IS and Ronbi Enterprise are summoned to appear in Houston Conference hall for brief discussion and defence of submitted files to agree on a basis towards the final decision. " Linda chorused dissapointedly, wondering why the mail was sent on a Saturday and not during weekdays.

            "The Ronbi enterprise too?" Linda groaned, her mind roaming as she pictured how Tinu would marvel with mirth at the moment. She winced, dissapointed at how she will sit for hours next, opposite or adjacent to Tinu, whichever way it will be. 

            "Lord, Have mercy!" she plead, slamming the door. 

                                                     ***

          "Bode! Bode! " a loud voice yelled amidst the bubbling noises from walking pedestrians and the blaring horns from cars passing by with the red - orange light ensuing from the sky. Bode stopped, hearing his name being called - a distorted look and stressed frame with white-blue shirt and a new trouser he bought at Gbogbonise market two weeks ago. He felt pleased with himself but was dissapointed with the actions meted out to him by his boss. 

         Bode being alarmed surprisingly stopped with his jaw,  dropping ,recollecting the face of whom was behind the Corolla's wheel. The face was hidden by the large wig resting idly on the beholder's head and  dangling earrings almost touching the shoulders as the driver laid her dark elbow on the car's window.

          "Bode, omo Thomas! " the lady sang  honking loudly, stepping down quietly. She adjusted the buckles of her red high heel shoes. Bode stared at her face with fading make-up, wondering ladies will use make-up with perspiration finally leaving their efforts, futile at the end. 

         Yet, it will be cleaned later, he thought. 

         "Can't believe I can come across you again. Thought you were out of this country already. Naija citizens! " she added, beaming with a bit of red stain at the tip of her front tooth which was clearly from her lipstick.

           "Saki, you've changed though. Out of this country ke? I'm still in Naija, roaming like an itinerant and trying to make ends meet. Frustrated yet dauntless." Bode protested, careful of the words he will utter despite his unfavourable condition. 

           "All will be well. " Saki assured, glancing at her car like one expecting another vehicle to hit her car.

            "What have you been up to then? "Bode curiously asked, trying not to be perceived as a total failure.

            "I sell goods, wholesale. Clothes, gold necklaces, embroidered napkins, jewelries and all sort of accessories.you sure will love to patronise also. " 

       

           "Certainly......"

           "Ah! Bode, greatest mathematician." Saki praised, beaming.

           "If I still can, if life hasn't despoiled all my strength to even solve mathematics." The two laughed, stopped and stared longly at each other.

               "Well, Bode I'm a busy person I've got to hurry though, you know how the traffic is but having your contact will be great. "

           "Of course, Congrats too. A wedding ring I suppose?" Bode replied, confused at the sight of diamonds on her fingers but being assured he won't be perceived as a fool for the one on the ringfinger seemed like a wedding ring. 

              "Thanks Bode, I'm married to my beloved husband - Alhaji Sanusi.. Your contact, please. " Sakirat requested again.

           "Of course, " Bode replied. Mnemonic thoughts flooded his heart as he kept on surveying Sakirat's  appearance and gait. Saki pepper, one of the risk - takers and ruthless one in college. Ten years ago, the robust fair lady was one slender and dark girl with blistered skin and short hair curls. She was a sought after female with male teachers still sulking behind her yet Bode  and the others had no choice but to keep mute, observing them.

        Bode Thomas sighed, handing over the lady's phone as he saved his contact with haste. Waving his left palm, he watched silently as she drove off, pleading with the other drivers and reeling past him. 

"Saki!  Married, successful and beautiful! " Bode blared, lost in thoughts. He recoiled, hearing a loud cry from behind. The young girl whom could not be less than 5 stared sheepishly with tears streaming down her cheeks, her little fingers supporting her right foot which Bode had stepped on. Bode crouched, picking up the wares which had slipped from her fingers as he watched her closely - two ruffled cornrows settled on her frail neck and frame with her worn out dress already stitched repeatedly. 

              "I'm sorry.. " he mumbled, gasping for the girl stood, not moving. He held out a crumpled 200 naira note which he was his change when he boarded the taxi during morn. Bode watched the young girl grab it with glee, running off. 

           "We all are suffering from the malady called dearth! " Bode exclaimed with despair.

   

@Opemiplenty