Chapr. 8 - The Test Of My Love

People who don't read books tend to find life boring, dull and their lives are static. So cultivate a reading habit! Yemi Omogboyega

 .Chapter 8   

The Test Of My Love

"We wrestled frantically for some minutes in the first round and neither of us yielded ground. We were separated. When we resumed, the battle lasted less than two minutes. At a point, inexplicably, I found myself on top of my brave friend. It felt marvelous and I was on top of the world!"

Right from my childhood, I have always cared for others. I could not hurt anyone. I am also on the gentle side. However, one day, a friend of mine, Bayo put me to the test.

Bayo was of my age group and we were really very close to one another.

Bayo always ran errands for his parents who, I later gathered, lived apart. His normal route cut across our backyard, where a moderately sized rock, about five feet high and of a circumference of about four feet, sat lazily. It formed part of our playground during the day and where, at night, we were told moonlight tales, especially by “Eye Salu”, my stepmother from the Ilugbusi side. Around this rock, too, was a heap of ashes, which served as our staircase and ladder whenever we chose to reach the top of it.

As it was our pre-arranged meeting spot, I never one day missed Bayo. Whenever he passed by, it was our opportunity to do our exciting evening exercises. On such occasions, Bayo had always been on the victorious side whenever we fought our inevitable youthful fights.

I Overcome Bayo

However, one evening marked the end of his triumphs over me. As customary, brothers, uncles, sisters, age mates and neighbours who had always enjoyed our daily shows were gathered. Bayo flexed his muscles as I stood about four feet from him. Uncle John Omotoyinbo acted as our umpire and drew a line between us as he watched us obey the rules of combat. It was our practice to rotate who indicated commencement of 'hostilities'. As it was my turn that day, I set the ball rolling.

We wrestled frantically for some minutes in the first round and neither of us yielded ground. We were separated. When we resumed, the battle lasted less than two minutes. At a point, inexplicably, I found myself on top of my brave friend. It felt marvelous and I was on top of the world! The victory was celebrated by the beating of tins, broken calabashes and sticks by the onlookers. To confirm my supremacy over Bayo, I dealt a few moderate blows on his exposed body. At that, an unrehearsed song broke out among the spectators:

“Lagidigbi lole jao (solo)

Ija lole ja (all)

The song and the cheering crowd encouraged me to freely punch my friend to my satisfaction. The general laughter, jubilation and approval of my victory was intoxicating. Then Bayo suddenly broke into tears! It was the acceptance act of defeat. How are the mighty fallen!

To be continued.