'Diary of a hustling OAP' - Spycy Star [Episode 14]

Sparkle and I got to the door and got into the house. Nobody was in the sitting room, so I called out to Bb, letting her know Sparkle was there. Then out, she came, with what seemed like real excitement written all over her face. After exchanging pleasantries, we were about to take our seats, when Bb’s husband who was on his way out, came out too, said hi and excused himself as he went out. All four of us went to school together, so, Famous knows Sparkle.

The ladies found something to chat about, Sparkle had some of the food Bb had prepared earlier and we were able to achieve a really friendly atmosphere. One would never have thought anything was wrong. Moments later, a friend of Bb’s arrived and after we chatted some more, it seemed to me, they wanted to be left alone, so, I took Sparkle into my little room and started to pack a few things of mine.

After I was done, we got to the sitting room and Nnenna (Bb’s friend) saw my stuff in my hand and started teasing me of never being around weekends. All I could do was smile while hoping Bb would say something…anything…at least notifying me she had changed her mind.

I, then, told her I’d be over at Dabby’s for the night and all she said was ‘ok’. She didn’t tell me I could come back tomorrow, so, I kept smiling, said ‘goodbye’ to Nnenna as I made my way to the door. Sparkle bade them both goodbye and joined me as we both got outside.

On our way out, we were able to locate an eatery where we chilled for quite a while. When it started getting late, we parted ways; I, on my way to Dabby’s and Sparkle, on her way home.

I got to Dabby’s place pretty late, so I was able to avoid telling her what Bb had done as I went off immediately to shower and then to bed, right after dinner.

We went to church the next morning. That usually takes up most part of the day, because of the travel to and fro Canaan Land. So by the time we got home, I ate and went off to bed to rest, then, slept off.

By evening, I woke up and checked my phone. I had been hoping to hear from Nosa but when I checked my phone, I realized there were no missed calls from her. So I got a message from her saying her husband had said ‘No’. What do I do? I had not wanted to tell Dabby. I didn’t want to pressure her into asking me to stay with her. But somehow, she had noticed I was burdened with something. And whenever she asked me, I always replied; ‘I’m good’ with a plastered fake smile on my face.

My mind was going in circles as I kept wondering what next step to take. Meanwhile, though, I was not going to be a party pooper so I went out to the sitting room where the rest of the family was and chilled with them, and somewhere in my head, I decided I would have to spend a second night at Dabby’s. Usually, nobody minds, when I sleep over a couple of days and they really love to have me around, so what the hell.

I woke up Monday morning with a really burdened heart caused by the realization of the fact that I have become ‘homeless’. Going back to Port-Harcourt was definitely not an option because, you see, then, my dad will never let me hear the last of it. He had never really been in support of me re-locating. The guy always tagged us (the kids) as ‘fragile’. It got to a point when he realized he couldn’t fight with me, anymore and had to let me go but deep down in his heart, he’s been hoping that I would just come back home to Port-Harcourt. Well, I wasn’t going to have that. I had to prove to him I’m stronger than he thinks I am. I had to weather the storm. It wasn’t time for me to recoil. I had to beat the situation, one way or another.

Sparkle, on the other hand, had been calling and checking up on me. She even offered to have me stay over at her place. It’s actually her family house and I’m not usually comfortable staying at any of my friends’ parents’ house for more than a couple nights, since I know how my own parents can get, sometimes. But in this case, what choice do I have?

I didn’t say ‘yes’ yet to Sparkle, I hadn’t told Dabby what Bb had done, I needed to make a decision. So, as Dabby got dressed to go to work, I decided I wasn’t going to stay indoors and be bored to death, while I make that decision. I got dressed too and went to Moshood’s studio to see if I could get any voice jobs and hopefully, by afternoon, I would know what to do about my accommodation situation.

NB: These happened back in 2011. Join me again next week. It’s Diary of A Hustling OAP. - Spycystar