Pulse Blogger: Imperial leather

Once they got tired of singing, someone would suggest they play Catcher-catcher and they would all scramble, looking for the perfect place to hide.

She asked mother why they used Delta soap instead of Imperial Leather. Mother answered absentmindedly, while pounding the yam for lunch, sweat pouring down her face and arms,that it was because Delta lasted longer than Imperial Leather for their family of six and because she liked it.

She skipped away from the kitchen, having stored that vital piece of information away. She hated Delta soap. She never hid the joy she felt when Mother forgot that the stock of Delta in the house had finished and sent her to buy a pack of Imperial Leather.

Together with little T, they would run down the road to Ayomikun’s house to buy Imperial Leather. Sometimes, they went to buy it in the evening and rather than run, they would hold their hands and walk gently, letting the cool evening breeze caress their small legs. They always made sure they were on the left side of the road and they never spoke to strangers.

Sandalili sandalili, She and T would sing all the way to Ayomikun’s house. Their voices often attracted the other children as they passed by and soon, different voices harmonized Sandalili.  Thus, a little band was formed. Tinu from the third house had a very tiny voice like the bells. Mohammed often imitated Miss Chinwe, the spinster living with them, who had a funny British accent and whenever he did this, they would all double over in laughter and sometimes, a tear or two would leak out.

Dalia had the deepest voice of all the girls but Chidi...Chidi’s voice was perfect. At a young age of 6, his voice had the quality and timbre that most boys his age lacked. She liked that. Once they got tired of singing, someone would suggest they play Catcher-catcher and they would all scramble, looking for the perfect place to hide. Tinu was often asked to catch.

Once, while playing Catcher-catcher, She and Chidi had run off in the same direction. Chidi suggested that they hid behind Mr Essien’s car, a dusty Volvo. With their legs crouched, they watched as Tinu ran by, little giggles escaping them. They waited in silence to be found. Chidi suddenly reached out and touched her cheek, wiping away something. The palm oil concoction rice she ate had left traces.

“Thank you.” Chidi smiled sheepishly. She never forgot to say thank you to anyone after that. They could hear the excited voice of Tinu as she “caught” the others. Tinu still hadn’t seen them. She began to feel tired, all the running was taking its toll on her.

“Are you tired?” She shook her head in affirmation. Chidi moved closer and placed her head on his shoulder, arms around her. Amidst the smell of sweat and baby cream, she could perceive something familiar.

“Which soap did you use?’ She blurted out.

“Imperial Leather. I like the smell—“

“Caught you! I’ve seen them o.”

 They came out of their hiding place and all her efforts to speak to Chidi after that proved abortive because Chidi fell while they were playing and he hit his head on a slab. That was the last time they saw Chidi. Chidi had not told them they were moving abroad. Catcher-catcher lost its appeal soon enough and she never went back to Ayomikun’s house to buy Imperial Leather though T and her baby sister did.

On her 18 birthday, Tinu and the others organized a surprise party for her. Like old times, they laughed and sang except now, it was different. The girls had blossomed and the boys had sprouted. Sandalili  was actually Standard living.

“That’s the pizza guy. Let me get the door.”

She opened the door and Chidi stood there, a small gift box in his hands. He had grown taller and he had beards now just like his father. He was smiling while perusing her face and suddenly, his smile grew larger and bubbled into laughter. He then reached out and wiped something off the cheeks, just on the edge of her lips. Icing.

“Hello, birthday girl.” He spoke the way Miss Chinwe had intended to back then – with an actual British accent. She flung herself into his arms and held on tight. All she could remember were the words she badly wanted to say the day they played Catcher-catcher.

I like Imperial Leather too.

Written by Oyeleye Ooreofeoluwa.

Oyeleye Ooreofeoluwa is an avid reader, a music lover and a Lawyer in the making. Born in the 90’s , she hopes to leave footprints in the sands of time.

SOURCE - PULSE.NG posted by Campus94