APRIL'S FOOL
By: Tory Tella
Tags: Tragedy, Sorrow, Guilt, Thriller, Friendship

Life’s not always fair when you think about it. Sometimes, life is a joke, has its way of playing the worst pranks on us. Most times, you end up being it’s fool and that’s how I felt all through the month of April 17'.

As the shuttle zoomed passed the handball court, all I could think about was how much I wanted to obliterate my opponents for the day. The Grasshoppers were the handball team of Ogun State and after two matches in the past, they had earned themselves the right to be called our archrival not just because they were pretty good and always whooped our asses, but they were also the only other team my prisonyard of a school let us play. In my opinion, the Hoppers always bested us because they always brought the umpire, who in turn never failed to introduce a new rule to favor their W. This time, it was personal for me, I wasn’t going to captain my team to yet another loss to this enemy, not again.

A hippo yawn and I was back to reality. I could feel how sleep deprived I was, deep in my marrow. Leaving school the night before wasn’t the brightest idea, considering I only made it back by the slimmest of chances. I could have easily missed the game, but my vendetta was bigger than any extra turnup. The hard grinding at the club all night wasn’t enough to hold me down. We were at the final stop now, I plugged in and scrolled through my iPod for my game day playlist. Alighting from the vehicle, I was a man on a mission cruising on a beastly vibe.

My Tom Clancy novels paid off as I avoided the security men and porters to prevent any ordeals that might lead to suspicions concerning my whereabouts the night before. I was in my room within seconds and was out of my outfit in lesser, whilst entertaining an eager audience with the escapades of the previous night, doing my very best to paint a mental picture. It was like Picasso driving them around in a bus, so gracefully. Olé! Picasso on the wheels.

My iPod was buzzing now, my reminders for the day had snapped us back to the present. I looked at my iPod and realized how packed my day was. My game was scheduled for 9AM, a hot friend who had aerobics at the sports center was my 11AM and my girlfriend who was coming to visit, had the rest of my day. I moved quickly now as I changed into my sports gear and grabbed my gym bag. I was out of my room, making my way down the stairs when I ran into him. This was the first domino that was going to come crashing down, causing a ripple effect leading to the most unfortunate event.

Segun or ‘Shegman’ as we fondly called him was a friend, who I’d known for over 12 years. We attended the same secondary school, in which we were in the same house, ended up in technical class in senior school and finally attended the same University. In all, we had a mutual respect for one another and considered ourselves friends. He was silly, notorious, cool and a great sportsman. If Covenant ever did have a scholarship programme for sports, I was sure Shegman would qualify. Sadly, CU was too blind to realize the role sports played in actualizing their so called ‘Vision 2020’.

Seeing me all kitted, Shegs knew where I was headed but still asked all the same. He played handball too, when he felt up to it and was still good enough to make the team. I indulged him, giving him the answer he expected with a little sarcasm and we both laughed about it. He asked that I waited for him but I was reluctant, considering I was running pretty late. He kept pleading and after 12 years, it was still hard to say no. So I agreed, only after he promised to be dressed in 5 minutes, which he did while I sat waiting in the courtyard. Soon we were on the streets of CU, making jokes and being merry.

We arrived a quarter minutes to nine, to find the Hoppers changing into their jerseys, we went over to say hi to a few of them we knew from previous games all in the spirit of sportsmanship and probably so they could see the fire that burned in our eyes, hoping to intimidate them. Our coach called out to our duo and we knew we were about to get scolded for being late, we were the senior players after all, we were supposed to lead by example, she said. After a few apologies, we got straight to business, talking strategies and formations.

Segun and I were in the starting 7 obviously, along with a bunch of promising younglings. We changed into our jerseys, had our pregame rituals before I gave the usual captain’s inspirational speech, getting my team fired up and in that moment, I was sure nothing could go wrong. The Hoppers brought their usual umpire but I wasn’t budging this time, we were going to beat them by their rules. I let them make the first pass as it was our home court, they didn’t stand a chance. The umpire blew the whistle and the match began.

We lost again, not woefully, but with a 3 point deficit and a part of me wasn’t entirely disappointed. We played with so much heart but we just couldn’t beat them by their rules. Segun had the most goals in the game while I ended up with the most assists but it just wasn’t enough. Coach tried to cheer the boys up by getting us snacks and drinks. Our opponents were impressed with our style of play and offered Segun and I a chance to train with them during the summer break.

It was some minutes after 10 now and we were leaving our court, I remembered my 11AM appointment and decided to head to the pool area where they had aerobics. Segun followed, saying he wanted to just check out the pool area too. We got there and my hot friend was nowhere to be found, it made sense, she did say 11 after all. I hung around a bit hoping she’d show up earlier. Whilst we were there, Segun suggested that we swim, I quickly pulled out because I couldn’t swim for shit and I wasn’t ready to drown but somehow, he was still bent on swimming and asked if I had some change on me. I had a 1000 naira on me but it was always difficult getting your complete change from the pool officials so I just told him “I do not have any change.” Still determined to take a dip, he persuaded me to join him to cajole the officials to let him swim.

As we passed by the pool, he mentioned that the water was calling to him, at that point it didn’t make much sense to me so I just laughed. Persuading the officials didn’t work out well even though they knew us and Shegs resorted to his last option; finding someone to pay for him. At this moment, it was already past 11 and I was done waiting for my hot friend. I tried convincing Shegs to follow me back to the hostel but he had made up his mind; he wanted to swim so bad but this wasn’t sign enough for me to drag him back with me, so I just left and went my way.

I was in the hostel now, prepping because my girl was still coming around. She had just called me on my burner, telling me she was an hour away. I just lay in my bed now reminiscing the ‘L’ I had received that morning and the combos Shegs and I had put up. It was nasty, he always knew when to make the runs and I in turn, knew when to drop those passes. It was bliss.

The hostel was pretty much open spaced and you could tell when something was up. There was some chatter, some screaming but I really wasn’t bothered; silly boys always made noise. One of the guys affiliated with my room came in panting, I could tell that he had the gist and it felt pretty personal from the way he looked at me.

For the first time that day, I realized it was April Fool’s day and as I heard the words from his mouth, all I could think was this had to be a Fool’s day prank, nothing else. It didn’t make any sense, I just left Shegman at the pool, we played handball that morning, there was no way he was dead. All I could say out loud was, “it had to be a prank”, but when this messenger said Shegman had drowned, it hit different. If I wasn’t already laying down, I was bound to collapse. I felt like my mattress was swallowing me, my head kept spinning and I was still trying to process things when the guilt came. “Why didn’t I drag him back to the hostel?” I kept asking myself. I managed to pull myself up, trying hard to ensure my roommates didn’t see the tears forming in my eyes now. I made my way to the corridor, got some air before making my way to Segun’s room, I had to be sure. My heart raced faster when I got to his door. I knocked and opened the door but there was no Shegman there, just one of his roommates who seemed as lost as I was.

Back in my room, word came that Shegman wasn’t actually dead and it had just been some fool trying to make good use of the day. How did this prankster know that Shegs was at the pool? I still wasn’t sure what to believe but I hoped and prayed he was okay. All I could do now was wait.

My burner rang, it was my girl calling. I answered, she was downstairs waiting on me. I was pretty reluctant to go down but I had to, it would have been unfair to her and if anyone could keep me in check, it was her.

She was a sweet soul and had always been there for me. I was excited to see her, but truth was, a part of me was still broken from the back and forth news on Shegman’s well being. As I approached the car, I saw the two guys she had told me were bringing her. I recognized one of them, his name was Lex, he had gone to the same secondary school with Shegman and I, although he was our senior with about two years. I greeted Lex and the other guy, it was only the right thing to do. I got in the back seat only to see my girl, pretty as ever, trying so hard not to laugh at my now beardless face. She hugged and kissed me, I did reciprocate with all the ‘mushy’ I had in me. Lex and the other guy, Tai decided to take a walk to the cafeteria, leaving the lovebirds be. She was saying something and showing me stuff she got for my guys and I but with time, she soon realised something was up. She was smart, one of the reasons I loved her. She asked where my head was at and I replied, telling her the ordeals of my day, she just sat there and listened. Once I was done, she hugged me tight and didn’t let go as though my life depended on it somehow. A few minutes later, she was making me laugh hard, I still don’t know how but love always prevails, I guess.



I called my burner so one of my guys would come get the goodies my girl came bearing. She knew him too and they had their usual playful bickering before he told me that the rumours about Shegman’s death were true. Apparently, word had spread that they had rushed him to the health center and he was in the emergency ward. My girl looked in my eyes, noticing the inferno in them. Without thinking twice, she handed the goodies to my friend and got in the driver’s seat before zooming off to the health center.

We arrived at the health center, I was out of the car in no time and she followed behind me. We made our way to the emergency ward and were stopped by some officials who wouldn’t let us past them. I tried explaining to them, but they weren’t listening. She pulled me away knowing the anger stirring in me now was about to explode, dragged me to the car, holding my hand all through. As soon as we got into the car, all hell let loose as tears streamed down my cheeks while I tried to comprehend how and why this was all happening. I wasn’t ready to believe it all. I was hurt deep down, a part of me wanted to scream out loud but nothing was coming out except the whimpering of a wounded soul. I wanted a bottle of vodka or some kush to fill the void that was expanding within me. I was losing my mind but a warm hand on my head, guiding it to her laps brought me back. I kept sobbing, taking my time to let it all out as she kept consoling me. The engine revved to life and everything was hazy as I was lost in my thought until she killed the engine. I looked out to see we were in front of her sister’s hostel.

She stepped out of the car and made her way into the hostel to get her sister while I stayed back, trying hard to clean up.

They exited the hostel now. Staring at my babe, I realized I might never see Shegman again, talk less of walking out of any hostel. The thought pierced my heart and I might have had another breakdown. I put on a pseudo smile as they opened the doors, her sister getting in the backseat. I gave her the usual fist bump, it was our way of being ‘cool’. After all, I was always the cool boyfriend, I couldn’t help it.

As they talked and tried to ‘catch up’, I let my mind wander, to a place I’d once been. A place I’d never hoped to be for a long time; I was about questioning The Almighty. I only wanted an answer to the simple question; WHY? Why did Shegman have to drown? I mean, he was a good swimmer, so it didn’t make sense. Why did I have to lose someone again? It wasn’t my first rodeo, but I barely pulled through losing my dad. Why did I wait back for him to get dressed and follow me to the sports center? Why did I leave him back there?

At this point, my emotions were overwhelming and I’d forgotten where I was. A tear caught me off guard and I sniffed whilst cleaning it. There was silence in the car now and I could feel their eyes on me. Her sister broke the silence, with words of hope that made me feel like Shegs wasn’t gone. She somehow assured me he was going to be fine. She did have a point, it was still all a rumour, there was no proof that he was dead, I hoped. She got her goodies from the backseat, hugged her sister goodbye before hugging me, in her attempt to make me feel better. I smiled, for real this time and bade her farewell before kissing my girl on the forehead, not realizing when the words, “Thank You” slipped off my tongue. Lex called, he and Tai were at the cafeteria waiting for us. My babe asked that I drive, I felt obliged to and didn’t argue. She had been my rock so far. I started the engine, kicked the gear into drive and stepped on the gas, holding my babe’s hand all through the drive.

Lex and Tai were just outside the cafeteria, there was something different in the atmosphere around them and I initially thought they might have been pissed, waiting for us all the while. I parked the car, pulled up the handbrake and was out of the car, about to apologise when Lex asked if the rumours about Shegman’s death were true. I froze for a split second, unsure of what answer to give. Saying yes would mean I believed the rumours and honestly, I wasn’t ready to give up hope. I just replied with a nod as the right words wouldn’t come forth. I could see the light in Lex’s eyes go dim and I quickly added, “No one’s exactly sure about what’s true or not right now, for all we know, it could be a Fool’s day prank and all we can do is pray, hope and not give up on Shegman”. Those words seemed to also be what I needed to hear and somehow, I found some light in it. I tried to assure Lex that Shegman was going to be fine, but a part of me strongly doubted it, there was really something in the atmosphere and I could feel it.

I stayed out there with them, in my attempt to ‘stab’ the Saturday evening services they usually had in the hostels. We had managed to change the topic and elated the mood; positive vibes only. Tai and Lex, in front, giving us the fire jams while I sat back with my babe, feeling the mode and singing along when our lips weren’t busy. It was a good distraction and it just might have worked if my babe and I didn’t step out the car to have a lil side talk. She wanted me to leave school with her that night, “it might help” she said. Normally, I’d have jumped on the idea and gone in to pack light but my head wasn’t in the right place. I wasn’t still sure about Shegman, I couldn’t leave school without that knowledge. Don’t get me wrong, it would have been nice to go home with my babe, eat some good food, get dirty while taking a shower together, make mad love that makes you wonder if you are already a father and above all, clear my head but it just didn’t feel right. I tried to make her see reason and she understood, at least she tried to and I knew what that meant for her; mama wasn’t getting some sugar rush tonight.

In the process of convincing her that I was going to make it up to her, I saw a bunch of ‘OGs’ coming from the health center and towards me and I knew something was up. I excused myself from my babe, kissing her hand in the process and was with the OGs in no time. We had the usual greetings and one of them spoke up; “Zaram, how far na? We hear say you dey with Shegman last, wetin sup?” I didn’t know how to reply to that, I only just realized that I was probably the last of his guys that had been with him before the incident. I explained to them how Shegman and I had gone to play Handball and lost, then mentioned how he wanted to swim badly but I had to come back because my babe was coming around. Saying all that made me teary and they could all probably see it because one of them put his hand around me and pulled me in close, it was the umpteenth time I was getting comforted that day and I began to feel weak. As I finished my tale, one of them, Ojobz, told me something I probably knew… Shegman was dead.

It was all different now, it had been a rumour to me a few seconds back and I had hoped that he was going to pull through one way or the other. I had faith, I believed that there was going to be a miracle, one way or the other; this was a holy ground, wasn’t it? Then I began to see similarities to the time I lost my dad, I’d hoped too, prayed, had faith and nothing changed. Death was a bitch, it was more certain than life. Then I began to blame myself again, but this time, not in my head. They tried hard to keep me calm, assuring me it wasn’t my fault. Ojobz tried explaining what he had gathered concerning what happened to Shegman.

We all knew Shegman was a good swimmer, so it didn’t make sense to any one of us that knew him. Word on the street was that he had been swimming at the same time the school team was practicing. That didn’t make sense either. At least one person would have seen him while he struggled and helped him. I was almost suspecting foul play. Shegman had eventually found someone to pay his swimming fee, he had a way with words. The swimming team was actually practicing at the same time he did, but they all claimed they never saw Shegman struggle or heard him call for help. Someone had stumbled on him at the bottom of the pool and called for help. They pulled him out but there was no lifeguard or trainer to administer CPR or mouth-to-mouth, so the youngsters had to try frantic means, which didn’t help out much. All that while, they had called for an ambulance but none was made available; makes you wonder what the school makes their priority. These youngsters had to get the sports director who drove them to the health center in his car.

On arrival, the milk had already been spilled and there was no use crying, Shegman was gone already. Once Ojobz was done, a new feeling arose in me, my anger was rekindled but there was nothing I could do about it. The school was only bent on spirituality and academics that they forgot the little things.They didn’t understand that these ‘little things’ were hindrances to their vision. I needed to punch something badly, but I couldn’t get close to anything. I just let myself feel the hurt, while we all stood, trying hard to believe that we didn’t have to live without Shegman. We said our goodbyes and dispersed. I walked back to my girl who obviously realized what the impromptu meeting was all about. I just sat beside her, holding myself together. She put her head on my shoulder and held my hands, her way of telling she was with me. We sat in silence for a while before I let her in on what Ojobz had just told me and I could see how much she too was hurting from the idea the school’s complacency had let a young man to die.

It was about time for her to leave, she asked if I was still following her even though she knew my answer. I could tell she was just really worried, she knew how much my dad’s death had weighed me down, I couldn’t blame her for trying. I assured her I was going to be fine, promising to call if I wasn’t. With one final kiss and a warm hug, she got in the car, Lex and Tai already waiting, before they zoomed off. Seeing their brakelight in the distance, I prayed to God to protect them, before plugging in and listening to the only song that came to mind; ‘See You Again’ by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth. The song played twice before I got to my room.

Opening the door, I could feel the presence of extra bodies in my room. Word had gone round that I was with Shegman that morning and a few friends of mine had to come to check up on me and maybe the goodies my babe had brought. I tried to smile, assuring everyone I was okay before telling my friend to let them have some chicken. I was in my towel soon and heading to the shower. Turning on the shower, I froze, staring at the downpour and wondering if it would call out to me, if it could drown me. I might have stared at it a full minute before summoning the courage to step in, letting the water wash away all tears and hurt of the day. I washed up quick, scared that the fear might creep back in. I walked back to my room, changed into my pyjamas and made my bed.

The boys were all making merry and enjoying ‘my goodies’ but I wasn’t so bothered. My friend brought a few pieces of chicken that remained in the bucket and ordered that I eat, something about not losing my appetite. I reluctantly collected the bucket, but deep down, I knew how much I had craved the chicken. I bit down on a drumstick and let the taste take my sorrows away. Soon after we were done and things had been cleaned up, I lay my head to rest, trying to go through the ordeals of the day. I had only just returned that morning because of a game I ended up losing, and my vendetta had caused me a friend, I thought. If only I had stayed back and not returned that morning, maybe Shegman might have been in my room that night crunching on some bones. A part of me still hoped it was some elaborate April Fool’s prank, planned to the minimum detail. I was going to sleep and wake up and everything was going to go back to normal, I thought. I wasn’t going to wake up April’s fool. Somewhere between thoughts, everything went black and I was asleep.

I was up the next morning, knowing I’d never forget yesterday’s date, it was tattooed in my head now, forever. I missed the service, I couldn’t push myself to go. I watched my day go by, still horrified by the events of yesterday. My babe called during the day and we talked, she hadn’t stopped worrying. My hot friend (My 11AM for the day before), texted me and asked to see me. She knew I was close with Shegman and wanted to see how I was doing. I took a walk later that afternoon to the pool area and tried to imagine the scene that might have taken place there. I soon left, unable to handle the image I had put in my head and headed for the chapel. I felt I had to say a prayer on his behalf and I did just that.

Back in the hostel, I ran into a mutual friend of Shegman and I, he was among the OGs I had seen the evening before. He told me Shegman had been buried that morning, at the graveyard within Canaanland. I was furious at myself for having not attended, I had no idea it was holding that day. His parents and siblings were there. I imagined their hurt, the look on his father’s face when he saw his son but with a lot less life than he had last seen him. I wondered how his mother must have felt when he was put in the ground. No parent should bury their child, was all I could think. I was hurt thinking about the fact that his siblings were never going to see their big bro anymore. I did have my emotions in check and I forced my already teary eyes to hold back from crying again. We bade goodbye and I just stood out in the courtyard looking at the sky, hoping Shegman was one of the stars that shone so brightly.