DIARY OF AN OKADA RIDER (CONTINUATION OF JAJI AND THE OYIBO MAN)

(CONTINUATION of JAJI AND THE OYIBO MAN)

When Jaji's wristwatch confirmed it was 3.45pm he told his friend to hurriedly gulp his beer. Coral Island was more than a few minutes away and if they didn't leave now they wouldn't make it in good time. Matty swallowed his drink noisily,let out a more noisy belch and stood up.

 They decided to ride on Jaji's Okada. Matty parked his under the mango tree and beckoned on one of the  waiters. He said to him,"I beg put eye for ground for my motorcycle,You hear." He didn't hear the albino swear under his breath and even as they zoomed off,never saw the scowl that etched his features. At exactly 3.57pm they arrived at the gate of a massive building that oozed wealth and opulence .Both of them swallowed and looked at each other. Their eyes spoke. " We don hammer," Matty's eyes seemed to say. "Na so E look like o" Jaji responded and was about pressing the bell button when the gate pulled open to reveal a uniformed man who was obviously the janitor. "Who una dey find?"  He demanded,looking from one man to the other. " Oga Wila "Matty quickly replied. He was feeling jittery all of a sudden and a well composed Jaji wondered why.

" Oga Willy you mean," the Janitor amended with an air of superiority. "Ok,mek una com inside." He turned to Jaji again, seemed to hesitate somewhat and said almost inaudibly to him, " Oga Willy head dey shake small small o. If hin slap you no retaliate o. But one thing,salary good." Jaji wondered at the information and didn't know what to make of it. The Janitor led them to a beautiful,spacious living room,offered them seats and disappeared into one of the adjoining rooms. He rushed out almost immediately looking like a frightened rat,and scurried away.

What Jaji wasn't expecting to see was a sturdily built,bald headed Lebanese that was Oga Willy.He entered into the living room and wouldn't answer their greeting. Matty repeated," Good evening Sir". Small,beady grey eyes held his for a fraction longer than a moment. " You be Martin? Is you that is Martin,my former worker brother?" he asked instead. Matty nodded nervously. He broke eye contact with the lebanese. He didn't know why but he was feeling so intimidated.

" You no fit work for me."  said the Lebanese,shaking his head.

"But sir...."

"Do not Sir me. Willy say u cannot work for me,okay?you go wait in the visitors'lounge for your brother. Me think dis one can work for me," he said wrinkling his flared nostrils at Jaji. Matty got up slowly and moved like an automaton out the door. No sooner had Matty left the living room than the Lebanese started to cough. Deep spasms shook his sturdy frame as he coughed on. Tears began to run down his lean cheeks. "Sorry Sir," Jaji edged towards him but a hard shove sent him back on his chair. " I take care of myself, not you!"

Focus on the dollars,Jaji reiterated in his heart. Focus.

" Okay Sir." Jaji threw him a dashing smile which of course the lebanese ignored. Stupid man,Jaji seethed inwardly,still keeping the plastered smile... and then the worst happened! Oh dear,the Lebanese coughed deeply this time and threw the slimey spittle on the tiled floor of the living room!

 Jaji gasped. This-was-stinking.

" Me been treating dis cough for ages now but cough go nowhere.Doctor say it's Tb.. tuberculosis but I treat it well well..."

 Jaji's heart sank. Tuberculosis? The dollar picture began to fade fast!

"I treat treat,cough stubborn!" His body shook with spasms of cough again and on the floor the thick,yellowy substance went again.

" you sabi drive? Drive motor well well? You experience?" The Lebanese asked afterwards.

"No. I dey learn " Jaji answered.

"W-w-what?! Why you come here to find work when you know you no sabi drive motor well well?!" he bit out angrily,standing up. His beady eyes shone in fury.

"The last driver work wey I work,i get accident. My oga die...."

"You say wetin?!" the Lebanese cut in,shock,terror,anger and series of other emotions creasing his forehead. " Now get out of my house,you killer man,out!" He yelled like a wounded lion. Jaji hid an amused smile and sauntered out the room. He found Matty by the gate with the Janitor. "Your own don better ooo!" Matty exclaimed excitedly.

"My health better pass dollars o. Na who dey life dey chop dollars. Tuberculosis? God forbid!"

"Wetin be all this wey you dey yarn so?" His friend was confused here.

Jaji threw his head back and laughed heartily. He narrated all that had transpired between them as they rode back to Mama Jimoh's Restaurant and Bar.