ShortStory I Golden Chance (II)

GOLDEN CHANCE (II)

       “You have not still answered my question.” Jessy hesitantly uttered as she fixed her gaze on Dan’s.

         Dan was rather speechless, seemed lifeless as he sat directly opposite her not unlike a job seeker.

         At this juncture, they were still the only guests at the bar, Dragon-Top. It was moment of confession; it was the ripe time for him to disclose his prime intention; the period to state clearly in strong terms the reason he left his initial position for hers. And, she conspicuously could not wait to grab the note. Though she had already read the atmosphere, courtesy unarguably demanded that when you walked up to someone – especially a stranger – you ought not to hesitate in disclosing the mission for your abrupt visit. Since there was no practical invite, his presence before her at the moment remained embarrassing till the object of the August visit was revealed.

        “I am all ears, Mister Dan.” Jessy reminded.

        “My dear,” he stated. “It’s a long story.”

          Sure, the dude did not belong to the bracket of men who knew too well how to approach ladies let alone a cutely looking and classy one like Lady Jessy.

         “Long story?” she verified. “You mean, you have come to tell me a long story?”

         “On the contrary,” quoth Dan. “I have come to tell you that, that…” he stammered, paused.

         She was silent, became attentive as she got fascinated over the mode of approach deployed by him. Sure, she needn’t be told that he was naïve. Such attitude of his triggered her interest more.

        “… That I have been your secret admirer for three weeks now.”

          Jessy smiled stylishly. “Congratulations, Mister Dan.” She enthused, clapping.

          He was amazed, though became confused over the unforeseen gesture.

         “So, Mister Dan,” she continued, sipped her drink via the straw. “Why are you admiring Missus Jessy?”

        “Missus Jessy..?” he echoed, became flabbergasted. “Did I hear you right?”

        “I am sure you did.” quoth Jessy. “Or, didn’t you?”

        “Do you mean, you are married?” he verified, pointing at her with his right hand.

         She dished out a dazzling smile. “Would you like to see my husband?”

        “So, how come you are not putting on your ring?”

        “Is that necessary?” she said. “Does it really matter?”

        “Of course,” he replied. “Or isn’t it?’

        “I don’t think it is, my dear.” she argued. “Faithfulness is a thing of the heart.”

         On hearing the last clause, Dan felt like strangulating himself right before her as he tightly fixed his gaze on hers. To him, he had all along wasted a whole three weeks, thinking he was up to something beneficial, forgetting that ‘not all that glitters is gold’. His mind was at the time preoccupied with mixed feelings, all sorts of weird thoughts, or what have you. He was apparently trapped to the ground.

         What could he do now? Since it seemed he had ab initio embarked on a fruitless mission, he had no other choice than to manage lifting his ‘useless’ body towards returning to his original position there in Dragon-Top, or better still consider leaving the bar for else locality where he would be more sober.

          Right now, which was almost 6:00 pm, more guests had arrived Dragon-Top, hence the arena was gradually becoming rowdy and hot as usual. Against this backdrop, another person had occupied Dan’s initial position.

          Few seconds later, the 36-year-old Dan stood up and attempted to take his leave. “Well, thank you for your time.” he managed to utter.

        “You are welcome.” Jessy replied frankly, sipped her drink for the umpteenth time.

         He turned and sluggishly took a step forward, fixing his gaze on the exit point of the bar, or probably where his white Honda Accord car was parked.

         His intention was to leave the joint for home, or somewhere else he could reexamine himself with a view to knowing what to do with his ostensible miserable life.

       “Mister Dan.” Jessy called tenderly as he left her table.

         He quickly but majestically applied his brakes, calmly twisted his neck but never uttered a word.

        “Please, come.” She urged politely.

         Dan calmly walked back to her, but didn’t bother to resume his seat as he stared at her in silent awe.     

        “Please, can you sit down?” She enjoined, gesticulating.

          He complied like one who was being controlled with a remote, remained mute.

         “I can see, you are hurt.” Jessy observed. “Please, I didn’t mean to.” she added, paused. “I am sorry.”

          Dan became more bemused, couldn’t fathom the scenario as he sat loosely on the chair.

         “I want to make a confession.”

         “Confession..?” he eventually uttered.

         “Yes.” She said, nodding.

         “For what?”

         “I have also been attracted to you.” She revealed hesitantly.

           The dude was surprised to receive such strong and mind-blowing words from a woman he had all along seen as a goddess that deserved to be worshipped. “How?” he verified in a jiffy.

          “I have been your secret admirer from the first day I sighted you.” Jessy categorically clarified. “I noticed you the very first time I walked in here.” she supplemented. “I actually came to chill myself on that day but the acknowledgement of you made me kept coming afterwards.”

          “Serious?”

          “The truth was that, Jessy had from the outset been watching Dan’s back. Though she didn’t come to Dragon-Top for the first time because of Dan, her first visit to the famous outlet disclosed the dude’s existence. From that moment, she became a secret admirer. What actually prompted the admiration was owing to the fact that the dude happened to be seated alone throughout that fateful Saturday she patronized the bar. Being a lonely lady, she thought getting acquainted with him would go a long way in addressing the dreaded disease known as ‘loneliness’, which she was currently suffering from.

          She made enquiries and got to know that he usually came to the joint on weekends. So, being a banker, Saturday evenings cum Sundays were often her free time, thus she chose to always visit Dragon-Top every Saturday with the purpose of working out strategy on how to get him attracted to her, not knowing that he equally got attracted to her on that first day.

         “But you said, you are married?’ Dan inquired. “Or, could it be I didn’t hear you well?”

        “Never mind.” responded Jessy. “I was just pulling your legs.”

          He smiled, though still engulfed in the overwhelming astonishment occasioned by the unimagined confession.

          Therein, they became friends. Weeks on, the friendship metamorphosed into intimacy. Barely five months on, Dan led the pretty Jessy down the aisle.

         The rest is history, please.

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador  

  

              

Opinion I As They Assume Duties, What Next?

AS THEY ASSUME DUTIES, WHAT NEXT?

        

The last time I checked, the  twenty-eight Commissioner nominees that were successfully screened by the Imo legislators recently as tradition demanded had been sworn in by the state’s governor Chief Rochas Okorocha and therein assigned to various ministries to super-head their affairs. It’s noteworthy that the appointed twenty-seven Transition Committee (TC) chairmen of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state were equally inaugurated.

        

It would be recalled that in June this year, the governor relieved virtually all his cabinet members of their duties; an action that affected the then serving commissioners in each of the existing ministries in the Eastern Heartland. It suffices to say that since the aforementioned month till Monday, 4^th December 2017 when the swearing-in ceremony took place, the various ministries had been lacking commissioners to pilot their respective day-to-day activities.

        

Considering the above paragraph, it’s needless to reiterate that the event that eventually ushered in the new commissioners was conspicuously long overdue. In other words, every rational and sane Imolite or a true friend of the state could not wait to embrace such an epochal moment.

       

Before discussing what truly informed this piece, I would like to take a slight look at some fascinating things that happened at the said occasion, which held at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC). At the venue, before the distinguished guests, Governor Okorocha rightly disclosed that some of the ministries would be relocated to other parts of the state. This is arguably a welcome development to the best of my knowledge.

        

I was, to say the least, so delighted when the governor made the pronouncement. I had prior to the ceremony, for the umpteenth time, analyzed on the need to decentralize some of the existing ministries in the state just as it is seen in states like Lagos among others. Among several benefits that await such remarkable measure, decentralization of various ministries leads to drastic societal uplift as well as tremendously helps to cushion the ongoing excruciating effects of rural-urban migration.

       

This implies that I cannot wait to see the governor implementing such lofty initiative, even though the affected workers wouldn’t be pleased with the idea. After actualizing the relocation through the use of the executive immunity, I employ the governor to ensure that the approach is sold to the lawmakers to enable them deliberate on it via a bill towards making it a project that would stand the test of time.

         

However, another intriguing factor that emerged on that fateful day was the assignment of a portfolio to a former aide of the governor who never participated in the screening exercise conducted by the revered legislators. A woman whose name was never mentioned as one of the commissioner nominees was decorated as the ‘Supervisory’ Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment, which later was rebranded ‘Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment’.

        

One may even ask; what is really the essence of such portfolio? What other happiness or fulfillment does Imolites require if the commissioners assigned to the already existing ministries carry out their duties effectively and efficiently, or are not found wanting in the long run? The funniest part was that the newest ministry was renamed just a few hours after the inauguration ceremony.

       

Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that this critique is mainly necessitated by the need for the newly inaugurated commissioners, TC-chairmen cum members coupled with the concerned expanded EXCO officials to comprehend what next is expected of their persons as they assume duties.

         

As they have eventually climbed the mantle of leadership, they need not to be told that this is simply a clarion call; a call to serve; a call for stewardship; a call to assist in building the state. It is obvious that some of these appointees aren’t just assuming duties but resuming; needless to state that they have been in the system from the outset. Whether you are assuming or resuming, the consignment is designed for you to see yourself as a steward and not an emperor.

        

Similarly, these appointees shouldn’t be reminded that completion of the numerous projects across the state initiated by the Rescue Mission Administration now lies in their court. The governor made it clear on the day of the swearing-in that the reason he ensured that each LGA in the state got a commissioner slot was the need for the said appointees to see that the ongoing projects in their respective councils are duly completed. Hence, there is no need reiterating that we shall hold them responsible if the projects in their various LGAs failed. Most importantly, they must note that to actualize this, team work mustn’t be taken for granted.

       

Inter alia, the appointees must take into cognizance the indisputable role of time management. They need to be ready to manage their time aptly. Some of them may decide to be in the office at 11:00 am or even anytime beyond; such a mentality is very bad and unethical. A good leader ought to be the first to be present at his/her working place or venue for a proposed meeting.

       

They must also be conscious of how they entertain their guests while in the office. Some guests may want to spend several hours in the office of a commissioner or TC-chairman, as the case may be; such way of life is uncalled for in a formal setting, thus unacceptable. The bosses are required to make their respective guests understand that they are working with time and that other visitors are waiting, hence the need to be brief and succinct.

         

I can’t round off this piece without letting the appointees acknowledge that they represent the governor in their respective jurisdictions, thus mustn’t relent to advise, inform the number-one citizen on what should be done in the areas they are super-heading.

       

All in all, the TC-chairmen ought to in their capacities remind the governor the compelling need to conduct the long awaited LG polls. In view of this, they must see themselves as apostles of truth. Think about it!   

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

 

ShortStory I Golden Chance

GOLDEN CHANCE

        Could it be that she didn’t notice him, or was it pretence? He had sat patiently all alone in the virtually empty bar on a Saturday awaiting her arrival, only for her to eventually walked in and never even bothered to take a glance at his presence let alone tendering a casual salutation as courtesy demanded.

 

 

        Dan who resided in the city of Asaba, Delta State, was a secret admirer. He had observed her with keen interest for three weeks now, although the lady in question was yet to take note of his existence. The bar popularly known as Dragon-Top, in which he was seated, had remained his usual joint whenever it called for relaxation since three years back he relocated to the city.

         She came into the picture barely about twenty-one days back when both of them coincidentally arrived at Dragon-Top at the same time. On that fateful day, she was gorgeously clad in a red-carpet dress as if it was her birthday and needed to rock the day in a bar. Though she didn’t notice him as he stepped in alongside her, he did notice her magnificent look and countenance. Surprisingly, it seemed she came to catch fun all alone as throughout almost an hour she relaxed in there with just a bottle of Smirnoff, no one was by her side. Such rare display kept Dan in a deep thoughtful mood all-through the day even after her gracious departure.

         The following Saturday evening being exactly a week after the first encounter, Dan equally caught the sight of same lady dressed in different charming attire. On that day, she was also seated all alone throughout her stay at the outlet. Smirnoff was as well her company on this very day; but this time, she took two bottles contrary to the first outing when she managed to consume just one.

         Since it appeared her patronage was on a Saturday-Saturday basis, Dan thought it wise to always make out time to be present at Dragon-Top every Saturday, precisely during the evening time, even amid tight schedules. On the third Saturday being two weeks after the first encounter, she also came along as expected and in another elegant wear. On this day, he decided to lose his patience and walk up to her for a chat but later jettisoned his idea, reason best known to him, or perhaps owing to lack of courage.

        Maybe all those while, she never acknowledged that one particular young man had been admiring every bit of her. Or, did she know and decided to play along? Only the gods could tender the apt answer to the question. Well, whatever the case could be, time would surely tell as usual.

        Today, being the fourth Saturday, the 36-year-old Dan was at the moment the only guest in the ‘almighty’ and ever bubbling Dragon-Top. It was about 4:30 pm; some minutes earlier than the previous outings. He was advertently more punctual, probably to enable him properly strategize on how best to approach that seeming unique bird that had been perching on a dwarf tree situated very close to his abode. About twenty minutes after his arrival, there she came clad in her usual way and thereof requested for her normal drink; she wanted it very cold this time.

        It’s noteworthy that as she walked into the bar, Dan’s gaze was firmly fixed on her but she never cared to even wave at him nor showcase any element of reciprocation; rather, she hurriedly looked elsewhere on observing the rare stare and acted as if the dude didn’t worth her attention.

        “Was it a pretence?” Dan thought as she passed by, ignoring him. “Or could it be she was outside minded.” He added just to console himself.

         She was seated adjacent to him but about ten metres away. Dragon-Top was large enough to accommodate over three hundred individuals while seated. Excluding the attendants, only both of them were found at the bar at the time, thus she had no reason to say that she could not see Dan as well as how good he equally dressed. As she sipped her drink with a white straw, she intermittently glanced at him in style. The pink gown coupled with silver-coated sandals she wore looked like what was specially designed for a palace princess. From all indications, she couldn’t be more than 28.

         On his part, Dan who put on black jeans trousers, red-check shirt, black baseball cap and a pair of red trainers spotted with white, was occupied with a bottle of stout beer. He was also staring at her at intervals though stylishly. “Hello pretty!” he eventually broke the silence as he eventually walked to where she sat.

         It seemed she didn’t see him leave his initial position let alone move towards her point as she was seemingly startled on hearing the salutation. “Hi.” She managed to reply, waving her right hand.

         “Did I frighten you?” he verified, still standing.

         “I didn’t know when you got here.” She responded.

         “Oh,” he said. “So sorry about that.”

         “No problem.” she uttered. “So..?” she supplemented, trying to ascertain his mission.

         “Please, can I sit with you?”

         “Suit yourself.”

         “Thanks.” He tendered as he sat opposite her on one of the three empty chairs at the table.

         “You are welcome.”

         “I am Dan.” He disclosed in a jiffy.

         “Are you through with your drink?” she enquired, pointing at his table, ignoring the introductory note.

         “Oh, yes.” he replied. “Thanks.”

         “Well, I am Jessy.”

         “It is my pleasure to meet you, Jessy.”

         “How?’ she queried. “Did you know me before now?”

         “I have known you for over three weeks now.”

         “Three weeks..?”

         “Yes.”

         “How?” quoth Jessy. “Where?”

         “Right here in dragon top.”

         “Really..?”

         “Yea.”

         “So, you have been spying me all along?”

         “Spy..?” he said. “On the contrary, I have been observing you.”

         “Observing me?” she echoed, placing her left hand on her chest. “Interesting.”

       “This is the fourth time you would be here within this month,” quoth the lover boy. “Am I right?”

       “Hmm…,” she muttered. “This is getting more interesting.”

       “You can say that again.”

       “So, how may I help you?” she said frankly.

       “It is obvious.” responded Dan. “Or, isn’t it?”

         She smiled, calmly folded her arms, and never uttered a word.

         To be continued, please.

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador