Growing up in a home where discipline was the mantra, not only will one suffer consequences of misbehaviour but also can not afford to stay unprepared for important upcoming tasks. In the vicinity we lived, it was a norm that our colleagues, who returned from school late in the afternoon, will indulge in various recreational activities like playing of football,”ampe”, hide & seek and competing in the draft game.However, for my twin brother (Jamus) and I, going to the ‘Kalusha Gaming Centre’ to compete against each other was the best form of entertainment we relished.
This was a regular engagement for us.There came a time we were in examination week at school. Despite being aware that a Social Studies exam awaited us the next day, our desire to enjoy the television game overrode that of preparing for the next day’s test. This always forced us to withdraw the few savings we had made in our ‘susu box’ for payments of game time to be enjoyed.A day within that week came for us where we had to visit the gaming centre. Luckly for us, there were not a lot of people who had occupied the seats and this was a perfect opportunity for us to fast embrace the game we came to enjoy.
Game playing had started and was becoming an intense encounter. Both of us were not at all bad at using the joystick to display our gaming brilliance, tactical prowess and super intelligent control of players. Two hours into the gaming fever, the scores were leveled at 7-7. Each of us had won equal number of matches and the last game was to be the eventual decide. Both of us were tensed yet high in spirit to put the final game to bed.The game started with Jamus and I psyching our minds to playing at our best to get the bragging rights for the day.Gaming started and we were in the groove. An unexpected tap on my shoulder got me to turn.
Who tapped my shoulder? Ooooow! It was that one person who had always cautioned us never to visit a gaming center. Dad has now caught us red-handed. Ringing through my mind at that time was “We are finally caught”. No one had to whisper into our ears to speed off home before we thought of doing so. Dad would surely come and face us squarely. Trouble loomed and the first reaction after rushing home at around 7:20 pm was to take our Social Studies textbooks and pretend to be engrossed in reading. Not long afterwards, the door creaked and the man of the house had entered.
He screamed on top of his voice calling out our names. At this moment, the world seemed to be spinning on our heads and the level of fear from within us could be comparable to that of a goat awaiting slaughtering. Dad gave us few hot strokes on our buttocks and further admonished us never to go to the “Kalusha Game Center” again. Dad further reiterated that most of those seated at these game centres were rascals, school dropouts and miscreants dwell. The clear caution was that it should be the last time we ever attempted visiting any gaming center around.
Eager to show we were reformed, we read through our Social Studies books till it was 12 midnight before sleeping. Exams was set the next day and we were getting prepared for the all-awaited paper.Luckily for my brother and I, the topics learned the night before were the exact topics presented in the questions before us. We dealt with those questions very well as we looked happy and fulfilled afterward.It was on our way back home we got to understand, Lemony Snicket’s saying,
“ Something might seem like bad news, but it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. ”
Things might not always go as you would expect but you never know that one opportunity which will bring to you the joy you ever expect.
Peace 🕊️
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