Nimako arrives at the railway station

CHAPTER 5

Nimako arrives at the railway station.

She meets Jamia and they both shout so much that those around look at them.

Jamia came in a latest Jeep Cherokee. It had a gray exterior color and black interior color. The engine type was 4-cyl, Turbo Wheel Drive and so one could imagine its speed. It had front seat heaters with a heated steering. It also had a blind spot monitor with a rear view camera. The wheels were alloyed with a turbo charged engine. It was really a car that would give you a comfort if you needed it.

Nimako entered the car and it took off. She was still surprised Jamia was using that car but Jamia said she actually bought it and it was her cousin who was a car salesman who helped her buy it. At once Nimako asked Jamia if she could assist her buy a similar car too. It was then Jamia reminded her of Nimako’s new job in France. They got to Jamia’s house and it was like a celebration. Jamia’s mom, Alicia hugged her and gave her a number of kisses. It was like they new each other.

Alicia left them and Jamia showed Nimako her room. She took her round the house and honestly speaking, Nimako was impressed about Jamia’s family home. Jamia asked her of the kind of drink she wanted and she mentioned Eko Juice. Nimako was surprised Jamia was able to get her Eko juice because it was a new product on the market. This suggested to Nimako that Jamia indeed had good taste for good things. Jamia went ahead to introduce Jim her dad to her. As for Alicia, she had already introduced herself to Nimako.

It is said that every house where love abides and friendship is a guest, is surely home and home, sweet home for there the heart can rest. Nimako felt as if she was a member of the family. She comported herself very well and her intelligence was at work. It was there Jim became convinced that it’s not misplaced when it is said, ‘When the character of one is not clear to you, look at the person’s friend.’

Nimako was shown her room and they got to bed. The following day as early as 6:30 A.M. Nimako was still in her room and so Jamia knocked at her door to wake her up. It was there Nimako said she never slept throughout the night because a funny photo she sent to Clare, Clare had also forwarded it to Felix. Jamia became upset throughout the night when she heard it because that photo was meant for only Clare and not for any other person.

The photo was so embarrassing that anybody who would see it would have a negative thought about the person who sent it. Nimako was worried because if it should get to the social media and her parents got to know of it that would also be another issue. Jamia advised Nimako to talk to Clare in order to ask Felix to delete it. ‘What if she doesn’t’, said Nimako. She was thinking in the event that he did not, it would make him more interested. Jamia advised her to forget about it since there was nothing they could do about it. Nimako made up her mind not to send anymore embarrassing photos to friends.

Jamia prepares breakfast and Nimako joins her at the kitchen.

They decided to prepare oatmeal, pancakes and omelets. Nimako was happy for the breakfast and said, ‘Yummy! That sounds delicious.’ Though the food was not ready, it was like it was set for them to eat.

Jamia:

I hope so.

Nimako:

I have a good appetite. I hope there is enough food.

Jamia smiles.

We are going to have a breakfast buffet to welcome you Nimako.

Nimako:

Oh yeah!

Jamia:

I want to make sure there is enough food, for breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Whilst Jamia was preparing the oatmeal, Nimako was making freshly- squeezed orange juice. After about thirty minutes, breakfast was ready and they went to table. It was indeed different from all the breakfasts they had had. No wonder it is said, ‘Enjoy breakfast all alone, share lunch with your best friend and give diner to your enemy.’ Jim was fond of giving jokes and so he gave them one for the morning. He started by saying, a couple was watching a television after a hard day’s work. Then the woman asked the man.

Woman:

Do you drink bear?

Man:

Yes.

Woman:

How many bottles of bear do you drink in a day?

Man:

Usually about three

Wife:

How much do you pay per a bottle?

Man:

Five Dollars which include a tip.

Woman:

And how long have you been drinking?

Man:

For about 20 years I suppose.

Woman:

A bottle of bear costs five dollars and you drink three bottles in a day which makes it four hundred and fifty dollars a month. In one year, it will be five thousand four hundred dollars.

Man:

Correct.

Woman:

If in one year you spend five thousand four hundred dollars, then for twenty years you’ll spend one hundred and eight thousand dollars?

Man:

Correct.

Woman:

Do you know that if you didn’t drink too much bear that money could have been put in a savings account and after adding the interest for the past twenty years you could have bought an aircraft?

Man:

Do you drink?

Wife:

No.

Man:

Where is your aircraft?

They all laughed and tears of joy were dropping from Nimako’s eyes like rain falling from the sky.

Breakfast was over. Jamia and Nimako made an excursion to the Cultural Center. They met a guide who took them around and he explained some of the activities which had been going on to them. The center was the heart of Lagos and it often held classes and cultural events which brought numerous volunteer opportunities. It was also the best place to hang out. A place where one could get everything one would need.

It was a commercial hub as well. Here one could get all the trendy and branded items of every range which included both ethnic as well as western