34
“ Abeg Mr Einstein, we fit take small
break? This calculus thing wan burst my
head abeg, abi na only me dey feel like
this?” Segun complained looking at the
other guys in the study group to see if
anyone would support him.
“Break for wetin na?”Tikki asked “when
we start? Segun, you don start again o.
This your break, break, abeg abeg I no
wan hear am today.”
“I agree o,” Michael chipped in “Abeg
break. Wetin you get for kitchen? Man dey
H!”
“Oh!” realisation dawned on Tekena as he
looked at all four guys seated in his living
room “So na why all of una come my
house for tutorial be this, abi? For food
only people! Una try, well played.”
“Guy abeg shun, forget that thing. You
know sey semester wan end and na
manage guys dey manage now so na
scavengers hunt we dey so, come open
fridge abeg.”
“make we scavenge the fridge!” Chidi
added from his corner
Tekena couldn’t help but laugh at his
friends’ theatrics. ‘Scavenging’, really?
“Ah ahn, Bros Tikky, you know sey you no
dey carry last. Your casa na our casa nao”
Larry, the youngest of the pack said.
Tekena shook his head giving in, it wasn’t
the first time nor would it be the last. They
were broke under grads that needed to
survive. He played basket ball with them
and sometimes organised a tutorial to help
them with some math courses. Somehow
they looked up to him.
“So what do you want to eat and no
alcohol o! Because like it or yes we will still
do this tutorial, no come dey think sey una
go come chop free food and drinks for my
house with no payment. Una talk sey una
want tutorial and tutorial you must get
after food!”
“Boss, whatever you get abeg bring am, a
beggar has a no choice!” Segun said
already clearing his books to the side.
Tekena shook his head and picked up the
intercom by his side and made a call to the
kitchen asking for food for five hungry
guys, drinks and whatever snack was
available to be brought fast before the
guys fainted from hunger. He trusted cook,
the guy could whip up anything in
seconds.
“But guy, you are living large o. You don’t
have to do a thing, just pick up the phone
and all your needs will be met. Money
good o!” Chidi reflected
Tikky shrugged “God has been gracious.
My step dad was very wealthy and very
generous too, he set a system that enabled
us concentrate on our studies instead of
chores and the rest.”
“In order words, spoilt you guys rotten!”
Michael chipped in and all the guys burst
into laughter.
“Waka!” Tekena playfully cursed at him
“your own food has been cancelled for
talking to your boss like that.”
“Na so!” Chidi called his bluff.
“See these kids o, no respect for elders
again.”
“I get respect o, ah, me I dey give honour
to whom honour is due.” Segun joked
“ Where food is concerned you remember
honour.” Michael told him and they all
laughed.
“Look who's talking o! me and you? Who
like food pass? Abeg Larry, make you
judge, me and Chidi, who like food pass
abeg?”
Larry obviously didn’t want to go against
any one of them. He looked from one to
the other, it was all a joke but he couldn’t
pick anyone for fear that he might offend
on of them. “Abeg una ask bros Tikki.”
Tikky shook his head “All of una, you ,” he
pointed at Segun “Michael and Chidi, all of
una na d same jare! Everyday na to tax me
for something.”
“ That one is normal nao, you be post grad
plus you get your own business....you dey
make your own money aside from all this,”
he gestured at the house. “ While your
boys be undergraduates na, just managing,
nothing nothing happening in our pockets,
that’s why we always tax you.” Michael
explained
“Good thing your finals are coming soon,
so no more taxing after exams.” Tekena
said.
“Hopefully” Segun chipped
“Not hopefully anything o” Tekena started
to argue when the door opened and Dare,
his closest friend and business partner
came in with his sister, Tonye and Angela.
He smiled, as his eyes met Angie's. He
hadn't known she would be coming and he
felt good she was around...