It is 1.15 pm and time for lunch, after an introductory and discursive session with the Dean of the Executive MBA programme, Sally, Toldo, and I walked to the dining, and I couldn’t but notice Sally’s continued admiration of the ambience of the environment. The waiters were courteous and all set with some seemingly nice-looking meals. We helped ourselves with plates while we stayed in a very short queue which did not take up to ninety seconds to get served.
With my usual African mindset, I settled for two wraps of well moulded pounded yam and a plate of vegetable, the combination locally referred to as “Iyan and efo-riro”. It was seasoned with different kinds of protein necessary to wet the taste buds and enhance the blend when swinging with the lips aided with the oil that helps reduce friction and gives a sensation that can only be described in my native Yoruba language.
After the first few swirls of the delicacy, I observed Sally followed in my choice, and I wondered how she would handle the lifts with her fork placed gently between her fingers and shining gold-plated nail, just a bit shorter than Wolverine claws. My main amusement was how the swirls beautified her smile and gently balanced her lips movement, protecting her gap tooth from the colouring of the oily vegetable soup. “You don’t stare at a lady eating”, she said, which brought me back from my wild thoughts, and I glanced back with a smile.
Toldo had carefully recorded every activity at the dining, and after sipping her glass of water, she leaned towards me and said, “you came here to learn and network, kill the crushes quickly and focus. I saw you all through, and your admiration was more at Sally rather than the meal”, I chuckled and responded “no you are wrong, can I assume your observation on me is also a crush?” this was where my first funny scene in LBS happened.
A chunky piece of meat was still in Toldo’s mouth when I responded, after which she burst out in laughter, and her glass fell back on the table, throwing up the remaining plate of soup from which a splash occurred. I was covered with oil and water, and the whole dining changed focus to our table with murmuring and pity. Efun and Jawa approached to help out while Sally was trying to hide her laughter and finally whispered, “who really has a crush on who, because I heard all that both of you were saying”, at that moment, I prayed all of us would get stained with the deserted plates so that we can all laugh at each other as Sally had the last laugh.
I had used the bathroom to clean up, and Jawa had brought a BYC grey t-shirt to change into while the upper part of my trousers was still damp. As I approached the hall where the orientation had continued, I wondered what my cohorts thought about me, clumsy, disorganized or just an unfortunate fellow. I put on a smile with a glance at Sally, and I could all but see how amused she was at my confidence and indifference. Toldo exclaimed, “I am sorry, my friend”, and the MBA director gave a thumbs-up saying these things do happen, and some cheers came from the class. A relaxing feel by the end of the session.
