Let's go creative

Almond, honey brown were his eyes.
So Charming it was perfect for royalty, so they named him Prince.
Those eyes could view whatever it wanted, but one.
For by that one, his heart will be won.
So, stepmother taught him to view all with a glance,
Because no one knew that one.

So, it happened one twilight on a tour with Gus
That he heard the click click of her slippers.
So loud that he almost believed his mind was her marble floor.
Stepmother's voice warned; "Do not stare"!
He replied,"Glancing is all I've lived for".
So his almond honey brown eyes glanced, he stared.
Before him; in glass slippers stood the one,
Alas, his heart was won.

He raced to the castle that evening, beseeching the King to throw a ball,
For he would do anything to see her in his hall.
So, for his sanity,"Le grand Duc, invite every maiden in town, there is a ball".
Fine wine flowed like never before for all.
All attended except one, that One.
Releasing himself from Drizella and Anastasia, he asked,"Where is she Gus?".
But stepmother replied;
"The child is poor, she doesn't want to lose her only possession; her glass slippers".

Oluwapelumi

HER HISTORY
That dawn had begun to open for daylight to come with all its lighting glories to channel the course of bliss on the paths of lives that be, city birds had chirped around with each of their serrated wing singing flapping in sounds and shattering the atmosphere into somewhat, picturesque bearing ultimate construct. The city streets had started to bear reddened look as busy legs thronged the faces of the tiled street looking busy as well, as they were approaching their destinations. She felt a bit paranoid and felt it clear in a-head having a real discursive engagement with Barbara as one of the agencies assets at the moment might help. She felt to shed light to the plausible misbelieves she was nurturing towards her right-hand staffer, the Assistant. Wilder was then around, she went oddly as she stabbed other necessaries like kill tasks and asked Barbara to accompany her to the nearest tea shop. She needed a privy atmosphere. I would want to tell you what you might not have heard from no one before about my Assistant. ‘Alright, why not call her by her real name now? Barbara inquired. Wilder pretended she didn't get that. They sat and they were attended to. She began to talk about her --engines passing by had already begun their noises-- the honking especially were intense so they prick ears. These activities nudged her up in bed. She dizzily opened her blue eyes turning glimmering red in reaction she had aversion for sound pollution, she muttered sickly ‘O God! For goodness sake uh!' She said and after an absurd pause, she yawned… she looked 4 foot and 11 in her bed. Someone knocked the door from outside. He knocked lightly at first, but because she was not responding when it was obvious she was in, he continued and knocked repeatedly, hard now. Albeit, he reduced the tempo before long. Her attention was later drawn; she stood as she parked her white hair cut into a bob. She turned to the right and then the left, reluctantly. She packed to the top right of her bed with her two pillow cases, the bed cover and the thick fluffy blanket. She held with her right hand feebly the header cap of her steel bed and helped her legs stand firmly by it. She sighed, her face began to be waspy --she was looking dazed and unstable. She wobbled towards the door to see who it was,
‘…and what do you want you there?' She asked dizzily.
She was close to the door at that very moment but was giving the gestured making signs with her right hand to her forehead, she would love knowing who it was. She guessed roughly who it could be. No forms of reply were given from the other side still. She moved a bit closer further to the tiny hole at the mid of the door to peep through. She loved it observative always.
‘What the heck! So it is… you? Why wouldn't you talk when I asked who it was?' She asked lousily. She closed the door immediately, against him and began to walk, firmly now, back to her bed. She changed her direction, with the intention to get close enough to the sill to see for herself what the Saturday morning looked like on the bigly busy street. Her head was fixing up then. She knew it was going to look busy as usual of cause but was just trying to engage herself in something to clear her head after very awry night rest again. In the same charge, suddenly, she got a nudge it would be the landlord who knocked, a man of few words, she rushed back to the door like the way sea billows pull back in motion. She opened the door and stepped outside. ‘Sorry, for being rude the other time, I honestly didn't... Really, I cannot say I remember what I said. I am just apologizing in case I spoke disrespectfully' she expressed, innocently.
‘Good!' he responded, calmly.
***
He was a man of few words. Gossips on the streets had it that he fought in the two great wars – the great World Wars (nobody knew how true and factual that was though the deep scars on his rough face sure had some story untold) but ever since then, after his arrival, he had seemingly chosen to be a man of few words in his dealings with the peoples in the community. But when he talked, he could do it just as an ordinary civilian would, some other people had seen him talk directly, even with his few words and the ground creaked opened with quakes and all that. Wilder had concluded right in her mind he was one man who was simply highly unpredictably. She looked deeply into his two weak eye balls. All she could read to them were lots of experiences about everything buried deep right in them which had most plausibly affected the way he'd respond and the ways he'd socialize.
He looked at her with no strong thoughts flooding up his mind. He though saw an arduous young material striving real hard to ace through in life in spite of the facts there lied many oddities on her path. This drew in some amounts of considerations and reconsiderations into his heart. In looks, he could be as clear as he could be as confusing. He had trained himself so well that no one would know or get when he was happy or sad for real. He never looked sad nor happy. He maintained, always, a rigid stance between two notions. The thought that he could do that with his face seemed scary.
He had come down to her to remind her apartment rent. But had just chosen to postpone that until next time he would be choosing to pass by or whenever he felt to pass by.
‘I have come, to check on you to see if you are good. You'd remember our agreements. But no worries just yet, I will get back to you soon,' he said whimsically, Barbara shut the door back as he turned back as the sound of his feet began to expire.
‘O…! Thanks. I have you right at the back of my… mind as well. I'll get to you before you know it,' she shouted with the intention he gets all her message. ‘Oops! Damn, that was close,' she exclaimed. She closed the door and walked back to sit in the lone seat in her room. And she began to think it through that they both know why he had come. But in exactness, the reason he had chosen not to utter a word about the money confused her so much. She was broke at the moment and thus could not afford the payment of the house rent yet. He was the landlord in charge of her place and had conversed with her over the phone two weeks prior he would be coming around just because her payment was past due time. At a time, a very light time, she had a quick flash of her mother's figure. That reminded her how she was so caring before she recollected her father –she had missed him very much but would not want to show that as one part of her felt like he did not merit any good feelings from her as he would not turn back to check on her. Her death had become her drive to be a scientist and to find a way around despite shades of challenges. Before the demise of her mother, her father was doing fine but after she popped the cog, he lost it alongside. He couldn't get himself together ever since then until the moment. She came back from the flashes to the reality abound.
She soliloquized that, ‘Oh God! What am I gonna do now… what if he returns in an hour's time? Then, I am doomed and done with. What alternative is left now huh, none...?" She expressed, rhetorically.
'I don't… I don't know when… He said ‘soon, ' and that could be just any moment, maybe tomorrow or next week. If he is going to show up next week, there is no way in this world I would have been able to get around such resource,' she expressed confusedly.
A lot came together to shape who we are and how people read meanings to us defining us in any community. She had always been that good and gentle girl in her own way who was astounding in brilliance and highly intellectual even right from childhood. But times are different now; it almost seemed all those valuable qualities were only rendering her ignobly as time just advanced, to her. Her mother'd gone, and her father'd lost it alive blaming himself for what happened to her mother –her dearly better-half. He had no time for her but spent much of his time and the little resources he has got on beers and sluts whenever he had good cash. They would let him have his way, and still steal the few dollars left in his pocket and pushed him to one side. Rain and darkly hands of the night would beat him until would collapse to one wall, and that would be his resting bed space until sanity would return, to run back to continue as he was a taxi driver for the circle to repeat itself.
All these had come together and were reshaping her in the same community, into one strict, determined and young lass with the hope of better tomorrow for herself, better than her old folks’.
***
Then as she was already twisting forwards her right leg making a 90˚ circling to begin on her path along the next to the one where she stayed was, just to instinctively look back, she who she saw was his father, who had been following her for hours. He did not know how to approach her and ask for forgiveness and to continue together as a family just once again in years of being in talking terms. ‘I knew it, what are you doing father –I am not sure even if you are one anymore to me! Are you stalking me? He moved closer to her and drew her to where she would not be able to make a scene. She wanted to scream but would at the same time not want to fetch the father who already looked tattered much more trouble to deal with. She was though sure he could not be in his right senses. It was surface enough even for anyone to know that he had beyond normalcy as looked like one who had been looking was out to get around redemption for ages.
‘Fuck you very much for that. Why would handle me like that? She said looking right into his face sadly and vexatiously. ‘I am still your father, whether you like it or not…' he said. That sank well reverberating in her brains. There was a prolonged pause as they were looking at each other right in the face. She began to blubber; they hugged as he muttered to her left ear ‘sorry.' ‘You have grown just to look exactly like her you know!?' She grinned in response to that. ‘So, why have you come, this hour…ffff…ff father?' ‘Yes, I have been keeping tabs on you; I have all the late to the most recent developments about you. I have helped you and settled your payment for house rent. I paid him last week's weekend, and that was why he would not pester you nor talk about it when he came visiting the other day. I never left you for once my darling angel, no matter what, I am around just as it used to be.' She began to sob again as that was shocking and least expected, she felt sorry for all the negatives resolves she had had for him right in her psych and mind. ‘I have something to give and tell you. Take this card; you would have the scholarship, I pray so and hope so when you are done with your academics, I am not sure if I would be able to make it till then. That is the reason why I am doing this now, as it is just this moment I have left. Alright, take this card, keep it with your life; give it to the addressee addressed on it alongside with this, he would understand make sure he employs you. She owes me her life. Do this dear daughter and be committed to your studies as you used to be way back when… Mm… I have got to go now. Your dad is still a cab driver as you'd known. He smiled and faded within the crowd before she could know it. It was like some sort day dreaming as she was dumbfounded. She continued on her way down to where she studied to continue to study as she would be tested before long.
Then, as she was going, she tried and imagined the other version of what had just happened twixt her father, Lenny and she herself:
‘Who's it, what's it uh…? And I responded as I turned backwards angrily. And he said he is Lenny. On seeing his face for real and disappointment roused up and befogged my mind and I begin to yell at him and continues by adding don't ever, call me or my name again. Let us say I said that boldly and determinedly as I look close at his arid nose like I meant it.
And he said, please, do not create a scene, my dear daughter… responding in a pathetic way. And I said I am not your daughter, please… And I squinted away and looked at the street and stops a cab closed by to take me away from the scene. And he muttered please, don't leave me, let us have a… and his voice began to fade as I closed and locked the door and instructed the driver to light it and leave on time.'
‘Oh, if it were so, it would have been so cruel of me. I am happy really I couldn't do that… I really missed him.' she soliloquized.
After a few years, she had already finished well as the best students among her colleagues at the college and the same thing after she proceeded to the varsity for higher degrees under the same discipline. Her meritorious excellence all through after weeks of finishing fetched her a job of good pay with Paranormal Dating Agency which happened to be one of the bests in the States and which happened to be the place her father directed her to go to; there she was recognized as one off their best scientists which is committedly helping them up. ‘She merited the job on two grounds, the first she merited it as she was excellent and she merited on the basis of favoritism as I, the General Manage, owed her father one. It was on several bases that made me to make fill should always act in my stead. And, evidently, it is what we all know, she is doing great. You would only complain she is not being that informal as you could be at times.’ They both smiled.
Her father and I got to know each other way back when she was just nobody striving for a jackpot in life and then built something related to what he loved doing the most. She was a scientist of high rank, she finished the best from Harvard in discipline. She was believed to have some medical panacea which was bio related and was kidnapped in the dead of one night. None was there, except for her father, he caught them did that and followed them, risked his life and gave me lib.

Toͦ beͤ cͨoͦntͭiͥnuͧeͤdͩ...

The Face of Btls (FOB) contest has began with about 10 contestants (eight female and two male) from various states of the country and Togo and Italy respectively. Here are our contestants
(1) Mbagu Valentine Chigozie, (2) Courage Preye Ominijei, (3) Favour Chidinma Obi, (4) Maryann Ezinne Opara, (5) Faith Anichris, (6) Miracle Imaku, (7) Grace Ogochukwu Udeh, (8) Michael Rogaroga, (9) Uwa Asemota, (10) Ejeke Oghenerabome. All votings are strictly via the Btls facebook page and on pictures of the contestants. Voting closes on 31 midnight as the winner/winners would be announced.

After weeks they had been in contact over the phone, he felt it was necessary to check on her on how she was fairing and to also get to know how far she'd gone doing all other necessaries on her own part for sure success to be realized in the upcoming exam. It was on a Tuesday, and the summer sun had been out shining all it's got scorching the heck out of the earth and the earthmen herein. It began to walk the ways it would always do right from the west and making a swaggering down through the foamless skies to rest, and it was at the center of getting there already. Andrew was on his way down to purchase his usual thing, not much further apart from his apartment. Liked ice cream and other things which are sweet to his tongue. These things had piled together to give him the fatty self he had had. He used to eat a lot when he was little. He was voracious and wouldn't be satisfied until he was unconscious and all that. He was born well like just the other babies. Smart and beautiful to appreciate. But as usual, he got over his past much more easily, awkwardly. He was so good at relating factors unrelated in proffering solutions to any problem he was faced with. The distance from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head of Andrew was 5'7.6 or 172 cm. That was not his height and weight actually. The last time he went checking that almost corrupted his right senses. He had got a role model he would prefer to imagine to shatter any jot of regret for his physique. He admired Jackie –his best actor ever as his role model as he'd always cheer him up even when occasion did not call for that in his comics. On that sunny afternoon, it was of cause a tea shop that time but to get for himself a rather expensive ice-cream –Golden Opulence Sundae: $1,000. ‘Ahem…! Please, I am gonna be seated right over there, I wanna see the paper just behind you huh! He said and left immediately. He came back before 30 seconds, hurriedly. ‘Ehm… Make them all count please – the three scoops of rich Tahitian vanilla bean infused with Madagascar vanilla and covered in 23k edible gold leaf. He left back a newspaper; he looked serious as he saw the emboldened word –SCHOLARSHIP. He quickly drew it closer to himself to make sense of the full location on the paper. He read "STUDENTS GET SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY AT COLLEGE OF PHARMACY" ‘What… she must have been E-mailed, and I must have been, either… Wait…wait…' He quickly flipped through the papers to read the details. He was too anxious to begin from the top and get the details. He skimmed it all from top to the bellow part of it but could not see the names of those that later merited the scholarship on any part of the page. He skimmed the top, the below, the side, the mid and the middle but nothing like lists of names were there. He dropped the paper and went back to collect his ice cream. He collected it and paid and moved back to the papers. He went to the vendor and complained as per the names which are not there as if they were hidden by the man; the man let him check other papers in case of any similitude in tit-bit as per it. He did flip them all through but to naught. Bought the one which he first saw and headed home –it was a few blocks distance apart. At home, he was down with overly with anxiety. Then, he sat his robust seat, which pies looking so good and compelling on the table and one resting to be taken within Jack Robinson on his belly. He picked up the paper on the stool and began to read to grasp the inbuilt messages inscribed. It was then he was able to realize all candidates were expected to check their E-mails submitted during the signing ups. He immediately put the Wi-Fi into use but saw nothing there related. ‘Now, no congratulatory messages here; does that mean that is the end. O, Barbara, she must have learned about it; no, she could not have – she would have put a call through to me informing me; okay, what I am going to do would be to try and call her. No-no-no-no-no no… let me go and visit her in person. Which should come first?'
***
He gave her a call almost immediately, but she wouldn't answer the call. It was not on purpose as she was busy having a rather boring exchange with a neighbor who had come to invite her over to come and have dinner with his family for the first time since they had packed in. She stood right at the center of the door when it was opened with the chain still attached to it stretched a bit around from the flat wooden rampart of the door. Her head was out, and it was to the neighbor as if she was half naked and no choice than to be just like that. ‘It would gladden me if you would later show up. Just a knock on the door we would respond' said in a friendly way, the neighbor. She responded ‘I would really love to come and dine with your family. It had been long I experienced that and uh…that was before my mo… no worries…. Thanks for the invitation. And no offense please I have been in any way rude in my words.' He smiled and said fatherly ‘no-no-no… none taking actually Miss. You… just be good. See you around.' He turned back and crossed the street to the other side. She closed the door to herself and felt embarrassed as she had her back to the door and slipped down stealthily in regret for not liking mincing with new people around. She at once believed it was some phobia of the type she had not come across yet but recently she had got past that in thought believing it had to be must be something else entirely.
Two days back the almost exact same thing happened to her. She was around as it was the weekend of the week. One of the teens on the other side of the street saw her passing by and would be a friend and at the same time wanted her to come around to her birthday party on the following night. She replied sounding honest she had invited over to another party by another friend of hers downtown. It was all a blatant lie cooked up before she could know it. But it sounded way too confusing for her not to believe, so they departed. She walked barefooted back into the room to see that Andrew had called several time. ‘O my… oh my! I am in shit…' She called him back instantly to know what was up.
‘Hello, I was not with…' ‘Shhhhhhhhhhh….' he shushed her right from the other side. And he continued ‘where the hell did you put your phone this time, was it the kitchen again or back at the shopping mall, again…?' She gave her, once-in-a-while smile… ‘Sorry… You'd know some things will never change. Actually, it ain't deliberate. I was… with a neighbor and my phone was put on ‘silent,' again.' ‘You know what girl…You really do not belong to this age. Probably Stone Age would have made a lot of sense for you you know!' Both laughed, and there was a prolonged pause. He swallowed a lump of spittle ‘Ahem! Ya…' ‘So why did you call?' She asked. ‘Yeah, yeah, when was the last time you checked your mail? No-no-no were those even the right words! The names are out now, for the scholarship thing. I have just learned about it, and I felt like you might not know and let you know' he responded. ‘Wow, when was that… How am I to check it? Oh oh, the E-mail… What's up, were you picked? He hung up? What is it with him…?'
She quickly dressed up and left for the internet café to verify from her E-mail account. She bellowed a cab hurriedly and took down to the Café. It was positive for her, and she was joyous as her dream had begun to come into reality. She ran down home feeling extremely eerie as she would be able to study the scientific discipline of her choice. On getting home, all she had was just herself. There was no one else to share the joy with and Andrew had just behaved as if he was not picked. She was with mixed feelings whether to call him and inform about the development and ask him about his. At a point in time at the same spot, she began to imagine how her mother would have been proud of her for her rare and impressive success. ‘Mom would be proud wherever she is.' ‘Loved you mom.' As the topic of her mother came in her joy was beginning to lose weight, but she tried and be positive back as she tried to get something to cool her throat right in her concise fridge at the edge of her wooden bed, painted brown. She felt asleep afterward as she began to relax in her bed.
She opened her eyes reluctantly then. Unconsciously, she waved her right hand and packed her hair which had covered her left eye to the back part of her head. She entered into some sort of daydream with her grandpa repeating over the same tale she had had before, right under the atmosphere –the dusk began to open for daylight to come with all its lighting glories to channel the course of bliss and it greased the earth with them spattered all through the faces of the sky glowing good. Dovish birds chirped no more about with each of their serrated wings, but there was another nocturnal bird on top of the tree beneath, which she and her grandpa were seated. It flapped and shattered the atmosphere with the sibilance of her departure as it clawed away. She woke up, and she gave Andrew a call.

To be continued... Love from Antarctic by Jodekss
... continuation of CHAPTER ONE.

After weeks they had been in contact over the phone, he felt it was necessary to check on her on how she was fairing and to also get to know how far she'd gone doing all other necessaries on her own part for sure success to be realized in the upcoming exam. It was on a Tuesday, and the summer sun had been out shining all it's got scorching the heck out of the earth and the earthmen herein. It began to walk the ways it would always do right from the west and making a swaggering down through the foamless skies to rest, and it was at the center of getting there already. Andrew was on his way down to purchase his usual thing, not much further apart from his apartment. Liked ice cream and other things which are sweet to his tongue. These things had piled together to give him the fatty self he had had. He used to eat a lot when he was little. He was voracious and wouldn't be satisfied until he was unconscious and all that. He was born well like just the other babies. Smart and beautiful to appreciate. But as usual, he got over his past much more easily, awkwardly. He was so good at relating factors unrelated in proffering solutions to any problem he was faced with. The distance from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head of Andrew was 5'7.6 or 172 cm. That was not his height and weight actually. The last time he went checking that almost corrupted his right senses. He had got a role model he would prefer to imagine to shatter any jot of regret for his physique. He admired Jackie –his best actor ever as his role model as he'd always cheer him up even when occasion did not call for that in his comics. On that sunny afternoon, it was of cause a tea shop that time but to get for himself a rather expensive ice-cream –Golden Opulence Sundae: $1,000. ‘Ahem…! Please, I am gonna be seated right over there, I wanna see the paper just behind you huh! He said and left immediately. He came back before 30 seconds, hurriedly. ‘Ehm… Make them all count please – the three scoops of rich Tahitian vanilla bean infused with Madagascar vanilla and covered in 23k edible gold leaf. He left back a newspaper; he looked serious as he saw the emboldened word –SCHOLARSHIP. He quickly drew it closer to himself to make sense of the full location on the paper. He read "STUDENTS GET SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY AT COLLEGE OF PHARMACY" ‘What… she must have been E-mailed, and I must have been, either… Wait…wait…' He quickly flipped through the papers to read the details. He was too anxious to begin from the top and get the details. He skimmed it all from top to the bellow part of it but could not see the names of those that later merited the scholarship on any part of the page. He skimmed the top, the below, the side, the mid and the middle but nothing like lists of names were there. He dropped the paper and went back to collect his ice cream. He collected it and paid and moved back to the papers. He went to the vendor and complained as per the names which are not there as if they were hidden by the man; the man let him check other papers in case of any similitude in tit-bit as per it. He did flip them all through but to naught. Bought the one which he first saw and headed home –it was a few blocks distance apart. At home, he was down with overly with anxiety. Then, he sat his robust seat, which pies looking so good and compelling on the table and one resting to be taken within Jack Robinson on his belly. He picked up the paper on the stool and began to read to grasp the inbuilt messages inscribed. It was then he was able to realize all candidates were expected to check their E-mails submitted during the signing ups. He immediately put the Wi-Fi into use but saw nothing there related. ‘Now, no congratulatory messages here; does that mean that is the end. O, Barbara, she must have learned about it; no, she could not have – she would have put a call through to me informing me; okay, what I am going to do would be to try and call her. No-no-no-no-no no… let me go and visit her in person. Which should come first?'
***
He gave her a call almost immediately, but she wouldn't answer the call. It was not on purpose as she was busy having a rather boring exchange with a neighbor who had come to invite her over to come and have dinner with his family for the first time since they had packed in. She stood right at the center of the door when it was opened with the chain still attached to it stretched a bit around from the flat wooden rampart of the door. Her head was out, and it was to the neighbor as if she was half naked and no choice than to be just like that. ‘It would gladden me if you would later show up. Just a knock on the door we would respond' said in a friendly way, the neighbor. She responded ‘I would really love to come and dine with your family. It had been long I experienced that and uh…that was before my mo… no worries…. Thanks for the invitation. And no offense please I have been in any way rude in my words.' He smiled and said fatherly ‘no-no-no… none taking actually Miss. You… just be good. See you around.' He turned back and crossed the street to the other side. She closed the door to herself and felt embarrassed as she had her back to the door and slipped down stealthily in regret for not liking mincing with new people around. She at once believed it was some phobia of the type she had not come across yet but recently she had got past that in thought believing it had to be must be something else entirely.
Two days back the almost exact same thing happened to her. She was around as it was the weekend of the week. One of the teens on the other side of the street saw her passing by and would be a friend and at the same time wanted her to come around to her birthday party on the following night. She replied sounding honest she had invited over to another party by another friend of hers downtown. It was all a blatant lie cooked up before she could know it. But it sounded way too confusing for her not to believe, so they departed. She walked barefooted back into the room to see that Andrew had called several time. ‘O my… oh my! I am in shit…' She called him back instantly to know what was up.
‘Hello, I was not with…' ‘Shhhhhhhhhhh….' he shushed her right from the other side. And he continued ‘where the hell did you put your phone this time, was it the kitchen again or back at the shopping mall, again…?' She gave her, once-in-a-while smile… ‘Sorry… You'd know some things will never change. Actually, it ain't deliberate. I was… with a neighbor and my phone was put on ‘silent,' again.' ‘You know what girl…You really do not belong to this age. Probably Stone Age would have made a lot of sense for you you know!' Both laughed, and there was a prolonged pause. He swallowed a lump of spittle ‘Ahem! Ya…' ‘So why did you call?' She asked. ‘Yeah, yeah, when was the last time you checked your mail? No-no-no were those even the right words! The names are out now, for the scholarship thing. I have just learned about it, and I felt like you might not know and let you know' he responded. ‘Wow, when was that… How am I to check it? Oh oh, the E-mail… What's up, were you picked? He hung up? What is it with him…?'
She quickly dressed up and left for the internet café to verify from her E-mail account. She bellowed a cab hurriedly and took down to the Café. It was positive for her, and she was joyous as her dream had begun to come into reality. She ran down home feeling extremely eerie as she would be able to study the scientific discipline of her choice. On getting home, all she had was just herself. There was no one else to share the joy with and Andrew had just behaved as if he was not picked. She was with mixed feelings whether to call him and inform about the development and ask him about his. At a point in time at the same spot, she began to imagine how her mother would have been proud of her for her rare and impressive success. ‘Mom would be proud wherever she is.' ‘Loved you mom.' As the topic of her mother came in her joy was beginning to lose weight, but she tried and be positive back as she tried to get something to cool her throat right in her concise fridge at the edge of her wooden bed, painted brown. She felt asleep afterward as she began to relax in her bed.
She opened her eyes reluctantly then. Unconsciously, she waved her right hand and packed her hair which had covered her left eye to the back part of her head. She entered into some sort of daydream with her grandpa repeating over the same tale she had had before, right under the atmosphere –the dusk began to open for daylight to come with all its lighting glories to channel the course of bliss and it greased the earth with them spattered all through the faces of the sky glowing good. Dovish birds chirped no more about with each of their serrated wings, but there was another nocturnal bird on top of the tree beneath, which she and her grandpa were seated. It flapped and shattered the atmosphere with the sibilance of her departure as it clawed away. She woke up, and she gave Andrew a call.

To be continued...

Woman, "let it go." Said the gentleman.

"Oh oh oh! He's being 'polite' proofin' greater than?
You cannot add PLEASE come on...  this is 21st century who's your minion?
Yeah, to hell from heaven with your million (that if you've one) Mr. Dominion
You are a waste resource foaming dirt in the mouth like a dummy
Are you insane? O, tied? Ⓣry and dial your My mummy
or my mummy again reportin' me before you use the stick between
Your legs, swollen stick yet givin' us another twin
Sickly sons of their father... unlucky fruits, remnants from bad baby factory, whose shites stink like his office boots
You, a big for-nothin' and useless property; bald in the head but bushy below
Come on shut up or keep quite who do you bellow below?
Come on common man look me in the eye with respect
You'd tag me feminazis now before your nozzle go erect
Soon, he'd be looking for where to wet his reekin' rod
I say calm down
Shut up clown...
You said what?
What?" She reacted.

"Even Bible to Renaissance argued - 'It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman,' my wife, please 'let it go.'" Pled the man

"Wow 'wo' now that you beg, you are lesser than less than
Where is your reservation of pride all of a sudden man?
Absconded 'cause I was being harsh my husband?
Now you want to blubber and cry or whine 'round playin' rubber band?
With goatish beard this long, you too dull
Your plays curse me more than no acts and all
Irritation of the highest order: I'll batter your face with this can
Rubbish, empty vessel trying to pose responsible a man." She responded.

My take:

I say:
"From evidence woman you are an havoc
A piece of karaoke singin' cataclysm 'round the clock
Dirty lousy pryin' pan
Blowing trumpet you can
Jezebel of today and devil's advocate
You abuse your husband anyhow and gyrate
Fightin' for superiority right? Clenching your fist to fight
You slap your husband first tryin' to dodge his fist from right
Hand if he punched your front tooth you'd become uglier
And blame that on superiority complex, liar
Not somber but with straight face and cannot say sorry you idiot
on a quest seeking balance being sassy Snazzy of riot
Can you dig a well or climb cashew like commando?
Why trying to make your fingers grow equal? Tho'
even if in resource you are sound still your husband you'd respect
but his God-given rod you tarnish with your public sect
Wait what lies twixt your own dirty two legs?
Yours is mould of gold or diamond or folded like pegs?
Call your arrogance into caution I beg your head to listen
One who'd not listen is like a moth condescendin' the curse on
Spider web
Keep your ebb!"

©Jodekss '17

The New Man Writing Contest is a yearly contest organised by The New Man Movement, a body of young vibrant minds that desire a change in society, that begins with the youths; with the believe that writing has a power of changing men from the old to the new.
In its third year, The New Man Writing Contest is targeted at the promotion of literary works by combing through the forest of literary virginity within individuals of the age bracket, 15-25. You can read about The New Man Writing Contest (NMWC) 2017 here.
The 2018 edition would be hosted in honour of H.R.M, Oba Adedokun Abolarin Omoniyi, Aroyinkeke 1, the Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun Osun, Nigeria.
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a. PROSE: Maximum, 8000 words
b. POETRY: Maximum, 200 lines
c. DRAMA: Maximum, 5 Acts
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CHAPTER ONE
    THE TALE
The morning sun breezed casually in, through the slightly parted blinds. Barbara Forest responded with a deep frown. She opened an eye and reached for her wrist watch in the bed-side stool…. Knocking down the file she had been working on, she accepted it wasn’t there. The thoughts of the day before flooded her mind. ‘I must get out of bed and…’ She trailed off. 
‘10: 30 AM!!! What the fff….' She threw off the covers and blessed the caller. The phone kept up with the shrilling noise. The little passage to the living room seemed to be a hundred in number. Barbara closed her eyes while leaning on the cool wall. Her head settled. She walked carefully into the living room and said into the receiver: ‘Forest's residence'-- ‘Good morning sleepy head,' said the voice of her Office Assistant and a friend. ‘Andrew! What the hell???' At the other end, a rich laughter rang out. ‘Well, you weren't answering your mobile phone. I bet you have fifteen missed calls from me alone--'. Her brows relaxed as she massaged her temples. She felt sick and nauseated. ‘-- ends today. Do I go ahead to apply? – Barbara!!!' ‘What was that?', she asked. ‘I said the application for the grants ends 12:00 PM today, I believe we need this for-- '. ‘ALRIGHT! Apply.' Andrew blew several kisses across to her. ‘Get off my line,' she retorted and crashed the receiver into its cradle. The corners of her lips twitched till it produced a beautiful grin. Andrew was a devil who knew how to have his way with her, or maybe-- she had a soft spot for him.
Back in the room, she took several gulps from the bottle of water, on the dresser. She stared into the mirror- the mass of blonde hair tumbled beautifully down her shoulders; large green eyes stared back at her. Her pink lips were pale and cracked from lack of care. She ran her slender fingers neatly through her wavy hair, and stared more resolutely into the mirror: jaw pointing forward, cradling tight lips; shoulders tensed- signs she was in a mind session. Something bothered the hell out of her. It threatened her calm. Barbara was a beauty- however all she saw were her failures. She sighed, and settled into the armchair at the side of the wall…
Andrew on the other side had his fat butt seated, sunk down deep in his water bed as scouting wonders began scattering every inch, here and there in his face leaving by confusing remarks of oblivion note buried around all over. ‘She likes me!' he looked straight at the wall standing painted in pink right just adjacent to where he's seated at, looking at how she's managed to smirk so eerie that way in their high school graduation shot and she still looked so awful, admirable and laced with bunches of elegance – he went some sort of trance seeing stars n' even moons as gorgeously as they would make the night beautified as they danced around her blonde hair. ‘O my o my, I wish she was really mine way back then and even n…' said as his eyes squinted which drew his attention to some fat-bellied boy, with big head, big cheek, coiled black hair laughing out loud right in the picture – it was him. He was born fat that way. Although, his momma would always try and make him see reasons he should and need to accept himself for who he was and who he would grow to be. It had always been the knowledge and the images of her mother talking him out of his self-pathetic thoughts that had kept him that far. He would hate himself for some moment and would begin to love himself further before you'd dream that happen. ‘O…! Bless you momma' he remarked as he made that kind of benediction cross signs – first to his chest, then to his head, then to his left and then lastly to his right arm and he looked quite content on the face after heaving some bulkily lousy sigh of relief. ‘Missed you momma'—‘Be In Peace momma'… every bit of the sickly reflection dangling about on his face began to rain down like the pulling down of a surging sea billow till it ran into naught with the sides of the sea shore. ‘We only are good friends and nothing more, I…guess. It had been like so right from first day together. She is uh… she is not my type.' As he needed to stand up, he placed his right hand on the bed, awkwardly and did the same thing with the left. He put forces in them having rested in them well –having them drawn inwardly into the bed to help him up to go on having the system put on, connect and do all the necessaries as expected and conversed with Barbara and him.
***
It was another darkly twilight time of the day, when the sun was already doing its wobbling paces down back through the woolly routes back the West. She was down at one corner busy reminiscing the very last time she was gladdened in the heart for real being in a company. She thought and thought four hours and slept on that as she smiled having recollected way back when she was so little and when his grandfather would come into her bedroom to reel her late night tales of our things be in the Arctic woods where his great… great grandfathers had their nascency before their immigration into the States. She remembers every detail even as she had gone real deep into unconscious states. It became a sort of dream within her figment with activities picturesque as she pictured the grandfather by name –Wood –who began to lay rest and hold on the legends of the bush as was being passed across to him to her to sleep. ‘Arctic forest is always there with dire cold, swooshing of cold winds, breezes, beauties of natures are best admired around there and beasts of the bush are there too surviving fine. They are there fine, roaring, bleating, chirping, cawing to feed and to be hunted down for food n' for sport; there is unlike here where cold comes to show intermittently. Listen… have you ever heard of polar bears before?' he asked… ‘I have only seen the picture of a very fluffy white one at school before' she replied. ‘O, this one was way too big. One father told me they had never seen before. It was fluffy as well and was on that day sniffing deeply the snow-earth, and restlessly at the cool, harsh wind, golden eyes in a mass of white gazed intensely into the distance, and down again at the patches of white. Then and now, white furred ears performed a rhythm- for they tweaked backwards-forwards. Great white fore and hind feet held the creature in a towering composure. With the right fore foot, it stamped determinedly on the earth, digging deep patches in the white earth. It worked with great skill with her rotund behind. It was burying its nostrils in the sand, it growled deeply and took off with a sudden force— ‘The strength of the being could not be glossed over. This polar bear, was the lord of the Arctic as my father claimed. Its fur glistened as it shifted its weight, smoothly, from fore to hind and back. It ran with precision; and dropped to a trot by the great tree. Some emotion- loathe- settled on its face, as it came to a halt where the blood made a trail. The strong shoulders tensed; and golden eyes glittered. The creature made a quick turn, content with its discovery, picked pace and disappeared into the woods.' ‘Woooow….! Could you please continue?' she asked curiously with awfulness radiating her face. ‘No no… dear. In fact, I was just beginning to think this such legendary tale might be too serious for your age.' He replied warmly. She gave him some sudden quizzicalness on the face and said in whining ways ‘No I am no kid no more: I am no more in the nursery… please… continue grandpa. 'One short balling laughter rolled out of one side of his mouth which pulled apart his moustache tagging to it some sort of dimples on his wrinkling old cheeks as his lips reflexed. ‘Alright, Wood said they tracked down the beastie meat to where his strengths could got it to to meet with the ravenous beasts of the forests cawing on top of it already, sore busy, flapping their dirty cold waspy wings about weaving the skies into what later drew around the attentions of bunches of foxes, three of them actually and we would not be able to repeal them. The beast breathed heavily the cold smoke from their innards with bunches of regression painted all over their frosty faces for the night meal which was believed would be yummy and rosy turned into nothingness and wasted expectation. He told me…' the sudden unconsciousness which befogged her senses was beginning to fade as reality on this side was already commanding her redemption abound as there was one big white bulky Volvo truck outside, driven around on chore course to help her with her wastes. The interruptions gave her missed feelings. It was on one side in her head the scenery she was presented with –daydreaming should continue undisturbed and on the other side, the filths at the other side of the apartment were already emitting into the atmosphere bad odour which was so sickly. So, she had prayed right in her mind that they should come and do the packing and they had come but at a very bad timing as they had caused one severe interruption. ‘O, damn it, what some sick chain reaction that…. wa…s' she said as she yawned. She stood up to have a look at them as they were doing the packing and that reminded her she would need to go and start getting busy too in preparation for the examination coming up about the scholarship. And that again reminded her how she was so caring before she died of cancer few years back. Judith was an angel to her before her demise after she was diagnosed with cancer. That served as one of her big drives to want to study Pharmacy and to find a way around despite any forms of challenges to be the best in the course of making a living and making other things. All she felt she needed was the grant that would come afterwards, she would be able to do the handlings of the rest miscellaneousness herself. Pharmacy education was a challenging degree in the healthcare industry as was the fastest developing area of medical profession in the States at the moment.
She stood up and left to get herself cleaned up to go to the public library in New York to study even the more. Hurriedly, she was drenched with thoughts on how to merit the scholarship to study Pharmacy as there was no way no other lest she failed. ‘O, how on earth would I go about living my life if…' she remarked restlessly. She picked up her pair of boots, stooped and puts them on. She picked up her jean trousers, limped and jumped about as she tried wearing them. The t-shirt came; next, she looked for it on the hanger hung in the wooden cupboard buried in the wall next and left for the library immediately like she was way too late. ‘Hey… Howdy, Barbara! It is me' said the guy standing, resting his side to a street wall waiting.
Barbara heard, but she would not look. She had integrated in preparedness her mind in the likewise ways – that whenever she was called from behind on the street, she would not try and look back nor answer but find a way out of the particular scene; she retorted in her mind ‘I am not gonna answer ya bitch ass.' There were reasons to that as there used to be cases of robbery, rape, gangs who beat the stuffing out of their frenemies and all that. She paced even faster to avoid the supposed evil impending. ‘I am sorry about Judith… Just wait a moment so we could talk properly please…' he said as he began to move trying to walk up to her innocently.
On hearing the name Judith, she turned sharply with spitefully biting bitter look polluting her gorgeous face. She twitched and gave him a bitter-sweet as she was surprised to in such odd location. She knew instantly, in a matter of milliseconds counts the person had to be familiar. Thus, there was the good side of her which would like to pause a bit and listen to what he wanted to say. ‘Whoa! I know you. You are… She moved a bit more closer with a reconnecting gaze on her face trying to make sense where really she knew her from to be double sure. ‘I am Ben... So, you do not remember? We used to leave together in the same street, downtown. I had been there looking for you but was… Look, it was a long story before I could make it here' said he. ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa…! You are still busy haunting me around? I can never be that girl by your side. What I told you months ago still remains intact yet, uh! Please let me be… I have got other things to do' she reflected gallantly. Then, there, as she was already twisting forwards her right leg making a 45˚ circling to begin on her path. ‘I am sorry about Judith...' he said remorsefully. ‘Fuck you very much for that. You'd know one thing clearly Ben.' she said pacing closer having retracted. ‘She might still be alive just now, even be here with us if you had helped with the remaining resources I begged you lend. I hope you know that! Please, you don't call that name again uh, mom and I used to believe you merited that but you never really did…' She turned and left with tears pouring profusely out of her eyes. She fell on her kneels having broken down with tears all over at a corner where no one would see her blubber. ‘Mom… why… why did you leave?' she moaned bitterly. 
She heard some clattering sound, and she immediately thought some people might want to harm her. She swiftly cleaned her face with her kerchief and began to rush out in a manic way where there are plenty people walking. After few blocks she was already at the library, she sat and began to do read closely. Whenever she stopped by or passed by the library, she would remember her mother's words to her at a time when she was younger that ‘failure to prepare well enough is the preparation to fail well.' As she remembered again, one wry-like smiled rolled out her face, and she awkwardly began to look relaxed, even contented and adequately in charge of the mo.

To be continued...

The winds of love should come now I want to mount
The winds of love come with your wings I want to mount
The winds of love come waving your wings... let every mighty males
Feel the beating sounds of your flapping wings in beeping amorous tales
Lift me up high to meet the gods even Shall I by any means be shy to release my virginity to Kratos?
May Zeus make that happen that I might fall within his mighty force
Fall into the tangle of the sibilance his beauteous voice of valour
The commands that emit from his gaze alone appeal to me like blue colour
If Kratos would not do may the Princes of Persia fall
O, wind, heed to my words within the course of the waving wave so tall
Take me to my man upon whose breasts my breasts shall sit
in comfort and the butt I have nourished this far he'll hold like balloons
And the gracious race lying twixt my lap I'll allow him run in several turns.

© Jodekss '17

NB:
Inspired by Gbemi.

The fifth turn.
The sun had vanished from the sky at 7:05,only its rays gave light. And like every other twilight, Sunshine estate was gradually illuminating with street lights. Toni never missed an evening to sightsee the estate, but today was no day for an hobby. Toni was worried and scared,four hours gone and still no calls or news from the fivesome that went to get Peju. Toni looked around and saw that just a neighbour and Okeke Family were left of the earlier crowd,he sighed."I should go to the police station now. It's been four hour,and no news. I can't stay here and do nothing." Toni said as he walked out of the house. Jasmine and Amaka ran after him."We're coming with you",They chorused,"I will drive"Amaka declared and he shrugged. They left the house with Mrs Okeke and Bose.
    Simpson street has always been quiet and empty, save today. Peju groaned with pain, everything seemed to be against her. She had sustained injury from her jump. She landed on stone, but she was in luck it affected her ankle alone. She didn't waste a minute to nurse her pain, she sprung up and hopped out of the building, with one hand she held her diary and with the other she held a stick for support. Cursing terribly as she limped, She felt a sharp pain at the side of her stomach, she knew it was hunger. Since that morning, she hadn't had water. "I can do it. You can do it girl!! Just keep moving forward", she told herself. Hitting her good foot against a stone, she collapsed, she couldn't take it anymore,not minding if anyone was around,she screamed rolling on the floor for about ten minutes. "God why? why?", she whimpered. "Why is this happening to me? Dauda is gone,and I am so lost.", she sniffed and with anger she shouted "Is this what you want?! For me to be so miserable and tired of living?!", throwing stones into the sky, she broke down again hugging herself. " I'm caged, even on an open goddamn street", She said picking her diary up,"Keep moving girl!",She yelled at herself again,but this time she replied with an innocent voice,"Okay! I'm moving. Just help me up, please.","Grab the stick girl!" she replied herself harshly again. She gasped surprised at herself, but took the stick and her diary,she recited "I'm not crazy,not yet" as she limped.
    "Okay!! I can't go any further,my feet hurts."Mrs Adegbesan staggered down. Uncle Thomas ran towards her,"A woman of 79 shouldn't be engaged in this.",he said smiling. " We've made three turns,if we walk faster, we can reach the remaining three turns of Simpson street. ", Akani calculated, "And find Peju.", Folake added. "You people should go immediately. I'm fine.", Mrs Adegbesan advised. Uncle Thomas disagreed," I'd carry you if I have to,we are not leaving anyone behind " he dictated,Mrs Adegbesan laughed. Luckily, she had a very small stature so uncle Thomas gave her a piggyback. 
    It wasn't until it was completely dark,that they got to the fourth turn. "That was a pretty long road!", uncle Thomas complained breathing heavily and put his mother down. " I think we should rest a bit." Folake too was breathing like she had just ran a marathon . "We can't rest here,its very dark and we only have that little phone to brighten our way", Akani replied. "Bode, what's the time?", Mrs Adegbesan asked. Bode looked at Jasmine phone and shouted for joy,forgetting that they were weary,they gathered around him waiting for the good news. "There is signal! Network signal!", disappointedly, they all chorused; "Then Call Toni!!"
    "Calm down?! I've been waiting for two hours to report the same case I reported this afternoon, now my parents, my uncle,my grandma and my sister is missing!!! it's 9:55!", Toni argued with the police officers who kept telling him to calm down. He was frustrated, "Bros,I say make you calm down ojere,we will attend to you,calm down!" an officer replied. Toni turned his back at them furiously with a sharp cry of;"My God.". His cellphone vibrated in his pockets he checked the caller id,it was an unknown number "Network! don't try shit with me!",he exclaimed and rejected the call. It vibrated again, he rejected it again, before he could put it back in his pocket,it vibrated again,"Come on!!!",he yelled. Amaka took the phone from him before he could smash it, "Network don't call as frequent as this",she said and picked. "Toni! bri... t.. car t. Sim..on street! ..mspon str..t! Go t. the police station. No g... sig..l. Be fast!!" and the line went off. "Simpson street? Its your dad!",she said running towards the officers. " Please, you have to drive us to Simpson street, its an emergency!!. They nodded and within five minutes, they were set to leave. Toni began to wonder how Amaka did it... 
   At 10:56, the front lights of the police car shone on the fivesome. Toni alighted from the vehicle before it stopped,he ran towards them like a little child,hugging them, "Mum! Dad! uncle Thomas, Akani! Grandma!!" he looked around, "where's Peju?", no one replied. " Mum,where's she?", "The search continues, we haven't found her, we will find her",uncle Thomas answered. "How are you sure she's alive?" the first officer asked. "She's alive!", Bode almost shouted. "She should be alive, but alive or not,we must find her we've checked all four turns in Simpson street,we hope to find her on the fifth turn", uncle Thomas replied. The policemen nodded and they all got into the car. The ride to the fifth turn was a very moody one,no one said anything, everyone was scared. Jasmine eyes were misty, 'Peju could be dead?', she tried to imagine the world without her best friend. "Oh God!", she whispered turning to face Amaka;"Peju's alive,right?", Amaka didn't know how to answer, she held her sister; "Its alright Jasmine,it fine.", she whispered. The thought that Peju might be dead was very disturbing, even uncle Thomas wasn't as cool as always.
However, the policemen were determined to have fun with their job. "So, what can be the worst scenario of this case?", the  second officer asked the first in a very low voice. "We find the child's corpse and take lots of ladies to the hospital or a psychiatrist.", he joked and they both laughed. "Stop the car!!! Stop!", Toni shouted. Jumping out of the car, he ran towards a little rock,or rather that's what they saw. Folake let out a cry of; "TONI!", "What is wrong with that boy?!", the policemen wondered. Anyone could have mistaken the body on the side of the road for a rock, but Toni had good eyes. They stopped the car. Slowly,Toni observed the body, "Peju!! its Peju!!" he screamed as he carried his sister. Everyone alighted running towards him. "My baby!!", Folake cried,"She's alive, right? Tell me she's alive!!",she was going crazy. Bode got to Toni first, he grabbed her from him,trembling with fear  he tried to check her pulse."Relax dad!" Toni voice shook, he was crying. Soon everyone was around Bode,he took a deep breath and checked her pulse again, he felt slight movement, "Her heart is beating...", he whispered. "she's alive! SHE IS ALIVE!!", everyone jumped for joy,even the policemen. Folake and Mrs Adegbesan broke down, shedding tears of joy, Amaka, Toni and Jasmine were laughing and crying, thanking Jesus,while Bode carried Peju to the car. 
   At 11:58, they were out of Simpson street. And Peju was taken to the hospital.

❤❤❤😍😘😘😘😘😘💘
It is the peak of the night my heart

My body feels scanty come in withfingering your  worth

To caress my black skin until cloud seven

Feeling your blissful reliances throughout my veins and arteries

My lisping lips are quivering for your touch

Cuddle my breast

so that I might rest

Take me by my soft spot for I all yours indeed

Come to me on this sofa to rest like daffodils. 💝🌹🌹🌺

By Gbemi

Saved by an enemy

On the flight back to Lagos, Bode was finding it difficult to think straight. Scary thoughts came to him as he stared at the clouds. And for the first time in a long time, he thought of praying. He closed his eyes,he wanted to stoop down to feel he was praying right. For about fifteen seconds, he was trying to figure out how to start, he sighed heavily. "Dear Jesus...thank you... Forgive me... God please!! take care of Peju. I don't know how to say this Lord,but I'm scared, just give me one more chance to make it right, please Lord.",finally words came out.
People had stopped trooping into Jacobs house,but it was still filled with people. Toni suggested that they report to the policemen, but Uncle Thomas thought it was better to wait for Bode. "It's almost 3hours,we can't just sit here and do nothing ",Mrs Adegbesan said. Folake was amused,that was the first time her mother didn't support her son. She smiled," Bode is coming, I have sent Akani to the airport, he will be here soon.",Folake replied. The house resounded with the car horn,"Mr Jacobs has arrived!",Jasmine notified and everyone rushed out. Bode alighted and Folake rushed to meet him with tears in her eyes,he embraced her ,"We don't really have time Folake,any news?" Bode asked immediately he released her." Peju has been kidnapped, and they want five million Naira cash for her release.", Folake rapped. " Okay...let's go to the bank",he said turning to get into the car. "But we should go to the policemen first, five million is a lot", Folake called after him." I can't risk this Folake, I've seen situations like this, and it doesn't go pretty well for those who involve the policemen. Let's get our daughter first, it's dangerous she's with them. We can involve the policemen later, please. ",he explained and Folake nodded. Uncle Thomas and Mrs Adegbesan followed the couple into the car leaving Toni in charge of the house. " Stay safe!!"Folake had told Toni before she left. Jasmine walked up to Toni "Do you think they will bring her back?",she asked,she was scared and it was so obvious." I trust God,he will protect her,she will be back. Safely",Toni assured her. "Come on,let's go inside", He gestured her into the house.
*******************************
Peju was alone with her diary. " Seconds became minutes, minutes is now hours, God please,it can't turn into days..."she entered into it. She was about to write something else when she heard someone approaching. Guessing it was Felix,she closed the diary and pretended to be asleep. She wasn't ready for his chitchat. The door was opened and closed almost immediately and very quietly. She got suspicious because Felix had never open the door like that. She opened her eyes without moving to see who it was,a figure that was definitely not Felix approached her. He moved cautiously so as not to wake her up. Fear gripped Peju. She could take a stab at what he wanted, and she held on to her pen tightly. 'I'd kill him if he tries anything, I swear it'. When he was close enough, he lowered himself before her. But before he could lay a finger on her,she jabbed his thigh with the pen and he let a thunderous scream out as she pushed him away. She tried to run to the door, but he grabbed her leg."Help!!",she screamed as she kicked and fought with all her strength. He struggled up, tore her dress off and tried to overpower her,she grabbed the pen and poked his hand severely,"Help!!! Someone! Anyone!!", she screamed louder. He slapped her with his other hand," No one will save you! No one can save you! You are caged!",he cried fiercely as he approached her removing his trousers. Peju was cursing loud and before he could descend on her,the door creaked opened and Baba Comrade rushed into the room. "Wole! Stay away from her!" he ordered disgusted at the situation. Wole stared fiercely at Baba Comrade, "Why? Ok, you go collect your five million naira and pay your daughter's hospital bill, Wetin be my gain?Nothing!",he snapped as he tried to grab Peju. " I said let her go! If you touch her, I will blow your head off. " Baba Comrade pointed his pistol at him. Wole gave him a daring look,he grabbed Peju's hand and the gunshot went off. Peju screamed as she saw blood gush out of Wole's head,she had witnessed two murder on the same day,by the same person. She couldn't take it anymore, she passed out.
Bode had withdrawn the money,it was meticulously arranged in a briefcase." Thank you very much",He thanked the cashier and walked out of the bank. " I can't believe we're paying criminals five million naira. I still wonder why we can't go to the policemen, this is very risky and a waste of money." Folake complained bitterly as Bode got into the car. "Any call from them yet?" Bode asked, ignoring her. Folake continued "Bode,why can't you just listen to me? Let's call the policemen, this is a waste of money, Toni needs thi...","Is this about the money for your son's fees or your daughter's life? Which one should matter to you right now? Folake,I'm confused! Don't you love Peju? Really,what's the difference between you and your mother?" Bode resorted sharply. Folake was dumbfounded, Mrs Adegbesan was ashamed,Akani pretended to listen to the radio and Uncle Thomas wanted to laugh terribly,but he knew the atmosphere was too serious for mockery. Everywhere was dead silent. "I just want Peju safe,even if it would cost me all I have." ,Bode said softly and Jasmine's phone rang almost immediately. Bode picked,it was Baba Comrade. He directed him to the venue he would drop the money and get Peju. He dropped the call warning Bode to come alone and not to involve the police."Okay,just don't touch her. We're on our way.",the line went off."They have given us the venue to drop the money, we'd have to go. Akani you know Simpson street,right? Please take us there.",Bode told Akani. Akani nodded,while Folake folded her arms; "Yes,you're the boss",she whispered loud enough for Bode to hear. Bode ignored her, Mrs Adegbesan was mute and still ashamed, while uncle Thomas was enjoying the drama as Akani ignited the car.
It was 3:47 and still no news about Peju or the fivesome that went for her. The suspense was too disturbing, even children were quiet. Jasmine had her eyes closed, shivering out of fear. Ten thousand thoughts swam in and out of her head about Peju,and they all weren't nice." I think we should pray",Jasmine suggested. Toni nodded and Bose rushed to get a scarf. The trio held hands to pray,Amaka joined the circle, followed by Mrs Okeke, other aunties,soon everyone in the house,joined the circle as they prayed for Peju in Jesus' name.

Life used to be fun like this
As heaven looks calmly seated there like that
Even the worst of the herbs grow close fine so good next to herbs
And rains would do us visits in due seasons before we even know it you'd know
The sun in his own microbiosis would seek our farms early enough so
lettin' us have enlightenment and enjoyment at twilight's fall just like that. 

Each day was bright and big and appealed to our senses
Our clothes were mould of straws and pebbles in dirt rest on all heads
Our horses were not horses. Our horses are black busy beatles
Dirt and dirt they roll into one and as we had worked a bit to reap for bounty intake
We ride on their scaly backs as we collect and their dirt, our fathers do smoke then and laugh like giraffe.

We used to have no class but a community of one mind
When my cheeks were as strong as yours stand
Shining at their peak and rotund as you jump reflecting our sun in this North
And the game which we used to play you are playing clothed with uniforms
And leafy badges looking white with White's ideal logos on 'em
We did not share but straws of pants
Kala, green cabbage of skirts and bananas, yellow for hairdo
And bloods of hen or roosters for lipstick we had.

Young and agile in that youthhood and we understood
Truth of time and facts of beings and not being
Older we grew than your fathers and mothers be again
No vacuum no fain nor failure
No definitions like you now know now from rolls today
Education tho' appeared good but listen to the next coro before I rest.

After creed had to steal your stolen pride
Because we are black while tho' our chameleons change similarly as
Alien philosophies and simplex idiosyncrasies made their leaders lead to hang leaders innards on 'em, bamboo sticks and spiny cactus seeds they had long planted elsewhere to to to boom boom boom
And the belief they speak for they kill for to speak for
And the leaders they speak for they kill, and still speak for
And the kids they slaughter for they slaughter, slaughtering for
And fine pants they lay with to caress and cool their libido with they behead for, they behead
And the farms they boast for they match on and spoil with fires and lousy bangs from round macaroons.

Rabbling legs rustling the dried décor leafs leave on the earth
With sticks that spread ministries who cause red milks to ooze when speak
in 'ingsoc'. And those long dog family with louder barks. Bite you and your dead hands and legs and those not dead to being zombies --
Looking harmlessly rabid, soaked in woes of rabies
And we can go to check
We can go and check
Stop dancing, to go and check
Continue dancing, to go and check
Oh! Don't dare go and check
the valleys they came through with iron sticks as their spokespersons  are still traps and
Their mad dogs, iron in course that barked through one wall to the other
Are still there feigned as flowers with red milks of your own, licking down forming oceans of agony for you a to sail...
O!  Look, don't look back as you are
Check not the seas so red from the past hands for they are
Continue to rejoice beyond the abuse of the pasts you have aced through
Watch and clap your hands as legs flow within rhythm so true
And hands roll up and break in grand styles as they do
Sing on and laugh out like we would do with our dirty teeth then
To cause another change for good with your pencil and your pen.

©Jodekss '17

As I brood behind the bark of tree then I'd seen
Seen as my teeth fall and my handsome skin spoilt
Spoilt backs your dimples I have praised drops down
Down with your lap with timely stripes irritatingly brown. 😑😂

© Jodekss '17

     First Entry.
      At 11:40, the valedictory service was wrapping up with award presentations. Soon it was time to award the graduating students. Peju was the first on the list for best student of the year, but no one responded.
"Peju Jacobs ,best student of the year. Where are you?" Principal Stanley called again.
"She is not around sir, she did not come."Jasmine offered a reply.
"Really? wow that's odd", he paused for a moment.
"OK, so best in sciences;Adedeji Toba". In few minutes the ceremony was over and students were left to dance till they got tired.
   Folake arrived Dominic high few minutes principal Stanley's speech. She entered the hall trying to find Peju, when she could not, she asked for the principal's office. Inside the principal's office stood a table ,some chairs, books, trophy shelf, and portraits on the wall. Principal Stanley was seated, busy with the year book. He was smiling with satisfaction as he flipped the pages. A knock on his office door interrupted him. He called the person in. Folake entered greeting,
"hello Mrs...?"He asked.
"Jacobs sir,Jacobs"Folake giggled.
"Oh! I'm sorry madam, just that I never seen you around. My apologies ma'am," he apologized.
"No problem sir. I was quite frequent when the last principal was here, my son Tony graduated from this highly esteemed school too" Folake pointed out.
The principal smiled and asked if she wanted to explain Peju's absence from the ceremony. Folake was dumbfounded.
"Wh- what?!Peju was not around?? Th-that's not right. She left as early as 7.00am".
The principal frowned as she stuttered.
"Are you sure? She was nowhere to be found at the ceremony," he told her.
Folake jump up alarmed "Of course I'm sure, She left the house with...  with Dauda." She paused
"Dauda!! I knew it!".
Folake raced out of the office, Principal Stanley followed her. In the car ,She dialed Dauda's number twice and it rang out,
"oh my God... this can't be happening"she lamented as she called him again, "Hello?" a someone received the call."Dauda! what the hell do you think you are doing? Where on earth did you take my daughter to? I swear,I'll kill you. Wher...","This is not Dauda, if Dauda is the owner of this line, then you need to come to 7th street, it's an emergency, ma" the voice interrupted, saying 'ma' as an afterthought.
Folake chuckled with disbelieve, "Is this funny to you? Give the phone to Peju now! In fact, where are you?. The receiver gave the address, Folake told Akani; her driver the address. Principal Stanley stood with confusion as the car disappeared.
   In a small dark room with only a tiny window that gave air and light, was Peju, hugging her legs tightly as she sobbed, the image of Dauda's body soaked in blood kept coming back. She rocked and pinched herself hoping it was all a dream. He was just protecting her, he did not deserve to die. Dauda had so many plans, he was going to shake earth, he was her friend. She cried harder startling the kidnappers. Felix, a member of the gang, spoke from the other room, "stop that cry now!! it's getting noisy."
Peju ignored him. He entered Peju's cell with rage as if to hit her but she shrank with great fear crying louder. Irritated, he looked at her "I'm not going to hit you, I know you are sad, just stop upsetting everyone."
She cried even more but now, he had compassion. She was trembling and untidy . He should be nice, after all they had done enough in ruining the day for her.
"Where were you guys heading to?" He asked trying to be nice.
"Is it your birthday? Happy birthday" he continued," I should give you a gift. I am sorry for ruining your birthday."
He dipped his hands into Peju's bag; that was with him. "Oh here! happy birthday!! " he presented Peju's Diary. Seeing it, Peju snatched it from him.
"I knew you'd like it." he said with a big grin. He left Peju holding tight to the book. At the side of the book was a pen. She removed it, opened the book and entered "Dauda," she paused, then tapped the book in deep thought of what to write, looked at the name again as she shred fresh tears.

   Bode Jacobs; Peju's father is a doctor, well known for his successful surgical operations. Today was different for him, he was not as busy as every other day and he got himself wishing he attended his little girl's graduation. He was aware of his irresponsibility towards Peju. When Toni was in secondary school, he never missed an activity. He was there. When Peju came along, he got a new job that took him to Bauchi far away from Lagos where his family based. For a while he communicated with his his family especially his daughter well, but he got busier, richer and had lesser time. Peju got tired of waiting for his calls. Even when he was home for vacations, she withdrew to herself and when that educated driver came, she was closer to him than any other person. Now, he was staring at his cellphone like he was excepting a call. He swifted his attention away from it and almost immediately the Phone rang. He smiled as he picked, but his smile faded as soon as he heard Folake wailing. She told him Dauda was dead and Peju was missing. It felt like a prank was being played on him, he so much waited for his wife to laugh out and scream "gotcha!!" but Folake was still wailing."
Folake go to a police station now,I'm coming soon." He declared. He dropped his cellphone, rushed into Chief of surgery office to take permission.