八字万年历

Chapter 312: Life Changing Conversation I

“What’s up man,” Jason said as he walked up to Zaidu and held out his hand for a handshake.

“I’m good, I’m good,” Zaidu nodded and turned to Okocha who was seated beside him.

“Uh, this is-” he began to introduce Okocha, but Jason cut in.

“Jay-Jay Okocha, one of the greatest footballers I know about from Africa,”

“I’m a huge fan, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jason said holding out a hand to Okocha as well.

“Pleasure to meet you too,” Okocha said as he stood up to shake Jason’s hand, his movements filled with ease.

He didn’t seem to put on any airs despite his reputation and felt more like a friendly uncle next door that no one would think was famous.

“I’ve heard good things about you, and when I did my research, it seems the storytellers didn’t do justice to the stories flying around,” Okocha said as he sat back in his seat while also gesturing for Jason to sit.

“I’m flattered, I feel the storytellers probably went overboard with the storytelling, but since even you think I’m doing well, I think I’m on the right path,” Jason replied as he sat across on the chair across the table from the legendary player.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the conversation moved toward Nigeria and Okocha asked Jason,

“Have you ever been to Nigeria, cuz I can’t tell with your accent and all that, it seems like you were born and raised in the States?”

“Actually, I was born in America, but then my parents went back to Nigeria and lived there for a few years. Then we finally moved back to the USA when I was like 4 years old,”

“Over the years, I’ve gone back a few times since we still have family in Nigeria, but I’ll say, I’m more based in America,” Jason answered, thinking a bit.

It was true that he still had family in Nigeria, but he didn’t really bother to stay in contact with them.

That was Daphne’s job and the few times he had gone back to Nigeria, it was because he was dragged back to Nigeria with her and he couldn’t refuse because he was trying to build a better relationship with her in this reality.

In his past reality, he had rejected all her attempts to get him back to his home country… Or at least one of them.

Hence he had more contact with his native origins in this life than in his previous one.

“Oh, when last were you in Nigeria?” Okocha asked, a bit curious, and secretly let out a breath of relief after knowing Jason wasn’t completely alienated from Nigeria.

“I think it’s three years,” Jason muttered thoughtfully while trying to remember.

“I was fifteen, so yeah, three years,” he affirmed after confirming his thoughts.

The conversation continued for a while longer, and somewhere in between all that, they ordered something to eat.

The conversation was fun for Jason, but he wasn’t there to waste two hours just having some meaningless conversation, and he was Jason was about to interject and ask what the point of this meeting was when Okocha hit the nail on the head.

“So, how much thought have you put into playing at the international stages?” Okocha asked, putting a spoonful of chicken bordelaise into his mouth.

“Well, I have put some thought into it, especially since I have more than one option. Some people would consider it too early for me to think about it, but it’s something I’m looking forward to,” Jason replied.

“Why do you ask?” he went on to ask, his words making it seem like he was clueless, but the playful look in his eyes didn’t match his words.

“Swear that you don’t know what we are doing here?” Zaidu could not keep quiet and he immediately asked in mock fury.

Zaidu had been in the Porto team for a while and though Jason joined the team for training just about a month ago, it was enough time for Zaidu to figure out that Jason wasn’t an idiot and was actually very smart.

Thus he was sure that right from the start, Jason had probably gotten an inkling of what was going on, and with Jay-Jay’s last question, it was enough for Jason to come to confirm his thoughts, so he didn’t understand Jason acting all coy and ignorant, but it was kind of funny to watch and he could not help interjecting.

“Please, enlighten me with what’s going on here, you didn’t exactly give any details from the start about what I was going to be here for,” Jason stated in response, bringing up Zaidu’s obtuse invitation.

“This guy,” Zaidu face palmed like he couldn’t believe the whole situation.

On the side, Okocha quickly decided to interrupt and bring the conversation back on the right track before the whole situation was messed up because of Zaidu’s fooling around.

“What do you think about playing for the Nigerian national team?” Okocha asked Jason directly, interrupting him before he could reply to Zaidu.

“…” Jason paused for a while and his eyes darted in Okocha’s direction and stayed on his frame.

‘Thank God he already asked, it was already getting annoying playing around with words… my mouth hurts,’ Jason thought internally, not used to talking too much.

His outward appearance, however, didn’t reflect his inner thoughts.

“Well, I’ve considered it and I’ll admit that I’m more sold on the Super Eagles than the USA’s national team, but well, there is a lot to consider… though I planned to do that when I received an invitation…”

“But then you guys came and I’m quite confused as to what this whole situation is,”

“It feels like you want me to consider joining the Nigerian national team, but why didn’t I receive an official call-up letter or anything, instead I was dragged into a surprising but shady meeting by my teammate,”

“How about we do this,”

“You tell me what’s going on and I’ll tell you my thoughts on joining the national team,” Jason said at a stretch, putting away all dramatic actions and getting very direct.