It was one of those winter holiday and my dad had informed me that l will be going to Kenya to spend my holidays with him, where we had to explore the world of wild life. I was a big fan of wild animal. In fact, I love animals.
Early that morning the following day, l was woken from sleep by a local mail delivering courier dude. I came out to be greeted by a strong ray of the morning Sun. It was few minutes past 9 a.m. I needn’t any Vitamin D as l asked the courier guy to come inside.
‘’Thank you sir, am okay’’ the short man in his middle 30’s replied with a smile that sent a bitter pile down my gut.
‘’Does he think am a bad guy’’ a thought within me but didn’t show it facially.
‘’Fine, what have you got for me’’ I queried him.
Are you Mr Bobs, he asked.
‘’Sure’’ I responded. My attention was now with what he had to deliver more than the paper he was trying to extend to me.
‘’Please can you sign here’’ he commanded.
I collected the paper and signed the dotted lines and Immediately took delivery of the letter and parcel.
I didn’t border to open it. It must be another letter from mum telling how she missed me and I wasn’t in for any emotion ride. Three hours later, Naomi called to inquire if I have received the box she sent after waiting for my replies.
‘’I know you have not opened that box Bobby. I just booked a flight ticket for you come to Norway in two weeks time as you promised. I believe you will not have any excuse this time around. I miss you’’. She dropped the called without giving me a second to talk. She knew I could have talked down the offer had she given any space. I can call either to decline spending little time with her. Is being 17 months we saw each other accept on Skype and we needed that physical bond.
I dropped on the surfer as I picked the phone to tell dad that I wouldn’t be accompanying him to Kenya. I could sense disappointment in his voice. I was an adult to take my decision he must have reasoned when he said ‘’its okay by me’’. Such was the power of a woman.
Two weeks later, l was in Norway with Naomi discussing at a restaurant about our relationship when two guys came to joined us. They look look very hospitable.
"I like your dog" one said.
"It will be nice to have you at sled dog race with your baby boy" said the other to me while touching Billy.
"Its will nice you participate on Friday's sled dog race so as to have a story to tell" Naomi pressed me. I lifted my hand and shock the guys in what seem like an agreement after thinking for few seconds. "Anything to impress my woman" l said humorously as everybody fell to laughter.
The day was set for the race and the participants were getting reading for the race. Two person had pull out due to fiver and three of us were left to race. I was holding my runner tight waiting for the whistle. Remember, I had visited the arena two days before to get a familiar with the environment and how to mount the runner.
‘’Hey, you shivering like a vibrator’’, one of the other two competitors aim a gibe at me. Everybody
laughted.bIt was so embracing my hands was shaking really. I mounted on the runner
waiting for the kick off. Naomi had given me tips on the function of the runner, the foot brake and the snow
hook. I was so scared that I made up my mind to use the snow hook as any slightest mistake to avoid. I began to freak a bit but summoned courage to hold on.
People immediately started placing bet on different contenders as the announcement was made. Only an insane person will place a bet for Bob to win with 50.5 odds who has never taken to sled dog racing all his life the announcer had made in the introduction but you know what? Naomi had emptied her pause to put a bet on me. I saw her pick a paper l believed was bet ticket. Then it was dawn on me that I have the opportunity to make declare her to the world. Two things were confronting me: emotion and fear.
Billy was not just a sled dog; he was more than that but less a human. A good friend l must say. Billy could read every of my body movement and facial look. He could differentiate when am upset, hungry and happy. Throughout the eve of competition as I strolled the streets of Oslo with Naomi and Billy knowing very well I was going into the competition for adventure. Billy got us all attention with his white facial fur and people admired him.
The sled dogs were ready to go and Billy was to lead the rest of my six dogs as the command or mostly called the gee/haw leader. Billy knew quite well we needed to win this game. I had promised him big sized meat should we come first. One special feature of Billy is that he is aggression and power. Billy can cover 100 meters in less than 5seconds in full speed. Our friendship was cordial. We so much wanted to be around each other and most times Naomi had to lock him up in the cage to get my attention.
Naomi knew surely I will lose the game and I didn’t doubt that look she gave me that says ‘’Bobby, just try you best to be in the race and I will stand by you no matter what. ‘’I will try my best’’ as I nodded. That was our mode of communication at this mood. I was dressed up and good to good. I had my sun glass on to help me stand the shame that awaits me at the other end.
The game started with blow of whistle and all the dogs took off at the same time. Three minutes later the champion was leading the game and l was trailing him with a hot chase at third place where l belong. We were approaching a corner to make the final turn when the champion dogs ran cross the second placed dogs in what looks like and overtaking leading to their crash at that spot.
Since I was trailing behind, I was able to dodge the crash scene and became the leader of the competition. The both
had sorted themselves out but it was took late to stop me. Nobody believed it, the 50.5 odds was about to win, the little
crowd cheered. Naomi had jumped off the fan stand to wait for me at the final line.
The happiness that filled my heart was second to none and later the announcer said only one person won the bet. As we turned to see who the winner was, I heard bet 46547 won and immediately Naomi screened it me.
‘’I place a bet on you Bobby’’
“Are you kidding me'' I shouted. By now, my sun glass had gone missing. I threw it off earlier, now l remembered. She had placed a bet of $200 on me. I won the race to receive $3000 prized. Naomi had to book the next flight leaving the next day to Kenya, where we joined dad wit Billy.
This contest is enter for the freaky Friday contest organised every week by @pete to encourage new writer on scorum platform as well as quality post content. Join with the link below.
https://scorum.com/en-us/ski/@pete/freaky-friday-november-16-2018
Comments