Friday Night Series: In Lagos Nigeria

{Friday 27th June 2008 11:45 pm Lagos}

It's a vibrant Friday night in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria. Childhood friends, Jimi and Deji, find themselves at the bustling Konfirmed Klub, a popular hotspot for the city's socialites. The club is renowned for its constant influx of stunning women, a magnet for men seeking a bit of excitement. This is hardly surprising, given its proximity to Allen Avenue. Musa, the club's imposing Hausa bouncer, greets them with a grin. His towering stature makes even "The Rock" appear malnourished. Jimi, ever the showman, tries to act tough, conveniently forgetting his previous tussle with Musa that left him nursing a bruised toe. Deji chuckles at his friend's bravado, prompting a round of laughter from all three. "We're all friends here, right?" Deji quips. Once inside the VIP lounge, Deji orders his usual: Pepper soup and fish, accompanied by a bottle of Gordon Sparks. The boys settle into their usual routine of rating the passing girls, assigning grades from A to F, and categorizing them as either Ashewo or chick. Their playful banter is interrupted when Feyi and her friend saunter into the VIP lounge. "Isn't that your sister, Deji?" Jimi asks, his eyes trailing the two elegantly dressed women. Deji nods nonchalantly, revealing that Feyi is still single. Feyi, spotting her brother, attempts to avoid his gaze, hoping to prevent an awkward encounter. But it's too late. Deji calls out to her, inviting her to introduce her friend. After several drinks, Deji's boisterousness is understandable. Jimi chuckles at his friend's antics, greeting Feyi warmly. "Feyi, you look stunning! I had no idea you'd be here tonight!" ********************************************************************************************** PAUSE Jimi's thoughts: If only she weren't Deji's sister... God, she's gorgeous. ********************************************************************************************** Feyi laughs, charmed by Jimi's compliment. "It was a last-minute decision. How have you been?" Jimi offers to buy her a drink, to which she readily agrees. She introduces her friend, Amaka, to Deji, leaving them to get acquainted while she and Jimi navigate the crowded dance floor towards the bar. Meanwhile, Deji and Amaka endure an awkward silence, with Deji struggling to initiate a conversation. "So, Amaka, would you like something to drink?" he asks, only to be interrupted by her refusal. "I can't have any more alcohol unless you want me dancing on tables." ********************************************************************************************** PAUSE Deji's thoughts: She's playing hard to get, but her voice is captivating. She's going to have a drink, whether she likes it or not. ********************************************************************************************** Unfazed, Deji insists, offering her a choice between Gordon Sparks and Smirnoff. After a few drinks, Deji invites Amaka to dance. She accepts, leaving her glass behind as they head to the dance floor. Jimi and Feyi, having abandoned their quest for the bar, are lost in the rhythm of the music. Despite her aching feet, Feyi is determined to keep up with Jimi. Suddenly, she notices her brother exchanging numbers with Amaka. She laughs out loud, reaching for her phone to send Deji a teasing text. ********************************************************************************************** MESSAGE LOL, What do you think you're doing? SHE HAS A BOYFRIEND, YOU FOOL :P **********************************************************************************************

Deji's excitement quickly turns into disappointment as he reads Feyi's text. "So I've been wasting my time," he thinks, "Well, we'll see about that. Boyfriend, huh?" He glances at Amaka one last time, a determined grin on his face. "Not for long."

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Friday Night Series: A Way To Start The Weekend

{Friday, December 24th, 2010 6:12 pm Toronto} "Ah, Friday night. The sweet relief of the weekend is finally upon us. The prospect of a 12-hour slumber in the comfort of my own bed is tantalizing. But for now, I'm going to bask in the freedom that comes with knowing I don't have to work until Monday." As Taye Idowu awaited his train, he plugged in his earphones and lost himself in the melodies streaming from his iPod. He leisurely observed his surroundings, his gaze landing on a woman struggling to untuck her blouse from her skirt near a telephone booth. A smirk played on his lips as he muttered, "Classic downtown Toronto." His eyes then wandered to an elderly man, sitting on the cold floor, cap turned over in silent plea. Taye dropped a few coins into the man's cap, his heart aching for his plight. Across the platform, a pregnant woman caught his attention. Her dark skin mirrored his own, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if she could be his long-lost twin sister. But he quickly dismissed the thought; his sister had disappeared seven years ago in a different country. As he watched, the woman found a seat and began to weep. His heart twisted with concern, but he reminded himself, "Everyone has their own battles to fight." Suddenly, his attention was drawn back to the woman as she stood precariously close to the platform's edge. Alarm bells rang in his head, but before he could act, his train arrived. He boarded, but a nagging unease forced him to disembark. As his train pulled away, he saw the woman still teetering on the edge, ignoring the pleas of a younger woman urging her to step back. The distant rumble of an incoming train filled the air, and the woman moved closer to the tracks. Panic surged through Taye as he desperately tried to get her attention. His pleas fell on deaf ears as the woman glanced at him before looking back at the tracks. Tears welled up in his eyes as he frantically searched for a way to reach her. But before he could make a move, she jumped. Later that night, the somber headline on CBC News read, "27-year-old pregnant woman commits suicide by jumping in front of the Yonge-University Line. Identified as Mrs. Kehinde Badmus. No suicide note found." Taye was left with a sinking feeling and a haunting question, "Could she ... ?"

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