ALL FOR NOTHING….
Episode Sixteen
With tears in my eyes I sat down to write a goodbye letter to mama. I knew she wouldn’t be able to read it but I had to drop something for her. I believed she’d give it to Mr Ajayi to help her read it.
Hatred germinated in my heart and trust was completely sent to exile. I only had one goal and that was revenge! Timi had gained admission to study overseas and Sola had also gotten the privilege to study in a university here in the country. I felt more miserable when I learnt that even Seun had gained admission to study in the university too. The brightest student was now an apprentice in a local tailoring shop. I couldn’t take it.
I have read online that there was vacancy in a Casino in town far away from Utti district and that accomodation was free. I decided to take the bold step and apply there. Though I was underaged, I decided to try my luck. As I sat down drafting my departure later the night before I’ll leave Utti, tears were flowing endlessly from my eyes. Mama was fast asleep and Everytime I turned to her, I felt I shouldn’t leave and just stay with her but I knew that wasn’t the right thing to do anymore. Now that I won’t be able to go to school anymore I needed to do something better with my life.
“Mama, I know I have disappointed you with what I’m about to do but it’s the only option left. I wish I could turn back the hands of time and go back to the day I went with Timi to see the movie. I would have stayed at home but too bad I can’t. I am leaving far away but I’ll come back one day. I can’t stand seeing you suffer like this. All I ever wanted was to give you a good life but how will that be possible if I don’t go to school and remain here with you in Utti? Please forgive me mama. I pray God keeps you till I return. I love you mama.” I wrote with tears in my eyes.
The following morning, mama got ready for the farm and asked me to help weed her vegetable garden before going to the shop where I now learnt tailoring. I couldn’t believe I would be hurting my poor widowed mother but it was all I have left to do.
While bidding mama farewell, little did she know that she won’t return to find me in Utti district anymore. As I told her goodbye I was literally telling her bye bye for a very long time.
I did as mama instructed and not just that, I fetched water and helped to split the firewood. I took the letter and dropped it on top of her box. I put her bible on top so she could be anxious to see what it was. I believed if she opened it to see my handwriting, she would go to Mr Ajayi to read the letter for her. I took my bath and without taking any property, I left Utti. I left behind the memories, the pains, the heartaches promising my self to return not as the Ayo that was treated like tramp but the Ayo that will wipe away the tears from the eyes of his poor mother.
As I left Utti that day, I was sad but I couldn’t go back anymore. I felt what mama would go through when she discovers I’m gone.
“Good afternoon sir” I greeted the man who owned the casino. He was a man in his late forties and he had made alot of money. He didn’t look his age and he was wearing a dark goggle.
“Afternoon, how may I help you?” He asked me.
“My name Is Akintunde Ayomide. I read somewhere that you needed a worker in your casino. I came here to apply.” I said.
The man looked at me as it was obvious that he was surprised to see a boy of my age coming to him with such boldness.
“How old are you?” He asked.
“I’ll be seventeen soon.” I said.
“Do you have any idea what your job will be here?” He asked me.
“Yes sir, I’ll be responsible for taking records of stakes and bets and I’m to ensure that the account is well balanced by the end of the month.” I replied.
“How did you know that?” He asked me.
“When I saw the vacancy, I had to read on the position that was open for application and that was how I found out.” I replied.
“I must confess you are a smart boy. So can you do it?” He asked.
“I can sir.” I replied.
“The job is yours, I’ll ask the secretary to show you around and then take you to the room you’ll be staying.” He said and left.
The secretary came and took me to the room where I’d stay. She gave me the few details I needed about the Casino and left me. I was to resume fully the following day and as I lay on the 3 inch matress that was in the room, I kept thinking of mama. I knew she would be back from the farm already and might have seen my letter. I could tell how sad she might be but I had gone too far to turn back now and besides I had promised myself not to return home until I’ve made money. My only prayer was that nothing bad should happen to mama before I finally make the money.
My first day at the casino left me in shock. From what I know, only rich men come to the casino to stake bets but that day, I saw young boys who were about my age. They had also come to stake bets and they were really good at it. From where I stood taking records of bets and the percentage each winner has to remit to my boss, I was beginning to see it as a fast way of making money. One of the boys who had come to the casino won about #700,000. I couldn’t believe my eyes. After remitting #70,000 to my boss, he was still left with 630,000 and he had staked with just #100,000. I decided that as time passed by, I would learn how to stake too, so that when I’ve saved enough from my salary, I would play too and who knows I maybe lucky to win something that will finally erase poverty from my life.
Each time I saw these boys come to the casino and win so much money, I wished it was me. I decided to find a way to talk to one of them. I wanted to know how they were able to save so much money to be able to come to a casino. The boys had come with their cars that fateful evening and they were looking really good in the clothes they were wearing. I felt ashamed because I was looking like a real Utti boy.
Both of them also won huge amount of money that day and I could tell they were really happy. I decided to ask them how they were able to get money to come the casino.
“Where did you come from?” One of the boys asked me.
“I’m not from around here.” I replied.
“No wonder. I was really surprised to see you working in a casino. How much are they paying you here?” The other asked.
“Not quite much but it’s helping to solve my problems.” I replied.
“Well, if you really want to make cool cash, then you should have known by now that working here in a Casino is just a waste of your precious time.” One of the boys replied.
“If you want to make enough money now that you are still young then it is your decision that will determine that.” The other said.
“What you see us coming to spend here in the casino is the change that is left after our daily spending. We normally come here to relax and I tell you even if we don’t win, we will still be very much okay.”
I asked them for their Facebook usernames and decided to chat them properly after the day’s work.
They finally introduced themselves to me as Suleiman and Sodiq.
After work that day, I wasn’t myself. All the words spoken by Suleiman and Sodiq were beginning to ring in my ears. They were playing repeatedly and I couldn’t sleep. I imagined myself as the one who had won #700,000. Mama came back flashing through my mind.
I decided to get closer to Suleiman and Sodiq and hopefully get to know what they were doing to make so much money. I couldn’t wait to be like them so I could return home early and make mama happy again. I finally came to agree with myself that leaving Utti was the best decision I’ve ever made. I just hoped things go as planned. I know mama will easily forgive me if I’m able to return home as a rich kid just like Suleiman and Sodiq….
Hope you enjoyed this episode?
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