We entered Mrs. Stella's big and beautiful office.

"Sit down", she politely ordered. We relaxed on the sofa.

"I made a little mistake while announcing. I actually need a senior student in SS1 and two senior students in your class."

Amirah came in. She was a girl in SS1. She was the most brilliant girl in her class.

"Taofeek, I will see you later," she said.

"Alright ma" He bowed and walked out.

I laughed silently. I knew that would never happen. Mrs. Stella had softly told him he wouldn't take part in the competition. I knew he would go to a corner, feeling bad. I planned to go comfort him after the meeting.

Three students in the junior secondary school entered the office.

"Good afternoon ma. We were told you wanted to see us ma." Ayodeji said on behalf of the others, with the deepest humility.

"Yes, I called for you. Join them" She pointed at us.

"I believe you all are aware of the reason I called you into my office."

"Yes, we are ma" We chorused.

"Good, we've got no time. The competition is in two months, and you know when it's getting to poetry stage performance, you need a lot of technicality, accuracy, skill, talent, and a vast amount of qualities. I wouldn't give you false hope, or pamper y'all that the competition is going to be easy, It wouldn't! What did I say?

"It wouldn't be easy!" we chorused together.

"Good, yes it wouldn't be easy. This is because you all will be competing for a win with lots of talented students like you from over thirty schools."

Sharon eaved deeply.

"Any problem Sharon?" Mrs. Stella asked.

"Nothing ma", Sharon managed to reply.

"Are you nervous?"

"I'm ok ma"

"Better!, because I wouldn't tolerate any incompetence and non-challancy here. Back to what I was saying. That said it's not going to be easy didn't mean it's impossible. It's much possible to win this competition, and I have my hopes high on you all, that's why I chose you. But, it doesn't end here. Hard work and determination births success. You will need lots of rehearsals, practice, and training so that you will emerge part of the best that day.

By the way, there are two rounds in this competition; the preliminaries and the grand finale. If you perform good enough in the preliminaries, you would be part of the ten lucky people chosen for the grand finale."

"Yes ma", Sharon raised a finger.

"Are the preliminaries and grand finale going to be on the same day?"

"Nope" she replied.

She read from the handbill.

"Nice question. The preliminaries would be on October 5th, exactly two months away. This is when all the participants from the school invited would have their poetry performance. I wouldn't lie to you, it would be a long strenuous day because the participants would be much, both in the senior and junior categories. The best ten people would be selected by the judges from both categories for the grand finale... Grand finale, sometimes next year." She stopped talking and drank some water from the dispenser in her office.

"What date is the grand-finale ma?", I asked.

"Exactly January 24th, next year; provided there are no disturbances and factors that could hinder it. If para venture it's postponed, the organization is going to let us know. Do we understand?"

"Yes ma'am" we replied.

I could see it that everyone was excited to be chosen for the competition. Mrs. Stella adjusted some files on the table.

"So you all have a task. Your poem for entry into the competition is to be submitted before Wednesday, next week. That's exactly six days now. We have to forward it to the organization via their official website. Should I trust you guys to do this?"

"Yes ma"

"You need to be prompt! Write your poem and submit anytime within the next six days for us to make reviews and corrections on your work. I've assigned Mr. Samson to be your supervisor. The drama teacher would coordinate your affairs during rehearsals and tell you the next move. I hope you all have a nice time, and good luck."

"Thank you ma".

"You may leave"

Everyone buzzed toward the door, discussing what we've heard. We were in haste to leave for the dining hall for lunch.

"Gloria, I want to see you" Mrs. Stella called me back.

"Yes ma"

"Gloria, I want you to know that you got what it takes within you. You are the major talent I'm counting on in this. Others are peripherals. Please don't fail me."

"I wouldn't ma", I humbly said.

"Besides, I know you wouldn't. You are more talented when it's come to this than the rest. I believe the rest of them will see you as a role model and perfect example. Gird your loins and win the school this trophy."

She patted my back.

"By God's grace ma".

"Good girl, you may leave".

I headed to go meet the rest. We hurried to the dining hall, we were very hungry.

**

"Babe, why are you doing this to me?"

Solomon rushed to meet Selena before she reached the door and go out to work.

"Doing what exactly? Mister man, leave me alone. Wouldn't I go to work? Do I look like a full housewife? I am a career woman and I'm late to work already. Darling excuse me of the daily drama this morning". She gawked at him.

"It's really not fair. It's not fair at all! Why are you depriving me of the love I deserve? You claim to be a lover of God and the Bible yet you ignorant of the verse which says; DO NOT DEPRIVE YOURSELVES OF EACH OTHER. Career woman my foot! You go out to work every day from 6:00 AM till 7:30 PM at night. Who does that? You spend more time at work than with family. It isn't a responsible thing to do for a family woman. What if Alice was around? Would it be the same way you would give her ample attention and expect her not to be wayward? All in the name of WORK?"

"Hey. Hey. Hey." She halted him raising her palm.

"Don't come bathe me with pepsin and renin this early morning. It's all your fault babe! When I was a full housewife those years, I would always depend on you for every little thing I wanted. If I want to buy anything.. 'Baby get this for me'. If I need any service 'Baby get this for me'. One more thing I was always bored. I was always left alone at home while you and Alice are out there fulfilling your destinies. My destiny is not to waste my life in a man's kitchen. Do you get that!" She smirked.

"Nah, I don't get it at all. That I allowed you to work didn't mean I sent you to go around, working like a jack on some business that keeps you away from having family time. And at night, you come to tell me that you are tired, you had a long-ass day. I can't even touch you any longer".

"Can't you control the thing between your two legs? Is this why you married me?

Intercourse? Oh no, I'm not a sex toy.. Please I'm late to work." she shoved him aside and vamoosed.

Solomon went upstairs. He peeped through the blinds and watched Selina as she zoomed off to work.

"Gotcha! if tit doesn't work, we go for tat. He brought out his phone and scrolled through the contact list.

"Yes, BIMBO!"

He dialed the line. "Precious God, may this girl pick my call".

The line was unreachable.

He tried several times more to no avail. He had begun to have attractions for her.

"Hey pretty lady" He waved softly at her.

This was his catch-up line the night he met Bimbo at a clubhouse. He had walked up to meet her.

"Hi!" she pulled her braids behind her shoulder. She waved.

"And what is this beautiful damsel before me doing here, sitting all alone in this big lounge. You don't wanna dance?"

"Nope, I'm actually waiting for someone." Her mouth curved into a smile as she sized him up, from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet.

"Who are you waiting for for.. your boyfriend?" he teasingly asked.

"No, I am actually waiting for my best friend. Her name is Halima" She replied.

"And what is your own naiiiime?"

"I'm Bimbo" she answered.

"Nice name, I'm Solomon... Ifekwe Solomon, and it's nice to meet you"

He stretched for a handshake.

She obliged.

He shook her hand warmly, his eyes bored into her.

"Wow! Solomon. Nice name, my daddy bears that." she smiled.

"Oh that's cool, I guess I will soon be your sugar daddy."

"You are funny for real. Your confidence is enviable. I've never seen a man been so bold to approach a lady... Meant like classy ladies like me. It's hard. By the way, you look fresh, and seem like a man with deep pockets" she scrutinized him.

"Thanks for the compliments. Actually, I was shy to walk up at first. It took me minutes to summon courage, I saw you from the gallery. I was so scared. God knows how many times I did the imaginary holy triangle stuff on the air, cos I didn't want to chew more than I could swallow, but the whole process was worth it." he chuckled.

Bimbo laughed.

"Like seriously, you men really think we ladies are unapproachable. You think we are some hungry lions that would rip you off if you walk up to us. It is far from it. Many ladies are actually praying in their mind that a man walks up to them to ask them out. We have attractions too, but it's just awkward for the lady to do the approach. You men would be puffed up and filled with pride. You would think she's cheap and take advantage of her. Also, men think whenever they approach a 'big' girl, she would flare up and think they are below her class or they are too small for her... Hell no! This perception is what makes ladies at forty-five unmarried."

Solomon smiled, gazing at her.

"Thanks for the nuggets. I really love the way you talk. You are full of intelligence and I guess you would be a good gister. C'mon, let's go have a date."

"Dinner?"

"Yep" He replied.

"They sell pretty good food at Akorrs. Don't worry, bills on me."

"Uhhhm... That's nice... But,.. I would still love to see my friend"

A phone call came in.

"Hello Hali". She picked the call.

"I've been wanting at the lounge about an hour ago.

What do you mean you left an hour ago? Without informing me?

And you got me wasting my precious time here, waiting for you. screw you!

She quit the conversation.

"Can you imagine this babe I'm waiting for telling me she'd left about an hour ago? Without informing me"

"Ehya... Sorry about that."

He caressed her hand romantically.

"Let's go for the date," she said, dropping her phone into her handbag.

* *

"Nice meal," Bimbo said. She cleaned her mouth with a piece of tissue.

She belched..

"Excuse me..

It seems you really love Portobello Mushroom burgers, could decipher that the way you ravished it after the waiter served."

Solomon laughed.

"I'm a foodie!"

"So are you married or hooked up in a relationship?" Bimbo asked.

"Kind of, it's complicated. Don't wanna talk about it." His face went blank and he bowed his head.

"I'm married with two kids; Alice and Felix. But as a matter of fact, I am not enjoying my marriage. My wife hasn't been having enough time for me since I allowed her to work. She got an appointment with a multinational communications company. It's been long I've even..." He winked.

"Are you serious?" Her eyes widened.

"I really don't like talking about this. It hurts me. She was an amazing woman.. so amazing. I really don't know what happened, she just changed overnight." His countenance dulled.

"Hey, take it easy, things gonna be fine okay?"

She checked her watch.

"OMG! it's late. 11:09 PM! We would talk some other time, let's be going."

"You wouldn't get a cab if you would be returning tonight. It's too late. Let's lodge at AJ's Suites. It's near here. Tomorrow we can both part ways." Solomon suggested.

They did as planned. They booked a VIP room to pass the night. One thing led to another and they defiled themselves that night.