The Graduate Motorcyclist || The Ink Well Creative Nonfiction #78
Jane and Jordan came from a humble background to join their uncle who lives in a room and parlour apartment in the neighbourhood where I and my parents live. The duo were very good people and easily mingled among other children. Their uncle, Efe lived with his wife and three children. They were all good people.
Not long after they relocated to Lagos, Jane and Jordan started secondary school. They were in the same class but Jane was older. As time passed, we all completed our secondary education and went to study in different universities. Once in a while, we returned home to celebrate the special holidays with our families. It was during the holiday periods that we got to see.
When we were in our final year at the university, Mr. Efe had already built his own house in a developing area of the city and intended to move out of the current apartment where he had trained his children, including Jane and Jordan.
Jordan, who had completed his exams and final year projects, soon returned home and told his uncle that he would love to retain the rent of the apartment to begin life as a bachelor. He said to his uncle, Efe.
Uncle, this house is very good. You bought your first car here and also built a house of your own.
Uncle Efe laughed and said
That's true. Unlike other houses around here. People who packed into some of the houses with some notable property either sold them off or left without them.
This was an indication that there was something good about the house.
My friend who lived in the two storey building on the other street had always complained that there was no month where people did not fall sick.
Something terrible must always happen.
Uncle Efe continued.
At some point, my friend had to consult with a spiritualist who told him to fetch water from the sea with honey and sugar and drop it in the four corners of his apartment.
This was in a bid to change the sour occurrences in the house. But still the experience continued. Such that it even resulted in people moving out of the house in quick succession.
Jordan, having heard all these repeated
But this house is just different. There is always a sign of progress on all tenants here. Perhaps, I should begin my bachelorhood here as you are leaving for your new house.
Uncle Efe was all smiles when he heard the intention of Jordan.
That's a good idea. We would need to see the landlord together then. I would need to explain to him that I am moving to my new house and that you will be taking over the apartment and all its responsibilities henceforth.
They went to see the landlord who consented to the deal and Jordan started living there. Soon, he started hanging the pattern of the apartment. From the wall to furniture then to the bedding. It became a small heaven for Jordan and Jane who later joined him.
After his youth corps years, Jordan returned home and searched for jobs to no avail. The hope that the spirited apartment known for good tidings would make him lucky or successful was soon becoming bleak. After a while when it seemed like the world was turning against him, he decided to take on Okada (commercial motorcycle) riding to earn a living.
To everyone around, his case was like from grace to grass. But Jordan was just all about earning a living.
Six months after he had started riding a motorcycle, he bought another one, gave it out to someone interested to ride and delivered some amount of money every week.
Jordan did very well in the Okada business. In the space of five years, he had gotten several bikes and riders. Some folks who saw Jordan to be suffering as an Okada rider started coming to seek financial assistance. His life has turned a new leaf. Jordan is now an employer of labour. He has since turned his room and parlour apartment to his office, having packed to his own house somewhere around town.
The last time I checked, Jordan is moving into the transport business big time. He has started purchasing buses for hire and can for taxis around the Lagos metropolis.
Jordan is sure lucky and also a good business guy. I wish him well
He is.... That's the kind of mindset everyone needs at such a difficult time in our economic life
Interesting story, @mrenglish. What was the "work" that he did as an Okada rider?
Tip: Please be sure to read our article on how to write dialogue. Although it was written for fiction writers, the same rules apply to creative nonfiction.
The work is stated in the post. Okada is a local name for motorcycle rider. Here, the work is a commercial motorcyclist, that's the work Jordan was engaged in.