Segun travelled down to his hometown, where his parents lived, immediately after he arrived in Nigeria. He already had properties in the city where he could stay but going home first after a long time was his preferred choice.
He has been abroad studying Mechanical engineering for the past 8 years, and he thought coming home to use his knowledge to develop his country would be great.
Upon arriving home, Segun was surprised to see entertainers in his parents' compound. They started singing and dancing immediately he arrived and at another part of the compound, some women were cooking Jollof rice.
"I told Mom not to make my homecoming dramatic, this is too much. Did you know about this?" Segun asked his younger brother, who came to pick him up at the airport.
"Yes, I do but it was Mom's idea," Banjo replied.
"This is so annoying," Segun muttered and went around greeting the people who were around to welcome him.
People were happy to see and Segun faked a smile just to show appreciation.
Mr. and Mrs Olukoya, Segun's parents, rushed out of the house when they heard his voice, and Segun hugged them immediately they got to him.
"Thank you, Jesus, for bringing my son back home safely," Mrs Olukoya said as she couldn't contain her joy. She sang worship songs while the entertainers played drums and other instruments.
The family went inside the house while the merriment continued outside. Segun noticed there wasn't any difference in the house since he left, but it was tidy as usual. The living room sofa was looking old and had faded, the centre table now showed scratches and even the once bright white wall paint had turned yellow.
The giant TV still sits at the same spot on the shelf, and Segun smiled as some old memories flooded his head.
"I thought I sent some money to upgrade this living room," Segun asked his father who was expecting this question.
"Did you say upgrade? I used the money to buy some plots of land so that you can use them for your projects when you finally arrive.
"Wow! You could have asked for the land money," Segun replied.
"There is nothing wrong with the apartment. Leaving it this way has helped us preserve so many memories," Segun's mom joined the discussion.
"You can say that again, Mom. Looking at these things brings back so many memories," Segun replied hugging his parents.
"I should take my bath first because I feel tired from the whole flight and stopover," Segun said, picking up his small bag while Banjo moved the other bags too.
Upon entering his room, there was a new bed but every other thing was the same. He smiled while staring at his study table, and was more surprised to see the guitar he had left behind.
"You guys kept this," Segun asked Banjo as he walked towards the guitar box hung on the wall.
"Yes, we did. Dad thought you might still have a thing for playing it," Banjo replied.
"That's thoughtful of him but do I still have a thing for it? You know I really loved it, but didn't get to learn how to play properly, and yet dad got this for me as a birthday gift," Segun replied.
"It's never too late to learn," Banjo replied and Segun laughed really hard.
"At this age? I have so many things on my mind now," Segun replied as he went to the bathroom.
A few days had passed and Segun was really enjoying his family company. The food and atmosphere felt different from what he's had for the past 8 years.
Segun thought of spending just a few days, but with all the fun, he decided to wait a little longer. Every time he sees the guitar hanging in his room, he is drawn to playing it.
Once Segun picks it up and can't play properly, he drops it immediately. He tried learning from YouTube but he couldn't even remember the basics properly anymore.
"You should just enroll in one of the music schools around if you still have a passion for this," Mr Olukoya said to Segun when he caught him watching a guitar practice video.
"I don't think it's a good idea? I am 33 years old now and should be thinking of something more impactful," Segun replied.
"Impactful? I see the desire in you but you think you are late to the game," He replied and rubbed Segun on the back before leaving the room.
Segun thought about it for a few days and hired a private teacher. He got one who advised him to come learn at his music school which will be more helpful than playing privately.
He agreed, and upon his arrival at the school, he was surprised to see kids handling musical instruments like adults.
"I am truly late to the game," Segun muttered, and Mr Eze, the owner of the music school, heard him.
"I started learning music at 45 years old when I resigned as a government worker and I have achieved a lot in the last 15 years than I have done in 22 years serving the government. It is never too late than never," Mr Eze replied.
Segun shook off the reluctant feeling and dedicated over a month to learning how to play before he traveled back to the city.
While in the city, he dedicated time to learn as well, and gradually he became very good at it after two years of constant training.
He played just for fun while he focused more on his engineering job, but one weekend, while Segun chose to relax at a lounge where he was drawn to the guitarist entertaining them.
He asked for a 5-minute performance, which was granted, and he was full of joy seeing the customers dancing to his tune. Immediately, he stopped, they cheered, clapping hands, and Segun got several gigs from there.
As years passed, he became more famous with the guitar and it helped his engineering career flourish.
