THE LAST BUS

The second and last bus leaving Ajibewa village got filled with villagers leaving for the city.

Bodunde checked his wristwatch for the umpteenth time. He has been waiting here for her since the cock crowed this morning.

They had planned to leave the village together for the city today.  They had started making plans since Bodunde came back from the city two weeks ago.  They always met under the orange tree in front of the village square,  telling each other sweet nonsense.

Bodunde loved Aduke from the moment he set eyes on her at her maiden entrance dance.  She looked so beautiful in her attire,  her body covered in "Osun" glistening like a new baby's skin. 

As she danced and laughed,  her dimples and beaded waist called out to him.  He has seen so many ladies do the Maiden Entrance Dance but Aduke made them all look old.  She was like new wine in new gourd.  She was intoxicatingly beautiful and attractive.

"I must have her" Bodunde told his friend Akanji.  Akanji had laughed at him as if he was mad. 

"You know it's not possible right? ", Akanji asked.

"Why is it not possible? "

"Are you the only in this village who doesn't know the rich men in the village have started asking for her hands in marriage to their sons? I even overheard Baba Alao elepo oyinbo talking to her father about it yesterday night.  Ore, you had better snap out of your dream. " Akanji warned.

"But I want her". Bodunde said stupidly.

"And I want the Aso Rock. You better get her out of your head and look for a girl our type.  Aduke is not for boys like us". Akanji advised while making faces at Amoke the big breasted girl whose mother sold firewood.

Bodunde couldn't take his eyes,  head and heart away from the dazzling beauty In front of him.  Everything about Aduke was mesmerizing and regal. 

After the dance,  Bodunde had summoned all his courage and spoke with Aduke.  Every smile he got from her got his heart in knots.  He knew there and then that he loved her. And he would do anything to get her.

Bodunde told her about his feelings for her and begged her to marry him.  She accepted but with fears that her parents might not support their union.  Bodunde had suggested they elope which she agreed to without hesitation.

They had fixed the day and time and bid each other farewell for the night.  They had continued to meet every evening under the orange tree.  Convincing each other that eloping was the best for them.

Today is the D Day and A duke is nowhere to be found.  The bus was almost filled and that was the last bus leaving Ajibewa for the week. 

Bodunde prayed to his ancestors to hasten Aduke's steps to the park. What on earth could be keeping her,  he asked himself over and over again.

His face lit up when he saw a figure running towards him,  he ran towards  the figure only to find out that it was Akanji his friend. His face fell.

"Has she arrived yet? " Akanji asked, concern written all over his face.

Bodunde shook his head. "No she hasn't arrived yet ", he answered.

"I know this is not the time to say 'I told you so' but I just have to tell you I told you so. Bodunde, that girl cannot be with a man like us.  We don't have the money or the wealth or influence to sway that kind of girl... ". Akanji stopped in mid sentence when he sighted a crowd dancing and singing "Iyawo abibeji Boluwa bafe oooo,  Iyawo abibeji boluwabafe" towards the village square.  They were all dressed in festive attires,  carrying boxes of different sizes and shapes.

"I didn't know there was a wedding happening in our village today,  did you Akanji ", asked Bodunde.

"No I don't. Who could be getting wedded and we won't hear about? Let me ask one of the people singing and dancing, oh that's even Adegbenro our friend", sighting a tall fair lad amidst the crowd of dancers, "let's ask him who is getting married".

"Adegbenro! Adegbenro!!  That's how he will be behaving like somebody that his ears are blocked, Adegbenro!!! ".

Adegbenro turned towards the direction of where his name was being called,  he saw his friends Akanji and Bodunde and quickly left the crowd to meet them.

"Akanji, Akanji, my good friend,  the cat you can't ask to help you watch over your fish . Bodunde omo baba elemu, what are both doing here at the motor park,  are you not coming for Aduke's wedding? "

"Which Aduke is that?" Akanji asked

"Ahn Ahn how many Adukes do we have in this village,  The one and only Aduke naani,  the daughter of the village Post Master".

"Haaaaaa,  Mo gbe. I am finished.  I am doomed." Bodunde screamed. Akanji held him as he fell to the ground.

"What is it,  why are you shouting?  Hope no problem? Adegbenro asked concern written all over his face.

"No it's nothing.  Don't worry about Bodunde,  he just remembered his late aunt that died last night,  thanks for the information,  you can go and join your party people". Akanji answered Adegbenro.

Adegbenro left the duo to join the wedding entourage with a quizzical look on his face.

''Bodunde,  this is not right.  You seated on the floor in the middle of the road is not right.  All because of a girl''.  Akanji chastised Bodunde.

''Akanji but you know Aduke is not just any girl,  she is special and she has my heart already'',  Bodunde sobbed still seated on the floor.

''I know,  I know.  But you have to man up and stop being a child about it.  It's not like this wasn't obvious from the word 'go'.  I warned you but you just wouldn't listen.  Anyway,  you need to leave for the city now.  The bus is almost filled and you don't want to miss it''.

Bodunde picked himself from the floor,  wiping away tears as they cascade down his face.  He just couldn't believe Aduke would break his heart and leave him hanging just like that after the plenty promises she had made.

He had already envisioned them together as husband and wife.  He had imagined forever with her and the beautiful children they would have together.

Hmmmmmmmm he sighed.

''It's okay bro, that's life for you.  You can't get everything or everyone you want . Just be manly about it and continue your life in the city. ", Akanji advised.

Bodunde nodded his assent and made his way towards the bus.

 There were two seats left unoccupied.  He sat on one and wondered how long it would take before they got the remaining one passenger. People rarely travel to the city in this village.

"Oga driver,  can we go now"

"Why? There is still a seat unoccupied." looking at him like he had grown horns.

"I will pay for the empty seat"

 Bodunde answered  to the shock of everyone.

"Are you sure you are alright,  that's plenty money you want to throw away just like that', Akanji asked.

"Akanji,  I need to get out of this village now.  My heart is pierced beyond repairs.  I need to be out of here now ". Bodunde answered painfully.

"I understand.  If that's what you want,  then who am I to object,  it's your money not mine" Akanji said comically trying to get a laugh from his friend who didn't seem to buy the joke.

The driver shrugged and started packing his passengers' luggages and bags inside the boot of the bus.  After doing that,  he got in and started the bus.

"God's speed,  my friend,  travel safe ", Akanji bidded Bodunde farewell.

"Thank you Akanji. Till we meet again".

The bus started his journey out of Ajibewa with Bodunde looking like a frozen human.  He did not play or joke with the other passengers.  He just sat
like a stature wondering where everything went wrong with his elopement plans with Aduke.
He couldn't help the tears running  down his face.

"Oga driver,  stop! stop!! stop!!! ", a passenger at the back shouted.

"What is it now?  We have not gone out of the village and you want to pee already.  What is wrong with you people", the driver grunted angrily.

"Don't insult me ooo,  there is someone running and waving behind us'',  the passenger fired back.

"What kind of adaniduro de onigbese is this person? Did any of you forget anything in the house?" The driver inquired.

The driver stopped the vehicle and waited for the running figure to catch up with them still grunting and murmuring about forgetful passengers.

Bodunde didn't care about whoever left whatever at home,  he just needed to be out of this village fast. He didn't trust his head not to over think things and do stupid things like going to disrupt Aduke's wedding.

He was still in this thought when he felt a gentle touch on his wrist.

"I am sorry I came left,  I can see you reserved a seat for me already ".

Bodunde turned to see Aduke smiling at him with tears in her eyes.  Oh Lord,  she still looked beautiful and adorable with tears running down her face.

"I thought you weren't going to make it,  with the wedding preparations and all".

"I thought I wasn't going to make it too but I had to convince my parents that I didn't want to get married to Baba Alao's son. I told them if they didn't allow me marry you and go away to the city with you,  I will kill myself.  I guess my parents loved me more than they love the idea of me getting married ". She giggled.

Bodunde couldn't stop looking at her beautiful face.

"I am sorry for everything I might have cost you,  your parents and everyone,  I just can't live without you Aduke ", Bodunde apologized.

"Shiiiiiiiiiii", she placed her finger on his lips to stop him from talking,  "if it means spending the rest of my life with you,  then it's worth it.  My parents will be fine.  We just need to leave the village.  We will come back for the proper wedding rites in few months time. They only agreed because I promised them I won't loose my virginity before then "

"I swear on everything I cherish,  I won't ruin you before then", Bodunde promised.

"Then we can go to the city now". Aduke said,  taking her seat beside Bodunde in the vehicle. The latter still not taking his eyes off her.

"Can we go now,  lovebirds? " Someone shouted from behind them.

"Of course,  we can", Bodunde replied grinning from ear to ear, taking Aduke's hand in his.

The driver started the vehicle again, the journey continued and this time it was for good.

Aderonke Enitan Adeyeye.