My Dream, In a Dream: Dad's Lesson for Me.(Darlington Chukwunyere) Right now I’m walking along the road and I’m staring into space; the sky seems closer in my gaze. I’m dazed and giddy with desire… the desire to do nothing but just walk on and stare into the sky with a dazed pace.
I’ve been in this posture for a period I cannot give account of. I can hear radioactive voices. The voices are sounding from three realms, and these realms are placed one-beneath-the-other like some sort of wave in addition to some unseen voices, but beneath the echoing sounds, there’s a strange voice—a raucous laughter; and it sounds inebriated.
All these resonances have been eating into my wits and I’m beginning to lose it right now, can hold it no more.


“Hey! Wana play?”


someone had just spoken to me right now in a superficial voice; but the voice is soothing… yes, I’ve been alone all these while and no one is caring about my feelings—not even a single company has graced my day yet—maybe I’m a freak? this is what I’m wondering right now… oh, there he comes again, this time, he’s close enough…


“What’re you doing out here all alone? Have you no friends?”


I can now see him clearly, save for his masked face. His voice is calm and comforting, but I’m rather reticent to appreciating his concern for my loneliness.


“Look! Can you see that? Aren’t they pleasant?” (The voice is speaking)


Yes, I can see some guys reveling at the other side of the road, I think that’s what he’s trying to show me now—I’d seen them previously and indeed had rejected their invitation severally, besides, ‘smoking and drinking isn’t just the right habit for a youth,’ Mama would always say at breakfast, and ever since, I’ve accrued to it, it’s now my policy.


“Don’t you wana join in? Life’s too short to while away staring into space—there’s no return ticket to this place you know?”


I don’t just know why he’s bent on convincing me against my will… but, think it’s a good idea… no! I won’t.


“No thanks! I’m good alone, thanks for your concern though.”


I just sounded exasperated—let me hope it was good enough to put him off.


“Come on boy; stop denying yourself these pleasures. Life’s too short to be wasted this way—I can help, I’ll make it easier for you”

Did you just hear that? Wow! He says he can make life easier for me; may be I should give him a chance? Well, let me ask:


“You mean you can make life easier for me?”

“Yeah, why not? Come along then, let’s have a drink!”

“Wait! So now, you’re saying things will change for the better after the drinking?”

“Sure! Straightaway. Shall we go now?”


I think he has something up his sleeves. If not, why’s he bent on dragooning me to the bar? Although he’d made my day by breaking my loneliness; my daze is now gone, but from the look on his masked face he’s certainly playing at something and I guess he’s not done yet… well, it’s fun so far… but why the mask in this hot weather?


(Now, we’re no longer walking. I’ve managed to halt us—checking if I can buy more time so I can discern what he’s up to.)


“So tell me friend, why you wearing mask?”

“My mask? What about it?”

“Nothing, I just like it—it’s flashy. Must have cost you a lot I guess?”

“Hmm, a lot you say? It cost me my place in my father’s kingdom.”

“Your father’s kingdom? You must be a prince then?”

Guess I’ve amused him because he’s laughing extensively right now and I don’t get it.


“Hmm, (he grunts) a prince. Do I look like one?” (Still laughing)

“Well, don’t know…”


This man is quite weird, and so, I have to mind my diction. Nevertheless, I just have to know one or two things about him.


“What’s your name, friend? Hello…”


I think he’s not going to answer me, based-on the blasé look on his face. I’m becoming bemused right now.
Something strange is beginning to happen. I can see a cloudy weather; a faint whisper is chiming across my ears and the radioactivity is whirling my brains, my limbs jitter.


“What is happening? What’re all these? Wait! Where’re you? Why’re you doing this?”


He’s gone. I can’t see him anywhere. Who’s he?


“This is no longer funny! What’re you up to?”


He’s yet out of sight right now, but… a truck is speeding toward me! My legs are pinned, I can’t move!


“What is happening to me? Let me go!!!”

“Come along dear…” (Somebody just dragged me off the tarred road)


Gush! That was so close—I was almost hit by that truck you know. All thanks to this lady who have just saved my life.


“What were you doing in the middle of the road? You okay?”


(She’s seemingly concerned about me and is asking me why I’d exposed my life to danger. Guess I just have to comport myself.)


“I’m fine, thank you… and thanks for saving my head.”

“That’s naught—anyone would have done same. I’ve been watching from a distance, and I saw you were talking to yourself while walking… where you on a phone call? I mean… the ear piece?”

“You mean I was alone?”

“Pardon?”

“You didn’t see any man wearing a mask, by my side?”

“Hmm? Was there?”

“Yes. There’s this cool guy on mask, he…”

“I see. He was with you too? Cool guy indeed. He takes everyone for a fool and if you’d fallen prey to his pranks, you’d have been his food by now.”

“What! You mean he knew bowt the truck?”

“He knows everything and he sees all; but he would not let any of your kind know his true colours… not until his mission is crowned.”

“His mission? What mission? Who’s he?”

“let’s have a drink, I’ll explain while we sip… come on, dear.”


I have changed my mind right now about not drinking, besides, I think she means no harm; she just saved my life…


“So, what’s your brand?”

“My brand… I, don’t drink actually, I only do, but occasionally—like now. Well, what ever your taste’s alright by me.”

“That’s great! You can bet I have flare for good wine… beer too?”

“Hmm, well, if you will…”


She has placed a request and the bartender’s already at work.


“So, why did you refuse his wine offer initially?”

“You mean the masked guy?”

“Yeah, I mean…”

“Anyone would have done the same… come to think of it…


(The bartender just served us drink right now.)


His countenance was obviously apprehensive; besides, he was making the ‘drinking thing’ a big issue.” (I’ve opened my drink now; currently, I’m pouring some content into my tumbler)


“The beer’s not bad is it? (She asks)

“Not at all, it’s great. It’s unlike any I’ve ever tasted… is it Spanish?”

“No, Italian bottler’s. I can see you like it so much.”

“So much you say, I love it! So… what do I owe this day? I mean… thanks for the wine, your warm company, and, for saving my life.”

“Hmm, you can say that again—it’s I who should be saying thanks.”

“How? I mean you…”

“You’ve just made my mission easier. Anyway, it was pleasure doing business with you.”

“Sorry? I didn’t get that…”

“You should have stock to your decision when you had the chance.”

“Still don’t get you… (My drink has gone black… there’re maggots swimming inside my tumbler at present) what! What’s this? What have you… you poisoned me?”

“I wish it was just that…”

“I thought you were my friend? You saved my life…”

“That made my assignment easier buddy.”

“So you knew him all these while? You’re his agent. You traitor!”

“Save that for tomorrow’s lectures, son”

“Dad? Is that you?”

“Too good you knew very late. Next time you keep true to your resolutions, it makes you a better man. Anyway your performance wasn’t too bad—I give you 30% of 100. It was a good start, but very bad finishing.”

“Thanks’ dad; but you scared the hell off my bones.”

“Hmm, I never knew you take alcohol; I see bad college company hasn’t been less busy after all.”

“Dad? I was only acting.”

“Yeah, I know; and I enjoyed your naturality.”

“Thanks for the innuendo… don’t tell me you were the masked guy?”

“You just said so.”

“Dad! You could have got me killed you know?”

“Anything to get my son well skilled is okay by me. You may have your own opinion, but I suggest you keep em for my grand children—the floor will be yours then.”


(I actually can’t believe my father could be this theatrical. I’m amazed.
Well, it’s launch time and my stomach’s already complaining.)

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