Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Chapter 3
….continued.
Bankole had a wife and they had had three children, all males. Two of the male children were not yet fully adults and his first son whom he loved so much and had just reached adulthood, two moons prior. The mother was the one at the fore with the first son at the rare. The rest were between them (as this is precaution in case of any necessity). As Bankole would always feared, “every bush paths and walk ways around us here as well the paths for the beast to tread. So, my sons, always be wary whenever you are using any of the paths to the farm, when the sun had gotten to its peak in the day.
As they continued on the journey to the farm with each of them bearing shoulder-high the expectation Bankole had to have been close-by to catching up with them, the second to the last child of Bankole, who is, though a male but had the sonorous tone of his grandmother who died just of recent, began to sing sonorously and loudly. His voice was so beautiful and enticing to the extent that even the leaves on the either sides of the bush path started to blossom simultaneously with each sound he made as he rendered the ancient song taught him by his grandmother (who was no more). The rest would not join him yet as they were getting ready to blend in with him at the exact spot where they could flow well with the rhythm he started it. Suddenly, they synced in and they all sang alongside Ogunmodede, the second to the last child of Bankole.
“Aye bami gbe
Ayeeeeeeeeeee… bami gbe eeeeee
Orun aye yi manika ah
Orun aye yi manika ah
Orun aye manika ah
Ah ah…ah …ah …ah apanirun eni ni o
Oluwosan ni o…
Eda to le lati gbekele
Abarameji eda
Ourn kan kan tan tun mo si meji…
Chorus:
Si meji-si meji
A yi biribiiiri a tani lori
A yi biribiiri a mu ohun ogbin yori…
Aye bami gbe
Ayeeeeeeeeeee… bami gbe eeeeee
Orun aye yi manika ah
Orun aye yi manika ah
Orun aye manika ah
Ah ah…ah …ah …ah apanirun eni ni o
Oluwosan ni o…
Eda to le lati gbekele
Abarameji eda
Ourn kan kan tan tun mo si meji…”
It was one of the many mystical ancient songs Ogunmodede’s grandmother was able to pass across to him before her death so that the song would live on in the mouth and in the course of revitalizing cultural heritage. The mother told him it was a pity that his son, Bankole could not have a female child before she would leave to continue to sing endlessly with the rest of her ancestors, who were already preparing grounds for her arrival. She felt she would have taught the songs to the supposed female child if at all he had had one. She urged Bankole, to try and outlive all the troubles which would sure come his part. She said to him, “Ba mi, a lot are yet to happen to you. Hell shall become of heaven lying across your flat and innocent tummy but you should try and enourage forbearance ehn! I am leaving but the rest of my ancestors and I shall join hands as brood and be there for you at the peak of your needs.” They still sang on with Ogunmodede’s voice reverberating and permeating through the shades of the air and its wavy might abound as it nudged the root of the trees that could hear the sibilance of his own leading voice to the tips of the trees. Even the sun which learnt of the theme of the song and the sonorousity of the effect of each rhythm and it began to rejoice by growing dim in light taking up coquetry for a noon garment. The last child, suddenly, stumbled against a pointed hard stone on the footpath and fell. This brought an end to their song. As the eldest son went to beg him and began to see to the injury. It was in the midday already, their blood was as watery as water itself. There was oozing blood on the road path. It was slow before but it began to poof and it stained the path as if a chicken had just been slit at its throat on the path. Ogunmodede quickly walked back as he saw an herbal leaf just few steps backwards which would help to stop the blood. He ran back without telling… he was back before long. The mother collected it and said “Good of you”. She immediately squeezed the leaves together her right hand with the leaves on her left. She began to rob the two palms together and she was doing that, her palms were becoming blued-up the more. She needed water to come out of it but it was not. The child was still crying as it was yet paining him. The eldest one was there holding his leg and his head begging him it would be alright. Ogunmodede, haven known water the mother need, he said to her to add her spittle to safe he moment. He continued by saying it was nothing as she was there mother –there was no abomination in that. She taught about it before the blink of an eye and she added it and rubbed it and there was water. She squeezed it over the injury and as each drop to effect on his toe, he made incredible painful noise. She placed the grounded leave on the toe and wrapped it up with a piece of her cloth. She backed him and proceeded to the farm. The farm was just at the back of the bamboo tree which they were looking at. The eldest son was the one at the front then… He was able to see from afar...
“Hey, mama… hide hide hide… Something is not right…!”
They all hid at the side of the bamboo tree disorderly, with the rest the rest two sons at the back of the eldest. The bamboo had its green straws jellied down causing a much secured covering best for ambush.
“They are the king’s guards. I know them very well. They are animals” said the eldest son warily.
“Ehn… we didn’t do anything. They wouldn’t have sent them to do us any harm. They might just be resting under the tree to proceed to wherever they are going soon” said the whimsically, the mother.
“No, it does not look like that. I could see slave cage even from here, opened. Something is not right mama, better still, we return or we wait for father.” Said the eldest son.
“Ehn… I don’t understand. Would he use a year to greet his friend ni ehn… Abi…! I know what to do. I and the rest would go you would not leave here. We would go as if we have not seen them before. Don’t leave here! I hope you understand why I am asking you to do this…!” remarked the mother.
“I understand mama!” He said as nod warily in agreement really he understood.
She left the haven and proceeded, yet, with the injured child yet at her back. As they saw her, they thronged around her, lifted her up into the cage, the rest of the children were fettered and packed inside different sacks with big holes on them, so that they might be able to inhale and exhale.
To be continued…
Jodekss
Village Scandals (Chapter 3 continued) by Jodekss
Jasmine help!
At 1:15pm, in the building where Peju was, there was hot atmosphere, as angry faces fell on Peju.
"How can you say you don't know your parents' number? Is this a joke to you?", the gang leader shouted fiercely.
Peju who was now more angry than scared at the man who killed Dauda screaming at her resorted" I don't know their numbers ok?! They were never around. I only know Dauda's number because he was there! Whenever an emergency came up it was Dauda!" She paused. "And now, he's gone, because you killed him."
The building was quiet, everyone was shocked. No one has ever spoken to Baba Comrade like that before. Even Peju's eyes were misty.
"Okay, isn't there any other number you know apart from Dauda's Baba Comrade asked softly and every other member of the gang was shocked again. Peju sniffed,
"I know my best friend's number, she's not living far from my house." Baba comrade nodded," That's not useless, let us have it. What's her name?” He asked.
"Jasmine, her name is Jasmine." She replied.
Sunshine estate was one cool neighborhood. Most of the rich men in Lagos were residents in it. It had enough trees, restaurants, religious places, schools for formal and informal education. In it, Jasmine's and Peju's houses were located, a little far apart. Driving through Sunshine estate was exciting, but driving with Mrs. Okeke; Jasmine's mum could be annoying.
"Amaka, did you see the number of gifts that Toba collected… bout five or so? And your sister collected just one, for what? Best behaved," she said irritably while Amaka rolled her eyes. Jasmine shifted uncomfortably, "Jasmine, your dress outshone the others, really lovely. Beauty queen." Amaka teased trying to change the topic. Mrs. Okeke frowned "Oh! So, I don't deserve a reply, right? It's not your fault. When I was telling you to stop taking her to those talent shows, you didn't listen. Thank God she even passed WAEC with credits in all subjects. Instead of her to study, you encouraged her to sing and draw. Now, let's just pray she would pass JAMB, so someone would finally study Medicine,” Mrs. Okeke hissed. "Yes, Medicine, your dream career.” Amaka retorted and an argument started. Jasmine swallowed hard.
Mrs. Okeke had wanted to become a doctor, but her parents changed plans when they married her off to Mr. Okeke. At first she hated the young man for destroying her dream, but as time went by, she saw how loving he is and gave him a chance. Amaka could have been forced into science, but she knew and stood for what she wanted. However, Jasmine was taught from the first day could understand anything, that she was to become a doctor. But the girl was an amazing artist, Amaka would sit for hours so Jasmine would draw her. Amaka was proud of Jasmine, but angry that she couldn't take her stand. Goodness! Could Jasmine sacrifice.
Jasmine's ringtone brought silence to the car. Jasmine kept staring at it, "Pick up already" Amaka snapped." It's a private number..."Jasmine started, but she saw Amaka's red shot eyeballs and received the call. "Hello, is this Jasmine Okeke?" Baba Comrade asked. "Yes", she replied, he told her someone wanted to speak to her." Jasmine! Jasmine please help!” she recognized that voice,"Peju! Where are you? What's going on?" Jasmine asked alarmed. "She needs you to go to her house in 15minutes, not a minutes more. Give her parents your phone, so we can speak to them. I mean it, 15minutes." Baba Comrade dropped the call. “Who was that?", Amaka asked almost immediately. "Mummy drive to Peju's house now! She has been kidnapped" Jasmine yelled. "Kidnapped? By who? When? ”She asked as they drove into the next juncture that led to Peju's house.
Jacobs house was getting fuller as people trooped in. Friends, neighbours and families arrived trying to console Folake who laid helplessly on the floor." Ah! Peju! I can't find Peju anywhere "She wailed to her mother who tried to calm her down. Toni, Uncle Thomas, and even some aunties Peju barely knew were around. Bose too was shedding tears and Uncle Thomas became disgusted “What is this nonsense?! Is Peju dead or missing? Are we mourning her?”, he yelled. "No sir, she is missing and we've gone to the police station. An investigation is going on sir”, Toni replied. "And you thought it right to sit here and watch your mother make a scene of herself?”, Uncle Thomas sounded more disgusted. “Didn’t you graduate from that school too? Don't you know the routes? Help the policemen. Instead of sitting here wasting time, just do something! "He said and afterwards spat" Dumb, spoilt brat as he settled down. “What did you call him?"Folake asked protectively. Uncle Thomas laughed "I called him a spoilt brat, what would you do?",Folake became furious." Toni is not a brat Thomas, he's not you", she yelled. "Of course not, I was smarter than this at his age. Maybe I was spoilt, I wasn't dumb Elizabeth "He returned enjoying himself. "Never call me that name Thomas. "She yelled fiercely. Thomas and Folake were siblings. Folake was the first child and was really cared for until Thomas was born. Their mother picked her favourite and cared less about making it obvious, she'd call Thomas 'The golden child', treated him specially. Their father left them after he was born, and Folake blamed the separation on the birth of Thomas. Their mother rose up, "It’s Okay! Get back to your seat Folake, we have to talk about finding Peju",Mrs. Adegbesan addressed her daughter. "There we go again mother, even in my house you still take sides with your son. And you know he started it." Folake hissed. "Don't talk to mother like that." Folake was about to reply when Jasmine dashed into the house, screaming "Mrs. Jacobs, Peju has been kidnapped!".Folake grabbed Jasmine" Where? How?" She questioned." Ma, I don't know, a number called and he has Peju, he has her. "Jasmine's phone rang again, she tossed it to Folake, It was a private number. With unsteady hands she received the call, and the conversation was over in five minutes "They want five million Naira for her release." she told them shivering...
"I wasn't born when my father died, and my mother died when I was three months." Felix was trying to have a conversion with Peju who wasn't interested. "Baba Comrade is my mother's brother, he took full responsibility of my life. He sponsored my education, fed me, and gave me shelter in his little house. He is a good man "Felix said. Peju turned to look at him "Good men don't take people's life for money." she told him. "O, you're listening, nice. Baba Comrade had a job, he was a security guard, and he loved it!” "He continued, smiling.”He got fired for no reason, for no reason at all. His boss was aware he needed that job, he did. Baba Comrade has five other children, how would he survive without a job? Well, that night, before his new security guard could resume, he showed him how dangerous it was to live in a mansion without a security guard, we taught him well..."He forgot himself, smiling at his thought. "You attacked him, you robbed him "Peju frowned.”Yes, that was the first time, we had enough so we relocated. We rarely go for operations, just once in a while when it’s needed." Felix replied and Peju scoffed. "So, your turn. Tell me about something. Your parents are alive, right? Tell me how that feels.” Felix said. Peju was mute for a very long time that Felix decided that she wasn't saying anything. He stood up to leave, but she stuttered;"Mmmy mmum...." Felix sat himself down again gesturing her to continue." My mum is a business administrator, and my dad; a doctor. Although my mum and I live under the same roof, we are not close, same with my dad. They are always too busy.” she sighed," But i was getting over that when Dauda arrived. "She smiled as she continued” I remember the first day he entered that house for a job. My dad was on vacation, so he interviewed him." she smiled " When he mentioned his name ,I'd thought he would sound like the northerners did, substituting 'p' for 'f', but his English was just so fluent. He was graduate of the University of Lagos, lost his family in the Boko Haram terrorist attack at Bornu. He didn't want much, just a job and a place to stay. My father asked if he could drive, and that was how he got the job. He slept with the old disgusting gateman." she giggled. "He was hardworking. Smiled a lot and I hated that, every morning he would greet and try to start a conversion as he drove me to school, I wouldn't respond but he didn't stop. Until one afternoon."Peju narrated as the scene played again in her thought.
That afternoon Dauda had delayed to pick her from school. When she saw him, she was raging with anger, she screamed at him and he laughed at her. At first she was disgusted, but his laughter was infectious, she smiled and laughed too and they talked for a little while before he drove her home. The more she spoke with him, she trusted him. She shared her problems with him, he did the same and they were two inseparable buddies. "He was like a big brother "She whispered as tears filled her eyes.”Ok... That's just cute. I am sorry about his death." Felix started; "Birthday girl, I have a little sister. She is everything to me. Last month she got really sick, we rushed her to the hospital and she was diagnosed with leukemia." Felix said with sober eyes." Why are you telling me?" she asked. "They said she needs chemotherapy as fast as possible...His voice shook, "Birthday girl, we need that money. She's all we've got. Baba comrade would kill thousands of people to keep her alive and I wouldn't judge." Felix said in desperation. "Why are you telling me all these?" Peju asked again. Felix took his time, "I know you are so angry, the next thing you would do when you get back to your parents is to find a way to arrest us. My sister needs her family by her side, she's dying. “He inhaled, “Tell the policemen that I was responsible for everything; I killed Dauda and kidnapped you. It's not a request." He concluded. Peju was angry and sad at the same time, she rose up, and “I think you should just leave" she demanded bitterly. "Please..."Felix started but he decided not to spoil things, he turned closing the door behind him. And again Peju was alone in the dark, caged...
The Diary of a Caged Teenager Chapter 3 by Hassan Pelumi
Morn's stars which sparkle have come to cross I argue in
Romance's sake's Jove speak for my pen --the bard
As thee be BEryL be yet aligned as it was held in ages gone
A goddess of love rested to cuddle to Re-produce us as the
Union of us,Twain unique planets you sing wishing in fancies
Me moon as now you'd see of my mighty might I am in similitude as Zeus sue aright in
Light light loaded with many moons as I am "big head": Jupiter's be the weirdest
Of all sparkling stars from time's mo started to count past
Your eyes under wonders as wary I have done epical praises
Which shimmer as plain as the light which first lit the earth be
For we've crossed afore millions of two moons ago n' so
We've crossed 'gain to gain in sync from alignment on blue skies
Then my chest's soak'd in yours, as waters mix n' new stars rise as
as we must thus meet during our SERVICE call after our language class...
©Jodekss Nov/12/2017 2:03 AM
CONJUNCTION (Immortalising) by Jodekss
Chapter 1
The sun was barely up when she woke up the third time that morning. She could not wait to attend her valedictory service as she was madly feeling nervous. Peju was on a mission to conspicuously ‘slay’ with her amazing make over. People would almost not recognise her as shee looked from another wonder planet already due to her make over. Peju’s Brazilian hair was shaped brows her pedicure, manicure, Italian shoes, bag, a gown made by the most sophisticated seamstress in town and finally the facial treatment she gave herself killed it all.
“Oh, God, let the sun rise please!” she said tapping her leg on the bed impatiently.
She was trying hard to keep herself cooled down for the day to break. It was the same day she was going to get a phone. Peju felt so amazing leaving secondary school and she smiled and said: “screech bip bip bip screech.”
At 6:30am, the Alarm rang. She felt like D-day was finally at hand as she jumped out of the bed, waking everyone up with her shout of “good morning!" and she dashed into the bathroom.
Peju was the youngest of the Jacobs family. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs (Bode and Folake Jacobs), Toni, Peju, Bose who lived with them as well as their drivers. Peju was very happy with her family or so she felt. She had a reason to. That is due to her brother, Tolu who was overprotective with her though, they were only able to have little times together. Bose was always there taking the glory of the first daughter. Their parents believed more in financial support than taking into cognizance the emotional support for goodness sake. However, Peju was closer to Dauda (one of the drivers) than any other person. But it did not matter, she was just done with her secondary school education. She was so sure she would get into the university that same year. She would finally leave the house and enjoy lib for real.
After some hours, Peju was dressed for the ceremony. She looked at the mirror over and over winked at herself attractively. She was satisfied with her look. Expecting the rest of the family to be dressed for the day she went to her mom's room. Mrs. Jacobs was dressed but not for Peju's Valedictory Service. She was dressed for work. Peju looked at her disgusted that her mum had forgotten her great day.
"Mum, where are you going?" she asked sadly.
"What do you mean? I am going to work of course" Folake replied adjusting her dress.
“So you are not coming for my VS right?" said, Peju as she was trying to hide her disappointment. Folake paused
“Oops! It’s today? Sweetheart, I am so sorry." She turned to face Peju
"Wow you look amazing" she smiled trying to bribe her off. Peju frowned as she understood.
Folake reached out for her purse, after counting a few notes she gave Peju who accepted it still frowned-up.
"So… who's coming? You’d try and recollect ma that you promised me you would surely come!" Peju, said blubbering.
Folake sighed and said "I am sorry you should have told me earlier. I have a very tight schedule and you know it."
Peju laughed and said inquisitively "I told you about it the day Principal Stanley picked the date, I reminded you days after that, I told you a month ago, two weeks ago and this week two days ago... So, mum, how early should I have told you about it?"
Folake frowned "Look! I said I am sorry, I can't make it. Don't worry, Bose will go with you"
"No!" Peju snapped "There's no need, in fact, I don't need anyone there. I'd be fine At least Dauda can drive me there right?" Peju finalised walking out. "All the graduating students will be with their parents, but it’s Peju with her Driver!" Peju murmured loud enough for her mother to hear.
Outside the house, Dauda was waiting. "Good morning miss, it’s your day, congrats!" Dauda said, offering her a wrapped box.
Peju returned the smile "Yay! First gift. I thought everyone has forgotten, thanks. What did you get me? A ring? Bracelet?" She asked unwrapping it, and her face fell when she saw the content.
"Seriously Dauda, a book?"
Dauda smiled and said "You see, it’s not just any book, it’s a diary, it’s ladylike they say, to keep diaries"
He pointed out. "Ladylike? How?" Peju hissed." You know its girls that have dark secrets, moreover, when you need to tell a friend something and you are alone, just tell the diary. You should be thanking me" he teased.
"Yeah, I already did. So, if you were my ex and you saw me walking into the ceremony like this, would you regret dumping me?" Peju asked with her hands on her waist.
"I sure will, but it won't kill him you know. I love the dress, the hair, but em… who fixed your make up?" Dauda asked.
Peju frowned "is it obvious it’s not professional? Oh God is it bad? How bad is it? Should I clean it all now?" she panicked looking at the car mirror.
Dauda laughed. He enjoyed watching her drama.
"Cool it girl, trust me, I can fix it" he bent to whisper. "I know a beauty salon. No mistake is too big for them. I can drive you, except you are in a hurry" he opened the door for her.
"Drive me there immediately!" Peju replied haven entered the back seat of the car.
"Okay miss" Dauda entered the car and drove off.
Music was booming from the DJ, as the students and teachers of Dominic High were up and down the hall. Every student was participating in any activity was present. The school hall was decorated in purple and cream, the colour picked by the graduating students. Principal Stanley who always had a fierce look was with his best smile. Today students could do anything without the fear of getting into any trouble, but everyone was busy. Jobless students assisted the decorators, the school band were setting the instruments up, drama group, Mimes, poets and the school choir on their final rehearsal. However, the graduating students were arriving in groups. Some dressed and ready, others had their clothes in bags. Some Girls even brought their personal makeup artists. It was really a big day.
At exactly 10.00am, the ceremony kicked start with the proprietor giving the opening prayer, followed by the National anthem led by the school choir. The graduating students, were all present, except Peju. Jasmine Peju's friend was the first to notice. She walked up to the head boy
"Toba, Peju is not around. She has never been late, ever!" Jasmine began to feel uneasy.
"Jasmine! Calm down. She's coming. Give her fifteen minutes, and if she’s yet to come, let’s try and tell one of our teachers" Toba reacted
"Only if she had a mobile phone" Jasmine murmured...
"And now you look perfect!" The cosmetologist exclaimed.
Peju faced Dauda "So?" she raised her right brow for validity from him. "You're going to kill people Peju, even girls will be jealous" Dauda replied. "Yay! So… let's get going".
After paying, they dashed into the car and soon were on the road again. A very dead quiet road. They had not gone far when a car bumped into them. "Jesus!" Dauda stopped the car, getting out of it, he shouted at the man driving the other car."
What the hell man! What were you looking at?" The man came out too with an apologetic face" I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Peju who was out of the car too got furious
"Sorry?! Tell that to your cellmates when you go to jail!"
"Peju, stay out of this." Dauda countered.
The man burst into a wicked laughter "You know that's not a way to talk to a stranger, Miss" he said as he pulled out a short gun. “On your arrogant kneels now!". Peju screamed and Dauda raised his hands across his head. "Just tell us what you want, we will pay, please don't shoot."
He looked at Dauda and shouted "Empty your pockets now" he commanded as two other men who were seated to be called to join him. Peju opened her bag, besides the diary, it was empty. She spent her money on her make up. Dauda on the other hand was penniless. The armed man got furious about that, "So you can drive this big car with your girlfriend and yet no money on you?" He exclaimed hitting Dauda.
"Girlfriend? No o, he is my driver. See just let us go, my dad is rich he will pay any amount "Peju retorted."
“Really?" the armed man reacted smiling. "I smell a plan guys" This time he was talking to his gang. He restored the pistol to his pocket and winked at them and at once they seized Peju, Dauda sprang up.
"No, no. leave her alone! Please. I won't let you go anywhere with her. Someone help!" He cried running towards them but the street was quiet. In between Dauda's yell for help, the criminals footsteps and Peju's cried, "P-taff…!". It was fast and sudden. Peju's eyes widened as she saw Dauda in pool of blood struggling for breath "P-taff!" The man pulled the trigger again. "No…! Dauda! Let me go!" Peju cried and fought violently. But they overpowered her, pushed her into a car and they sped off.
By Hassan Pelumi
Diary of a caged teenager by Hassan Pelumi
It was in the midnight when utter somberness would gag the noisome wide mouths of the daylight and the clattering sing-songs the iron plates make as they pounce on the kitchen grounds in the night. Crows to them somewhere, in far distances, their dear oracles had revealed just of recent would take young horses eon years to reach, are cherished as trusted messengers. But to them here at Abule Aderibigbe, they are omens that something inconceivable was about taking place upon the roof on which it had cawed, at times upon the village over which it had cawed. Their elders in their priceless arts and wits in the course of their red eyes and reeking teeth had said that the chameleon excrete which stained your white regalia made us vex much whilst the earth beetles rolled the same with dirt into morsel with love to survive.
“The rhymes of this times are sure different. I can even feel the earth crust burning within the ambience of its round construct even beneath my flat feet” said the man as he wobbled through the dried path with the rustlings of the leaves leaving by sibilance of his passage.
It was the time of the year when the clouds, those four brothers, white wools holding the blueness of the heaven still would not fill back abysses lying between them in the looks of rifts. It was the time of the year when the misunderstanding around the faces in the skies would occupy the minds of those owning and manning the gate where rain sleeps so that it might run out and fall on them. It was the time of the year when the sun would come out pulchritudinous with queenie poses and quizzically poking gazes as she would stagger through the maps in the sky. It was the time of the year when men ooze reeking waters right from their armpits almost immediately they were out on a new day. It was the time of the year when hands might not want to close their tiny windows to rest in the night. It was the time of the year when kings would sleep right next to the sills of their tiny windows whilst their slaves do not sleep but fan them to sleep as the minions bathe under the heating hands of heat so they sweat wet as if drenched of the fall of rain. It was the time of the year when the sun would scorch the green leaves till they grow from greenness into the colour of the sun to fall for people like Ade to walk on to rustle for the airs to appreciate and make news of the time abound. Ade was a popular, good and respected famer and hunter who was always on his ways down to the farm as early as plausible. He was blessed with many children just from one wife. He was one of those men who would not listen to the items of advice that might not assist he was so stubborn. Friends and family had come to sit right next to him, even at times, to the face of his only wife, to encourage him to take in another wife. He would not listen to that as he had his own schema which he said he would never revealed to no one, yet as per bringing in another woman to stay in his hut.
On this day, as he was on his way down to the farm as usual, with his two dogs. One is Ajewole. The wife begged him to name the second one right after the time they met. She explained she was not complete till they met for he asked why. She begged Ade after a lot of sensuous teasing in bed and off bed to let it be so. He was left with no choice but to give in. So he named the female one Mopelola. He would always remember and fear women for their powers in spite they are as fragile as chicken eggs with lighter shells. He always felt awed in the head when he had concluded right in the head, in his heart and in his mind he was not going to bend to the words of women on some specific decisions but he ended up doing their biddings with joy.
The path to the farm looked filled with emptiness as he had only met an old woman trying to gather woods for fuel by the side of the tiny route to his farm. The dogs were far at the back and he would not notice that as he was far lost in the course of the thoughts on how to harvest next on getting to the farm. It was the harsh barking of Ajewole and Mopelola that drew the fitted nicker of this consciousness right back into reality to behold act. He ran backwards with all the energies he had thinking the dogs might have seen or smelt some big antelope around or some big snake that might fetch him some good trading by barter.
“Eh… eh…eh… hey… Ajewole… Mopelola… What is it? Which animal this time? Big? Small? Long? Hairy…?” asked Ade, with a gait and impression the dogs would stop to bark and would give responses.
The dogs barking began to drop in pitch as they had seen their owner around to handle the matter. Mopelola was the best when it comes to not giving up its stance facing the right direction the entity in question went for Ade to chase. Ajewole had already left smelling other paths of the bush around and was seen stooped and relieving his bowels.
“Alright, alright… I understand Mopelola. I understand. It went that way right? I grasp! It is alright. You can wait for me here” said Ade as he dashed roughly into the bushy side on the right side of the tiny path to his farm to have a look at the beast they have seen not that far enough from the village.
The ways they have barked were unusual. He was worried, maybe it was another wild cobra they smelt or so. He began to be stealthy with each pace he took so the rustling of the leaves and crackling of the dried straws and sticks would not make him lose that one shot he had left in the gun right across his back. As he approached, he would take some steps calculatedly and halt to hear or see the beast or whatever it was rustles the leaves on the ground, crack the straws or the dried sticks on the ground. He heard nothing. He walked a bit further around the more continuing in the selfsame approach and suddenly, he began to overhear the ground rustle, the straws breaking and the dried sticks on the ground were all reacting together simultaneously and consistently. He wondered what sort of beast it would be. He was a bit fidgety as he was trying in spite to bring to the fore, the gun lying right across his back gently to take the one shot left. He raised the gun up to his right eye targeting assiduously what he had not seen well. His right hand forefinger was already wet lying across the trigger and his paces were more meticulous than before to the extent that he was like a filoplume feather, landing on a calabash of water. He paused fixatively to use his ears well then. Then, he began to over-hear sensuous sounds. They were emitting from the other side of the bushy wall. The rustling continued to increase and the noise she was making was not of pain but of enjoyment. He thrust back the gun gently to his back and approached much more carefully as he could see their clothes right on one side next to the root of an iroko tree. He hopped gently to have a clear view. He had a clear view as he peeped through the holes in the thick wall.
“Yeh, ah… ah… Kabiyesi... Ajiun… So, you are the beasts I have been chasing ehn!” exclaimed and shrieked Ade.
The two of them as bare as they were rose from lying on the king’s regalia as if they have both seen a famished lion needing to feast. They shook uncontrollably. Ajiun ran to the back of the king, still bare. Ade had already re-collected his gun from his back back to the front, in his hands was positioned for a close shot.
The king then summoned courage and said: “would you dare shoot your king? Have you all of a sudden forgotten who I am? My powers…! Have you forgotten the old adage that the king kings over everything? The gods would haunt you till you die a miserable death if you shoot.”
“Rubbish… That would be after I have killed you first…” said vexatiously, Ade.
“O, okay do it…” said the king as he moved closer and put his hairy chest to the front sight of the gun boldly.
TO BE CONTINUED….
VILLAGE SCANDAL by Jodekss Gloatkenf
THE EYES BY Moyosoreoluwa Ogunyemi
Bats were chirping quiet loudly in the air that midnight. The silence that moment had had the semblance like none before. Not even one sound could be recorded I could remember very well; everything was as dead as the cold hands of death himself. Except for the chirping of the those bad birds whose verses I averse so very well. And the continuous shout help help help that coupled the whir of the birds. It was the tone of Suwa, Fijy's mother, who was as old as the worst tattered rag one could ever picture.
Fijy had all ready woken and the shout which continued was not a great shock to him, in spite it was in the midnight, so he sped down like a squirrel treated for maniacal plight to the area the shout was coming from to know what was going on.
''Fijy, Fijy, Fijy. It was..., It was... Ah... Ah... Ah...'' Suwa said crying, gasping and quivering right in her room.
She was in the rest room where people rest of cause. The bedsheet, for covering the bed of cause, had fallen and the bed had shifted from its face to the back part. The stool, which receives food to be taken of cause, and all that that stood before the midnight had turned opposite. Even the pictures that were hung in the room had fallen again. The good food she was served she would not eat had developed maggots overnight again. Still screaming right on top of her loud voice, she was crying alongside with tear glands flocking up the floor of the room like the great ocean we were told in the tales. She was seated at the tip of the bed and it was the coming in of Fijy into the scene that quieted her.
Fijy entered and was aggravated and saddened to the core in the heart. His countenance dropped having seen what the well set room had turned to again, weariness was what took him up next with its painful tusks, for that night was not her first night to scream right in the mid of the night since her arrival from the village.
''Mama, is it your usual dream again or something else this time?'' Fijy asked mellowly putting on the light from the switch at the entrance into the room. Suwa would not talk again, in the stead of telling her son what went wrong she went into her sleeping position with her back facing the face of the bed. Fijy left the room confused again for her mother would not tell him what she saw in her dreams that would always make her scream almost midnightly. He was so very tired of neighbours asking him questions he has no answers to when the day breaks, about the causes of the screaming from his house. All he would always do was to lie that it was his mother who has mental problem. He loves Suwa a lot no doubt about that, even the intervention of his wife to send her back to the village would not make him do that.
In the following morny, the nightguards that watch over their streets came to pay him a visit.
''Dr. Fijy, we have been contemplating whether to come over here to come and ask you why someone would always make a disturbing noise in your building for long. So yesterday we agreed to'' their leader said. One of them added, '' sir, am one of the nightguards that watch over your affairs besides God when you have gone to the bed to sleep, the kind of noise that person makes would always make wake us up thinking may be thieves are on raid again. We have come really to urge you to tell that person to stop it, it is not helping, it disturbs and diverts attention, you are well read, am sure you would understand us''.
After three days, the same thing repeated itself at the same time it did the last time. The next Saturday even was the day and time scheduled for the estate meeting that happens twice in two months, the issue was what was discussed on through out the meeting. Suwa lied that it was his mother who was mentally ill that would always make the disturbing noise. The street elders then urged him to take her to the appropriate hospital for appropriate care, they made him aware they live in estate filled with persons of affluence, who have businesses they think about all day and the night's only when they rest but now his mother is denying them that. He promised he would do something soon and the meeting came to a close.
Suwa bought a local daily paper, a week after the meeting held, it had it that some pinchers were caught around Visuwo Street, Bopruz Avenue, Degi Area Ilumodun State and have been jailed for the assassination of Mr Plater, a white man, who had come to invest in the country. Their pictures were at the front page of the paper, the max. were enough even for blind persons to see and identify.
Out of disgust, Fijy soliloquised ''where exactly are we going to in this country?'' ''What's happened again my son?'' Suwa asked. Fijy picked up the paper n' showed his mother, ''see, these young men killed this whiteman who've come to come and help this country up''. ''Ah Ah Ah, my son this is a good news, this is the reason I make noise usually in the midnight''. ''What?'' Fijy asked confusedly.
Bogo - Female character
Mopo - Female character
Zozo - Male character
Toto - Male character.
Zozo:
welcome friend, it has been long since we have sat together like this. Don't you think! How is school?
Toto:
Just there jare, we are pushing it little by little. Well, before we know it we are done. And when was the last time and you and our friend talk?
Zozo:
He did not call and neither did I. You know, as it is with him so it is with you. People don't call much these days you know, Facebook, whatsapp and all that are there. Only megabyte and battery suffer the consequence. Uhm! I am taking that exam again you know, my keen passion for education is still there. I am choosing another ivory tower jare my friend. In fact enh, home bores now, really friend, am tired!
Toto:
You just don't give up brother, it is gonna be fine you know. Even if you have lost that passion we would feed you till death... ;)
Zozo:
You are crazy. :)
So, gist me about your babes on campus ehn!
Toto:
Ahem! I do not have their time o. It is my book and I only. My book is my big babe! :*
Zozo:
Your eye brows blink faster when you are lying you know;). Well, Serve me with something guy.
Toto:
Okay, I hope you do not mind a warm drink! Yes of cause you don't mind. Soooo, gist me about her. Is she around? I mean Bogo!
Zozo:
Ah, that one, yeah, she came around but I learnt she had returned. Well, you know, people like her be one of the reasons my passion for education should remain. We are not really into relationship like that anymore. She is now wiser you know. I am at home she is in school and almost done. She has started giving attitudes. You know am not surprised. When you tell a girl she is the only one you have, she starts taking you for granted and all that. Let's just forget it friend.
Toto:
I understand your position friend more than you could ever imagine. I fell into the same depth when I was still at home. In fact, my own was more serious than yours. It was painful. When you got pulled into a relationship by a girl and the girl got you so serious about it but along the line, to change the whole story to something very horrid. It pained me but you know, ''a gecko that thinks it owns the whole night has certainly forgotten lizards own the whole day''.
She kept telling me she had someone else, someone better, you know, she even showed me the engagement ring and the pictures they took together. So, I thought about it very well and said well, since it has changed into that, that means we are just friends after long years of being together. I let her know my stance and she acted it is fine and would not want the husband to be to know there is even friendship twixt us. So, the only one picture we had together she deleted and warned me not to tag her anymore into pictures on social networks.
Zozo:
What! Is it Mopo?
Toto:
Yes.
Zozo:
Guy, why are you just telling me this now?
Toto:
I am so very sorry, it is a story I do not like remembering let alone telling. But to cheer you up is the reason am telling you now. Let me quickly paraphrase the rest, we need to go out.
So there was a day I was walking past her place, I called to greet her parents. When I got there I got to know she had been around for weeks. I asked her why she would not let me know. She said she forgot. Well, we sat and talked outside, it was in the night. She told me she needed money for something so very important and what she needed it for. I did not know if she was telling the truth or the otherwise. Luckily for her, I had just collected my salary. I dipped my hand in my back pocket, counted the exact amount she said she needed and asked her to have it. But her reply really was the last straw that killed it all because I wanted give her that money for no purpose but to help. She said, ''I cannot take it, because if I do ehn, that would open door for you to propose to me''.
Zozo:
Awww... That was childish.
Toto:
I was expecting you to say so. :)
Zozo:
I put the money back and promised not to come back there again. That was the last time I saw her really. A friend close to me and close to her told me till now she is still single.
Toto:
Gush! And what about now? Any other lady in your life now?
Zozo:
Yes of cause, a better one, in fact the best of the best. She is studying pharmacy. Wait, let me show you her picture.
Toto:
Oh boy! You caught a good fish. I hope she has the right attitude! Physical beauty dies but the inner lives for ever as you would always say you remember?
Zozo:
Of cause I do. We met when I gained admission.
So if you are being pushed away by a girl because of your right heart and because you have no leverage. Eat the dirt and never give up. There is nobody like her but there are millions more that better her. Prayer, patience and or fortitude does it bro.
Toto:
Awww... All right. Let us go out.
Zozo:
Put the bottle in its crate there at the entrance. Let me go and take my bathe, dress and we go out pal.
Jodekss
©2015
Mother Suwa by Jodekss Gloatkenf
Chapter 1
Welcoming the Twins
Ade
My heart raced speedily as I paced up and down the waiting room of the hospital with my wife in the labour room. Mixed emotions clouded my thinking faculty as my thoughts went haywire like a rogue firework. The thoughts included me being a father, me being a single parent, my child coming out a stillborn and losing both wife and baby.
She had been in labour for the past eight hours and had refused vehemently to undergo a caesarian section even after pleas from me, my parents and her parents. To be honest I was scared to my marrows.
Two hours later, ten hours after she had been wheeled into the labour room, the doctor came out with his stethoscope around his neck, removing his latex gloves and a very bright smile across his face he said "congratulations Mr Ade, you have given birth to two bouncing baby boys".
"She is fine, just exhausted but besides that, she is fine."
I jumped again and asked "can I go and see her?"
"Of course, you can" he replied
I rushed from the waiting room into the nursery. At the door, I composed myself and went in like I didn't panic or rejoice wildly earlier. I went in stealthily and crept silently to where my wife laid. She was peaceful in her sleep; one of the things I always loved about her. I looked into the cot and saw my twins. I wasn't prepared for what happened next as what I saw drained the color from my face.
I was preparing rice and stew and plantain in the kitchen ; my sweetheart's favorite food when my tummy contracted. It was a short contraction at first so I shrugged it off. I added more seasoning to the stew on the left-back face of the gas cooker while the rice an Olatunbosun
occupied the left and right front burners respectively.
I was screaming so loud that I was trying to tell myself to power down the noise but I couldn't bring myself to. Carrying a pregnancy was a different scenario from f
giving birth. Deep down in my heart I was apologising for all the wrong I've wronged my mother.
First things first, I am a sucker for beautiful women, its a heirloom. My mother is a goddess even at fifty years she still gives young ladies a run for their money. Even after having a ravishing woman for a wife, my father still philanders around earning him the nickname "Casanova" among his friends.
"Mike Tyson, " he started "I see you've treated yourself to a fine meal. I understand, fighting is a very exhausting business. You need food to replenish the lost energy."
I stood rooted on the spot and all I could say was "welcome sir"
"It is I that should be welcoming you. I hope you had a stress free journey."
I kept mute.
"Ade, you're an idiot, you show no sign of remorse for your actions yet you have the nerve to eat in this house. I thought I asked Maria to lock the pantry."
On further scrutiny of my hand he saw the bread nylon and that infuriated him the more. He didn't like us buying food outside.
"Now my son is buying food by the roadside like an urchin." He threw a slap at me which I dodged. Then from nowhere I heard subtle voice
"I have ulcer, that's why he rushed to get it for me when I had an attack Sir. He hasn't even eaten because according to him, he has no right to eat because he feels ashamed of what he did."
It was Tola, the whole world stood still, I wondered if he salvaged the situation or blew it straight to hell.
"Is this not the boy you fought?" My father asked
"He is sir" I replied shakily
"What is he doing here?"
"His parents are in England and he doesn't know any of his relatives' place and I thought that since I brought this on him, I couldn't leave him to wander the unfriendly streets alone."
"Hmmm, that's okay. Go to your room."
I looked at the twins in the cot and I couldn't believe what I saw. In that same instant, my parents came in with my Elder sister who had flown in to spend summer with us. On seeing the twins, she looked me in the eyes but I couldn't meet her gaze.
"Ade, meet me outside right now" she commanded.
On getting outside, she looked at me ad said, "how come your twins look like your best friend? Night"
"How come your twins look like your best friend?" My sister asked with clenched teeth.
"Its a long story" I replied
"Does it look like I'm in a hurry? I've got all summer"
"Okay then, I'll tell you"
I saw the world flicker in those huge eyeballs and I said to myself, this is a goddess. I moved up to her,
"You know, if the music wasn't so loud and I can see my friend here, I would probably think I am in heaven"
"And why would you think so?" She asked with a flirtatious blink of those eyes.
" Because I am definitely speaking with an angel. Does God know you are here?"
"Well, sure he does."
"Then I am sure that he sent you here specifically for me. Pardon my manners, its not everyday one stands in the presence of an angel, my name is Ade."
"I am Sade"
"Exactly what I was saying. Ade, Sade, you were sent here for me. Do you wanna know what the 'S' stands for?"
"Humour me"
"Soulmate"
"And we thought all the smooth moves ended with Casanova"
"We have got James Bond. But to be frank, I would like to get to know you better"
"How would you propose we do that?"
"Out of the vast array of numbers in the world, I just need you to spare me a few so I can reach you with"
"Okay then,"
"I swear to you, I had no idea. This is one of the reasons I don't drink. I lose my semses and start misbehaving"
"Don't blame it on the drink, the drink only brought out your innermost desires"
"Of course it did, but I wanted it to be very special, spectacular not something as crude as this. I feel like killing myself right now"
"Ade Ade, you must be a very good actor. Its all so convincing"
"I swear I am telling you the truth. Okay let me show you."
Chapter Four
Sade was discharged from the hospital after three days due to the amount of energy she had expended. For that three days, there hung an air of uncertainty and awkwardness between us. After dropping us at home, my parents left for their place. It was time for me to man up.
"Everything will be alright baby. I caused all this and its my mess to clean up. I'm sorry for all the pain I might have caused you. We'll get through this baby. I love you. We'll raise the twins together."
"Ade, are you sure of what you're saying, you want to raise kids that are not yours?"
"Family isn't only relationship by blood. I'll raise them as mine at least they belong to my brother too."
"You're just too good Ade, but what would people say?"
" Its their funeral, not mine. I choose how to run my family so its a no contest."
"What if Tola decides he wants to claim them?"
"He can have them if he decides to claim them immediately"
I couldn't believe what my ears just heard. I had expected a civil war but I just got a mind relieving dialogue. I didn't deserve this man. He's just too good for me. If only he knew the truth.
" Uncle Tola what are you doing here? Susan has travelled home"
"Hmmm, I know. I was in the neighbourhood and I knew you'd be bored so I said I should help you kill boredom."
"How thoughtful of you. What should I offer you?"
"I was thinking we could hang out."
"Wow! No problem then. Let me change then."
"Uncle Tola, what are you doing?"
"Responding to the signals you sent to me"
"So you caught on to them, why didn't you respond earlier?"
"Susan is very perceptive. She catches on to things quickly so I had to act as if I didn't see anything."
" You are a bad guy Uncle Tola"
"Uncle bad guy to you"
"I know I deserve that, can we see? Let's talk."
I replied with "time and place?"
He sent me the venue and time and I told him I'll be there.
"Here I am thinking you were going to stand me up. So glad you proved me wrong."
"Are we here for small talks or you really want to talk?"
"Come on Sade, you know you used to love the foreplay"
"I'm not in the mood"
"Okay then, I don't want you dating Ade. Is that straight to the point enough for you?"
"My dad is at home and I don't remember him using and dumping me"
"Now that's bitterness talking, you knew the game was dangerous before you decided to play it. Don't hate the player, hate the game."
"Well, it's okay. I'm not leaving Ade alone. Have it in mind, blackmailing me won't work this time, I'm willing to lose all, but the question remains 'are you?"
"Ever wondered what happened to those kinky videos we made? I burned them on lovely DVDs. Truth be told I loved our sessions, you were like a psychologist giving me therapy. Such a shame you saw it fit to end the good thing we shared. No hard feelings though."
"You diabolical bitch" he snarled
"What breed is your mother? Look, if this is what you called me here for, I think we are over it."
"Let's call this a farewell flexing. Truth be told, you sure as hell know how to treat a lady right but you messed it up at one point, bringing Linus in. It showed you were unsecured. You wanted to eat your cake and have it. You can only have your cake and eat it bro. Uncle bad guy."
Regrets
The Truth (Part Two)
I couldn't afford to lose out in this game. It just wasn't fair so I had to come out with a win, albeit a consolation one and Ade was it. Ade was what the proverbial cat dragged in.
"Tola, what's the matter with you? Susan left you?" Ade asked jokingly.
"Just having one of those days man" Tola replied with a shrug.
"Are you sure?"
"Dude, you damn right I am. Sorry for venting but I really need some mental calm right now."
"Sade, Sade" he whispered as he tapped me.
"Hmmmm, what is it?" I responded in a fake slumber tone.
"Let's talk"
"Can't it wait till morning? I want to sleep, besides you had all evening to talk to me. That enough shows its not of much importance therefore it can definitely wait till morning".
" Sade I love you. I can't allow you to date Ade out of spite for me. I'll do anything for you."
"Is this out of jealousy or you in a sincere mode?"
"Jealousy? Nah. Jealousy is for the petty. Why would you think me petty? Come on, I mean it."
"What took you so long to say it then?"
"They say you never know what you've got till its gone. It took me seeing you already had one foot outside before I found myself longing for you."
"are you serious?"
"As a heart attack" I replied
"Great news, see you after work baby. I love you"
'I know I might not have spent may years on this earth, but I'm sure as hell wanna spend the rest with you. Folasade, would you marry me?"
"Still waiting for your response baby"
"Yes Ade mi, I would marry you, I would spend the rest of my life in your world. I want you to become my King, my everything. I love you Ade, I love you"
"Susan what did you say?"
"Its over Tola, do you need me to spell it out to you?"
Regrets
The Truth (Part Three)
" Ade, what is this nonsense you are telling me?"
"That I am getting married to Sade of course"
"Is it that you're plain stupid or you're joking with me?"
"If I was joking, would it ameliorate your blown fuse?"
"Maybe, but your looks tell me its not a joke"
" That's because it isn't . I thought you'd be happy for me. Besides I'm not growing any younger. You're the best man. Take it or leave it. I don't know why you hate that poor girl so much."
"Hey, hold it right there, best man for who? You and that tramp? I'd be your best man if you were marrying my sister and you sure know how protective i am of her but not Sade. Dude, don't let her loins blind you. If it's great sex you want, there are so many fine pieces of ass out there you can dig into but not her. Come on Ade, we both slept with this girl."
"Tola, she's pregnant for me and you know how I don't shy away from my responsibility. I can't abort my first seed. So if you're not going to support me, I might as well look for someone else to be my best man."
"I'll be your best man"
"Are you serious?"
"Ask me one more time" I said with mock anger
"I dare not do that"
"You think I'm going to let our years together go down the drain over a lady so much I wouldn't walk you down the aisle? Its actually a funeral"
"Funeral? How do you mean?"
"Weddings are players' funerals"
"Fool, get me a drink"
"You know where the drinks are, get it yourself. Let me finish this stage. Its been defeating me since last night and you know video games are my wives and mistresses." I said as I sank in my chair and resumed my video game.
"Speaking of wives and mistresses, dude, don't you think about settling down? You ain't no kid anymore or do you want my kids to call you by your first name until you get married or do you want to wait until you're dragging a girl with my first son before you consider it?"
"Dude, face your wedding and after that we can both face mine. 'Aproko'"
"Hey baby, what's up?" I asked managing to clear the pain from my voice
"Well, I just saw Sade's twins, guess what, they look like you. Handsome, cute smiles scruffy hair. Wow! You're such a snake. I hate you, so you were sleeping with my best friend all along. Well, I hope you rot in hell forever. That's where snakes go. Its over between us!"
"Susan, what do you mean?"
"I said its over, do you need me to spell it out for you. Okay then grab a crayon, you can scribble it on the wall, I,T,I,S,O,V,E,R,B,E,T,W,E,E,N,U,S. Got it? Good bye playboy."
She hung the phone up on me.
Ade
"Hey Susan"
"You've killed him" she sniffed as she sobbed on the phone
"I hope you eat his corpse, I hope you're happy now....
"Damn!" I swore out loud. I can't believe what was happening. I couldn't help but think about the irony of nemesis. This payback was on a major scale. It was barbaric in nature more like old testament vengeance. This was just tearing into anything in its way.
"What do you mean?" I barked back into the phone visibly irritated at Susan's antics. She wasn't one to make unnecessary fuss so this scared me.
"Tola is in the hospital, he had an accident"
"What?! When?! How?! Where?!"
"Don't sell me crap, this is what you've always wanted so stop pretending"
I got pissed at the remark and went ballistics,
"Susan, you did this, not me so don't paint yourself a saint because you and I both know you're no saint. You are a villain. We all are, but you, everything you touch withers and dies. If you had done what I asked you to a long ti.e ago, we would not be having this converaation."
"Sue Sue, how have you been?"
"Ade, life has been rough for me but I'll get by."
"Life is not a bed of roses. You take it as it comes"
"My case aside, why did you call up this meet?"
"I'm sure Tola has told you about our relationship. About how close we are"
"He said you guys are pretty close"
"Good, Susan, I like you a lot truth be told and if circumstances were different, I wouldn't have called this meeting. I need you to stop seeing Tola."
"You idiot, who the hell do you think you are telling me what to do"
"Its glad to see you've still got that rage"
"If I did, you'd be in a pool of your own blood. Why are you doing this to me? We used to be best of friends in school. You were the only one who knew my secret, now you're using it against me. I guess its true that two may keep a secret when one is dead"
"Susan, I am not using it against you, I am saving my friend's life. Do you know that the fatwa is still out on your head?"
"Of course I do, but the can only try, they can't get me"
"But they can get someone you love, they got your mother and you couldn't even protect her. My friend is not a warrior, maybe intelligent but he's no fighter. What if you get married and have kids then one day you come back and find your husband and your children in a pool of their own blood? I know he loves you and he wants you but you're bad for his health. You can't protect yourself if you have to think about someone else. If you love him let him go. He'll breakdown for a while but he'll get back up again."
"Part of me hates you right now, but you are telling me the truth. I haven't really forgiven myself over my mom getting condemned to a wheelchair. It sucks that the first guy I loved in my life has to go because of the things I've done in the past. I'll let him go but you will have to give me some time to arrange it and make it foolproof."
"Okay then, no problem. Thank you for understanding but please don't let it linger for too long."
"You were the only one who could always reach me mentally. I always wondered why you never asked me out despite knowing I had the hots for you"
"I dated a lot of your friends, moreover we were really close"
"That's no excuse, now tell me the truth"
"Okay then, I had a wager with Banjo and Chinedu that I wouldn't sleep with you."
"Why did you make the wager?"
"They argued that you and I being friends was like using a sugarcane as walking stick, whenever I got thirsty, I'd take a bite."
"How much was the wager?"
"A hundred grand"
"Was it worth it?"
"As much as I'd love to get laid by you, the respect you gave me was worth more than the money so the wager was worth it."
I didn't even shower as I grabbed my car keys, and set course for the hospital. I did not want to lose my best friend. I could not afford to. I was met with traffic and my frustration grew. I called my dad and narrated the situation to him. I was just venting on anything amd everything. The pressure was getting too much to bear. It was finally getting to me.
" who are you to him?"
"I'm his brother Ade"
"He's been mumurring your name since they brought him in but he's in surgery right now"
"Can I hang around?"
"Sure"
"By the way how serious was the accident?"
"Three broken ribs, compound fracture on both legs, punctured left lung, broken ulna, shattered jaw. It's a miracle he didn't die on the spot."
"He has always been a tough nut to crack"
I couldn't even laugh at my own joke. My parents came in and hugged me. Our second time together in a hospital in three days.
"Son, its going to be alright" my father said.
"It had better be dad, I can't bear this"
"I'm sorry but Mr Tola succumbed to his injuries, we lost him"
I went down in a heap, my vision became blurry and began to cry. My father helped me up and sat me on a chair in the waiting room. I was just smiling amidst the tears.
"You will when he's moved to the morgue."
I was devastated, secretly hoping the doctor would say something like "gotcha" or "April fool" but he didnt . I hoped that Tola would come out from the theatre with his crutch and make a wisecrack like
"So you believe the bullshit this doctor is selling you. I'm tougher than to die an accidental death."
"Hear those cries, he never really left us"
"you can't be happy while I'm mourning. Its all your fault Ade. You should have just left us alone. I already told him about the fatwa on my head. He didn't mind. We were supposed to leave for London after our marriage, until your slut of a wife decided to have his babies. I don't know if you knew, but they were sleeping partners before she met you. Its why he did not want you to marry her so I just saved you a future of pain. I knew but I didn't mind, I loved Tola, I still do he was the only man I would never hurt. It was because of him I never took vengeance against Sade. Take care of the twins, they are mine as much as they are Tola's and yours."
"You don't deserve to die, you were being a good friend. Your intentions were good but they served no purpose"
