Yesterday, I saw Jerome again. Not much had changed. The height, just a little above average for a guy. The poise, the way his legs bowed as he walked. His face, hair strands here and there. But he didn’t look anything like the cute boy who was my classmate nine years ago at Glory College.
I stood a few meters away and watched him mop his sweaty face with his faded yellow singlet. His head had been buried in the trunk of a vehicle while he exchanged words with passengers who would not pay what he billed them for their luggage.
“Na who get this one?”
He said, before effortlessly lifting the heavy bag of yams which I was to dispatch that morning.
“Na me” I replied as I stepped forward to be billed.
He was breathing heavily and could only manage a smile when he saw me. He mentioned my name and I returned the smile.
Not like we were friends back then, but we talked
“You must have graduated too. Many of our classmates have completed NYSC. The likes of Kingsley, …” He would have gone on to mention many other names but I cut him with a curt response.
“I haven’t” and went on to talk about the things that held me back.
As I readied to leave, he shook my cold hands and said with a breaking voice,
“This is where I am managing now. I lost my both parents and ever since, things have gone from bad to worst. I also want to go to school but…”
He couldn’t say any more than those words. I stood there, not knowing what to say. I looked at him and saw a young man who needed only a repositioning to become an asset.
He gave me his number, he said I should hit him up when there is any study opportunity.
While I returned me home with many questions.
Why do the same winds (of fate) which fans some people’s lives to flames, put out the light (of hope) in the eyes of others?
Those who lag behind in life’s race, are they God’s specimens to the experimental end of eliciting our gratitude?
These questions got me thinking.
Photo by Daniel Edeke from Pexels

Eboquills
Related posts
Subscribe

Eboquills
Helping writers achieve their writing goals
Let us be your plug for any form of writing, editing and writing consultancy.
2 days ago
3 weeks ago
16+ Opportunities For Writers in June 2022 - Eboquills Literary Blog
eboquills.com
Every one of these opportunities for writers in June 2022 were carefully handpicked by our editors. June is a great time to go at it again!3 weeks ago
eboquills.com
The theme of this issue is Identity. we seek submissions (stories, poems, essays, art & photographs) that set us apart and yet give us a sense of community.1 month ago
5 Experiences Every Writer Looks Forward to and How to Help - Eboquills Literary Blog
eboquills.com
Got some writers in your corner, and you're wondering, 'what do these weirdos want?' We made a list of 5 experiences every writer looks forward to1 month ago
Two Poems By F. O. C. Ikwuemesibe - Eboquills Literary Blog
eboquills.com
Each line reverberates with tenderness that is difficult to name. I am very delighted to share these beautiful poems by F.O.C Ikwuemesibe.
Issue 5 is LIVE! Guest editors: @malingose, @WillieKinardIII & @postcolonialchi. Cover: Alex & Frans Odicky. Illustrations: @cocoette_. Stories, poems, essays & photos from Kenya, Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago, Ghana, Sudan, St. Lucia, Zimbabwe, & more
http://lolwe.org/issue-5/
my poem "A Travelogue: The Grief & Ruins Outside our Walls" is now published on Eboquills. @eboquills
click link to read full poem 🖤🥂https://eboquills.com/2022/05/20/one-poem-by-olowo-qudus/
Check out this list of #opportunities for #writers (see link). The #deadlines are in May 2022, so roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Best wishes! https://eboquills.com/2022/05/07/opportunities-for-writers-with-deadline-in-may-2022/