#and they are arguably much harder to do because we dont get lectures that give nearly as much to note

[smartichokes]

i only have two more papers to write for this professor and then im done forever

[hadestownmodern]

dont have sex u will get pregnant and get made fun of by persephone

Hi guys! @dilforpheus here! I want to preface that the first segment of this was written before the banter on Instagram, but once I saw it I had to incorporate it. There is one final segment with WAY too many spoilers to share yet! 

This friendship/semi maternal relationship between Eurydice and Persephone is arguably my favorite in the ENTIRE modern au. 

The exams were passed back with no particular ceremony. Just Persephone turning them over on Student’s desks, curling writing on the front projecting a number as to how well a student did. Eurydice wasn’t particularly paying attention. She didn’t sleep much the night before and her back was absolutely killing her. She wasn’t even sure how she was going to make it through the next fifty-seven minutes of Persephone lecturing her on social structure in some specific midwestern town and the obscure sociological study that was performed on middle schoolers in the region. 

Eurydice barely notices when Persephone puts her returned exam in front of her, and most certainly misses the smirk on her features as she hands back the papers. Eurydice flips it over to see her grade- 87, adequate- before flipping through the exam to see what she missed. She notices that one corner is bumpier than the other, and flips to see what is interrupting the pages. 

There, staples to the corner of her exam, is a single condom. Not much use now that there is a staple through the middle. In persephone’s swirling cursive is written  

“You, like the girls in this study, could benefit from these -Seph”

Dumbfounded, Eurydice looked up to see Persephone smirking at her as she returned to her laptop in the front of the room .

“Are you fucking with me, Stephanie?” Eurydice mumbled, turning the paper to look at Persephone. “Jokes on you, i’m allergic to latex.” She quips, disregarding the fact she was fully in class in front of people she didn’t know. Fuck ‘em, she’d never see them again after this semester anyway. Persephone was going to be in her life forever. 

“Excellent point. I’ll remember that for next time.”

They ignore the gaping looks of her classmates, and the murmured whispers as Persephone goes back to teaching and beginning the new unit. 

“What did she just call her?” “Did she lowkey call Eurydice a whore?”  

It’s halfway through class, not even a full 30 minutes into the lecture when Eurydice is grasping the edge of the desk so tightly her knuckles were white. Her breathing is labored, but only enough that a trained eye would see. She isn’t even taking notes as Persephone tosses a keyring at her. “Get out of here, you look like shit.”

Persephone is erasing the board before Eurydice can process it, grasping the key ring in her fingers. 

“No, i’m staying. I have to learn this eventually before you give me an 87 again”  

Persephone rolls her eyes before shutting her laptop. “Fine. Class is over.” 

Noone else in the class argues as they quickly pack up their things and scramble out of the classroom, short “bye” and “have a good weekends” pour out of their mouths as Persephone watches them go. She sits at the now empty desk beside Eurydice and runs a hand over her hair. “Is it your back again… Orpheus told me it’s been bothering you recently.”

Eurydice only nods, letting out a shaky breath. ‘You didn’t need to end class-”

“Well you weren’t leaving, and you were distracting me. I was afraid you were gonna pass out right here.”

Eurydice laughs half heartedly, and starts to put her stuff in her bag. “Thank you, Perstephanie.”

Persephone put an arm around her shoulder and rubbed her shoulder. “You know, if you used a condom, you wouldn’t be having this problem.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are you fucking serious right now?” Eurydice pulled out the tissue paper, pulling a single box of condoms out. Attached was a note, in Persephone’s flourished cursive.

“So next birthday you don’t have to be pregnant -Seph. P.s. the real present is a vacation where you can put these into use. “

“I’m just saying, twenty two is way more fun when you don’t have feet you can’t see.” Persephone is on the other side of the bar, pouring herself an extra drink to toast to Eurydice, where she herself could not. “We could be drinking on the beach, but no, you drank two glasses of wine at my house and ended up in bed with my nephew.”

“Oh fuck off, You set me up for that-”

“EuRyDiCe! PeRsEpHonE!” Orpheus’ voice cracks from the other end of the bar at the same time a shot glass slips from his fingers and shatters on the ground. “What...whats going on? Why are you fighting?” 

His hazel eyes are wide as they flick between the two most important women in his life who are seemingly arguing over..a gift? Their impending child? “I thought you liked each other!”

Eurydice reached out and grabbed his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We do, Orpheus. We’re just messing around.”

“We do this in class all the time!” Persephone promised, squeezing his shoulder. “And you clearly didn’t listen when I taught you what safe sex was all those years ago. Maybe it’ll get through to her.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

There’s a gentle knock on the door that startles Eurydice, who pulls her eyes away from her daughter. A couple of hours old and she already seemed to shift the tilt of her world’s axis. She’s finally showered and in something comfortable when Orpheus stepped out to grab something to eat- namely, bring her fries from that diner down the street. She deserved it, dammit.  Eurydice looks up to see Persephone in the doorway, waving and smiling brightly.

“Hey sunshine, can I come in?” Persephone peaks in, genuine joy on her face as she watched Eurydice. So young, but in the short time she’s known her, she’s seen her grow into a completely different woman. “Everyone else will be here soon..Junie’s with my mom..but I wanted to see you.” Yes, she was overjoyed to see this baby that belonged to the boy she raised, but her priority was currently on the woman holding her. She wasn’t about to let her get overlooked in all the excitement of the baby. 

“Yeah, Yeah of course… I’m trying to get the hang of feeding her, but then she fell asleep. And they keep telling me to sleep when she does. But I can’t seem to stop looking at her…”

Persephone sat on the end of the bed, near Eurydice but not daring to crowd her personal space. “No, no I understand completely. I didn’t even put Junie down for about two weeks. Wouldn’t even let my mama hold her..” She rests her hand on Eurydice’s knee with a smile. “So a girl, huh? Does she have a name yet?

“Don’t act like you didn’t know.” Eurydice teased, running her finger over the baby’s nose with a lazy smile. “Your mother knows everything. But yes. I can’t believe it. I love her so much already, and I’ve barely known her three hours...we can’t name her. Nothing seems good enough..I’ve called her french fry for months now.”

“Even you’re starting to believe in her magic. That’s impressive. And a name will come to you. Well, My mother named Junie. No way in hell did my husband pick the name Juniper.”  Persephone watched the way Eurydice didn’t even look at her, unable to drag her eyes away from the tiny person she held in the crook of her arm. “How are you, honey. And don’t give me that fine, bullshit.”

“i...I’m so happy. I love her so much and I love Orpheus so much and- i’m so tired.” Eurydice admits, letting out a sigh. “I love her so much, and I can’t even describe how happy I am. But i’m tired and I didn’t realize how much pain i’d still be in.. and it’s like her gums are razor blades and I don’t think i’m every going to physically be capable of having sex again, not to mention why would Orpheus even want to and- I’m so tired but I can’t look away from her! I can’t put her down. She’s been apart of me for so long.”  She’s crying before she realizes it, warm tears running down her face. She hiccups as she feels the baby starting to move in her arms and almost cries harder. How was she supposed to do this if she was already exhausted?

Persephone is closer to her, tucking black curls behind her ear before wiping at her cheeks. “It’s okay, Eurydice, it’s okay. I understand. I really do. I felt guilty for being tired, for not being on top of the game all the time. I worked so hard to have her, how dare I be anything less than 100%.” She pulled her head to her chest, stroking Eurydice’s soft curls as she held her. Eurydice needed a mother, she needed a mother to care about her, and Persephone was more than glad to fill her part. “”I would take showers that were exactly three minutes long. And for 180 seconds I would sob. Because how dare I be anything less that grateful. But fuck, I just wanted a nap for more than two hours at a time. And to not feel like a cow. So I get it.” 

Persephone kisses the top of Eurydice’s head, feeling the girl’s body just shake as she cried into her. Of course she kept it in. Women were trained to think they could show nothing but joy that day, when in reality the emotional highs and lows came like the changing tide. “It’s okay. You’re going to be the best mom. You are allowed to feel things, Eurydice” She promises, allowing herself a glance down at the incredibly small little girl Eurydice was clutching as if her life depended on it. “She’s so beautiful already. Looks just like you…”

“She looks like a potato alien, you can say it!” Eurydice whined, hiding her face in Persephone’s shoulder. 

“Well..all babies do. But you ate so many fries what do you expect other than a potato?” It’s teasing, and light, and the way Perspehone lightens the mood. She won’t dare ask to hold the baby, not with the way Eurydice anchors herself by holding her. 

“I feel like I got punched in the stomach with at least six knives and then someone ripped out whatever balances my emotions. All that while feeling like a dairy cow mixed with the happiest person in the world.” Eurydice tries to describe, laughing just a little as she wiped her tears away. “I’m a mess.”

“Well, you know, all of that could have been prevented with a condom. Which, by the way-” She pulled out a card and handed it to her. “Heres one for safekeeping, remember it in six weeks.”

“You’re such an asshole sometimes.”

“I know.”

[olusegundare]

Brother Samson and Sister Debbie’s Story Continues

Sister Debbie says, "I do not know I can stop"...(July 6th, 2013)

I did not leave early 4 school dis time around as I used 2 do b4. Broda Samson, my fiancé has gotten 2 his shop, Yams and eggs were fried 4 him...we were in his office talkin abt d buz' expansion having transfer part of d money in2 his co-operative account, paid some outstanding loans, & used d rest 2 buy some goods which are out of stock in d shop and which r being demanded for. I am suggesting dat he gets a two bedrooms flat n if possible a self contain room dat has all d basic facilities intact, so as 2 give us more room 2 plan 4 d future by equipping d house...Accommodation is outrageously costly in d island...and it is not as if there r companies in d Island...d island is predominantly deminated by civil servants & farmers, d rest people are essentially dependat people...yet, landlords charges are outrageous...many people would

have exit d island, but they said they have not received a go from the Lord, my people so much believe in God's leading, which i cherish too dearly, infact, it is because of such leadings that d island has not collapsed, bc d leaders of d Island are "put am for mouth and be silent" (ká fi sẹnu ká dákẹ́)...people r suffering in d island...yet our leaders travel almost on a daily basis 2 some other more developed islands, but 2 implement what they saw @ other island, making d lifes of commoners beta become a taboo for them, dey instead belabour them, adding unto their sorrows...the tax is like a heavy yoke on d people...yet d leaders receive wages that is enof 2 establish another country on a daily basis...people do hard labour but they have nothing 2 show 4 it...d spiritual aspect, is what is keeping d island... Some who inhabits d island say dey are there bc God directed dem 2 be dia, while some are inhabiting d island bc dey are transfered 2 d island by their companies...for business

2 thrive in d island, one needs special supports 4m God, else, one shall work as an elephant but would be eating like an ant...yet d govt of d island would be demanding 4 excess tax payment 4m d populace for infrastructures not provided...if not that killings are bad, killings are unscriptural, many of the island's leaders would have been shot by the populace...their heavy laden, their yokes on d populace, is stricter, harder, tighter, tougher than what the Isrealites experienced in the land of Egypt those days according to "wetin we dey" read for bible, and the stories we were told years ago while a toddler still attending the sunde schools...yet we keep enduring...they keep cajoling us...they keep telling us open lies...enforcing themselves on the populace..."ibi ori dani si la n gbe" is what many except some privileged few who r enrishing themselves at d detriement of the populace used to say...

So, i suggest, a self contain at worst so that we have more time 4 ourselves, get some privacies, and be able 2 plan better..."Mai" lord says he hopes 2 get a new place soon, he asked 4 my patience on this crucial subject so as to get a beta place bc he said experience has shown dat when one is in a hurry 2 get a place, d apartment one shall get shall not be too good, to cap it all it would be costly, dat is if one is even very fortunate not to fall into the hands of housing agents who shall dupe the person and escape into the thin air like a velocity... The island's people explore any person whom they discover is urgently in need of an accommodation... "Mai" lord says, he stil has some months left to use in d building before his house rent's due lapsed, thence he wished we use that interregnum period 2 look for a beta place, with all d necessary infrastructures intact...

We discussed some other issues, particularly about the invitation i received 4m the sister's in the fellowship i am attending on the campus, i told him some few points I have gathered on the subject I shall be talking on, he helped me modify it, adding some points to it...I know the devil is in trouble by God's grace during the programme... When it was 11:00 hours the island's time, I stood 2 my feet 2 set out...he said, "so soon?" "I dont want to enter campus lately, because i shall need 2 tidy up some things in my room", I said... "O tún ti fẹ dá aáyun silẹ bayi", he said, as he also stands up 4m where he sat down @... As his customs were, he would see me off 2 d garage, ensuring that d vehicle takes off before he return to his office and shop...

As we alighted 4m d cab, members of d transporters rushed to collect my travelling bag 4m me...An empty bus was on cue, he has barely parked @ d carport when we sauntered into d garage, I am un-arguably d 1st passenger in dis empty bus...I chose d front seat by d side of d door...while we wait 4 other passengers, we were talking.. "You should have leave earlier", "mai" lord said. "I do not wanna go early 2da", I said. "Aint u late for 2da's lectures?" He asked. "We have finished d course outline", I said. "But what of if d man comes 4 a revision?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulders...Leaning my head on his right shoulders. "I just do not like people being @ their duty posts late", he said. I laughed, and said, ""mai" lord who doesnt want me to leave him few minutes ago now becomes a gospel preacher @ d garage, "ó ga o"", i said. "Tara yin na la n sọ fun yin", he said. "Ẹyin lẹ mọ...oju imọle ko kuro lọ́tí", i will barely get 2 campus now b4 u start bombarding me with messages", I said.

"If you love let them know you love, and if do not let them know you do not, that is why i do bombard you with all sorts of love messages", he said. "Huh-hun?" I said. "Dont you know that what one leaves is what the goats snatch?" he said. "I dont understand", I said. "When I fail 2 update your browsers with my messages, soon enof u will see some1 else in da campus and leave me", he said. "Envying "dé", I said. "Not a matter of envying, ladies are fragile, they can easily be tossed away by small wind", he said. "Well, I doubt if that is applicable to me...I have told my God that who I shall be engaged to should be sufficient for me and He has granted me just that...many ladies may be so doing, but as for me, never...I pledge my allegiance to this solid love planted on Jesus", I said. "I am just kidding, but u know a second cannot pass without thinking of u, and thatz why i send messages...so dat u wont miss me 2 much", he said. "I have told God that He shd let d person i said Yes to his love proposals be the 1st and d last in life, and I am grateful to Him that He did not deny me such privilege in finding u...I am comfortable with u", I said.

"Let us stroll around d garage a bit, as the bus is getting loaded", he said...we stand up, hands in hands walking around d garage, seeing the topography of the place and other things inside the garage, as we do this we continued talking... "You know we wont be seeing for the next 3 weeks again", i said. "Why? That long?" he said. "I do not plan 2 come home soon, except if my boss calls me 2 come attend 2 any bottle-necked file", i said. "ok. I shall try 2 cope. I shal adjust. That means more messages." he said. "That is why i decide dat i shal stay behind a while today", i said. "That wont cover for other days or do u think it will?", he asked. "Even, if it wont, i think i love it dis way,...if it is not that u insisted that i progress academically b4 we wed, all my mind is that we wed and i start my MSC under your roof", I said. "I would have loved dat too, but, since, i am yet 2 be on my feet financially, datz why i said we shd use dat 2 buy more time for ourselves", he said.

I wanted 2 ginger him up so I Asked him dat "did I remember 2 tell u dat d undergraduate students sister's leader invited me 4 a talk in d fellowship next wednesday?" "Oh! Really? I presumed because of d joy dat pervade our interaction in d past couple of days make u forget", he said. "Wat a poor me",I said "Very poor u forsooth", he added. "And I would have needed your support 4 d talk",I said. "How do u mean?" he inquired. "So dat u add some spiritual experiences, some pep talks dat i may include 2 ginger up the naives, the experienced in the speech obviously directing them 2 Jesus the Saviour alone", I said. "Well, it is bc u can do it alone dat u havent intimated me", he said..."Mai" lord played d game along with me so well dat I cannot refrain mysef 4m bursting out into laughter later.. ""Ẹyin laye yin shá, ẹ ti fẹ ma dẹru ba mi gan, ko ma tilẹ si nkan to mba yin lojiji"", I said. "Pardon?", he said. "U behaved as if I havent tell u about d program @ all", I said. "Really? Did u tell me about a program u were invited to b4?" He inquired, looking serious as if he is saying d right thing.. "Yes, I did do "mai" lord sire, infact u were d one who was modifying some of d outlined points some couple of minutes ago", I said. "That must be interesting, because i did not think I have done such things dis day", he concluded...

"Who was d one who modified my points in your office a couple of minutes away?" I asked. "Maybe my spirit. Maybe one of the ghosts. Maybe u didnt even know my office, maybe someone else's office", he said. "I know "mai" lord's office, I am hand in hand with "mai" lord, strolling, receiving some fresh air in a garage", I said. "That shd be fantabulous. Did I know you? Have I ever seen someone like u?" He asked. "Nope sire. You dont know me, except that you see your love to garage to board a vehicle back to her school", I said. "Wondrous! Great! Lovely! Suigeneris!", He exclaimed. "You and all vocabularies, in a short while u will be talking about me, dat my grammar is "three" much, what of you?" I said "So, my love..." interjecting, "Yes "mai" lord sire", I said. "Have u returned my bible dictionary?" He asked. "Nope. I am going with it". I said. "Ensure that you do justice and or justices to the subject b4 u dear, so as give them a spiritually lasting impression", he said. "I shall do just that. That is why I have not returned the bible dictionary, because I know I shall yet need it in putting finishing touches to my points in school", I said.

"But, wait a while, what was it that prompted their inviting you for a message?" He asked. "I dont know oh. I have been repeatedly asking myself that question u asked me since the day I was informed, but, I am yet to come to terms with it, I have not find a satisfactory answer to d question since then...this is because, they havent seen me talk in a congregation before...but, you must be the causative agent of it now?" I said. "In what way?" He asked. "Because it is you who said I shd be fellowshipping with the undergraduates...left to me, I wanted a big church outside academic confines, where I shall meet with people, creme-de-la-creme of the society, business persons, academics, and other professionales...but u insisted I join a campus fellowship, and since I do not want to go against your suggestions, I looked for one with about 90% doctrine as our home church here and joined", I said. "But, that doesnt make them invite you for a ministration, there must be something else...maybe you have answered their question/s during one of the studies or maybe u have done something in the past that triggers their "chemo-spiritual center" which make them looking forward to a day they shall hear you out", he said.

"Hun-hun", I said "That must be the stimuli, because "isẹ kì í sẹ lasan" he said. As he was saying, I was thinking of what he said, "Chemo-Spiritual Center", I havent heard of anything close to that, why did "mai" lord prefer business to academics? He should have been relevant there, maybe he has some other reasons that he hasnt tell me since we started this courtship, with time, I shall get to that root, because look at the ease with which he marries so many professional terminologies with grammar...He continued when I didnt respond "With time, "sha", i guess u shall know why", he said. "Well what me i know is that I talk freely with them...I attend their sisters' discussions proferring advices when needed, and few of them are close to me, the sister leader and some of those who are in my department", I said. "You are just talking", he said. "They know I am in a relationship with a pastor..." Interjecting, "sorry a point of correction, a business man", he said. "Eh, a business man and a pastor", I said. "Nope. My time is not now..." "That is Jesus' statement", I interupted him. "Yes. I am Jesus son. So i can quote my father's statement" he said. "Yes. You can. But in the quoted word, after that Jesus said that, did He altogether refuse to do what He was asked to do?" I asked. "Nope love." he said. "So is it with thee...have u ever refused to do justice to some spiritual things within and without?" I asked. "Rara ma. How can I refuse my masters biddings?" He said. "So. I win. A hidden pastor like prophet Elisha, a successful business man turned a prophet", I enthused. ""Ẹ jọ". You are on fire for the forthcoming ministration. "O ga ju"" he said. ""Ẹyin na la fi jọ", as i was saying "mai" lord, they know I am in a relationship with a pastor, who ofcourse is my spiritual mentor...bc some of them are my friends on facebook and they do read your postings and comments", I said.

"Is that so?" he asked. "Yes ofcourse". I said. "That should connote that they may be inviting you as the wife of a minister of the gospel to be and secondarily as one of the senior colleagues whom they can gain one or two things from", he said. "I guess as much", I said. "You must give dem upto date messages. You must impart knowledge akademik and spiritual" he said. "God shal help me do just that and u must be praying for me and that fervently too, that the name of the Lord be glorified with many coming to the knowledge of Jesus' lordship that day. You know I cannot fast as you are oh..." I said. "When I do pray for those who are not as close as you are to me, how much more praying for my love's ministerial success? Prophet Samuel said, "far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you"... "Where can i get d word u have just quoted in d bible?" I interruptedly asked him. "I know it is in the book of first samuel, chapter 12, but d actual verse I cant say, check the last 5 verses of the book when u get 2 school...or I may send it 2 ur inbox when I get it", he replied. "Alright.", I said. "God shal do more than u expect at the program in Jesus name", he said. "Amen oh", I said.

The passengers are complete..."mai" lord paid d transport fare...having given me some money b4 we left his office...the luggages were arranged...tranporters settled themselves behind the scene of the passengers...passengers shouting that the driver make it snappy because of the heat since the doors are closed...at last our bus took off from the garage... As d bus moved on, I started thinking about him, I have grown to love him too dearly...but how did I loved him as much as this? I cannot answer that. He is obviously the kind of person I have been praying for to have as a lover, fiancé all my life, such a soft minded person...Then I remembered that I did not give him a nod when he first made his intention known...why did I do that then?... Oh, it was because I thought he would be too stringent for me, and then I was yet using ear-rings, putting on necklace and bangles occasionally @ least when I wanted to attend any special and social functions...birthdays, weddings, departmental gala nights, welcoming services etc... All these I was doing because my parents, especially my late dad said, I ought to dress gorgeously to impress and attract good suitors...

But with him, I have come to realized that putting on all these may not after all impress some guys particularly those who are deeply rooted in the word of God...so when he came calling, I think there ought to be a misnomer somewhere, i think he has place the right foot in the wrong shoe, me of all persons, me out of all ladies i think...so my response come from subcortical level...NOPE, I SAID, RECHECK YOUR DATA SIRE...THERE IS AN ERROR SOMEWHERE, I SAID... I was thinking how can we cope being together? Me dressing like a local lady? This was because my parents said it is local ladies who dressed like that... I said, I know that sometimes someday and somehow, he shall become a pastor, all my life, I have never thought of becoming a pastor's fianceé let alone thinking of being a pastor's wife... Our parents brought us up simply...we were thought to live a simple life...because in that is joy and peace so they said...they said all those popular figures dont have peace of mind...and what does anyone want in life other than peace, joy, happiness? We were not brought up to be overtly spiritual...so, I summated all these together, said to myself, a pastor in the offing to a simple person, I know he is not too sure whether I can quote three bible chapters and verses off hand...IT IS A LIE, A BLANTANT LIE, I told myself when I re-evaluate what the future perhaps holds...he erred i concluded. But I afterwards, discovered dat I started developing strongest of feelings for him, obviously stronger than all other suitors...the feelings of love...the thought of him began 2 overwhelm me, i find it hard to resist despite all attempts...then I said to my soul, "let your will be done oh Lord", and I went back to him and d journey started...Ever since this journey began, I have experienced remarkable peace and have grown to know the Lord more...as I grow, then I discovered that all these addendums, beautifying things are not necessary after all and I find myself shelving them...I now dress like those called S.U those days...maybe that is part of what those sisters see that made them invite me to minister to them...

After the teaching, the sisters raised many questions, which God assisted me to answer... A week after, two sisters whem we were course mate come to me on different occasions asking me questions about how I do it. How I get my fiancé. I shared my experience with them but I felt I need to ask my fiancé when we see so that he shared more experiences with me on this issue...if is as if I am becoming a marriage counsellor...but who am I? A simple Debbie in an open relationship with a simple brother, Samson...none of us are into marriage counselling...

 My love usually arrives home Wednesday, if she will be coming home, but as at 18:00 hours, d iSland's time, she wasnt around, den I know she probably wont come dat week, thence, our chatting dat day was centered on how her move will be durin d weekend bc I planned 2 go to her end, after-all, I have not visited her since she started her academics in d university... She said she will be most delighted to see me and would arrange 4 where I shall lodge in...We have been having discussion on d issue of my visiting her and where I may likely put up at 4 quite sometimes, and she said she will discuss with one of her male colleagues, so dat whenever I come I may stay in his room...so she said she will go and intimate d person, so dat he makes provision 4 me... Meanwhile, I have also been thinking of where 2 put up @, after-all, assuming I travelled out, I shall stay @ a place, thence, I have been thinking of an hotel...this is option B. Option C, is an aged friend of mine. This friend has just secure a new job with d govt of d Island, and he has been transfered to d city...dis person and I have been very good friend during d secondary school days, but after we finished secondary school with each person securing an admission @ different institutions, there have been separation... Despite d fact dat we tried getting ourselves 2geda, we couldnt because of different programmes we run @ our institutions, which do not harmonise d breaks...sometimes when such break would have been harmonised, local strikes by lecturers, or non academic staffs or students' unrests usually disharmonised d harmony...and because of our individual growth, academic and otherwise, we discovered d truth in our fathers saying that twenty children or youths cannot be together for twenty years...

This friend of mine, Abraham aka A.B as we commonly called him those days was contacted...i did contact him bc we have been connected on facebook and he has edited his profile showing his new status, outside chattings of facebook, we have been talking on fone on several occasions... When I contacted him, he said he usually travel to where his wife and children were every weekends bc he is yet 2 move his family to his new location...infact, according to him, it wasnt long that he secured a 3-bedroom apartment...He said "I shal do you a favour of waiting a while, staying till saturday b4 I travel to my family so dat I conveniently and personnally welcome and accommodate you, and ofcourse use that ample opportunity to know and welcome your found love...after you have waited these years...she must be quite impressive, fantastic, loving...to have won your heart or for you to have won her heart", my friend, A.B enthused. "You are not serious, however,dat shall be wondrous of you, i quite appreciate that," I said... And so, option C becomes d most preferably acceptable by all of us...Preparation to go and visit my heart, my love, my joy, my dove, my jewel, my angel starts in earnest...

At 10:00 hours the island's time on Friday, I was @ d garage...d vehicle took off an hour after, passengers did not rush as of oda days dis day...as I gathered 4m d transporters later, there is no market day in some major towns along d way dat day, assuming there is market day, traders will usualy throng d garage, those who shal either go n buy or those who shal go and sell things in d market/s situated along d route... Apart 4m dis, we heard dat dia was a riot about 3 days ago between two neighbouring towns along d route, their dispute was on d boundaries...facebook news was awash with the news...more mobile police have been drafted 2 d area 2 bring about peace and order...lives were lost n properties worth billions of d Island's currencies destroyed...Infact some affected families would find it extremely hard 2 financially make it again...This major incident, also made drivers circumvent d major route, taking an alternative path to d city.

The new route makes d journey far, tortuous...bc part of dis new route is very, very bad, with big craters...Infact, I salute d drivers, bc a single trip can damage d vehicle...we @ last arrived @ d last bustop under an overhead bridge around 14:30 hours d Island's tym. My friend said he has been in d garage around 13:30 hours, he was unaware of d devpt on d road & he has adapted himsef wit some drivers playing local mathematically oriented game called "Ayò-ọlọ́pọ́n" in d garage...Such d drivers do when dey cannot travel dat day, & some who have returned 4m a trip/s n who do not wish 2 travel again also joined dem, playing, watching, enjoying demselves under relaxed atmosphere...afta all, what shal local pp do to d non-responsive government? We cannot n shal not kill ourselves. We r not in advanced settlements wia things work perfectly...so, not to die of unwarranted n mumbo-jumbo high blood pressure, d drivers created relaxation arena for themselves within d garage...playing, laughing,

...Getting their minds off all hullaballo challenges dat d leaderships of d islands have plummeted d inhabitants of d islands...There r music arena dia, with music oozing out 4m d big loudspeakers...small bukateria is dia, selling local foods 2 people...local fast-food joints r also dia, 4 below average individuals, who may want local pies, cakes, poff-poff, bean cakes etal...One will see small beer parlor joints..."Baba-Ijebu" meaning lottery joints...and others...But in many of d Island's car-parks, one wont see toilet/s...I wonder whether they do not urinate or become pressed by nature to defeacate in any of d Islands' car-parks... So my friend has adapted himsef 2 dem, since he knows how 2 play d game...infact he was on d "field of play" of d game when our bus arrived d garage. Sister Debbie, my love got there abt 5 minutes b4 my arrival, bc she has known d development on d road n knew I wont be around till 14:30 or 14:45 hours...when our bus parked, n she spotted me, she ran to me

And jumped on my neck...people were looking...one person said, "Eh-ya, "ó pẹ́ to ti rí i gbẹhin"... "Ẹ ka bọ" she said as she genuflected... "Ẹ ku ile. Se alafia laba yin?" I asked. "Where r your loads?" she asked "Nothing much...The driver will soon offload dem 4m d boot...I only bring some fruits: pineaples, bananas, oranges, pears, Yams, palm-oil...I said 2 myself some of these u shall give ur friends, while my friend wil also take some 2 his family", I added. "That is good", she said. When d load was removed and she saw a big bag, d one dat some senators used to pack n distribute monies among themselves in d Island's central dogma, as being aired by d television, she cannot hold hersef back 4m talking, "Is dis what u called "nothing much" or somebody else's?" "Yea dearest one, and it is not anoda person's", I replied. "Ẹyin tẹ fẹran isẹ oko bayi, ọrọ yin ma n ya mi lẹnu", ...dont tell me you go to farm to get all these for us...bc I know u will buy few of them" she said. I did not reply her, "pls, have u seen my friend?" I asked her. "Nope, "mai" lord sire...I got here about 7 minutes ago, tried his number but I have not been able to get tru 2 him", she said. "He told me he has gotten to d garage, when I told him we have entered d city...although i tried his line severally b4 it cld sail tru", I said.

"That is d problem with cities, big towns, bc there shall be network interferences...let us try him again", she said. "It is him I am trying now, if dat fails, I shall ping him", I said. "How do we carry dis load now?" she asked. Fortunately 4 me, his line was tru...he did not even picked d call...he saw me where I was standing...and sends some1 to me to tell me where he was... When d guy gets to us, bowing a bit, his voice was a little bit coarse, as he said, "sire, he is over there calling you sire". We dragged d load 2 a safe side...walked 2 him and I heard, "Tayò fun mi, awỌn ti mo n reti lo mbọ yẹn". ""Gbà síbẹ̀, awọn to nreti ti de"" his opponent said. All spectators: "Ayò awọn to n reti leleyi o" Someone from d spectator, "bi a se retí-retí ti eti lu lọjọsi niyẹn", Anoda person 4m d spectator; "Ma da wọN lohun a ò ni gba ki wọn o fi eti rire wọn ba aiye wa jẹ lorilẹ ede yi". A.B: "Kilẹ wa fẹ se ti ẹ o bá gbà?" someone 4m d spectator: "Olowo n sọrọ o ní o ní "ideases" Anoda person concludes: "Mi o mọ iru "ideases" ti olòsì fẹ ni lọdọ awọn olowo. A.B's opponent: "Ayò o olowo mo ba se mi o ba olosi se leleyi o...Ẹjọwọ se olówó lawọn ta n reti o?" I have known dem, d spectators and d players when playing d game, their utterances will be centered on d recent events and happenings, in-particulate utterances to enliven their hearts...

When i got there i said, "mo ki òpè mo ki ọta o", Some1 replied: "Ope njẹ, ọta ti salọ sile baba rẹ". All bursted into laughter...dey started greeting us, "Ẹ kabọ sire, ẹ ku irin, se ọkọ ko jẹ epo?" some1 replied: "what will vehicle "chopulate" if e no "chopulate" fuel"? Anoda person 4m d crowd: "a se o tilẹ gbọ Yoruba...o si ma pe ara rẹ lọmọ Oodua." "Why do you said dat?" anoda person asked. "Se o mọ wipe bi ọkọ ba ti njepo, ko gbádùn niyẹn?...ẹyin ti ẹ ti mọ isẹ dirẹba bayi, ayafi ki Ọlọrun gba wa lọwọ yin" he replied. About three people stand up @ once, "please have your sit sire and ma". A.B: "Ọrẹ́", sit down let me squeeze bitter leaves water on dis man's eyes". A.B's opponent: "Iwọ tabi alaru rẹ? Ki i se ibiyi loni". An elder 4m d crowd: ""Se ayo to ti fẹrẹ pari yi?" Na only mouth u get dis stranger pass u for dis 12-hole-game" As expected, my friend, mr A.B won d game, 3 straight unreplied win...d enterprising match ends...dey wanted 2 challenge my friend's victory, but it is obvious dat such couldnt hold 2da bc of us-his visitors...so he pleads with dem to let him take his leave to attend 2 us his friends, with d promise dat he shal be coming once a whole to relax himsef @ d arena...As he said dis, he was excused as dey also apologized to us, visitors 4m distant place, 4 not offering us drinks...apology accepted, but obviously not verily necessary bc d match itself was "soothing", intriguing, parrticularly d side attractions, I mean d talks, d jestings by spectators,...

..their comments on d issues of global interest, d immediate environ, individual persons, characters, actions and reactions are in itself educative for those of us who want to add knowledge to knowledge, those of us who want his psychosocial interractions worked upon and improved... Sista Debbie also has an inkling into d game, but she has not seen such a spectator gathered watchin a local game...she was surprised...and d moves of A.B surprised her...b4 d match ended, she wispered 2 me of some moves she learnt during d game...my love loves game...I also love games...but I think I have sacrificed my sporting activities and moves for the gospel when I got saved...with God telling me of some assignments for me in not too distant future, thence, I had to relax, jettissioning some if not all of my sport desires, ambitions and aspirations... A.B got up, re-apologized to us, and specially welcomed my love, teasing her dat she has a good luck, bc her good luck brought him fortunes... "What good luck was dat?" Debbie asked. "Winning d sternly contested for game "na ni"", A.B replied. My love walked closely 2 my left side, bc she was in d middle, while AB was @ d extreme left, and she said, "sorry sir, with all due respect sir, "mai" lord has told me dat u cause jaw breaking laughter always" "Ẹh-hẹn? Did Sam' said dat? From your simple or at a glance assessments of me do u think he has told u d truth and nothing but d truth?" A.B asked her. Holding my left hand, "obviously sir...I begin to think dat what he said of u is even "pico-scopic" compared with what I have heard n seen u demonstrate during dis few minutes of being together with u" she said. "It is now I know why Sam' loves u extremely...u are also as funny as he does...no dull moment with him...even while we were in secondary school...he was fantastic then and even much more so now, I thought he would have dropped them, but I think and know he hasnt" A.B enthused.

"That shd mean both of u & indeed some of ur oda friends dat I ave met tru "mai" lord are funny persons", She said. I was just silent, listening 2 "actor n actress" demonstrations within d garage... "Well, wat do u expect of boys brought up locally as we were? We who hav no one @ d top, we keep ourselves alive always, hopeful of a better tomorrow, committing all 2 prayers. Although we r yet 2 get 2 wia we hope getting to, even though our movements may be slow, sluggish, characteristic of a stunted growth...but one thing is sure...we r movin, none of us is static..."àbí ọrẹ", wat do u say?" A.B talking 2 me. "'Am all ears "ọrẹ", all glory 2 God", I said. "Slow n steady win d race, so people say", Debbie said. "My wife do You know wat?" A,B talkin 2 Debbie... "Yes sir" Debbie said. "Our greatest turn around came when we were in secondary school...do u want 2 know wat brings abt d turn-around? A.B asked her. "yes sir, I wanna know" she said. "Our greatest turn around n singular life long achievement happened when we gave our lifes to Jesus Christ in our teenage years" A.B said. "Ẹh-hẹn? Was that so?" she asked.

"Certainly my wife...things though were not smooth 4 us now, but we r gr8fu 2 God dat we did not lose our faith in Jesus Christ...dis is not without our firm decision 2 follow God thru Jesus in all things", A.B enthused. "Blessed be God" she replied being enthralled by A. B's gesticulations. "Since d devil failed 2 snuff life out of us, we r "quadriply" re-ascertained...apology to u madam"... "For what?" Debbie interjected. "For d grammar used "ni"", A.B said "It is allowed in dis forum", she said. Playfully genuflecting, "Thank u my wife...so as I was saying, we r "quadriply" reascertained dat we shal all make it n dat soon too in Jesus name". Debbie and I: "Amen", we chorused. "And dat is why I have 2 thank God 4 teknologi advancements, introduction of social media dat enhances d coming 2geda of aged friends...as we hav come 2geda now, still getting hooked or connected 2 odas, we shal be able 2 assist one anoda in any area we find a person lacking" A.B said. ...The discussion continued...we get 2 wia d bag was kept...beaconed 2 a wheel-barrow pusher...he helped us pushed d load 2 anoda intra-city garage wia we chartered a taxi dat took us to his house...in his house, I separate d ones meant 4 his family while my love has d rest...He took us 2 an eatery close by his house...afta which we returned 2 his house, and left 4 my love's school...we hanged @ d common room...soon she returned 2 us with her room mate and course mate...afta which we took a stroll around d campus...she couldnt go to fellowship dat day...@ 20:00 hours d Island's tym, we depart 4 his house...ate bread with stew which he had...watched sports on paid television stations, prayed, talked and talked until sleep tooj off what was in our mouths and hands...

As early as 06:00 hours d island's tym, he left d house 4 d garage...gave me d keys 2 his house, which shal be left with my love when I am leaving...bc he usualy arrive monday mornings and will resume directly in his office... On saturde, she was with me, and then she asked some questions 4m me, a question out of it is d question one of her coursemates asked her and it was dat her course mate was approached by two friends, d two friends perhaps did not know of d 2nd's move...d lady did not know what to do? I told her dat d lady in question wil love one of d guy more dan d oda...she should get dat clear...d lady also knows what she wanted in life, which she feels n knows one of dem shal readily supply/fulfill more dan d 2nd person...d lady must also know dat, d two friends dat approached her invarably see some good attributes in her n feel d girl shdnt fall into wrong hands so to say...dat is if dey r morally upright persons... Then i told her dis short story...

"There were 2 jolly friends in a small village of Ayéariwi years ago...both of dem afta their secondary schl learnt a trade, dey learnt tailoring...one was not a success in d trade while d oda was. The person who succeeds in tailoring left Ayeariwi 4 anoda more populous town, dia God really assisted him, he built a house and bought a car... "Meanwhile d person who wasnt a success in tailoring resorted to farming in Ayeariwi...things were not too smooth 4 him...but he endured...meanwhile, dia was a lady in d village who after finishing schl also learnt hairdressing, she was also making waves in her profession, dis lady n dis farmer were brought together by providence, and dey became good friends,...d farmer loved her, but d farmer controller his urge, he did dat because he knew dat d lady @ d moment was richer than he did n dat he may not be able to control her...so d farmer brushed d love he had 4 her aside after sometimes...limiting it to friendship... During one of d festivals, d successful tailor came home with his car...heard of his friend dat he was yet in d village, visited him, re-ignited d friendship...dis successful tailor was yet single too...b4 he left Ayeariwi, dey met d lady...d tailor inquired 4m his friend what he knew abt d lady, n he told him all he knew 2 d best of his knowledge...simple, diligent, hardworking etc..."she is a wife material" d farmer concluded...d tailor said he will go 4 her...He went 2 her but d lady did not consented, she even told him never to come to her again, d man told his farmer friend his experience...tailor left 4 his base afta d festival... Later an aged woman invited dis farmr 4 a discussion n when he got 2 her she asked him about his wife or fianceé...none he replied...d woman said, dont u love d hairdresser? The farmer confided in d woman dat he loved her, but bc she is richer than him, he decided to leave her so dat sb who is rich as her and or richer dan her may get hooked to her... The woman asked him to try her dat he shdnt think dat way 4 who knows 2moro... The man then replied d woman dat his childhood friend, d tailor, d woman also knew dat guy, when he was around 4 d festival asked him about her, and dat he told him everything dat he knew about her, concluding dat she is a wife material...my friend went to her, but she did not consented, so if I now approached her, how wld it look? How wld my friend feel? What wil even be the thought of d lady? The woman said he shdnt think dat way, dat as a woman who had passed thru such stage, she knows women or ladies may love a friend but wouldnt love d oda friend..."ladies know whom dey want" she said...and maybe it is u dat d hairdresser loved, she asked him 2 try her... But wat wld be d reaction of my friend? A traitor? The woman said d lady did not even agree 2 ur friend's advances in d 1st place, so why d fear? And again, if ur friend is mature enof he wouldnt think dat way... Afta oda consultations, d farmer approached d lass...d lass too thought it was a set-up, so she consulted some elders in d land who took her to herbalists...all herbalists gotten to told her dat d farmer was her ordained husband by d gods of d land...but dat d problem d farmer had was dat he was afraid of d lady's status, her wealth, dat dat was why he introduced his friend 2 her to marry her so dat she wont fall into wicked hands...d herbalists added dat if she could be submissive to d farmer, she shall laugh last... The hairdresser went back 2 d farmer, asked him of his fianceé, d man replied dat he was yet on it,...d lady, hairdresser asked him dat if God says "I am d one, will u still marry me?" The man said certainly. Yes. And d woman said, she was ready 2 marry him...they started going out...and later got married...d rich tailor heard and was initially grieved...but later he got d details 4m a person, he was relieved..." So, I told my love, pls tell your friend to tell her spiritual leaders too for further clarifications...but such do happen occasionally...and d fact is, either she tells u d truth or not, she knows d person she loved most out of d duo...tell her to go for d person she loved most, d person who shall give her joy n rest..." other questions were asked...I attended her fellowship on sunde...d students were glad 2 have me in their midst..@ 15:00 hours am @ garage heading back 2 my base...got home around 18:00 hours...a lovely trip indeed dat enhances d continual flow of love's current...

TRANSLATIONS OF DIFFICULT WORDS

Sister Debbie says, "I do not know I can stop"...(July 6

th

, 2013)

buz' (translation business)

"O tún ti fẹ dá aáyun silẹ bayi", (translation I will start feeling your absence now)

"ó ga o"", (translation it is serious)

"Tara yin na la n sọ fun yin" (translation we are telling you what will be beneficial unto you)

"Ẹyin lẹ mọ...oju imọle ko kuro lọ́tí", (translation it is left to you…a muslim’s eyes does not leave beer (Muslims say it is a taboo for them to drink beer, but despite that the person is yet looking at the bottles/cups of beer (it is like a Proverb so to say that someone wants something but the person is behaving as if she or he doesn’t want that thing))

"dé"  (translation “de” means arrive. She is saying that her love has started to envy other males coming to her)

""Ẹyin laye yin shá, ẹ ti fẹ ma dẹru ba mi gan, ko ma tilẹ si nkan to mba yin lojiji"", (translation You. I am beginning to be afraid of you because it seems as if nothing cathches you unawares.)

"Rara ma. (translation No ma)

"Ẹ jọ" (translation Please) .

 "O ga ju"" (translation This is too much) he said. ""Ẹyin na la fi jọ" (translation In this, I have taken after you

"Ayò-ọlọ́pọ́n" (translation it is a local games played with local seeds. 12 holes will be dug/created on a plank of wood, in it the local seeds will be put, 4 seeds in each hole and it would be played to the right on both sides. However, in a hole with one or two seeds and the opposite person’s last seeds are dropped on those single or two seeds, the person is entitled to carry all the seeds in the opponents boxes/holes, meaning he won those… this is how it will continue until the seeds finished and the person with high number of seeds after the game is over is the winner)

Baba-Ijebu" (translation Ijebu Father (Ijebu is an area in the south western part of Nigeria, but there is a lottery in Nigeria being controlled by a man from that area, thus people are calling the lottery Ijebu Father)  

"Eh-ya, "ó pẹ́ to ti rí i gbẹhin"... "Ẹ ka bọ" (translation Oh sorry. It has been long you seen her last… welcome)

"Ẹ ku ile. Se alafia laba yin?" (translation. Thanks. I hope I meet you in peace?)

"Ẹyin tẹ fẹran isẹ oko bayi, ọrọ yin ma n ya mi lẹnu", (translation I am often surprised about some of You who do not like farm works or to go to farm)

"Tayò fun mi, awỌn ti mo n reti lo mbọ yẹn" (translation Play the game, those I am expecting are on their way)

"Gbà síbẹ̀, awọn to nreti ti de"" (translation Take this, this is the game of those being expected)  

"Ayò awọn to n reti leleyi o" (translation This is called the game of those being expected)  

"bi a se retí-retí ti eti lu lọjọsi niyẹn", (translation That is how we expected someone endlessly the other time but nothing)  

"Ma da wọN lohun a ò ni gba ki wọn o fi eti rire wọn ba aiye wa jẹ lorilẹ ede yi" (translation do not mind them, we will not allow them to spoil this nation and destroy our lives with expectation) .

 "Kilẹ wa fẹ se ti ẹ o bá gbà?" (translation What will you do if you don’t agree?)

"Olowo n sọrọ o ní o ní (translation a rich man is talking and you said you have)  

"Mi o mọ iru "ideases" ti olòsì fẹ ni lọdọ awọn olowo. (translation I don’t know the kind of idea a poor person will have before a rich person)  

"Ayò o olowo mo ba se mi o ba olosi se leleyi o...Ẹjọwọ se olówó lawọn ta n reti o?" (translation This is the game of I am a relative of a rich person… please are those people we are expecting rich?

, "mo ki òpè mo ki ọta o", (translation Regards to the champion and the losser) "Ope njẹ, ọta ti salọ sile baba rẹ". (translation Losser is answering or greeting you, but the champion has fled to his father’s house (the real answer should be champion is answering/replying you but the losser cannot or dare not talk))

"Ẹ kabọ sire, ẹ ku irin, se ọkọ ko jẹ epo?" (translation Welcome sir. How was the trip? I hope your vehicle does not consume fuel?)

chopulate" (translation consuming)

"a se o tilẹ gbọ Yoruba...o si ma pe ara rẹ lọmọ Oodua." (translation so you do not understand Yoruba and you will be calling yourself an Oodua or Yoruba child)

 Se o mọ wipe bi ọkọ ba ti njepo, ko gbádùn niyẹn? (translation don’t you know that when vehicle is consuming fuel it means the vehicle is not okay, the vehicle needs servicing)

ẹyin ti ẹ ti mọ isẹ dirẹba bayi, ayafi ki Ọlọrun gba wa lọwọ yin" (translation It is only God who will save us from those of you who are familiar with driver’s works)

"Ọrẹ́" (translation friend) ,

 "Iwọ tabi alaru rẹ? Ki i se ibiyi loni". (translation You or your servant? No way for you here today)  

""Se ayo to ti fẹrẹ pari yi?" (translation Is it this game or another

"na ni"" (translation is it)

"Ẹh-hẹn? (translation is that so?)

àbí ọrẹ" (translation isn’t that so my friend?) ,

"ọrẹ" (translation friend)