He’s one guy I’ve been used to, I dare say, right from birth.
He’s been my brother to whom I returned whenever I’d pulled a stunt that had turned out against me. And, you could put zillions on it, I was so full of such stunts in my childhood.
Was it trying to fight someone who was more powerful? Was it poke nosing in matters that didn’t concern me? Was it breaking some China ware?
He was always there, he’s still there, as the rock of Gibraltar!
I still vividly remember when I started elementary school. Both of us were being taken to school on a scooter. He to Baptist Primary School. I to Methodist Primary School.
In my eagerness, I wanted to jump down before the bike stopped. The policeman on duty issued the uncle giving us a ride a serious warning.
As from then, the man stopped giving both of us rides. So, we began finding our ways to our different schools.
He’s so handsome that he was always naturally attracting the girls. At least, I am still seeing some of the girls in my mind.
Let nobody read the following because it’s a secret.
Yes, an open secret!
The first one I can remember is the fair girl who used to live opposite us at Itire. The second one is the one who lived in some cousins’ house.
The third one’s the one who’s now his wife.
Lucky lady!
Gambari je die l’obi k’eyin to pon!
By the way, in those days, I was just an S.U.
We were to be separated when his parents came back from the UK where they had gone in search of the golden fleece.
He was to attend St Finbarr’s College while I later attended the neighboring Grammar School.
I was to later live with him. It was then I knew he has this spirit of real brotherhood. He would make sure everyone around him had a meal.
It was while with him I learnt how to really dance reggae. Of course, I also learnt how not to get drunk.
He was to be an Andrew during the Shagari period. He ended up in Atlanta, Georgia.
I could go on and on, but permit me to say Patrick Alabi is an omoluwabi!
082019
