'I SAW JAHROSE!' By O Bolaji

Yes, I was so sure that I saw JahRose...in Nigeria!! During Easter. There I was at a popular park and I saw two ladies... Jahrose together with her companion, a wiry, dark lady seemingly always smiling. I shouted: "Jahrose! Dumela Mme...what are you doing in Nigeria? What a surprise..." But I was the one to be surprised, when she retorted: "Who is Jahrose? What language is that?" "Surely," I said, "you are Jahrose... I know you! South African poet! Author of books like Rooted from the heart," Jahrose? Yes, this lady was voluptuous and lovely like her...this was Jahrose... I had known her for years... Jahrose now in Nigeria? Hostility was etched on her face, though her companion was friendly, coming closer to me, smiling, playing with my arms. "I am NOT Jahrose," her pal said. Then she added: "Iru wahala wo leyi! Se baba yi ya were ni?" (i.e, "What trouble is this? Is this man crazy?" I said to her: "Why, you can speak Yoruba now Jahrose!!!"...her friend, laughing, said in friendly fashion: "Sir, you have such lovely hands for an old man..." I flinched, as my mind went back to years ago in SA when one of my young female journalists (Gloria - now deceased) used to say something like this. But my focus was on Jahrose now. Why was she claiming not to know me.

"Jahrose..." I started..."I told you I am not Jahrose sir!" She shouted. "I am a Nigerian, I have never been to South Africa, I have never written even one poem in my life..." Her friend giggled "it means you must look very much like this Jahrose... Daddy here (nna) must be a bit confused. Anyway sir," she looked coy, "do you mind giving me some money to buy some credit (ie airtime)?" I gave her some money and she darted away. I was confused...perhaps this was not Jahrose? Was I so crazy? Meanwhile I saw "Jahrose" checking something on her phone on Google, and I quickly told her to check Jahrose Jafta there which thankfully she did..."Look at her photos on images..." I added. She did so, and I was relieved when she laughed, saying: "I see now that this Jahrose does look like me...but it's 'cos you are a man sir...a woman will see differences easily between me and JahRose...men are blind, sir..." "What differences?" I said. "Well, this Jahrose is lighter in complexion, and more beautiful than me..." She said...then her wiry friend came back, laughing; thanking me. "Apparently your friend just looks a lot like Jahrose," I said, embarrassed. I must admit that I felt more free and at ease with "Jahrose's" friend who now lightly hugged me and said, almost whispering: "Well, it's been nice meeting you sir... I am not insulting you, but maybe you should consider moving into an Old Age home..." Suke!!!