I like April fools’ day, you know as Nigerians we love cruise naturally. But this year april fools day nearly cost me my entire existence. I’m not even joking. It started as a harmless idea and ended with .......let me walk you through.
I decided to prank my mum, my mum raised me with both slippers and anointing oil. I actually didn't want to prank her, but then I thought I am old enough and its just for fun. And, that’s how overconfidence almost led me to downfall. I texted her around 5:30am, that was her time for quiet time before she does the one seh listen to on the radio. So, I wrote......Mummy, I just got arrested, I used someone’s ATM card by mistake and they said it’s fraud. I’m presently being locked at the station.
I sent the message and waited, but nothing happened, no response, then after about 20 minute, I saw her message and I smiled as I have gotten her, she just asked...which station, I will be on my way. I know my mum well, she's not as calm as her message looks, am sire she's disturbed and worried.
I wanted to respond and say I was just joking, but I thought it best to call her, I dialled her line and it was switched off, how come, I texted, Jo response also. That’s when I knew I had touched something. I started panicking and then I called dad, she responded saying my mum just picked her scarf and had rushed out. I explained to dad while feeling him it was just a prank, he just kept mute, I knew he was disappointed.
Forty five minutes later, my mum storms into my compound sweating, her wrapper half tied, and scarf just swung on the neck, I quickly ran to her to hold her, and I told her it was April fool, she looked at me as if to......then she walked past and walked into my apartment, she sat down like somebody who just escaped death. I followed her and kept on explaining, apologizing, kneeling and begging. She just stood up to go, liked me in the eye and said....do you know what I encountered on my way here, so it’s April Fools’ that will send me to early grave......
She didn’t talk to me for two days. No matter what I said, no matter how much I tried. She just kept ignoring me, she even told my siblings and some of my aunties and uncles, they are all over me, some already gave me name, of they want to refer to me now, they will say, is it that her son that joke with police matter.
My dad still calls me Mr prankster sometimes, but me, I have hanged my boot, I’ve retired, no more pranks. I remember my mums face then and no one will see such and not be filled with fear, she thought her child was in trouble. Some jokes are just way too expensive.
So yes, April fools day is no longer my thing and even if I will, I won't go overboard, peace of mind is important.