Chap 3

I woke up, slowly I opened my eyes, everywhere seemed so dimmed and so dark, my eyes were fully opened now. I saw everyone: Pa, Ma, the physician, Titi and Emeka were all staring at me.

"Why is he here" I managed to say in between tears.

Gosh, I was in pain. I wanted to know what the devil was doing in my room. He should have had mercy on me, because I was his firstborn son, I mean everyone craved for their firstborn to be a son, and here he is, the ungrateful fella, was hitting me like a criminal. I tried sitting up but Ma prevented me from doing so, she said I needed to rest for the meantime. I glanced at pa to see his facial expression but his face was expressionless.

"Ma, these are his prescribed drugs, you should buy them and give it to him, OK" the physician said handing a card to her.

"Thank you, ma" Ma Said.

"I should leave now"

"Thanks alot"

"Sorry, brother" Titi cried hugging me.

  I was in a lot of pain, I would love hugging her, but to raise my arms was a big deal.

"Pa, you're so mean" Emeka cried.

"Will you shut your mouth before you end up like him" Pa howled.

"Pa, don't touch him, Pa just stay out of our business" I screamed angrily.

"You rascal, I'll teach you a lesson" Pa said taking out his belt.

"Go on, hit me Pa, I'm not scared of you, I hate you, you don't deserve to live, you have lots of money, but you can't buy us food. hit me as much as you like, but bear this in mind you will regret it. I, ADEJOKE CHIEMELIE FRANCIS ONUIGBO, is telling you this today, you'll regret it" I cried in pain.

"Adejoke, please take your medicine, be quiet" Ma pleaded.

"Ma, let me speak to Pa" I pleaded sitting up not minding the pains.

"Ade please shut up, pa will cane you" Titi cried.

Seriously, if Pa had to cane me that moment I'd die. who knows what's going on in Pa's dimmed mind, he was staring at me like a prey he wished to attack at any moment. I could see he was flared up. we had an eye contact, I turned away quickly.

"Oloruburuku" pa said leaving the room.

"Don't mind him, OK" Ma Said.

I quietly took the medicine Emeka just bought for me. then I remembered, I was clocking 15 next week which was August 22,2005.

One afternoon, I and Emeka were playing when I saw a cigarette pack on Pa's room I wondered if this cigarette was the reason for Pa's strength, so I decided  I would try it. I sent Emeka to his room, I curiously took out a stick, after looking Every look and cranny of the room, I Hid under the bed with a lit. I wanted to know the joy Pa derived as he smoked and especially how he would dashingly puff away the smokes. I lit the cigarette and then drew it closer to my mouth, I took in the first thick smoke which made me cough wildly as tears ran down my cheeks. I took in the second one, third one and fourth one. Taking the fifth one had no effect on me. I no longer coughed when I smoked, I enjoyed the smoke not because it gave me  joy, but because of the thick smoke I puffed out stylishly. months after months,I became addicted to smoking, I dropped my job, I only associated with bad gangs and they taught me how to pickpocket and how to flirt. Everytime Ma left for work, I'd follow my gang to the peak of the mountains, enjoying the fantastic view, we would laugh, whisper, joke and point at any beautiful girl who passed before us. During the evening time, I would go to the bar and work from like 6pm to 5am in the morning which would leave me hungry and tired, but now my salary was increased. I was paid two thousand Naira daily. I had to spend one thousand naira on cigarette and keep the remaining. My addiction to smoking made me smoke 30 sticks in a day. I was only in SS1, though I wasn't regular to school due to our financial problem, though I could read and write well.

Ma started to notice my bad habits, she was unhappy, she would whack and smack me, she weep over me, she would pray on behalf of me, asking God to make her son as he was before. Ma stopped me from working, she took my money away me and made sure she locked me in my room before she left go for work.

     For months now, I've missed my life of smoking.. it wasn't easy for me, but Ma made sure there were no chances of smoking.

Soon after, my craving for cigarettes left me. I discussed with Ma on me, resuming work. She suggested that I worked with her, it wasn't a good idea to me though, but I needed to work. Ma gave my savings back to me, I was very happy about that. the next day, Ma introduced me to her boss.

But fortunately, the job was taken. I went to my former workplace and went to Mr.Anikulapo, my boss, but was disappointed when he said someone else applied for the job. I was angry at both myself and both Ma, for locking me in the room for almost 5 months. I decided to look for work in every bar in ikotun.

At last, I saw one but I was to entertain them by singing and was expected to work from 6pm to 3am and would be Paid five thousand naira. I started my job immediately it was 6pm. I was called by the manager Mr.Akinbiyi.

"Here,the microphone and its stand, with some musical instruments, no mistakes boy, or you'd be out" he said handing me the instruments.

"Ok sir" I thanked him and collected the instruments from him.

Which song was I to sing, how would my voice be? Many thoughts ran through my head. should my song be Igbo, Yoruba, English or pidgin English? Not everyone knew Igbo nor Yoruba so I had to combine the four languages.

Mr. Akinbiyi was staring at me so were the customers whose eyes we trying to burst my tiny body.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen" I  greeted.

I started playing my guitar, then i signaled to those behind me to play the instruments. I didint waste time further in letting out my golden voice which amazed the customers. they were stunned and perplexed. after minutes, they began spraying money on me. I was happy because I knew I won't get thrown out by Mr. Akinbiyi's mean-looking guard. I repeatedly sang the chrous of the song as people's voice joined mine. women were dancing, I felt so proud of myself, cause I felt like a star. it was time for me to go home. I was already tired.I disassembled the micro phone and its stand and packed it in a room In the bar.

"Boy, I'm proud of you, now this is your payment" Mr. Akinbiyi gleefully said handing me my five thousand naira notes.

"Thanks sir, I'd be going" I said as I collected the money from him.

"Boy, odabo" he baded in Yoruba...