MMASINACHI Episode One

“Does all the hair on my head have to turn grey before you say yes to my proposal?”
Those were the words I said to her when she picked my call and we had a lengthy conversation like we normally do every weekend.

Mmasinachi is a girl I met in school during my final year at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I was on location somewhere on campus when our path crossed. We were just about to begin the shooting of a short play which I had the privilege of directing when I noticed this paragon of beauty somewhere at Freedom Square_____ an open field enclosed by barbed wire. She was engrossed-ly looking into a book that was opened before her eyes as if her life depended on it.

As someone who does not enjoy reading, I smiled a distracted smile, and in my head I said, “Here comes a Jambyto that is a Jackometa.” Then I had this believe that people who study the most in UNN, especially at odd places, are Jambytes who are new on campus and at such are trying to make a loud impression.

I concentrated on the work I had gone to Freedom Square to do but not without stealing a glance from this girl whose beauty was too loud to ignore. As someone who loved the act of production, I felt she would perfectly fit into the role of a Princess in a Cinderella story. Of course, I would have to be her Prince Charming if we were to act such play. Then I thought about a perfect title if I were to adopt such a story into a screenplay. The Reading Princess would be apt, I thought in my mind.

“I can see you like that girl!” Florence, the girl that was playing the lead role in the short play I was directing, whispered into my ears.

I was startled. As I adjusted my dreadlocks, I frowned, trying very hard to look mean and professional. I don’t joke when it comes to getting the job done and Florence knew that. I know Florence, a third year student in my department, knows how serious I can be because I have not looked her way since the day she started giving me ‘green light’ ever since I brought her on my set.

They say that Nollywood directors and actors are innate Casanovas but I’m one person who is prepared to make a difference. As a student, I may not had gotten there then but I had unequal passion and my professionalism was out-of this world. No wonder, I won the best director and script writer even before I left the walls of the university. It’s not in my character to blow my trumpet, so let’s leave the talk about my professionalism aside for now.

“Loosen up, Justice!” Florence whispered. “For once in your life, make a move and leave your fate in the lap of the gods.”
‘Why would Florence not mind her business?’ I thought as I stepped away from her without uttering a word. It’s important I let you know that I’m the quiet type.. In fact, the first girl I dated calls me Just-ice.

Although I was standing a few metres away from Florence, the words that were ringing in my ears was ‘make a move’
Fifty minutes into our production, that girl was still seated like a statue looking into a book. I confirmed she is not a statue when I caught a glimpse of her flipping through the pages of the book she was reading. At that moment, I wished I were the leaves she was flipping through. Then it dawned on me, ‘If I were the book she was reading, would she find me interesting?’

Then the word compatibility started ringing in my ears but before I could find the chance to think about the meaning of that word, the crew on set called my attention… To Be Continued.

I have one question for you, dear reader, ‘What course do you think Mmasinachi, the girl that was seated like a statue, is studying? Yes, I mean the course, not the book she was reading.