There are some events you don't want to ever remember but things going on around you reminds you of it every day or every year. For me, it's the sight of Rams during Eid al-adha. The mere sight of rams gives me goose bomb and the event that happened over Four years around replays before me.

On Tuesday the Muslims celebrated Eid al-adha which we call "Ileya" in Nigeria. Though I'm a Christian, I have lots of Muslim friends and Adbulkareem is one of them. We went to the same primary school before we relocated to another state and then secondary school when i came back. Our friendship is so cordial that people most times take us as siblings or even twin. Kareem's Dad is a Popular Imam, so it is expected of him to buy rams and cows each year.

This year was not any different. He bought Three cows and Two Rams for the celebration. Early in the morning, I decided to visit Kareem and I saw the cows tied in the backyard and the rams tied close to his rabbit cage. (We both rear rabbits). Seeing the Rams, I burst into laughter. At first, Kareem was lost. He wondered why I was laughing, but when he looked at what got my attention, he joined me in laughing. And together we both shouted "Nokia"

Get to know Nokia

In the year 2016 Kareem's Dad (The Imam). Was occupied with his building project and was short on cash. Few months to Ileya, he bought a Ram because the price was still low around that period. The Ram looked so Rugged and stubborn so we (Kareem and i ) named it "Nokia" after the popular phone brand. Before long the name became popular. The kids around do bring leaves for Nokia and shower it with love.

The Imam doesn't joke with Nokia. He only allows Basit (Kareem's older brother) and I to take it out to feed on grass. He never allows Kareem to take it out alone. Kareem can be so mischievous at times and the Imam does not trust him.

Two streets away from our street is an arena where Rams are used in gambling. The Rams are made to fight each other and whichever wins earns its owner a huge Sum of money. While the owner of the Ram that lose loses either the ram or his money. To add to that if he is lucky he will go back home with his ram bruised and battered but if unlucky he will go home with the corpse of his ram that has taken too many hits.

The elders in the society, especially the Muslims tried to close the arena down but each year another arena emerges.

The imam prohibited us from ever visiting the Arena but as kids, we do disobey his orders. We go there every day to watch the fight and sneak back home. The thought of taking Nokia there to fight and earn some money do cross my mind but I do push it back immediately because the risk involved is too much and it can only lead to us drawing the wrath of the imam on ourselves and of course my Dad will design my back with his rod if he gets to know.

A friend in need...

A day to Ileya (2016) I went to the Imam's house to take Nokia out as was my usual practice. I greeted the Imam and his wife and went straight down to the Backyard to take the happy Nokia. I met my friend Kareem seated on a stool looking sad. I walked up to him and asked him why he was sad.

"Why won't I be sad?. Tomorrow is Ileya, what will I buy for Lateefah as a gift?. Or when our friends come visiting, what will I give them as gift?. Just meat?." he answered.

"Were you not taught not to answer a question with a question?-" I said to him, hitting hit playfully. But he didn't react the way I wanted him to.

I sat close to him and I felt bad for him, for I know how much he loves Lateefah. They will someday get married to each other. So I thought 😂 (I'm so sorry Kareem if you're reading this. I thought she was your behalf half as you'd always say back then😂)

"So what do you think we can do?" I said to him.

"Sincerely I don't kno-"

"Moo mooooo" Nokia interrupted him.

Slowly Kareem started smiling. It was the kind of smile I've come to know as "a stupid idea is brewing smile". I looked at Nokia and immediately I knew what Kareem was thinking about. We have a way of reading each other's minds.

"No Kareem, don't go there at all. The Arena is a no go Area" I said with vigour.

"Valour please, help a brother. You know Lateefah is my life" he ported.

"Kareem my answer is still No. You know how dangerous this is. I can't break the trust Alhaji have in me or risk getting my Dad annoyed" I said with less conviction.

"Valour, valour ,valourrrr" he said with a wink.

"You're not serious, go and wink at Lateefah," I said with a smile.

"I take that as a Yes" Kareem said with happiness.

"I never said-"

Before I could finish my statement, Kareem was already flying through the gate with Nokia.

What happened at the arena

Getting to the Arena we met a lot of young guys there with the Rams. Some of the Rams have their horns curved in such a manner that makes me wonder how they spent months in their mother's womb without inflicting injury on her.

"Kareem, this is a bad idea-" I made one final attempt to persuade him but he wasn't having any of it. He went ahead to place his bet. Which was - the winner takes the loser's Ram or the other person bails it with N50,000 ( $100).

It was our turn and we took Nokia to the stage. We were confident of victory because of how stubborn Nokia was. But when we saw its opponent we started panicking. Kareem's hands were shaking as he let go of the rope while I was praying with all my heart.

Image source

The loud sound of horns hitting each other brought me back to planet earth because I was already on cloud nine negotiating with the angels to please help me guide and protect Nokia.

I tried to check out Nokia on the stage but all I could see was dust. Slowly I see the two Rams walking backwards preparing to charge at each other again. But something unexpected happened.

Instead of charging forward, Nokia took off and ran out of the stage and out of the Arena. The spectators looked on in awe and couldn't move.

Looking for Nokia...

We started searching everywhere for Nokia. We couldn't ask people directly so it won't raise suspicions towards us. So we asked various questions at first before asking if anyone sees Nokia.

For over five hours we were searching everywhere for Nokia but all our search was Futile. At Exactly 9 pm in the night, we resigned to fate and knew we are in for it tonight. For me, it was double problem because the Imam (Alhaji) will be disappointed in me, and will surely deal with Kareem. But the bigger problem lies at home. My Dad will - I don't even know how to explain what will happen to me.

The repercussion of what we've done dawns on me. What will the Imam present Tomorrow for the celebration?. Can we get another Ram early Tomorrow morning?. Where do we get the money for a new ram?. All these questions kept running through my mind.

We got to the front of the gate but how to enter was a problem.

"Valour and Kareem, where have you guys been?". That was the Imam talking to us from the tower. In our fright, we didn't notice that the Imam was seated on his favourite chair at the tower looking at us since.

We went to him and I decided to confess to him even before he asks us-

" Sir it is the devil's work sir. We only-" i stuttered

"Alhaji, Walai i will never do that again" Kareem interjected with shaking voice.

"Why are you guys like this? You brought Nokia back but didn't tie him down. If not for Basit that tied it to the pole what do you think will happen?. You guys also left the gate wide open"

"Thank you, Jesus!" I exclaimed

"Allah! Allah!" Kareem replied

We both look at each other and started laughing.

"Why are you two laughing?". Alhaji asked.

"Nothing Sir" we both replied

"Will you get out of here. Make sure you help your mothers before going to bed" he instructed

"Yes sir" we shouted again went on another round of laughter. This time around Alhaji joined us not knowing the reason.

Getting home

Getting home that late is a serious offence. But I was least concerned because my biggest problem was out of the way. My Dad chastised me for staying out so late and said for me to stay out that late, it means I've eaten from where I was coming from.

He instructed my Mum not to give me food but I know she wouldn't do that to her Lovely son.

After my Dad went to bed. My mum came with a bowl of fried rice (which is one of my favourites) to me. But I was too excited and happy to eat. With joy and gladness, I said to her

"Mum, don't worry let me serve my punishment "😂

The End!

Thanks for reading!🤗🤗🤗

I'm so sorry for making it this long. I didn't want you guys to miss any part though I tried as much as possible to summarise some parts. Wait a sec! You skipped some parts?. Go back and read now!😂😂😂

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