My Encounter With Kate - Episode 12

 

I sighted Kate in the midst of the crowd just in the  break of the day, she isolated herself till her friend came and they talked for a while. 

The intensity of the cold that morning was much, despite wearing a light Khaki on a vest, it didn't suffice.

I lost sight of Kate due to an unusual scene; a stampede occurred which the cause was unknown, people from one end ran and others followed. 
It was later we learnt that it was confirmed that a girl spotted a gecko and screamed loudly, others ran for dear life thinking it was something of a great danger; perhaps a large reptile. 

We all laughed aloud when the public relation officer made the announcement and cautioned us to look before leaping.

The morning devotion had just started when i joined the crowd, i had searched a foot of my missing white trainers, it pulled off during the stampede.

The atmosphere was foggy and the air was blur, the praise was unusual that morning. The lady that took the praise was exceptional, she sounded like Tope Alabi, her voice was melodious . I felt like i was in another realm everyone participated, the worship was filled  vigour, the _Shekinah_ of God was made manifest. 

Even when she rounded off the camp coordinator insisted she continued. Everyone rendered encomium to her at the end.

 It was an instantaneous popularity.

Read " Tales of Nene " by the same author ( Osazuwa Omorodion )

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/my-encounter-with-kate

. I made sure i found my way to the front to have a glimpse, she didn't wear make up, she was of a small stature with a simple earring. 

When the morning devotion ended, people gathered in twos, three and more to talk about the chaos and talented lady that sang in a mix of different languages.

Hitherto, it was custom after the morning devotion and the morning lecture to proceed to the parade ground for man o' war morning drill and the marching exercise but today was quite different, there was delay, the camp officials and leaders took time to organize the surroundings and put in place items that were out of place during the stampede.

I joyfully jugged to the section where we had our fitness exercise, my platoon being platoon  one was excluded from the rest, we were the first to partake in the exercise that was conducted according to platoon number. 

The cameramen were positioned at different stations, some drills were minds-blowing, the faint hearted avoided such. 

We all dressed in complete Khaki and Jungle boots except a big lady that wore the Khaki top with a jean trousers because there wasn't a provision for her size. 

We were forewarned that it wasn't compulsory to engage in activities that we didn't have the ability to.

Experts demonstrated how to proceed and techniques to adopt, we were then grouped according to various tasks to engage in. 

One that we had go through a tire,  another that we had to climb from one side of the net to the other and that which we would crawl beneath a flat netty metal.

I stood on a high earth surface to take a first shot, from where i stood, i saw Kate sat and faced the direction opposite me, i was certain  it was her because her close friend was standing talking to a popular guy named Yusuf who was from the north. 
When i raised my head after i tightened my jungleboot laces, Kate was already on her feet, I had a full glimpse. I just stared and admired her beauty with a bit of lust for that almost incited an erection.

Kate caught me staring at her and i took my eyes away and got back to my bootlace, i wanted to approach her but Kate, Yusuf and  Kate's friend were discussing and i didn't want to interfere. I thought it would be cowardly not to approach her after she caught me staring.

When Yusuf had gone, I went to meet Kate while she was with her friend.

Me: "Kate how are you doing?"

Kate: "Very fine o, how about you?"

Me: "I am cool"

Kate: "Meet my friend Uddy"

I noticed that Kate wanted to mention my name to Uddy but she resisted and i was disappointed that she didn't recall my name

Me: "Nice to meet you Uddy, I am Osaz also in your platoon"

Uddy:"good height"

Me: "thanks"

Uddy hands were soft and cold, she was from  Akwa Ibom, that was why it was easy for Kate to relate with  Uddy easily,  they were always together. I noticed that Uddy was very lively, she smiled well an also a jovial, she flowed like we had met before, she was much of a talker compared to Kate.      

I, Kate,Yusuf and Uddy complemented each other,  Uddy and Yusuf were more involved, occasionally, i involved Kate but there wasn't much flow. When Uddy moved farther with Yusuf, I requested i and Kate to be alone. After much plea she obliged.

Me: "We really need to talk"

Kate: *** laughs***   "About?"

Me: "Us"

Kate: "Is that why you excluded us?

Me: "Yes"

Kate: "Can't you discuss it while with Yusuf and Uddy?"

Me:"I am not much of a group person, I prefer to isolate myself"

Kate: "hmmn"

I still examined her mood to determine how i will approach her, i didn't want to see the mood i met her that afternoon when Kate snubbed me. 

Kate: "What are you thinking? Proceed  now"

Me: "I want us to...... "

Just as i wanted to reply, i was summoned by our commander to perform the task. My heart beat increased because it was only a boy that had climbed and no one was willing. All eyes were on me, i wanted to impress Kate, but something kept telling me to refrain. I took courage. 

I could hear from the crowd "Osaz", "Osaz", "Osaz" and all sort of cheering, Kate also stared at me folding her arms in anticipation . 

When i held unto the very thick rope, it vibrated and it took me time to find balance. 
I took more steps till i reached the top, my heart pounded my chest. Finally i slid down while as took my shot. 

There was an uproar with an applauding, from nowhere Maureen ran into my arms, her bosom was soft.