What is the name of that gas that makes people laugh? In secondary school, we called it laughing gas. Well, we are not here to learn about chemical reactions but the chemistry in this hotel today is top-tier. The laughter that has enveloped the atmosphere is contagious. Every staff is laughing because the minister for happiness mistakenly opened the laughing gas container. I don’t know if it was an experiment gone wrong or a coincidental mistake. I will love you to take details of every point I make because it will help you in your judgment. The first person to inhale it was Sommadina, our new housekeeper.
Oga Bello is our Director’s friend, he seldom visits the hotel. Yesterday evening happened to be his once-in-a-blue-moon visiting day, and as usual, he was going to stay for three days. In less than an hour from when he checked into his room, he came downstairs and sat at the reception to watch the television. That was unusual, he didn’t leave his room, except when the director was around. They will usually chat over bottles of wine and spirits at the VIP bar, or in one of the private dining rooms.
“Sir, is the television or AC in your room not working?” I asked. “I will get them to fix it”, I added without waiting for his reply.
“If I had any challenge, I would have placed a call. I’m fine”, He smiled and I reciprocated with my own smile while shyly bending my head. I went back to my corner and continued nodding to the rhythm coming from my headset.
Fifteen minutes later, Ekene came into the reception. Yes, we have reconciled. We talked and made jokes. And I laughed out my heart. I also played with some customers who came to book a room, I made jokes and they laughed. Even Mr. Bello laughed at some of my jokes.
About 45 minutes later, Sommadina came to clean the reception. He was smiling as he brushed the tiles to sweep out sand.
“This one you are smiling”, I said, “e be like say dem don give you salary advance”.
“You no go understand, I get joy like a river” he laughed out loud and covered his mouth with his palm almost immediately.
Mr. Bello turned and looked at him. “What is your name?”, He asked.
“Sommadina Sir”.
Mr. Bello went up to his room and came down with a bundle of two hundred Naira notes and gave it to Sommadina. “Take it, I just like the way you are happy”.
You didn’t see this coming right? Same here. What unique happiness did Mr. Bello see in Sommadina that he didn’t see in me? I have been laughing and cracking jokes ever since he sat down there, he couldn’t give me even if it was a thousand Naira.
I don’t blame the staff of the hotel who have been laughing up and down. Even Sommadina wants to cash out twice. Some of these young boys and girls who come to the hotel have also joined in the laughter festival. Those in the kitchen now want to join in serving meals, where they can be seen. We just pray God will touch Mr. Bello’s heart.
