Brother Kasali

The green colored taxi stopped in front of the gigantic Sheu Oil and Gas tower, a well dressed young man emerged from the passenger side , he brought out His wallet and rubbed the palm of the taxi driver with some naira bills "Ran ka Dede" He flashed his kolanut rottened teeth as he zoomed off the car. Babatunde found himself impressed by the magnificent edifice standing in front of him. Sheu oil tower is a tall building , one of his kind in sokoto, It's the headquarters of the Sheu oil and Gas Ltd , one of the leading indigenous Oil and Gas Company in Nigeria. " God! My fate is in your hand, let me receive your favour today " he said to himself as he approached the entrance gate of the tower. He's slated for an interview for the post of company's secretary. The interview would be 9am , he still have 30 minutes more to settle down. The security man led him to the reception where he was told to sit as he would be called up when it's time. Babatunde sat down , looked around and it seemed he was the only one there for the interview. He was a little bit happy , that would be a good development because the fewer the candidates , the better and greater his chances of getting the job. " I must get this job " he adjusted his tie. This would be the sixth interview he would be attending in sokoto but he had been so unlucky in the previous ones despite his intimidating Curriculum Vitae. He eventually settled for a teaching job in one of the private Nursery and Primary Schools. Half bread is better than none . He has Bachelor of Art degree First Class honour in English. He left his parent in Ibadan three years ago out of frustration and he promised them he would not be coming back until he got a good job.

" Mr Babatunde Aribisala" he was snapped back to the moment by the voice of a young and elegant lady standing in front of him " Are you Mr. Babatunde Aribisala" her Hausa accent made the name more beautiful " kindly follow me" she said and Babatunde followed gently. The enter a lift and the lady pressed the number 10 button which signified they are going to the 10th floor . Babatunde trying to gather courage which seemed to have deserted him began to recite Psalm 23 under his breath. According to his father "when you are faced with difficult problem, pray to God this way and solution will come your way" . Psalm 23 is always handy whenever it seems his courage is gone. The bell of the he lift rang and the lift stopped "Technology!!" Babatunde seemed to whisper to himself in admiration as the door opened and the two of them bursted to a hall way which leads to a door with an inscription " Personnel Manager office" The personal manager's office is a large fully rugged room , the ambience oozes out class and excellence expected of a high profile company like this. The air conditioner unit inside the PM's office droned a drab musical rhythm into Babatunde's ear. He moved his feet gently and felt the lush and smoothness of the soft ,expensive red rug which lay neatly spread on the floor . Everything in the office was in perfect shape. The PM was seated behind a large table full of files that were neatly arranged deeply engulfed in work as he was rummaging through a big file right in his front. The lady signalled Babatunde to sit on a chair facing the PM .This gave Babatunde some time to look round and give a quick , impromptu look of the PM " Bro. Kasali" Babatunde muttered under his breath , his eyes brightened up in their sockets " My eyes can not deceive me " he wiped his face with his handkerchief. The lady dropped the file in her hand on the PM's table and left the two men. All the while the PM's attention was glued to the file he was treating. He cleared his throat " Young man" he said as he looked up. He was surprised to see Babatunde sitting right in front of him " This can not be true" he rose on his feet and moved toward Babatunde like a man whose long lost son returned. Babatunde was also happy to be recognised by the personnel manager of Sheu oil and Gas Ltd. Babatunde and Kasali have known each other for years, as a matter of fact they practically grew up together in the same village in Ibadan. Kasali was the first graduate to come out of oloke village . He was the role model for most of the youths in the village. After his graduation from the prestigious University of Ibadan , he got a job with Lagos state civil service commission the reason for his seldom visit to the village . he only visit during Ileya festival.The last time Babatunde saw him was five years ago , then Babatunde was in his final year, he was desperately looking for money to execute his final project, Kasali was the one that gave his father the money when he heard through his friend who happened to be his own father. He came around for the festival as usual with his wife and their handsome boy and He left for Lagos the following day and Babatunde was not able to thank him for his kind gesture.

" Don't tell me that you are the one I'm to interview this morning" "Yes Sir, I was also surprised to see you here sir" "How did you get here" Kasali asked still in awe "I left Ibadan 3 years ago after graduation with the hope of finding a job here but I couldn't get" " I've been in this town since then trying to make ends meat" He concluded . Kasali picked up the telephone, dialed some number and told the person at the other end to bring a cup of coffee and biscuit for his guest. "Why did you come to sokoto when you can easily get a job in Lagos or Bendel state" Kasali asked further after dropping the telephone. " I wanted to be far away from home, I told my parent I'm not coming home until I get a job "

A cup of coffee and biscuit was brought for Babatunde by the same lady that called him up to the PM's office. "Kindly prepare the appointment letter for this gentle man" Kasali handed a file to her " he's to resume immediately " he said

That day was the happiest day for Babatunde in his 30 years of existence, a dream come true for him . Brother Kasali has came to his rescue once again. Whenever he's in a fix, an angel will always show up to help in the form of Brother Kasali.

He's now the official company's secretary for the high profile Sheu oil and Gas Ltd. Apart from his mouth watering salary and allowances, he was entitled to an official car , a two bedroom bungalow fully furnished to taste in one of the choice GRA in the center of the city. Within 3 months his living standard has changed , he's now rolling with the shakers and movers of the nation. His savings already was almost half of a million with several material acquisitions.

"Its now time to visit my parent" he decided one day " To show them how God has blessed him especially to show gratitude to Brother Kasali's parent for the help he had rendered to him all the while. He had little or no time with Brother Kasali because three weeks after his resumption in the office , Bro Kasali got a new and better Job in Canada which made him to relocate immediately .

All the plan Babatunde had for him he couldn't fulfil.

" It is not possible! God forbid! No! No !" Babatunde head began to swim as if he was in the middle of an ocean . His eyes bulged out of their sockets and perspiration drenched his dressed " How can that be possible" his lips began to shake and tears flow freely down his cheeks. Pa Adigun- Kasali's father lost his emotion too, it's like bringing back the pain of an old wound "he died two years ago while going back to to Lagos after the Ileya festival, nobody survived the accident including his wife and their only son" "It was that shock that killed his mother too" He concluded.

Questions began to raise in Babatunde's head. This only happens in stories , he is now experiencing it first hand . "Bro Kasali , his God's sent angel , a ghost?" " Where is Bro. Kasali now ? "has he gone to start a new life somewhere else?". He couldn't sleep through out the night. " how I wish I can see him again" he said as he rolled on the bed with no sign of sleep in his eyes " but it's obvious he's gone forever"

Written by Gbenga Oladeji

Kindly share with your friends if you enjoy this.

Also drop some comments and let the conversation begin

Regards 💓