Twist Of Fate

Interest in Technical Skill

By the end of January, Gbenga was tired of staying at home just to clean the room, watch the plates, ate foods and watched television when electricity was available. Gbolade was always in the room after the Church service every Sunday, on the first Sunday morning in February before Church, Gbenga asked: “What are you going to do about my situation brother Gbolade?”

Gbolade was not expecting such question from fourteen years old boy, so he replied: “I thought you still need more time to get used to your new environment before I take you to the next level of your life.” The boy shook his head in disagreement, and declared: “I am ready to take the next step of my life brother; my mates are already in school.”

Once again Gbolade was surprised, certainly Gbenga was wiser than his age, and many boys of his age would have loved to play around; the boy was obviously ambitious he concluded. “Alright then, I would take you to a mechanic workshop next Sunday after the Church service to meet a man who would be your mechanic master,” Gbolade said, still wondering about the boy’s high intelligence.

Gbenga was quiet for a brief moment, and then he said: “I would have loved to go to a High School to further my education brother Gbolade, would you help me please?” Gbolade could not believe Gbenga was still nursing higher education in his heart, so he said: “Even if I could afford to pay your school fees in High school, but I can’t go against grandma’s instructions.” Gbenga was very unhappy throughout the Church service and even in the house throughout that very Sunday.

Unfortunately, there was nothing Gbolade could do to change the situation or help Gbenga in any other way other than for the boy to learn how to be a skilful mechanic for five years; that was the collective decision of the family which he could not change.

On Monday afternoon after the school hours, one of their Landlord’s son met Gbenga at the deep-well, the young boy was slightly older than Gbenga from the look of him, the boy curiously asked Gbenga: “When will you start school village boy?”

Gbenga was offended by the manner in which the boy spoke to him, and then he replied: “I am in the city now, my name is Gbenga, and to answer your question, I am going to be a motor mechanic.” The Landlord’s son laughed: “You mean you are going to be an apprentice mechanic? My name is Lukman, I am one of the children of the Landlord, I hope to be a Lawyer in the nearest future, maybe you would be my mechanic if you are very good,” Lukman said proudly just to insult the new boy.

Gbenga disliked Lukman instantly, and he left the Landlord’s son at the deep-well without saying a word to the other boy. Lukman laughed at Gbenga’s back, and called Gbenga: “Under the motor car grammar school student;” this was an insult to apprentice mechanics generally.

Gbenga heard what Lukman called him, though he was new in the city, somehow, he knew that Lukman just insulted him and there was nothing he could do about it. The encounter with Lukman at the deep-well made Gbenga vowed to get educated by every possible means later after he acquired the technical skill.

When he entered their room that afternoon, he searched the room for any book he could read that would help him understand English better, because his English was very poor indeed at that time. He found copies of James Hadley Chase novels in a bookshelf by the side of the bed; he picked a copy and opened the first chapter of the novel; he fell in love instantly in reading novels.

Gbenga felt at peace with himself reading the novel alone every day. Gbolade noticed the changes in Gbenga’s attitude since the beginning of the week; the boy was no longer moody, but very quiet, he did all his house chores excellently well without any complain.

By the middle of the week after Gbolade returned from work and had his supper, he could not resist the temptation to know what was happening to the boy; then he suddenly asked: “What have you been doing with yourself lately Gbenga?”

The boy smiled for the first time in days, and then answered: “Brother, I found some good novels in your bookshelf; I like to read more of such books.” Gbolade opened his mouth in surprise: “Hmmm, okay if you like to read, then I will get more interesting novels for you by the weekend,” Gbolade informed the boy excitedly.