(EPISODE 5 ) MY WEDDING NIGHT

seriously i dont think things that happened when we were dating has anything to do with his death, believe me i said slowly.
The officer simply folded his hands and breathed deeply.
Nothing is hidden under the sun for long. Sooner or later i
still will find out, so i believe its in your best interest to tell me all I need to know he pushed with a smile.
I battled with myself one more time before making up my mind to open up.
Damian was stealing from the company. He was doing it with a colleague in the records department. I found out
about the whole deal three weeks into our relationship but couldnt do anything apart from confront
 him. He ended up convincing me to keep quiet, equally promising to marry and take me to his home country. His plan was to get me established over there. I was a woman in love with a whole lot to gain. Of course I kept quiet and helped him steal more. He kept
his word and married me, only to die before fulfilling the last part of his promise. Now what has that got with his death?? I poured out with tears.
And the colleague in question, do you think he has a hand in his death? he asked curiously.
Of course not, they had seperate accounts and divided proceeds evenly. No he is much more valuable alive than dead to the man I answered seriously.
well in a murder case we dont rule out any possibility until the crime is solved. I admire your honesty. You bravely confessed being an accomplice to another crime.
I appreciate and will keep my promise by watching your back. It should interest you to know that your husband might have been murdered in his garden, we saw some drops of blood down there, which now gives us two crime scenes he said while i gasped with shock.
yea Damian loved smoking and probably went to the garden to heat off while i slept, but how the hell did he get back to the bed, if he was killed in there? I asked with disbelief.
its time to go to your cell my dear. Ill permit you to keep your phone. Just pray something new never comes out to incriminate you further, as for now the latest  discovery works on your side he added with a cold smile, got up and led me to a quiet cell where I had the most terrifying night ever.
I kept seeing my dead husband all through that night. Oh it was one nasty experience.
Dear friends, I spent the second night after my wedding in a police cell. What can be more horrible than such.
Hmmm

TO BE CONTINUED....

(EPISODE 3) MY WEDDING NIGHT

As soon as i got to the police station, I called my elder brother who couldn’t believe all i told him. “hold on tight my dear. I’ll be there shortly” he assured me. I was quickly led to an office where i was asked to write a statement, which i nervously did while Damian’s two cousins who came with me kept talking to each other.
After writing all i knew on the note book, a female officer showed up to question me. I tried my best to convince her. “just look at me. How possible do you think a Nigerian girl would murder a husband taking her out of the country to celebrate their marriage?. I didn’t do it. One of them did. You got to help me” i begged. She shrugged and shook her head. “of course i believe you. You have no reason to kill him but you see i’m just an ordinary officer taking orders from my superiors, anyway i believe my boss. S.P Jeremiah will know how to handle your case. He’s a good man and a crime expert” she assured me. My brother showed up minutes later with his Lawyer who quickly took over my case. I told them all i knew and the events that happened after i discovered the dead body. My brother was totally shocked. “don’t worry my dear. I know this is going to be a tough case. I smell the American Embassy getting involved but be rest assured that i will go any length to prove your innocence, even if it means getting experts from abroad. I have friends who can examine the case and get results” he
promised seriously. I breathed deeply and hugged him, thanking God for giving me a wealthy and intelligent brother.
Officer Jeremiah soon showed up at his office and requested for our presence. Damian’s cousins officially accused me before him, asking that i should be detained but my brother’s lawyer intervened quickly. “officer i hope you know everyone that passed the night in that house is a suspect?. They all had access to the bedroom, anyone of them could have committed the crime. If you guys are going to detain my client without proper evidence and reason. You equally should detain all the people present that night, else i will be the person to file a lawsuit against the police, after all none of them can come forward to testify seeing my client murder her husband” the lawyer threatened, putting the officer in a tight position. “fine i’m not going to detain her, but you will have to sign a document which places her in your custody. This is a murder case” the officer said strongly, while my brother’s lawyer nodded in acceptance, Damian’s cousins protested. The document was signed in no time and i was free to go. “we are also getting a court permit which will enable us get our own team of investigators and go through the case. We are not going to take any chances” my lawyer said to the officer who shrugged and smiled. “this is bullshit, we are heading to th embassy” Damian’s cousins threatened and left with anger. It was obvious i had. long case ahead of me. Luckily i had a brother who equally had the means to defend me and catch the culprit…. What next?!..... To be continued........ In episode 4

(Episode13) JUMAI

was falling into place now for Baban. The men on kulunix were doing exactly what he wanted; maybe a little more. Soldiers had been killed and a few of the men had been killed but it was getting attention from the government. But he knew it was just for the meantime, this needed to be the beginning of many more attacks. He had leaked a few pictures and videos to reporters and a few people were talking about the ongoing incident. He needed more than a few people, he needed the whole nation talking about these new terrorists. He needed men who would pay to have his drug and his sponsors needed the government to buy weapons. Everything was good except for one missing man; Doctor Coker.
Where the hell was he? He had alerted his sponsors and they had put a flag on his name so he could not leave the country.
Dongo had just returned from his house and from the look on his face he could tell he didn’t have great news.
“What did you find?” Baban asked Dongo.
“Nothing?” Dongo said.
“What do you mean you found nothing?”
“I didn’t find Coker or his family.”
“They are gone?”
“That’s the crazy thing, it doesn’t look they’ve gone anywhere. Their car is still in the driveway, their passports are all in place, ATM cards too.”
“I don’t understand.” Baban said.
He really didn’t. If Coker didn’t take anything there was no way he could escape. Except he had help.
“Sir,” Dongo said. “Do you know where he could be?”
“If I knew where he was would I be here worrying?”
He paused then said. “Maybe your friends do.”
Baban raised his eyebrows. “Friends?”
“Yes sir. The general and his friends. They know all about this project and seeing what is happening now they must see how profitable it is.”
“Yes of course they see how profitable it is, that’s why we’re in business.”
“What if they wanted to eliminate the middle man and want the drug for themselves?”
Baban stood and began to pace. “There’s no way they would do that; they won’t betray me like that. They get their profit from their gun sales and I handle the drugs; that was our deal.”
“And you think they won’t stab you in the back if they get the chance?”
Baban shook his head, there was no way they would do that to him. He was the one that brought them this business in the first place, why would they steal from him? Money! They would do anything for money and so would he.
If their plan was to hurt him, he would hurt them first.
“Can you find out for sure if they have Coker?” Baban asked.
“I’m already on it.”
He had to make plans now he had the chance. He knew General Babatunde was smart and wouldn’t waste time in putting a mark on him once they decided he wasn’t of use anymore. And there was Fauziat whom the General had already threatened already. All of a sudden things didn’t look so good anymore.
“Sir, there’s also the problem of the girl we have here and Mark who we haven’t found yet.” Dongo said.
Baban slammed his hand on the table. There was only so much his brain could attend to at once.
“I don’t need the girl anymore, I have more problems.” Baban said.
“And Mark?”
“He doesn’t know anything or he would have said something by now.”
Dongo turned to leave. “Do you want me to take care of the girl?”
“No, I will do it myself.”
He had started the day with hope but just one conversation was sending his day spiralling to hell. I am a warrior! He wasn’t where he was but crumbling under problems, he would solve it all one by one. Starting with killing the girl.

***
The car spluttered again and the engine went off. Mark knew the car wasn’t coming back to life this time around, there was no point pushing it. He beckoned to Mohammed and they exited the car. He stuffed his pocket with the kulunix the Indian Baban had forced him to take and Mohammed carried the flask containing the antidote the doctor had given him. He cast a final look at the car and they began to walk towards the camp.
He expected to meet soldiers on the way but they were not at their posts. He could see the camp ahead; everything looked the same but something was strange about what he was looking at. It did not matter now that he knew who was holding Jumai and who was behind what happened with Sule. He closed his eyes and shook off the thought of Professor Tanko’s smiling face as he made promises to help WAAP.
“Uncle look!” Mohammed shouted and pointed.
Mark looked at the direction Mohammed’s finger was pointed to, on the floor a few feet off the road a man lay prostrate on the floor. Mark ran up to the man and knelt beside him. He checked the man’s pulse, he was dead. He looked exactly like the man he and Jumai had found behind one the buildings. This was kulunix. Was there an outbreak on the camp?
“Let’s hurry Mohammed.” Mark said.
They ran as fast as they could to the camp. As soon as they entered the camp Mark knew something major was wrong. He looked around and saw similar sights like they had seen on the way; bodies laid prostrate on the floor. There was a chance some of them were not dead but he couldn’t do much on his own, he needed help.
He ran towards the office area. If there was an outbreak of kulunix, there was a good chance that the staff were dead. He swallowed at the thought.
He turned around a corner and stopped! It looked like a full battle had just finished here. There were dead bodies lying on the floor; soldiers and men from the camp. Mark’s blood boiled at the sight. What had Professor Tanko done? This wasn’t just about Jumai, the man had killed men just to test run a drug? There were still a few men running around the offices, it was obvious they were on Kulunix. It was possible there were people locked inside those buildings or maybe they had escaped. He had to do something about this.
He removed his phone and took a few pictures and uploaded them online; it was time to expose Professor Tanko.
He tagged the first picture; ‘This is what this man would do to test run a drug.’
He tagged a few online newspapers but he knew it wouldn’t catch on until he mentioned who the ‘man’ was. Professor Tanko had Jumai, it was not smart to give up all his leverage.
He uploaded more pictures telling the story but not mentioning the name. One of the newspapers sent him a message privately, they wanted to know who the man was. He shook his head, he still had to save Jumai.
He scrolled through his contacts and stopped on Professor Tanko’s number. He dialled the number.
“Mister Mark, where have you been? We have been worried.” Professor Tanko said as soon as he answered the call.
“Professor, you can drop the act, I know who you are and what you are doing, Baban.”
The professor stayed quiet for a few seconds then said, his voice very cold. “If you know who I am then you will know I have Jumai and I am very dangerous.”
“Is she okay?” Mark asked, fear getting the better of him.
“She is okay, for now. You do anything stupid and she is dead.”
“Oh yeah, that’s what I called about. I have started talking about you to the press but I haven’t mentioned your name but I can’t keep that secret very long.”
“I already told you, don’t do anything stupid.”
“Release Jumai and you have my word I won’t be giving the newspapers already calling me your name.”
“I can arrange that.”
“And on time because these newspapers are already mounting pressure.”
“I’m one hour away from the camp.” Professor Tanko said. “I will come with Jumai and you will hand over all you have on me. Do we have a deal?”
Mark nodded. “Yes we do.” He ended the call.
Mark looked at his watch, he had one hour to make a plan that will leave him alive. He knew Professor Tanko was lying, there was no way he would hand over Jumai and let him go with the knowledge that he had. In truth he didn’t have hard evidence against Professor Tanko, but he could get his evidence. If he could get news men secretly filming the exchange, he would have evidence that Professor Tanko kidnapped Jumai and that way he would survive. The Professor would not want to worsen his case by killing him on camera. Hopefully he wouldn’t.
He had a lot of calls to make. He hoped he could get the cameras here before one hour. More importantly he hoped he would still be alive in one hour.

***
“How far out are you?” Baban asked.
“Just ten minutes.” Dongo’s reply came over the phone.
“If you don’t pick him up please don’t come back here. I want him alive in case he has told someone else. But if taking him alive will allow him escape then by all means put a bullet in his head. I want him here in thirty minutes, dead or alive.”
He ended the call and smiled. The small fool threatened him? He was already dealing with threats before the boy was born. Once the boy was here, he could die next to his girlfriend. That was the second problem almost solved. Now he had to think of what to do with his back-stabbing partners.
The door opened and General Babatunde happened.
“Speak of the Devil.” Baban mumbled.
“What did you say?” General Babatunde asked.
Baban faked his best smile. “I wasn’t expecting you here today General.”
“Forget the niceties, we know what you’re doing and it’s not going to work.”
“What are you talking about?” Baban asked, he was truly confused.
“Your doctor, he suddenly fell off the radar now when his creation is finally working, coincidence?”
“What?”
“You cannot hide him for long. What would you tell us? He escaped? He’s dead?”
“What is this? Some sort of reverse thing? You have my scientist and now you accuse me of hiding him?”
General Babatunde laughed. “So that’s the angle you want to play? We have him? For what?”
“So you can have all the business. If you have the scientist, you don’t need me.”
“Hmm, that is actually very true. When we find the scientist, we will kill you and we will have all the business.”
“Are you saying…?”
Their phones rang at the same time, stopping Baban in the middle of his question. General Babatunde walked to a corner of the room and answered his call.
Baban answered his.
“Dongo, do you have him?”
“Yes sir, I do.”
Baban sighed, finally. “Is he alive?”
“Yes he is, a little unconscious though.”
“A little unconscious? What does that even…never mind. Get here fast!”
Baban ended his call and saw the general staring at him.
“Who is Mark Ademola?” General Babatunde.
“He’s nobody. He works for the charity people. Why do you ask?”
“Well, your ‘nobody’ is getting attention on social media telling people about a certain man testing drugs in IDP camps.”
“What?” The bastard. “Did he mention my name?”
“I’m not your press secretary. The important question is, did you know about him and did nothing about it? Or is this part of your plan to deceive us?”
“My guy is bringing the boy in now. He’s not a problem to you or to me.” Baban said. “And about the doctor, I don’t have him. I actually thought you did.”
The door opened and Dongo pushed Mark in, gagged, hands tied and blindfolded.
“That was so fast.” Baban said.
“This is the boy?” General Babatunde asked.
The general looked Mark over then removed his blindfold and gag.
“How did he find out about you?” General Babatunde asked.
“I don’t know.”
“He found Doctor Coker.” Dongo said.
“What?”
“He has a very low threshold for pain, he told me everything before I landed the second punch.” Dongo said.
“Where is Coker?” General Babatunde asked.
“He doesn’t know for sure but I can find him.” Dongo replied.
“Okay then. We have the boy, we will have Coker soon and the government is already interested in talking to us.” General Babatunde said then turned to Baban. “I think your work is done.”
“What?” Baban knew what that statement meant but there was no way General Babatunde would kill him in his own place, surrounded by his own men.
“Face it Tanko, you are of no use anymore. You are actually a liability right now.”
Baban laughed nervously. “You will kill me here? Among my men?”
General Babatunde smiled and turned around. “Soldier, handle this, will you?”
Soldier? Baban looked around and turned on time to see Dongo point the gun to his head. No way!
“Dongo, you? You are my right hand man, we made plans together.”
“I’m sorry, I have my orders.”
The door opened as the general walked out and Baban saw the number of men outside, there was no way out of this for him.
“Dongo, please I have…”
The gunshot rang through the room and Baban’s body fell at Mark’s feet.

***
Mark crashed into the room and for a few seconds he kept his face on the ground. He was dead for sure now. They had not hesitated to kill Professor Tanko who he assumed was the person to fight all along, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. He was stupid, so stupid. He shouldn’t have been caught. Now he was going to die, so would Jumai and the poor doctor and his family. He was so stupid.
He felt a touch on his back and he flinched.
“Mark?”
He raised his head. “Jumai?”
He hugged her tight and held her for what looked like an eternity but still it wasn’t enough. He was never going to let her go. The men who would kill her would have to pry her away from his dead cold hands.
“Mark?” Jumai gently released herself from his hug.
“Are you okay?” Mark asked, looking her over.
“Hmhmm.” She said, tears forming in her eyes.
He pulled her closer and rocked her. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
They sat in silence for about five minutes. Mark wondered why this had happened to him of all people. His life was simple. He helped people for a living and now most of the people he had spent his time helping were dead or dying. Where are the women? He had not considered that, he could only hope they were okay. His boss, Jumai’s father, the whole team, they were all somewhere unaware that he and Jumai were about to die. Nobody would miss him but Jumai, she had people; parents, a fiancé. She shouldn’t die like this. She won’t die like this.
“What are you doing?” Jumai asked.
“What? Nothing, I haven’t even moved.”
“Something about you just changed and I have a bad feeling you are about to do something stupid.”
“Well, it’s true I want to do something stupid but I can’t even think of any stupid thing to do right now.”
“You don’t have to do anything. I’ve made my peace with God and myself, I already know I’m going to die. I’m just glad to see you again before that happens.”
“You are not going to die. I will get you out of here even if it’s the last thing I do.”
“That sounds heroic and stuff but except you’re ‘the Hulk’ and you can transform into a power machine, I don’t see that happening.”
Mark laughed. “Don’t make me laugh Jumai, I need to think right now. Although if I could transform I would have because I am very angry right now.”
“Can we just sit and wait for them? At least I will have the comfort of knowing I died with someone who loved me.”
Mark looked at her. “Love? I never said I loved you.”
“Are you saying you don’t?”
Mark pulled her closer. “Remember Faruk? He’s the reason…”
“Who?”
“Faruk, your fiancé?”
“What?” Jumai laughed. “You actually believed that?”
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t have a fiancé, I was just messing with you.”
Mark chuckled, this was great news. If only they were not about to die.
“You were messing with me…I am very angry right now.” Mark said. “Why can’t I just transform into the green monster already?”
“I think it is money they call the green monster actually.”
“Do you really want to argue that right now? The Hulk is the…” Mark stopped and dipped his hand inside his pocket and brought out a pill. “Oh my God, I can actually transform.”
“What are you talking about?” Jumai asked.
“This is the pill Sule took, it is called Kulunix.” Mark said. “I can actually transform.”
“Wait a minute, what are you talking about?”
“If I take the pill, I’ll get the super strength that can break walls and fight off the men outside.”
“No, no Mark. No, you won’t do something that stupid.”
“So this is the stupid thing I should have thought about since?” He took Jumai’s hand. “We can’t just wait here and die. I can’t just watch you die or watch you watch me die.”
“Sule died from this thing.”
Mark sighed, that was true. Doctor Coker told hime Sule died and so had many other men who used the drug. But he had to take the chance.
And there was an antidote!
“There’s an antidote. It is back at the camp but we can maybe get there before…”
“No Mark,” She walked away from him. “You won’t do this.”

continued in  the final episode.....

(Episode 10) JUMAI

Mark opened his eyes and immediately shut it. The light hurt his eyes and worsened the banging in his head. Where was he? He opened his eyes slightly and looked around; he was in the infirmary. Why was he here? He leaned forward and his sight swayed. He paused for a few seconds then sat up on the bed. The infirmary was empty. Why was he…? Jumai! He jumped to his feet, his head reeled with pain and stumbled towards a wall. He held on to the wall and moved towards the door.
He pushed the door halfway open and heard voices, he paused and peeped. The corridor was empty. He opened the door and walked down the corridor. The voices were coming from the office at the end of the corridor, he stopped just before the window of the room and listened.
“There’s no way I’m waiting for the police; that is my daughter.”
That had to be Jumai’s father. She is missing? The drugged man took her? Mark leaned against the wall and for a while could not hear the words being said inside the room. What had happened in that hostel? Why did that man seem to have superpowers? What has he done to Jumai with his superpowers? His heart raced. Why was he here doing nothing?
He groped the wall, moved to the door, pushed it open and entered. The men in the room looked up at him.
“Mark?” It was his boss. “How are you?”
“Is this the man?” Jumai’s father asked.
“Yes sir.” Doctor Aderoju answered. “He was there when your daughter was taken.”
“What did you see? What happened?” One of the men Mark did not recognize asked.
Mark reached for a chair and sat.
“I need water.” He said but none of the men moved. They were not used to serving others.
“Mark, answer the gentleman.” Doctor Aderoju said. “What did you see?”
“I need water.” Mark said.
Doctor Aderoju walked to a refrigerator in the corner of the room and brought a bottle of water. He handed the water to Mark and he gulped down the contents of the bottle.
“So?” The man who asked the question earlier, said.
Mark cleared his throat weakly. “A man took Jumai. They called him Sule.”
“Sule Ahmed, he is the only one not accounted for in the camp.” Doctor Aderoju said.
“Did he kill the others all by himself?” Professor Tanko who he had not noticed before asked.
“Yes he did.”
“How is that even possible?”
“I don’t care!” Jumai’s father said. “I need to find my daughter now!”
“A helicopter…” Mark said.
“What?”
“If you get an helicopter you can cover more ground.”
“I can get a helicopter.” Professor Tanko said.
“What if they are under a roof or tree or something?” Doctor Aderoju said.
“We already have people conducting the search on the ground, don’t we?” Jumai’s father said.
“Yes.” Professor Tanko said. “Mr Dongo has led out the search party.”
“Get the helicopter please Professor.”
Professor Tanko nodded, pulled out his phone and walked out the room.
“What happened back there Mark? Why were you in the hostel area?”
Mark wish he knew the answer to the former question. It had been on his mind before he had been knocked out. Why was the man so strong? Did he truly knock the man through the wall?
“Mark?”
“Sorry, we heard loud noises from the hostel area and decided to check what was responsible.” Mark said.
“And you allowed my daughter go?”
Mark wished he had not allowed Jumai follow him. It did not matter what these men were doing, he was going to find her himself. Mark stood.
“Where are you going?” Doctor Aderoju asked.
“I have a terrible headache sir, I need to lie down.”
Did he have a headache? Yes. Was he going to lie down? No.

Baban dialled Dongo as soon as he left the room, he needed to find that girl before anybody found her. More importantly he needed to find the man who had her. The kulunix was causing a stir and he was happy but he did not like the fact this was an isolated incident. It was not getting the attention they needed from the government. One girl stolen by one man was nothing despite her influential father. An American team killed by hundreds of wild men on the other hand would get the attention of the world.
Dongo answered the call.
“Any signs of them yet?” Baban asked.
“Signs, yes but we have not sighted them yet.”
“How far away from you do you think they are?”
“I’m not sure sir. They were moving very fast but looks like he’s slowing down now.”
“Okay, remember what I said.” Baban looked around, there was nobody. “Kill the men that are not ours. Nobody must know we found the girl.”
“Copy sir.” Dongo said.
Baban ended the call. This kidnap was not part of the plan but it could help. The girl’s father was rich and influential; news would travel fast about the killings in the IDP camp once it started.
He got to his car and entered. The driver started the car and they headed out of the camp. There was something confusing him though, why was only one person reacting to the drug? Surely he wasn’t the only one who took it. He needed to talk to Doctor Coker again.
He dialled the number, it was switched off. That was strange; he had told Doctor Coker to keep his line open at all times. He dialled the office phone; no one answered. Something was wrong.
His phone rang, it was Dongo.
“You found them?”
“We found her sir.”
“And the man?”
“We are yet to find him.”
Baban sighed, he needed the man too. “Look for him but I need to pick up the girl now.”
“I will send our coordinates to your driver. I’ll be waiting at the road just ahead.”
“Alright. Is the girl okay?”
“She’s unconscious.”
“That’s great, I don’t want her seeing my face.”
Dongo paused. “Are you letting her go?”
“No.” Baban said. “But I don’t want to take any chances. Find the man and let’s wrap this up.”
“Okay sir.”
“Wait!”
“Sir?”
“Have you heard from Doctor Coker?”
“Coker? No. Why?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”
Doctor Coker had played his part, he didn’t have much to offer but he was loose end. He hated loose ends. Coker knew too much and he could produce the kulunix for others, that was bad for business, he needed him dead once and for all. He would deal with that once he settled this girl’s business.
Twenty minutes later he was parked by the road waiting on Dongo and his men. They came, one of them carrying the girl over his shoulder and another carrying someone else on his shoulder. Baban came out of the car to meet them.
“Put the girl in the car with me.” Baban said. “Is this the man?”
They set the man on the floor. He didn’t look like the man he had heard about. He was thin, emaciated even. His face was squeezed, there was no way anyone could recognize him. His body was perfectly still. Was he dead?
“Is he dead?” Baban asked.
“No, he is almost dead though.”
Something major was wrong with the kulunix. The men were not supposed to die just a few hours after taking it. If they died this fast he could not sustain a war. He really needed to find Doctor Coker.
“Get him to Coker’s lab fast.” Baban said. “I want him alive.”
“What do we do about the search? They are still waiting at the camp.”
It was true and it was only a matter of time before they found the bodies of the men who joined the search.
“You have to go back and feign an attack. Tell them the man who carried Jumai attacked you, killed some and ran away with the girl. That should buy me time to set my plan in motion.
Baban returned to his car and looked at the girl. She was pretty, almost pretty enough to make him change his mind about killing her. She was stirring. He cupped her cheek in his palm as she opened. She would be the prettiest girl he had ever killed.

Mark moved through the hostel corridors. The atmosphere was still subdued, they had lost three of their children that day. A hurried burial had been done for the dead boys but the halls wouldn’t be quieter if the bodies were still lying in the sand. He was sure they would want to be left alone but he couldn’t. He needed to find Jumai. He had questions and he needed answers.
He knocked on the door of the room that had belonged to the late Aliyu and the missing Sule. There was no answer. He pushed the door and entered. On the lower bunk of one of the beds laid the man Sule had dropped to go after Jumai. He did not look up when Mark entered. Mark moved close to him and sat on his bed.
“Are you okay?” Mark asked.
The man’s eyes looked glazed and lost, Mark wasn’t even sure he could hear him.
The room was empty; the other occupants must have moved to other rooms; he couldn’t blame them. He already heard someone say among the crowd who watched what Sule did say that he was possessed by a powerful demon. If any such demon existed it would not be safe to stay in the room where it possessed their friend.
It was hopeless trying to get anything out of this man. He stood and headed for the door. He heard a movement on the top of the bunk where the man lay and turned to look. A small boy was lying on the bed, very close to the wall. He knew the boy, he was the one who spoke to him when the fight was on.
Mark beckoned to the boy and he climbed down from the bed.
“What is your name?” Mark asked.
“Mohammed.” The boy said.
“Is this your room?”
The boy nodded.
That was not right. Boys of Mohammed’s age were not supposed to be in the same room as Sule and Aliyu.
“You know Sule and Aliyu?”
“Sule na my brother.” Mohammed said.
“Where you come from?”
“From here, inside bush. I don come before, Sule come three days ago.”
Sule was part of the new batch admitted into the camp. Most of the men who came in newly were very malnourished and sickly. It was strange that Sule had shown so much strength if he came in weak and dying.
“Wetin do Sule?”
The boy dropped his eyes. “I no know oga. He dey sleep before, Aliyu dey wake am na so he angry beat am.”
“He was sleeping?” This wasn’t making sense. “Sule dey smoke?”
The boy did not answer; Sule probably did. It was against the rules to smoke in the room, smokers had to go far away from the hostels. The boy was trying to protect his brother. Smoking was the least of his concerns at the moment, he needed to know what gave Sule his super strength.
“Where Sule bed?” Mark asked.
The boy pointed to the bed he had climbed down from. Mark climbed up and sat on the bed. It was laid properly, he wasn’t sure if this was the work of Sule or Mohammed. On the bed was a brown paper bag, he opened it and emptied the contents on the bed. There was a bottle of *ROBB* and a tube of mosquito repelant. There was a pack of cigarettes and the antibiotics supplied by Professor Tanko. There were some small items also, nothing of note. He put everything back in the bag. If there was something to be found, it wasn’t in that bag.
He jumped down from the bed. He had not found his answer here, he had no idea where to go to next. He looked back at the paper bag, maybe there was more to what he had seen. Maybe he had dismissed it all too soon. He grabbed the bag.
“Mohammed, I go return the bag.” He said to the boy. “I want to check something.”
He dipped his hand in the bag and removed the antibiotics, he handed it to the boy; that did not need testing.
He exited the room. It was dark now. The later it got the less chance they had of finding Jumai. The men who went to search for her had returned – some of them had. If Sule had killed the men like they said, Jumai had no chance. He shook his head, he could not bear to think that way. Sule wasn’t in his right mind, surely that would change. He would get off his high and realise what he had done and return Jumai.
Or maybe Jumai was dead.
He shuddered at the thought. She was fine, she had to be. His phone vibrated, he had a text. He removed the phone from his pocket and checked.
It was Jumai. The text read;
“Baban.”

(Eposide 8) JUMAI

 
“That is a lot of supply.” Jumai said, kicking up some dust with her heels.
“Well, Professor Tanko is a rich man, very connected too.” Mark said. “Your dad is not doing anything less.”
“Considering how much my dad is contributing, don’t you think you should treat me nicer?”
Mark stopped walking and turned around to face Jumai.
“I am sorry Jumai, alright? I’m not trying to be mean and it’s not because your father is a huge donor.”
“He is a donor alright, but my father is not huge actually, just a middle sized man.” Jumai said and smiled.
“What? I was saying…oh.” Mark smiled, she was joking. Was he taking this more serious than it deserved?
“So what is the problem Mark? Something happen?”
“What I’m about to tell you is true, embarrassing, a little sad actually.”
“Now, I’m even more eager to hear it.”
“Okay here goes. I’m the type of guy who doesn’t…” A crash sound from the distance stopped him.
“What was that?” Jumai asked.
Mark turned toward the direction of the sound and started to run. It sounded like it came from one of the trucks. He could not afford any trouble with the trucks or the content, his boss would kill him. He checked each truck as he ran past them till he got to the fourth. He stopped and opened his mouth. The back door was open, the chain that was supposed to hold the door together was loose. He had the keys with him. Had he left it unlocked? He was not sure.
Jumai arrived.
“What’s the problem?” She saw the open door. “Was anything taken?”
He had not thought about that. He looked in the back of the truck, it was dark, there was no way to be very sure everything was intact.
“What’s that?” Jumai asked, pointing.
Mark followed her pointing finger and saw a nylon wrapper behind the door. He picked it and looked inside. It was pack of toiletries; toothpaste and brush, tissue, a bar of soap. He was not sure what was originally in the pack so he could not tell if anything was missing. Why would anyone break into any of the trucks?
“Was anything taken?” Jumai asked again.
“I have no idea.” Mark said and looked around. “Something is wrong here.”
He looked around the truck, there were several footprints around. That was understandable. There was a footstep that looked a little deeper than the others. He moved away from the truck and looked for other footprints that had that much depth. He found one, then another and another, each moving away from the truck. The footsteps led away from where they stood, he had to follow it. He walked away from the truck following the footprints. The prints got deeper the farther he went, whoever it was had stomped harder as they moved along.
He heard a loud scream and stopped. It came from not too far away from him, behind one of the storage buildings.
“What was that?”
Mark turned around, Jumai was behind him. “I think you should wait here.”
“No way, something dangerous could be out there.” She said.
“That’s why you should stay.”
“No, what if the person is hurt or needs help.”
“Then I’ll call…” He looked at her and knew there was no point arguing. “Okay then.”
They moved slowly towards the storage building. Whoever had screamed was now quiet but was still out there, he could hear him or her moving around. They got around the building and for a few seconds he saw no one.
“Look.” Jumai said, pointing.
Mark looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a figure on the floor. He looked closer, it was man. A naked man. He lay with his face to the floor. His legs were thrashing weakly.
“I think he’s hurt.” Jumai said rushing towards the man.
“Wait.” Mark shouted.
She did not answer and was already kneeing beside the man. Mark walked over to them and helped turn the man face up. He gasped and took a step back. The man’s face was horrible, squeezed, as if it was pulled together.
“What is wrong with him?” Mark asked.
“I don’t know.” Jumai said. “I have never seen something like this before.”
The man looked very skinny, dirty, he was not likely to be one of the volunteers. Even if he was, he couldn’t have recognized him because of how distorted the man’s face was.
“Look at his hands.” Jumai said.
Mark looked, they were bruised. Had he been in a fight? With who? Where did he come from? Jumai brought out her phone.
“What are you doing?” Mark asked.
“We need to call an ambulance. And I need to talk to a senior colleague, I have no idea what to do right now.”

 Mark nodded. He looked around the surroundings, how did this man get into the compound? He looked at the storage building beside them and stopped. Some parts of the wall of the building had been knocked down. He stood and walked to the walls. He looked at the walls and the holes scattered across it. He looked at the man on the floor and back at the wall, did he do this? With his bare hands? Was that even possible?
“Mark?” Jumai called to him.
“Yeah?”
“He is dead.”
“What?”
Who was this man? What had just happened? Mark knew he needed answers to those questions and fast. He had a horrible feeling this was not random, it was the beginning of somethi
He prayed he was wrong.
TO BE CONTINUED .....

(Episode7) JUMAI

It was all about to start, this was what the past six months had been about. It had taken several hours and millions of naira but finally WAAP would start on its biggest project ever. Mark had been the middle of it all and it had been a whole lot of work, work he was grateful for now. Jumai was on the team with him but he had not seen much of her, thanks to all the work he had to do. He did a lot of the assigning of middle to low level roles and he always made sure Jumai was not anywhere near him. He wanted to forget her. He knew he was being dramatic but he was just trying to be safe.
Mark moved through the temporary offices in Damaturu, everything was almost set. His boss and the UNICEF team would arrive the next day, he could not afford any lapses. He entered his own office and nodded in satisfaction, he was good to go.
There was a knock on his door and a man – one of the volunteers already on ground entered.
“Sule?”
“Some of the trucks with the supplies just arrived sir.” Sule said.
“What?” The supplies were not supposed to arrive until the next day. “How many?”
“Four sir.”
He was not ready to receive four trucks, not yet. He followed Sule out to where the trucks were waiting. The trucks arriving early was not good but it took nothing away from how important the trucks were. Inside the truck were supplies; food, clothing, toiletries and drugs that would help people regain their lives. War was terrible, what followed it could be worse. It wasn’t going to be for the people of Yobe because of Doctor Aderoju and his efforts. His boss could be a lot of work sometimes but he was doing something great.
“It’s a lot to take in huh?”
Mark turned around and saw Jumai. She still looked stunning. She wore a pair of blue jeans, a black knee-length gown and her customary head tie. She stood there, hands in her pocket looking at him with her charming smile. It was completely hopeless trying to block her from his mind, it was already too late.
“Have you been avoiding me?”
“Not really.” Mark said.
“Something happened that day on our way back from the airport, right?”
Mark shifted his gaze back to the trucks. “Nothing happened.”
“Okay.” She said and moved to his side. “What are those?”
“Some supplies that arrived early. I need to check them out, take stock of everything that is on board.”
“Seems like a lot of work.”
“Tell me about it.” Mark started to walk away. “See you around?”
“Hey,” Jumai called out to him. “Can I come?”
Mark sighed. “Sure.”
***
 Baban signed the form and handed it to the man smiling in front of him.
“Thank you Professor, you are a blessing to our generation.” The man said.
Baban smiled and shook the man’s hand. “I am just trying my best.”
He followed the man to the door and closed it behind him. Whew! He was getting tired of having to play the great benevolent man, he had more important things to do. His project was about to go into full operation. In fact, it had already. He had delivered the kulunix ahead of the arrival of the UNICEF team, that would set things up very well.
“Are you ready to go sir?”
Baban looked at Dongo sitting in a corner and he smiled. Dongo in a suit; it was one of the most interesting sights he had ever seen.
“Yes.” Baban said.
They walked out of the office. Baban kept his smile all through the walk to the car. People respected him and he enjoyed the attention. One day they would come to know who he really was but by then it would all be too late. He loved their respect but he loved his money more.
They entered the car and drove out of the office compound.
“We sent the trucks today sir.” Dongo said.
“I know.”
“So what now?”
“Our trucks arrived early, so they will be part of the first supplies to be distributed. That way we get a head start on our project.”
“Okay sir.” Dongo said. “Now that we have the kulunix, what happens to Doctor Coker?”
“You know what.”
Baban looked out of the window of the car. Was he heartless? That was what his wife said when she left him. She took his children and moved to the United Kingdom. He had mourned her loss for a while but soon he came to his senses. She could afford to move to and live in the UK because of the money he made. He had been poor once and no one loved or respected him then. Not even his wife. He remembered that so well, he was never going back to that life.
The car stopped in front of a black gate. Dongo hooted and the gate opened. The car parked and Baban stepped out.
“I’ll be in the car sir.” Dongo said.
Baban nodded; even Dongo couldn’t attend this meeting. This was where it all got good or went down the drain. If things didn’t go well here, the kulunix and all the stress he had been through for months would be a waste.
He entered the house, went up a staircase and stopped at the now so familiar door. He took a deep breath and knocked. He waited for a few seconds and didn’t get an answer, he didn’t expect one. He turned the door knob and pushed the door open.
Inside the room, three men waited for him.
General Bashiru Babatunde, dressed in an Arsenal football club jersey, glass of scotch in hand sat in an armchair. He did not look up when Baban entered. He was a war hero, supposedly. He was an unsung hero though; he never received recognition for anything he did but he did make a lot of money. He learnt the methods of making money from war during the civil war and he was not ready to learn other ways. That one way was good enough.
Chief Biru Sawyer like the General was wealthy and well respected. He was a business man who had a lot of say in politics. He had seen it all, according to him. He was sound asleep on a sofa when Baban entered. He didn’t sound or look like the sharpest mind in the room the first time Baban met him but he had become one of the most devious minds Baban had ever encountered.
And then there was Bello B. Bello. No title, not prefix, just Bello B. Bello. He stood up to acknowledge Baban’s presence. He was nouveau riche and was always eager to hide the fact. He was young and knew a lot more about technology and how to make money with it than his old-timer partners. Baban did not like him much but Chief Sawyer and General Babatunde seemed to value him so he tolerated him.
“Welcome Prof.” Bello said.
“What took you so long?” General Babatunde said, his eyes on his now empty cup.
“You know some of us are not retired yet, we still have offices to report to.” Baban said.
“You think I am retired? What would I be doing here if I was retired?”
“Well, I am here now.” Baban said.
He walked over to the minibar in the room and poured himself a cup of scotch. He was not much of a drinker but the General never wanted to drink alone during their meetings. He was usually the person who had to. The Chief couldn’t – medical reasons. Bello couldn’t – religious reasons.
“Wake up the old fart, let’s get this started.” General Babatunde said.
“Old fart huh? That’s a new one.” Chief Sawyer responded swinging his feet off the sofa. “What is new Professor?”
“Nothing much sir.”
Chief Sawyer looked up with surprise. “Nothing much? Are you…?”
“Wait, are you asking about our project?” Baban asked. “Sorry, I thought you were just asking about me generally.”
“Why would I do that?” Chief Sawyer looked genuinely surprised Baban had made that mistake.
“Everything is good on my end.” Baban said. “The question, how is it on your ends?”
“You know we always deliver Baban.” Bello said.
“Baban?” General Babatunde looked at Bello. “Who the hell is Baban?”
“That’s what they call him.” Bello replied, nodding at Baban.
The general shook his head.
“When does the kulunix become active? We paid a lot of money for that thing, we need to see it work.” Chief Sawyer said.
“We have delivered four trucks to the group working on the project with the government. Of course we sent clothes and other drugs that are not kulunix so as not to draw any attention to the…”
“We are not dumb Professor.” General Babatunde said. “We know why you did that. The question is when does it all begin to work? When do we have our first soldiers?”
Baban pulled a chair and sat. “General, I already said we would patience for this to work.”
General Babatunde laughed. “Patience huh? I though you hated the word.”
“I do.”
“Look Baban or whatever you call yourself,” Chief Sawyer started. “We have a lot of money riding on this, you realize why we are anxious.”
“You don’t want me getting anxious Professor.” General Babatunde said.
Baban nodded. He was going to ignore the not too veiled threat. General Babatunde did not trust him much and he was not shy to show it. He understood their anxiety but he was not going to be pushed into a promise. One thing these men hated more than waiting was failure.
“Are you going to give us a date?” Bello asked.
“No, I won’t. But I know you won’t have to wait for long.”
“So we are supposed to sit on our rich, retired asses and wait?” Bello asked.
“No, you can’t sit.” Baban said. “Look you have been asking questions all day, I have some of my own.”
“You want more money, you sick bastard?” Chief Sawyer shot an angry look at him.
“Yes, I need more money but that’s not what I’m planning to ask.” Baban said. “We need weapons, lots of them. We are going to be supplying two armies very soon, we can run short and the Mexicans will find a way of doing business here behind our back.”
“Look son, I have been selling weapons in this country for decades. Don’t you think I know how many weapons the army needs?”
“Alright General, just checking. I need the first shipment to hit Yobe in three days. Once they take the kulunix they will be needing us and we will be needing the guns.”
“All these sounds very exciting, maybe even unbelievable.” General Babatunde said.
“Seeing is believing General. Do you watch the news?” Baban asked.
“No, I don’t watch that crap.”
“Well General, it’s time for some crap. In a few days that crap will be talking about what you and your great friends here made happen.” Baban said with a huge smile.
Bello smiled and said. “I have to tell you Baban, make this work and we will own every damn crap station in this country.”
“Yes sir, I can smell it already. No pun intended.”
“Okay Baban, you will have your guns in three days.” General Babatunde said. “Go make us proud.”
“More importantly,” Chief Sawyer said. “Go make us money.”
Baban nodded, drank up the scotch and headed for the door. He had work to do.
 to be continued in the next episode......

(EPISODE 4): JUMAI

Mark looked across the table at Jumai. She was totally engrossed in the presentation. Even in her official suit she looked great. It was a shame he had lost interest in her. She looked at him and caught his stare. He turned his gaze to the projector screen. Did she smile? He looked back at her, her eyes were back on the presentation. Had he lost interest? No way.
“Mark, your turn.” His boss announced.
Mark picked his files and walked to the front of the room.
“Good afternoon everybody. Like my boss announced earlier, UNICEF will be arriving in Nigeria in two weeks. This is the first time we will be working with UNICEF so we have to make this perfect. Please look through the file in front of you. Everybody here except for Doctor Jumai…” He paused and looked at her. She smiled. He caught himself before he returned the smile. “…everybody knows how these things work. There is only one difference this time. And it will make all the difference in the world.”
He clicked the pointer and two pictures came on the screen.
“I’m sure we all know who they are. Professor Tanko and Professor Jibril. They are both on our team for the first time. Here are the roles they will be playing.”
“Wait Mark.” His boss stopped him. “Isn’t all these information in the files?”
“Yes sir. I was just…”
“This meeting has been on for too long.” He turned to address the room. “Like Mark said, you all know Professors Tanko and Jibril. You can read all about it in your files. Our next meeting is in a few days, we will send you a mail to that effect.”
Like that, Doctor Aderoju ended the meeting. Mark packed his files and returned to his seat. That was hours of preparation down the drain.
“That was great.”
Mark looked up and saw Jumai standing by his side.
“Great? Do you know the meaning of the word?”
She laughed. “Okay, it wasn’t great. I’m just trying to compensate for not remembering you.”
“Oh, I see. How do you plan to compensate for calling me Joey Tribbiani?”
“Maybe I’ll read your file.”
“Really? I will be so grateful to you.”
She arched her eyebrow. “Sarcasm?”
“Of course.”
Mark stood and headed for the door. He opened the door and Jumai stepped out of the room.
“My boss didn’t say why you were in this meeting.”
“I’m representing my father.”
“Your father?” His eyes widened. “Are you the daughter of..?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I should be kissing your feet. Your father is our biggest donor.”
“Did you know my feet has not been kissed in a long time? Maybe I’ll let you kiss it one of these days.”
They got to the front of his office and he stopped.
“Why did you stop?” Jumai asked.
“This is my office.”
“Oh, can I see?”
Mark peeked inside and shook his head. “Sorry, not today.”
“Too rough huh?”
“Rough? What? Nah.” Mark said and swallowed. “There’s a naked girl inside.”
She frowned. “I see.”
Mark looked at her face, she believed him?
“That was a joke. The office is too rough, that’s why… you know?”
They stood and endured a few seconds of awkward silence.
“About the compensation for calling me Joey Tribbiani, you still haven’t named the price.” Mark said.
“How about I let you walk me to the car?”
“Hmm, it doesn’t quite make up but I’ll take what I can get.”
They made small talk as they walked out of the building. She wasn’t as snobbish as he thought she was but she wasn’t an open book either. It looked like she was genuinely trying to pay back for forgetting him. He walked her to her car and watched her drive away.
Was it meant to be? He wasn’t so sure anymore but at least he would have another chance to find out in a few days.
He returned into the building and met his boss at the door.
“Where is Jumai?” He asked.
“She just left sir.” Mark replied.
“Aargh. I wanted to wish her a safe flight before she left.”
Mark smiled. “She didn’t fly sir, she drove.”
His boss looked at him and shook his head. “I didn’t mean now. She is flying back to Kaduna today. That’s where she practices.”
Mark spun around and watched Jumai’s car driving off in the far distance.
“Is she coming for the next meeting?” Mark asked.
“No. Why? Did she steal your lunch?” Doctor Aderoju said and walked away laughing at his own lame joke.
Was it meant to be? She had just walked away – driven away from him again. Well, he had his answer.

(EPISODE ): JUMAI

Mark Ademola looked through the window of the plane as it continued its descent. The atmosphere was clear, it was going to be an uneventful end to an uneventful flight, which was good. He was back to his world, the place where he belonged. Lagos was home. Crazy and sometimes frustrating but home all the same.
He craned his neck to see if he could spot his street or his house. It was a habit he had that was yet to yield any results. He saw several roads and several houses but never his own. He leaned back in his seat. He was not sure why he kept trying, it was never going to happen.
A few minutes later, the plane stopped and the ‘fasten seatbelt sign’ went off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.” The Captain announced. “Local time is 9:15am…”
Mark ignored the mumbling P
ilot and unfastened his seatbelt. It was crazy that he still needed to go to the office after the strenuous week he just had but that was his life. He stood from his seat and reached for the overhead cabinet. He opened it and removed his luggage.
Chop! Chop! Let’s go.
“Could you help me get my bag, please?” A voice called from behind him.
He looked back to see who the voice belonged to. He stopped at the sight that faced him. She looked at him with the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. She was a few inches shorter than him, light skinned and a face that invited you to know the owner. Who is this girl? Why wasn’t he ever lucky to get a seat beside someone like her?
“My bag please?” She said again.
He had been staring. Why on earth did he let himself get caught staring?
“Whi…which of the…” He started to say.
“The green one please.” She said.
She was Hausa. Or was she British? Her accent was the loveliest he had ever heard. She had a veil covering her hair; she had to be Hausa. It was a flight from Kaduna, it made sense. Get the bag! He reached for the green bag and dragged it off the cabinet. He tried his best not to grunt under the weight of the bag, he had to make a strong first impression. He handed the bag to her.
“Thank you.” She said.
He nodded and turned back to face his seat. Oh Lord! He had to see the girl again. He turned around but she was gone. She couldn’t have disappeared into thin air. Maybe she had gone back to her seat. Maybe she is an angel. He looked down the aisle and saw the green bag a few rows behind him. There she was. Of course she wasn’t an angel. She was human just like him, just a higher version of human. He had to talk to her before they left the airport. He had to do it now.

***

“You were paid what?” Baban looked up from the newspaper and stood from the chair.
“15 million naira sir.” Dongo replied with a smug smile on his face. The two men behind him nodding with approval.
If you wanted things done right, you do it yourself. He believed that but sometimes you could not do the things you wanted done. Sometimes you had to send some of your most trusted men. Sometimes you had to send men like Dongo. But sometimes they made you wish you did not send them.
“15 million naira?” He asked, moving closer to Dongo.
“Yes sir, that’s a lot more than…”
“Naira?”
He did not wait for a response. He swung his right hand and in one swift movement knocked Dongo to the ground. He rubbed his hands together and stepped back. The stunned Dongo scrambled to his feet. Baban rushed back at him and knocked him back to the ground before he could find his footing. He spit on him and returned to his seat. He looked at the two men who stood behind Dongo and he knew they wished they could come to the aid of their friend. But he knew and they knew that they could not dare it.
Dongo struggled to his feet, this time slower than before.
“They paid you in naira and you collected it?” Baban asked, his voice low and deep.
Dongo stood and looked back at Baban, fury clear on his now swelling face. He did not mind his men showing their anger in their facial expressions, but that was as far as they could take it. Anger was good, insubordination wasn’t.
“Dongo, I’m asking you a question. You collected naira from them?”
“I collected 15 million naira from them.”
Baban stood and clapped his hands together.
“You wanted an applause for collecting 15 million? There you have it.”
Idiot.

***

Movement ahead of him caught his attention; passengers were disembarking already. Mark grabbed his luggage and joined the line. He glanced behind, he did not see her. He would have to wait for her at the ‘Arrival lounge’.
His phone rang, it was his boss. He answered.
“Mark, are you here?”
“Yes sir, we just landed. I will be out of the plane in five minutes.” He said.
“Okay, good. I was in Ikeja and I decided to stop by the airport to pick you. I am waiting for you outside.”
“Okay sir.” He said and ended the call.
No! No! No! This would have been great news some other time but not today. He wanted to talk to this beautiful angel from the north but he knew he dare not keep his boss waiting. What was he supposed to do now?
“Thank you sir for Flying with Nigerian Airways.” A flight attendant was saying to him.
He nodded at the attendant and tried his best to smile. His attempt failed woefully and it earned a frown from the attendant. She was the least of his concerns however, he needed a plan.
His phone rang again. He looked at his phone, it was his boss again.
“Hello sir.”
“I thought you said five minutes.”
“I’m out of the plane already, I’ll be with you very soon sir.”
He ended the call and got out of the plane. He knew he could not stop or wait. His best bet was to walk as slowly as possible and hope the girl would catch up with him.
It took an eternity of moon-walking, but soon he knew there was no point trying to delay anymore. It wasn’t meant to be. Since he was losing the girl, there was no point getting his boss angry too. He walked fast and soon was in the arrival lounge. He looked back one more time but she still wasn’t in sight.
“Sorry boy, no angel for you today.” He whispered to himself.
He headed for the exit. He knew where his boss usually parked and he still had to walk a few metres before he could get there. His boss had no patience for tardiness, it was a surprise he had not called the third time.
Six minutes later and he arrived at the car. He looked inside and his boss was not there.
“Mr Kazim.” He called.
The driver who had dozed off woke up and scrambled to attention.
“Where is oga?”
“One of him friend meet us for here, they go see something for back there.” He said pointing backwards.
“I just came from that direction.”
“Una miss each other be that.”
He felt like punching the car. His boss called and made him hurry when he was not ready himself? Maybe it was better to make use of the occasion instead of complaining. He opened the booth of the car and placed his luggage in it.
“Mr Kazim.”
“Yes oga?”
“I will be right back, I need to check someone.”
“Ah, Oga Mark, please…”
He ran away before the driver could complete his protest. He smiled with excitement. This is so meant to be.
He got to the arrival lounge before he stopped running. And there she was. She was with two other girls. If he hadn’t seen her first, he would have called them beautiful. Not anymore though, their beauty paled in comparison to hers. For the first time, he saw her smile. Her face was beautiful without the smile. With it, it was indescribable.
Time wasn’t his friend, he had to make his approach now.
What am I going to say?
He froze. He had not considered that. He had been so excited he’d forgotten how terrible he was at meeting new people. Girls especially. Maybe that was before. He was a more exposed and matured guy now. He was the MD of a very huge Foundation. He was just returning from a meeting where he talked with top government officials. How difficult could this be?
He walked towards her and stood in front of her and her friends. This is going to be easy.
She noticed him standing there and looked at him. His eyes met hers and he stood still and stared. He wanted to say something but his mouth was failing him woefully. It wasn’t his mouth at fault though, it was his brain. It had stopped working.
“What do you want?” One of the friends asked.
He looked at the friend for a second then back to her. She looked at him and he could tell his period of grace was almost over. He had to say something.
“What’s your name?” He asked and immediately wished he could take it back.
‘Hi’ or ‘Hello’, that is good. ‘What’s your name?’ that is not good!
He felt stupid but he had said it already. It was better to wait and see what happens.
And for a long time, nothing happened. She stood and stared at him and he could not do anything else even if he wanted to. Finally, one of her friends recovered from whatever spell was causing the muteness.
“Let’s go.” The friend said.
The three of them pulled their bags and turned away from him. He stood there for a few seconds and wished for the world to end. He should have known better. He never should have approached her without a plan.
This is what happens to silly boys who think they can just approach a classy girl in the airport.
He turned around to go but stopped in my tracks. She was standing just a few feet away, her face turned in his direction.
“My name is Jumai.” She said and walked away.
......continued in the next episode.

YOU!

I remember you, just like yesterday; the moment you stepped into my life.It was a sunny morn,’ we were still in elementary school. There was primary one but you chose primary two. The moment I saw you, my heart knew one thing for true- it was you. Right from the door to your seat, I knew what we had was true, it was a chemistry that I learnt in biology, the velocity in your propensity that turned my brains off momentarily.

 I was shy to approach but you can’t hold emotions to keys and lock, so I came close. It was your friendship I wanted; I wasn’t  Caleb or any other random guy that just wanted the goodies over your chest. I wanted to know what you liked, what you ate, who you truly were, I wanted to get close, to know what you felt and what was in your head and what happened to guys like me that were always scared.

It wasn’t easy at first, but you let me into yourself, we became friends, I joined the choir, the daughter of our choir mistress. I loved you to death!! But how could I ever tell you what I felt. In primary four, I felt millions of electrons every time you passed my side with a smile.  I did all could, I became a regular visitor in your home, but I could never tell you how much I felt.

What a life!!!

When courage finally came, I got there late. Nnaemeka got there first, I came with the true gospel- love, He came with selfish desires-lust. You had it all…most endowed. Little wonder we clashed over you. I knew I could never have you. I just simply knew.

Your breasts were ample, full fleshed; your waist had that angle- sepesepe figure eight. You matured early, like a flourishing stream with a killer hour glass figure. Heads always turned to look whenever you made that move. I knew you loved me; but you fell for him!! He kissed you; I never got the chance to. I could never make my move, you betrayed me. Who didn’t you have?

Who? 

Men lusted after you. You always indulged them, fueling their “mountain dew” with your “sparkling grape juice.”

When I finally moved on, I let go of you. I chased Gloria: She was cool, dated Ogechukwu even though it was meant to be only you, I kissed Nene severally, desperately danced withChelsy and Adum at our SS2 class party. I got home that day; my light green shirt was thoroughly stained. I frolicked with Yetunde, to totally forget all about you.

I cut off communication as I normally do. Patiently waiting to forget you. I needed a reset, a brainwash, just anything that could let me go a day without thinking of you.

What did ever do to you?

Ehn, what?

Even though I did all I could do to keep you away, you never let me go. You begged me after secondary school. You told me the whole truth but I doubted you, how did you expect me to believe Nnaemeka never kissed and caressed you, that Caleb never lay his hands on your hourglass figure or that tolunever squeezed those huge frontal lobes on your chest? How?

Do you think I was a fool? I had informants about. They told me how each guy had his own half of your national cake. I loved my girls to be pure, and truthful, in all loyalty and honesty. I had plans for you; that is why I became a geek with books, not just caring about looks because I had our futures planned in my mind!!! Our beautiful kids, houses and cars. Your diamond ring, worth millions of dollars, swimming pools, our black mayback!!!

But you never came back. You went everywhere and expect me to take you back? Never!!!

Go somewhere else. You’ve made my life a living hell!! The love I have for you has suffered the wrath of hell, it no longer hears, feels or cares, our love is dead. I am sorry, baby girl I have found someone else. 

#Authorcredit: Joseph Muyiwa

anticipate!!

This is a brief  narration of  how falling in love with the right person feels wrong.....coming soon on brownstories..

#brownstory #you# lovestory#

(18+ ) Scriptural voices BY IMISI

When I feel my heart, I hear your voice. I hear those tiny sound of my name echoing nimbly in my thought. The sound of  those moment you didn't even know how eventually you say my name in those sacred tones. Those soft tones that originates from the primal part of your brain uncontrollably.

It wasn't difficult to trace those tones to you .They were those irresistible tones that always rise me to crescendo every time we ball deep. Most especially when the modulation of intonation or the pitch in your voice hits an upper octave just as I read through those sensational scriptures written in between your legs.

Royalty I heard is a payment to an owner for the use of property, most especially when you have the type of property that wears a befitting crown. It is said that If you must come to the Royal Head, you must be loyal to His mantle of leadership and governance, You must knell and speak in soft languages... *Sigh* You amaze me with your disciplines at being consistent at all time. You speak  in languages only the soul can interpret, you shut down my entire brain completely and then take me so high I feel I travel beyond the speed of light whilst, you stay  simultaneous by assaulting me with blows from d Iron Thrones and then take me to the wet alter of love.

We often start from the eighth book of the 12 minor prophets of the Scripture from the Greek book 'Habakkuk' but then, you never liked the citations  because it says little about the functionality of the 'kuk'.  You  take me so Deep into the book of Job to complete the mission with so many temptations that put me at the edge of facing the erotic judgment of climax stated in Revelations...

#Authorcredit: IMISI #Imisiinspireseries#