Please Note: All phrases and sentences in blue represents the words of people aside from Fargo.
Episode 1: Is this not going too far?
“Life viewed from afar is a comedy, Life viewed closely, is a tragedy”.
This is the quote that best describes the story of my life. There is also a cliche statement that says…
When life gives you a lemon, make lemonades out of it
But what if you’re craving something more than just lemonade?
Looking back at how turbulent the storm of disappointment has rocked me and my family, I clearly understand why life is a tragedy when viewed closely.
For the past couple of years, life hasn’t been a fairy-tale but it wasn’t a full-blown nightmare either. I was perfectly in between the devil and the deep blue sea, each one beckoning at me with vain promises
Being in a foreign land although Genuinely has its pros, but personally, the cons side of it has been daily dose for me.
These were the words of Laurie Peters in his poem ‘The fence” and it is funny how I just got to understand it better right now after thinking through my life.
I have been receiving an unavoidable heavy-daily-dose of life and it has been a bitter-sweet experience but I guess the sweetness came first. Unfortunately, it ended with a sourness that lasted longer than usual. It is as if I should look for a nearby toothpaste, sweet or chocolate to eat to reduce how sour this medicine has been so far.
How I wish life is as simple as using medicine.
Will things ever get better again?
—-

(Fargo snapped out of his thought and saw a lady right behind him)
“Did you call for me?!”
I had no idea I was lost in thought until I felt a tap on my shoulder – hard enough to gain my attention but not enough to inflict pain. Just the right amount of pressure.
“I’ve called your name severally, Farg. What has got you so mentally occupied? and far gone into some sort of trance?”
She sounded so concerned
I looked around my surroundings. The ambience of the cafe was cosy with soft lighting and peaceful music.
Took me a while to notice I had company. And not just any company, the lady after my own heart.
Riya!
Caramel skin, Dressed in a white crop top, complementing it with a short leather skirt and a black timberland boot. Adorned with a beautiful yet simple necklace. Her hair was neatly braided, and obvious evidence of lip gloss as the only make-up, on her plump pink lips.
For a moment I forgot my worries and was enthralled by her beauty and the smell of ‘Victoria secret’ perfume emanating from her. I couldn’t help but smile at her and take a deep breath.
“You’re doing it again,” she said annoyingly, “is something bothering you?! You know you can talk to me right? She inquired – with her cute forehead creased with worries.
“It’s nothing to worry yourself about babe, everything is under control” he smiled at her while reaching for her hand across the table and softly caressing it.
“And you expect me to believe that?! It seems you’ve forgotten you’re an open book about your feelings, it’s pretty much obvious something is weighing you down. It’s all over your face” she pressed
As much as she enjoyed the soft caresses, She pulled her hand from his hold and held on to his tightly, with determination she said, “look me in the eyes and tell me everything is fine’’ she threw an investigative look at him just like the mother confessor did in the legend of the seeker movie, whenever she’s trying to get you to confess your innermost thoughts.

As if he was truly enchanted, he looked right back at her and he couldn’t hold back the teardrop, with obvious anguish he said
“You are the only ray of light in this dark tunnel called life. I fear, I would not survive it, if you ever decide to leave me. The thoughts of you keep me sane sometimes. I feel the world caving in on me, and with just a feather touch everything might come crumbling down”
“I can’t seem to keep up with this roller coaster called life, too many downsides and I feel like I’m losing control too fast, I don’t have the strength to hold on anymore. I have exhausted all my reserves.
“I’ve never told you this story before but I will tell you today.”
He sniffed
“It is a family secret. It has to stay between us. I trust you enough to keep this between us, and I’m telling you because I might just go insane if I keep bottling it deep inside of me. Considering the fact that, you’re the only ray of hope in my life at the moment.”
Riya leaned forward. Her face could tell that she is very curious and scared but the way she touches him made him more comfortable with her.
“… but before I totally open up and trust you without boundaries, I need you to be on the same page with me. I need to understand that what we share is special and it’s a bond that goes beyond just being lovers”
Riya looked all worried and concerned. “What could have made her boyfriend utter such a statement?! Why is it so hard for men to open up to their partners at the early stage of their worries?! Why wait till we point and pester at the obvious signs of them being at their lowest? Is that they feel, we’re not worthy?! Or is it that they believe we’re airheads and can’t understand the depth of their pain and distress?!
“Farg, you need to understand that, I’ll always and I mean always be here when you need me. You just need to trust what we have. Trust what we share. I can only do as much as I know, I need you to believe in us. Whatever bothers you, bothers me” she looked at him with eyes full of concern and care
Ok! Ok!
Farg said and took the next 2 minutes to look at the pattern design of the table. He was drawing an imaginary circle with is finger on the table likewise.
Riya almost screamed but decided to wait for another one minute.
After what seems to be like forever he asked what will not in a million years would have crossed her mind
“Can this relationship lead to marriage?”
The End of Episode 1
—
Share your thoughts
- Do you think men should do better when it comes to opening up with their partners? Why?
- If the secret Farg is about to share is that serious that warrants asking her if she will be willing to marry him, do you advise him to share it?
- Should one go into a relationship with the goal that it must lead to marriage?
Details about the story
Fargo is a virtual human (Mascot) working with Tumihub. Since Farg is meant to be human, he should as well have his life story, temperament, love language, personality and every other thing we humans have. So, we will need to do this together. This is why we need your engagement and suggestions. Farg is still a child, you and I will have to train him and give him all the love he needs.
Writer: Sikiru Odunayo
Editor: Mikelomaa