TODAY IS TUESDAY, LET'S EASE OFF WITH A LITTLE SMILE OR LAUGHTER

Few years ago, I was all suited up for a wedding. I took extra time in front of the mirror to admire God's creature. I'd gone to the salon to have my hair properly cut and shaved. It was all shinning and sparkling as the bulb just above me cast rays in my room as it shone on my hair.

My skin glittered like it was polished with a fair "complexioner"😁😁. I could perceive the romantic fragrance from the combination of my body spray and perfume. I winked and blew myself a kiss through the mirror😘🥰.

I was good to go😎.

Heads of all ages were turning to take a second glance at me as I walked down to the bus-stop to board a bus to the wedding venue. Under my suit, my shoulders were raised high and I felt some butterflies in my stomach😋😋.

One very beautiful lady, in fact my spec, was waiting for the next keke to take her to the same wedding venue. I licked my lips and took my time to feed on almost every pore on her body, especially her legs. "wow! she is beautiful!" I exclaimed on my mind.

I smiled as I stood by her side. She reciprocated without hesitation. Obviously, we are birds of a feather. Our outfits told us so.

"You look so gorgeous and amazing in that dress." I looked at her in the most romantic and seductive way I could.

We entered the next keke that came along. As a gentle man, I allowed her to enter before me. She thanked me. I knew my points were increasing from her response.

As we journeyed, I looked at her smooth legs, and imagined so many godly things😋😛.

To be a perfect gentleman, I have to pay for her fare, I thought to myself. I calculated my fair to know if all the money in the breast pocket of my suit could do. They were all I had, 650naira. And the fare for the both of us had claimed 400naira already. I became unease as I did my calculation. I stylishly rubbed the pockets of my trouser if i forgot any money there, they were dry. I began to sweat in the cool weather that morning coupled with the heavy breeze we felt as the driver sped on.

When I brought out the money in my pocket to be sure of my calculation, the heavy breeze, blew away the 50naira on the money😲😲. I didn't know when I screamed so loud that i nearly jumped down from the fast moving keke.

"Driver, stop! stop! breeze don blow my 50naira o!

I jumped down even before the keke finally stopped. I ran not minding my suit, and flagged down cars to pick MY money that was dancing anyhow in the middle of the road😟.

I didn't know how to behave again when I got back into the keke. I smiled "cry smile"😂...

My shoulders were dropped immediately. I lost every romance and sexiness in me.That was the end of Solomon Grundy🤣🤣🤣....

Another awful thing happened again at the reception. Stay tuned😁...

PA JOSH'S TALE

"...Do not take things too hard on your self. Just believe in yourself. It's a matter of time, things shall fall into place." Pa Josh lifted himself from the chair that had bore his light weight for about two hours. Almost every vein in his trembling right hand could be seen as he held tight to his walking stick which was obviously his only support.

Dennis, who sank his chin in the hollow of his palms, looked at Pa Josh but didn't really see him struggle to lift himself up. His wont would have been to support him, but he was immersed in his thought.

"I can't hear your footsteps behind me." Pa Josh said after taking about six steps away.

Everyone knew Pa Josh to be a garrulous old man. He got worse as the day went by. Some people attributed it to his old age. 

"Pa Josh, what would happen if you don't talk for a day?" Mercy, Pa Josh's third grand child, had once asked innocently in the presence of her parents. The question sounded embarrassing to her parents, but not to Pa Josh, who laughed raising his face up like the laughter would spill off his mouth.

The only time Pa Josh didn't talk was when he always played old skool music through his old radio set, which his children tried to convince him to no avail to change. The last time was quite a rage,  when Adanna came back from Australia with her family. But they settled it by agreeing to respect Pa Josh choice as long as it wasn't not having negative effect on his health.

"Good things don't come easily. If it comes easily, then it's not worth it."
Pa Josh was looking into Dennis' eyes filled with uncertainty through the rear mirror. They met their gazes for a few seconds before Dennis ignited the engine of the car. The drive back home wasn't as lively as it used to be.

Dennis was Pa Josh's driver for two years before the ghastly accident that claimed the lives of his wife and only son two weeks ago occurred. He attempted murder four days back when Pa Josh was away for a family meeting in the village. Pa Josh's children kicked against him driving their father to the village because of his condition. He was really acting strangely, that Pa Josh stopped him from going back home. A room was prepared for him in Pa Josh's mansion.

"You are already a member of this family, and nobody can deprive you of that right." Pa Josh closed the door behind him after speaking with Dennis when he newly parked into his mansion.

There was a sudden tension that shook life out of everybody that was in the mansion when Kaite, Pa Josh's cleaner, screamed with every joule of strength in her. All road led to her direction as she screamed out Pa Josh's name. The tension grew. Some ran towards Pa Josh's room, but saw him already closing his door.

"Dennis is gone!"

Life became lonely for Pa Josh, who rarely came out of his room. For fear, Chibuike, his first son was contacted and told about their father's development. Chika and Dozie, the last daughter and son of Pa Josh flew into the country the following week. Pa Josh was flown out of the country two weeks later for treatment.

Pa Josh's tale unfolds in the next episode.

ZIP UP

Law 4 of the forty eight laws of power says, "always say less than necessary." Silence can arouse suspicion and even insecurity, especially in your superiors; a vague or ambiguous comment can open you up to interpretations you had not bargained for. Silence and saying less than necessary must be practiced with caution, then, and in the right situations.

Silence is golden.

Not everything needs explanation. Not every word must be said. Sometimes saying less or nothing is really necessary.

I heard of a lady who slapped a guy as they queued up in the ATM stand. Everybody expected a reciprocating reaction from the guy, who ignored all expectations, and decided to remain silent. People started murmuring.Some people said the guy was a coward, some said he was a fool. Some other people criticized the lady's action, saying she lacked manners.

One early morning, few days after that incidence, the guy opened his door after several knocks to see the lady on her knees begging him to forgive her. According to her husband who went with her, he said she hasn't slept peacefully after that day, and that she was always startled at every unusual sound or movement.

That lady believed the guy was a cultist,who could take revenge on her for saying nothing. 

Most times, we should learn to trim down how we react to things. I once worked with a boss who always said I was evil because I would always look him in the eyes for long before walking away whenever he got angry. He respected me even more than my superiors.

Have you noticed that when you have an on-going project which you tell some people about, you always end up hitting the rock?

Always allow your actions speak more than your words.