He sat alone on the balcony looking at the cars that sped by. He didn’t understand why they were speeding on a pot holed street. The scene reminded him very much of his life as a youth. Life represented the street that was unleavened and on tarred and he, the crazy drivers with the cars that sped.

He was much wiser now and if he had the chance to turn back the hands of time, he definitely would. i mean who wouldn’t? He took a trip down memory lane far back to where it all started. He craved power and commanded respect from everyone in school. When he was in the senior class,  he decided that he should be called BOW, an abbreviation of his name, Balogun Olabode Wilson and no junior dared approach him without bowing their heads.

Living in Surulere added to Bode’s ego. He could be associated with one of the rich boys that lived in the area and his best quote was ”if you cant beat them, you join them”.  he wasn’t from an average home so, he adopted this slogan together with a phony accent that turned out to be almost British. He acted his rich man’s son role well before the sun stopped smiling at him. His father was retrenched and the burden was on his mother to take care of the whole family.

She had a lot to do to and her salary could barely pay the rent talk less of the children’s fees. His fathers effort to get another job proved futile until he finally got one in the capital of Lagos. Everyone in the family was glad that their father was back on his feet. Things were so good that they even had to move places. They moved to Lekki and Bode was the happiest person; this meant a step up to his game, swag and affluence.

Bode moved into the university and was not doing bad at all in his academics. He still rode on the little wealth his father had  but little did they know that another retrenchment awaited their father and his mom had not been paid for the past six months at her place of work. This forced Bode to go out in search of something,anything that would keep him in that area and district. His friends in Surulere had placed him in high esteem and FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER for him in this case. He wasn’t just doing this for his social status, he was also doing this because he was sick and tired of his parents quarreling about lack of money.

He went out with a friend to the famous computer village to meet someone who would introduce them to a Don in internet fraud and scam. When he got there, he was very excited to start but they were informed that they needed to reschedule their meeting. They couldn’t just go back to Lekki like that so they made their way to Ikeja City Mall. They both went into a jewelry store to greet a mutual friend of theirs who got a job there as a sales boy. Bode didn’t want to intimidate himself because he could not afford the least of the things in the shop and decided to step out. when he stepped out, he was approached by a white man who complemented him of his height and when he smiled, he complimented him of his perfect dentition.

Bode knew he had grown into a very handsome young man and he made sure he made an impression by taking extra care of his body. He had this notion that  anyone that came across him should have a second or a third look. Bode received the compliment and wanted to move on when the man stopped him and gave him his card. Call me he said and walked away.

Bode’s friend came to meet him and asked what all that was about and Bode simply said he complimented my height and my teeth. He’s gay. Bode’s friend snapped. All this Oyinbo people want to bring that gay rubbish to Africa, impossible. Hope he didn’t give you his contact? Guy calm down Bode said laughing i’m a true African man, a son of the African soil ain’t no gay shit around here he said as he pocketed the man’s card. Bode didn’t see it the way his friend did. To him, he already had his first customer and he was determined to siphon him. When are we going to meet Shina?  he finally asked his friend. Guy this deal gats click o. Chilax no worry. I’ll call him tonight and  we’ll have another meeting with him ASAP his friend said reassuring him.

That night when Bode got home he went straight to his room avoiding his already quarreling parents. Taking out his phone from his pocket, a card slipped. It was the white man’s card. He picked it and decided to go to the address written on the card which was not too far away. The next day, he ordered a taxi and was on his way to meet his ”first client”. when he got there, the man immediately recognized him and took him straight to a white room where other people were setting up lights. Bode was told to take off his shirt and when he hesitated, trying to process everything, a lady pulled his short off and started applying oil on his body. She walked away as quickly as she came and the white man approached him saying listen to this man, he said pointing to a man holding a camera he’s going to direct you.

That was how he started his modeling career that flourished for over a decade. Now he has set up his own modelling school.