Right On The Dance Floor

"Ya kina tappi (why are you clapping)? Kin dauka church kike ne (do you think you are in church)?"

I looked at her shocked, never expecting that kinda expression of reaction to my dance.

Oh Laaaawd!

Helen!

It was Uyi's 18th birthday and as per her friends na, we had to be there. We didn't have an option. It was automatic. We helped in the planning. It was going to be just a few friends and we'd eat and have fun.

They lived in Barnawa, we were in Malali. Quite a distance if you ask me. Helen lived on Jabi road, that's like somewhere in between. Naaa. Helen and I were both in Kaduna North while Uyi lived in Kaduna South. That should give you an idea of the distance.

"We will pick you up" Helen and Lammai said. So my movement was covered. That was the only condition in which my dad would allow me travel across KD town at that time of the day, not knowing what time I'd get home. Coming back to Malali at night without a car, could be challenging in those days. Don't know what it's like now. You got a direct vehicle in the day but at night? Naaaa.

Then, Daddy loved Helen from the first time he saw her. 

I remember her coming to the house and meeting my folks for the first time. I took her to daddy and omo, this babe bent and remained like that (the Northern way of greeting elders and royals) You know Yoruba women kneel while the men lie flat, in the North we bend low with one leg Infront of the other, more like squat or that kinda 'gimme something😜😜😜' (dancing/bending challenge which trended a while back) but with a respectful attitude.

He was clearly impressed, not that we don't squat to greet him, we just never go all the way and remain on the ground. He smiled like she just gave him a treasure. 

That was how she won my father's heart such that if he didn't see her for weeks he'd ask, "ina kawar ki mai gaisuwa🤣😂 (where is your 'greeting'😜 friend)?"

The love for Helen was so serious, such that when she was getting married, he didn't wait for me ask for permission to travel all the way to Adamawa. Mba!

Helen married very early, so we were still in that age range of 'seeking' permission and 'informing' parents of intended trips. She had come to inform them that year and after she left, I called Lizzy (landline, just so you know how long😉) and we talked and hoped we'd be allowed to travel. Hmmmm. That evening my dad called me and started talking 'off'. 

"You are going to enjoy a lovely view from Gombe, all the way to..." huh? 

I say 'off' because that wasn't the script he was to play. I was yet to ask for permission to travel yet here he was describing the beauty of Gombe state to me. He told me about the distance from Kaduna to Yola. The likely places to encounter bad roads and that was when i realised I'd been granted permission without asking. 

Yippee!!!

Adamawa here i come!

He gave mum money to buy the cloth for me, white lace and lilac gele. Omo, no be small thing. Days before the trip he hands me money "for your trip" he said when I looked at the money puzzled. Oh boy! That had to be the easiest trip ever. Well before i started 'informing🥰' and not asking permission to travel anyway.

E come join say she like me. Why? I no know ooo.  We are almost opposites. While she's the talking and spontaneous type, I'm reserved and calculative, until I become comfortable around you. She came all out for me and I'm glad she did. Just that she likes to form big sister sometimes, no almost all the time, never letting go of every opportunity to remind me of how she 'senior🙄 me'.

My 19th birthday I had no plans whatsoever to do anything until Helen came with Cake and plenty cakes🤣😂 earlier in the day and told me she'd come back later. Ha! 

"You have to cook" mumsy said after she left. "Your friends can't come and eat only cake".

See assignment!

I ended up having an amazing day. Friends came from everywhere. Hmmmm!

Back to Uyi's birthday.

We were on the dance floor digging it out and the next thing she turns to me telling me how it's only in church you clap while dancing 🤣😂🤣

If only she knew the clap was helping to cover my limited dance steps. 

To date, when i see people dancing and clapping (outside church) guess what comes to mind😂🤣😂🤣

Helen!!!

Have a beautiful and joyous week ❤️❤️❤️