Alone!

I sat alone directly across to the young couple, so I was forced to view the spectacle that ensured I was 'mentally tortured' all through the evening.
They clung close and whispered what I imagined to be sweet, endearing words to each other. No use maintaining such proximity if they were going to be spilling vitriol all over themselves. They pecked, kissed, giggled playfully and kissed some more while taking turns to give each other sips of Pina-Colada. All this was only adding to the already pent-up irritation I was feeling. At a time, I was beginning to get the impression they were delighting at my discomfort and putting on this show specifically for that reason. The thought only served to further heighten my irk; silently I prayed for any form of distraction, anyone or anything that would take me away from there and out of my misery but fate seemed to be conspiring against me and none came forth.

Just as I was getting to the point where I could not bear it any longer, the young man got to his feet and lovingly took his lady’s hand, she got on her feet and wrapped her arm around his waist. A pair of matching smiles and happily dancing eyes that could light up a dark room greeted me as they silently mouthed their good nights and made their way to the exit, their radiant buzz of joy all too evident for everyone to see.
The relief I had anticipated would come upon their departure never came. Instead there was a deep gnawing inside of me. My eyes settled on the empty space in front of me that they had just vacated and suddenly the room felt larger and I, as tiny as a speck of dust. There and then, I felt it… I felt alone!

On your mark, get set… “Port”

It’s just over a week ago now that the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) announced the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability service into the Nigerian Telecommunication industry.
For the non-techies or plain Jane un-savvies, Number Portability is simply technology that allows the movement of a GSM number from one network operator to another without the number changing. Meaning, for example, you can decide to stop using GLO and change to Etisalat or stop using Airtel and change to MTN; and your GSM number will still remain the same. Did I just hear someone scream, “American Wonder!”? Yes, it is “do-able”… how it is done, is another matter entirely; but yes it is!

Basically, the motivation whole idea is to create “healthy” competition amongst the network operators and sort of force them into improving the quality of their services being and (or) at the same time, bring down prices significantly. Also, giving the user the “freedom” of choice – the freedom to move from one network to the other without the hassles of losing contacts, the freedom to end their relationship with any operator they are not happy with. That is the official line from the NCC, but could there be something else in it that we do not see yet!?

So, while the mass of teeming GSM users await the new Number Portability scheme to kick-off in earnest. The Telco companies have wasted no time in launching not-so-subtle attacks against each other. Not quite the dividends Nigerians are expecting from the introduction of “porting”; hopefully they will soon drop the bickering and get down to the real business of improving their services and reviewing their tariffs for the betterment of all.

So get ready Nigeria… a new word may just have been added to our already vast, unique collection of slangs; and knowing how humorously creative the average Nigerian can be, I have no doubt that we will definitely be seeing and hearing several exquisite variations and use of the word “port” in the coming weeks!

The Birthday Message...

It was just past midnight and I'd been roused by the alarm on my mobile phone. I didn't need to read the notice on the reminder; it had been there for years. Even when the phone type and model changed, neither the date nor alarm tone was altered. So also the overwhelming mixed feelings that accompany the chimes.

Once upon a time, this used to be a very special day... and it still is; but now in a vaguer, indistinguishable sense which is neither here nor there and yet, somehow, here and then. 
Sweet memories still linger aplenty but then, so are sadder ones, way fresher and glistening clear like waters of a natural spring.
Though we are hardly on friendly terms anymore, I still had to send her the customary message. Old habits die hard and when they become tradition, even harder. So I opened up a new text message page and stared at it without seeing anything. My brain worked away ceaselessly, churning out words that ended on the tips of fingers which were just frozen on the tiny keypad.

My heart wanted the message to echo the wail I'd held inside for so long. She so dearly wanted for me to let her speak; perhaps I would once again reach out to those depths you had said no one had ever come close to until I broke down those walls with a Rose, a Kiss and three words. She wanted you to see my tears in the words. To see a man; mere mortal… frail, fallible but in love!
But my head would have none of it!
He delved deep into the annals of my memory banks for hard proof. Replaying incidents, scenarios from the past, dissecting every detail with the aloof precision of a practiced surgeon. Step by step; applying the laws of logic, “analytics” and reasoning to will that “sentimental cloud” which was slowing creeping up my pectus.

In the end, with these marauding thoughts still brothing inside, my shaky fingers, off their own accord, somehow managed to print out a curt, terse, unrevealing "happy birthday" on the screen and hit "send"!

Strangers... Friends... Lovers

I alighted from the bus at the bus-stop which was about twenty-five meters from my street. I did not have to because there was another stop only a few meters to my street, but it had become a habit of sorts and the little stroll in the evening helped to calm my nerves after a hard day's work, followed by the hustle and bustle of Lagos traffic.
I was only an I.T stude...nt at one of the large O&G marketing firms situated in Marina owned by a well-known mogul who ran his vast business empire with a tight, iron fist. So it did not really matter if you were a "mere intern", everyone had to abide by the rules to the letter and it was not an easy especially for a novice as myself.

At the point of passing the junction of the street before and running parallel to mine, I turned my gaze westward to observe the going-ons in my immediate vicinity and caught a faint feminine outline in the distance against the backdrop of the darkening sky. Whilst this wasn't
one of those striking, ultra-curvaceous sights that a man beholds and momentarily takes leave of his sanity, but it was just appropriate enough to ensure I was not mistaking the gender of the owner.
For reasons, I could not fathom, I felt a pull towards that figure; some sort of attracting force drew me to her and even though I could not see put a face to her because she was walking away from me, my heart told me, "there is a rare gem, right there!". The grace with which she moved, the hem of her gown dancing around her ankles, the imperious set of her shoulders and the 'bun' of hair bouncing jauntily atop her head against the wind like a bejewelled crown were glorious to behold and in that instant, I just fell in love. It would have torn my heart in two if I had let walk away without knowing the identity of this "mystery", I would have died a little inside if I did not behold that beauty that I could not see but yet fellt so strongly.

Without a thought, I swiftly changed course and hastened to catch up with her, I did not make it. She stopped just when I was a few feet shy and entered a compound that had a little kiosk inside. I hesitated, not knowing whether to go in or wait outside; in the end I followed suit. She stood at the counter waiting, hands akimbo, looking like a queen in the in spite of the filth and grime around while the genteel old lady that minded the shop went to get kerosine for her.
With no script or though-out plan in hand, it was an awkward few seconds, after which, I managed a weak smile and shaky "hello" and politely introduced myself. She smiled back and replied with a very assured "hi", her voice a sweet melody to my ears. Relief coarsed through me like a tidal wave and from then on everything else became a blur. She was a really quiet, reserved individual but for some reason she did not mind talking to me (or rather, responding to my questions). As though she had known I would come and had been waiting. We spoke for a couple of minutes as I escorted her back to the gate of her compound then took my leave, making certain I thanked her for giving me audience; adding a slight, courteous bow and gracious smile for good measure.

Till date, I cannot recall a word that was said that evening but I felt magical; like I had just been in my own fairy-tale. The rest of that day was spent with a huge grin on my face and an even bigger one in my heart. The following day, I took a chance and made certain I was on that same path around that time I'd seen her the previous day and it seemed as though fate wanted us to meet again because she was there, standing by her gate in full majesty.

Days after that, we would meet at her gate and take lengthy strolls as the sun begins to rest in the bosom of the clouds. Nothing was said, no verbal agreement reached; our hearts lead and we followed... and so it was, that from total strangers in a sea of everyday faces, we became friends and then, lovers.