《CAMARADERIE TROUBLES》


 CHAPTER 1

    CHAPTER 1


    Solomon dusted his shoes, He picked up his phone from the couch in the living room. His daughter


    Alicia had gone for the holidays to his grandmother''s ce while his wife had gone to the groceries. He


    took a deep breath, a breath of freedom. It wasn''t as if his family was an inconvenience to him, he was


    d he would have more than enough time to himself. It was a Friday afternoon and ording to


    norms, the bank he worked at closed 1:00 pm. That''s more than enough time to flex after an onerous


    week. He pulled off his socks and unbuckled his belt. He left his trouser to fall halfway almost touching


    his knees. He moved towards the television cab. "Ho! Thank God is Friday Nigga" He yelled


    excitedly, throwing his arms up in the air. He needed to ease himself of tension and stress from work,


    coupled with the fact that it was a bad day. His boss had insulted him and threatened a fire foring


    choice but to park his car on the highway and take a bike off to work.


    He crashed on the sofa and adjusted a throw pillow behind his shoulders. He turned the TV to his


    favorite; the Ellen DeGeneres show. He was excited to see who was interviewed on the show.


    "Oh my!! Kylie Kardashian!! Wow," He was stunned to see a big TV star on the show. He rushed to the


    bar-room beside the dining room to get a cocktail. He ned he was gonna pop and enjoy the show to


    the fullest. After he poured into a royal ss, fizzed some ice cubes into it and sipped,


    The electricity went out.


    "Oh, what the hell! What the f**k! Why would this bullshit be when a man is having his best moment?


    This unfortunate power holdingpany decided to ruin a happy man''s joy, despite their huge tarrifs"


    He tossed a throw pillow in annoyance and snapped his finger. He thought of an alternative. His


    generator was newly serviced by Sule who he paid heavily for his service. The problem was, there was


    no fuel. Trekking to a nearby filling station was about half an hour walk and his favorite show was


    barely that time, so that would prove abortive. He would have gone in vain. He didn''t have any active


    inte subscription to stream the show online so the only option he got was to give up. Solomon


    started perambting about the house. It was quite obvious he was bored.


    He slowly walked towards the sets of beautiful pictures by a corner of the Magnifique living room and


    started recurring beautiful memories. He had some rapturous reminiscences.


    The first was a framed picture of his wife in lingerie on a beach at Daytona. That was long before he


    had met her. She was an epitome of beauty, a perfect spec. She was a half cast of a British father and


    a Nigerian mother.


    She got her beautiful fair-skin semnce from Mama Gloria! Alicia fondly called her grandmother. Next


    to it was a cute picture of Alicia, his daughter. She was in a school uniform. There hung other


    numerous frames on the wall.


    He was missing Selena already. His phone beeped in his pocket. It was a call from Selena.


    "Hey baby" Solomon smiled


    "My love" she replied.


    "It''s been a long-ass boring day here. I''m missing you like crazy. When you gonnae home?" He


    moved his arm across his head, stretching.


    "A, like seriously? Where''s Alice?"


    "Babe, I told you I was gonna take Alice to Granny''s ce. Have you forgotten today''s Friday? She''s


    not home"


    "Oh yup, I forgot" she cut in. "Thank goodness. She was hell-bent on visiting Mama Gloria and she


    would never give me a moment of rest."


    "Yes Selena" He cleared his throat and paused for a while.


    "So baby we gotta have more than enough beautiful time for ourselves yeah?" He smiled.


    "Yea, I guess, she''s gonna be off throughout the holiday. Her school just vacated" she replied sharply.


    "We gonna have a blossoming honeymoon tonight Selena. I''ll fly you to the moon" He chuckled.


    She smiled for a few seconds.


    "Save me all of that jorr, I would be too tired then cos today has been too stressful". She replied, still


    smiling.


    "Like really?"


    "Yes baby, after taking Felix to the daycare, I had to branch the fashion designer to check up on our


    clothes for our wedding anniversary. I''m at the mall now and the bucket list is quite long. The ce is


    crowded, you know its Friday, people gonna be buying in bulk for the weekend and all"


    "I got you baby, just stay good"


    "Kisses" she replied.


    "Yunno I''m right here in front of your picture gazing at the goddess of beauty the Lord has given me for


    a wife" He blushed.


    "Oh really, which of ''em?"


    He raised up an arm and griped the frame carefully.


    "The one at Daytona, long before I met you."


    "Oh, like seriously?" Sheughed hierarchically over the phone.


    "You mean you are still admiring that old picture when I got so many new dope ones. You must be silly,


    babe."


    "That never gets old" He replied


    "What never gets old?


    "You know what babe, I''ll call you back. I''m right in front of the payment counter, so got to pay off the


    bills." She cut in sharply.


    "Ouch... Okay baby, so how much was the budget? "He asked scratching his head


    The line went off.


    "What the ..." He was devastated.


    He was a man that really adored talking to his wife. He treasured every moment of convos with her.


    Their gists were always interesting, reasonable, and never-exhausting. It was like a fountain that never


    runs dry.


    He brought the frame closer to his face and kissed it.


    "I lorr you baby" This love was so Intimate, a fire aze in his heart. It was written all over him.


    He felt as if Selena should just appear right in front of him and he should give a tight warm longsting


    hug.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    She was his wife, friend, girlfriend, mother, sister, pastor, counselor, confidant, and soul mate all


    together metaphorically.


    Now he longed for her to return home.

 CHAPTER 2

    CHAPTER 2


    Alicia ran towards Mama Gloria in widespread arms. She wore an excited face beaming in happiness,


    She had waited in front of the verandah since her dad dropped her. She refused to go into the house


    unless she sees her ever-loving adorable granny. Bukunmi the housemaid had implored her toe


    inside the house and have a drink but she refused.


    She had learned to be hospitable to visitors after mama scolded her harshly and denied her of a


    month''s sry. This was because she ''ill-treated'' some elders who came visiting from the vige. She


    didn''t serve k nut neither did she serve gin. The elders remarked badly after they returned.


    Mama heard about that and ording to her principles, she had her way of getting back at every


    bullshit.


    Alicia brought out her ''Common Entrance Solution'' textbooks and started to revise it to while away


    time.


    "Auntie Bukunmi, where do Eskimos live?" She asked inquisitively to a Bukunmi who paid little


    attention.


    "I have no idea, maybe a cottage or something."


    Alicia burst intoughter.


    Sheughed to an extent Bukunmi felt slightly embarrassed.


    "I don''t think that''s funny, don''t Eskimos live in cottages?"


    Alicia burst intoughter again. This time, uncontrobly.


    "Hehehe, that was so soo off point." She chuckled.


    "Eskimos live in ice-built igloos"


    She replied with some sort of pride.


    "Coooool, well I''m not an Eskimo"...


    "Who made the telephone?"


    "I think that shoulda been.. ''who invented the telephone?'' I think that should be Thomas Edison. I''ve


    heard many people say he failed a thousand times doing that and seeded at a final attempt."


    Aliciaughed. This time, she was hitting her chest like a monkey in the jungle. Tears dripped out of her


    right eye because she hadughed too much.


    "Auntie Bukunmi, what school did you attend?"


    "You must be naughty" she tried to fake a smile. She knew she definitely missed the question.


    "The man that invented the telephone was Alexander Graham Bell oooo. The telephone inventory


    patent was granted to Bell on March 7, 1876. Thomas Edison was the man who invented the light bulb


    and discovered 999 ways not to make the bulb. Now here''s the mix-up. In 1876, Thomas invented a


    carbon microphone which produced a strong TELEPHONE signal."


    Bukunmi was astonished. She was baffled at the exhibit of intelligence from an eight-year-old. She


    knew things she didn''t know at the age of 22!


    She tried not to allow that to make her feel less of herself.


    "Omo olowo (Rich man''s child)" she thought.


    "After all, her parents have the money to send her to one of these big schools where they have crazy


    facilities to enhance learning. What do you expect? My parents are presently in the vige either trying


    to fell firewood for sale or on some other kind of hustle. My father would probably be on a palm wine


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    tree tapping from his only source of ie and survival. They would start calling me next week to


    send them money. The money that I wasn''t paid." She hissed.


    "Auntie Bukunmi, who was the first man to ..."


    "Don''t ask me any questions any longer" she interrupted her. "Let me be, please. Excuse me of your


    rudeness" she added, pissed off.


    Alicia knew she had offended her.


    "Being knowledgeable is no room to insult or look down at your elderly ones" she said to herself.


    She even had the guts to ask what school she went to. All these dawned guilt upon Alicia. She was


    self-convicted she was wrong and was feeling sorry already.


    She stood from the bench and headed towards the entrance to go apologize to Bukunmi. Suddenly,


    she heard the loud ring of the car horn from the gate.


    "Granny!!!" She jumped with her arms thrown into the air in excitement.


    Mama Gloria gently shot out her left leg she alighted. She paused a little, disying her red ssy Luis


    Vuitton heels in the process. Her driver opened the rear door for her. She was elegant, a woman in her


    eighties. She had wrinkles on some parts of her face. Eyebags hanged beneath her eyes and the


    stretched lines on her forehead shrunk. in spite all these, she was still pretty for a person of her age.


    She was presentable and Selena took a striking resemnce from her. No wonder, like mother like


    daughter!


    Mama''s fashion was still on freak. She never allowed old age to have a say on her swag. She wore a


    red shiny jumpsuit on a ck turtle neck coupled with a ck London skirt and red heels. She was so


    hot. Her fashion was so irresistible. She was in vogue. No wonder, she was a huge fan of Fashion TV.


    She always snapped pictures of models on her favorite television show. She always aspired to rock


    different styles and attires she saw on her next asions.


    "My Alice" Mama opened her arms wide to receive her granddaughter with a warm hug.


    "I''ve missed you," said Mama


    She was so overwhelmed by the love for her granddaughter.


    She wished she could be in her arms forever

 CHAPTER 3

    CHAPTER 3


    Solomon heard a thud from the door.


    He woke up and swabbed the saliva that dripped from a corner of his lips. He nced up at the clock.


    "Goodness me! 10:00 pm." Selena wasn''t back yet. He fitted into the flip flops beside therge Chelsea


    armchair. He edged towards the door.


    "Baby, is that you?" He asked, quite drowsy.


    He got no response.


    He opened the door.


    "Darling!!!" Selena staggered. She hugged her LOML.


    "Seline, this isn''t fair and you know that. I mean look at the time, it''s 10 pm. Why are you doing this to


    me?"


    "Honey, I''m sorry.. I never nned for all these to happen. I got to go check on Amanda; my lil sister.


    She called a few minutes after I was through at Akorrs. I was making my way home already"


    "And how about her, she good?" Solo asked with hands akimbo.


    "She isn''t fine" she raised her eyebrows


    "I woulda spent the night at her ce but I knew you definitely could''nt take that. You are always


    muddled any moment I''m away. As a matter of fact, I had a t phone battery. It would be wrong if I


    hadn''t got you aware of it" she paused and dropped the heavy shopping bags.


    "She''s got a feud with one of her lecturerstely".


    "What feud?"


    He led her from the doorway with his hand on her waist.


    They hugged deeply again.


    "Honey, I missed you so much. I had a bad Friday and that''s because you were away. Don''t kill me


    please"


    Selena burst intoughter.


    "So what if I had slept at Amanda''s ce?"


    "That would have gotten me utterly stumped. I can''t imagine what I would have done." He smiled,


    shaking his head.


    They both made way to go drop the grocery stuff in the store. They put the house and every other thing


    in order.


    They walked to the bar and sat on the long tall barstools. Solomon drank the remaining wine he had


    drunk halfway in the afternoon. He cocked it up.


    "Darling, you still haven''t gotten over Tequ?" Selena chuckled. She also sipped from a ss of the


    drink.


    "You and I know I can''t get over this shii....


    Tequ till the end of me. I think you were talking about Amanda. What about her?" He scratched his


    head.


    "Yea, yea... What was I even saying?" She asked, probably lost her line of thought..


    "That she''s worried or something?" Hisshes fluttered.


    "Yup, it''s a whole long story."


    * * * *


    Amanda struggled to rise from her knee. She had prayed for a long time. She was pouring out the


    agony in her heart before her God. She had to do this quickly before other roommates return from their


    various lectures. She had just a lecture that day; MTH107, which she decided to forgo. "Of what use?"


    She said. It''s been long she prayed serious prayers like this. Prayers where she would sweat profusely,


    st in tongues, and even weep. This was obviously prompted by something. Amanda would never


    have gone days fasting and praying at the expense of her ''precious'' lectures and reading time. She


    also had to forgo time getting along with friends, catching vibes.


    She sat at the edge of the lower bunk and reached out to her Bible, she flipped through the pages.


    "Oh Lord, you are my help in times of trouble" drops of tears ran down her cheeks. It gradually became


    a river of tears.


    "God that keepeth Isreal neither sleeps nor slumber" she stood up, continually snapping her fingers


    with her eyes closed and so much fervency.


    The door bulged open suddenly.


    She reduced the tension in her prayers, opened her left eye to peep.


    It was Fshade. She was in a skimpy red armless gown that barely covered her thighs. She was


    necking with a guy. The guy stood behind her, grabbing her waist and she romantically grinded on his


    crouch. They kissed.


    Amanda was disgusted.


    Fshade tossed her purse to another bunk some distance away.


    "Babe, I guess this means it can''t be today anymore" the guy grinned.


    "I guess so too" she replied, a little bit agitated. Her n was messed up. It was a time she least


    expected a roomie around.


    "Cos this S.U, or Mary Magdalene just killed my vibe. She makes me feel like a sinner. I''m gonna leave


    here before I begin to confess my sins. I''m getting consumed by guilt and all of that shit." His face


    contorted.


    "Its okay baby, I''ll catch you in front of your hostel in the evening"


    "And we gonna have a nice time?" He smiled and spanked her butt.


    Amanda boiled with annoyance at the whole ''demonic'' scene disyed in front of her. He had her eyes


    tightly closed and started binding every demon.


    "I got to go," he said after a peck


    "Bye bunnniee"


    "In Jesus mighty name I pray" Amanda threw her fists into the air.


    "Amen, Amen and Amen" Fshade jovially chorused.


    Amanda shook her head in disapproval.


    In her mind, she had this ''hypocrite'' perception of her friend.


    "Wait; don''t tell me you''re still praying concerning this same matter. You mean despite the fact that I


    brought big girls and y Mamas toe put you through it yesterday, you still haven''t ''bent''?"


    Fshade was perplexed.


    She drew nearer to Amanda and sat by the edge of the bed, pulling off her heels. She put her hand


    across Amanda''s shoulders.


    "Baby girl, give this a thought. Come to think of it, Professor Anikpo is interested in you. He wants to


    spoil you plenty. Is it money? He''s got it. Is it marks? Influence? Whatever! This man is presenting to


    you an offer... A bonanza!


    Just take a look at the phone you use" She snatched it from Amanda''s hand and held it like a piece of


    trash.


    "Who the hell uses this? Babe this is outdated. If you give it a good thought, you would also join the


    geng of big girls on campus. I mean babes using X, iPhone 12, or even S20!"


    Amanda was thoughtful. She was short of words.


    "Girl, see your skin. You''ve got es and zits all over. you should be glowing, or don''t you cherish


    Bimbo''s skin? Omo to dun (Sweet girl). She''s the spec of every guy in her department. Her skin glows


    like the morning Star in midday. Babe, you too can dress to oppress, but not until you get rid of those


    faded threads you call clothing. Stuck up with various designer wears like me... I mean, don''t you


    wanna flip some... Caaaassh?" She said enticingly, flipping bales of hundred-dor notes, fanning


    herself with them. she stuck out her tongue.


    Amanda was enticed.


    "How did you get all of that? Please, can I have some of that, I need to pay bills and meet some


    pressing needs."


    "Stop squeezing your palms begging me for money. You still don''t get it, babe. How long will I keep


    giving you money?


    I can stop giving you fish and teach you how to catch fish. As a matter of fact, Jaden gave me all of


    that! He said he had a nice night with me."


    "All of that money for just a night? How did he get that? Besides, he''s not even your boyfriend. I


    suppose Bosun is."


    Amanda asked, bewildered.


    "He told me he is into FOREX and some online Cryptocurrency business but, I figured out that was a


    tant lie. He''s into ''Yahoo''. She whispered into Amanda''s ear.


    Amanda''s heart pounded with shock.


    "And why are you still with him? You deffs knew he''s a fraudster and definitely, he''s a ritualist, cuz he''s


    gotta enhance that business with something... fetish"


    "That''s what I''m saying. You assume too much and are filled with too much doubt...


    Okay okay, true talk.. Jaden is a fraudster. But he''s never involved in any fetish or charm shit. He just


    dupes his white clients. Have you ever heard of a Bitcoin scam? That one is a pure scamming


    methodology. It fetches so many young guys of today cool money. You really need to see Jaden''s new


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    apartment in GRA. The whole building glitters with unfermented luxury on every part of it. I wouldn''t be


    baffled if i was told he rented it for millions. It''s worth it. Did you see the ''NEW WHIP ALERT'' I posted


    on my WhatsApp statusst week?


    "No, never did" she replied.


    "That was Jaden''s. He just bought a new exotic AMG GT Benz. That car is ''tear rubber'', very


    expensive. That''s aside from his sleek Range Rover and Beemer... All at the age of twenty-three!!"


    She pulled off a pendant ne from her neck. "You know how much this cost? 50k dors! Babe,


    there''s so much you wouldn''t wanna forfeit in this new lifestyle I am inviting you into."


    Fshade pulled off her gown and changed to a light pajama top.


    "Babe, let me connect you to top influential guys that will get you whatever you want. My pardon, I don''t


    even need to, just tell Prof a yes." Amanda sheepishly continued to listen to the pep talk. She shifted


    her Bible aside, ready to hear more.


    "Take a look at yourself; you don''t even have aptop. How do you watch Netflix, Roku and all sorts?


    You are beautiful and even fairplexioned for that matter. But do you know there''s something called


    ''Rebranding''? Shade asked.


    "Rebranding?" Amanda raised her eyebrow. "Yes, rebranding. I know you do hear all these religious


    people talk kinds of stuff like getting ''Born-again''. It''s the same case here, but just a slight difference, in


    the opposite way!"


    Amanda snickered "Shade you don''t have to beat around the bush before you exin that to me.


    Abeg(Please), don''t spheme oh. What involves being born again with this matter!?" Amanda


    grimaced


    "Okay okay, let me be more precise. Where I was driving at is that you need to posh up yourself to


    make your beauty more attractive. You need cologne with scents that can drown a man in the ocean of


    lust for you. There are expensive makeup boxes that can transform you into a beautiful goddess like


    Aphrodite. Your hair isn''t even kempt. Whenst have you been to the saloon?"


    "Can''t even remember" Amanda barely responded.


    "Imagine, don''t you wanna use Brazilian wigs of #100k? Not those cheap ''Expression'' small girls use.


    Bimbo and Halima entered the room. "Mama Counselor" Bimboughed at them.


    "You guys are still on it again, usual custom. This hell-bent girl would never give in; you better leave her


    alone to serve her Jesus." Halima derided.


    "Please, don''te and spoil the show. She''s responding." She fluttered hershes at them.


    "But how do you guys deal with unwanted pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted diseases, and other


    downlines?" Amanda objected.


    The whole room was filled withughter.


    "Like seriously??"Halimaughed hard till spits dripped from her mouth.


    "Please, how on earth is this durd in HND II?" Bimbo smirked, undressing. She blushed a bit to


    cushion the effect of what she said to Amanda.


    "Hey! That hurts bimbo. She''s not a pro like you guys. She''s not even an amateur. This one is still a


    virgin." Fshade said.


    "Halima and Bimboughed hard..


    "What TF. She said virgin?.. virgin Mary" They mocked.


    "This girl is so odd-fashioned. She has an outdated mentality. Oh.. you are keeping yourself for your


    husband? Who does that again? I''m sure your future husband would be somewhere, flirting around


    with some girls and you are keeping yourself for him. All of that is olden days'' perceptions. They are


    primitive. It was in the days of our forefathers'' virginity is priced. Right now, nobody absolutely cares


    about it.


    "And I can tell you that you are missing big!" Bimbo added


    "Please don''t let my girl get discouraged" Fshade pulled Amanda towards herself.


    "Let me answer the question you asked earlier. You see about unwanted preggs and the rest, there are


    so many ways to avoid them. You just need to be smart. If your man is adamant about using a condom


    or stealth, you can make use of contraceptives, spermicides, or opt for IUD. IUD means Intra-Uterine


    device. You''ll go for a surgical operation that will prevent you from conceiving for a time. And if in case


    you discover you are in any way pregnant, there''s room for an abortion. Just pay the doctor to get rid of


    it.


    " Halima how many abortions have youmitted?" Fshade asked.


    Halima reflected for some seconds. She raised her head and did some calctions with her index


    finger. "About... Twenty-two"


    "Jesuuuus!!" Amanda screamed.


    "Are you guys not even surprised at all? Twenty-two freaking abortions!! She has murdered twenty-two


    unborn babies indirectly". Amanda said, dazzled.


    "Will you keep your mouth shut!" Halima yelled at her.


    "There is nothing new under the sun. I have aborted about fourteen." shade said.


    Bimbo, how many have you?" Shade asked.


    "I''ve lost count" she replied.


    Amanda was bbergasted. The way her friends were dropping figures, boasting of atrocities they


    known them. She didn''t share her faith with them till they fell prey to the same deception they are now


    evangelizing to her.


    ''Tink tink tink'' Bimbo''s phone rang.


    "Yes darling, my one and only"


    The room capsized in silence. Everyone paid rapt attention, there must be something to hear.


    "What!! You sent me three hundred thousand Naira? You must be kidding me!!"


    Fshade and Halima moved silently towards the conversation. They were excited.


    "And a free ticket to the Bahamas for the holidays?... Wow!!"


    Amanda kept thinking... "This life is not bnced" This was a real test of her faith.

 CHAPTER 4

    CHAPTER 4


    "Granny!.. granny!" Alicia called out with excitement. She had some piece of bread in her mouth. They


    were having breakfast at the dining table.


    "Yes, dear" Mama Gloria sipped from a mug of tea.


    "Tell me something, maybe a gist, a story, or whatever. I just want to discuss with you Mama, any." She


    said with curiosity.


    "But you know is wrong to talk while having a meal yeah?"


    "I know" she cut in.


    "They had Alicia''s best food that morning. Alicia continued biting loaves of bread. She made


    sandwiches with the slices and scrambled eggs. she crushed each piece in her mouth, sipping her tea.


    She had more than she could chew in her mouth.


    "Don''t get yourself convulsed, you''d be constipated." Mamaughed.


    She would never hear that. Mama Gloria must have repeated herself an umpteenth time.


    Bukunmi came to clear the table.


    "Ok Mama, how abaau my request?" she clung to her. Mama swabbed small crumbs of food from the


    dining table-cloth.


    "What exactly do you want to hear?" She smiled at her loving granddaughter.


    "Maybe a gist about something that happened at your workce or so, just anything". she replied.


    "Oh my, I got so many things to talk about here darling. I''ve been working there for about a decade


    now, so the gist would be endless."


    Alice''s face brightened. It was exactly what she wanted to hear. She was quite excited her granny had


    a lot to say. She adjusted the dining seats and turned it to face mama, she sat. "Mama, please take off.


    I can''t wait to hear." she beamed with a curious countenance.


    "What''s the time?" Mama Gloria asked.


    The huge wall clock that hung behind the dining room arch had stopped working. It needed new


    batteries, yet Mama wouldn''t cease to nce up at it anytime she needed to check the time. Weird!


    Alicia pulled out her iWatch series 5. "10:00 AM" she answered.


    "There''s this new man we''ve got in ourpany who just lost a son. Practically, his son killed himself."


    "For real?" Alicia replied, astonished.


    "You see, I really don''t know what''s going on with the teenagers and youths of these days. You people


    seem to be more ''matured'' than your age. They get to know many things even adults don''t know."


    Aliceughed. "Mama, the world is evolving. Information spreads like wildfire. Ignorance is primitive,


    and technology has advanced. Any kind of information is easily essible through the inte and


    other mass media."


    "Alice, you remind me of my good old days at high school. I was to oppose a motion that states ''Tech


    has done more harm than good''. I said the exact words you just said"


    "And who won the argument?" Her eyes bored into Mama.


    "My opponent" Mama Gloriaughed.


    "Mama, you really mean you lost in an argument to your co-debator? despite bazillions of points you


    can raise to back up that argument. The argument was much to your advantage."Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Yes, I know dear. It isn''t really about the number of points being raised. There''s a wide range of other


    criteria required in a debate. I was topete with Samson, the school senior prefect boy. The guy is


    so ... I''m short of words." Mama paused.


    "You mean like, dope, outspoken?" Alice asked.


    "Yes, something like that." She continued.


    "He had a very big confidence. Hispetence was second to none. He was well dressed that day. I


    remember that one of the teachers remarked that he appeared like a banker. Regardless of the looks,


    he was eloquent. He spoke mind-blowing grammar. His orals, diction, and vocab were breathtaking.


    This was a major spec girls at my high school drooled over in him. He performed so well during his


    debate session. I was swept off my feet before I climbed the stage after he supported the motion. In


    fact, I felt intimidated. I had an awkward performance. I couldn''t even back up my points properly. I just


    talked about the importance of technology and I epted defeat gracefully. The rest is a story for


    another day." mama concluded.


    Alice maintained a stare.


    "All right, before telling you about my colleague''s son, let''s do a little throw-back to my high school


    days."


    "Yay!" Alice yed with her fists.


    "I so much love high school throwbacks. It really seems to me like people were telling me their


    biography whenever I hear throwback stories. It''s always exciting to hear. Mama, pleasemence."


    "Then we are going to have a long talk today." Mama Gloriaughed.


    "Ma''am, we''ve got more than enough time. Kindly help me exhaust judiciously by telling me your


    stories, and save me from boredom.


    "Get me a ss of water," Mama said.


    * * * *


    I was in SS2A one day. Mrs. Ste; the vice-principal came into our ssroom to announce that my


    school- PATISA INTERNATIONAL had been invited to participate in a Charity Poetry Competition. She


    told us that the representatives she chooses wouldpete with other representatives from over thirty


    top schools in Ilorin for the win.


    "ss be silent!" Mrs. Ste ordered.


    Murmurings and side talks in the ss drowned out. She held a big handbill.


    "I''m d to announce to y''all that PATISA INTERNATIONAL has been invited a top phnthropic NGO


    involved in charity and helping the poor, to participate in a very big annual poetrypetition."


    The ss was very silent. Everyone paid rapt attention to what she said.


    "It''s being organized by MMGIVIT."


    Side talks in the ss increased.


    "Isn''t MMGIVIT that top initiative founded by SAN Mohammed Mustafa?" Jamal asked.


    "I don''t even know, but most likely" He got a reply.


    "As I was saying", Mrs. Ste continued.


    "There''s a big reward attached to this. Aside from mary benefits, the winner would be on the cover


    design of the organization, and that will earn him and the school big honor. I have chosen not to involve


    your senior ones. I mean the SS3''s because they are rude and very naughty at times. They wouldn''t


    take this seriously. Besides, they''ve not got big talent as I see in this ss."


    What got me most surprised was the fact that she came to science ss. This was so funny. What did


    she mean? Anything rted to poetry or stage performance was for the arts. I thought.


    "There''s going to be two categories for this COMP." She started again.


    "The senior category and Junior category. Each category consists of three participants each. This


    means, six people are going to represent the school in thispetition."


    "Oh Lord, may I be chosen." I prayed silently.


    "Okay, so Gloria, Sharon, and Taofeek see me in my office."


    She walked out of the ss.


    I was glued to a spot.


    "Wow", surprising isn''t it?


    Thank goodness, I knew she was gonna pick me because even though I was in the sciences, I got this


    big passion for literature. Anything rted to public speaking, writing, poetry, and drama caught my


    interest. Besides, I never hid the potential within me. I do write on the ''neglected'' school notice board. I


    said ''neglected'' because it waspletely useless. No one pasted on it. It came to my mind one day,


    and I started to use it to broadcast inspirational, motivational, and educational-rted write-ups. I


    became famous at school. Teachers would dailymend and praise me, telling me "keep up the


    good work". I never allowed pride set in. It only stirred up the zeal and determination within me.


    Students would say, "Gloria, I enjoyed reading today''s episode of your #Realtalk. Please, when are you


    updating the next one?" I would smile proudly and reply; "Stay tuned".


    Many students would miss their lesson periods, standing relentlessly before the notice board; reading


    my posts. They enjoyed every little bit of it. This board was the only one in school, but it was located in


    a very noticeable corner. This boosted my morale because I was a shy and moody person at school


    then. I could easily get depressed on no ount and get really ''thinky''  . This made me have


    time to unveil my gifts. I became a popr literary ''star'' at school. I wasn''t really surprised. I expected


    it.

 CHAPTER 5

    CHAPTER 5


    We entered Mrs. Ste''s big and beautiful office.


    "Sit down", she politely ordered. We rxed on the sofa.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I made a little mistake while announcing. I actually need a senior student in SS1 and two senior


    students in your ss."


    Amirah came in. She was a girl in SS1. She was the most brilliant girl in her ss.


    "Taofeek, I will see youter," she said.


    "Alright ma" He bowed and walked out.


    Iughed silently. I knew that would never happen. Mrs. Ste had softly told him he wouldn''t take part


    in thepetition. I knew he would go to a corner, feeling bad. I nned to gofort him after the


    meeting.


    Three students in the junior secondary school entered the office.


    "Good afternoon ma. We were told you wanted to see us ma." Ayodeji said on behalf of the others, with


    the deepest humility.


    "Yes, I called for you. Join them" She pointed at us.


    "I believe you all are aware of the reason I called you into my office."


    "Yes, we are ma" We chorused.


    "Good, we''ve got no time. Thepetition is in two months, and you know when it''s getting to poetry


    stage performance, you need a lot of technicality, uracy, skill, talent, and a vast amount of qualities.


    I wouldn''t give you false hope, or pamper y''all that thepetition is going to be easy, It wouldn''t! What


    did I say?


    "It wouldn''t be easy!!" we chorused together.


    "Good, yes it wouldn''t be easy. This is because you all will bepeting for a win with lots of talented


    students like you from over thirty schools."


    Sharon eaved deeply.


    "Any problem Sharon?" Mrs. Ste asked.


    "Nothing ma", Sharon managed to reply.


    "Are you nervous?"


    "I''m ok ma"


    "Better!, because I wouldn''t tolerate any ipetence and non-chancy here. Back to what I was


    saying. That said it''s not going to be easy didn''t mean it''s impossible. It''s much possible to win this


    work and determination births sess. You will need lots of rehearsals, practice, and training so that


    you will emerge part of the best that day.


    By the way, there are two rounds in thispetition; the preliminaries and the grand finale. If you


    perform good enough in the preliminaries, you would be part of the ten lucky people chosen for the


    grand finale."


    "Yes ma", Sharon raised a finger.


    "Are the preliminaries and grand finale going to be on the same day?"


    "Nope" she replied.


    She read from the handbill.


    "Nice question. The preliminaries would be on October 5th, exactly two months away. This is when all


    the participants from the school invited would have their poetry performance. I wouldn''t lie to you, it


    would be a long strenuous day because the participants would be much, both in the senior and junior


    categories. The best ten people would be selected by the judges from both categories for the grand


    finale... Grand finale, sometimes next year." She stopped talking and drank some water from the


    dispenser in her office.


    "What date is the grand-finale ma?", I asked.


    "Exactly January 24th, next year; provided there are no disturbances and factors that could hinder it. If


    para venture it''s postponed, the organization is going to let us know. Do we understand?"


    "Yes ma''am" we replied.


    I could see it that everyone was excited to be chosen for thepetition. Mrs. Ste adjusted some


    files on the table.


    "So you all have a task. Your poem for entry into thepetition is to be submitted before Wednesday,


    next week. That''s exactly six days now. We have to forward it to the organization via their official


    website. Should I trust you guys to do this?"


    "Yes ma"


    "You need to be prompt! Write your poem and submit anytime within the next six days for us to make


    reviews and corrections on your work. I''ve assigned Mr. Samson to be your supervisor. The drama


    teacher would coordinate your affairs during rehearsals and tell you the next move. I hope you all have


    a nice time, and good luck."


    "Thank you ma".


    "You may leave"


    Everyone buzzed toward the door, discussing what we''ve heard. We were in haste to leave for the


    dining hall for lunch.


    "Gloria, I want to see you" Mrs. Ste called me back.


    "Yes ma"


    "Gloria, I want you to know that you got what it takes within you. You are the major talent I''m counting


    on in this. Others are peripherals. Please don''t fail me."


    "I wouldn''t ma", I humbly said.


    "Besides, I know you wouldn''t. You are more talented when it''se to this than the rest. I believe the


    rest of them will see you as a role model and perfect example. Gird your loins and win the school this


    trophy."


    She patted my back.


    "By God''s grace ma".


    "Good girl, you may leave".


    I headed to go meet the rest. We hurried to the dining hall, we were very hungry

 CHAPTER 6

    CHAPTER 6


    "Babe, why are you doing this to me?"


    Solomon rushed to meet Selena before she reached the door and go out to work.


    "Doing what exactly? Mister man, leave me alone. Wouldn''t I go to work? Do I look like a full


    housewife? I am a career woman and I''mte to work already. Darling excuse me of the daily drama


    this morning". She gawked at him.


    "It''s really not fair. It''s not fair at all! Why are you depriving me of the love I deserve? You im to be a


    lover of God and the Bible yet you ignorant of the verse which says; DO NOT DEPRIVE


    YOURSELVES OF EACH OTHER. Career woman my foot! You go out to work every day from 6:00 AM


    till 7:30 PM at night. Who does that? You spend more time at work than with family. It isn''t a


    responsible thing to do for a family woman. What if Alice was around? Would it be the same way you


    would give her ample attention and expect her not to be wayward? All in the name of WORK?"


    "Hey. Hey. Hey." She halted him raising her palm.


    "Don''te bathe me with pepsin and renin this early morning. It''s all your fault babe! When I was a


    full housewife those years, I would always depend on you for every little thing I wanted. If I want to buy


    anything.. ''Baby get this for me''. If I need any service ''Baby get this for me''. One more thing I was


    always bored. I was always left alone at home while you and Alice are out there fulfilling your destinies.


    My destiny is not to waste my life in a man''s kitchen. Do you get that!?" She smirked.


    "Nah, I don''t get it at all. That I allowed you to work didn''t mean I sent you to go around, working like a


    jack on some business that keeps you away from having family time. And at night, youe to tell me


    that you are tired, you had a long-ass day. I can''t even touch you any longer".


    "Can''t you control the thing between your two legs? Is this why you married me?


    Intercourse? Oh no, I''m not a sex toy.. Please I''mte to work." she shoved him aside and vamoosed.


    Solomon went upstairs. He peeped through the blinds and watched Selina as she zoomed off to work.


    "Gotcha! if tit doesn''t work, we go for tat. He brought out his phone and scrolled through the contact list.


    "Yes, BIMBO!!"


    He dialed the line. "Precious God, may this girl pick my call".


    The line was unreachable.


    He tried several times more to no avail. He had begun to have attractions for her.


    "Hey prettydy" He waved softly at her.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    This was his catch-up line the night he met Bimbo at a clubhouse. He had walked up to meet her.


    "Hi!" she pulled her braids behind her shoulder. She waved.


    "And what is this beautiful damsel before me doing here, sitting all alone in this big lounge. You don''t


    wanna dance?"


    "Nope, I''m actually waiting for someone." Her mouth curved into a smile as she sized him up, from the


    crown of his head to the sole of his feet.


    "Who are you waiting for for.. your boyfriend?" he teasingly asked.


    "No, I am actually waiting for my best friend. Her name is Halima" She replied.


    "And what is your own naiiiime?..."


    "I''m Bimbo" she answered.


    "Nice name, I''m Solomon... Ifekwe Solomon, and it''s nice to meet you"


    He stretched for a handshake.


    She obliged.


    He shook her hand warmly, his eyes bored into her.


    "Wow! Solomon. Nice name, my daddy bears that." she smiled.


    "Oh that''s cool, I guess I will soon be your sugar daddy."


    "You are funny for real. Your confidence is enviable. I''ve never seen a man been so bold to approach a


    deep pockets" she scrutinized him.


    "Thanks for thepliments. Actually, I was shy to walk up at first. It took me minutes to summon


    courage, I saw you from the gallery. I was so scared. God knows how many times I did the imaginary


    holy triangle stuff on the air, cos I didn''t want to chew more than I could swallow, but the whole process


    was worth it." he chuckled.


    Bimboughed.


    "Like seriously, you men really think wedies are unapproachable. You think we are some hungry


    lions that would rip you off if you walk up to us. It is far from it. Manydies are actually praying in their


    mind that a man walks up to them to ask them out. We have attractions too, but it''s just awkward for the


    and take advantage of her. Also, men think whenever they approach a ''big'' girl, she would re up and


    think they are below her ss or they are too small for her... Hell no! This perception is what makes


    Solomon smiled, gazing at her.


    "Thanks for the nuggets. I really love the way you talk. You are full of intelligence and I guess you


    would be a good gister. C''mon, let''s go have a date."


    "Dinner?"


    "Yep" He replied.


    "They sell pretty good food at Akorrs. Don''t worry, bills on me."


    "Uhhhm... That''s nice... But,.. I would still love to see my friend"


    A phone call came in.


    "Hello Hali". She picked the call.


    "I''ve been wanting at the lounge about an hour ago.


    What do you mean you left an hour ago? Without informing me?


    And you got me wasting my precious time here, waiting for you. screw you!


    She quit the conversation.


    "Can you imagine this babe I''m waiting for telling me she''d left about an hour ago? Without informing


    me"


    "Ehya... Sorry about that."


    He caressed her hand romantically.


    "Let''s go for the date," she said, dropping her phone into her handbag.


    * *


    "Nice meal," Bimbo said. She cleaned her mouth with a piece of tissue.


    She belched..


    "Excuse me..


    It seems you really love Portobello Mushroom burgers, could decipher that the way you ravished it after


    the waiter served."


    Solomonughed.


    "I''m a foodie!"


    "So are you married or hooked up in a rtionship?" Bimbo asked.


    "Kind of, it''splicated. Don''t wanna talk about it." His face went nk and he bowed his head.


    "I''m married with two kids; Alice and Felix. But as a matter of fact, I am not enjoying my marriage. My


    wife hasn''t been having enough time for me since I allowed her to work. She got an appointment with a


    multinationalmunicationspany. It''s been long I''ve even..." He winked.


    "Are you serious?" Her eyes widened.


    "I really don''t like talking about this. It hurts me. She was an amazing woman.. so amazing. I really


    don''t know what happened, she just changed overnight." His countenance dulled.


    "Hey, take it easy, things gonna be fine okay?"


    She checked her watch.


    "OMG! it''ste. 11:09 PM!! We would talk some other time, let''s be going."


    "You wouldn''t get a cab if you would be returning tonight. It''s toote. Let''s lodge at AJ''s Suites. It''s


    near here. Tomorrow we can both part ways." Solomon suggested.


    They did as nned. They booked a VIP room to pass the night. One thing led to another and they


    defiled themselves that night.

 CHAPTER 7

    CHAPTER 7


    Amanda crossed her feet on a footstool. She sat aback majestically on the big Chesterfield sofa,


    watching a Nollywood break-up scene. She was moved to tears by the words from the lead character in


    the movie.


    "Girl, this can''t work. NEVER! it wouldn''t. No man would ever want an orange that has all its juice


    squeezed out. If I as a man could keep myself pure and not have any immoral thing to do with anydy,


    how much more ady. There''s more pressure on me than you. Do you know how my hormones drive


    me nuts? yet, I had to subdue my desires and do what was right." The guy busted out.


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    The girl pleaded on her knees. Tears shimmered in her eyes.


    "Baby, don''t do this to me. I love you. All that is my past and I''m a changed person now. All of that was


    when I was in the world. I am renewed now. Please, don''t make my past haunt me. Please baby..


    please." She wailed.


    "Hey, woman. Don''t ''baby'' me! What rubbish! The doctor said you would never conceive again due to


    the numerous abortions you had. Countless men have had sex with you, you know what that means?


    Do you know the demons that have been transferred to you? Do you know how many blood covenant


    you have made? You killed innocent babies in the name of ''When I was still in the world'' Who knows if


    any of the men you slept with hasn''t carted away your glories and virtues, leaving you behind to be an


    empty can or a walking-dead on earth?" He turned his back against her with a pouting face.


    "Please darling, if you leave me, where would I go? I would go and hang myself. Don''t put me to


    shame. The doctor just said his own, I believe in miracles. I believe I can still have children. You''d


    break my heart if you do this. Please let''s continue this rtionship." Thedy continued to beg for


    mercy, she held the guy''s ankle and sobbed at his feet. The guy kicked her in annoyance and exited


    from the scene.


    Anotherdy came in.


    "You see you see your life? That''s what we were telling you. Auntie SPEC, always craving for young


    boys in multi-colored socks, cross bag, and iPhone. ''I LOVE GUYS WITH BEARDS'' Just take a look at


    your aftermath. You said you wanted to ''chop'' life. I hope you have enjoyed it to your fullest. It definitely


    gave you more than you bargained for. Werey (Madwoman) You also wanted to feel among and


    ''oppress''. You finally ended up being the one oppressed. Do you think that a well-to-do guy would


    marry a liability like you? After living your life recklessly, you think you can lift the burden of your


    deserved consequences and put it on his head? No way! A man shall pay for his sins. The soul that


    sih must surely die. OLORIBURUKU (unfortunate fellow)".


    The mocker exited the stage, leaving the ''dumped'' woman in a remorseful state.


    Amanda paused the movie. she sank into deep thought. The movie matched to her situation.


    "There''s always something to reap after the exotic lifestyle I''ve been craving for. Oh, what do I do now?


    I have so many pressing needs as a student. I would soon be writing my thesis. This requires funds.


    Fshade told me countless things I need as a student. I just can''t keep calling my parents for every


    need. Besides, my father is a miser. He doesn''t know more than to flirt with different women and spend


    money on beer. alcoholic! He would never attend to my requests. He believes spending money on me


    is a waste because I would finally end up in a man''s kitchen... I think I have to sort things out myself."


    She brooded and had reminiscences of the scenes in the movie she just watched.


    "I can apply wisdom! Amanda, you can do this just once, get what you need, sort out your bills, and ask


    for forgiveness."


    She remembered she was still a virgin. Her mind shed back to when Fshade, Bimbo, and Halima


    made a jest of her.


    "It''s your virginity that keeps making you wallow in the anguish of menstrual pains!" Halima had said.


    She reflected deeply on her friend''s words. It got her.


    "God I''m leaving you!" she said, mming her hand on the center table.


    "I''ve had enough, and it''s time to do things my way!" she finalized and flounced out.


    * * *


    Amanda''s eyes glistened with tears. She sobbed in pain as blood dripped from her privates down her


    leg in the hotel room Prof Anikpo had brought her.


    "I thought you were a champ at this. I never knew you have never been de-flowered. Anyways, it was


    nice having you. It''s a great feeling to be the man that broke your hymen, and I enjoyed every bit of


    doing that."


    He drew near her and patted her shoulder, zipping up his trouser.


    "I know it really hurts in the first attempt, but you will get used to it. Get to the bathroom and get


    yourself cleaned up."


    Amanda cried uncontrobly.


    She remembered when she promised her mother when she was nine that she would never be


    wayward. She also promised her promiscuous dad that she would remain a virgin till marriage. This


    was after several counseling sessions from this same father. INDEED, PROMISCUOUS PEOPLE


    DON''T WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO BE LIKE THEM.


    She remembered when Pastor Jay - her Sunday-school teacher preached: "Fornication defiles your


    temple. It pollutes your body and makes you unfit for God''s use and glory. Any man thatmits


    fornication sins against his own body. Regardless of whatever ng they use to cover this act up. Be it


    ''fuck, knacks,make-out, hammer'' or whatever. It is fornication!"


    These words tormented her.


    She sat on the bed and wrapped herself with a big white duvet. She lost the feeling of pride she had


    always been feeling. It seemed to her as if someone had snatched a treasure from her. Gradually, the


    emotional pain she felt overclouded the physical.


    Prof Anikpo threw a lump bale of dor notes at her, to the bed.


    "That''s for a big performance. It''s been long I''ve enjoyed a woman this way. I see this potential in you


    that... you would be good in bed." He tickled her andughed loudly.


    "Also, consider your project sessful. You''d surely graduate from this polytechnic with great grades. I


    would love to keep seeing you. I''m off. I paid for an extra night, in case you still want to remain here


    and sort yourself out. Bye Gto." He sauntered away. Amanda remained mute.


    "Give me a high five." Fshade giggled at Amanda. Her three friends hugged her warmly. They


    showed her love and approval because she had finally yielded to their wish.


    "It''s nice you manned-up and took the courage. Well done, real men don''t chase titles they follow


    courage. Wee to the bevy of ''big'' girls. How was it when you were doing it? Did you enjoy it?"


    Bimbo asked, smiling all over.


    "No, I didn''t. It was pain-freak." Amanda replied half-consciously. She hasn''t gotten back to her normal


    state of mind.


    "I know right? I can imagine. I felt the same way when Michael my first boyfriend did the same to me in


    our secondary school toilet on Valentine''s day. It was a hell of a painful time for me. But.. yunno..


    Michael and I conceived our little secret throughout the school." Halima narrated.


    "Now there are many things to know in this new journey of yours." Fshade cleared her throat.


    "You can''t afford to be naive or ignorant so men don''t take advantage of you. The ball is in your court


    and you''ve got to be on top of your game like a queen. To extort good money from these men, there''s


    quite a lot you would do. Tomorrow, we''d take you out to go see a Baba. He is a very powerful man. He


    was the one who gave Bimbo, Hali, and I some materials. This is the reason why we are on top of our


    game. Men bow to us in asterisk wonder and anyone who ''mounts'' upon us has fallen into our snare.


    Wee to our world baby... Hahaha!!!"

 CHAPTER 8

    CHAPTER 8


    "Gloria, I''ve reviewed the poem you submitted for the entry. I must say, it was okay... But it didn''t fit the


    theme of this year''spetition. Besides, the poem had a lot of grammatical errors and ack of


    figures of speech. Like I said earlier, you are the major talent we are relying upon, the others are just


    backups. Take this new poem," she handed or piece of paper to me.


    "I know you must have been cramming the one you wrote yourself earlier. Sorry, you would have to


    unlearn them and begin to get this one into your brain, rehearsals begin next week!"


    I felt sad after Mrs. Ste turned down my poetry work. At least, she should have corrected the errors


    and fix in all the literary devices she wanted. Even at most, she should have told me to go and make up


    another poem entirely, not giving me the one someone else wrote. I believed that was giarism


    because I will be performing spoken-word poetry of a work I didn''tpose by myself. Absurd!


    " Sharon, are you going to be performing the poem you wrote by yourself? I mean did Mrs. Ste allow


    you to use the poem you submitted for the entry?" I asked.


    "Yes, she reviewed my work and said it was nice. She didn''t turn anyone''s work down, did she reject


    yours?"


    I eaved a deep sigh. "She did reject it. She told me it''scked a lot of essential stuff. The painful thing


    was that she gave me this.."


    I held the paper like a piece of trash.


    "to cram. It isn''t my work. I didn''t make this up, and it would be quite difficult learning this." I said


    downcasted.


    I checked Sharon''s work. It wasn''t even half as good as the work I submitted which got rejected. I


    checked Amirah, Ayodeji, Farooq, and Azizat''s work. They didn''t stand anywhere near mine, yet they


    were approved for entry by Mrs. Ste. I figured out this was because she wanted me to win by at all


    costs.


    Weeks rolled by. Thepetition was by the corner. Mr. Samson the Drama teacher didn''t take things


    lightly with the six of us. It seemed to us as if he wanted to kill us but he wasn''t. He was stretching us to


    our fullest potential. The rehearsals became more rigorous. We rehearsed during short breaks,


    afternoon, and night prep time, during free periods and even weekends. The whole school knew there


    was a ''FANTASTIC SIX'' going for a mission (Thepetition). During rehearsals, Mr. Samson denied


    us permission of making use of any microphone or any modern auditory enhancement gadgets. He


    implored us to speak on top of our voices so that our deepest emotions and actions would be


    expressed.


    "Cut! .. Cut!" Mr. Samson ordered.


    "Farooq, I like the emotions and hand gestures you were putting in that performance, but do you know


    you are fumbling big time? What is wrong with your voice? I could barely hear you audibly just a few


    meters away. How are you going to perform before an audience of thousands of people?


    Everyone listen up! Dignitaries and professors from the University of Ilorin are going toe and watch


    you perform, and thispetition is barely in two weeks. What''s wrong with all of you? The other time,


    Sharon was mincing her words together, Azizat was mumbling. And you, Ayodeji you are not doing this


    from the depth of your heart. You performed the spoken word with ackadaisical attitude as if you


    were forced to do it. Are you uninterested? It was only Gloria that did this to my fullest satisfaction. Her


    performance deserves my appraisal. Didn''t you see the way she performed the spoken word with all


    manner of professionalism? The way she expressed her emotions in the poetry work was top notch!


    She even teared up when she said; ''CHARITY, YOUR ABSENCE MAKES THE BELLY OF THE


    DEPRIVED ONES WAIL IN HUNGER''. "That''s the kind of thing I want. You all should emte her.


    Good luck!"


    I felt very proud of myself for receiving such greatments.


    I would lock myself in the hostel room and would begin practice the way I''d deliver the spoken word


    poetry. I had no choice but to blend with the write-up Mrs. Ste give to me. I started loving it.


    "O Lord, please help me to win thispetition" I silently prayed, sweating profusely after a rigorous


    practice in my room. I would always talk to the doors, bunks, mattresses, chairs, wardrobes, buckets


    windows, and almost everything found in my room; imagining I was talking before a big audience. Most


    times, I would call a few of my friends together and perform the spoken word before them.


    "Such a nice performance!" Noah said.


    "I believe with the way you have performed this afternoon, you should be able to qualify for the grand


    finale and eventually bring home the trophy. Please don''t forget me after winning thispetition. I


    know that there is so much money attached to thispetition." he teased, smiling.


    "Yo guys, don''t worry. Just pray for me to perform well in thispetition and qualify for the next round.


    I believe if I do, everyone would benefit from this."


    * * * *


    Deji sobbed at a corner of the school public toilet like a baby. He felt too ashamed to go out. For the


    first time in his life, he wished the earth could swallow him up. The shame was just too much for him to


    bear. He had probably be aughing stock amongst his ssmates. He punched the wall with his


    fists, an expression of frustration. He was sore. Akanni had sneaked to meet him at the toilet to console


    him. He was such a great friend, a friend in need! He had rushed to the school hostel to go get him a


    clean pair of trousers. What happened? Find...


    It was a Thursday. Exams had started at PATISA. It was the first examination for the term and students


    had been preparing hard for so long for their first paper, which was Chemistry. This was one important


    subject SS2A student''s desired to have good grades at.


    "Failing chemistry practically means not being qualified in the sciences," said Mrs. Ojo, the chemistry


    teacher.


    Deji checked the time. He was quite shocked to see that he had barely two minutes left before the


    exam starts. He hurriedly wore his socks and pulled his shoes back on. This he was fond of anytime he


    read at the school library. He returned the textbooks and resource materials to their shelves and hiked


    out of the library. He had been there for over two hours, reading relentlessly without being tired. For


    reals, the passion in him triggered determination and hard work. He nned to be the best


    student in chemistry in SS2A that term.


    "No one should bring in any book or sheet of paper into the exam hall. Mrs. Eshameh roared. Mrs.


    Eshameh was the Business Studies tutor at PATISA. She had been assigned to invigte Chemistry


    because she was strict. She had harsh principles and students feared her. No wonder she wasn''t


    married.


    " I wouldn''t repeat myself. There is no lending or borrowing of materials when the exam begins. No


    talking to anyone, no standing up, and above all, no cheating! Anyone caught cheating during my


    invigtions would be sent out! I would tear your scripts into two, meaning your exam would be forfeited


    and you would vouch for a F9 in Chemistry. Have I made myself clear?" she shouted.


    Students hated her, most especially; her guts. She was rude at times to the senior staff. She had no


    respect for the SS3''s. She had once told senior Ganiyu thebor prefect to crawl all around the junior


    school section, in front of his juniors because he didn''t do her assignment. We grumbled as we entered


    the ssroom one by one. She had instructed us to queue up outside the ssroom for a thorough


    body search before the examination. She inspected us as if we were suspected drug barons trying to


    sneak some coc aboard.


    We got settled in the ssroom. I could see many students praying fervently. Everyone was desperate.


    I was also nervous. Thezy students got their hopes dashed because they thought a less strict


    invigtor would be assigned for our ss, so they could cheat and ''giraffe'' from the brilliant ones in the


    exam.


    "Don''t open the script until you are told to do so.


    Hey Noah, go and lock that door!" she poked at him.


    Everyone was frigid. It seemed like judgment day. The ss was silent.


    "Opening the script without instruction to do so attracts a 5-mark deduction penalty. I would write ''-5'' on


    your script so that your chemistry teacher will deduct that from your total score, and I''m pretty sure that


    would dash your hopes. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Start!"


    Deji waited a few minutes before he turned over the questions script. He was a holy, godly, and


    intelligent guy, probably the only one. I mean, this was very obvious, coupled with the fact that he had a


    good character and humility. He was quite astonished, seeing that the questions set for the


    examination were from the exact part of the book he read. It was all the topics he perceived would be


    asked that were set in the exam. He leaped for joy, in his imaginations. Obviously, he dared not to. Not


    even in Mrs. Eshameh''s presence.


    Suddenly, he started feeling pressed. He forgot to use the restroom, ording to his usual custom


    before examinations. And he wasn''t even pressed before the exam, it was when the exam kicked off


    his genitals began to put him under pressure.


    "Excuse me Mrs. Eshameh, may I go and use the restroom? I''m pressed please." He humbly asked.


    "Were you deaf when I announced that no one should stand up till the end of this paper? Mr man! Sit


    down, no peeing or going to ease yourself till this paper ends. You may decide to end your paper now


    by submitting and never return again! I Believe by that, you may go to use the toilet as you requested."


    She replied harshly.


    Deji ambled toward his seat. He held himself tightly, hoping to finish the exam quickly, submit and have


    himself eased.


    Twenty minutester, the pressure had doubled. He felt like sprinting out of the examination hall but he


    remembered Mrs. Eshameh''s words. Also, he happened to be an obedient and meek boy. The


    pressure his dder exerted on him was too much.


    Ayo walked up to Mrs. Eshameh, he also took permission to go and use the bathroom which he was


    granted without a second thought from her. This seemed unfair to Deji because he had walked to her


    earlier for permission and he was turned down.


    "Excuse me, ma''am, I thought I came to take permission the other time from you that I wanted to make


    use of the restroom."


    "Ohw, I''m so sorry, I forgot. Don''t worry when Ayoes back you would go use the toilet."


    "Please ma, I''m so pressed. My dder is full. I can''t hold myself anymore. I''ve been so ufortable


    writing the exam in this condition, just a minute can do, please. I promise not to cheat or engage in any


    naughty act." He pleaded.


    " I said no! I doubt if you and Ayo wouldn''t go out there to tell yourselves the answers to the questions.


    he would be back in a couple of minutes, be patient." Deji returned to his seat and waited


    ufortably for Ayo to show up so he could dash out of the ssroom and go and empty his dder,


    but Ayo took too long. A minute turned into two, and two into several minutes. Then, the unexpected


    happened...


    Deji released his hand from his manhood after he had held it for a long time being under pressure.


    Urine gushed from his pants like a river of water. I mean, he practically wee''d on himself in the exam


    hall. This caught the attention of everyone writing the exam. He was so embarrassed.


    "What the fuck!! is this water or urine?" Godswill asked as heughed loudly.


    Deji was really embarrassed. His urine flowed from his seat down to the next row. Some of the students


    in the ss felt self-embarrassed for his sake. Many kept quiet as if nothing happened. Deji buried his


    head in sorrow.


    "Mother Earth, just swallow me up" he pleaded as tears ran down his cheeks.


    "What a pity, oh my God," Mrs. Eshameh sneered. I never knew you were this pressed, I would have


    allowed you to go and ease yourself. It wasn''t my fault, sorry."


    Deji saw Ayo from a distance, catwalking towards the ssroom. He returned toote. It wasn''t even


    his fault. "If not for this unfortunate homo-sapien," he thought.


    There was no point going out anymore, he continued his exam with a shattered and disturbed mind. He


    couldn''t focus, the embarrassment from what happened had drowned him. He answered the questions


    halfway, packed up his paper, and went towards Mrs. Eshameh.


    "Ma, I''m through," he muttered.


    "Hey Deji, I am so sorry for all that happened to you. It wasn''t my fault, and I was just doing my job. You


    knew my rules and you should have prepared well ahead of the exams. I know you prepared well


    academically, I know you are very brilliant and intelligent, but you need to be wise too! I hope you


    finished the paper. Did you answer the questions correctly?"


    Deji gave no response. He bent his head in shame. "Once again, I''m sorry for all that had happened to


    you. I know you are not in a proper emotional state at the moment, but I trust you would be fine.. Once


    again, I am sorry." She collected the script from him and inserted it into a big file.


    Deji ran out of the ssroom and headed to the school toilet in wet pants.


    "Oh God, why would you allow this to happen to me? Why?!! I saved you, I did your will. Amongst my


    mates, I believe I am part of the very few that do your desires. But why?!!"


    He cried, He had lost every sense of pride and self-dignity in himself. He wished the ground could


    swallow him up. He thought of suicide but he never had the means. Besides, this would leave a bad


    legacy behind. If he had died, people would say that he killed himself because he messed up in public.


    How are his other ssmates begin to see him? He knew that would definitely be a trending topic in


    SS2A throughout the whole day. It didn''t even happen in front of just boys, it happened in front of girls;


    the girls he had always wanted to attract by forming big boy and brains for. What if eventually, his


    juniors heard about it? Wouldn''t he be aughing stock before the whole school? It was a terrible


    moment for him.


    Akanni who was a phlegmatic ssmate entered the toilet.


    "I knew you would be here, I''ve been looking for you since I finished the exams. I''m so sorry for what


    happened to you back at the ss. That woman is just a bastard, may God punish her. She was so


    unfair not to have allowed you to go and ease yourself. It happens to everyone, we are all mortal


    beings. And I don''t think the brain sets automatic rms telling you when next you would feel pressed,


    or when you have to go and ease yourself in advance. It justes spontaneously. That happened


    because you were under pressure for too long, there is a limit to how long you can remain under it. But


    if I were you, I would have run out of the exam hall even without her permission. I would rather fail the


    examination because I protected my respect than fall into the snare of disgrace like that. It wasn''t your


    fault anyway." Akanni patted his back,forting him.


    "I know you might be thinking about what all the ssmates would be saying right now. C''mon, put


    yourself together. They never said anything against you. They''ve cleared up your mess, they knew it


    wasn''t your fault. They were even raining curses upon the malificient mistress of evil that allowed this


    degrading stuff to happen to you. Although some students were indifferent, nobody said anything


    against you. Please stop crying."


    "Thanks, Akanni," he wiped off the tears.


    "You are wee. So how are you going to change your wet pants? You''ve got extra school uniform


    pants in the hostel?"


    "Yes I do, but it has torn a bit at the crotch region, but at least, it''s better than wearing this pants soaked


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    with urine, stinking."


    "It''s okay, you may remain here while I help you go to your wardrobe and bring the trouser to you."


    "That''s so kind of you. Here is my wardrobe key, but how are you going to enter the hostel. The hostel


    gate is usually locked during school hours."


    "Leave that to me. I would jump the fence and sneak into the hostel I am also human so I know what it


    feels like going through these."


    Akanni hurried out of the out toilet. Deji continued sobbing,menting in self-pity.

 CHAPTER 9

    CHAPTER 9


    Amanda and Prof Anik hopped into a white G wagon. He had ordered his driver toe and pick them


    up from AJ''s suites, their usual hangout joint.


    "Hey Chief, I didn''t enjoy your bed performance today o, it was quite unusual." Amanda said. She


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    pulled her skimpy skirt to kneel length and bent to adjust her tform shoe strap.


    "Hey my little angel. You know that isn''t my fault. First off, I forgot to bring a lube along, besides, you


    insisted I make use of a stealth, I''m not used to that."


    " Butt, Chief, I don''t want to get pregnant or catch some terrible disease"


    Profughed. "What disease if I may ask... HIV? Come on girl, wise up. Don''t think we''d continue like


    this. Don''t you know how to calcte yourrr?" He manovered his eyeballs.


    "My what?"


    " You always want me to say everything. Okay ma, I meant Ovtion period. Get one of your friends to


    teach you that, I''m not meant to get involved in all that girly talk" They sat beside each other at the rear


    seat.


    " Or, in other ways, we can try out Sodomy" Prof added.


    "What tf is Sodomy again. Chief you speak in parables at times."


    Chiefughed, the driver at the front seat couldn''t help but burst into wildughter.


    "Damre, did you just hear her? she asked that what is Sodomy?"


    " Oga, I doubt if this one knows jack about the game"


    Amanda fumed. " Chief you know how embarrassing it is getting a third party involved in our


    discussion? I''m no longer interested in this conversation." She pulled the door lock in an attempt to


    burge out. Chief held her back.


    "And, where do you think you are going? Calm down, Damre excuse us."


    He alighted and sauntered to the trunk of the car, folding his arms, waiting for his boss.


    " You should learn not to get pissed off easily. You know I love you my angel. I know you have a


    matured mind to understand this. Listen, in preventing this pregnancy thing you are talking about and


    y our game to the climax, it lies in the hands of you and I. I''ve got my part and so do you." He drew


    her to his bossom.


    "Amanda my girl. I can''t cope with withdrawal. Is it even possible? This shit is like jumping from a


    moving train, a step from an orgasm"


    "Then make use of a condom Sir" she cut in.


    " I am not ready to mother a child at the moment." She continued.


    " Let''s leave all of this sex talk. Chief, what about the money I spoke to you about?" She rubbed his


    chest.


    "Oh, my baby girl. Trust me, money is the least of Chief''s problems. You''ve probably heard this lyrics:


    I''VE GOT 99 PROBLEMS BUT MONEY AIN''T ONE"


    " Ayyyyy, mad ooo" Amanda sat up as her face brightened up. She sat on Chief''sps.


    "Yes that''s the scope. I''ll spoil you with money. Send your details, and wait till your phone beeps" He


    smiled, caressing her thighs.


    "Hmmm, Chief. It''s still the same one."


    "Okay no worries, I would speak with my ounts manager. Expect a six-figure alert from your bank


    tonight bae." He pulled off his traditional cap.


    "Hehehe, Chief Chief. It''s plenty in the air. I trust you. I know you don''t fumble. You are too much. Oba


    Olukoso Kinni of Ikoso" She eulogised.


    "Imagine I didn''t take to Bimbo''s advice." She thought.


    "I''m just baffled by something" Chief cleared his throat.


    " About wahhh" she inquired.


    " For real, this wasn''t the Amanda I knew. Is this how people change so suddenly? The Amanda I knew


    was a saint. I''ve heard so many remarks about you. I recall the registrar talking about you during a


    Senate meeting. He said pretty nice things about you. I knew you to be a fellowship girl, I never


    expected you to bow to my pressures."


    Amanda was slightly embarrassed.


    "Chief, are you tryna judge me or something? You are the same man I bent my standards for and you


    are here saying trash. Oh it''s not your fault."


    "Exactly what I was talking about. You have changed. You don''t re up at people''s observations. But


    you do now. Calm down babe. Why would I judge you. It was just funny, kinda unexpected I guess. It


    took so long before you bowed. I''m sure if not the enticements of your friends you wouldn''t give in."


    "You know about that?" Amanda asked, quite puzzled.


    "Of course, hell yes. I paid them and they did a great job. I know of the saying; SHOW ME YOUR


    FRIENDS AND I''LL TELL WHO YOU ARE. Definitely I had to find some way into your inner circle. Let''s


    leave it as a topic for some other time."


    Amanda was quite dazzled and short of words.


    "You mean you really had to get to me through my friends?" She wasn''tfy.


    "Have a good day Chief, and don''t forget.. the digits."


    She alighted from the car.


    "Hahaha, you have my word.. tonight."


    Damre hurried to the driver seat.


    "Bye, Mia" He waved. The tinted panes wind up. The car zoomed off, leaving a puzzled Amanda on her


    feet.

 CHAPTER 10

    CHAPTER 10


    Bimbo blushed.


    "So for real, you mean you''d be going to the Bahamas for a five-day vacation, just like that?" Amanda


    dropped a ss of wine after a sip.


    "Careful there," Bimbo shifted the Stout bottle to make more space for the ss on the table. They both


    had gone to a cafeteria.


    "Like, I''m just baffled. I never expected him to show me this kinda love and attention btw. He just told


    me, '' Bimbo, get ready for a big trip to a dream world'' I was shocked. This would be my first time ever


    traveling out of the country. I can''t wait babyyyy."


    "Aw, and who''s this guy in question. I hope Chief treats me the way this guy does to you." She


    sipped from her fizzed drink.


    "Stop kidding me jor, Chief would surely treat you better. Chief is like a sugar daddy. He''s looking for a


    chic to spend his maany on. Isn''t he treating you good?"


    "Uhmm, not even the financial part now. That old man is boring. He doesn''t know how to treat a girl to


    dates. It isn''t about money money, no interesting hangouts, movie dates, stuff like that. He can''t even


    keep up a good convo, just talk trash that pisses me off. Just imagine, your man wants to fly you out,


    he''s never gonna think of that. He just rides me like I''m his sex-machine. This is not what rtionship is


    all about and again, this man is old enough to be my father. I think I''m gonna opt out of the rtionship,


    it''s just the money that''s keeping stuck in it."


    "Heyyy, babe calm.


    Waiter!!, got you there abo of different seafoods in your menu?"


    A fairplexioneddy in an apron and chef hat walked up to the girls.


    "Yes ma''am, we''ve got prawns, shrimps, oysters and sushi on today''s menu. What would you love to


    order?" She spoke like an A-grade customer service attendant in the UK.


    "Let''s have sushi, Amanda right?"


    "Uhm, it''s okay. Whatever, food isn''t really for me right now" she replied absent-mindedly. She was lost


    in her thoughts.


    "Okay sushi," Bimbo feigned a smile, the waiter smiled off as she returned to carry out the order.


    "Babe, can you tell me what is wrong with you? Why are you just so insatiable? If Chief is the problem


    you get a young guy of your spec. You keep extorting money from Prof Anni and in the same time be


    ying your games. This isn''t a thing worth brooding about girrrrl" She thrust out her hands and held


    Amanda''s. She looked into her eyes passionately.


    "There''s no turning back girl. No backing off...." She said with a low tone.


    "Did Chief send you to me?" Amanda questioned as she slowly lifted her head, gradually fuming.


    "Yes, but Is that really important?"


    " ''Is that really important?'' That''s all you got to say? No wonder the sudden disy of approval. I


    thought about this. You never really liked me from the very scratch. It was all because I changed and


    capitted to the pressure from you guys, so everything here is mere pretense. Did he pay you to


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    speak to me on his behalf?"


    "Hey hey, calm. We are in public. We can talk this out for real without raising pitches" she tried to calm


    her.


    "I''m in all ears"


    "Here''s your order..." The waiter mounted a big tter of different dishes on the table. Amanda


    observed her with disgust as she served. Bimbo counted some cash an paid her off.


    "Keep the change," Bimbo smiled after seeing the waiter discovered an excess amount.


    " Ayyy, thank you so much ma. We are ted to have you around. Thank you for patronizing us" The


    waiter replied, slightly bending her knees in gratitude.


    "Don''t mention, I''ve had this soft spot on you since I saw you earlier. Must say, you are really beautiful,"


    Sheplemented.


    "Thanks ma''am, I''m humbled by your kindplements" she walked off to resume her duties.


    "You forgot to ask for her name and number, I guess?" Amanda sneered. ".. So you could also initiate


    her like you did to me."


    "Oh Amanda, you are in the game, you are in the game! Whether you were initiated, indoctrinated or


    forced it doesn''t change the fact that you are already in the game." She cleared her throat and began to


    dig her teeth into the meal.


    "I hope you didn''t forget what Baba told us? No betrayal. Let it end there" Bimbo added.


    Amanda brightened up, she was decided. She joined in the eating.


    "Well, that''s true. I''m in the game, I''m in the game" Amandaughed.


    " Hehehe, that''s what I was telling you. By the way, have you done what Baba said you should do?"


    "What''s that?"


    "You know there''s danger in hesitation. Have you forgotten he gave you something to rub on your


    private part and have a man to sleep with you? Have you done that?"


    " Opps, I haven''t. I almost forgot. Besides, what man could I possibly use? I''ve used Chief already. I''m


    pretty kinda careful cos he said that the man used would loose his glory to our coven."


    "And how is that your business? Is it your glory? Better be fast you. There are so many sex maniacs


    out there, find one and be swift as a eagle." Bimbo said with some food in her mouth.


    "I''ve totally derailed" Amanda thought.


    "I that always prayed against the wiles of the devil have now be his servant, hunting men down


    for him."


    She smirked at the vanities of the riches around her. She had finally gotten her once coveted lusts. The


    phones she desired, jewelry, exotic lifestyle and everything she wanted was at hermand but she


    had no satisfaction.


    "Hey girl are you alive?" Bimbo tapped her.


    She shrugged, trying to pull from her subconsciousness.


    " Yeah, yeah. That shouldn''t be a p. I''d eventually get the guy" she giggled.


    "Okay, let me show you my man. The guy that wants to take me for the trip. I met him some months


    ago, he introduced himself to me as Ifekwe Solomon, he''s married tho." She brought out her iPad from


    her tote and scrolled through the gallery.


    " Gatcha, here is it," she smiled. It was a picture of Solomon in a suit, posing behind apany gate.


    She stretched out the iPad to Amanda.


    "Whaaaaaat!!" She eximed. she almost threw up the food in her mouth, she shifted the dish aside.


    "This man here is my immediate sister''s husband. No wonder... My sister had beeniningtely


    of her husband denying her of quality attention. She suspected he''s having an extramarital affair,


    meaning you are the one behind my sister''s broken home. I wouldn''t watch you get away with this.


    You''d have to leave this man" she mmed the table.


    "Excuse me... What are you talking about!?" Bimbo asked, she was pissed off.


    "You heard me right!! I am well rted to the man here. He''s like a brother to me. You know what this


    means? I wouldn''t watch you truncate his life. He''s my sister''s husband!"


    "Did you remember what Baba told you? Or should I remind you?"


    **


    The trio (Amanda, Shade and Bimbo) had earlier gone to meet an ultist.


    Baba scratched his gray hair as he stepped out of his shady hut. He gagged a local wood toothstick in


    his mouth and held a basin filled with water, he hung a rough piece of cloth that looked like a rag


    across his shoulder.


    "Hahaa, my shiidrenn.." baba greeted upon sighting the three friends.


    "Ekaro baba (Good morning baba)" Shade and Bimbo slightly bent their knees disying a cultural


    gesture of respect. Amanda stood aback, she bowed her head and faked a smile. The man seemed


    like an oddball to her.


    "Haba, stand up. My wonderful children. I''m seeing a new face here. Besides, what has the lione


    to do in the dog''s kennel at an odd hour in the morning? I hope no problem. Is any of your male clients


    giving you problems?" he dropped the basin and briskly walked to get a bench for his guests.


    Bimboughed at Baba. "We are fine Baba. Not at all. We are here with a new fish, and we want you to


    fortify her..and"


    "Hey hey hey" He cut in.


    "Let''s hear from the horse''s mouth. What is your name youngdy?" Baba asked. He dragged the


    bench to the wall to enable afortable sit. "Sit down mydies"


    "I''m Amanda sir"


    "Haqhaqhaq, that name sounds churchy" Babaughed as he chew the wood.


    "So what are you doing here? Have your friends told you everything you need to know?"


    "Hmmm yes sir" she managed to reply. She kept blinking her eyes fearfully, eaving continuous sighs.


    She tried to put herself together but she just couldn''t.


    "I don''t think this one is ready, see how she is shivering like a sheep about to be ughtered." Baba


    stood up in an attempt to leave. "Come when you are prepared".. he held his knee, about to rise up


    from his seat.


    "Haa.. Baba. Baba, please Baba" the girls quickly rose up to stop baba from leaving.


    "I don''t have my time to waste. Are you ready to get into this?" he asked Amanda with a frank stare.


    "Yes sir" she replied.


    "Are you promising never to back off, never to betray the oaths, regard them with discretion and not to


    involve a third party into this?"


    "Yes sir, I promise."


    " Good, then follow me in". He looked at Bimbo and Fshade and chuckled. "You girls should wait


    outside"


    "Okay baba," they smiled and said few of his eulogies.


    Amanda kept following as she was trembling in the fear of uncertainty. She had cold feet. She wished


    she could back off, but it waste. The old man bolted the door.


    "Put your mind at rest kid. I am Baba Aniyikaye 1. The mighty one whom the deity sings his praises. I


    said put your mind at rest!! Is it money? It is with my mothers (His idols), is it influence? It''s with my


    mothers. Wealth? Sess? Fame? Name it! whatever. THE GLORIES OF THE EARTH HAS BEEN


    DELIVERED UNTO ME. I GIVE IT TO WHOMEVER I PLEASE. Did you know many of these your


    popr iconse to get thier influence from me? Many of the popr people you cheer on TV got


    their stardom from here! Your musicians, Actors and actresses, politicians, business tycoons,


    sportmen, writers and even your religious leaders know me. I am the reason they have the greatness


    they have. hahaha."


    Amanda was lost in thoughts. She remembered what the fetish priest said was rted to what the devil


    said while tempting Jesus in Luke 4:6 but she was on a point of no return. She had set her hands on


    the plough and she must never look back. Her lusts gave her enough courage and confidence to


    proceed after she silenced the still small voice telling her to flee.


    "Yes, baba continue."


    The priest did a lot of enchantments and uttered some incantations. He brought out a gourd tied with a


    piece of red cloth on it. "Have this. Now listen to the following instructions. You should rub this on your


    kpekus any time you want want to have coptions with men. Ask your friends for the meaning of


    kpekus. The wealth you''d keep getting is on the basis of how often you copte with men. The more


    glorious those men are, the more profitable it bes for you. You would keep bing wealthy.


    They would keep draining their glories and virtues into this coven till they be zero. Once you put


    your tube on them, they would never get tired of having sex with you. You would be tied to a very


    strong blood covenant. Bring your hand"


    She stretched her left hand to him, he cut her with a razor in a rush.


    "Ouch" she reacted to the pain.


    "Endure, now rub that gourd with your blood. This shouldn''t take much time." He smiled as she


    followed his instructions.


    "Good one, good one. Now note, you must never betray your friends. You must learn to keep quiet and


    bridle your tongue if peradventure you discover any man they also use, no matter how rted he is to


    you. The three of you are in this together. Obedience is better than sacrifice!! The consequences could


    be bloody!"


    Suddenly, a thick ck smoke rose from a pot, it clouded upon Amanda and entered into her.


    "That''s all.. HaHaha!!.." The fetish priestughed..


    "And so?" Amanda scrunched up her face.


    "You think you can scare me with what the Baba said?! I wouldn''t take this!! Spare my Sister''s husband


    of your misfortune, else...We would both dip our legs into the same trouser and trust me, this would be


    hot Bimbo!!" She threatened.


    "Have a good day," she took her purse and bugged out.

 CHAPTER 11

    CHAPTER 11


    Selina bowed her head on the office desk between her and her boss, she was remorseful. Mr Goju the


    CEO of Diamond Communications had called her in.


    "Your productivity at work has waned. What is wrong?" Mr Goju asked. He slightly released his tie and


    pulled off his zers for some fresh air. The office was quite stuffy.


    Selena was speechless, worry was written all over her.


    "I''ve always known you to be one of our best workers in thispany. Your work these days has been


    so ipetent. The data youputated wasn''t urate. Also, the correspondence I told you to write


    to our insurance brokers wasn''t wellposed. It wasn''t even official. Do you know how much millions


    we are talking about here Mrs Selena?"


    A corporately dresseddy entered the office.


    "Good morning sir"


    "Good morning receptionist, how may I help you?" He asked sharply, adjusting his specs.


    The electrical power was restored, he rose from his seat to switch on the air conditioner.


    "A man from Alimi and Sons requested to see you. He''s downstairs at the reception."


    "I would join in a jiffy, wanna sort some things out."


    "Okay sir," she replied and bolted the door behind her.


    "You haven''t answered my question Selina." He said with a grin, expectant of an answer.


    " My marriage is aching" she muttered remorsefully.


    " Can you tell me about it?"


    "It was all my fault" she bursted in tears.


    "Easy easy, take it easy." He consoled her.


    "I opened my eyes and watched my marriage crumble," She added.


    "Can you be more explicit?" Mr Goju asked. She wiped her tears with the elm of her denim jacket.


    "It all started happy happy," she began.


    "He pays attention to me no longer. I believe he has started having an extra-marital affair, and if I can


    catch that ''BIMBO'' girl!!" She cried.


    "I''m confused" Mr Goju said, his face confirmed it.


    "I saw it on his cell phone. Yes ''BIMBO WIFEY'', he saved the contact with a love emoji. No wonder he


    doesn''t care about me any longer. I regret my actions, he was a good man." Tears shimmered in her


    eyes.


    "Sincerely, if I say I understand jack from what you said, I''d be lying. Let me try to get this, do you mean


    your husband is cheating on you?"


    "Yes, I even saw two passport cards in his briefcase sometimesst week. I thought he was probably


    nning a surprise trip with me, lo and behold, I saw anotherdy''s details and photograph attached to


    the passport. I guess he''s nning to elope with her, I was heartbroken. I wanted to rip off the


    passports that moment, but I decided to be led by wisdom" shemented.


    "That would have been a big mistake on your part. Thank God you were wise. This is what many young


    couples are ignorant of, you can never correct a wrong with wrong. You can never quench fire with fuel.


    No!!


    Many marriages have broken up because of ''little foxes that spoiled the vine'', very little and


    insignificant reasons! My aunt''s fiance broke up with her because he saw her hugging a man who


    happened to be her cousin. He concluded that she was flirting with him and even called her a slot! One


    thing led to another during the intensed argument and the guy pped her, he assulted her and


    traumatized her all because of a misunderstanding. Now, my question is; do you know who this


    supposeddy is?" He folded his arms and frankly stared at her.


    Selina heaved heavily. "I don''t actually. I think I would make findings about that."


    "Please do.." He stacked up some files, arranging them.


    "And put your marriage together, marriage first thenes work. I will give you a two-week break from


    work. You are not in the proper mindframe for all these. You''d keep typing rubbish and working


    inurately if you don''t put yourself together, and this could be costly. I believe you woulde out


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    stronger" He stretched his hand for a handshake.


    "Thank you so much sir, my gratitude for your concern is infinite."


    "Oh dear, it''s fine. Give this ledger to the secretary. You can also give the mail correspondence to him,


    let him do the work. I would arrange for a recement pending the time you would be off. Please put


    yourself together Mrs Selena. Lastly, don''t for any reason raise your voice at your husband. I believe all


    would be well."

 CHAPTER 12

    CHAPTER 12


    Amanda got the shocker news of her entire life.


    Her cousin Seye had just been murdered by an irrate mob.


    "He was set aze and murdered cold-bloodedly in broad daylight," Tolu had told her in a phonecall.


    Alhaji Bayero cleared his throat before he started his address. He pulled hisrge expensive agbada


    across his shoulders for more convenience. He sat at the high table. Before him were thendlords and


    women of the Ayetoromunity. He was given the honour to speak - even before the Baale did,


    nothing more but because of his big afluence. Everymunity member bestowed so much honour


    and regard to him because of his wealth and of course, he had helped almost everyone in one area or


    the other financially.


    Themunity had called for an urgent meeting to address the menances in themunity and


    resolve to ways to curb them.


    "My good people of Ayetoro," Alhaji Bayero began. He slightly pulled the tip of his tangaran cap


    downwards, making it to touch his forehead in a bid to cover his receding hairline. He knew all eyes


    were on him.


    "You have no need that I begin to make an endless list of the recent happenings of social unrest in our


    dearmunity. The major problem we need to address is the issue of theft and armed-robbery. This


    is increasing in an rming rate.


    Last week, the Baale''s pce was bugled into while he was away on political duties and his staff of


    authority was whisked away. All those morons called guards and all pce staffs are presently in the


    police custody for failing in their respective duties. Likewise, Mr Ademilua reported to the council that


    his newly bought motorcycle was stolen the very night he brought it to his house. Iya Ibeji the thrift


    collector is presently in a heavy debt because some hoodlums bugled into her housest week''s


    Sunday while she had gone to church and stole the hard-earned monthly contributed money of some


    traders which was in her possession. As if that was not enough, they carted away the sma TVs, HiFi


    systems and gadgets that belonged to her son in the university. This is pathetic. This is disgraceful and


    we are never going to be tolerating these any longer. What happened to the Baale was a big punch to


    the ego bag of thismunity and this nonsense must stop!


    The council elders just returned from the Sango shrine and it has been dered that the culprits that


    she should be ready to dance to the music. You all know Sango. Sango Olukoso has no patience. Oko


    Oya''s anger and vengance is always a terrible one. In the next seven days, the god of thunder will aa-


    act," He took his sit.


    "Thank you Alhaji Bayero," themunity chaiman said.


    "In addition to what Alhaji said, we need to find measures to curb these crimes, majorly stealing. There


    should be a penalty. What should we do to any offender caught so as to serve as a scape goat for


    other thieves? Should he be maimed? Should we amputate his right arm like othermunities do?


    Should we banish his family from the vige? Should? Should.. we"


    "Heeeey! Chair! Stop dragging this matter," Alhaji Bayero cut in.


    "There is no cause for deliberating this matter any further. Why should we pity the culprits? Do they


    deserve to live? The wages of sin is death abeg. Let''s takew into our hands! Or my people, what do


    you say?"


    "Yess!!" chorused loudly from the crowd. So many ''yeses'' and ''nos'' in the background. The crowd soon


    rose to a crescendo.


    "Excuse me please," a man rose his hand in the crowd.


    "Okay.. what have you?"


    " Takingw into our hands is termed jungle justice, and this is against the Constitution of the country. I


    suggest we get the police involved in this matter. Also, I believe,"


    "Mr Man keep quiet!!" Alhaji Bayero halted him. The man was mute at the order. He was also


    remorseful.


    "You believe what? This is exactly the reason why crimes has always blossomed in a fertile ground in


    this country. We are leaving everything to the police. Which stupid Police!? These men in ck are


    more or less criminals too. They receive bribes at road blocks and also lend their arms to criminals for


    money. You say ''BAIL IS FREE'' right? Maybe that''s in another country, not on thend I stamp my feet.


    These bombots demand huge amount of money to bail even an innocent person in their custody.


    Just a reminder that ''POLICE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND'' yet you are standing up here suggesting we


    report a criminal to a criminal. Nonsense!"


    "So what do you suggest Alhaji?" The chairman asked.


    Noises drowned. There was grave silence. Everyone was mute, staring, expecting what would be said.


    It wasn''t even a deliberation in the first ce. Alhaji Bayero had the final say - not even the Baale. That


    is what money can do!


    "Let him be killed.. yes, he should be murdered. He should be stripped naked, humiliated and paraded


    in broad daylight around the local market. Afterwards, he should be burnt to ashes. No mercy for the


    wicked! No apology will be heeded to. No matter who the hell his rtives are, even if it is the Baale.


    There is no pity. Let the field mouse take heed and inform the household''s. Any thief caught will be


    killed. Do you agree with me?"


    There was an uproar among the people. An intense argument rose among the elders. Many people


    supported the motion but the few that opposed gave a violent demonstration. They aired out and


    wanted to be acknowledged by force. Votes got casted, and the majority which turned out to be the


    supporters of Alhaji Bayero''s motion led. The neww was sealed!


    Several weeks after, Seye Alhaji Bayero''s eldest child and only son met his waterloo.


    Seye had cleptomania. It had be a part of him to be stealing people''s belongings and


    pickpocketing even though he had no need of the stolen items. Despite the wealth of his father and


    being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he never desisted from stealing little things. He soon got


    the nickname ''fapist'' after getting caught countless times in primary school. He stole stationeries,


    money and other personal belongings from his ssmates'' bags even though he had an excess of


    them.


    Despite being given #1000 to school everyday, he wouldn''t cease to steal that #10 or #50 he finds in


    his mates pocket. Many times he had been threatened a sanction of expulsion but his father would find


    a way to settle matters with money. He had done several unimaginable things that almost dragged


    Bayero''s name to the mud, but, money solved it!


    Unfortunately, this was thest straw that broke the carmel''s back. Seye was in his final year in high


    school. He returned back from school one afternoon very hungry. He flung his school bag on the couch


    and didn''t consider to check the refrigerator or go to the kitchen to get food. He ran out of the mansion


    and went to the poor Pa Joe''s hut, chased his only fowl, strangled it and roasted it for food. He was


    caught at the backyard right in the act.


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    He was firstly beaten to pulp by an irate mob which consisted majorly of the people that opposed his


    father''s motion, then stripped und. The news soon got to his father who was working with some


    foreign investors at hispany. He abandoned the project and rushed down to the spot. He begged


    the people of Ayetoro to pardon his only son but they refused. Afterall, he came up with thew.


    "No! No! No! Alhaji we are never going to bend thew for your son''s sake. If this happened to be


    someone else''s son, you would happily agree that he faces the full wrath of thew, but duh it was


    yours. Seye must die today!!" Someone said among the crowd.


    Alhaji Bayero tried everything in his capacity to beg the people to spare his son. He offered money to


    everyone present in which they refused bluntly. He promised to offer twice whatever they requested but


    the only thing they requested was his son''s life. Justice must be done! "Blood-thirsty bastards"


    Alhaji Bayero tried to y hanky panky. He hired some thugs that came to cause pandemonium at the


    scene, and via the process evacuate his son and enable him escape. He nned to fly his son out of


    the country after the incident.


    The bruised body of Seye was pushed into a van after a bullet spree by the thugs. The van zoomed


    haphazardly into a random direction that led to an escape. Dust raised, It soon disappeared into thin


    air.


    Immediately, the chief priest came into the pandemonium scene in his traditional regalia. The people


    anticipated what would happen next, they knew it would be definitely intriguing. The Ifa priest uttered


    some chants and and a long verse of incantations. Hemanded that the escapees should drive


    back and return against their own will. He blew some white powder into the air and in few minutes, the


    van drove into the scene. Jaw-dropping!!


    In a nutshell, Seye was pulled out and justice was served to its maximum.


    Amanda was dazzled. She didn''t know if to weep or do otherwise upon hearing about the incident. In


    no time, she burst into tears. Her dear cousin, Seye was gone...


    * *


    The entire family members - not excluding extended rtives, inws and sympathizers gathered in


    the magnificent living room of Bayero''s mansion to mourn with him as he and his numerous wives


    bereaved deceased Seye. Alhaji cried grieviously. The knife he sharpened had cut him. Thew he


    proposed had worked against him and cost him his only male child. Everyone sympathized with him.


    His wife and children were thrown into gloom. Selena and Amanda were also present, this was their


    cousin. The worst of all was that they couldn''t get Seye''s corpse. He was burnt to ashes, so that


    ''befitting burial'' Bayero nned wasn''t possible. Well, he was ''cremated'' already.


    After a couple days at the Bayeros'' ce, Selena decided to leave. She knew she had a week left to


    sort out her family and return to work.


    "Selie, are you gonna leave just like that?" Amanda followed her to the door. She was, about to exit


    after bidding Alhaji farewell and wishing him luck in a newly-adapted-life without his son.


    "Hmmm, yes. Got a lot of stuff on mind to sort out. I''m going bananas. This Seye''s incident just added


    to my emotional instability," she replied. She ced her hand on her forehead, looking quite stressed.


    "What if I have a solution to what is bothering you?"


    "You have no idea of what I''m passing through dear."


    "Oh really? I have no idea about ''BIMBO'' ''''


    Selena was bewildered. She pulled Amanda to a corner, ready for some serious talk.


    "You know about her too?" Selena asked with bulging eyeballs.


    "Oh you want me to prove that? Here''s a picture" she handed a printed photograph of Bimbo to her.


    "Here she is, the husband snatcher and the Leviathan of your home. I know every bit about her. Her


    going out anding in is not without my knowing. She told me by herself how she met uncle Solomon


    at a spa and had sex that night. She also told me about how he spoils her plenty and an anticipating


    trip to the Bahamas he promised her for the holidays. Here she is!" She double-tapped the pic.


    "Wow, now my instincts are confirmed. Thought as much! I knew there was something more between


    babe and this ugly douche. I told my boss at work. My dear, you need to see the way my hubby acts


    these days. I''ve thought about quitting my job if that''s thest thing to do to restore my good home.


    Despite several apologies for yelling at him sometime ago, he no gree oo. He stands on that excuse


    and doesn''t y the husbandly role any longer. He doesn''t desire anything about me again. Solomon


    has changed dear! He sees me as a nuisance and doesn''t eat my food again. No wonder he returns


    never knew it was because of this, this.. this bitch," Her voice cracked and she burst into tears.


    "Selena calm down," Amanda embraced her warmly.


    "You really need to see the way this man treats me these days. I don''t deserve this. I only decided to


    work and stop being a full housewife, I never had extra-marital affairs. This is so un-called-for. You can''t


    believe this man pped mest week for asking him about where he wasing from when he


    returnedte drunk at night. I never expected it," she bursted into tears again. Her sister brought a


    napkin to wipe the tears on her face. Amanda became furious.


    "Stop crying Selena. We finna find a way to treat this mf''s fuck up for the shit she has done. That


    journey must not be possible!"


    "So what do we do?" Selena looked deep into her eyes.


    "Leave everything to me dear sister. I''ll sort it out. She must pay for every dime for what she caused. I


    know Solomon is not like this. She must have cast a love spell on him and indoctrinated him. We must


    fight for this!" She fumed.


    "Anything you wanna do, I''ve got your back! I''ve got your back, front, side, spirit, soul and body. We


    must let this girl realize no dog ys no games with the tiger! The elephant''s head isn''t for a kid to


    carry. We are in this together,"


    Selena hugged her. She saw her off to the gate and bade a farewell.

 CHAPTER 13

    CHAPTER 13


    The days flipped like pages. The anticipated trip by the two lovebirds was in a week time. Being a


    master strategist, Amanda was perfect with her ns. She was subtle and foxy as she nned to


    make sure Bimbo payed the fiddler in full price. Settling feuds and differences with her, she became


    closer to Bimbo than ever before. Bimbo in turn reciprocated the love. They showered each other with


    gifts and expensive treats. The ''intimacy'' was surreal. However, Amanda had her hidden motives. She


    disguised with so much mastery like a wolf in sheep clothing so as to ''leave no traces'' like she said.


    Money wasn''t a problem, so purchasing some kilos of cocaine wasn''t a big deal either. Amanda


    nned to stash some wraps of it into a gift Bimbo would naively carry aboard at the airport.


    "She would be caught and arrested for drug smuggling at the checkpoint. That''s years in jail. That


    bastard will definitely not escape this. She would chew more than she bargained for. Lowlife bitch!" She


    said.


    Amanda ordered a new bonbon collection Richard Mille wristwatch at a whopping price from an


    international online market. She cared less about the cost and aimed at the goal she wanted to achieve


    through it. She needed something enticing, something jaw-dropping, something unrejectable.


    "Babe guess how much I ordered this from AliExpress?" She asked Bimbo as she scrolled her phone


    through the webpage of the ordered item.


    "OMG!! RM 69! This costs a fortune. Wow, I don''t know how much, but it''s definitely gonna be


    expensive."


    "I got this for you.. imagine how nice it would be to pose in a picture at the Bahamas wearing this."


    "Wait, you are kidding right?" Her mouth quirked in humour.


    "Nah, I''m for real. You''ve been a great friend friend and such a darling. It''s because of you and the


    others I can now afford stuff like this."


    "A.. thank you so much Mandy. This is amazing."


    "DHL is gonna deliver the package on Wednesday. I did a pay-before-delivery. You guys are going on


    Friday right?"


    "Yeah, sure Friday. Can''t wait to get this," Bimbo threw her hands in the air, she was ecstatic.


    "Wait till package it beautifully for you buddy," Amanda winked.


    "But one more thing.. Promise you''re not gonna loosen the ribbon, unwrap or open the parcel till you


    are abroad."


    Bimboughed. "Okay oo. Well, that''s a simple instruction. Mtcheew, easy request. Trust me girl, I''d


    only open it the very night we get there,"


    "Deal," they gave each other a high five.


    **


    Bimbo woke up ecstatic. It was D-Day - travel day. Her round face beamed with smiles that morning.


    Finally, it was a dreame true.


    She had fantasied and has beautiful dreams about her trip to "paradise". She even woke up at 2:00am,


    walked to her bedside desktop system and googled images of the Bahamas. She loved the scenery,


    she couldn''t wait to see it in reality.


    She already bought some ''killer'' dresses and an expensive Nikon camera hoping to y in pictures and


    serve it hot hot to her followers on Instagram. She would also unveil the wristwatch the following night


    as promised. This was definitely one of the most exciting moments of her entire life. Her sense of


    imagination was so hyper and her envisioning was something else. Her friends - Fshade, Amanda,


    Halima et al wouldment "It''s plenty" a million times on her about-to-be-posted pictures.


    Solomon and Bimbo held hands after they alighted from an esctor at a big international airport,


    having returned from the ticketing counter.


    "Our flight is scheduled around12:00pm or so, I checked the delivery timelines. Within twelve hours or


    less we should arrive at our destination," Solomon said, they headed towards the departure concourse


    at the first floor. They walked briskly admist the huge crowd walking to and fro.


    "Whatever time baby, no matter how long. As long as I gatt you. Thanks so much baby, like thanks so


    so much. Can''t thank you enough for this my heartrob," leaning her head on his shoulder, they crossed


    arms.


    "Don''t mention bae, you mean the world to me. From the very moment I met you, I knew you are my


    grasping breathe when I''m drowning. You are the Nute in my sandwich. You are the petals in my rose


    flower. You are the petals on my rose. You are the icing on my cake, the Bonnie to my Clyde. You are


    ..the,"


    "Hee-iey honey," she burst into a fit ofughter.


    "I''m ttered already. I don''t think my head can swell any bigger. I''m mbergasted by your praises.


    You are one of the rarest gems I know."


    They kissed.


    "Ever seen a diamond encrusted Richard Mille watch before?" She tried reach at her luggage.


    "What? Never. That shit is expensive, like really expensive. More expensive than some people''s total


    lifetime earnings. I''ve seen in pictures though, never seen one in real life," he replied.


    "How about seeing one now? I mean right now."


    "Are you for real? Seriously?" He grimaced.


    "Yes dear," she smiled.


    "And how did you get that kinda money to get that? I doubt if I can afford that. I can actually. But why


    would I spend such money on just a watch? I mean, my hard earned money."


    Bimboughed, she zipped her trunk open, dipped a hand into it and pulled out a beautiful wrapped


    parcel.


    "Here," she chuckled, handling over the parcel to Solomon.


    "Gifted to me by a friend - One of my closest dawgs," she added.


    "This your friend got money. Like moneeeey," he said with bulging eyeballs.


    Solomon was about to loosen the ribbon tied around it but was stopped by Bimbo.


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    "Hayy, I promised her not to unwrap that till we make it there. Besides, wanna do a video while


    unwrapping and post it online to blow minds. I hope you understand," she said.


    "It''s fine. Nice n you came up with.. but"


    Solomon kissed the parcel. He cherished it so much and wished it was his.


    "Can I have this with me for the time being during the flight? There''s a spirit attracting me to this," he


    giggled. He held the parcel dearly to his chest, same way he held Selena''s framed picture.


    "That''s the least of problems. Whatever I have is yours and whatever you''ve got is mine. You can keep


    that in your brief,"


    He did..

 CHAPTER 14

    CHAPTER 14


    TEN PREVIOUS YEARS..


    Here''s how Solomon met his friends - the very first ones he grew up with. But the turnout wasn''t good.


    It shone so bright in the hot afternoon at Shagbo and its environs. The hot winds of the harmattan


    made sure it dried up mucus or any form of lubrication from every nostril, leaving it dried up. This made


    the owner wear a frowny look. How about the intensity of its sunshine? It struck every head. The ¡®head


    owner¡¯ must either find a shade or be ready to groan in the agony of migraines or frequent


    headaches.The nights were cold as anything else. Touch the great Shagbo River at night, it¡¯s warm.


    Warm enough to prepare hot tea in the cold nights. Land and sea breeze was a recognized practical


    example of convection currents in nature.


    The five-boy band was seen at their usual hideout; the bush. It was surrounded withrge chumps of


    rocks, scattered trees and little shrubs. This was the cool atmosphere they considered as a ce that


    helps them get inspiration during rehearsals. They were very popr and cos of it, they had to limit


    their presence in public ces. Their major hideout was under the big baobab where the chirping of


    birds and chattering of monkeys was less heard. This allowed them focus on the rhythm of music.


    One of them was Ikena, shortenened IK, the lead singer. He yed no instruments, just his angelic


    voice. He was best known for his expansive four-octave vocal range and whistle register. He sang with


    high pitches and was never off key or beat. His beauty was divine, curly long hair, light-skinned, he also


    had a pointed nose on a cute face. He was a wonderful thing to behold. What did you expect? These


    traits drew much attention to the band. They gained wide audience in which most of them were the


    ¡®an an¡¯ girls who came to watch IK perform just to crush and express their unending lusts for


    him.


    Chinua was the bass-guitarist. His rough unkempt beards gave him a matured look. A look that made a


    young youth seem like a man in his fifty¡¯s. He had a persuasive mouth, a mouth sweet enough to


    convince and change what you believe. Even the most stubborn critic abi philosopher would bow to the


    words of Chinua and honor the relevance in what he says even when he was wrong. This guy was just


    like Adolf Hitler. ¡°He would have been a greatwyer¡± his mama says, but Chinua would never believe


    that ¡®shit¡¯. He believed in the expression of his mastery on the thick strings of the bass guitar.


    Everything Chinua said made sense to people even when it was trash. This made him attractive and


    special. He could give a client sound reasons why he should hire their band at a higher bid and huge


    sum for a performance. How about the day there was and dispute at the Igwe¡¯s pce involving the


    band and a rich chief Madu? Chinua made Igwe believe Madu was a thief and a chatan who wanted


    to steal an acre off the band¡¯snd which was beside his. Like charmed words, Igwe believed Chinua,


    seized the whole hectares ofnd that belonged to Madu and gave it to them additionally. Madu left the


    vige angrily and threatened revenge!


    Odogwu was a sanguine in the group. His talkative nature aided his performance in the stand-up


    was a warrior in talking too much. He was very insultive. Whether make sense or not, you¡¯d always see


    him talking, contributing his view and shallow understanding in every discussion. He was involved in


    one intense argument or the other, making some senselessparisons. Yoruba¡¯s called him


    ¡®Gbeborun¡¯ or ¡®Solo Makinde iyawo dejo¡¯ cos he usually engaged in gossip, his type sleep-talks at


    night. Never release your secrets to him unless you are prepared for it to be aired to all and sundry of


    Shagbo and neighboring viges. He was the drummer.


    Solomon was a mncholy. A calm and collected guy, he was the group¡¯s pianist. His fingers


    descended skillfully upon the keys of the band¡¯s grand piano. His prowess can be likened to the


    present day Yanny¡¯s. He was intelligent, smart and conscious of the verse ¡°In the multitude of words,


    iniquity is notcking¡± so he knew when to use his tongue. The rhythm thates from the sound


    when he yed the keys was therapeutic.It could give life and hope to a dying man and minister to his


    soul a reason to live again. He was Igwe''s most loved. Like David and Saul, Igwe invites Solomon to


    the pce to disy the wonders of his talents to him alone. This he said "Gives him concentration


    and helped him forget his sorrows". He was afterwards handsomely paid for his service. However, he


    was the only one who didn''t fall easily to Chinua''s persuasions, unless they made sense anyway.


    Finally, thest personality in the group, the hard guy, Judas. He was an ambitious guy. A man with too


    big dreams, selfish desires and lusts. The lust of the eyes, flesh and The pride of life all had full force


    on him. He would do anything to get whatever he wants.


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    There was a day he eavesdropped on IK opening up some secrets to Solomon in an enclosed room. IK


    told Solomon about some addictions he had been struggling with secretly, hoping to get good piece of


    advice, stop them and make Solomon an ountability partner. It''s true the saying that "Walls have


    ears". Judas overheard everything and seized up the situation to cause confusion between the two


    intimate friends to a point they almost had a terrible separation. "IK, you think I don''t know you are into


    this? I already know what you do in secret when nobody watches you". He said boastfully to IK who


    was already feeling embarrassed. "Oh you thought you have a friend? You called your worst enemy


    your best friend.Solomon isn''t a good guy. He is a silent killer!! He is just pretending he loves you. It''s


    far from it, he told me all your secrets!! All what you confided in him at the enclosed hut where you


    thought no one heard, Solomon told me everything"


    This made IK develop an untamable hatred for Solomon who was innocent. "Wicked being!!" IK yelled


    at Solo. "I thought you were responsible for me to confide in. I never knew you were worse than


    Odogwu. So you had to spill the bean uhn?? Why would you be so wicked to let out what I deeply


    trusted you upon. I''m disappointed Solomon! So disappointed, and I don''t think you can ever ever gain


    this trust you betrayed in my heart again" Solomon tried all he could to make exnations to IK but IK


    never gave him a chance. In tears he knelt and tried to make IK understand he never did that but it


    never worked!


    Right from then, IK started breeding and expressing bitterness toward poor Solomon. Solomon never


    reacted. He hoped IK would find out the truth one day.


    I was told the Vicar was terribly sick of a cardiovascr disease the doctor called Myocardial Infarction


    (Heart attack). He had been rushed to the state hospital some days ago. We both decided to go pay


    Vicar a visit on his sick bed. Sandra and I had be close friends. Oh, you thought I didn''t tell her


    about my clowny misfortunes? I did! You wouldn''t believe it, after telling her, her love for me doubled.


    She became curious to know me more. An irony isn''t it? We became close.


    We both set out to the intensive care unit of the state hospital. There we saw the vicar who was always


    looking hale and hearty looking so pale and sick. The sickness struck him so hard to a point he was


    demanding ''mercy killing'' from the medical personnels. You can imagine. I felt bad seeing the man who


    loved me so much in such horrible state. Sandra never felt different, sadness was written all over her.


    He was admitted to WARD 24 where he would wait for a Coronary Bypass Surgery. We both had to


    stay with him till he was going to be operated upon. I slept on the bare floor at nights while Sandra slept


    on a mat. We were sometimes lucky, we slept on wheeled stretchers after patients were discharged.


    ****


    "Where is Ikena?" Judas howled.


    "Can you imagine this son of a bitch noting for music rehearsals? I told you all, he has grown


    wings and he feels he''s above us all because he is the lead vocalist. He hasn''t been around for a while


    now"


    "Do you people remember thest party performance we had?" Odogwu cut in. "This guy was the only


    one people sprayed money. Damn, I was busy drumming, sweating profusely giving him back-up and


    so were the rest of you ying your different instruments with every energy only for one man to take all


    the glory?"


    "Girls lurked around him like flies. As if we were bunch of ugly fools, none of them came near the rest


    of us. They avoided us like a gue. Only IK IK IK, eew." Chinua shook his head.


    "This guy is gaining recognition from all and sundry. Do you know what people call our band? "IK''s


    band" can you imagine? I fear this guy has left the group to establish himself independently. All


    attention would be on him and our names would fade off into thin air. We would loose our relevance


    guys." Odogwu included.


    "Wait are you still assuming?" Chinua asked. " Didn''t you notice he hasn''t been performing with us for a


    while now? My friend, he has left us already! He seeks self-glory now. I saw him couple weeks ago


    performing a dirge at the rich Mazi Utibe''s burial. Guys, we are in trouble!!!"


    There was absolute silence for about an hour. The four boys buried their heads brooding, thinking


    about their next move. Judas broke the silence. "Guys" he stuck out his tongue to the left and moved


    his index finger on his neck. "What?!!" Solomon eximed. "Kill him? Why would we do something


    such terrible?" Odogwu quickly shut him from speaking any further by covering his mouth with his


    palm. "Will you shut up!"


    "The wages of of sin is what?" Chinua asked bulging his eyes, looking very serious. "Death!!!" Every


    other person except Solomon chanted in reply.


    "Guys, I''m not gonna have my hand in this" Solomon said. He stood up and walked out of them angrily.


    "Don''t call him back" Judas urged Odogwu who was about to. Let him go. He''s a coward, a baby and


    IK''s colt. That was why I did what I did to break his intimacy with IK. Let him be, IK would never receive


    him. He wouldn''t even give him a space to speak needless to say believe whatever he says.


    "So how we gotta go about this guys?" Odogwu asked. "I have an idea" Chinua responded. "I saw him


    at the state hospital yesterday. I guess he was admitted recently, you know he has SS genotype. I


    suggest we could just bribe a nurse or worker there and get a clean job done. He must ''bite the dust''.


    What do you guys think?"


    Chinua was apuded by the other two members. "Fantastic" He was praised for his vastness at


    bringing up ideas. "I saw him wrapped in a purple nket on his death bed, trust me to get a clean job


    done."

 CHAPTER 15

    CHAPTER 15


    Nurse Florence wasn''t reluctant after she was paid a lump sum of #500,000. She didn''t even think


    twice before epting the offer. Moreover, Chinua did well in convincing her to give in. Money is


    indeed the root of evils.


    "He is in ward 24, a fair-skinned guy, wrapped up in a purple nket, that''s him! Inject him with


    something lethal and take his life without hesitation. Let him go and be singing with the angels in


    heaven."


    She smiled, they shook hands afterwards. They had struck a deal!


    The night was cold, probably cos Shagbo was in its mid-harmmatan season. The mid-night before the


    dawn of vicar''s coronary bypass surgery, vicar was giving some kinda reactions NIM never liked. He


    was talking like someone about to kick the bucket, giving some farewell speech, wishing Sandra and


    NIM luck in our endeavors in life and all.


    "Vicar, can you please stop all these? You will not die, this surgery will be sessful and you would


    return back to the convent hale and hearty" NIM noticed he was cold. The wrapper he covered himself


    with didn''t give any warmth. NIM saw him shivering beneath it. The hospital was dead silent as a


    graveyard and what worsened the situation was that the electricity was out causing a ckout. Seeking


    help would be fruitless so NIM thought of an alternative. About a few meters away from the wheel


    stretcher vicar wasid was another sleeping patient which happened to be IK. He wasn''t even well


    covered in the purple duvet, it only covered his legs. "Abeg, this guy no need am. Sandra kindly help


    me reach out for that nket"


    "Reach out for wah? That doesn''t belong to us and you know that,yeah?"


    "But he doesn''t need it, he shooved it aside. Would you watch your vicar linger in the pain of cold and


    continue to shiver? Excuse me"Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    NIM shifted his legs aside and took the nket from the patient. He never even noticed, someone who


    was snoring like a pig , E no make me fit sleep. NIM carefully wrapped vicar with it. "Thank you my


    son" He managed to say. Nobody knew he thanked NIM for the gift of death he offered him. We slept.


    ****


    Nurse Florence measured a high dose of Pancuronium bromide and inserted it into a syringe. It was a


    muscle rxant she expected would make any patient she injects sustain paralysis in the respiratory


    muscles and would eventually die by suffocation. She slightly adjusted the needle, raising it up like a


    scientist trying to avoid parax error while taking readings. Ika!


    She horried her footsteps to ward 24 alongside a short fierce-looking ugly nurse who carried the


    stainless tray that contained surgical equipment. Sandra and NIM were told to have them excused as


    they were about to administer some drugs and move vicar to the theater. "Is he the owner of this?" She


    asked, pointing to the nket. "Yes" NIM lied. That wasn''t much of a big deal. NIM didn''t want to face


    the embarrassment of telling her NIM took it from another patient, without his consent. Sandra scolded


    NIM for that after we left the intensive care unit. Many other convent officials came to join us at the


    hospital. We were praised for staying that long with the vicar as we all anticipated the surgery and and


    get our most loved vicar back home. But


    Nurse Florence stepped out of the theater looking downcast and disturbed. NIM understood this look.


    He''s seen in movies how medical practitioners disy this bullshit. NIM was gradually getting stirred


    up. My instincts got confirmed when she said "We care but only God saves."


    "Meaning what?!" NIM screamed.


    "We lost him"


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    "He had a cardiac arrest while we were trying to to.."


    "To what?!!!" IK and Solomon burged in with some policemen.


    She fainted.


    "Who did you want to deceive? Officers, arrest her! You think I don''t know about the whole


    conversation thing? Purple nket   " Solomon roared. He probably overheard the envious


    band members before he left and teamed up with IK. The atmosphere was intense "This boy here" He


    said pointing at NIM " Innocently took the nket away from him to cover the deceased who was in


    need of it. He never knew it was the symbol of identification for their prey".


    In a nutshell, Nurse Florence was arrested after an autopsy that proved vicar was administered a lethal


    injection. She exposed her aplices; those that sent her on the mission, they were all arrested


    immediately. Odogwu, Chinua, Judas and the nurse faced trial and were sentenced to death by


    hanging. Afterall Judas was hanged in the Bible. The hospital was also sued by the convent. It was


    closed down mehn.


    NIM caused it all. If NIM didn''t take the purple nket this would have been a different story entirely.


    Sadly.

 CHAPTER 16

    CHAPTER 16


    The four children squealed yfully, all struggling to spread their own portion of therge outdoor mat


    as the evening darkness settled upon the earth. Gentle humid breeze blew, just like it did every


    evening. yfulughters rang out as the siblings tugged at the fluffy dark brown mat. Little Solomon,


    however, abandoned the quest and ran about amongst his three elderly ones, basking in the evening


    glow. IK gave the mat a final tug and smiled to himself, knowing what wasing next.


    ¡°I am lying in the middle¡± Selena yelled.


    ¡°No¡± Amanda countered. ¡°You were at the middle yesterday; I wouldy in the middle today.¡±


    ¡°No! The first person to get here always stays at the middle and that¡¯s me¡± she pointed her slim second


    finger at her chest with her left brow raised in a saucy manner. IK noticed the stubborn jutting out of her


    chin and almostughed. Being the first born, IK had the loveliest siblings. Selena, his impossibly


    stubborn immediate sister was just four years younger than his twelve years old self, followed by


    Amanda, the partially quiet, yet partially talkative one, then the ever bouncingst born ¨C Solomon.


    They were the loveliest siblings, closer than most and forging an unbreakable bond that went beyond


    blood ties, despite their asional fights - one of which always came up during nights like these.


    ¡°I want to stay at the middle?¡± Amanda whined, pulling her face up to a pout.


    ¡°Me too¡± Solomon cooed.


    Selena put her small hands on her hips, a tell-tale sign that they were in for a serious round of


    argument if IK didn¡¯t intervene. Selena for one, has never been used to losing.


    ¡°C¡¯mon now, Love¡± he called, using the pet name he knew always got her doing his bidding. ¡°Can¡¯t you


    just allow Amanda for tonight? You know only kids like cuddling between two people. You are not a kid,


    are you?¡± he raised his brow.


    Selena nced at him and seemed to be battling with herself. Of course, IK knew that she would


    always give in using that argument, because Selena would never admit to being a ¡®kid¡¯. Her face broke


    into a stic smile. ¡°Well then, she can have the middle. I don¡¯t really like it anyways, I can¡¯t roll around


    when I am stuck between two bodies¡± she shrugged. Amanda¡¯s face pulled to a frown like she hadn¡¯t


    thought of that.


    IK shook his head and smiled. Trust Selena to turn the tables anytime she isn¡¯t pleased.


    ¡°Are you children done arguing already?¡± Florence called from behind, as she and bimbo watched the


    exchange between their children with a wry smile on their faces. They always had this session every


    night.


    Amanda and Solomon pranced about on the mat happily as their parents came to take their positions


    on the mat. They always looked forward to this time every day. It was always the family¡¯s favourite time


    of the day ¨C lying outside after dinner, talking andughing happily as they together watched the


    changing clouds and sparkling stars.


    Finally settled, the four childreny knitted together, loving thepany of one another above all else.


    They cuddled closer as darkness nketed around them ¨C Amanda obviously winning her spot in the


    middle along with Solomon, with their heads closely ced on the mat, looking up at the dark sky


    above inpanionable silence. ¡°I should have brought a wrapper¡± Selena said as she shivered from


    the cool evening breeze. Maybe she shouldn¡¯t have let her middle spot go so easily, she mused.


    Amanda frowned at the sky. ¡°IK¡± she called and IK turned his head towards her in response. ¡°Why is


    there no star in the sky today?¡± she asked innocently.


    IK stared at the lone half-moon ahead, trying to rationalize his answer. ¡°They are there Tess, you just


    can¡¯t see them.¡± He said.


    Selena frowned. ¡°Then where are they, IK?¡± she also looked at the sky, hating the vacant state of it.


    ¡°They are very far away, hiding behind the clouds¡±


    ¡°Stars y hide and seek too?¡± Amanda asked, amused.


    IK smiled and yfully poked Amanda. ¡°Maybe¡±


    ¡°Or maybe they are all dead¡± Selena suddenly dered. Ik and Amanda turned stunned eyes at her.


    ¡°My teacher told me that when a child is born, a star is born, just like the Jesus story¡± she exined. ¡°It


    means that if a person dies, a star also dies, right?¡±


    IK stared at his eight years old sister carefully. Selena might be stubborn and daring but one thing was


    certain ¨C her small head had the capacity to think far and wild, way beyond the normal imaginations of


    a child. ¡°You are right, of course. But if all the stars are dead, it means everyone on earth is dead, and


    that is not possible because we are still alive, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    Selena grinned mischievously. ¡°Maybe we don¡¯t exist; maybe we are ghosts.¡±


    Amanda¡¯s eyes widened with fright. ¡°We are not ghosts, right?¡± she asked IK in fright.


    ¡°Of course not¡± Ik shot Selena a warning nce. ¡°Stop scaring Amanda and Solomon, they won¡¯t be


    able to sleep¡±


    Selena smiled and raised her eyes to the sky but her smile soon vanished when there was no star up


    there to wink back at her. She rubbed her arms gently, driving away the chill that brought goosepimples


    to her skin. ¡°I hate it when there are no stars¡± she said drily.


    ¡°Me too¡± Amanda seconded.


    Florence sat on the mat, not far from her children, with bimbo¡¯s head on herps as he sprawled freely


    on the mat. She smiled at the sight of her children, discussing gently. Something was different about


    tonight, she could feel it. Even the restless Solomon seemed to be lying quietly tonight, for the first


    time. It was like everyone wanted to be calm enough to take in the peaceful contentment of the


    moment. Despite the fact that they had to struggle day in day out to make ends meet, it was still worth


    it. They were still one closely united happy family, contented with the little they had.


    ¡°They look happy¡± shemented softly, ying with the hair on her husband¡¯s head, the way he liked


    it.


    ¡°They are happy¡± bimbo answered.


    She shook her head in amazement as her thoughts and gaze strayed slightly from her children. ¡°You


    think we would have been this happy and content if we were rich?¡± she asked.


    bimbo shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. We might get too caught up in our wealth that we forget about one


    another¡± he smiled up at her. ¡°God doesn¡¯t make mistakes¡±


    ¡°Of course not¡± she answered. Over the years, she had gotten over the extreme handsomeness of her


    husband, but as she gazed down at his smiling face, she was struck once again with womanly pride. At


    thirty six, her husband was even more handsome than she remembered, it was no wonder that her


    children were so beautiful, all taking on the beauty of their father. Florence ran her fingers through her


    husband¡¯s hair as her eyes strayed to the dark starless sky above. Thoughts of the immediate needs in


    the house invaded her thoughts. She sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t have enough money with me for the children¡¯s


    feeding tomorrow¡± she muttered, thinking about the empty food supplies.


    IK needed to get his textbooks, especially now that he was about to seat for his Junior WAEC. The


    foodstuff was already exhausted, not to mention the new uniforms she needed to get for the two girls.


    There was always one thing or the other needing money; she was already used to having wants and


    needs. Her eyes scanned the sky seeking the nightly stars, knowing that the sight of blinking stars


    would bring hope of a brighter tomorrow. There was none. No star tonight! Why did that unsettle her so


    much? The usual hope she always got from the tiny beautiful stars was nowhere to be found, leaving


    her with a tiny level of fear eating at her insides.


    bimbo sighed into the air. ¡°All would be well¡± he breathed.


    Florence nodded and opened her mouth to respond when all of a sudden, a loud shrill hit her ears.


    ¡°Yeeeeee!!!¡± IK¡¯s voice rang out.


    And then it began!


    ¡°IK?¡± Florence jumped out of her sitting position in a sh, rushing to her first son. bimbo was right at


    her heels, reaching IK in a sh. IK held his chest as pain engulfed his face.


    ¡°What is it, IK?¡± Florence rushed as she removed his hand to stare in confusion at his chest. ¡°What is


    wrong?¡±


    IK gripped his chest, groaning in excruciating pain. ¡°My¡­ chest¡± he managed.


    ¡°Are you okay, IK?¡± Selena asked in agitation as bimbo sat on the floor and moved IK gently to lean


    against him.


    ¡°Your chest? What¡­ what¡¯s wrong IK? IK?¡± Florence querried, shaking fearfully, looking at the pain


    stricken face of her son, as his siblings gathered around him.


    ¡°IK¡± bimbo called albeit calmly. ¡°Is your chest hurting?¡± IK nodded grimly.


    ¡°Go and get balm, Selena¡± Florence yelled. ¡°Hurry¡±


    Selena sprung into action, fleeing into the house without a backwards nce. Amanda and Solomon


    stood around, their faces askew with fear and worry. ¡°Sorry IK¡± Amanda murmured.


    bimbo rubbed IK¡¯s chest gently, looking at his face constantly while Florence talked on, trying to sooth


    IK. Selena rushed out of the house with the balm and Florence snatched it instantly, opening it for


    bimbo.


    ¡°Sorry IK¡± Selena muttered, hopping anxiously from one foot to the other as her father massaged the


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    balm into her brother¡¯s chest, applying moderate pressure. Little by little, IK returned to normal, the


    pain gently oozing from his face.


    ¡°How is it now, IK?¡± Florence asked hurriedly. ¡°Do you feel better?¡±


    IK tried to sit up but bimbo held him still. ¡°What do you feel now?¡± he asked.


    IK blinked, frowning. ¡°The pain is gone¡±


    ¡°Gone?¡± Florence murmured, frowning deeply.


    "I... I only feel little difort but I don''t feel the pain again"


    bimbo paused for some seconds, then released IK to sit on his own as Florence examined her son


    carefully. "Are you sure?" bimbo asked.


    "Yes dad" he muttered, then smiled. "I think the balm is very good"


    Florence sighed in relief. "Thank God! You really scared me"


    "And me" Selena chipped, looking almost angry.


    bimbo released a breath he had unknowingly been holding. "You should start sleeping on your back


    instead of your chest"


    "Let''s just go in, I''ll give you some drugs, then you go straight to sleep" Florence dered. They rolled


    up the mat and walked inside, but Florence couldn''t shake off the nagging feeling that something was


    wrong.

 CHAPTER 17

    CHAPTER 17


    IK¡± Florence called out as she pushed a tiny ankle socks over the tiny foot of herst child. ¡°IK¡± she


    called yfully again when she got no answer.


    ¡°Yes mum¡± IK answered, his voice echoing out of the bedroom.


    ¡°Hurry up son, you are going to bete for school¡±. Sighing, she nced at the wall clock. ¡°Many times,


    I wonder if you remember that you are no longer in primary school¡±


    IKughed slightly from the room. ¡°How can I? I have you to always remind me, mum¡± his voice was


    bright withughter and Florence smiled, adjusting the cor of herstborn¡¯s uniform. She turned to


    inspect her two daughters and was satisfied with their dressing. The satisfaction of a mother shone in


    her bright eyes as she pushed the other socks on Solomon¡¯s other foot. No one would see Florence


    and say she had been blessed with four priceless jewels. It always came as a big surprise to people


    whenever they heard that IK, Selena, Amanda and Solomon had alle out of her womb. Her small


    stature and young youthful face could almost pass for that of ady in her early twenties, thanks to the


    peaceful life and happy family that she had built with her husband - bimbo.


    Florence picked up the tiny shoes on the floor and ced them on herps before hurriedly grabbing


    her purse. Immediately she opened her purse, she frowned, her spirit deting. How can I spread this


    round these children? She wondered vaguely, shifting the content of her purse onto her slim palm.


    Eating the previous night had been tedious enough, and they had all shared the scrap they were able


    to gather. Now however, Florence wondered how she would exin to her children that their money for


    lunch would be cut short; the money they usually took wasn¡¯t enough as it is and she knew that her


    husband also had nothing left with him.


    She felt someone watching her and she raised her eyes to see her twelve years old son staring at her


    with a deep look of concern. With full bushy eyebrows which joined in an arch at the junction of his


    nose, IK - along with his siblings - was a perfect replica of his father. A mother couldn¡¯t ask for a better


    son! IK was the best son any woman could ever pray to conceive; smart, helpful, loving and most of all,


    caring. Florence saw the intense look of worry in her son¡¯s eyes as he stared at her and she quickly put


    a smile on her face. ¡°See the time¡± she rambled as she removed a few naira notes. She ced them in


    her son¡¯s palm before he could protest. ¡°Use forty naira for your transport and manage the rest for you


    lunch. Ok?¡± she murmured.


    ¡°But¡­¡± he started. ¡°But what of-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your siblings¡± Florence cut in knowingly. ¡°I would take care of it¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± IK began again.


    Florence frowned. ¡°No buts young man, get going. You don¡¯t want to be punished forteness now, do


    you?¡± she asked sternly. ¡°Get going¡± she said again, shooing him.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The mention of punishment definitely had its desired effects as IK grudgingly shrugged his schoolbag


    onto his back. ¡°Okay ma¡±


    She looked at him carefully again. ¡°Are you sure you are okay? Your chest doesn¡¯t hurt anymore?¡± she


    knew he had assured her but she wanted to be double sure. All night, she hardly caught a whim of


    sleep, as she constantly checked on IK. She had told to stay home but he had school tests to write and


    would hear none of it.


    IK grinned. ¡°I am very strong¡± he bent his arm into an arc, revealing imaginary muscles.


    Florence smiled. ¡°Okay, off you go¡± she said, brushing down Solomon¡¯s hair. ¡°Say goodbye to your


    brother¡± she whispered to Solomon.


    ¡°Bye IK¡± he muttered halfheartedly. He was always gloomy when he was hungry.


    ¡°Bye Ik¡± IK returned and made for the door. ¡°Bye Lovey, Amanda¡± IK called aloud as he rushed off.


    ¡°Bye IK¡± his younger ones chorused in unison from the room.


    ¡°Brother IK¡± Florence corrected sternly, but as always, she was ignored. Despite all her efforts, she


    hadn¡¯t been able to ingrain the ¡®brother, sister¡¯ thingy in her children.


    ¡°Come back early, IK¡± Selena called after her brother.


    ¡°I will¡± he yelled back.


    Florence smiled. Her children were so fond of each other; they have formed a close-knitted rtionship


    that not all siblings possessed. bimbo entered the room and Florence heaved a sigh of relief when she


    saw him holding some Naira notes in his hand. ¡°I kept this for their feeding; it is all I have left¡± he


    exined and Florence was once more grateful to God. She might not have married the wealthiest


    husband but she had definitely married the best.


    She quickly took the money and entrusted Selena with the money for all her younger ones, since they


    were all in one school. ¡°Now, you all should be careful in school, okay? No rough ys¡± she warned


    sternly and they all murmured their acknowledgements as they trodded out the door.


    ¡°Bye parents¡± they chorused fondly, like they always did.


    ¡°Bye children¡± Florence and bimbo murmured with a smile.


    ¡°Be careful, okay?¡± Florence called at their retreating backs, staring at them until they disappeared from


    sight then she closed the door firmly. Florence smoothed her moist palms on the soft fabrics of her


    well-worn skirt as she let out a deep sigh. Her face was pulled up to a frown as her teeth bit into her


    lips. She knew without being told that they were in forpulsory fasting today, but she didn¡¯t mind. As


    long as her children were not hungry, she could handle anything. That was not the cause of her


    distress.


    bimbo approached her, turning her to face him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I have a bad feeling, bimbo¡± she muttered worriedly. ¡°IK said he is fine, I don¡¯t think so¡±


    bimbo blinked, releasing the breath he had unconsciously been holding. The incident of the previous


    night had left him with a certain level of worry, but he wasn¡¯t going to tell Florence that. He smiled


    gently. ¡°IK is a strong boy, he takes after me¡± bimbo grinned proudly, trying to put Florence¡¯s mind at


    ease. ¡°I¡¯m sure it is just your paranoia at work; we prayed about it and I know God is in charge, uhn?¡±


    he kissed her forehead with a smile.


    Florence swallowed and nodded with a dry smile. ¡°Of course¡± she muttered. She truly wanted to


    believe bimbo, but why did she still have the sickening.

 CHAPTER 18

    CHAPTER 18


    One hour after closing time, IK wasn¡¯t back yet. Florence was beside herself with worry. She couldn¡¯t


    keep herself calm as she paced the small confines of her roadside shop. Florence rubbed one sweaty


    palm nervously against the other as her eyes remained glued to the road, scanning everymercial


    bus that rolled by for her son. He should be back by now!


    Florence came out of her shop, avoiding the small puddle of water on the floor ¨C an aftermath of the


    downpour of rain barely an hour ago - and walked a few steps to the shop directly beside hers to check


    the time for probably the hundredth time. ¡°He is not back yet?¡± Mother Thompson asked upon seeing


    her.


    Florence swallowed, trying her best to keep calm. ¡°No¡± she said stiffly, her eyes on every bus her eyes


    sighted.


    ¡°Calm down, I¡¯m sure he would be here soon, besides, he is just an hourte¡± she pointed out. ¡°Don¡¯t


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    kill yourself before he arrives¡±


    And if he doesn¡¯t arrive? Florence swallowed. She was torturing herself beyond necessary but she


    couldn¡¯t help it. IK wasn¡¯t usually thiste. At most, he gets back thirty minutes after closing hour. She


    never should have allowed him to go to school, especially after what happened the previous night.


    Florence bit her lip nervously as she walked back to her shop.


    A bus pulled to a stop and her eyes instantly snapped up, scanning every passenger that alighted for


    her son''s familiar figure. Once again, she was left with increased fear and frustration when the bus


    rolled away without her son in view. She contemted going over to bimbo''s office to tell him but she


    didn''t want to add to his worries, especially since she wasn''t even certain if anything was wrong. She


    could hear the fast beating of her heart, the screeching sounds of cars rolling past the road, and


    something else... The familiar sound of chattering children made her turn to see Selena and her


    siblings approach the shop. She was happy to see them but that only further heightened her worry. IK


    always arrived before his siblings. Florence blinked back unshed tears and put a stic smile on her


    face for her children as they drew up to the shop.


    ¡°Good afternoon ma¡± they greeted unanimously as they trodded into the shop.


    Florence smiled tightly, responding to their greeting without the usual enthusiasm. ¡°How was school?¡±


    she asked more out of necessity as she removed Solomon¡¯s small schoolbag from the small of his


    back.


    Selena smirked. ¡°We had a newer in ss today¡±


    Florence could tell with that simple look in Selena¡¯s face that she doesn¡¯t exactly like the development


    but she was too worried to indulge Selena now.


    ¡°Where is IK?¡± Amanda asked.


    Florence raised her eyes to scan the road again and nearly sagged with relief as she spotted IK afar


    off, walking towards the shop. She had never been more relieved in her life. She smiled genuinely, for


    the first time all afternoon. ¡°That¡¯s himing¡± she pointed in the direction and Selena took off


    instantly. Florence released a sigh of relief as she took an apple from the shed and sliced it in two for


    Solomon and Amanda who were alreadyining of hunger. They were obviously eating into her


    capital but there was nothing she could do about that. She couldn¡¯t keep her children hungry because


    she wouldn¡¯t dare touch her capital, could she?


    IK drew up to the shop and Florence was up in an instant. The relief she felt at having her son in one


    piece was unexinable, but she still wanted to know why amercial bus hadn¡¯t dropped him off


    like it usually did.


    ¡°Good afternoon ma¡± IK greeted, prostrating to greet Florence.


    Arms akimbo, Florence shook her head. ¡°My God, IK, you¡¯ve almost given me a heart attack. I thought


    something had happened to you. You¡¯ve never been thiste; what happened?¡± she queried without


    even answering his greeting. ¡°Why didn¡¯t a bus drop you off at this junction?¡±


    IK blinked and looked at the wooden floor of the shop. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t take a bus¡±


    Florence frowned, not understanding. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ trekked¡±


    ¡°You trekked?¡± Florence¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°From where? School?¡± Florence couldn¡¯t believe what she


    was hearing. She knew the distance to his school and could not imagine any sane person walking that


    distance. ¡°Did you lose your money?¡±


    IK shook his head.


    Florence swallowed and lowered her voice. ¡°Then, why did you trek, IK?¡± his siblings stared silently at


    the unfolding drama.


    ¡°I¡­¡± IK raised his eyes to his mother. ¡°There is no money at home, so I thought I should¡­ save the


    money for my transport so we can use it¡± he put his hand into his pocket and brought out forty Naira.


    Florence stared at IK, shocked beyond reason. IK had always been the sweetest kid she had ever met


    ¨C a blessing that she happened to be his mother ¨C but never in her wildest imagination did she imagine


    that he would do something like this. Something so thoughtful¡­ Florence blinked back tears as she


    leaned forward slightly, dropping to IK¡¯s height. ¡°You¡­ you shouldn¡¯t have, IK¡± Florence¡¯s voice broke


    as she put her hand gently on his cheek. ¡°It is the duty of your Daddy and I to provide for you and your


    siblings, you never should have trekked that distance, especially after what happenedst night..."


    Florence took a deep breath. "Promise me you won¡¯t do that again¡± she said sternly, swallowing the


    lump that formed in her throat as she kept her tears at bay.


    ¡°I... I just wanted to help¡± IK mouthed quietly.


    Florence nodded several times. She should be telling him just how wonderful a son he is but she was


    so overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Her children shouldn¡¯t have to go through such hardship. She had


    envisaged a happy and stress-free life for her children; never did she imagine that her son would have


    to trek to school in a bid to save money. ¡°You trekked to school in the morning; you must have arrived


    schoolte¡±


    ¡°They did not flog me¡± he answered.


    "Oh, my son..." Florence pulled IK into a tight hug, holding on to him like she never wanted to let go.


    She sniffed and pulled back. ¡°How is your chest now? Did you feel any pain? Anything?¡± she asked


    seriously.


    ¡°No. I am fine, mummy¡± IK grinned.


    Florence sighed in relief. ¡°Okay¡± she rose to her full height. For the first, she collected the money from


    IK, palming it with a tight smile on her face. She took her purse and went to Mummy Ngozi¡¯s shop


    beside hers to buy some food items. Minutester, she returned to the shop with rice and some


    ingredients. ¡°You kids should go home now¡± she said, handing over the rice to Selena. She faced IK.


    ¡°Prepare jollof rice for you and your siblings¡±


    ¡°What of you and daddy?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about us, okay? Just make sure you all are satisfied¡± Florence answered.


    Florence watched her children shrug on their school bags and walk out of the shop. Atst, Florence


    allowed the tears hanging on hershes to break free. She stared at the disappearing back of IK,


    wondering just what she had done to deserve such an amazing child.

 CHAPTER 19

    CHAPTER 19


    IK ignored the sting in his buttocks as he walked home with his siblings bouncing along. He was really


    happy with himself. He knew his mother hadn''t exactly praised him or endorsed what he did but he had


    glimpsed that happiness in her eyes. That look that said louder than words that she was proud of him.


    That was all that mattered. It more than made up for theshes of cane he got for arriving schoolte.


    Seeing his siblings happy at the prospect of good food was all he needed. He truly felt like their big


    brother.


    Amanda and Solomon went ahead, running at intervals, carefully avoiding the water puddles. "How


    was school, Love?" IK asked Selena who walked quietly by his side. She wasn''t her usual chatty self.


    "We had a newer today" she stated.


    "And?"


    "The whole ss likes her" she frowned.


    "You don''t?"


    Selena twisted her mouth. "She answered so many questions today, even my teacher likes her


    already"


    IK saw what the problem was and hid a smile. "She must be very brilliant. That means you would have


    to read a lot for your exams"


    "I don''t read a lot but I alwayse first" she said proudly.


    IK smiled. Selena wasn''t exaggerating. Even without reading, she always came first. But he didn''t want


    her to rely on that so much. He didn''t think this ''newer'' was a threat to Selena but she didn''t have


    to know that. "That was before this newer arrived. You don''t want her topping you in ss, do


    you?"


    Selena''s eyes shed. "Never. I would read everyday. Lydia is not taking my first position from me".


    That was the fierce determination IK was hoping for. And knowing Selena, this ''Lydia'' wouldn''t have a


    prayer.


    They walked into the house and IK soon started cooking. "When would you teach me how to cook?"


    Selena asked as she watched her brother put ingredients in the pot of rice on fire.


    "You are still too young for that" IK answered.


    "I''m not young" Selena said aggressively. "You are just four years older than me"


    IK noticed her emphasis on ''just'' and shook his head. "Well then, when you are four years older, you''d


    be allowed to cook"


    Selena smirked, her small mouth moving to the side. "I would make rice and beans all by myself, you''ll


    see"


    IK noticed that determined glint in her eyes and frowned. "Don''t go doing something stupid now."


    Selena kept mute as she stared longingly at the bubbling pot of rice. She could already perceive the


    aroma. "It has been so long we ate meat" she said absently.


    IK nced at his sister and saw the wishful look on her small eight years old face. Amanda and


    Solomon finally entered the kitchen and he knew without asking that the hunger was digging deep.


    Inspiration struck and his face lit up. "You know what? We would eat meat today"


    "We would?" He watched the faces of his siblings lighten up and he felt like a giant.


    IK nced outside. "Yes" he added some water to the pot on fire and put the lid. "Follow me" he said


    and walked out with his siblings on his tail.


    *****


    As the day wore on, Florence forgot all about her fearful inclinations and unease, all she could think


    about was the wonder which was her son. She didn''t know what her life would be like, without her


    wonderful husband and exceptional children. Despite the hardships they had to face, her children were


    her joy andfort.


    She went to bimbo¡¯s office which was just a walking distance from her shop and thankfully, was able to


    get some money from him. She left him to finish up for the day, bought some foodstuffs which would


    nothing would turn this day sour.


    *****


    The sound of cutlery rang out as the four children devoured their meals of jollof rice and snails. It was


    the sweetest thing they had eaten in a long time. IK was so happy the idea of snails had popped into


    his head. They had all gone out, including Solomon, searching for snails in thepound. Thanks to


    the rain that fell during the day, they were able to find a good number of snails, though they were all


    small. Everyone seemed to forget about hunger as they worked together. It was the most fun thing they


    had done in a while.


    After soaking the snails in hot water, they all - excluding Solomon - worked on the shells, removing the


    meat inside after IK had shown them how. Now eating the deep fried snails, it almost tasted better than


    any other they had ever eaten. IK made sure he reserved some food for his parents, despite what his


    mother had told him.


    They were eating and chatting cheerfully amongst themselves when IK felt it again. His spoon dropped


    noisily from his fingers as mind-numbing pain struck is chest, sending him breathless.


    Selena nced at her brother. "IK?" she called. "What is it?" her hands grew cold as she saw the same


    look she had seen the previous day in her brother''s eye. "IK?"


    IK tried to shake his head in a bid to dismiss the worries of his siblings, but the pain was too much. His


    gaze grew blurry as sweats pebbled on his forehead. Selena ran over to his side as Amanda and


    Solomon crowded around them. Selena tried to rub IK''s chest the way she had seen her dad do the


    previous day but it only seemed to get worse as IK doubled over, falling off the chair onto the floor as


    pain engulfed him. Solomon and Amanda started crying as fear and confusion settled. "Sorry IK"


    Amanda said, crying in confusion as Selena remembered the balm of yesterday.


    She ran in search of it, willing herself not to cry as tears wed at her lids. "Let us go and call mummy"


    Amanda cried out as Selena returned with the balm and started rubbing it on her brother''s chest, but it


    didn''t seem to be doing the magic it did the previous day. "IK..." she called over and over again. She


    was scared of leaving him. Scared that if she left him alone, something bad would happen. IK seemed


    to be falling unconscious and the noise of her younger ones crying was making Selena crazy.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Suddenly the front door opened and she flew up. "Mummy" she yelled.


    Florence flew into the sitting room, flinging everything in her hands carelessly. "IK" she yelled as she


    pushed his siblings out of the way, lifting her son in her arms. "IK..."

 CHAPTER 20

    CHAPTER 20


    Florence wiped the tears that rolled down her cheek with her left hand as she bit hard on her shaking


    lips, almost drawing blood. She was on pins and needles, there at the waiting room of a family friend''s


    hospital, waiting for word on her son''s state. Florence wiped at her cheeks again as she stood up from


    the stiff hospital bench for the umpteenth time, feeling restless. She could hear the wild beating of her


    heart, she could see nothing but the tears that clouded her eyes; but when her gaze became clearer, all


    she could see was the image of her son lying painfully lifeless in her arms.


    Florence blinked, allowing her tears to flow down her cheeks as she stared at the door ahead again,


    expecting the doctor toe through it but no one came. The scanty people sitting around the waiting


    room watched her with a sympathetic look on their faces, almost like they had already sentenced her


    son in their minds. Florence swallowed.


    The hospital door flew open and bimbo came charging through like a man going to war. Slight relief


    washed over Florence as she rushed into his arms. "Oh bimbo..." she cried into his chest as he held


    her close. She had never been more happy to see him in all their years of marriage. She wanted his


    reassurance, the reassurance that everything would be okay... that she had nothing to worry about.


    "I got here as fast as I could" bimbo pulled away slightly as he looked straight into her eyes. "What''s


    going on? What is the doctor saying? Is IK okay?"


    "I don''t know" Florence wailed, throwing her hands in frustration as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.


    "I... I have not heard anything... nothing" her voice shook furiously.


    bimbo charged forward, covering the distance between him and the nurse''s stand with his long strides.


    "Nurse" he called, facing the two nurses. He definitely knew them because he had visited the hospital


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    several times, but now, he couldn''t even remember their names. "My son, how is he?"


    One of the nurses smiled softly at bimbo. "The doctor is with him now, I''m sure he is fine"


    Her smile irritated him. How could anyone smile at a time like this? "Well, I need to know for sure how


    he is doing, I don''t want your spection. Can we see him or the doctor at least?" He asked


    impatiently.


    The other nurse took over with a sharp look. "Sorry Mr Onaje, we can''t let you in. And I must say,


    disturbing the doctor now wouldn''t do anything to help your son. Please be patient, sir"


    bimbo scratched his head nervously as he turned to his wife. His loss of control had only helped to


    increase Florence''s pensive state, but what could he do? A neighbour had rushed over to his office to


    tell him his first son had been rushed to the hospital. He had never been more rattled in his life. And


    now, his nerves were all over the ce; how was he supposed tofort Florence? He could see the


    shape of her teeth branded on her lower lip from excessive biting as she stared at him, hoping from


    one leg to the other. "What is going on, bimbo"


    "Please calm down, Florence" he murmured.


    "Don''t tell me to calm down." Florence snapped. "I was the one who had to bring IK here, unconscious.


    I called him and he did not answer... He didn''t answer me, bimbo. Heid limp in my arms" she bursted


    out, sobbing. She blinked. "He looked..." she couldn''t finish it. "I... I am scared bimbo" her voice shook


    as her face streamed with tears. "I am so scared"


    bimbo sighed as he pulled her into his arms. "Come here" he ran his fingers over her short hair.


    "Everything would be fine. IK would be fine."


    Florence nodded against his chest several times, wanting to believe those words. Hoping against hope


    that bimbo was right. "The kids?" he asked. It was already dark outside.


    "They are with Naomi" she answered. Naomi was their neighbour. While they stayed downstairs,


    Naomi and her husband upied the apartment directly above theirs. There were two other co-tenants


    in the four tspound but Naomi was by far the nicest and most trustworthy. A pity that the couple


    were still childless after many years of marriage.


    Florence spotted the doctor and flew out of bimbo''s hands instantly.


    "Doctor... Doctor" she rushed as they got to the doctor in no time. "IK, how is he? How is my son?"


    The doctor smiled gently. "He is fine, don''t worry"


    Florence sagged with relief and closed her eyes briefly. "Thank you God! Thank you!" bimbo let out a


    relieved sigh, holding Florence firmly to his side. "Can I see him now?" Florence asked anxiously.


    Doctor Dwayne nodded slowly. "he is asleep now but you can see him. I''m sure he would be awake


    soon" he motioned towards a nurse and gave her some instructions. "Follow her" he finally said to


    Florence. Without batting an eye, Florence fell in stride with the nurse.


    "I''d join you soon" bimbo called after her. He stared at the doctor, knowing undoubtedly that there was


    more, he was just not sure he wanted to hear it. "Dwayne, what''s wrong with IK?"


    Doctor Dwayne sighed and turned in the direction of his office. "Come with me"


    *****


    Selena stared at her siblings and wondered how they could be so daft. They were both watching


    cartoon on the TV like nothing just happened some hours ago. Aunty Naomi had been able to talk


    Amanda and Solomon into believing that IK was just fine, that he was only acting drama earlier, when


    he fell down, gasping in pain. Of course, Selena hadn''t believed a word she said. She might be a little


    girl but she surely wasn''t dumb.


    Selena walked to the veranda and looked down. Their apartment was still dark, the lights were still out,


    her parents and brother were not home yet. She wondered what was taking them so long... wondered if


    IK was okay... What if something bad had happened? What if?


    Selena hugged her small frame as cold chill brought goosebumps to her skin. She heard footsteps and


    turned.


    "Selena" Aunty Naomi approached and bent fractionally to talk to her. "Why don''t youe and sleep


    with your siblings? They are dozing off already" she said softly.


    Selena nodded. "I am waiting for IK"


    Naomi sighed and squatted. "You didn''t believe that story I framed up, did you"


    Selena shrugged her tiny shoulder and Naomi smiled. She didn''t think Selena would be that easily


    fooled. She was too bright and way too mature for that. Naomi put her hands on Selena''s shoulders


    and pulled her closer. "But do you believe me when I say your brother is fine?"


    Selena blinked. "How do you know?"


    Naomi smiled carefully. "Because I also fainted once before, like your brother. I am fine now, right?"


    "But he was just lying there, he did not say anything even when mummy shook him several times"


    Naomi saw the small girl fight the tears that came to her eyes and almost broke down in tears. Such


    strength in someone so small! For her sake, Naomi kept her face straight. "I know my dear. But I


    promise he is fine. IK is a strong boy, right?" Selena nodded "Good. Now, I want you toe in now


    and sleep, okay? You''ll see that when you wake, your brother would be back and bouncing"


    A tiny ray of hope glittered in the girl''s eye. "Are you sure, aunty Naomi?"


    Naomi grinned. "Very sure" she stood and put her arm around Selena, "Come on" she said, walking


    with her back into the sitting room.

 CHAPTER 21

    CHAPTER 21


    Doctor Dwayne sighed. "Well, I did everything I could, ran series of tests but we couldn''t diagnose the


    real cause of IK''s breakdown. I suspect it is a reaction to stress or sleeping pattern, but that shouldn''t


    have elicited such level of pain. You know this is a small hospital, I think you may have to take him to a


    bigger hospital, preferably a government hospital, since they have several machines at their disposal."


    he paused slightly as bimbo shifted in his chair. "But that may not be necessary. I''ll prescribe some


    drugs. If he improves after using the drugs, then you have nothing to worry about."


    bimbo took a deep breath and swallowed. "How much are we looking at?"


    Doctor Dwayne smiled. He had known bimbo for a while and he was one of the pastors Dwayne had


    give you the drugs at cost price"


    bimbo let out a breath as a small smile crept up his face. "Thank you, Dwayne. God bless you"


    *****


    Florence opened her eyes heavily, feeling extreme fatigue like she had been grinding pepper


    throughout the night. She blinked severally and suddenly jerked out of bed as something shed


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    through her mind. "IK" she murmured as she rushed to the bathroom to wash sleep off her face. They


    had arrived home reallyte the previous night, it had taken some time for IK to wake up at the hospital


    and he had fallen right back to sleep when they got home. bimbo had carried the sleeping children from


    their neighbor''s ce into their beds, and after much prodding, bimbo had been able to lull her to


    sleep.


    Florence pushed her legs into the first pair of slippers she sighted - her husband''s - and quickly exited


    the room. It was just the crack of dawn. The night''s darkness was yet to lift off the earth. Florence


    picked thentern at the passage and turned it up, till the orange glow spread out opIKally.


    Noiselessly, she opened the door her son''s room and sighted him on the bed sleeping peacefully. For a


    moment, his lifeless form shed through her mind, causing her heart to skip wildly. Taking a deep


    breath, she walked towards his bed and heaved a sigh when she saw the steady rise and fall of IK''s


    chest.


    Florence sat at the edge of the bed for God knows how long, deriving pleasure in watching her son


    sleep. He looked so innocent and peaceful. She couldn''t imagine life without him - without any of her


    kids. Florence ran her fingers gently through IK''s hair and bent fractionally to kiss the top of his head.


    "Be okay for me, IK" she whispered. "Be okay for mummy"


    Florence felt eyes on her and turned to see bimbo watching her carefully from the entrance. She was


    surprised to find the room bright, she didn''t know she had stayed so long there.


    She stood up. "Good morning"


    bimbo walked into the room slowly. His eyes rested on IK as he put his hand slightly against his neck to


    feel his temperature. Satisfied, he drew to his full height and peered at Florence. "You''ve been crying


    again"


    She shook her head.


    He cupped her cheek, tracing a wet line with his finger. Florence swallowed, she had no idea that she


    had tears on her face. She bit her lip nervously, looking at her husband''s shirtless chest.


    bimbo tugged her lips free of her teeth and leaned in, kissing her gently. For a moment, Florence forgot


    everything as she leaned into bimbo, allowing her hands and mouth drive away her fears. As bimbo''s


    kisses grew deeper, Florence suddenly imagined her children walking in on this sight and nearly broke


    intoughter. It is not everyday you find a pastor kissing his wife so passionately; what a spectacle


    they''d make.


    bimbo pulled back. "It''s a relief to finally see you smiling"


    Florence blinked. "There hasn''t been much to smile abouttely" she ran the tips of her fingers over his


    chest. "What... did the doctor say yesterday?" she hadn''t had the boldness to askst night, partly


    because she was scared of what the response would be.


    bimbo was silent for a while. "We may have to... take IK to general hospital for a checkup"


    Florence stared.


    "Mummy?" Florence spun like a top at the sound of IK''s voice. His eyes were open, peering at his


    parents with a nk look.


    Florence was at his side in an instant, sitting beside him on the bed. "IK my son, how are you? Bawo


    ni? How do you feel now?"


    "Sorry mummy" he murmured as his eyes sobered up. He looked at his dad. "Sorry daddy"


    Florence and bimbo nced at each other in confusion. "Sorry for what, IK?" bimbo asked.


    "For... making you worry so much yesterday"


    Florence released the breath she was holding and kissed the top of IK''s head. "You have nothing to be


    sorry for, IK. How do you feel now?"


    "Do you still feel pain with in your chest?" bimbo added.


    IK lowered his eyes. "A little" he said. "I just feel a little tired. It would go soon"


    Florence nodded grimly.


    *****


    Days passed. Each day adding it''s own measure of worry. IK seemed to grow weaker by the day.


    Florence and bimbo grew more restless. Dark circles formed under their eyes as they barely slept at


    night; they were either praying or checking up on IK repeatedly. IK''s siblings were always by his side


    and Selena''s eyes were eagle sharp, looking out for even the slightest change. Happy times dropped,


    worry sheated their faces. The days became dark, the nights grew darker...


    Four dayster, Florence and bimbo Onaje took IK to the General Hospital for a checkup. After series


    of tests, they were asked toe back in two days for the result. bimbo had always preached on faith,


    preached against fear and anxiety, but now, as they walked into the General hospital, bimbo was at his


    rope''s end. He felt like an overstretched rubber band, ready to snap.


    bimbo walked into the overcrowded waiting hall of the General hospital, holding IK''s left hand firmly


    while Florence held IK''s right hand. They approached the nurses at the reception. "Good afternoon. We


    need to see doctor Johnson, we have an appointment for today" he said, pushing their hospital card


    forward.


    The nurses barely spared them a nce. "You have to wait like everyone else. We would call you when


    it is your turn" one of the nurses answered drily.


    Florence shook her head as they turned away from the nurses. They quickly spotted an empty bench


    and went for it before it was taken over by someone else. Different people with unknown illnesses


    roamed around and the unsmiling nurses seemed to care less whether the people lived or died. They


    screamed at whoever tried to disturb their peace, preferring to chat freely amongst themselves rather


    than do their jobs.


    IK leaned his head against Florence''s shoulder and she turned instantly. She put the back of her palm


    against his neck and her eyes nearly popped in rm. IK''s temperature had risen drastically and his


    skin was painfully pale. "IK" she called sharply. "IK? Are you okay? How are you feeling?"


    IK shook. "I''m feeling cold"


    Florence moved his head onto herp as bimbo shrugged out of his jacket and covered IK with it.


    bimbo jumped to his feet and headed straight for the counter where the nurses sat, chatting freely


    amongst themselves.


    "Nurse" bimbo called. "Please,


    we need to see Doctor Johnson now, my son is very ill"


    A gum chewing nurse looked at him nkly. "Everyone here is very ill" she returned.


    "I know but my son needs immediate attention" he almost yelled.


    "Listen young man, if you cannot wait for your turn, I''ll ask security to throw you out of here and-"


    "Nurse"


    bimbo turned and sighed gratefully immediately he saw Doctor Johnson.


    "Follow me" Doctor Johnson said, looking at him.


    bimbo rushed off to where Florence was and lifted IK in his arms. Florence matched the strides of her


    husband, not letting go of IK''s hand for a second.

 CHAPTER 22

    CHAPTER 22


    Florence stood at the door of the hospital ward as tears streamed down her face. Her lips shook wildly


    and she made no effort to stop the tears flowing down her cheeks. She walked slowly into the room,


    staring at the hospital bed, just a few steps away. Her bloodshot eyes were blind to the two other


    upants of the room, as she walked like a zombie towards the bed that held her interest. She got to


    the bed and stared through streaming eyes at the frail form of her son lying on the bed, unconscious.


    She ran her eyes over his pale innocent face as tears made a fast trek down her hot cheeks. No! She


    couldn¡¯t ept this. Never in her wildest dreams and nightmares did she even imagine that her son


    would be a candidate of an hospital ward, looking like aplete shadow of himself. Leukaemia¡­


    Cancer of the blood¡­ The doctor¡¯s words echoed in her ears, causing her chest to squeeze painfully


    until she was sure she could hardly breathe.


    Florence took a deep breath and eased herself onto the bed beside IK, watching the slow rise and fall


    of his chest. She lightly ran her hand over his short hair as tear drops fell onto the top of her blouse.


    ¡°Mummy is here¡± she said in uneven broken voice as her lips shook from the force of holding her tears


    back. ¡°Mummy is here now, my son¡±. She bent and kissed the top of IK¡¯s head lingeringly, her tears


    disappearing into his hair.


    Florence straightened and wiped at her tears. ¡°Nothing¡­ nothing would happen to you, IK¡± she


    murmured as she stared at IK¡¯s face. ¡°I promise¡±. Her lips shook as despite her struggle, tears ran


    down her eyes again. ¡°I promise you, my son¡± she cried, running her shaking fingers around IK¡¯s hair.


    Footsteps approached and Florence lifted her eyes to bimbo. He lookedpletely shattered, looking


    every bit his age and more. Lines of worry and beads of perspiration shone on his forehead and his lips


    were tightly drawn against his teeth. Florence had left bimbo with the doctor when she hadn¡¯t been able


    to stand what he was saying anymore. She realized now that she shouldn¡¯t have. bimbo looked on the


    verge of tears and the only thing that kept him hanging there was probably his fierce male pride.


    ¡°bimbo¡± she cried as she stood and held on to him like her life depended on it. She cried onto his chest


    as her tears created a damp patch on her husband¡¯s shirt. ¡°Oh bimbo¡­¡±


    ¡°Shhhhhh¡± bimbo held Florence so close, they could hardly draw a descent breath. Pain tore at his


    heart as he held his crying wife in his arms staring at his son, lying on the bed. It was all he could do


    not to burst into tears. ¡°Hush now¡± he murmured into Florence¡¯s hair, feeling the dampness of his shirt


    seer the shattered pieces of his heart. He could not ept it! He would not ept it.


    bimbo stared hard at IK. He knew just what cancer was and knew without a doubt that the survival rate


    was incredibly slim. But he could not ept it. His son couldn¡¯t have leuWunmia. He couldn¡¯t open his


    eyes wide and watch while his first fruit faded before his very eyes. Tears burned at the back of his


    eyes as he stared at IK¡¯s pale body. He blinked back his tears furiously as his arms tightened around


    Florence.


    ¡°That report is a lie¡± Florence muttered amidst tears. ¡°My son cannot have cancer. I refuse to believe it¡±


    bimbo swallowed and pulled back enough to look into Florence¡¯s eyes. He didn¡¯t disprove or approve


    her im because he had the strong feeling that the report was urate. ¡°Everything would be fine. I


    promise¡±


    Florence blinked, sending the tears on hershes flowing down. ¡°I¡¯m afraid this is a promise you won¡¯t


    be able to keep, bimbo¡± her lips shook. ¡°Nothing would be okay from now onwards¡±


    bimbo swallowed. ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Florence. Everything is possible with God, if I have to climb every


    mountain in this country to pray for my son, I will. IK would be fine¡±


    Florence stared at bimbo and nodded. She swallowed as he wiped at her face. Florence turned back


    and sat on the bed, watching IK like a hawk.


    ¡°The doctor said we can take IK home tonight and bring him back in two days.¡± bimbo said.


    Florence turned. ¡°How are we going to do that? If IK would be admitted here, what about the children?


    This ce is too far from home, the car has been at the mechanics for weeks with no money to repair


    it.¡± Florence continued bbing as thoughts kept pouring in her head, making their situation more


    precarious. Worry took over her features. ¡°How would we foot the hospital bills, bimbo? I¡¯ve spent


    almost all my capital on drugs. My God, what are we going to do?¡±


    bimbo swallowed, taking a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    *****


    Selena watched her siblings y in the veranda of Aunty Naomi¡¯s apartment. It seemed a century ago


    since she saw the bit of excitement. Selena smiled, feeling like a child again, for the first time in days.


    She was so young but felt so old already. She had always loved to be called a big girl. She hated being


    called a child that she wanted to grow up so bad. She wanted to do the things adults did, feel what


    adults feel. But now, she wasn¡¯t sure anymore¡­


    She had seen the pain in her parents¡¯ eyes, seen their excessive worry over IK, she had seen tears on


    her mother¡¯s cheeks when she thought no one was looking. If that¡¯s what it took to be an adult, Selena


    didn¡¯t think she wanted to grow up just yet. If only she could y like a kid again¡­ If only she could be


    as naive as her younger ones, maybe she wouldn¡¯t worry so much about IK.


    Something crossed Selena¡¯s mind and she straightened, jumping to her feet instantly as she walked


    into the house. the tension at home had been so much the past few days, Selena wanted to do


    something to alleviate it, and if what she had in mind worked, she was sure they would be littleughter


    in the house today. She had told IK that she would cook rice and beans, he would be in for a good


    surprise when he arrives, Selena thought, smiling to herself.


    ¡°Finally, you are smiling¡±


    Naomi approached Selena with a smile. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going home¡±


    Naomi frowned. ¡°To do what?¡±


    ¡°I want to cook¡± Selena grinned, looking all confident.


    Naomi chuckled. ¡°You¡­ Cook¡± she shook her head. ¡°can you cook? Can you even light a stone to boil


    water? ¡°


    ¡°Ahan, Yes now¡± Selena lied. ¡°I can cook very well. I can cook rice¡±


    ¡°Ehen¡± Naomi folded her hands beneath her bosom. ¡°So what do you want to cook now?¡±


    Selena could see that Naomi was making fun of her but she didn¡¯t care. She was so excited, thinking of


    the expression on her brother and parents¡¯ face when they discovered she made their meal. ¡°Rice and


    beans¡±


    ¡°Together?¡± Selena nodded. ¡°Sounds delicious already. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t let you do this. What if


    you burn the house down or hurt yourself. No. You are too small to cook¡±


    Selena looked crestfallen. ¡°No, but I can¡± she whined. ¡°I told IK that I would make rice and beans but he


    said I couldn¡¯t. I want to prove him wrong¡­ and it would make himugh¡±


    Naomi stared at Selena as her face took on that sober pout that always won her over.


    ¡°You cane watch me if you want, but¡­¡± she raised her finger in warning. ¡°¡­don¡¯t tell me what to


    do¡± she grinned. ¡°I want to cook the food myself¡±


    Naomi shook her head in wonder andughed. ¡°Okay, you win¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± Selena hopped excitedly and Naomi was d she agreed to it. It had been a while she saw the


    child in Selena. It was a relief to see.


    ¡°You be careful, okay?¡± she warned sternly and Selena made a cross over her heart. ¡°Go on now. Be


    careful putting on the stove, okay. I¡¯ll watch your siblings for a while thene check on you. Dont add


    too much salt¡±


    Selena skipped out of the house and down the stairs, wearing a king-sized smile. She was as excited


    as a child who just got her first gift. She yanked open the door to their apartment and skipped all the


    way to the kitchen. ¡°Rice and beans¡± she muttered to herself. Now that she was in the kitchen, she felt


    Bringing out the pot, she rinsed and set it aside. Filled the pot halfway with clean water, lit the stove


    and put the pot on it. Selena stared at the pot on fire, wondering what would go in first. Would she put


    the rice and beans together at once? No. She vaguely knew that her mum always put one before the


    other. She smiled. ¡°Rice and beans¡± Selena muttered as she brought out the rice. She took a sizeable


    amount, washed it and poured it in the pot. She poured beans onto a t tray and settled down to pick


    it. When I¡¯m done picking out the dirt, the rice would be soft, so I can put the beans, Selena said to


    herself, smiling happily. She pictures IK¡¯s face and wished he would get back faster. Today, he would


    eat rice and beans made by me. Selena grinned excitedly.


    *****This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

 CHAPTER 23

    CHAPTER 23


    Florence hugged her children so tight, she wanted to infuse them into herself. She wanted their distinct


    childlike scent to wash away her fears, wash away the awful news she got today. It was very dark when


    they arrived home and nothing gave her more joy than seeing her children, alive and well. She put a


    strained smile on her face for the sake of the children. They shouldn¡¯t see her sad, they shouldn¡¯t know


    that something was gravely wrong ¨C especially IK. He couldn¡¯t know; Florence couldn¡¯t bear the


    thought of telling him he had cancer.


    IK sat with them now, beside bimbo in the sitting room as Selena hopped beside him, wearing a


    suspiciously wide grin as she talked endlessly to IK. IK smiled and answered Selena¡¯s numerous


    questions. Florence squatted before her children, inspecting them much more than she usually did.


    She couldn¡¯t help it. ¡°How are you? Did you enjoy yourselves at Aunty Naomi¡¯s ce today?¡±


    Amanda and Solomon bobbed their heads. ¡°Yes mummy, we ate spaghetti and fish¡± Amanda said.


    Florence smiled. She didn¡¯t think she would be able to thank Naomi enough for taking care of her


    children in her absence. ¡°Did you now? It was sweet, right?¡± They nodded.


    Amanda turned suddenly with a big smile. ¡°Selena cooked rice and beans¡±


    ¡°What?¡± bimbo and Florence echoed as their eyes shed to Selena.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t¡± IK muttered, his eyes wide.


    ¡°I did¡± Selena grinned at him.


    ¡°When did she start cooking?¡± bimbo asked Florence, looking astounded.


    Selena looked at the priceless expression on IK¡¯s face and grinned so widely, her mouth engulfed her


    entire face. She gave him the ¡®I-told-you-I-w


    ould-do-it¡¯ look.


    ¡°You cooked rice and beans¡± he echoed, looking bewildered.


    ¡°Yes, I made dinner¡± Selena had never been more proud in her life.


    Florence sat on the edge of her seat. ¡°Would you stop smiling, youngdy? Who asked you to cook


    anything? Did you tell Aunty Naomi before doing this?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and she let me¡±


    For the first time since they arrived, bimbo was smiling mischievously. Selena surely took that trait from


    him. Florence couldn¡¯t see what bimbo was smiling about. What if Selena had hurt herself with her little


    cooking experiment? God knew she couldn¡¯t stand any more source of worry. ¡°Tell me,dy chef, how


    did you cook it?¡± bimbo asked.


    Selena looked uncertain now, as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ¡°I put the rice on fire. When


    the rice was soft, I put beans. I put salt, oil, pepper, crayfish and Maggi. I did not know how many


    Maggi I should put but I put four¡± she stared at their faces, trying to justify herself. ¡°The food is very


    sweet ooo¡­¡± she pointed out and blinked, looking at her fingers as her shoulders fell, ¡°¡­but, the beans


    is not very soft¡±.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The was a brief silence, then everyone busted intoughter. Selena didn¡¯t like that one bit that they


    were making jest of her ¡®hard work¡¯ but she never felt happier. IK and her parents wasughing so


    hard. It had been such a long time since she saw that.


    ¡°Of course, the beans can¡¯t be soft.¡± Florence mutteredughing. ¡°You should have cooked the beans


    first¡±


    It was the same thing Aunty Naomi had said. Selena sighed in defeat. ¡°I thought, since it is ¡®rice and


    beans¡¯, I would cook the rice first.¡± she exined.


    bimbo shook his head with a smile. ¡°You are something else¡± he muttered with a grin. He adjusted on


    his seat. ¡°Oh well, I am very hungry now. Why don¡¯t you serve us this delicacy, Selena¡±


    Selena smiled widely, shing her tiny white teeth as she stared at IK with a victorious look on her face.


    IK shook his head, unable to stop himself from smiling as Selena marched into the kitchen with her


    shoulders high.

 CHAPTER 24

    CHAPTER 24


    Tomorrow, IK returns to the hospital! The children had no idea. Since the previous day, with Selena¡¯s


    cooking, they yed so much, even Selena seemed to loosen up a bit. It was just like old times in a


    way, but then, it wasn¡¯t. IK¡¯s strength was very low, he couldn¡¯t keep up with his siblings, and no matter


    how much he tried to hide his weaknesses from his parents and siblings, pain always finds a way of


    making itself known. IK had no idea what was wrong with him, Florence doubted he would even know


    the extent of his illness if she told him he had cancer. Despite his high maturity, he was still a little boy.


    And every strained smile, every yful chatter with her children, awoke in Florence a pain too deep to


    quench. It was hard, keeping her emotions locked inside when all she wanted to do was scream her


    frustration to be heard above high mountains. It was hard crying only within the four walls of their small


    bathroom, allowing the water to disguise her tears as they beaded down her cheeks. It shouldn¡¯t be her


    son, it shouldn¡¯t be IK; it wasn¡¯t fair that one so young and innocent had to go through so much pain.


    But life isn¡¯t fair and they were made to learn to find the beauty in life¡¯s darkness¡­


    Florence almost never caught a whim of sleep. She was constantly by IK¡¯s side, making his pain hers


    and giving the sor only a mother can give her child. bimbo couldn¡¯t give the moral support he


    usually gave Florence; heck, he was badly in need of support himself. He was stretched taut in his


    quest to be a better husband; a better father¡­ They were in dire need of money, now more than ever


    and it was a constant source of frustration to know that he couldn¡¯t meet up with his responsibilities as


    the provider of the home.


    Florence walked into IK¡¯s room and saw that he had fallen asleep. She pulled a wrapper over his small


    form, staring at him for a prolonged moment. Taking a deep breath, she walked out of the room, making


    sure she left the door open in case he woke up and needed anything.


    ¡°Selena¡± Florence called aloud as she got to the sitting room. Selena charged in from outside, her head


    popping through the door. ¡°Call your siblings, I want to see you all¡±


    Selena nodded and secondster, the three children came trooping through the door, chatting happily.


    It was a relief to see, although, Florence knew without being told that their excitement would die down


    in a few minutes. The children looked at her awkward smile and instantly knew something was wrong.


    Solomon was too young to understand much, but Amanda and Selena were fast bing ustomed


    to their mother¡¯s mood swings.


    ¡°Sit down, children, I want to tell you something¡±


    They all sat, looking anxiously at her face. Selena had a small frown on her face. ¡°What is it, mummy?¡±


    she asked as they waited for Florence to say something.


    Florence smiled. ¡°Children, you all know that your big brother hasn¡¯t been feeling too fely, right?¡±


    they nodded stiffly. ¡°Well, Mummy and daddy would have to stay in the hospital with IK for a few days,


    until he gets better¡±


    Amanda frowned. ¡°IK would be sleeping in the hospital?¡± she seemed confused.


    ¡°Yes baby, IK would have to stay over at the hospital, so they can treat him very well and he won¡¯t fall


    sick again¡± she exined as simply as possible.


    Selena stared at her mother. ¡°But you took him to the hospital yesterday and said he¡¯s getting better,


    why is he going to stay in the hospital again?¡± she used.


    Florence blinked and swallowed hard. If only they knew that IK¡¯s illness couldn¡¯t be treated in a day¡­


    She should have waited for bimbo to get back, this was bing harder for her. ¡°Yes, I know Lovey,


    but IK still needs to be treated in the hospital so he¡¯ll bepletely fine. You understand that, right?¡±


    Selena¡¯s face was hooded once more, looking nk. Florence wondered what she might be thinking or


    feeling. It had been so long since she heard Selena sing. It was what Selena was known for. She sang


    through anything, evenposed new songs while doing house chores without premeditating it.


    Everyone felt she would turn out to be a very famous singer, one to be reckoned with¡­ ¡°Where would


    we stay?¡± Selena suddenly asked.


    ¡°Let us stay with Aunty Naomi¡± Amanda added with a glow in her eyes.


    ¡°Yes, Aunty Naomi¡± Solomon seconded, his childlike voice ringing with excitement.


    Selena nced at her siblings wondering how they could be excited over something that was so sad.


    ¡°No, you won¡¯t stay with Aunty Naomi, you¡¯ll be staying with Pastor Peter¡± She had discussed this with


    bimbo. Naomi¡¯s husband was already back from his trip, keeping the kids with them might be a


    disturbance, especially since they didn¡¯t have their own children. It was much better to keep the


    children with a pastor friend, at least, the children would be closer to their school. Florence watched as


    the faces of her children fell. This surely wasn¡¯t going well at all. ¡°You know, pastor Peter has two dogs,


    you like dogs, right?¡± The children stared at her with a sober look. Florence swallowed. ¡°We¡¯ll be back


    in no time, I promise¡±


    *****


    bimbo walked around his office, waiting for his cousin. He wasn¡¯t himself. All his sermons on faith were


    back to haunt him. Fear had evaded the cranies of his mind, pushing his faith out of the way. His eyes


    were heavy fromck of sleep. Where on earth was he supposed to get money for IK¡¯s treatment. For


    the first time ever, bimbo felt like less of a man. He was the head of the family; why couldn¡¯t he fend for


    his family? His family was practically falling apart before his very eyes. Because of IK¡¯s treatment, he


    and Florence had agreed to take the kids to a pastor friend¡¯s ce, to stay until IK was okay. Florence


    would have to stay perpetually with IK in the hospital while he scouts around for money. What if he fails


    and cannot provide the money for IK¡¯s treatments when needed? What if IK pays the grand price, all


    because of his financial inadequacy? He didn¡¯t think he would be able to live with that.


    bimbo swallowed, pulled back his old wooden chair and sat on it. He was into Estate management and


    letting; as a pastor, he did not find it easy. People saw ¡®agents¡¯ as fraudsters and liars but bimbo had


    gone into it when money wasn¡¯t forting. His integrity had paid off, people trusted him and sought


    his services above all else.


    bimbo raised his head as someone loomed over him. He smiled at thendlord of the building and


    stood up.


    ¡°Good evening sir¡± he greeted.


    Mr Ogundipe frowned at him. ¡°Pastor, you look sick. Are you okay?¡± bimbo swallowed, looking at the


    elderly man. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    bimbo took a deep breath and exined the situation on ground. Mr Ogundipe turned pale, staring at


    bimbo withpassion. ¡°Ah¡­ You would have to pray very well o, Pastor. The same thing happened


    to my brother¡¯s daughter two years ago, she did not survive it¡±


    bimbo¡¯s eyes snapped up. Perfect! Just what he needed. bimbo stood up, unable to keep still.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to scare you, I had to say it as it is. But I¡¯m sure your son would be fine, you¡¯ve


    prayed for people with worse situations and they were healed¡± he smiled. ¡°God listens to you¡±


    bimbo nodded wordlessly. Thest thing he needed was to know that someone with IK¡¯s ailment was


    already dead. ¡°Thank you sir¡± he murmured.


    Footsteps approached and Jamal walked in. bimbo sighed in relief. He had to get this over with and go


    home. He suddenly felt the urge to check up on IK. This was surely fear at work.


    ¡°Jamal¡± Jamal was a distant cousin from his mother¡¯s side. bimbo was several years older than Jamal


    though. ¡°I¡¯m d you are here¡±


    Jamal greeted bimbo and thendlord, frowning slightly. ¡°Is everything okay, brother?¡±


    ¡°No Jamal. I need you to help me manage this ce for a while. I wouldn¡¯t be avable for a while and I


    don¡¯t want this ce to be under lock and key. I¡¯ll direct all my clients to you, so you can attend to them


    in my absence¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course brother, but where are you going? What¡¯s the problem?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s IK¡±


    Jamal frowned deeply. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with IK?¡±


    bimbo swallowed and exined IK¡¯s health condition to Jamal. Jamal sobered up. ¡°Oh my God¡± he


    muttered. ¡°You have nothing to worry about bro, you can count on me¡±


    ¡°I promise, anymission you make, we¡¯ll split it equally¡±


    ¡°Of course not, brother, we are family. You need the money now, more than ever. You have nothing to


    worry about¡±


    bimbo smiled. ¡°Thank you, Jamal¡±


    *****


    ¡°C¡¯mon, give mummy a smile¡± Florence muttered with a weak smile on her face. We¡¯ll be back very


    soon, I promise¡± Florence murmured as she crouched before her kids. Pastor Peter and his wife stood


    behind the children. Their small travelling bags and school bags had been carried inside but still, the


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    children were not smiling. Solomon looked on the verge of tears. Barely two years old, Solomon was


    too small to be left alone. Amanda stared mutely at the ground, while Selena had a deceptive calm look


    on her face. Her pride wouldn¡¯t allow her show just how much this was affecting her; somegow, that


    was more heartbreaking than even Solomon¡¯s tears.


    bimbo tapped Florence gently and moved her out of the way. He crouched before the children with a


    convincing smile on his face. ¡°Don¡¯t be sad now children, see, i promise, to bring you something when


    we¡¯reing back.¡± he stared into their eyes. ¡°what do you want me to get you?¡±


    ¡°Cheese balls¡± Solomon mouthed almost instantly.


    bimbo grinned. ¡°And you?¡± he asked Amanda and she nodded. Selena didn¡¯t make a sound. ¡°Okay, I


    promise to bring you pleeenty cheese balls. Do you want that?¡±


    Amanda and Solomon bobbed their heads as their eyes shed with mild delight. ¡°You be good


    children, okay? And do whatever big mummy and daddy tell you, okay?¡± They nodded and bimbo


    hugged them all briefly. IK stood with Florence, he had a pained look on his face. Selena¡¯s eyes


    lingered on him for several seconds. They stood just a few steps from each other, but it felt like a great


    wall had been erected, pushing them apart and severing the great bond that they shared. Throughout


    the short walk to Pastor Peter¡¯s ce, Selena barely said a word to IK. He was closer to her than even


    her parents, Selena didn¡¯t know how she would stay for days without talking to IK.


    bimbo hugged Pastor Peter, thanking him profusely for his help. He turned to IK and smiled gently.


    ¡°Say goodbye to your siblings, IK¡±


    IK blinked and walked forward. Despite his weakness, he mustered a bright smile for his younger ones.


    ¡°Bye Ik Ik, bye Tess¡± he murmured. ¡°I¡¯ll miss you a lot. When I get back, I¡¯ll tell you all that happened


    there, okay?¡± Amanda and Solomon nodded.


    IK turned to look at Selena. She stared back at him, her mouth set in the stubborn manner he knew so


    well. Her eyes revealed nothing; he was surely going to miss her. ¡°I¡¯ll miss you, love¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine when I see you, right?¡± she asked anxiously.


    IK smiled. ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°Promise?¡±


    IK swallowed and nodded. His eyes watered and he blinked severally. Big boys don¡¯t cry. ¡°You¡¯ll make


    me another rice and beans when I get back, right?¡±


    For the first time all evening, Selena smiled. ¡°The beans would be soft this time¡±


    IK smiled. ¡°Bye Love¡±


    ¡°Bye IK¡± Selena did not like the sound of goodbye. But she knew IK had to go, he had to get better so


    they could go back to the way they used to be.


    Florence wiped the tears that streaked down her cheeks. She hugged her children tightly, capturing


    their scent so it could wash away her fears and give her more strength. She kissed their heads and


    stood up.


    Pastor Peter and his wife pulled the children back as they waved at bimbo, Florence and IK. Solomon


    and Amanda soon started crying as the other half of their family retreated slowly. Selena bit hard on her


    lip and blinked several times. She hadn¡¯t cried since this started, she wasn¡¯t about to start now. Her


    brother would be back. IK would be back!

 CHAPTER 25

    CHAPTER 25


    What?!¡± bimbo roared.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious¡± Florence¡¯s face was as pale as sheet.


    Nurse Chinwe blew out her bubble gum, making a pop sounds as she scribbled something on arge


    hospital book, looking totally unconcerned. ¡°Well, I am very serious, madam¡± she said nonchntly.


    ¡°Well, it can¡¯t be. Doctor Johnson can¡¯t be on a trip; the doctor himself told us toe today¡± bimbo


    barked as his eyes shed in rage. He fisted his palms by his side, hoping he wouldn¡¯t fly into pieces


    from excessive anger.


    Nurse Chinwe raised her eyes slowly from the journal in front of her, looking up bimbo with an irritated


    look on her face. ¡°See mr man,e and be going. Ahan, what is it? I told you the doctor has travelled,


    what do you want me to do?¡± She hissed.


    Florence¡¯s eyes watered as she hopped nervously. She nced back at IK who was seated on one of


    the hospital benches, then looked back at the nurse with a pleading look. ¡°But¡­ but my son is very ill¡­


    he grows weaker every minute. He needs to be treated, nurse, please¡±


    Nurse Chinwe red at bimbo for a prolonged moment, then nced at Florence before resuming


    chewing her bubble gum. ¡°We have some student doctors in the hospital¡±


    ¡°What? I am not putting my son¡¯s life in the hands of some quack untrained doctors who don¡¯t even


    know the definition of mria¡± bimbo raved, his voice rang out, attracting stares from some people in


    the hospital.


    ¡°bimbo¡­¡±


    ¡°Bia take yourself and your son¡¯s life out of here, before I throw you out; ogini?¡± Nurse Chinwe red


    up.


    ¡°Oh no, please¡­¡± Florence pulled a raving bimbo aside, casting a worried nce at the nurse and


    another nce at IK. He was now lying on the bench, not looking good at all.


    bimbo was beside himself with rage. ¡°How can people be so heartless?¡± he stared at Florence, not


    really seeing her. ¡°that doctor told us toe today knowing fully well that he would be travelling¡­ So


    callous¡±


    Florence pulled closer to bimbo, lowering her voice as she spoke. ¡°You have to calm down bimbo, you


    can¡¯t consistently lose your temper like this, IK¡¯s best interest is at stake here¡±


    bimbo shifted ufortably. ¡°What do we do, then? You don¡¯t expect me to leave IK here, in the hands


    of God knows who, do you? And just look at that nurse. She¡¯s the same as the other heartless nurses


    in this hospital¡±


    ¡°But what other choice do we have? We have to. And no, we are not leaving him in their hands, we are


    leaving him in God¡¯s hands. It is not up to them to heal IK, it is up to God.¡± Florence ced her palm


    gently on his chest. ¡°Please bimbo, we can¡¯t afford to be destabilized now. We have to remain calm for


    IK¡¯s sake. He is feeling really bad that he is putting us through so much struggles, we need to hide our


    anxiety from him, bimbo.¡±


    bimbo swallowed and nodded.


    Florence smiled faintly. ¡°Everything would be fine, bimbo, we just have to keep our faith strong.¡±


    Florence was right, of course. He was allowing the tension to get to him, especially considering the fact


    that he had just put his three children in the care of his pastor friend. He knew Pastor Peter well


    enough, but then, one could never really know someone, right? Frustration ate away at bimbo¡¯s


    insides. He hated being unable to do anything about this terribly unpleasant situation. If only he had


    money enough to take IK to a standard private hospital¡­ But no, this was all he could afford, or try to


    afford. Even the expenses in this government hospital seemed like an uphill task for him. But he would


    make things work; he had to make things work for IK, for his family, for everyone.


    bimbo turned towards the nurse busy chewing gum at the reception desk and felt extreme anger at his


    own helplessness. ¡®Give me the strength, oh God¡¯


    *****


    Selena¡¯s eyes slowly pushed open. It was just the crack of dawn. Why was her bed so hard and


    unfamiliar against her skin? She wondered. Her head pounded slightly as her eyes roamed the room in


    the shifting darkness. Amanda and Solomony asleep on a mat on the floor. Selena didn¡¯t remember


    ever seeing a mat in their house. The room was very unfamiliar; and why? why didn¡¯t her mum wake


    her up for school?


    Selena frowned, several questions ran through her mind within splits of seconds, then the reality of the


    past day dawned on her. Selena blinked, remembering all that happened the previous day. They were


    not in their house anymore. Her parents were gone; she wouldn¡¯t be seeing IK anytime soon¡­ She


    sighed andy back on the bed. She felt sick. Selena ate next to nothing the previous day, Amanda


    and Solomon were not any better. Since Mr Simon¡¯ two children were off to boarding school, Selena


    and her siblings were the only children in the house. Selena couldn¡¯t help but think they would have


    been better with Aunty Naomi. She was like a second mother to them and surely, Amanda and


    Solomon would have been much livelier with her than they were here. The previous night, they had


    been as quiet as a mule. Selena didn¡¯t know till now just how much she depended on their yful


    chatter; it went a long way in diffusing the tension. But then, Selena wasn¡¯t sure anything could diffuse


    the tension she was feeling.


    Steps drew closer to the door. Selena raised her eyes to the door as it creaked open.


    Mrs Simon entered and frowned at the sleeping children till her eyesnded on Selena. ¡°Selena dear¡±


    she called.


    Selena stood from the bed and knelt. ¡°Good morning ma¡± she greeted.


    ¡°Why are you still in bed?¡± Despite her soft tone, her face looked displeased. ¡°Don¡¯t you do morning


    chores in your house?¡±


    Selena blinked. At home, IK mostly did all that needed to be done while they prepared for school; she


    couldn¡¯t say that now, could she? ¡°Yes ma¡± she answered shortly.


    ¡°Good. Now, go and wash the dishes in the kitchen, and be fast so you can prepare for school¡±. She


    turned to leave, then nced at Amanda and Solomon who were still fast asleep. ¡°Amanda is not too


    small to sweep, is she?¡±


    Selena frowned. ¡°Dust affects her¡±


    Mrs Simon was about to say something then decided against it. She opened the door and walked out.


    Selena released a relieved breath and sat at the edge of the bed for a few seconds. So much had


    changed within so short a time and she was having trouble wrapping her young mind around the


    spinning ball of change.


    With sheer will and determination, she stood up and pushed her small feet into her rubber slippers. It


    wouldn¡¯t do to have Mrs Simone back to meet her on bed now, would it? A smallmp lit the sitting


    room, driving away the darkness. She lifted it, taking it with her to the kitchen.


    tes fromst night sat in the sink, together with three pots. Selena scanned round until her eyes


    She smiled when she thought of what IK would say if he saw her now. He always teased her whenever


    she climbed a stool to do the dishes at home. Her smile wiped off. IK wasn¡¯t there and he wouldn¡¯t be


    there for several days, she would have to get used to it.


    Selena always sang happily while doing the dishes, but not now. For the first time, Selena stacked the


    tes inplete silence.


    *****


    The foul stench of hospital woke IK from his dreamless sleep. His eyes popped open and everything


    swam as a wave of dizziness engulfed him. He blinked severally until his eyes settled fully on the dirty


    white ceiling overhead. The hospital smell grew stronger with everyboured breathing he took. It was


    a direct contrast to the nice and homey smell of their home. IK wondered if he would get used to it;


    wondered if he would get used to the smell of drugs, of blood, of everything thatbined to give


    hospitals that awkward sickening smell. He missed home¡­ He missed the softness of his bed against


    his back.


    IK felt someone beside him and saw his mother beside him. She sat on a chair beside him and her


    head was on the bed beside him as she slept off. Tears burned at the back of his eyes and he couldn¡¯t


    stop them from rolling down his cheeks. Thest thing he ever wanted was to put his mother through


    so much pain and struggles. IK didn¡¯t see his father anywhere around but he knew undoubtedly that his


    father must be going through so much in trying to see that he was okay. Why was he the source of


    some much pain and turmoil? His siblings were gravely unhappy and it was entirely his fault. IK could


    not wipe away their sad faces from his head. He didn¡¯t want to think of the tears he saw in Selena¡¯s


    eyes the previous day. The tears that she had fought so hard to keep at bay.


    He swallowed as he raised his hand weakly. He lightly brushed off the hair that fell over his mother¡¯s


    face, the way he had seen his father do so many times. Worry lines etched Florence¡¯s face even in her


    sleep, making IK feel even guiltier.


    Florence felt the hand on her face and opened her eyes. IK¡¯s face came to view and she jumped up,


    snapping out of her slumber.


    ¡°IK?¡± she said in rm. ¡°Why are you crying? What¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?¡± she stuttered, hoping at


    IK¡¯s tears with shaky fingers.


    IK nodded then shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, mum¡± he muttered as his eyes teared up again.


    ¡°Sorry? Sorry for what?¡± Florence muttered in confusion and worry.


    ¡°I caused all this? Everybody is worried about me¡­ Everyone is suffering because of me¡­ I..¡±


    ¡°Stop it, IK¡± Florence rebuked softly, sitting beside IK, on the bed. ¡°Don¡¯t ever me yourself for


    anything, do you hear me?¡± she wiped at IK¡¯s face.


    ¡°But mummy¡­¡±


    ¡°But nothing. I don¡¯t want to hear you saying it even thinking it, do you hear me? You did not bring this


    sickness upon yourself and I won¡¯t have you ming yourself, do you hear me?¡± Florence¡¯s voice


    shook.


    IK blinked and nodded stiffly. Florence bent and kissed his forehead. ¡°Thank you, mummy¡± IK muttered.


    ¡°Thank you for taking care of me¡±


    Florence blinked back tears as she smiled. ¡°Just be fine for me, okay? Be fine for all of us¡±


    IK nodded. ¡°Where is daddy?¡±


    ¡°He went to get¡­ something. He¡¯ll be back soon¡± Florence answered.


    *****


    Jamal smiled at himself as he sat behind the desk at Adona Properties. He hadn¡¯t been this happy in a


    while. Truly one man¡¯s misfortune is another man¡¯s fortune. He felt so sorry for his cousin; IK was such


    a sweet boy and an exceptional drummer even at his age, he couldn¡¯t imagine anything bad happening


    to him. But boy! Doesn¡¯t it just feel so good to sit in an office for the very first time? Though the office


    was bimbos, Jamal felt a sense of entitlement as he sat facing therge table filled with documents.


    The ss sliding door provided a good view of the road. Till now, Jamal didn¡¯t realise just how good the


    office was. Jamal rxed his back against the backrest of the wooden chair and breathed a sigh of


    contentment.


    It had been years since he had been searching for a decent job for himself with his Secondary School


    Certificate but it had all been fruitless. The struggle had multiplied when he impregnated his girlfriend


    over two years ago and had to marry her. He barely had enough to feed himself, his wife and their two


    years old baby girl; it could only get worse now that his wife was already three months pregnant for


    their second child.


    Though Jamal had told bimbo that he wouldn¡¯t take any share from whatever he made, Jamal knew


    that he wasn¡¯t going to pull through with that. He was in charge of this office now and he intended to


    make something for himself in the process.


    Someone approached the office and Jamal adjusted himself on the chair. A couple entered into the


    office and Jamal smiled at them.


    ¡°Good morning¡± he greeted.


    The man looked at him cautiously as he and his wife responded to his greeting. ¡°Are you Jamal Uba?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s me. You can have your seat.¡± he gestured to the chairs in front and watched as the couple sat.


    ¡°What can I do for you, sir?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m Mr Ish. Pastor told me that he won¡¯t be in the office for some time but I would meet you


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    here¡± Mr Ish exined.


    Jamal smiled. ¡°That¡¯s correct. I¡¯m in charge of the office in his stead, is there anything you need?¡±


    ¡°Actually, he was working on a particr apartment for me, but I want to take my wife there to be sure


    she likes it before we pay.¡±


    Pay! The word rang in Jamal¡¯s ears as he thought of what it would feel like to have real money in his


    hand. Not even a day yet and he already had a client! God is good. Jamal blinked and nodded


    suddenly as he remembered something. ¡°Yes¡­ yes, he told me about you. It¡¯s the apartment at Ilupeju


    bus stop right?¡±


    Mr Ish smiled, visibly rxing. ¡°It is¡±.


    ¡°Okay, are you ready to see it now?¡± he looked from Mr Ish to his wife who had been watching them


    mutely.


    ¡°Yes, of course.¡±


    Jamal nodded, opened the drawer and pulled out the keys to the apartment. It was the only building


    bimbo was fully managing, so he had the keys with him to show potential tenants. Jamal stood and


    walked around the table. ¡°Shall we go?¡±


    The couple stood up and walked ahead as Jamal followed closely behind with a big smile on his


    face.

 CHAPTER 26

    CHAPTER 26


    Florence was going mad with worry and worse, she couldn¡¯t hide it from IK anymore. She paced the


    length of IK¡¯s hospital room, feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. What on earth


    was happening?


    ¡°Daddy would be back soon, mummy¡± IK said, looking at his mother with worry clearly visible on his


    face.


    Florence swallowed and walked back to the bed. ¡°He¡¯d better, because if not¡­¡± I just might go


    feel now?¡±


    IK smiled. ¡°I am fine, mum, I am only worried about you and daddy¡±


    Florence looked straight into his eyes ¡°I don¡¯t want you to worry about anything, okay? Your father is


    fine¡± she said fiercely. ¡°¡­ he¡­ he probably had to spend the night somewhere.¡± That didn¡¯t exin


    why his number wasn¡¯t going through though, but she didn¡¯t have to say that.


    IK smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sure he is fine.¡± he mouthed. He definitely knew his mum¡¯s fears and didn¡¯t want to add


    to her worry. Definitely didn¡¯t want to mention that his joints when hurting so badly and that he had this


    terrible pain in his head that won¡¯t go away.


    Florence sighed. ¡°Are you sure you are okay, IK?¡± IK nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a second, okay? Don¡¯t go


    anywhere¡± Florence kissed IK¡¯s head and headed out of the room. She had to dial bimbo¡¯s number


    again, though it was probably the fiftieth time already but she would call even a thousand times till she


    could hear his voice.


    Florence bumped into Nurse Tessa is the hallway and straightened herself awkwardly. She was


    standing with a Nurse Gbemi. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡±


    Nurse Tessa frowned, looking worried. ¡°Is everything okay, Florence? Is IK alright?¡± Nurse Tessa had


    been Florence¡¯s saving grace though she wasn¡¯t always avable. It had been easy to get on first


    name basis with her.


    ¡°No. IK is fine¡­ it¡¯s¡­ my husband. I haven¡¯t seen him since yesterday and it is so unlike him. His


    phone has been off.


    ¡°Oh my God¡±


    Nurse Gbemi shook her head. ¡°I just pray he hasn¡¯t ran away¡±


    ¡°Gbemi¡± Nurse Tessa warned subtly¡±


    ¡°What? It happens all the time. What have we not seen in this hospital? A man once abandoned his


    wife because she gave birth to triplets and he didn¡¯t have money. Parents abandoned their only child in


    the hospital when she fell sick and they had no money. It is not a new thing. Especially with the nature


    of your child¡¯s sickness¡­¡±


    Florence shook her pale face. ¡°No! bimbo would never do that¡±


    ¡°Of course he wont¡± Nurse Tessa eyed Nurse Gbemi before looking back at Florence. ¡°I¡¯m sure


    something is holding him back¡±


    ¡°Holding him back since yesterday. It¡¯s almost dark, Tessa, I think it is better Florence is prepared for


    anything¡± Nurse Gbemi said.


    Florence swallowed. ¡°Please excuse me.¡± She didn¡¯t think she could stomach any more of what the


    nurse was saying. bimbo would never leave her alone at a time like this. He wouldn¡¯t!


    ¡°No wait¡± Nurse Tessa muttered as she made to leave. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try him on my phone?¡± she


    brought out her phone and stretched it forward.


    Florence nodded gratefully and collected the phone.


    ¡°Florence¡±


    Florence¡¯s head snapped up and she nearly fainted with relief. ¡°bimbo¡± she shrieked as she rushed


    towards bimbo, copsing into his open arms. bimbo held her so close but Florence couldn¡¯t get close


    enough. ¡°Oh bimbo¡­ I¡¯ve been worried sick¡± she muttered as tears of relief flooded her eyes.


    ¡°I can imagine¡± bimbo whispered into her hair.


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t.¡± She pulled her head back. ¡°Where were you, bimbo? What happened? I¡¯ve called your


    number almost a million times¡± shemented as she stared into his eyes. She saw pain in his eyes


    masked with the small smile he put on his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I caused you so much worry¡± he muttered. He seemed to be struggling with himself as his


    stroked her cheek slightly with his thumb.


    ¡°But something¡¯s wrong, isn¡¯t it?¡± Florence pulled back slightly with a frown on her face. ¡°You look like


    you so exhausted, bimbo, what¡¯s going on? Are my children okay? ¡±


    ¡°Yes! It¡¯s not them¡± bimbo hesitated. ¡°Florence, I don¡¯t want you worrying about this¡±


    Now, Florence looked angry. ¡°What are you saying? I don¡¯t want you giving me that because that¡¯ll only


    get me worked up. You are telling me what¡¯s going on whether you like it or not.¡± from the tone of her


    voice, bimbo knew he had no other option, and frankly, he couldn¡¯t hide something so big from her.


    bimbo pulled Florence to a corner, affording them a bit of privacy and she trained her eyes on him,


    waiting for him to drop the bombshell.


    bimbo took a deep breath, holding Florence¡¯s hand. ¡°Remember I told you of Mr Ish, the client I


    expected to pay for an apartment?¡±


    Florence nodded. ¡°Of course, I remember¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ he paid for the apartment¡±


    Florence stared at him for a prolonged moment, then blinked. ¡°But¡­?¡±


    bimbo swallowed. ¡°Jamal disappeared with the money¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Florence busted out.


    ¡°Mr Ish is all bent on getting back his three hundred thousand Naira, I was held down at the police


    station till this morning. Since I got out, I have practically trekked the whole of Lagos but Jamal is


    nowhere to be found. His wife said he hasn¡¯t been home for four days now.¡±


    Florence felt her legs go weak beneath her. ¡°Oh God¡±


    *****


    ¡°How can be do this to us? Where are we supposed to get that sort of money?¡± Florence yelled at she


    paced in front of bimbo.


    ¡°Calm down, Florence¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t calm down, bimbo. If we had even a tenth of that money, IK wouldn¡¯t even be in this hospital to


    start with¡±


    bimbo took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll ask my family for help.¡±


    ¡°Your family? bimbo, we have been in this hospital for three weeks, none of them even has the


    decency to check up on us, do you think they¡¯ll be of any help?¡±


    bimbo sighed, taking Florence by the shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ve got to try. I have searched all over for Jamal and


    I¡¯ll keep searching. I don¡¯t want you getting all worked up over this. I¡¯ll find a way¡±


    ¡°But how?¡± Florence looked up at bimbo with panic. ¡°You don¡¯t have any money I don¡¯t know about, do


    you?¡± she asked rhetorically. ¡°We don¡¯t even have money for IK¡¯s treatment here in a government


    hospital. We have borrowed so much already. We can¡¯t deal with this now.¡± Water ran down her eyes. ¡°I


    don¡¯t have the strength for this anymore¡±


    bimbo pulled Florence into his arms. ¡°Shhhhh¡­ It¡¯ll be fine. We¡¯ll get through this. I promise¡± he


    whispered as he held her close.


    ¡°I¡¯m losing faith, bimbo. I don¡¯t think I can keep up with this¡± Florence¡¯s perched voice rasped.


    bimbo¡¯s heart beat fast in his chest. Her immense faith had been keeping him up all this while, she


    couldn¡¯t afford to lose faith now. ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Everything would be fine, dear, we¡¯ll get through this¡±


    Florence nodded with her head on his chest. ¡°You should see IK¡±


    Running feet separated them before bimbo could answer. They looked up just as Nurse Gbemi drew


    closer. ¡°It¡¯s your son¡± she muttered breathlessly.


    ¡°IK¡± Florence gasped, running towards the hospital room with bimbo. Oh God, not another crisis, this


    was just too much for her to handle. bimbo held on to Florence¡¯s hand as they ran. Just as they got to


    the door, Nurse Tessa came out and stopped them from entering.


    ¡°What? I want to see my son now¡± Florence yelled at her, pushing around to get past her.


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t go in, I took two nurses to stabilize him.¡±


    ¡°Oh God¡±


    ¡°Where is the doctor?¡± bimbo asked anxiously.


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing¡± Nurse Tessa muttered. ¡°He has refused to attend to him¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Florence yelled just as bimbo stormed down the hall.


    ¡°He is in his office¡± Nurse Tessa yelled.


    ¡°Please, my son¡± Florence pleaded just as she turned to follow bimbo. The doctor would have to do


    what she says or be ready to kill her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do all I can¡± Nurse Tessa promised, going back inside as Florence ran towards the doctor¡¯s office.


    bimbo arrived at the doctor¡¯s office and pushed the door open without the thought of even knocking.


    The door bounced against the wall and the doctor¡¯s head snapped to him. There was a really elegant


    woman seated just opposite him but bimbo didn¡¯t even spare her a nce.


    ¡°Doctor Johnson. Please, I beg you in God¡¯s name, please attend to my son. He is between like and


    death. Please¡± bimboid down his pride.


    Doctor Johnson red at him just as Florence stormed in. ¡°I told you before, didn¡¯t I? I said I won¡¯t


    attend to him if there¡¯s another crisis.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s he talking about?¡± Florence asked bimbo, then shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t even care. Doctor, it is


    either you treat my son or be prepared to kill me here because I wouldn¡¯t watch my son die, you hear


    me? I won¡¯t watch him die¡± Florence yelled at tears ran down her cheeks.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry madam, but I can¡¯t do anything for you people again. Your son¡¯s case is a hopeless one¡±


    ¡°Good God, doctor, how can you say something so cruel¡± the elegant woman snapped, looking furious.


    ¡°It is the truth, Mrs Dongmo, their son is a cancer patient¡±


    bimbo scratched his head furiously as he paced. He looked like he could fly into a million pieces.


    Florence knelt down as she wept. ¡°Please doctor¡­ Please¡­ I can¡¯t lose my son¡­ I just can¡¯t¡±


    Doctor Johnson ignored her.


    Mrs Dongmo stared at the doctor for some seconds, looking bewildered. It was like she couldn¡¯t believe


    he was so inhuman. She stood abruptly. ¡°Where¡¯s your son¡±


    ¡°He is in his room, some nurses are with him¡± bimbo muttered, ring at the doctor with fisted hands.


    His helplessness was the most frustrating part. Florence blinked, noticing the elegant woman for the


    first time.


    ¡°Come with me, we are taking him to Akors Hospital.¡± She said, moving towards the door instantly.


    Florence blinked. She had heard so much about that hospital. ¡°That¡­ That¡¯s a very expensive hospital¡±


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    she gasped out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Come on, we don¡¯t have time to waste¡±


    ¡°Thank you, ma¡± bimbo muttered wholeheartedly as they rushed back to IK¡¯s room. He knew from the


    looks that the woman was older in age, but at the moment, he would even call a child anything if it


    would help his son.


    They got to the room and they busted the door open. Nurse Tessa looked up with a pained look as


    Florence and bimbo crowded the bed, finding IK unconscious. ¡°He is ina. He needs urgent


    attention now, if not, I fear for the worst¡± she exined then looked up. Her face registered surprise as


    she saw Mrs Dongmo. ¡°Mrs Dongmo, it¡¯s been so long since we saw you¡± Mrs Dongmo often came to


    the hospital to help some of the patients, but she hadn¡¯t visited in a while.


    Mrs Dongmo didn¡¯t have time to exin anything as she stared at the form on the bed with worry and


    Nurse Tessa nodded instantly, calling the other nurses instantly. Within minutes, they were wheeling IK


    out of the General hospital towards the waiting Jeep. A dark guy which bimbo knew must be a driver


    opened the door instantly as they approached. Together, they put IK inside the car and got in as the


    driver got behind the wheels. Nurse Tessa insisted on going with them to keep IK stable if need be.


    The doors mmed shut and the the jeep sped out away. Florence looked back at the fading building


    of the hospital. So much had happened there. Never again did she want to step her feet in that


    hospital. Never again!

 CHAPTER 27

    CHAPTER 27


    Selena watched her siblings talk excitedly on the phone and smiled secretly to herself as she waved


    the hand fan in her hand, blowing breeze on Mr Simon. Mr Simon was a heavy sweater and the heat


    had him sweating so much, water beats rolled down his exposed chest, down his stomach and


    disappearing into his trouser. Sweat beads formed on Selena¡¯s brow and her hands ached as she


    fanned Mr Simon but that was the least on her mind. Selena watched her siblings with keen interest as


    they passed the mobile phone around talking to none other than IK. Oh how she longed to hear his


    voice again. It had been so long. It was nothing but three weeks but it sure did seem like three years to


    her. Amanda and Solomonughed from time to time and Selena felt jealous. She should be at the


    receiving end of her brother¡¯s words and jokes, oh, what she¡¯d give to see her brother again¡­ Amanda


    walked up to Selena suddenly and propped the phone before her. Selena blinked. ¡°IK wants to talk to


    you¡± Selena froze, staring at the phone in Amanda¡¯s hand with confusion and fright. Mr Simon looked


    up at her. ¡°Selena? Are you not going to speak with your brother?¡± Selena stared for some seconds


    then shook her head. ¡°You don¡¯t want to talk to him?¡± Mr Simon looked as shocked as Amanda.


    Solomon didn¡¯t understand much of what was going on but Selena was sure. She wasn¡¯t going to


    speak with her brother. It was the price she was willing to pay to see her brother again. Selena shook


    her head stiffly. ¡°I don¡¯t want to speak with him¡± she muttered with a sober look. Mr Simon collected the


    phone, looking confused and put it against his ear. Selena couldn¡¯t listen, she dropped the hand fan


    and walked out of the sitting room. She really wanted to speak with her brother but she knew that


    beyond hearing his voice, she also wanted to see his face so badly. And weirdly, she had the feeling


    that starving him of her voice would make him stay alive long enough to not only hear her voice but see


    her as well. She only hoped that she wouldn¡¯t regret it¡­ she prayed that the time wouldn¡¯te when


    she wished she had savoured the sound of his voice while she had the chance. ***** Sh Dongmo


    sat in her seat, her fingers shook violently where theyy on herps as she smiled tightly at the men


    seated across from her. The silence was so deafening and Sh couldn¡¯t begin to imagine just how


    silent the graveyard would be. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t get your names¡± she muttered, breaking the silence


    with a smile frozen on her face. ¡°Our names are unimportant¡± one of the guys dropped stonily. He was


    the taller of the two guys, the one with the most frightening look and also the one Sh spotted a gun


    on. ¡°We prefer the anonymousity.¡± he finished with a small frightening smile. Sh swallowed, keeping


    her frozen smile on her face. ¡°Oh¡­ Well, be my guest, sirs, I am Peju, by the way. Would you like me


    to¡­ call my sister for you?¡± she said, stretching her hand across the table to pick her big phone. The


    eyes of the second guy snapped. ¡°No, don¡¯t. We¡¯d just wait for her. We want to¡­ surprise her¡± he


    smiled, revealing smoke coloured teeth. Sh dropped her phone, making sure that they saw her do


    that. She rxed somewhat nonchntly against the backrest of her chair, then snapped up, with an


    audible sigh. ¡°Please excuse me guys¡±, Sh¡¯s heart raced wildly as she noticed the fastening of their


    eyes on her, watching her like a hawk. ¡°I have to visit the convenience¡± she quickly exined, looking


    as casual as possible, ¡°but do make yourselffortable, I¡¯ll be back in a bit¡± She turned her back on


    them, walking towards the bathroom with her heart in her mouth. Her hands were shaking beyond


    control and she carefully kept them in front of her in order not to give herself away. Finally, she opened


    the door of the bathroom and entered, closing the door firmly behind her. She leaned against the door,


    breathing heavily with her eyes closed. Snapping her eyes open, Sh searched the inner part of her


    skirt and grabbed the small phone she hid before those men walked in. She knew who those men


    were. She needed no one to tell her before she knew that she was face to face with assassins. What


    had she ever done to anyone to warrant this? Sh swallowed as her shivering hands punched in her


    husband¡¯s number. She dialed and ced the phone agaibst her ear, turning to stare at the door as


    though she could see the assassins through it. She hopped nervously as she waited. ¡°Oh Cal¡± His


    nickname. she whispered immediately she heard her husband¡¯s voice on the other end. ¡°What¡¯s wrong,


    baby?¡± ¡°Cal, you have toe back here with your bodyguards, police, army, anything¡± she ranted as


    she started pacing the bathroom nervously. ¡°Calm down and tell me what¡¯s wrong¡± her husband


    snapped. ¡°There are two men in my office now, Cal. They look like assassins and I saw one of them


    with a gun, I am so scared Cal¡± ¡°Turn the car around¡± Mr Dongmo bellowed, obviously to his driver.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be there soon, baby, we are not so far from the za. Where are you now?¡± ¡°In the toilet¡± she


    muttered. ¡°I lied to them, they don¡¯t really know I¡¯m me¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand that but stay in the toilet


    there, lock yourself up there. Don¡¯t get out, do you hear me?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been here for a while. If I stay


    longer, they¡¯ll suspect a thing, I¡¯ll go back in. Hurry up¡± she whispered. ¡°No, Sh don¡¯t-¡± Before her


    husband could argue, she hung up. She made sure the phone was silenced before hiding it perfectly in


    the folds of her skirt. She knew her husband wouldn¡¯t agree to her going back in there but she had to


    go back. On one hand, staying back could alert the assassins that she knew something; the could


    break the bathroom door and kill her anyways or flee out of danger of being caught. She couldn¡¯t allow


    any. If anything, she needed to know who hated her so much that he wanted her dead. She pushed


    down the flush button of the toilet, took a calming breath and exited the toilet. ¡°Sorry for keeping you


    waiting¡± she murmured, smiling awkwardly. The faces of the men, if anything, looked more ferocious


    than before. Sh turned white. They couldn¡¯t have found her out, could they? Her stiff legs carried her


    to her seat just as shorter of the two guys asked her bluntly. ¡°Are you sure you are the sister? I never


    knew Mrs Dongmo had a sister¡± he was looking so impatient, angry even. ¡°I told you already, I am Peju,


    my sister is Sh. Why do you need her anyways? Whatever you want to discuss with her, you can


    also discuss with me¡± Sh tried to convey bold seriousness but she knew she was failing and they


    were disbelieving her words more by the minute. Suddenly, the door of the office opened and the men


    jumped out of their seats. Sh looked up, surprised that her husband arrived do fast but discovered


    with horror that it was her secretary. Why was she earlier? ¡°Madam¡±, the secretary ¨C Jenrayo ¨Cstared


    into the office, Sh tried her best tomunicate with her eyes but her secretary was just too


    unobservant. She looked surprised to see people in the office. ¡°I¡¯m sorry ma, I didn¡¯t know you had


    guests, someone is here to see you¡± she muttered, looking ufortable. Sh jumped out of her


    seat as the men looked from Sh¡¯s secretary to Sh, looking furious. ¡°She is Sh Dongmo¡± one of


    them barked. ¡°Yes¡± ¡°No¡± Sh and Jenrayo chorused. Oh no! I¡¯m dead. Dongmo, where are you?


    Sh yelled internally. ¡°I told you Mac, I told you she¡¯s lying.¡± The shorter guy snapped as the other


    guy brought out his gun. The secretary shrieked and tried to escape. Immediately, Mac fired a shot in


    her direction, connecting with her upper arm. Sh¡¯s scream merged with Jenrayo¡¯s as she fell on her


    face, kneeling before the guys. ¡°Please¡­ please don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t shoot¡­ don¡¯t kill me, pleeease¡± she


    cried guarding her head with her hands. ¡°Lift your head¡± Mac snapped and Sh obeyed without a


    second thought. ¡°Ehen, so you had the guts to lie to us abi?¡± ¡°Nooo¡­ Please¡­¡± ¡°You thought you are


    smart, but you cannot be smarter than death¡± he hissed through clenched teeth. ¡°I would have given


    you the chance to say yourst prayers before but you don¡¯t have that grace now. Say hi to the devil


    when you get there¡± he said smiling devilishly. ¡°No¡­ Nooooooo¡­¡± He pulled the trigger. ***** IK stared


    at his parents with a sober look on his face. ¡°Selena refused to talk to me¡± he muttered with a frown.


    Florence and bimbo were equally as stunned as IK was. Now that they thought of it, Selena hadn¡¯t


    spoken to IK ever since they left for the hospital. Could something be wrong? Selena was always


    weird, she always thought and acted older than her age demanded. ¡°I¡¯m sure she was upset over


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    something. Maybe Amanda or Solomon got her angry.¡± Florence tried to pacify IK. She didn¡¯t want


    anything to upset IK again, not now. ¡°We¡¯ll call again in the evening, I¡¯m sure she would talk to you


    then¡± bimbo added. IK shook his head. ¡°She won¡¯t¡± Florence and bimbo frowned. ¡°Why? Do you have a


    quarrel with her?¡± IK shook his head. He knew what she was doing. He knew Selena so well and he


    could tell the reason why she didn¡¯t want to speak with him. Many times, Selena had stunned him with


    her actions and this was definitely one of those times. But why on earth was she freaking wise?

 CHAPTER 28

    CHAPTER 28


    bimbo left his brother¡¯s house a little more


    lightened than he initially was. He dug his


    hand into his pocket, feeling the Naira notes


    brushing against the back of his hand. He


    pushed away the fact that his brother could


    do more than this. Surely thirty thousand


    Naira was nothing where his brother was,


    but he refused to think about that. He was


    grateful for the money he was given and


    knew that the God that brought this would


    bring the remaining. There was that


    nagging thought though. This was just


    thirty thousand Naira, where was he going


    to get the remaining two hundred and


    seventy thousand Naira?


    bimbo¡¯s tired legs moved methodically by


    the side of the road, he barely felt them


    beneath him. His feet were sore and achy,


    emitting enough heat to roast a chicken.


    The sole of his shoe announced the level of


    his tracking louder than words but bimbo


    couldn¡¯t care less.


    A bitter taste eroded his mouth as he


    remembered Jamal. bimbo had preached


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    about forgiveness more times than he could


    count, but this? No! bimbo didn¡¯t think he


    could forgive Jamal for what he did. He


    couldn¡¯t forgive Jamal for adding to his pain


    and sorrow. He couldn¡¯t forgive Jamal for


    being the cause of his current misery. He


    just couldn¡¯t. That was one of the many


    downsides to being a pastor. How could he


    be seen to be contradicting what he always


    preached about?


    bimbo pushed that thought aside and tried


    to think of another ce he could get


    money. He had been to five people before he


    put aside his pride to visit his brother;


    where could he go from here. He surely


    wasn¡¯t going to ask money from any church


    member, but the days were running out. He


    had just three days left, three days to give Mr


    Ish his money back. Yet, IK was


    still in the hospital. He needed money. He


    needed money especially now that they had


    taken him to a very expensive hospital.


    Money was needed now more than ever.


    Yes, Mrs Dongmo had asked them not to worry


    about anything but bimbo couldn¡¯t just sit


    back while someone else took charge of


    what was his responsibility. Nothing


    frustrates a man more than his inability to


    help those he love.


    A car horn red and bimbo jerked out of


    his reverie, letting out a loud yelp as his leg


    slipped into the deep gutter by the road


    side, causing him to lose bnce and tilt


    dangerously towards the gutter. A passerby


    grabbed his hand almost instantly, pulling


    him out of the gutter before he fell face first


    into it.


    ¡°Are you okay, Sir?¡± he asked bewildered,


    looking at bimbo with concern.


    bimbo nodded. His leg hurt so much, it was


    almost unbearable. ¡°Thank you¡± bimbo


    murmured as the guy turned to leave. He


    stared down at his leg and saw a small dash


    by the side of his leg. bimbo moved away


    from the road and leaned against the fence


    of a building to recoup his strength. His


    phone rang and he quickly removed it from


    his pocket.


    ¡°Hello¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Hello Pastor, It is Brother Isaac, please


    where are you, sir?¡±


    ¡°Hope there¡¯s no problem sir¡± bimbo asked.


    God just healed Brother Isaac¡¯s daughter,


    surely she was fine now.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir, everything is fine. I just want to


    give you something.¡±


    bimbo reminisced on it briefly. ¡°Okay. I¡¯m


    not so far from your house, I¡¯d juste


    there¡± he said finally.


    ¡°Oh, thank you sir; I¡¯ll be waiting¡±


    bimbo dropped his phone in his pocket


    and took a cleansing breath. His foot,


    though sore, felt better now. Pushing away


    from the fence, he made for Brother Isaac¡¯s


    house.

 CHAPTER 29

    CHAPTER 29


    Mrs Dongmo stared at the DPO in stunned


    disbelief. Her husband, seated right next to


    her was also shocked beyond words. ¡°No,


    I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a mistake somewhere¡± she


    murmured. ¡°I mean¡­ You can¡¯t be serious¡±


    She muttered, looking stunned.


    The DPO shrugged his shoulder.


    ¡°Unfortunately, I am ma¡¯am¡± he looked


    towards the door and yelled. ¡°Bring her in¡±


    Sh stared at her husband, still finding it


    hard to believe that Glory wanted her


    dead. It had been four days since the


    incident at her office and yet Sh couldn¡¯t


    get the incident off her head. After waiting


    in stunned silence for about a minute, the


    door of the office opened and Sh turned


    as a police officer pushed Glory into the


    office. Sh stood up slowly, her mouth


    slightly agape as she stared in shock at


    Glory. Glory had been Sh¡¯s friend for


    so long. They were so close, even got


    married in the same church¡­ But where


    Sh was rich, Glory was poor. While Sh


    got married to a wealthy politician, Glory


    married a struggling entrepreneur. Sh ¨C as


    always ¨C took it upon herself to change this,


    by setting Glory up in a business. She


    initially wanted them to work together in


    her za with Glory as her assistant, but


    her husband had warned her against it. She


    never knew a day woulde when she


    would be eternally grateful for not doing


    that.


    Sh had instead opened a boutique for


    Glory and furnished it perfectly; even at


    that, Glory still always asked her for money


    every now and then and Sh never


    hesitated in giving her until¡­


    ¡°Glory¡± Sh gasped out, staring at the


    battered face of her friend. Her face was


    swollen from severe beating and torture.


    ¡°Glory, you? You sent assassins to kill


    me?¡± Glory couldn¡¯t meet her eyes as she


    looked at the ground. ¡°How could you? How


    could you, Glory?¡± Sh yelled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± Glory said unevenly, the swell


    in her mouth muffled her voice as she


    winced painfully.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re sorry ehn? If you had seeded


    in killing me, I¡¯m sure you¡¯d be passing your


    ¡®sorry¡¯ condolences to my family by now,


    isn¡¯t it?¡± Sh yelled.


    ¡°Calm down, baby¡± Mr Dongmo said calmly.


    Sh ignored him. ¡°I¡¯ve dedicated my life to


    making you better; what did I not do for


    you? Yet, you sent assassins to kill me¡­¡±


    Sh shook her head. ¡°Is it because of our


    little fight? Because you asked me for money


    some weeks back and I refused?¡±


    ¡°She asked you for money?¡± Comprehension


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    dawned on the DPO as he stared at the


    scene in front of him.


    Sh turned to the DPO furiously. ¡°She came


    to me about three weeks ago and asked for


    five hundred thousand Naira. I refused. How


    could I? I don¡¯t pluck money from trees, do


    I? I opened a boutique from her but despite


    that, she¡¯d alwayse to me for money.¡±


    ¡°Interesting¡± The DPO said, running his


    fingers around his stubble.


    ¡°I always gave it to her but thatst time, I


    refused because I expect her to be


    financially stable by now.¡± Sh continued.


    ¡°How was I to know that she¡¯d go as far as


    hiring people to take my life?¡± Sh¡¯s eyes


    were aze as she red at Glory.


    ¡°I¡­ I am sorry¡­ Sh¡­ Please forgive me¡±


    Glory fell on her knees, crawling towards


    Sh. Sh scrambled out of reach.


    ¡°Please get her out of here¡± Mr Dongmo said


    forcefully and the DPO nodded at the


    policeman standing by. Glory was dragged


    out of the office pleading and crying. Sh


    could hear the furious undertone in Dongmo¡¯s


    voice when he spoke. He could keep calm in


    the face of a storm and that was what Sh


    loved most about her husband. ¡°Come here,


    baby¡±


    Sh stared at the closed door and exhaled


    deeply, wishing she could release all the


    anger she was feeling as she moved closer


    to Dongmo, sitting beside him again. He


    squeezed herp lightly, in aforting


    manner as he looked directly at the DPO. ¡°I


    want this case charged to court as soon as


    possible. She has to pay dearly for this.¡±


    ¡°She can¡¯t escape it. I am just d she is


    being charged for attempted murder and


    not murder.¡± the DPO smiled at Sh. ¡°You


    really handled the situation well before the


    police arrived.¡±


    Sh shook her head as her eyes turned


    thoughtful. ¡°Believe me sir, I am not the one


    who deserves the credit¡±

 CHAPTER 30

    CHAPTER 30


    Selena jerked up from the bed, breathing


    heavily. ¡°IK¡± she muttered into the empty


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    room. Sweat covered her forehead, slipping


    down her face as she blinked continuously.


    She never dreamt during the day, this would


    be the first. She almost never dreamt to start


    with. ¡°No, IK¡± she muttered as tears


    sprung to her eyes. No. She wasn¡¯t going to


    cry because her brother was surely not


    dying.


    Selena climbed down from the bed, her


    small feet making contact with the cold


    floor. She shivered, feeling intense fear in


    her heart for the first time. Selena had heard


    several times in church that God hears the


    prayers of children. And though she was the


    daughter of a pastor, she never really prayed


    a serious prayer on her own. It was time to


    test that theory.


    She bent her knees and knelt by her bed,


    bracing her hands on the soft mattress and


    for the first time, Selena really prayed.

 CHAPTER 31

    CHAPTER 31


    Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, days to weeks¡­ Selena knew the sound


    of silence. It is the loud echo of nothingness which deafens the ears even when there are voices all


    around. There was a stabbing pain in her little heart that wouldn¡¯t go away, no matter how hard she


    tried. She should have talked to him when she had the chance. She should have told him how much he


    meant to her; definitely should have told him that she loved him so much. She should have been there,


    been there with him in the hospital, holding his hand as he grabbed ferociously onto the reins keeping


    him alive. She should have been the cord that held him together; she should have been his anchor¡­


    like he had been to her, her whole life.


    IK was the one who always understood her. Even when others misunderstood her and probably


    thought her a bit weird, IK was the one person who could tell what she was thinking. He defended her


    even against their parents when she was about to be punished for doing something wrong. Still¡­ she


    wasn¡¯t there for him when he needed her the most. She wasn¡¯t with him, and when he begged to speak


    with her, she had refused. Her reasons for not speaking to him seemed senseless now. He had


    begged, God knows he begged to hear her voice, and yet¡­ and yet¡­


    Selena bit hard on her lips, as she filled herself from crying. That unconscious act probably runs in the


    family. She blinked severally times as she watched Amanda and Solomon y a bit sluggishly in the


    her nine years old self. She was growing up but maybe that wasn¡¯t a good thing. If she was to be


    granted one wish, she will she¡¯d be as young and naive as Solomon was, maybe that way, she won¡¯t


    feel this pain anymore.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing it again¡±


    Selena jerked out of her reverie and turned to the watchful gaze of Mrs Simon. The beans they were


    obviously picking was poised between them, in a fairly round tray. A bit was suspended in her small


    palm, only God knows how long it had been there.


    ¡°Sorry ma¡± Selena said shortly.


    Mrs Simon let out an exasperated breath as she dropped a palm full of picked beans into a bowl. She


    fastened her eyes on Selena who had her eyes on her palm, picking out chaff from the beans. ¡°Selena,


    you are too young for this. You need to stop worrying so much¡±


    Selena blinked, pouring the beans into the bowl without a word.


    Mrs Simon sighed, put her hand under Selena¡¯s chin and raised her head till the girl was looking at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure your brother is fine¡±


    Selena pulled her head away gently as she fastened her eyes on the beans, obviously to hide the pain


    in her eyes. ¡°No, he¡¯s not¡±


    Mrs Simon gasped. ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Selena¡± This was the first time Selena was actually saying that.


    Selena¡¯s eyes snapped up. ¡°You know it is true¡± her eyes watered. ¡°You know it. We have not heard


    from him or my parents for several weeks now. No calls, daddy hasn¡¯t evene visiting like he used


    to.¡± she dropped the beans in her hand, her eyes shing. ¡°Obviously¡­ IK¡­¡± she bloke off, unable to


    continue. ¡°¡­ it has happened and they don¡¯t know how to tell us¡±


    Mrs Simon stared at the little girl withpassion. ¡°Nothing has happened¡± still she couldn¡¯t deny that


    not hearing from the Onaje for so long was really weird.


    Selena stared into the older woman¡¯s eyes, reading it as surely as she¡¯d read a book. ¡°You don¡¯t


    believe it yourself¡±


    It¡¯s no use lying to Selena, Mrs Simon had learnt this quickly. The girl might be so young but she surely


    had a mature mind. The only thing that could work is tact, a child would always be a child. ¡°Okay,


    Selena¡­ I admit I am also very worried¡± she leaned forward,ing at level head with Selena, ¡°but we


    can¡¯t afford to give our hopes up. We have to merge our faith if IK would be fine again, I have told you


    this, right?¡±


    Selena¡¯s eyes watered so much, Mrs Simon thought she¡¯d actually cry for the first time. ¡°I¡¯m so


    scared¡­ What if¡­ What if he¡­¡±


    Mrs Simon watched Selena struggle with tears, feeling bad for the girl. She so wanted the tears to win,


    Selena badly needed to let the tears out, it might help sooth the pain she was feeling. ¡°You can cry,


    Selena¡±


    Selena froze, seeming to realise that she was actually on the verge of tears. She blinked back furiously,


    rubbing the moisture that managed to slip past her steelshes. ¡°No, I can¡¯t cry.¡± she cleared her throat,


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    picking the beans again. ¡°Crying means something bad has truly happened¡± she choked out


    Oh, so there¡¯s hope there after all. ¡°Come. Come give me a hug¡±

 CHAPTER 33

    CHAPTER 33


    Selena hesitated for a brief moment, then went ahead to hug the older woman. Who would have


    thought she and Mrs Simon would actually get along after all that happened. But it seemed people are


    not averse to change. Mrs Simon had changed drastically since her husband reprimanded her, and


    slowly, she had tried her best to work her way back to the hearts of the children. For Amanda and


    Solomon, it was pretty easy. A few gifts here and there and she was the queen of the world in their


    hearts. Selena had required a lot more but Mrs Simon, ready to .make up for her mistakes had been


    patient. Selena loved cooking, Mrs Simon had realised and harnessed that, teaching her how to cook


    and creating a motherly atmosphere around her. It had kept Selena¡¯s mind busy ¨C which was a good


    thing ¨C and also won her the little girl¡¯s heart. Mrs Simon and Selena were inseparable now as Mrs


    Simon became a mother and a friend.


    Selena was just pulling out of the much needed hug when she heard the shrill.


    ¡°Daddy¡±


    Selena spun so fast as her siblings ran towards the towering figure of her father, seeing as he scooped


    up Amanda and Solomon into .his strong arms. Selena blinked severally. ¡°Dad?¡± she ran forward, as


    she also gave her father a hug. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. She was so happy to see


    her father after several weeks but she was also scared, really scared. She couldn¡¯t tell if this was a


    good development of a bad one¡­ a very bad one.


    Selena tried her best to hide her anxiety and put a smile on her face as her father squatted before them


    but for the first time, her feelings were not easily masked.


    bimbo saw the anxiety in the face of his children and his heart broke. Tears were not an easy thing for a


    man but bimbo has been doing a lot of that this past few days and weeks. ¡°How are you children? I¡¯ve


    missed you all so much¡± he put a big smile on his face for the sake of his children.


    ¡°You didn¡¯te to visit us¡± Amanda used instantly as Solomon stayed poised in his father¡¯s arms.


    Mr and Mrs Simon watched the children silently from a distance.


    bimbo rubbed his hand on Amanda¡¯s cheek, smiling softly at them all. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but now, we are going


    together¡±


    Everyone¡¯s eyes shed with delight. ¡°I¡¯ll see mummy?¡± Solomon mouthed.


    bimbo grinned at the baby of the house. ¡°Yes, Solomon, you¡¯d all she mummy¡±


    ¡°And IK?¡± Selena asked pensively. Everything depended on this question.


    bimbo stared at his eldest daughter for a second, then nodded. ¡°Yes, Selena, and IK¡±


    Selena stared at her father. She couldn¡¯t read his face the racing of her heart had pretty much engulfed


    her senses. IK is alive! ¡°He is better now?¡± she mouthed again. There was something she couldn¡¯t read


    in her father¡¯s face. Surely, she was imagining it and over thinking things like Mrs Simon said she does.


    But why was he much quieter than his usually quiet self?


    bimbo smiled widely. ¡°He is alright now¡±


    Undiluted happiness filled Selena. Surely her instincts were wrong. Her father couldn¡¯t lie; he had never


    lied to her before. ¡°Alright kids, why don¡¯t you go pack some we can get going¡±


    In a sh, Selena and her siblings dashed into the house. Mrs Simon turned. ¡°I¡¯d help them pack¡± she


    mouthed, leaving the two men alone. They surely had much to talk about. Weirdly, Mrs Simon was sad


    thinking she¡¯d not be seeing the children again. Despite her initial reception, the children had grown on


    her till she developed deep affection and love for them; she was probably missing her own children too


    much.


    Mrs Simon helped the children pack and watched them fuse their clothes into bags carelessly, too


    impatient to worry about folding them. Selena had never looked to do excited and enthusiastic. Mrs


    Simon hoped to God that their hopes were not bashed. She hoped bimbo told the children the truth.


    *****


    The taxi wasn¡¯t moving fast enough. It didn¡¯t look like they were going to their house. bimbo had told


    them that they were going to another house but it seemed so far away. As long as IK and their mother


    was there, the children couldn¡¯t ask for anything more.


    Selena took her eyes from the road, turning away from the window. Herrge eyes met her dad¡¯s as


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    she asked for the umpteenth time. ¡°How much longer?¡±


    bimbo smiled and repeated what he had been saying over and over again. ¡°We would be there soon¡±


    Selena sighed lightly, turning back to the window. She continued her daydream of what she¡¯d tell IK.


    And what he¡¯d tell her. She just wanted to see his face and hear his voice. He¡¯d be so shocked when


    she told him that she could cook now¡­ that she could cook so many things. Selena smiled to herself in


    anticipation, already envisioning his stunned face. She doubted she¡¯d be able to catch a whim of sleep


    tonight.


    She stared at the road again, it never seemed to end, she thought with a frown. Patience. Patience!


    Finally, after a few prolonged minutes, the taxi pulled off the road and into argepound, with tall


    buildings. The ce was beautiful. Way more beautiful than their former apartment, this ce looked


    like it¡¯s meant only for the rich.


    Selena started towards the first staircase she saw.


    ¡°Selena, won¡¯t you carry your bags?¡± bimbo called.


    Selena nodded and backtracked hastily. She grabbed two small bags from the trunk of the taxi as


    bimbo handled the rest. bimbo led the way, followed closely by Amanda and Solomon. Selena trailed


    behind them.


    Suddenly, she became apprehensive. What would she say to IK first. She had never premeditated


    words with her brother, but now, she was suddenly feeling shy. It¡¯s been months. What if her brother


    wasn¡¯t how she remembered him to be? What if he had changed? Selena sighed. Well, she¡¯d just have


    to see for herself, wouldn¡¯t she?


    They arrived at a door and bimbo put down the bags on one hand to push open the door. The children


    stared at the door as it pushed open, unconsciously holding their breaths for whateverid ahead.


    *****


    ¡°Mummy!!!¡±


    The children ran into the waiting arms of their mother. Florence knelt down on the rug of the moderately


    extreme happiness. ¡°Oh¡­ My babies¡± It was like nothing she had ever felt before. It was pure bliss.


    The distance could have pulled them apart but instead, it brought them closer than they were before.


    Florence pulled back, inspecting them to see if they held up well. She never wanted them away from


    her again, not even for a minute.


    ¡°Mummy missed all of you, so much¡­ so so much¡± she muttered.


    ¡°I missed you too, mummy¡±, the children murmured simultaneously. Amanda and Solomon wiped at the


    tears in their mother¡¯s eyes as Florence wiped at their.


    The children¡¯s eyes started going round almost instantly. Something wasn¡¯t right. Someone was


    missing¡­


    ¡°Where is IK?¡± Selena mouthed the unspoken question as she shrugged out of her mother¡¯s arms,


    looking around, wildly. Her heart raced fast.


    ¡°Selena¡­¡± bimbo began.


    ¡°Where is IK?¡± she cried, her voice rang out in the room as she stared at every corner, only seeing


    walls and doors. ¡°You said he is here!¡± she screamed at her father. ¡°you said he is here with mummy¡±


    this time, Selena couldn¡¯t control the tears that filled her eyes and spilled over for the very first time.


    ¡°Selena¡­ honey, calm down¡± Florence gasped out. Amanda and Solomon looked on in confusion as


    they started tearing up also.


    ¡°No!¡± Selena yelled. ¡°I want to see IK! I want-¡±


    ¡°Love¡±


    Selena froze in ce as that voice that she knew so well beckoned. The voice that belonged to only


    one person.


    ¡°IK!¡± Amanda and Solomon squealed as they ran in one direction.


    Selena turned around slowly as her eyes connected with the one person she really wanted to see. He


    was smiling in that familiar way she knew so well as he bent fractionally, lifting Solomon into his arms,


    while holding Amanda by the side. They were all smiles and less words, as they reminisced in the


    reunion of the family. IK lifted his smiling gaze till it connected with Selena¡¯s.


    ¡°IK¡± she gasped out. And for a weirdly unknown reason, Selena started crying. And once the tears


    started, they never seemed to stop. It wasn¡¯t what she had imagined their reunion to be, she surely


    hadn¡¯t thought she¡¯d be crying like Solomon ¨Clike a kid. But she was ¡®still¡¯ a kid and for once, she was


    d about it.

 CHAPTER 34

    CHAPTER 34


    After the stormes the calm. The wind normalizes, blowing gently across the earth, swaying trees


    and grasses as they dance seductively to celebrate the return of normalcy. The dark clouds shift,


    revealing clear skies, a mockery of its former state. Still, the havoc the storm wrecked remains fresh in


    the minds of all. The grounds are wet and water flows in torrents in gutters and canals.


    Selena looked at the darkened sky from the veranda of their new apartment. Stars littered the sky,


    some bright, some dim. She exhaled. A movement behind her made her turn.


    IK smiled at Selena as he joined her at the railings. He brushed aside her hand gently so he could see


    her face. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be out here alone¡±


    ¡°I know¡± Selena answered shortly, staring at nothing in particr. Then she looked up at her brother. ¡°I


    was scared, IK¡­ I thought I¡¯d never see you again¡±


    IK was silent for a while, seeming lost in thought. ¡°Me too, Love¡±


    ¡°I should have been with you¡±


    ¡°Maybe I wouldn¡¯t be here if you were¡± IK countered.


    Selena blinked, looking away. ¡°I should have spoken to you¡±


    ¡°Maybe I wouldn¡¯t be here if you had¡±


    Selena opened her mouth and closed it. ¡°What happened IK? Everyone stopped calling, we thought¡­¡±


    IK breathed. ¡°I was flown out of the country¡±


    Selena¡¯s eyes shed with curiosity. ¡°You went to America?¡±


    IK nodded, grinning. ¡°With mummy and daddy¡± He hadn¡¯t felt the thrill of it then though, he had spent all


    the time in the hospital. It was a terribly painful time, thinking he was alive now was nothing short of a


    miracle. ¡°Mrs Dongmo paid all the expenses¡±


    ¡°Who is Mrs Dongmo?¡±


    IK smiled. ¡°You¡¯d meet her soon, and Doctor Wunmi¡±


    Selena frowned, she hated not knowing something. ¡°But you are okay now?¡±


    IK nodded with a sincere smile. ¡°Yes, Love, I am fine now¡±


    Florence stood a few paces away, concealed by the curtain as she watched her two eldest children.


    She wiped at her tears, her heart bubbling over with joy and gratitude to God. She had missed sights


    like these ¨C her children together, happy and without fears. She watched Selenaunch into tales of the


    past weeks. She watched theirughter, feeling bubbles of happiness envelope her insides. She had


    thought it impossible to have this again, she had thought her son couldn¡¯t live again, she had thought


    their family couldn¡¯t beplete and happy again, but here they stood, the storm had passed and they


    were still standing, their bond even stronger than before. They had learnt to be grateful for the


    challenges life brought their way because it made them stronger.


    Florence stepped into the veranda. ¡°Okay kids, time for bed¡±


    For once, Florence noted that Selena didn¡¯t argue about not being a kid. She smiled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Love¡± IK held his sister¡¯s hand and together, they walked into the house. Florence smiled, her


    heart full of happiness as she walked in behind them.


    They never heard of Jamal again. No one saw him, heard from him or even knew what happened to


    him. bimbo and the family were forced to forgive Jamal in their hearts because unforgiveness has a


    way of turning around to hurt the offended.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Ironically, Mr Ish grew to be a really wealthy businessman but he lost what was more important and


    couldn¡¯t be bought with money ¨Cfamily. But after all said and done, the Onaje were grateful for the


    journey they¡¯d been through, they were grateful for the flowers found amongst thorns, the ones who


    made life a bit more bearable as they journeyed through the wilderness. And they knew that whenever


    life brings a starless nights, they¡¯d fight through together, knowing that afterwardses the dawn of a


    bright new day.


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