8 Silver Herrings

Waiting

I watched her walk into the restaurant, looking like an angel that just popped out of heaven. And in that instant, every sense of reasoning I had evaporated from me. I started asking myself in my deepest thoughts in Hausa language ’zan ci ta ya ne?’

Somewhere in the background, I heard noises far away saying something about Manchester United, Claire-the ugly girl and something regarding the movie ”the gods must be crazy”. Yeah! I snapped back into the conversation on the table, I forgot I was hanging out with the guys. ’Yes, you heard me right, the ugly Claire said she wanted me to write a poem for her like her lover’ I told them. They all burst into laughter.

Again, I remembered what I saw, I could perceive her perfume from where I was seated. I imagined us, alone, in a room with a fireplace, warming our existence. I imagined the sweetness of the atmosphere, calm and freed from evil spirits of deceit, jealousy, and sadness. Maybe greed will live in the room because of how the event may go down.

While I was lost in thoughts again, I watched the waiter walk her into the restaurant from the kitchen, looking like mistress of the West, I just shouted ’Waiter, abeg bring that hot plate of Jollof rice with chicken here, I no fit bear am again’ And in that instant, the Restaurant went quiet, everyone turned to look at me, I just said ’Abeg make una no vex, I do get this rice for mind since’.

Ruddapoet [TRCP]