19 The Lover Boy

Ogar often stopped in the midst of chores to replay the scene that played out the last time he saw Minka. Her voice sounded so sweet. He remembered when she said she felt the same way. He grinned from ear to ear each time he did this. He was on the look out for uncle Travis nevertheless. He didn't have to know what was happening. After all uncle Travis had his own secrets he felt Ogar wasn't man enough to know. There is no wrong in having in own secrets. He wasn't a little boy anymore. He knew what he wanted. He has began to at out to get all of it. First, he has got Minka.

Now he has to get other things available like the means by which to make their relationship fun this summer. He had thought of the jobs he could do. Helping out on the ranch is the most profitable of them all. He could earn up to fifty thousand naira. He knew that uncle Travis might not agree to pay him that much, although that was what he paid some of the members of staff on the ranch. He would pay him handsomely anyway.

He could give it a shot. He could spend early hours of daylight, working on the ranch till it is afternoon, and then spend the remaining hours with Minka.What job can be more flexible than that?.

He whistled a melodious tune, his eyes shot and his face beaming with joy. He held the aluminium plate he had been washing in his right hand and rubbed the back of the plate with the left.

"I am looking for a sister, Chioma my lover o!.. She get the dollar, she dey wear designer o! .." he sang along with the artiste, Davido. He had tuned into to sound city where he could listen to music all day.

"Assurance!" He crooned at the top of his voice.

He shivered and nearly dropped the plate when he partially opened his eyes to continue washing and saw his uncle staring at him. Uncle Travis laughed. His hands were folded in front of him. He had been watching his nephew for a while. Ogar smiled sheepishly.

"Uncle Travis" he began

"Still don't want to tell me what's going on?"

"Nothing serious"

"Oh... Meaning there's something but it's no big deal"

"I never said there was something"

"Well you said it was not serious" uncle Travis said

At this point Ogar stayed quiet. He wondered why his uncle wanted to know about his personal activities.

He concealed his personal activities and it was alright so why was it different with Ogar? Did he not have the right to make those choices. Ogar felt tempted to ask his uncle all these questions but he decided to keep silent. Come 3:00pm,he will be hanging out with the one he loves. That it. He recalled that and began to grin from ear to ear again.

Since the last two weeks, Ramses had not been around because he took ill and got admitted at the hospital. He would be there for about a week. Aunt Sheila felt that the change in environment had affected him. He admitted that it was malaria. This occurred on the eve of the day, that had been gift Ogar had plans to visit him with Minka. They would spend time with him after they are through with their chores. It will be a great time to spend together. Ogar smiled. He loved the way activities were mapped out and time was fixed already.

Minka will enjoy every moment of the time they spent together. He would ensure that, that happens. He needed to know how much he had to ensure that Minka was well catered to. He enjoyed seeing a smile on her face. He knew those silly things that made her laugh and enjoyed doing them. He pick up the last piece of China to wash and his uncle who had peeped into the kitchen again, began to clap for Ogar. Ogar knew these gimmicks of his uncle. He promised himself that he will not fall for it.

Ogar rushed to pack up a few items that Ramses had requested for. A book titled "The hunt" by Oriri Ekom Oriri. It discussed the tribe, it's origin, traditions and stories are discussed. He packed the book alongside two other books by the same author namely The hunt and Son, you can't marry her. This was going to be so much fun. The three books were in use in schools all over Cross River state.

He couldn't wait. He raised his gaze to check the time. There was still about two more hours of waiting to do. He packed up the Scrabble game as well so that he could play with Minka and Ramses.

He could only imagine how much fun he will possibly have. He noted down the name of the hospital. He was going to have fun. He decided it was high time he laid down to take a nap as he had been working for quite sometime. Even uncle Travis mentioned that he deserved to take a nap. He went to the fridge where he got a cup of orange juice. He pulled out that book he was yet to finish reading. He laid down on the bed with the book by his side. In no time he yawned and fell fast asleep.

Ogar was woken by the sound of rain pattering down on the roof. He remembered that he had some clothes on the line. He dashed out to get them and ran in. As soon as he shut the door the door, the rain intensified. At that moment, his alarm clock rang. He had set it to ring at 2:30 pm. It would enable him ample time to prepare for the date he would be having with Minka.

His first date ever. It would be fun but will the rain ever stop? Ogar wondered. He looked outside his window just in time to see lighting and the next thing that followed was

thunder, loud enough to render someone deaf.

Ogar prayed, hoped and wished for the rain to go away. It seemed like the more he wished it away, the heavier it became. He could imagine Minka indoors, sitting by the window and looking out. He knew she would be wishing the rain away too. He looked at the clock. It said 4:45pm. The day had gone. The rain had won. In his fury, he rose his voice to scream but the erring thunder struck and drowned his voice.