THE WIFE I NEVER MARRIED BY [GRACE OCHIGBO]

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Seated

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It annoys when you make your first travel and the drive takes longer time than necessary

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Episode 2 . Continues.. She held firmly to the seat in front of her, the same one Ocholi is sitting on. Laibe held it so tenaciously one may be forced to believe someone would fall off the car if she loosened her grip however little. She finally decided to drop her almost empty bag after all. Well, Ocholi already gave up trying to convince her that the bag was safe whether she held it firmly to her chest or she quietly relieved her body muscles of so much unnecessary work. Laibe was not part of his problems right now; he had a deadline to meet up with and the persistent repeated breakdown of this vehicle within the last hour is almost rubbing him of something valuable. "I'll deal with Faruna when I get to his place today!" He murmured inaudibly anytime the vehicle quenched on marching the break. He took this very car for servicing just yesterday and was assured of perfect working condition before he drove out of the mechanic garage. One thing he knew, as very much as his name, was the constant disappointments from all these ‘hand-workers’ as people call them. They can be more tiring to manage than a generator low on petrol. Laibe on her own side couldn’t help but dart her eyeballs from one side of the road to the other. That particularly, has been ongoing since she saw an inscription on the carved tower they passed underneath- 'Ankpa Youth Development Association welcomes you to Ankpa'. It was at that point she couldn’t help wondering, whether or not there was a policy that restricts youth associations of towns to inscribing words in just the same pattern on every signboard they made. It already became amusing because she had lost counts of seeing this same type of ‘welcome address’ all the way down from Ofabo while she tried to read them all. The speed bumps on the road in front of the Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, gave her so much opportunity to really capture as much image of the large campus her retina could accommodate, more so, that their car seem to be tripping off anytime Ocholi stepped on the break. The school looked so large to her that she marvelled, forgetting her mouth wide open, how people ever found their way around without missing or getting stolen. The expansive school stadium that directly faced the road had seats coloured in green and white, another large building she saw felt like the windows were climbing on themselves. In fact, everything was just too amazing to be real. She slapped herself for thinking like a child at some points; her grandfather had told her to try, as much as possible, to reason like an adult at all times and all situations. That explains why, even though she hadn’t gone farther than the primary school she finished some three years ago, she still possessed a characteristic way of behaving quite maturely. "Eeeeeh!!" she let out an involuntary scream when Ocholi drove too close to a woman crossing the road. "É kí chokpoñ" Ocholi assured her there was no cause to fear. That didn’t soothe her. He was just about hitting down a woman with a large bowl on her head and the best he could do was ask her not to fear? Her heart beat fast against its ribcage for another uncountable number of minutes while her neck still turned backwards so as to enable her eyes follow the woman well enough, and they did, till she saw her no more. She really was scared. Actually, right from infancy she dreaded the roads, dreaded the cars, she dreaded anything that linked in one way or the other to an accident. All as a result of one unforgettable incidence. She is even amazed at herself for being so ecstatic about this particular journey to Ankpa. Perhaps, because it came like something that would at least use to disprove her grandfather. The large bowl on the woman's head resembled that of her mother. It looked like the one in which the hot rice to be sold used to be carried in, all the way down to the market. Hopefully, her garri business would be more profiting now that she is in Ankpa, judging from what her friends said, 'Garri is students' power'. These thoughts and few more made her beam with a light smile as they took turns to gracefully pop up in her head. Ocholi could see this, unknown to her, through the mirror and he shook his head from side to side at every instance. The girl already appeared as one who would give him trouble eventually but he was positive. There is this unbearable wrong combination between beauty and stack illiteracy. Both mixed in one another in Laibe, is so much of a threat to him right now. Or, so he thought. The brown huge gate finally opened after he had blared angrily on the honk five consecutive times. Most times, he wonder what the lazy gateman is paid to do, because, once the owners of the house were off to work, the only thing left of his day is to sleep and snore till eternity. Laibe came down, doggedly dragging her bag alongside. She looked at the house they just entered, the compound was interlocked and bright lemon coloured flowers formed a circular roundabout at the centre. That's aside the lawn extending to the other end of the quite expansive compound together with some tall flowers that appeared like coconut trees to her. She bent down to pick up one of the cinnabar plastic bangles that fell off her hand during the moments of astonishment and so decided to feel the bare floor with her fingers. During harmattan, the mud sand of Ofabo solidifies so much so that it feels like a hard unyielding rock on touch. That is actually the only thing she enjoys during harmattan season because inasmuch as everywhere looked compacted, no one can explain how the dust level keep getting higher simultaneously. The interlocked ground she just touched, felt exactly like that mud ground. That was also exciting and interesting deep inside her head. It made her think, while getting back up, that white men must have made these concrete stones using their mud as raw materials. She saw Ocholi coming back from the big house. The Cherry-Blossom painted duplex appeared to her like another house was kept on an already existing one. Maybe that is what she was going to do at the end of it all; when she has gotten quite enough money to go round, she would let them put another house on Baba's, so it could become two and as big as this. That would be like living out her dreams. Even as a kid, Baba would ask her what she wanted to be and as its norm in the village, virtually every kid wants to become a doctor. She had told Baba that after becoming a doctor, she would build 'two houses standing on the top of each other' for him, as they see in outdated magazines and newspapers at the only photography shop in the village- Uncle T fotos. "We jefù ken" Ocholi's voice startled her, asking her to come inside the house. She didn’t see him pack out the load in the trunk into the house earlier, how be it that there was nothing left in there when she hurried over to check? Ocholi just kept smiling at her and that really made her more uncomfortable than when he hugged her lightly to say, ‘ thank you, agba o’ after dropping the heavy stone she picked from the bush on their way. She can’t get used to all these, not when she doesn’t even know who he is in her aunt’s house. Another thing that is almost pissing her off right away, is the fact that he had been saying every statement to her in Igala language. "Do I look that obvious?” she tried to question herself. ‘Obvious’ was one of her headmistress’ most used words in the English language and somehow the word, and that whole statement at large, had stuck to her subconscious. At least for the fact that she attended a primary school, he should know she understood some things in English. Yea, some things. Basic things. She trudged into the house. At the door, she felt the strong impulse to pull off her shoes. Back home, she must do this before entering the rooms, any of the rooms, especially Baba's and that got even worse when ‘yours truly’ laid a rug over the floor for him. Often times when her legs looked neater than the rug in Baba’s sitting room, legality demanded she still removed every foot wear before entering and for the few times she faltered that law unconsciously, Baba had refused responding to her talks during and after she was done pouring it all out. She felt really stupid those times with Baba’s eyes unblinkingly piercing her like x-rays while she tried to figure out what went wrong. She would then run off to the door, pull them off and once that is done, Baba sits up and responds to her. Well, she rarely make such mistakes any longer and right here, she actually removed a foot off her slippers impulsively, before Ocholi urged her to go in with it. She didn’t argue, she couldn’t say anything. Not as though she had nothing to say but then, aside from the extremely tiresome journey, Ocholi wasn’t the right person to start up a conversation with in a strange house and ultimately a strange land. He is a total stranger for all she cared, maybe not to this house but to her. Ocholi had few things going on his mind as he headed back into the house proper, leaving Laibe alone in the sitting room. Everything seem to be enticing the young girl and the best he could do was to smile, smile real good but as good as that was, it couldn’t submerge what was bothering him. They had an agreement. How will he go about it now? In this business, timing is key. It's true he didn’t meet up with the stipulated time but that doesn’t mean they would lose out of everything altogether. Laibe stared at her aunt's framed picture firmly nailed to the wall. The frame looked so big that she felt her aunty standing before her in real life. But then, it was just a frame. With the way Baba always said her aunty was ‘very busy in the city', she wondered how the woman still manages to put on this so much weight regardless of her tight schedule. Aunty Udale looked so rotund with soft palpable cheeks and her neck has folded, in the last couple of years, into something very similar to different layers of textiles neatly arranged in a show glass. The more it folded, the more it appeared she would need a breathing aid soon, yet her skin shone so bright that one could literally see her/himself in it. Although Laibe knew she was very much underweight resulting from so much stress with little food to take in- the gross height of malnutrition, she would however run from every chance to become as weighty as her aunty. She can, most often than not at the village, successfully go two days only on garri. Thankfully, she made one of the best in the entire village and that has saved her life a great deal. She would spare nothing to make sure she gets those young boys to cultivate Baba's farm for her to grow cassava during rainy season because that is the only thing that processes into garri; her source of livelihood. With this so much money and affluence, why did mother go then? She cursed her luck silently, haven being unable to find answers to those questions all along and who knows? She may never find them, the same way she couldn’t place if Ocholi read her mind when he said, "Be sure to relax" Wow, for the first time he would be addressing her in English language. That was quite fair. At least she doesn’t get to feel like the stack illiterate of the century any longer. She gave a slight nod in the affirmative and Ocholi briskly walked back into the same room, at the left hand side, directly perpendicular to her, where he came out from. She didn’t know what he was doing in there and whatever it was, must be very serious to arouse the agitation she felt in his voice. Letting that slide, she dragged a stool and sat on it instead of the leather sofas. They have always told her that it is elders that sit on big chairs, not kids. She would have even sat on the Cobalt rug but she didn’t want Ocholi to degrade her again, seeing he had started relating with her on ‘English terms’. She tried to shut her eyes as she would always do when about to reflect and bring back memories. She could only imagine what her two friends were doing in the village right now. It was about 4pm and she knew they would be on their way to fetch firewood for dinner. Of all her numerous activities back at home, going to the stream was the most exciting. There is this rocky steep as you descend the stream and she enjoys more than anything else to run down with the two jerry cans in her wheelbarrow. Yeah! The same wheelbarrow. It served a lot of functions so she couldn’t afford a bad tire any day. One of the unforgettable memories in her life however, was the two weeks she spent with the local physiotherapist who tried to fix her broken ankle after she slid off that steep one morning. The pain was terrible and somewhat unbearable especially when the fear of losing the function of any of her legs was her greatest call for worry. How would she survive? She still jerks up any time that part of her leg hits a solid object, even after it’s almost totally healed now. Home sweet home indeed. Perhaps here would become home away from home for her. She couldn’t say. She didn’t know what the future held for her here. Though her aunt's picture is on the wall, she can’t be totally sure that this is truly the house. There is no sign of any other person in this big house, that’s aside the fact that the area looked very deserted as they drove in. Like a hideout or something. She is never used to this kind of settlement. In the village, homes are built into each other in such a way that you can pass a message across to your neighbour by talking out through the window, if any. The reverse is the case here, the fence is so tall with barbed wires attaching to the top, the gate looked so gigantic that she doubts if bullet could penetrate it and that alone was enough to scare the living daylight out of her. How can she be sure that Ocholi wasn’t a hired assassin or something even worse than that? She opened back her eyes when she felt someone moved behind her. It was Ocholi again, he was carrying something in his hand. Laibe thought her eyes were deceiving her when she first saw it but by using the back of her palm to wipe her face, she saw it more clearly for what it is. The young but hefty man had pulled off the T-shirt he had on earlier and what’s left to cover his chest is just a singlet, white but was beginning to turn yellow at the armpits already. She watched him carefully as he walked over to the main entrance through which they both entered the house. He was gentle, he was slow in his steps but steady. It’s at this point that the racing of her heart could compete with an aircraft trying to beat time. She watched him with frightful eyes as he turned down the key in the door hole twice before pressing down on the knob to be sure the door was firmly shut. She kept on looking, this time, thick winds of helplessness flushed over her body so much so that she almost passed out when he turned back and started walking towards the direction she sat, on the stool. The sharp, silver edge of the knife in his hand pointed directly at her face as he drew closer. ******* To be Continued..

Next plz

Seated

pls continue

Next o

NEXT

Lols next pls

seated came late though... I hope they don't collect lateness fee. ride on on bro

Episode 3 . Continues.. Ebi and Umali squatted such that their buttocks almost swept at the floor as they greeted Baba. The only reason they came over to Baba's 'state of the arts' living room, furnished for him by his daughter- aunty Udale, was because their friend was no longer around. Else they would both have sneaked into Laibe's mother’s hut, as usual, which was behind her grandfather's. Ebi was almost mad at Umali because the later was the reason for their lateness in arriving at Laibe's house as promptly as they had planned. Umali didn’t do this deliberately though, her father puts her under curfew, off and on, as he pleases; reasons best known to him. Obviously, they won’t be seeing their best friend in a very long time and not getting to say ‘proper goodbyes’ before she left the village this morning is more hurtful. Baba smiled boisterously as he asked them to rise from their greeting position. He had always known his granddaughter to be one of the most respectful young girls in Ofabo, so wasn’t surprised at her friends’ show of respect, in that light, anytime he luckily ran into them. The chair Baba sat on is special, specially made for elders in the village. At a point, one would think that it was a stretcher with the way a very strong linen - which was the main seat, danced from one edge of the wood above to the other end where it attaches to a foot rest. The chair is foldable and when left unfolded, it would be standing just beside a table on which Baba’s old radio stood. The aged man love listening to news so much so that a stranger in the village sometimes ago thought he was a retired journalist. No. He hadn’t even smelt the four walls of any level of academic institution all his life. With his intellectual capacity though, villagers ask amongst themselves what would have become of him - how he would have been the best - if he ever went to a school. He can’t but faithfully listen to his favourite station; Radio Kogi, Ochaja and whenever he tuned to that frequency, Laibe would have to remind him over and over again that his food was getting cold. The only unfortunate part was that, there is almost no one around for him to share his political views and ideologies with anymore. It is somewhat a thing of tradition in this part of the world that only the younger ones should visit the elder; making the otherwise an abomination. Therefore, since the death of Pa. Ekele, who died late last year at ninety six, Baba, at eighty three, had assumed the honourable position of eldest in the village. Every other elder and ultimately all the villagers are obligated to come see him from time to time, instead of the other way round. Going out on visitations has become close to impossible for him, that is accompanying the fact that talking was his strength. He could continue talking, analysing and explaining just a concept in his characteristic deep Igala intonation for hours and only a patient listener, unlike Laibe, could put up with that. It is one of the greatest times he misses his daughter-in-law, Laibe's mother, Onechojon. Ichojo, as he fondly referred to her, remain the best wife any man on earth could ever have. Judging from the way she cheerfully relates with every member of the extended family, she found and won her way into everyone's heart in no time, with so much ease. Her cooking skills were not of this world as well, one eats her food and is tempted to eat up the rubber plate it was served in, alongside. Laibe inherited that from her mum - mastery in the art of kitchen affairs. It was on that premise that Baba brought up the idea of commercial sales of cooked food in the market square. Hearkening to Baba’s business ideas, back then, paid real well because every member of Ofabo has, at one time or the other, impulsively or voluntarily, bought food from Onechojon. All these were before the last stroke broke the camel's back, and it did break it in pieces. Baba stopped the sound coming from his radio. He never receive clear signals- partly because of the unclear waves- he always hear some 'shhhh, shhhh' intermittently while the presenter talked but that didn’t matter to the aged man. The radio would be his most trusted company henceforth and he was quite aware of that fact. He, after switching off the noisy radio, sat up from the chair to pick up his bowl of akamu, the remnant from the one Laibe gave him to drink this morning. He poured some water to dilute it before drinking. As he did this, he pictured the stern look Laibe always wore whenever he took diluted pap - ofofolo, like this. The act seem unimpressive to her. She would always say ‘No’ bluntly when he asked her to drink out of it and that usually made Baba titter. Perhaps when she gets to his age, she would appreciate the need for ofofolo in one’s life. Ebi turned to look at Umali while Baba drank. They too, like their friend, disliked ofofolo: the elderly people’s juice. The bowl was so big it covered his entire face as he drank from it. This is the only bowl remaining in the house with its original lid still intact and that's grossly because it was specially used to serve only Baba. No one was permitted to take it away from the side stool it’s always placed on, let alone away from this living room. "Onùkwù mè le t'Ankpa mèwñ" Baba told the two girls that ‘their friend was already off to Ankpa’, immediately he was done gulping the entire content of the stainless bowl. Umali and Ebi nodded their head simultaneously as though they planned it. They made to move close, perhaps to collect the big bowl or ‘cup’ as the case may be and help the elderly man replace it on the table, but he was swifter than them. It's so uncomfortable talking with an elder especially a revered one as this. History has it that Laibe's grandfather was the first grandson of the original founder of Ofabo land. It is said that their ancestor's migrated to come settle in this land and has been breeding children since then, up until the once hamlet transited into a really expanded village. That sounded true because inasmuch as Baba here wasn’t the crowned king of the land, has never been even, permission must be gotten from him as to who or not to coronate. Baba is so tall and lanky; people marvel from his still intimidating height at this age, how he was as a young man. He always had to bend so as to come out through his door regardless of his already bent waist. That is how tall he is. Baba proudly tells children in the village during moonlight stories: concerning growing up, hunting in jungles and thick forest, and how he was the bravest of them all. He cleared his throat as though ready to begin a narration but smiled when he saw, however dimly, the look on the faces of the little girls before him; they looked nervous, they looked impatient and he didn’t want to bore them with any of his talks. More so the day was still very young and they would need to help their parents out in the house or at the farm, either ways! In his good heart, he excused them to go home. Well, he had to, there is no way they would have the guts to leave his presence without his permission. That’s another bulky part of the tradition - they would be attracting a curse on themselves if they dared. The girls knew this and prayed silently in their hearts that Baba releases them to go this morning. The brown curtain hanging on the wooden door opened just as they stood up to leave and the last person they both expected to see in the house this early morning walked in. He wore a native buba shirt and a trouser that stood somewhere in-between knickers and full length trouser. Everything about Omachoko, the young man that just walked in, irritated Laibe's friends, especially Ebi, to their bones. Is it the three faint Igala marks that his parents drew on his face? Drawn in such a way that it’s like running a black marker on a clean white linen. Yes. Almost everyone in the village has the Igala mark; some running from the edges of their lips to some points on the cheeks, while others from the edges of their eyelids downwards. Omachoko's whose fairness was fading due to rigorous lifestyle, wasn’t an exception. Maybe they disliked him so much for putting undue pressure on their friend, ever since he inherited that old bicycle from his father. Once, he asked Laibe to remain at home so he could fetch water for her from the stream instead. The poor girl said NO to no avail and by the time he was done filling up the two large drums at the back of the house with water, she still said NO. Another time he carried her firewood all the way from the neighbouring village, where they usually go to fetch firewood, down to her house. He said he loves Laibe - he can and would do anything for her. That would have been a melodious song in the ears of some other girls in the village who believe there isn’t so much to a woman’s life and have acquired a stereotyped dream of getting married to someone who can fend for their needs and those of the children unborn. Not Laibe, not any of her friends. The three girls have always believed in themselves, believed in the fact that if they worked just a little harder, they would get a man that deserved them much better than the ‘local champions’ around. The mothers of Ebi and Umali have however warned their girls to desist from such mentality as Laibe. Reasons being that the respective families needed the income that would be generated from the dowries of the girls. "Olodúdú Baba" Omachoko prostrated to say ‘Good morning’ to Baba who didn’t see anyone walk in at first. Baba's vision was gradually growing dim and his sense of hearing saved him more often than not. Baba smiled on recognising the voice and Ebi pinched Umali’s hand almost immediately. They both gave themselves a knowing look and hissed lightly, so light Baba must not hear. It is another gross, unpardonable form of disrespect to hiss in front of an elder no matter how irritated one becomes. So much for tradition. Omachoko to them look, sounds and thinks too pompous for their liking. Perhaps because his father was the wealthiest farmer in the land and he had inherited everything since the elderly man passed on, one and half years ago. They both told Laibe, just when he was on her neck, that she should look out for a young man who can make money on his own and not depend on his parents’ inheritance to survive, in her best interest. Though Laibe has been quite indifferent about the whole matter. What would a girl rather do with a never-give-up young man anyway? She still knew marriage was close to the last thing on her mind at that moment. "Mà donè kà jì Ankpa" Ebi and Umali stopped involuntarily at the door when Omachoko said those words, telling Baba that ‘someone had been kidnapped in Ankpa’. Many thoughts ran through their minds individually as each one tried not to believe what her brain was suggesting. Baba sat up with his mouth agape, more like jerking up. He asked for details from Omachoko and the only thing the young man could say was that one of his relations came home late hours of this morning, telling everyone that the most recent events in Ankpa right now were kidnapping and human trafficking. The relation proceeded to say that the kidnappers use several tricks to get younger children, especially girls, for what no one knew about and that; some two girls were kidnapped within the space of this morning to noon. Tears started dropping from Ebi's eyes and Umali held her hand firmly. Ebi has always been like this, being the loudest and craziest of the three, yet too emotional for strength. Everything made her cry and Umali knew more than anything else that her friend is already regretting their actions. They were part of the strong forces that encouraged Laibe to travel even when she had double thoughts, even when her grandfather was not approving of it. "Ì dàbù kùmà àbà!" Baba exclaimed as he sank back into the seat behind him. He said he had never been more apprehensive about anything else in his life and inasmuch as he tried to dissuade Laibe from travelling, her mind was made. He knew his granddaughter very well; how nice and humble she can be and also how extremely unbearable she gets every time she chooses to be stubborn and follow her own will. Baba could feel his heart beating fast and his body was already beginning to get hot. He can't afford slumping over from high blood pressure at this point, not now that he had no idea, whatsoever, about the whereabouts of his beloved granddaughter. If Laibe was in danger as his minds feels right now, if she ever needed any help, he should be the one available to render one. The more he thinks about it, the more he realises that none of them, both him and Laibe, were careful enough to ask for vital details from the young man that claimed to be sent from aunty Udale. The only thing Baba know is his name – Ocholi, and that was because the young man even had the courtesy to introduce himself by that name, not because he was asked. Who knows if that was a fake name just to deceive and get his young granddaughter to follow him. The eagerness. The hurry. Everything was so much this morning indeed. "Éwñ àche àbàjo í?" He turned to ask Omachoko, ‘what is the next possible thing to do now?’. He looked confused, he looked hurt and helpless. Omachoko looked more confused than even the two girls still clinging on to the door knob. Though his reasons for dissuading Laibe from traveling to Ankpa were selfish ones. He felt, proximity should enable him drive his point home soon enough. Home, was and is still Laibe’s heart and the more he imagines whatever situation his heartthrob was in, the more his heart broke into pieces. Baba lay face up as though he could see heaven from where he sat with a little more intense stare. He had heard of child trafficking, he had heard of kidnapping but never imagined giving out his own granddaughter willingly to kidnappers. He never envisaged it coming this close to him. There was something he could literally taste in his mouth; it was fear. ******** To be Continued..

Haha why

so sad but all the same there is hope

Ride on..

Continue

Hmmmmm you're doing a nice job here @the_writer. Ride on!

why na?

Sad

Episode 4 Continues.. "Matron, horrible things are happening in this town these days" a nurse said immediately she entered through the door of the matron's office. The office look quite too downgraded for a whole local government general hospital building; wooden chairs lay facing another wooden table that looked like it would soon collapse. The table bore some large files, a tray to left side and other little accessories that the matron would prefer she left them just where they are, for her easy reach. Dark and extremely robust she is and so, standing up happens to be the biggest task anyone could give to her once she is sited on her padded office chair. "NTA Ankpa just announced a case of some missing children and they said they would get the details across shortly..." Matron Udale replied while fixing her gaze on the Apple iPad Air 2 on her hand as if she read her last statement from it. The younger nurse continued talking till she somehow offered herself a seat and right then the matron knew that the next bulky minutes of her time would be wasted. Ever since Jane joined the hospital, she has been notorious for highly elevated level of gossip such that most people in the hospital disliked having a conversation with her let alone on a topic making news headline such as this. ‘Uhmm! God will help us’, was what Matron Udale could say to her, after heaving a deep breath. "Matron…" The younger nurse started, "Most times I wonder what they do with those little children they kidnap, especially the girls. In fact, they now 'kidnap' adults only to demand ransom. That's the height of it" she gesticulated all the way through her statements. She sat halfway into the chair in the gossip fashion and much louder than her voice, the movement of her hands did bulk of the talking. Unlike the other staff, only the matron is tolerant enough to give listening ears to all her tales. The matron, on her own side, feels the younger nurse was just being exuberant because of the young blood still flowing in her veins. ‘She would grow up soon’, the matron always consoled all the staff that comes to report Nurse Jane to her. Of course she should. When children now finish secondary school at mid teen and already bag a first degree as early as nineteen, some of these childishness in character is bound to happen. That is surely the case with Jane and coupled with the fact that her father is the immediate past chief nursing officer of this general hospital, securing job here was as light as a bunch of dry cotton wool for her. "Matron, don’t you think all these emanating vices amongst our youths are as a result of lack of employment? I mean, how can I have all the requirements for a job and still need a 'leg' to get it?" Jane questioned as though she was lamenting: more like letting loose some overdue grievances off her mind. Her voice was not as sharp as it usually sounded. She spoke with utter disdain and bitterness streaming up from her inside, biting her lips at every break in-between consecutive words. Matron Udale took in another much needed calming yet deep breath. She didn’t know the best answer to give to the slim, fair with neatly tied long hair, young lady sitting in front of her right now. She can’t even tell whether Jane's last statement was actually a question. It is true that things are falling apart. She remembered during her youthful days, a primary school graduate can get a middle class job that could cater for basic needs. She got a job immediately she was done with School of Nursing, Makurdi - one of the two nursing schools in the entire state then; it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than students securing admissions there. Her major disadvantage was also that she had schooled all her life at Emodu Community Secondary school Ofabo, so her level of exposure to the world was very low. However, she was such a bright girl, have always been. That is why Baba decided to send her to school while her elder brother help out with the work at home and on the farm. Although, this gesture came handy in the mouth of critics as they devoured Baba for being so stupid as to send a girl child to school. ‘She would amount to nobody’, ‘She is only a girl and should be kept at home to help’, ‘Her brother should be sent to school instead’, ‘In the end, she would be married off to another family, and all your efforts would be in vain’, 'women education ends up in the kitchen', these and many more were some of the sayings from the villagers and extended family members. Instead of the circumstances around her education deterring her, she took it as a big challenge to prove each and every one of them wrong in whatever way she could. And as a wise man said ‘ the best revenge is to be extremely successful’, she pushed through her secondary school with very excellent grades and got admission into the school of Nursing that very year. In the higher institution, she was tops as well and everyone on campus knew Udale - the bright and reserved girl. On the day of their graduation, a lot of private hospitals as well as representatives from government hospitals came in to give them- the best among them- job offers. She finished as the best graduating student of the year and a lot of offers were made to her. It was after lots of consideration and persuasion that she opted for this hospital. Maybe because Dr Matthew who was then a 'Bro Matthew' in church, lived in Ankpa. Bro. Matthew tickled her fancy from the very day she joined the prayer unit of Kingdom Destiny Ministries, Ankpa. He was the head of the prayer subgroup then and his charm, charisma and ultimately, depth in God made almost every lady in the church fall over themselves in line to have him for keeps. Udale felt going back to the village, for the few months of compulsory waiting before resuming her work at the general hospital, was not sensible in any way, even though her father and elder brother were strongly ingratiating she came back home at least for few weeks. She stubbornly remained in Ankpa, living in her pastor's house and wholeheartedly dedicating her time to the service of God in church. Though some part of her felt like getting back to Ofabo, meeting with those sets of persons that criticized her educational pursuits and waving her certificate as well as her award of excellence at their faces. That way, less people would oppose female child education and as well reduce the cases of gender bias. She kept this plans stuck up in her head until Bro Matthew came into her life, became an integral part of it and a lot has become history since then. Yeah, things changed. For better and for worse! "Matron…?" "Eh! Uhnm!..." Matron Udale murmured immediately Jane's voice brought her back from her thoughts. She had tried to preoccupy her mind at every given opportunity, so as to avoid all these thoughts and memories, that result in mixed feelings, from popping up strongly in her head over and over again. It’s been getting more impossible these few days especially with the recent arguments and misunderstandings that arose in her home. "What is the problem, mummy? Your mind seem to be very far away" Jane asked, searching the older woman's eyes with hers. Matron Udale smiled. Was she just called one of the best names she had been wishing to be addressed with over the years? Did the little nurse really mean it when she said ‘mummy’ or was it just a slip of the tongue? These questions flew through her mind in rapid succession and she knew better than to get drown in her thoughts all over again. "No problem darling. I was only going back memory lane. You know, things have really fallen apart in Nigeria…?" She stammered her responses. Jane gave her the 'I don’t believe you' look and that made the matron more uncomfortable. There was no way she was going to tell her all that ran up and are still running mercilessly in her mind and head. There are personal and private. More so, the little girl would need to live for a minimum of another twenty two years to understand the situation she was in right now. "Well…" The matron wanted to continue but was placed on hold by the flip opening of her office door. "Madam!" the tall male nurse, that just barged in on them, called her with a voice that sounded like someone just escaping from a venomous pursuit of a wounded hyena. "What's the matter, Ephraim?" Matron asked as soon as the 'madam' barely came off his mouth. She couldn’t understand why the nurse sounded like he was being pursued and the more she tries not to imagine whatever could have gone wrong, the more her heart threatens to jump out of its cage. "Someone is waiting at the reception, he said he needed to see you very urgently" Ephraim responded swiftly. Matron Udale sat up, she couldn’t mask the sore fear in her eyes any longer, "Someone? What happened? I hope nothing has happened?" she questioned loudly but to no one in particular before looking up at Ephraim. "Let the person in here" Ephraim vanished out through the door immediately the order was given. Jane sat still, looking at the matron's eyes and couldn’t understand why the elderly woman should get this agitated over having someone, whoever, come over to see her urgently in the office. To the best of Jane’s knowledge, this is not the first, neither is it the second time madam is having an emergency visit or better still, that someone would come look for her during working hours. Why is everywhere tensed today? "What is so different about today?" she voiced out before she could stop herself. The matron, who is now standing and walking towards the window as though she suddenly started feeling hot in the well air-conditioned room looked down at Jane with confusion in her eyes. Jane shrugged. Udale didn’t know why she was this nervous and afraid. Maybe because she had it well planned out earlier this morning and anything going wrong right now meant more of danger than goodwill. The NTA were yet to get back to them in details. The door opened again and Ephraim led the fellow into the office leaving as briskly as he had left earlier. The fellow looked dirty and sweaty all over with eyes bearing what was borderline between anxiety and fear. The thick hands and feet resembled that of someone that was just dug from underneath the earth few hours earlier. Udale kept on looking vacantly, showing almost no expression on her face. Jane had turned her chair in such a way that she would get a perfect view of the possible actions that could ensue between her madam and the fellow. She knew the hospital was the best place for whatever mishap that could result from issues of this nature, because prompt care will come for whoever becomes victim at the end of the day. "I'm so sorry, forgive me…" the fellow started. With the way the matron looked, she must be very familiar with the face standing before them. The two women waited patiently for who would begin the talk since the fellow came in, and starting a talk with apologies straight ahead was more threatening. "What happened?" Matron Udale screamed in fear when she couldn’t bottle it in any longer. To be Continued..

Continue plz

Sad but I hope she is safe

Hmm

What happened

Hmm

what happened???

Episode 5 Continues.. Laibe stared helplessly at the pot of soup on the cooking gas with fear and trembling. The smoke is beginning to stream out with greater intensity now. ‘Who would help me?’ She thought to herself in utter fright. She bit her lips and cursed herself for not paying enough attention while Ocholi was explaining how to put off the cooking gas when the food eventually gets done in his absence. Maybe she should have asked him to show her instead. The three-stone firewall - ígbelí - she uses back at the village doesn’t require any special skill in putting off its fire; she most times scatters the firewood and allow the fire die down on its own accord or better still, those times when she wants to be stingy with the leftover firewood, peradventure market day was the next and the probability of going to fetch firewood was close to impossible, she just quickly pour water on the woods to extinguish it. She didn’t know what to do right now; she had tried fanning air underneath the pot but the fire flames from the gas cooker almost caught her eyes some hours ago, she waved off the option of pouring water because she feared that may put the whole house in flames. Laibe kept watching with helplessness as the soup Ocholi was almost done with before dashing out burnt down before her very eyes. She couldn’t recall the last time she felt this helpless, the last time she felt like she was doing something of gross regret. She kept spanking her head whenever she remembered how she wasn’t paying keen attention to all Ocholi was saying before hurrying out of the house. How could she have? She muttered underneath her breath again. After locking the entrance door, the young man came bare-chested in her direction holding a knife firmly in his hand. Her mind had raced and beaten so fast that one may think she would collapse in on herself in no distant time. To her disappointment though, Ocholi only handed over the knife in his hand to her and asked that she followed him down to the kitchen so they both can prepare something to eat. That was supposed to relieve her, right? But her mind had gone too far initially, too far for it to consider coming back this early. She thought of the stories she heard about the use of children for money ritual when Ocholi approached her, she remembered all those horrible tales of children who got kidnapped and killed for many reasons best known to the perpetrators of the acts. Frankly, she was already convinced same thing had happened to her. That was why even when Ocholi brought the wooden board for her on which she would help him slice the vegetables he took out from the unusually wide white refrigerator at the left corner of the kitchen, it fell off her shivering hands in an attempt to collect it. Ocholi only smiled and kept the board on the kitchen locker instead before motioning her with his eyes to be quick with the slicing. Laibe started slicing the vegetables carefully, almost as immediate as Ocholi gave her the speechless order. She was of course used to this at home, so much so that she could cut up to a basin full of ugwu leaves for her mum to use in cooking the usual delicious obo àpi she sells. One thing marvels Laibe though: the fact that a man was doing the cooking in her aunt’s house appeared extremely strange and ultimately too weird for her. Back in Ofabo, a man shouldn’t be seen anywhere near the kitchen, let alone allowed to go the extent of making fire and cooking. They should normally sit after a long day at the farm or for the irresponsible ones, a long day talking and drinking palm wine at the village square, to be served the food promptly prepared by their wives and girls in the home. Seeing a man cooking here now looks like the height of emasculation in her lifetime. She stole a glance at him while he was mashing the àpí and some sliced onions in a big brown bowl. She kept on watching, even while slicing, till he opened one of the many maroon painted drawers to bring out a can of palm oil which he then poured into the hot steaming pot on the cooker. She immediately recognised that can. They would always give aunty Udale freshly prepared palm oil in it every year, just when she is about travelling back after Christmas. At least that has been a continuous gesture for as long as she could remember. "Take care of this, I have to quickly take that car back to the mechanic and get some things for aunty before she return home from her office." Ocholi's voice startled her and brought her back from all the places her mind had meandered to. "Urhm?" she questioned dumbly, pointing Ocholi's attention to the cooker and he got the message immediately. The tall young man smiled peevishly before turning back in the direction of the soup pot. The only thing left to add in there was the vegetable she was almost done slicing. Ocholi told her, pointing at the switch in front of the tall gas cooker, that she should turn the knob totally to her left whenever the food was done and that'd be all. That said, he dashed out of the house like someone was pursuing him. Well, Laibe could understand why; the kitchen time showed that it was almost 3pm already and he needed to hurry down to enable him do what’s required of him. She smiled shyly at the thought that Ocholi smiled at her, but quickly hit her head off that thought almost at the same time. Why is she already beginning to like him? She does not even know. He is very patient, very patient she affirmed. With the uncountable misbehaviours of the car on their way from the village, he still kept calm while trying to fix it at every point it broke down. He is humble, of course, because when she was outside, busy admiring the interlocked ground in the compound, Ocholi packed in everything from the trunk into the house, including the large bunch of plantain Baba sent down for his daughter. The biggest point of attraction for her is this fact; the fact that he could cook. The whole kitchen already diffused the aroma from the delicious soup he left under her watch. ‘People like Omachoko, the village champion would be claiming: I am a man and shouldn’t be seen in the kitchen at the village… Mtcheew’ She drew a long hiss after that thought flashed her mind while still admiring Ocholi in her head. She poured, after washing, the ugwu into the pot and mixed appropriately before sitting on one of the chairs in the semi dining room, somewhere near the entrance of the wide kitchen. She wondered, as she always have all the times she saw on the only wallpaper hanging above her mother's bed, why there would be a dining room inside the kitchen again. It didn’t make any sense to her, unless they expected the food to be eaten while cooking concurrently. But right now, that soup, that delicious and inviting-to-the-nose aroma soup is burning all down. She gave up trying and just stood staring at the smoke like someone awaiting execution. She could imagine the screams she would get from her aunty when they got back here. More so that it was only her first day. Hope they won’t send her back to the village after this and leave her heartbroken again. She also felt like crying as she imagined the disgusting look Ocholi would give her when he sees this mess as well, it can never be his usual smiling face, and he may not ever show her his usual kind face anymore. All these thoughts drowned her mind as tears involuntarily started flowing down her cheeks, that's aside the large pints of sweat running down the back of her ear and soaking her dress. Fear had eaten up almost half of her. Just then, the kitchen door opened, a tall and huge man walked in, he sneezed first at the door and brought out a handkerchief from his bag. The bag looked like a company's official bag with the many inscriptions on it and with the way he held it firmly in his hand. The huge man walked quickly past her and towards the gas cooker on which the almost totally burnt soup sat, with the white handkerchief firmly covering his nose. He simply turned the cooker’s knob down to his left and the fire was put out. Laibe didn’t understand what just happened. She thought the gas cooker was programmed to function under the touch of specific persons - maybe normal members of this house - because she struggled to turn down that knob totally to the same left side but it got stuck at some point like it was going to even break. "Ólànè sir" Laibe greeted the huge middle age man immediately he started walking back towards the door. He said nothing to her. Neither an angry scold nor an answer to her ‘good evening sir’. He just maintained the mean look he wore right through the door. Laibe couldn’t decipher who he was. He walked with so much boldness and composure that if here were to be a party, he would perfectly fit in for a bouncer. Even underneath his kaftan, one could trace the edges of his well-built muscular body. "What is happening here?" Laibe quickly turned in fear again to see her aunty running into the kitchen and Ocholi following closely behind her. Her heart beat increased greatly as her eyes fell on Ocholi. They both walked like they were under the effect of same control centre to the cooker from which the smoke, that had filled the entire kitchen, came. "L-A-I-B-E??" Her aunty stressed after opening the totally burnt pot of obo api. Laibe didn’t know what to say, whether to cry or just leave her shivering body standing right there. She wished the ground could open and swallow her up right now. Ocholi opened the windows to enable some air in before moving to switch on the air conditioner, thankfully there was light. "Why did you leave her alone Ocholi, what came over you?" Aunty Udale yelled at the young man that just walked to the AC switch and Laibe felt stabbed in the heart for it. She was the offender; every punishment, every scold and maybe every stroke of the cane should be directed at her not at Ocholi, her crush. "Aunty, I showed her how to switch it off before I left" he replied calmly "Don’t tell me that, my friend! How would you possibly show her how to use a gas cooker just on her first visit! She's been used to ìgbelì all her life" she yelled again at the top of her voice. "I'm sorry ma" Ocholi replied much more calmly and Laibe's heart skipped a bit. Truly this Ocholi must be another specie of a man. Men don’t apologise. Men shouldn’t be yelled at. Men are always right. These and many more had always been her belief. She stared at her aunty and with the way her lips were squirting, Laibe knew the woman was extremely angry over the incidence she just met. Another big issue is that Laibe found herself tongue tied, she didn’t know exactly what to say. She was sore afraid, very much afraid. "Takeher to her room" Aunty Udale told Ocholi before storming out of the kitchen and heading towards the rooms, upstairs. "Let us go to your room, Laibe" She heard Ocholi’s voice come through her auditory canals calmly and it felt like icing was poured on her head. At least one person is speaking to her right now. Though she didn’t expect him to sound that nice anymore, not after he just got series of loud screams on her account. She quickly started walking out, back into the sitting room to pick up her bag. Ocholi smiled at her fidgety walking steps before following her. ******** "You are disobeying me again Udale." Udale stood still immediately she heard the voice, just when she was barely in the bedroom. She didn’t expect anyone to be in the bedroom. Matthew comes home only during Weekends since his official commitment in Lokoja, the state capital. Whatever brought him home today, she couldn’t place it. "You want someone to burn down my house right? You have more than enough money in this economic recession to build or buy a new ideal house like this one?" he asked continuously without waiting for an answer, looking straight at his wife from the edge of the bed where he sat as though he had plans to get up soon. Udale did not know what to say. She was caught in a web right now. They already discussed her intentions to let her niece come stay over at the house last month but Matthew was totally against that idea. She didn’t really understand why, because as much as she knew him, he used to be more receptive to even strangers and the needy than herself. This is not a case of a stranger, this was her niece, her late elder brother's daughter for God's sake. Matthew told her he would be coming home next week and that made her decide to bring Laibe down today, get her a bit presentable and used to the corners of their big house, before her husband gets back. He should like what he will see then. Right now, everything is messed up, she muttered underneath her breath. "Ocholi is taking that little girl back to Ofabo tomorrow morning and that is final!" Matthew said firmly, puts his legs in his slippers and entered into the bathroom. Udale stood for a long while, shocked, confused and unable to think before collapsing onto the bed like a big sack of potatoes. . To be Continued..

Hmm Laibe ur own don finish

problemsess

hmmm men and pride.. we and pride are like body and soul..

What are you doing to do now Udale

Episode 6 . Continues.. Edogbanya kept pacing back and forth under the mango tree in front of Baba's house where he stood, or rather where they stood, Omachoko and Baba inclusive. He was already beginning to get impatient and that was understandable. There was a lot to do at Aloma today and if he must meet up with his customers before they all embark on their trips, he got to be there earlier than 6:30am. Yes. He sells beautifully designed local caps, the type Alhajis and typical Northerners always use. Edogbanya has been known with this job for almost the entirety of his adulthood and apart from the fact that he was doing well at his business, he possessed this gross arrogance that tag along side partial education. Reason being that, as the only one among his mates who successfully finished a primary education back in those days, even at fifty two he always has the tendency of feeling ‘belonged’ to this generation. To prove that point: the point of belonging to the jet age, he bought a Nokia 3310 from Aloma about some months ago, making him almost the first person in the whole village to own a phone. "If she doesn’t pick this time, I'll be off" Edogbanya said this to Baba in Igala, as the number Omachoko dialled was ringing out for the fourth time now. Omachoko gave Edogbanya a wicked stare. The former was beginning to get angry at the latter’s haste bearing in mind the fact that even Baba’s eyes has not tasted the luxury of sleep since yesterday morning. Omachoko had remained fixed to the rugged floor of the sitting room after Baba asked him the heaviest 'what are we going to do now?' question. For the first time in a long while, he was unable to fix his brain around anything. They needed some proofs that would either confirm or reproof their suspicions and relieve them of the inaudible panic they were both into. It was Umali, one of Laibe's friend who whispered into his ears about Edogbanya, her uncle. Omachoko knew Edogbanya very well; he could be very stingy and mean to a fault; especially when he realises that something would be at stake without his help. No one knew why he behaved that way but rumour had it that he heartlessly watched his first wife die, as a result of a very deep injury, by not releasing money for her to go get it dressed at the only clinic in the village. The poor woman lamented in anguish and agony to no avail before she finally gave up the ghost. Being an impatient young man, Omachoko does not know exactly how he would react to Edogbanya if he tried to pull any of his stingy stunts now that his dearest one's life was on the line. After going back to Edogbanya’s house three times yesterday, one of his wives advised that he should check back very late in the night or early this morning if he will ever meet her husband at home. ‘Tell him the madaki would see him as early as possible tomorrow morning before anything else’, was the words Baba asked Omachoko to say to his wife when everyone saw that the possibility of seeing the trader that night was near zero. The Madaki serves as the chief judge of the entire village, so much so that most, if not all, cases regarding family, divorce, marriage, dispute of any form are settled before him. Baba being the oldest now after the death of Pa. Ekele assumed that position and he felt yesterday was one good time to use the influence of his position to get what he wants. That’s majorly because, everyone in the village know how arrogant Edogbanya can be and how highly placed he puts his job much more than anything else. Omachoko tiredly dozed off on the rugged floor while still talking with Baba over Laibe's issue late into the night. Baba sat on his armed chair as usual, everything else - except that the radio was switched off that night - was usual. Omachoko had noticed at every point he jerked up from sleep that Baba's eyes were still wide awake. Aged people and their problems! No matter how Baba worries, he can’t get Edogbanya down here earlier than morning, Omachoko thought within him at some points before he decided to ignore Baba and catch some sleep. The rug used to be brown, beautifully designed brown rug that was laid by Baba's daughter, but the colour has changed from obvious reasons. It now had dirty clay patches added to the already black tainted designs. Omachoko had no choice; he couldn’t go home and couldn’t also leave the old man all to himself right in that condition. Why he did something that he considered too demeaning for his person - sleeping on the floor. But anything, just anything, he had found himself able to do for Laibe. Morning finally came and it was Edogbanya that woke them up, maybe just him. He doubt if Baba blinked. The noisy caterpillar sound that often come from Edogbanya's old Jincheng motorcycle would wake even a dead man from a far distance. Baba got up before anyone else and headed towards the mango tree just in front of the house. Omachoko came out to join them with drowsy eyes when Baba was still explaining the situation to Edogbanya. Baba explained it in such a way that even the heartless of men would be forced to render any help to savage the situation. Omachoko kept moving his eyes from Baba to Edogbanya and back to Baba, he needed to see the true expression in their eyes. Those in Edogbanya’s was not welcoming at all. You know that type of face one makes when he is asked a favour from someone he can’t possibly refuse for whatever reasons? That was how his eyes looked like while he handed over the phone to Omachoko to dial the number they wanted to reach. The phone was on speaker. No. The lowest volume on his brand of phone is synonymous to placing a smart phone on the highest speaker volume. They all listened with rapt attention as the phone was ringing for the fourth time now. Omachoko could literally feel Baba's heartbeat from the distance he stood so much so that he started praying in his heart the call be picked this time. In addition to the fact that Edogbanya's patience level has gone beneath zero limit. ****** Matthew tapped his wife lightly and she didn’t wake up. He was forced to hit her hard enough to consciousness when the loud ringing from her phone came up strongly again for the third time. He wondered why she didn’t put the phone off or on silent mode tonight, bearing in mind that they both slept on unpleasant terms. "Why is she just deliberately provoking me right now?" He asked himself, trying to let go of the anger that was beginning to boil on his inside. Yes, he is used to his wife being called up at any time of the day, and it was more when she was still a junior nurse. He only started resting at least after she became a matron. If there was anything he hated so passionately was anything noisy jerking him up from sleep as her phone just did a while ago. Udale cleaned her eyes with the back of her arm. She woke up because she felt her husband hit her shoulders, yet everywhere looked blurry. I thought I overhead the ending part of my ringing tone a while ago? Or was that hallucination? she questioned herself. She wasn’t supposed to be called at the hospital for no reason. In fact, she should be on leave at the moment but considering the fact that home was empty and boring, she decided to still be going to work so as to help out with one or two things. No patient needed critical care as at last time she checked yesterday before leaving, so who the heck is calling at this time? She hissed while stretching her hand lazily to pick up the phone on the side drawers. The master bed is so large it could adequately fill up a twelve by ten room without leaving any empty space. "H-E-L-L-O" She said angrily into the speaker immediately she wiped at the screen of the Infinix hot note to pick up the call. She grudgingly placed it against her ear. "Baba!" She exclaimed, sitting up almost at the same time. She watched her husband eyeball her before getting up and heading to the bathroom "Olodùdú Baba!" she greeted her father ‘good morning’ with the kind of voice that couldn't hide apprehension. She listened quietly to the call and her heart started calming down - first, when she heard other people's voices in the background. It was relieving that her father was not alone making a call at this ungodly hour and secondly it was about his concern regarding Laibe's safety. Udale smiled broadly when her father asked her if it was true that his granddaughter was missing. There is this special love that streams from the heart of the old man, this special affection towards his innocent granddaughter. Udale once testified that she didn’t enjoy this much attention while growing up and it sometimes made her feel jealous. "Laibe chõlàfíà Baba" Udale replied, telling him that ‘Laibe was fine and in perfect condition’. She went ahead to clear the air about the kidnapping news that has been on air since yesterday, explaining that it was true some little girls were kidnapped on their way to school yesterday morning and the police are on serious investigation to have them brought back to their parents. She tried to convince Baba that those kidnappers in town are usually on specific missions and mostly to the end of demanding for ransom. She could hear and feel her father's voice relax when she confirmed to him that Laibe was doing very well and sleeping very sound. "Baba, I have heard you ooo!" Udale stressed when her father kept giving her manual on how to take care of her own little niece. She was tired of hearing continuously the fact that Baba always referred to Laibe as the ‘only one’ he had left. That statement sounds very insulting to her. Yes. Does the old man mean that she is not part of what he has? After all, she is spending all her earnings to keep him hale and hearty. There is this solace she finds though that old and aged senses are not any different from those of toddlers'. She waited patiently till her father said his last statement before dropping the call. The last statement a bit irritated her but she couldn’t talk back at him. Imagine him telling her that he wasn’t really in support of Laibe staying over at her place and that she shouldn’t hesitate to send his granddaughter back to him soon enough. That sounded like the last sentence she wanted to hear right now, not when her husband had been giving her some horrible looks since he came out of the bathroom to stand tall before her in his purple stripe pyjamas. She dropped the phone from her ear and held it firmly to her chest, quite firmly, like someone was threatening to snatch it away from her. She didn’t understand why Matthew was standing and watching her that way. His stature is usually intimidating - extremely tall and huge – even when she is standing beside him. One can imagine the angle of depression now that she is resting her back on the bed’s head rest. "Sunshine, what is the problem again?" she asked after rehearsing how best to voice out her mind for a little over five minutes. Matthew didn’t respond to her instead he headed to the intercom, picked it up and dialled… "Come right here!" he commanded whoever received the call on the other side. "Matthew, what are you doing?" Udale questioned her husband as she tried to gather her robust body and get off the bed. She was beginning to marvel at her husband's recent change in attitude. He was never like this - insisting on a particular matter for this long - he most times let her have her way. The door flipped and presented Ocholi standing bare-chested, wearing only a short. He must have come here on jumping out of the bed with the kind of order he received over the phone. "Get ready! You are taking Laibe back to Ofabo this morning" Matthew ordered harshly "Sir!" Ocholi retorted as if to be sure his ears didn’t just give him the wrong command. "Get out! And get dressed immediately!" The huge man sounded thunderously and the outcome was as though his voice lifted Ocholi to the door and off to his room iinstantly. "Matthew, you can’t do this!" Udale screamed as well, coming to confront her husband directly. She knew she is petite compared to him, just round and closer to the soil than her husband who is tall and huge, yet she decided to stand with her hands akimbo, perhaps by that she could block his way. "Get out of my way, woman! Before I get you out!" Matthew roared, used his right finger to push the fat woman unto the bed and headed towards the door. Udale positioned her head while landing on the bed from the firm push, to avoid it from hitting the bed frame. Tears began steaming up in her eyes when she screamed, "I leave if that girl leaves, Matthew" Matthew only barely got to the door when she made this statement, he turned without delay and started walking back gently in her direction with a rueful smile tugged around his mouth that was supposed to make her relax. He walked as gentle as he would normally walk, rested his right hand on the bed and stretched his neck such that his face stayed directly in front of hers as he ran his eyes over her body before letting out a sarcastic laughter. "You have no seed in this house, Udale. I have nothing to lose if you leave with her. And of course, you both are leaving right away! Watch me…" he said all these with gentle sarcasm. The more he spoke them out softly, the more the bitter fact he just reminded her of penetrated her bones, hurting her inner being. She was weak in her words. She wanted to say something, anything, anything that could justify that it wasn’t all her fault. She wanted to hold him back and say all the words yearning to gain expression on her inside but he yanked her off in a flash and stormed out of the bedroom and into Laibe's room. Tbc

Following

Mathew Kraa what be his problem

What is your problem mister

Ride on

This is serious

this is very serious

Continue

I know its the childless issue that's changing Mathew. Next pls!

following

Episode 7 Continues.. Matthew pushed open the door to the visitor's room where Laibe lay with enormous force so much so that Laibe jerked up and drew backwards against the wall almost immediately, as though she wanted to pass through the wall out of the room. She was sleeping, sleeping so sound before now. Her first night in the town of her dreams; the only town she had been seeing flashes of, in dreams and other times in trance, whichever! She was certain she had pictured Ankpa in her head long enough to carve out its map ever before getting the opportunity to come here. She dare not lay sleeping back at Ofabo at this time. In fact she needed to have been awake early enough so as to sweep the whole of her grandfather's compound that is continuously dirtied with dropping leaves which become even worse during harmattan. She needed to be done and dusted with all of those before Umali and Ebi would come, just when it was time for stream. The stream was an average distance to her own house as the rest would need pass through hers on their way to theirs. If one must get the clean water needed for the day’s use, going very early to the stream is an indispensable virtue, because the naughty and stubborn boys in the village wouldn’t have washed their dirty bodies in it neither would they have unsettled the almost muddy water by then. That's how her mornings usually turn out to be. It's either she gets to the market after that; if the day was a market day, or whenever she can, follow some of Baba's workers to the farm and help in either harvesting or gathering, especially of beans. Beans seem to be the most productive crop in the whole village – competing back to back with cassava though - and most families have no need of going to buy beans from the market because they all planted at one time or the other. Instead, since everyone has more than enough, they would give it to the women going to òbà - the largest market very distant from the area, to help them sell. Hard work was one good thing she came to like about Omachoko aside his many bad sides, pomposity being the highest on the list. He appear to have mastered all the possible techniques that would bring maximum harvest in beans plantation; reason why his family still ranks richest in the entire village, and the credit could undoubtedly go to the hard work he inherited from his father right from a very tender age. Laibe looked up from the bed at her uncle and as though she was noticing this for the first time, she could not help but marvel how a man could be that huge. So tall that he had to bend real down while standing in the door way. She wondered again how her aunty coped with her husband’s height but waved that thought aside when she noticed the redness in the eyes of the giant standing before her. It is true. She hadn’t heard his voice ever, more so that he hadn’t said a word to her since the kitchen incidence. She was scared as she managed to stammer… "O-lo-dù-dù sir" Matthew said nothing, did nothing and didn’t blink his eyes, even after the poor girl greeted him 'Good morning' in utter fright. He stood at the door frame just unblinkingly looking at her with red shot eyes. The only movement noticeable in his whole body was the one around the region of his very obvious 'Adam apple', it moved quickly and slothfully at the same time, similar to the irregular movement of an amoeba. It was obvious that the ball of anger in him was too big to swallow with the way his face was like that of one pushing a heavy truck up a high mountain. He wanted to talk but he struggled as he refrained from it. He is not usually angry, in fact, his normally calm and pleasant demeanour had slowly changed till his face contorted in all- consuming anger; his nostrils flaring, his eyes flashing and closing into slits. His mouth had the tendency to quiver and drool angry words and he knew how synonymous to spewing into space like a volcano releasing its pent up emotions into the darkness those words would come if he let them out. He kept staring at the girl squeezed to a corner up the bed for nothing less than fifteen minutes. Her legs crawled beneath her feet in fear as his eyes ran over her entire piece carrying gross hatred that Laibe could see clearly. The reason, she couldn’t provide by herself. She thought of saying something else, anything. Although he didn’t respond to her greetings, perhaps he would respond to sorry if she said it. Maybe, she should say she was sorry. What if he asked her what she was sorry for afterwards? What other explanation would she give? ‘What exactly has she done under heavens this beautiful sunny morning?’ All these thoughts and more took their time to fly or rather, drive recklessly through her mind in rapid succession until she finally made up her mind to speak out. Whatever she can bring herself to say, she would say it. Laibe rose her head up to talk and as though it was calculated, she saw and heard her door slam hard against her face before she could voice out any word. That got her shivering even more in the hot morning. Her uncle barged into her room, forcing her door open so angrily that she almost fainted from the shock, he stood mute at the door for long without responding to her greeting and just when she was about to say something else, he slammed the door against her face? Was it that bad? She asked herself. Or better still, was she that bad and intolerable? She hit her head as though trying to bring herself to consciousness from some sort of nightmare she appears to be having since she stepped her foot into her long awaited Ankpa. Whatever must have made her uncle behave this way must be very serious and she needed to get to the root of it. She got up and pulled another of those oversized gowns over her head - the second of the three. She planned to wash the other mud stained one today, then she would get to talk to her crush, Ocholi again, because she would surely be needing him to show her where to get water and soap. She was hoping in the process the amiable young man would smile kindly at her again like only he had been doing. Except for her friends and grandfather, she feels head over heels special anytime another fellow smiled at her and all those plans were not going to happen anytime soon with the way the morning is already starting out. She took in a deep breath, patting her chest in the process. Mimicked the sign of the cross before heading towards her door. It was mimic, she had never been a Catholic, and she only see Ebi do it sometimes because the latter is. She still tasted fear in her mouth anyways. She got to the door and pressed down the knob but it wasn’t moving. She tried it again with her feeble and tiny fingers, this time using the whole energy left from the food she ate late last night, but the door still didn’t show any sign of yielding to her push. She moved sideways till her body hit the wall behind her. Has it gotten to the point of locking her up in the room? She held the wall and slid down from her standing height till her buttocks rested on the marble tiles. ****** "What are you doing Matthew? What has come over you?" Udale screamed as hot burning tears rolled ceaselessly down her chubby cheeks immediately her husband opened back their bed room door. She had gotten up when he stormed out earlier but she didn’t follow him. She waited till he came back. He owed her an explanation and she was getting it now, no matter what. She charged towards him and held his pyjamas around his chest region, her hands struggled to hold it firmly there though, due to the extreme height difference but she did; still crying and hitting him hard while at it. "You must tell me what has come over you today. And you would have to kill me or Laibe, else none of us is stepping out of this house" Udale kept screaming and screaming, her voice rising higher at every new statement she made and her hands squeezed her husband’s dress the more. Matthew stood without responding to all his wife's actions on him. He knew better than to beat her up right now, because with the absolute percentage of anger locked up within him, the poor woman would spend nothing less than fifteen nights at an intensive care unit as an aftermath of any action he would take as it stands. He only pocketed his hands and watched her like one would watch from the pinnacle of a storey building as the woman jacked up his shirt. "Perhaps if your seeds were agile enough, you would have reaped bountiful harvests a long time ago…" Udale continued. Thankfully, the house was built in such a way that each room had its own toilet and other accessories, it is padded sound proof as well. Someone in another room would not hear screams no matter how loud it was in the room, unless the person is standing and struggling to eavesdrop right at the door. That was why even if the comments from his wife were getting on his nerves, he knew none of the two other persons in the building right now would hear them. "Is it my fault that you are not man enough?" With this, Matthew flung her onto the bed like a light piece of cloth and charged forward towards her with a raised hand. "How dare you?" He roared as his hands grabbed Udale's neck. Udale could see the end of the line close to her eyes already with the mighty hand holding her neck, she would choke, she would gasp and ultimately die soonest, "Please let me go Matthew" she pleaded, her loud voice now as quiet as a calm stream. Matthew didn’t seem to bulge, he held her whole body up on the bed with just that right hand on her neck. Her pleas and tears meant nothing to him right now, he had just been hit on the wrongest side by those last words from his wife and she would face the consequences of touching him at the forbidden place when he is angry. "Awaa! Please let me go" Udale continued pleading in tears "On one condition…" Matthew answered with eyes still red from over bloated temper. "What condition?" Udale asked with shaky voice. ******** Laibe quickly shifted her legs into each other immediately she heard the sound on her door. She adjusted so well where she sat on the floor like a snail in its shell, such a way that she wouldn’t be sighted if whoever was at the door only opened it to check without entering. That’s because the large beautifully carved out brown door would hide the whole of her behind it. She imagined what would happen next if that was her uncle trying to open the door again. Her eyes darted from side to side just maybe she can get an escape route out of this room before the person successfully got in. Goosebumps broke out on her skin as she searched eagerly but there was none. Even the way the bed was built was very different from the ones they had in Ofabo. The ones at Ofabo have large spaces directly underneath it where things with many inches height could freely move under the bed. This does not have that space so she can’t crawl underneath it. She saw the wardrobe and alarm rang up in her head. Perhaps that could help her and just when she ran halfway over to the corner where the wardrobe stood, the door opened. "Jesus!" She screamed and jumped backwards involuntarily. "What happened?" Ocholi asked immediately Laibe screamed, wondering what made her look that scared to death. Laibe gave him a 'did you just ask me that?' kind of look and he closed his once opened mouth. Laibe kept staring at him from up to toe with different unimaginable thoughts in her mind. Ocholi was all dressed up just about eight o'clock in the morning? She marvelled at where he was already coming from at this time. Worse is that he wasn’t smiling today. Even when he asked her the question, his face was stern. The clothes he had on looked quite squeezed and not properly worn; the type that usually happens when PHCN takes light for so long, one couldn’t iron a dress he had planned to wear to a celebration party and still had no choice but to wear it all the same. Well, the summary to her was that he was looking like someone hurried him into dressing up. "You know what, Laibe?" Ocholi asked and she responded by nodding from side to side. "Come and I'll tell you!" Laibe hastened towards him with her heart in her mouth to at least know what the whole problem is. She stood few inches away from him as her eyes begged him to talk already but he wanted to whisper into her ears instead. PS: I observed the likes and comments on the story is way too low,and seriously me no like to dey waste my energy... Should the story be stopped?? coz e be like say una no wan read...una no go dey busy to read,but to comment and like na issue...If it continues this way,the story go hang..... Tbc

first to comment.. ride on

no guy I am way too enjoying this story... am too curious bro I Want to know how this ends.

no guy I am way too enjoying this story... am too curious bro I Want to know how this ends. please ride on

I lyk it buh m not understanding it too wel

Ocholi is taking you back to the village Labie Pls don't stop the story some people are reading and commenting nao

Ride on bro nothing do you!

Pls o continue the story o

aabeg don't stop it... Following

please don't stop this story ooo I know things we settled

Continue o

Episode 8 Continues.. At any point the car shook, it felt like nuts loosened up in her head. But the car has to shake. In fact, it must. The road to Ofabo is both hilly, rocky and dusty. So much combination for a road that this black Ford Endeavour SUV had to take this morning, in addition to embarking on an unnecessary and unplanned journey. Well, isn’t it called Ford Endeavour? It’s Endeavour, after all. It’s yet another time for the car to display its usual doggedness. Arguments and misunderstandings are normal. Yeah! Everyone nags and we all forget something ever happened once those eyes are shut to sleep. This has always been the trend, she didn’t know yesterday would still spill into today but she had a premonition of danger anyway. Right from the time Nurse Ephraim came to tell her that someone was looking for her; the way she felt scared, the way she got jittery and overtly nervous, she had this feeling that something was going to go wrong. How wrong? Was the only thing she really couldn’t tell as Ocholi walked tiredly behind Ephraim into her office. Apart from how unusually dirty he looked, he succeeded in worsening the condition of her already elevated heart rate by starting his statements with an unsolicited apology. Whatever he was apologising for, beats her imagination. “Sincerely Sis, Faruna serviced that car yesterday. I don’t know what went wrong. I was just about taking it back to his workshop now but it broke down again just beside the secretariat. I got underneath it, to check some things and all, in trying to see if I could fix it in a manageable way. All to no avail. I had to trek down here hurriedly when there was no other way out. Sis, it stopped very close to security’s ‘no parking’ order and I need move it out as soon as possible before they deflate the tires or do worse things to it” Those were Ocholi’s chain of words. He didn’t say them all out together like this, he said one word after the other, in a manner that seemed the next words got stuck in his throat. Udale was patient though or better still, she wasn’t really paying attention to all his stories. Look at her here, almost scared to death that her niece was kidnapped or in some form of danger, only to find out the so called urgency was their Peugeot 504. She felt like holding Ocholi’s ears and telling him never to scare her like that again, but Jane was still sited there, glaring at them like she was seeing an episode from the much talked about Jennifer’s diary. It wasn’t absolutely that he scared her. Perhaps, she scared herself by having that agreement with Ocholi to have him bring in Laibe against her husband’s instructions in the first place. She would have done something to Ocholi’s ears – pull, wriggle, tickle, anything - if it was just the both of them in the office though. They are quite close. She had to hand over her own car keys to Ocholi since it was almost close of work. They both drove to the mechanic garage, picked Faruna and brought him back to the mess of a car he claimed to have serviced the day before. The mechanic was left there to figure out how to move the broken down car from the front of the local government secretariat back to his shop and get it fixed as soon as possible. That done, Ocholi drove them home. Their house is at Olubojo, Enokpoli road, just a few distance away yet on the same lane with the secretariat. So it took barely ten minutes to get into her sitting room that had become overridden with smoke. Ocholi hurriedly picked up her bag and jacket from the car, joining her just before she opened the kitchen door. Laibe, already burning their dinner on her first night in the house was a call for concern but that in itself wasn’t as scary as her husband’s impromptu arrival. All her plans washed down the drain that moment she saw him, on entering the master’s bedroom and when he gave her only one condition that would save her from choking under his tenacious grip earlier this morning, she was compelled to adhere strictly to the core. Even after telling Matthew that Baba was in full support of Laibe’s movement from the village, he insisted his condition was that they all go back to see Baba for reasons best known to only him. To worsen the whole matter, he made Laibe pack back her bag alongside. “Oh! Oh!” she exclaimed when Matthew entered into another gulp hole carved out as aftermath of erosion. If her eyes carried a sword, Matthew’s head would probably be rolling off somewhere across the road with the angry look she shot at him. She drew a long frustrated hiss, murmuring some inaudible words to herself, as she bent to pick back her phone that slipped off her hand when the car vibrated vigorously. It is true that the road was horrible, but Matthew’s little expertise made the journey even more stressful than it normally should. He didn’t know, perhaps because he wasn’t used to the road, how to navigate and dodge holes yet he changed his mind abruptly about Ocholi driving, after making the younger man dress all up in haste. Everyone knows Ocholi can drive conveniently through any type of road. Much wonder the distinct differences even when from the same loins. One can vouch how brown the exterior of the car would look now from accumulated dust. Matthew didn’t mind. He was enjoying the deafening silence in the car. Something within him kept convicting his actions this morning. Him? Holding Udale’s neck? What if he had killed her? A subtle captivating headline for the media: ‘Woman killed by husband for bringing her niece to the house’ or ‘Wicked man kills wife over 13-year old niece’. How disgraceful it would be for a high placed statesman like him to fall into the hands of these eager journalists. It would worsen his already bad situation and maybe add psychiatrist or psychotherapist visitation to his long and clumsy list of schedules. All these thoughts tortured the part of peace left in his brain as tiny drops of sweat appeared on his forehead. He couldn’t believe he did all those. Wherever that destructive anger came from, thinking about it over and over again was maybe the reason why he almost doesn’t see any gulp hole till he was midway into it. Sometimes, it is just perfect to be ignorant as what you’ll find out ends up tormenting you. Surely, all these are courtesy of the confirmation he got recently. Maybe he shouldn’t have sought for a confirmation. Now he has and everything is going haywire in his head. “Damn!” He hit his hand lightly against the wheel, so light that it would go unnoticed if any music was streaming from the music player of the car at the lowest volume. He rose his head and saw Laibe through the mirror. The little girl’s face clearly reveals sorrow and sadness, and he couldn’t help rebuking himself for becoming a cause of sorrow to an innocent lad. But… he had to do this. Laibe had kept her head constantly against the window on her own side of the car all through the journey. Even when the car’s rough movement shook her head mercilessly, she left it there with her chin cupped in her left hand. She didn’t understand what was going on around her since the day before. The only thing Ocholi said or rather, whispered to her ears was that she should pray as they were about to take her back to the village. She didn’t really understand him at that instant. Making that kind of emergency prayers might require some institutional training. Of course, apart from burning dinner yesterday night, she can’t place her mind on anything else she had done wrong to warrant returning her home this early – barely a day ago. They all didn’t starve last night even. Her aunty got back into the kitchen and quickly boiled some rice because there was stew left in the freezer and that was what they had as dinner instead. Though, she didn’t think she would eat anything again yesterday night because if she had burnt soup back at Ofabo, she would starve a whole household of one round of meal which she must have to receive the due punishment for few more days later. When her aunty came into the room Ocholi said was hers, with a well-covered plate neatly arranged in a tray, she knew the starvation since morning was just about to be pulled off. Aunty Udale warmly smiled while handing her the food which she bent her knees courteously to collect. The older woman welcomed her and Laibe apologised for ruining the first food as well Laibe was happy. Her aunt’s calm and nice words made her felt a lot better as the events of the whole day kept replaying in her head till she lay to sleep and that was how sound she slept until the violent opening of the door jolted her up. She wouldn’t have believed Ocholi’s whispers if her aunty hadn’t rushed in few minutes later, asking her to get her clothes in order. Aunty Udale’s voice sounded cracked when she made that statement and by the time Laibe looked at her aunty, she saw someone as shaken, frightened and frustrated as a chicken beaten under the rain for decades, that’s aside the pints of sweat dripping down the fat woman’s face. Perhaps, if she had heeded grandfather’s elderly advice, she wouldn’t be tossed up and down the same road again by this time. Here it is; A journey out of Ofabo yesterday, another into Ofabo today. ****** “Mé wòlà ùlè o, welcome o, wólà o, well done o, welcome o” were the welcome chants reigning in the air right from when the car entered the settlement area in the village. Some women followed down till the car finally came to a halt in front of Baba’s house. It is a normal behaviour in the village and Laibe knew uncountable numbers of big cars she particularly had followed, only to get some twenty naira notes from the owners of the big rides in the end. Aunty Udale got down and started greeting all the women that were welcoming them. Some she hugged, others she knelt to greet and shook hands with the rest. The women looked so elated with their different designs of wrapper loosely tied round their waist till it formed a round knot at one of the sides. Majority of them wore this white velvet T-shirt with inscriptions on them. Their sagging breasts danced within the partially transparent shirts, most common being that from the last crusade held in the village primary school field. Life could have taken aware many things from these women; money, affluence, clothes, some their husbands but it hasn’t been able… and may never be able to take away joy from them. Their faces lit in an adorable glow as they all exchanged pleasantries. The children were there as well, they never disappoint. It was because the journey was unplanned for, else each one would have, as always, gotten a yoghurt, sachet of biscuit and some other little things including money. The only thing Udale could do right now was to give the children one of the new five hundred naira notes in her purse. She handed it over to the boy that looked oldest among them with a stern instruction to buy biscuit for every one of them. The children were happy and grateful. The effect of harmattan was so prominent on their faces that they all looked white, pale and even more malnourished with extremely dried lips. That is aside the breaks on the sole of their feet; some looked like the sores were healing up already while those on others felt like the cracks had become permanent landmarks on their legs. One thing was common to all of them though as they ran off: they were joyful. There is this depth of peace that accompanies innocence and that’s what the children had that aunty Udale wished she could have too. One mustn’t have to be living in the village to participate in such depth of peace, right? By the time she turned to face Baba’s house, the elderly man had already come to stand at the veranda. She saw how her husband was hurrying to finish up with the women who left her own side of the car to go greet him immediately he got down. Even after asking after their husbands and children and it was obvious the discussion was over, they still stood looking on at him expectantly and it was at that point he knew he needed to give them something. Indeed, it’s really been a long while he stepped his foot in this village, or any other village at that, and must have forgotten how these things work. Laibe, amidst the noise from her aunty and the children, her uncle and the women, ran off into her grandfather’s sitting room after the car barely came to a halt. Just yesterday and she missed him this indisputably. Baba missed her as well with the way he held her close for so long. Somehow though Laibe felt Baba’s hug wasn’t just about missing her alone. Judging from the questions he repeatedly asked about - how she was doing, how yesterday’s journey went, when she got to see her aunty - she knew that what was coming out from Baba’s within was mixed with fear and not exclusively care as it were. He didn’t seem to believe her even when she continually said everything was fine and well. Baba was obviously surprised to see Matthew much more than anyone else. When one say it’s been a really long while, it sounds like an under estimation to how long they‘ve both seen each other. Matthew partially prostrated to greet baba and the elderly man held him up into a warm hug. The old man’s sense of vision is confusing – this time, he can almost see nothing and at another time, he can describe the tiniest details on someone’s face. Matthew’s height and hugeness always reminds Baba of how he used to be when he was his age and that sort of endeared him to his son-in-law a great deal. Laibe started running off to either of Ebi or Umali’s house expectedly before the twinkling of an eye. She can’t let what happened yesterday morning that she wasn’t able to see them before leaving happen again today. Whether she would still go back to Ankpa, or be made to remain here in the village, she cared less right now as she ran. In fact, she had given up on her dreams as reality seem to be denying her of every opportunity to draw closer to it. Udale greeted her father as well by going down on her knees. Baba held her up and hugged her lightly. He asked her why she didn’t let him know when he called earlier in the morning that they all were coming over to the village to see him and she involuntarily flashed a glimpse at her husband who took away his face. She now decided to just smile and twist an answer out to suit the question regardless. She started trying to explain to Baba how she was at the middle of sleep and consciousness because it was too early in the morning then and wouldn’t have been able to remember their plans. Baba didn’t look convinced, it was clearly written all over his face. Right from time, Udale knew her father to be so perceptive when it comes to almost anything, and can differentiate absolute truthfulness from ‘covering up’. “Ókó wè à?" Baba questioned just when she left off her last statement. She didn’t understand Baba’s question because Matthew was standing right before him, in fact Baba’s hands was interlocked in his, so why would he be asking ‘What of your husband’ from her any longer. She kept quiet for a while trying to know where to commence from. The question had another meaning, which she thought to be ‘if you were so drowsy, wasn’t your husband there’. That was another explanation her brain came up with but she was interrupted immediately she gathered the energy to open her mouth. “That’s why we are here Baba” Matthew responded to the question before who it was directed to did. Another reason why Baba is so fond of Matthew is that, the older man always enjoy Matthew’s own expression of the English language and can connect to it faster. Maybe because Matthew is soft spoken and takes his time when he speaks; so slow. He is the strong-silent type. Baba asked them to come in and they did. Hurriedly. Except for Udale, the two men bent before passing the doorway, though Matthew’s was lower than Baba’s. Baba impulsively pulled off his slippers and just when Matthew was about to do same, the elderly man stopped him, urging him to walk in like that. That was strange. No one ever wore a footwear into Baba’s sitting room for whatever reason. In there, Baba took his customary seat, followed by Matthew and Udale sat somewhere opposite the two men. She was as curious to hear why they were here as much as Baba and when Matthew didn’t hesitate to start talking as soon as they were sited, she heaved a sigh of relief which was cut midway. “I am taking another wife” Matthew announced after clearing his throat lightly. Udale raised her head to stare at her husband in the face. So stern that she wished, for the umpteenth time in her life, that it is her auditory canal that have issues not her reproductive system. . To be Continued.

hmm following

so is that why you behaving strange lately that you almost strangle your wife to death. mtcheew..

This Matthew is crazy

What

OK next

Episode 9 . Continues.. It’s been just a day off this place. Yes. Just a night ago or simply put, just yesterday and everything look different in Laibe’s sight altogether. First it was the usual pathway that led to her friends’ houses. It was as though someone trimmed it to the form of a lawn; like a carpet grass somewhat. Then, Ebi looked fatter than how she used to and Umali appeared to have shed off some height. Yes, height. Funny! But that’s how she is seeing it. She couldn’t understand what exactly was happening to her eyes. Was she having issues with vision already or her perspective to life has quickly changed within a day? So much so that she now see everything as beautiful, as adorable? Ebi ran the distance to hug her when the former sighted her from afar off. The both of them ran to Umali’s house and after greeting her parents hurriedly, they decided to take a walk to their ‘joint’. That’s where they always sit to talk - quiet and shaded. A perfect place for perfect gossip, courtesy of the three most talked about girls in Ofabo. Ebi and Umali took turns to narrate the ordeals that ensued between the hours of yesterday morning and today to her. They both were careful and meticulous enough to explain every detail, including saying the words as there were spoken and even mimicking the voice of the speaker. They started gesticulating from how Omachoko scared the living daylight out of them when he said someone was kidnapped in Ankpa yesterday morning. Umali mockingly explained the part of Ebi’s uncontrollable tears, demonstrating it in such a scornful way that Ebi started pursuing her round the tree they all sat on its cut branches. Laibe could not control the laughter that was spewing off her mouth and whenever she tried to catch her breath, something seem to make Umali rewind her mocking tales all over again. That’s how they are and have always been. Innocent. Young. Happy. Laibe couldn’t have asked for any better company all through her life beside these two wonderful girls that make her life worthwhile. From their gist, she tried to sum up in her head whatever could have gone wrong; Baba must have actually thought she was kidnapped and perhaps ordered her aunt to bring her back home this morning as early as possible, those were the conclusions her mind came up with. But she wasn’t kidnapped, she thought within herself. More so, that was not what Ocholi told her. Ocholi connected her abrupt return to something that had to do with her Uncle and the more she tried to joggle her brain, the more she realises that she needed one of either her aunt or uncle to bring her into the exact picture of whatever was going on. She rubbed her first finger lightly against her temples as her head was beginning to ache more seriously. Just then she felt the other girls tickling her and she jerked up. She is always extremely sensitive to touch, sensitive to a fault at that and ever since Umali and Ebi discovered that one day, they continually used her weak point to their advantage. It was a hot afternoon that day and they were all having a swell time of discussion in her mother’s hut when one of them said something that really pissed her off - It was Umali. Don’t get it wrong, Laibe never picks offenses easily, in fact, people in the village used to think she was a reincarnation of one of their goddesses with the easy way she lived her life and do her things, especially after all the inexplicable events surrounding her life. Some women call her ‘iganya ki ma nuchejun’ which is interpreted to literally mean ‘the sight of indescribable beauty’. Her spirit is warm, receptive, tolerant and accommodative to everyone that came around her but that day was quite different. Umali called her a fool for being so tolerant with one of her customers that kept piling up debt from continuous uncleared purchase of garri. Not as though Umali was totally wrong howbeit the manner of approach was just not it. Laibe didn’t share her worries with her friends to get litigated, did she? She believed she should feel better after talking about a pressing issue with them, why it is said a problem half shared with the right person is half solved. The ‘fool’ part of Umali’s statement came across as a grave insult which got down all the way through her bones into the bloodstream. She felt like spanking Umali on the head or chasing her out of her house but as she usually is, there is no strength for troubles. She can’t make one and even when one is made for her on a platter of gold, she can’t handle it, so she just kept quiet. The girls tried to appease her, apologise to her in a way that would normally make her laugh yet she sat stiff-necked, just minding her own business. Ebi resulted to tickling after countless failed efforts and Tada! It worked. Laibe instantly burst into an uncontrollable laughter before she could stop herself. When Umali joined in the tickling exercise, Laibe found herself rolling on the floor and begging the both of them to let her go that they were already forgiven. It was from then this act became more than recurrent. “Yes. What? Yes!” She exclaimed as she tried to keep herself from laughing. To her utter amazement, her friends stopped and burst into a loud thunderous laughter as if they were next in line on the laughing queue. She paused to look at herself, was anything so funny on her body right now? She couldn’t understand whatever made the girls laugh in a way that Umali had to lay bare on the dry leaves littered under this tree. It was when the two had laughed to their fill that they told her what aroused the laughter: It was her English. Another round of mockery began; just a day in Ankpa and she’s become such a Queen Elizabeth already; we that are local here cannot speak English o; What if she had stayed longer?; Then she wouldn’t remember how to say her name anymore; Umali and Ebi took turns to say all these in Igala like they were talking about someone far away, using a ridiculing voice and Laibe only kept laughing as the duo continued catching real fun out of her. She didn’t even have plans to give them any response. One would, as a matter of necessity, have to transverse her heart to be able to see how proud she was when Ocholi finally began addressing her in English. They, Ocholi and her that is, didn’t have any much discussion but she understood the few things he said to her at the different points they spoke and when she didn’t know how to correctly construct her response, she only replied him by nodding courteously. She is aware that she doesn’t have much mastery of the English Language yet, but there was no way she would ever improve if she continue keeping quiet because she gets scorned at any attempt to voice out just a word in English by her two other halves. That was part of the core reasons she was very happy to go to Ankpa, knowing fully well that even if her aunty doesn’t enrol her in a secondary school, the interactions she hope to have with neighbours around should make her pick up some basic knowledge. “Ok! Ínyó mé” She tried to stop them by saying ‘it was OK’. If she does not do this, the girls would not round up the ridiculous laughter that had lingered for about eight minutes already. It worked. Ebi and Umali shook their head with the ‘now you are talking’ connotation. Laibe started smiling at her crazy friends but her smile slowly, till it ultimately vanished when they advised her to reconsider Omachoko. What? Had something come lose in their heads? She stared at the duo like her eyeballs would pull out of its cage. Her shocked eyes begged them to seal their mouth but they wouldn’t bulge. These girls were the same set of persons that killed whatever chances would have been between Omachoko and her. Their talks, blasphemous words and abusive remarks made her wave the poor boy off even before considering. Right here, they are telling her to reconsider listening to him all over again, strongly taking reference from the events of yesterday and telling her how many times Omachoko ran over to Edogbanya’s house - the only man that own a phone in the village - to confirm if he was back from Aloma or not. It’s amazing how people talk with both sides of their mouth over one issue. Laibe knew she was grateful, so grateful to have someone stick his head all out for her like that at his own inconvenience. She was ready to show appreciation but not by accepting his proposal for marriage. It may not be normal around here, still she was only a few months shy of thirteen for crying out loud. They are more things she planned to do with her life other than ending up in the kitchen, sitting room and the ‘other’ room. Plus, Ocholi her newly found crush was still there at Ankpa. Her fate with her crush however, would be determined by whether she is allowed to go back to Ankpa or left to remain here in the end. Whichever way, she has braced up for any of the two. She noticed deafening silence around her. The two girls had unusually become quiet as they both stared into empty space. She knew something mischievous was about to happen and before she could ask why no one was talking any longer, she saw Omachoko walking towards them through the low scanty bushes. Laibe stole a glance at her friends and they both kept a straight face, like they didn’t know he was coming or better still, like they were also not aware at all. How be it? No one else knew this hide out. It is inside the bush deep behind the Local Government Area primary school, so inside that nobody would hear a thing even if one shouts for help from here. There was no way Omachoko would have known if none of the girls told him. This was a trap, right? She bit her lips mildly as her eyes flashed from one person to the other in quick successions. Omachoko was walking too slowly and at a point she felt he was crawling. Maybe it was only her mind. Many things ran through it as she tried not to stare at the young man walking towards her direction, their direction as the case should be. When he finally got closer to them, he simply smiled at the duo before taking two steps forward to stand directly in front of Laibe. She is still sitting on the branch of the tree and if there was anything she avoided as much as it depended on her was eye contact with Omachoko. His right hand was in the pocket of his faded black jean on which he wore a polo whose colour we cannot place but it was a polo all the same. Then, he was too mute for comfort. “Laibe, wólà ùlé wùnyí” Omachoko opened his mouth to talk for the first time since he got here and what he could bring himself to say was ‘Laibe, welcome back home’. Laibeplaced her innocent questioning eyes on him. Could that be true that she was truly back home? Laibe asked herself as she jumped down from the branch on which she sat. She needed to face Omachoko more squarely. ********* Ocholihad to walk over to the gate when he overhead some heated arguments. Initially, he thought it was just his ears because he had dozed off on the cushioned sofa in the sitting room while trying to watch a program on WapTv since everyone left. The manner with which he was awoken this morning wasn’t healthy for him at all and he knew himself that much. The whole day would be wasted if he had to jerk abruptly from sleep for any reason. All thanks to yours truly – Bro Matthew. He forced his drowsy eyeballs open and stepped out of the building, only then did he see the intense argument was actually between the gateman and someone outside the gate. He had always maintained that this gateman was a thorn in the flesh - No manners, no sense of courtesy and ultimately, he is extremely lazy. Sometimes ago, Ocholi calculated what he would have done with the so much money they wasted on the man’s monthly salary. He tried to figure things out till he saw there was nothing he could do. He can’t sacrifice school and start working as a gateman in his own elder brother’s house. That would be the height of defamation and a family meeting would promptly be called eventually. “I believe this is Dr Matthew Onoja’s compound” a woman’s voice greeted him, just when he barely got to the gate. “Oga, I tell this woman say big Oga no de house. I talk say everybody comot, e no wan go” the gateman broke out and started explaining in Pidgin English. Ocholi was not only startled but was beginning to get pissed up with the unnecessarily loud voice the gateman spoke with. Aunty Udale had told him their gateman had some hearing disabilities. So? He should bring everyone else to his condition by screaming as though we were all deaf as well? Whoever uses a partially deaf old man as gateman anyway, he muttered inaudibly. Maybe that was why the woman in front of the gate had irritation wrinkling her well powdered face. The loud shouts of the gateman was very embarrassing indeed. Thankfully, this area isn’t so busy. “Yes it is. I’m so sorry about the harassment Ma’am, how may I help you?” Ocholi responded politely, ignoring the gateman. “I don tell am that one sef” the gateman interrupted. “Please go into your office. I will take over from here” Ocholi ordered, trying hard not to raise his voice at the elderly man. The gateman obeyed and in no time he was left standing face to face with the woman who read out the address loudly from her android phone for the fourth time. “I’m really sorry, Ma’am” Ocholi apologised again and the pretty woman just responded to him with a shit-eating grin before heaving a sigh of relief. “At last!” she exclaimed “…It was so hard locating this place, thank God I’m here at last” she said, pulling the large travelling bag behind her as she trudged into the compound immediately Ocholi opened the little gate wide enough. Ocholi didn’t understand a thing anymore. The face of the woman didn’t look anyway close to being familiar but that was not the only cause of his worry at the moment. He couldn’t say if it were his usual hyperactive eyes or his ‘always assessing’ personality, but the woman looked heavily pregnant. Though she appears like a well comported person, the type that took proper care of their bodies and try to still maintain their smart shape during pregnancy. With the manner with which she still walked smartly on a black heel and jean trouser, she is undoubtedly civilised to the core. Atop the trouser she wore a flare orange dress, flare enough to hide her protruding belly from the eyes of one someone that is not observant enough. Pulling in a bag that look like she intends to spend the rest of her life here baffled Ocholi the more and it was at this moment he knew better than not to ask one salient question, “Who are you, Ma’am?” “I have come to Matthew’s house finally.” She said, still in her mood of excitement and not necessarily in response to what Ocholi just asked her. Ocholi swallowed and decided to ask the question again till she will hear him and respond appropriately. “… Please where can I sit? It’s been a long and tiring journey” She snapped just before Ocholi opened his mouth. Wearing back her sunglasses, she headed towards the entrance of the main building without waiting for any further lead or directions. Ocholi’s legs remained glued to the ground at the gate like an immoveable pillar. Tbc

I guess this is the reason for his anger

So the second wife is even pregnant

some men instead of you to go straight to point you decided to strangle the poor woman one mtcheew

Still observing

Hmmm..

no wonder

Episode 10 Continues “I have know for very long a time that you is a good persons. And… I say my heart… plenty of happy… for the one you did yesterday. But me… I cannot fit to accepting… into marriage you now. I… I will go school first. I will become a woman… big, big woman… and God still saying, marriage him, marriage him… I must not be able to run then again…” Laibe gesticulated every word as she barely managed to pull through the English sentences. She really wants to do it, speak English that is, as fluent and as perfect as Ocholi spoke with her aunty. She applauded herself in her head for this one she successfully pulled through even though it didn’t appeal to real sense. It was only before Omachoko she could dare this. Anyone else including her friends would laugh her to scorn, as they did some minutes ago without hesitation. Omachoko on the other hand would not, in fact he cannot laugh at her. Not when by staring into Laibe’s eyes, he could capture in them a perfect picture of his future wife and the mother of his kids. Those were what he told her, and as a matter of fact, what he’s been telling her. Well, the most important factor in effective communication, as it’s said, is that the other party should be able to read correct meanings to whatever one is saying, regardless of how crude the mode of communication is. For reasons Omachoko could not fathom, he found himself adoring, getting drawn even more and more to the beauty all endowed in just this one little innocent girl. Her hair is thick, dark and long. It lined her front head so perfectly that she look like a complete African child judging from how hairy she is. Her size: petite. She is slim, isn’t tall, and didn’t look like she would be getting taller anytime soon but he loved her height that way. She is just the perfect Cinderella he see himself as a prince charming falling in love with. What more can a young man do when his proposal is politely turned down over and over? A point comes when perseverance becomes cheer stupidity and Omachoko right here was almost getting to that point of making a crucial but painful decision. “No problem Laibe. Whenever you are ready. Don’t forget, you are here now, always and forever” Omachoko responded pointing Laibe’s attention to the position of his heart as he spoke. Omachoko had a fairly good command of the English language much more than anyone else in the entire village. That was because he completed the last two years of his secondary school at St. Charles College, one of the biggest and renowned secondary schools in Ankpa. He was truly close to the kind of man Laibe would want to have something with but she wanted to wait; there is a whole life and lots of time ahead. More so, she is just about beginning the real life, she can’t keep herself trapped down to something called a relationship or betrothal at this vulnerable age thirteen. Laibe smiled shyly as Omachoko spread out his arms while demanding for a hug. Her shy eyes begged him to bring down his hands but he wouldn’t. He wants that hug and would get it now. He wants the feel of having the one his heart beats for hear his heartbeat. Laibe looked around again. What was Omachoko doing? It was bad enough that her friends left the both of them standing in this isolated place on the guise that they wanted to buy something. She knew as much as her surname that those two girls were just creating privacy for Omachoko. Whatever he bribed them with, she thought within her. What if someone saw them while they hugged, or better still, while he hugged her? Then the person would gist a neighbour who would gist another neighbour and it would keep spreading till it gets to her grandfather’s ears. She tried to imagine what would become of her when Baba hears that, how disappointed the elderly man would be. All these ran through her mind within split seconds and when she wished Omachoko had given up, he started walking towards her with his hands still widely spread out. OK! She quickly gave him a light hug and withdrew almost immediately but the young man wanted more and that was beginning to bother her right now. “No!!!” He exclaimed when Laibe withdrew almost as instant as she hugged, holding tight to her shoulders. “No!!!” Laibe screamed in response as well when Omachoko still charged forward towards her. She winced herself from his grip, started running slowly round the tree while he followed behind her. Just as they were about going round the tree for the fourth time, she heard loud giggles and she instantly knew that her two lousy friends were back. They kept saying in Igala, ‘people come and see husband and wife o; God provide our own for us o; we are jealous o. At some point they clapped their hands while words came off their mouth in the gossip fashion. Truly, these girls could be awarded degrees in gossip mannerism. They know the appropriate way to demonstrate each statement. Omachoko only kept blushing quietly. Unlike Laibe, he had no problem with the teases from the girls, not when what they are saying are exactly what he wishes for. Laibe however wanted to explain that it wasn’t what they thought, that they both weren’t playing romantic games as it appears. She wanted to explain that she was trying to dodge a second hug, a more intense hug at that. As a matter of fact, that was all there is but the girls gave her no time to say anything before saying her grandfather and aunty were looking for her in the house. Laibe’s heart missed a beat at that information. Could there be any chance that she would still go back to Ankpa? Or have they concluded that she would stay back here? All these thoughts tortured her within as she ran the whole length from behind the primary school, where they all sat, and back home. Baba’s house is perpendicular to the school and only the major road demarcated the two places. Neither Omachoko nor her friends followed her as she ran. Not as though they didn’t attempt, especially Omachoko but she insisted they didn’t follow her. Reason being that she didn’t know what awaited her at home and wouldn’t want, if she has to eventually breakdown in tears before any of them. ******* “Ugbo elo?” Baba yelled, asking ‘where she went to’ as soon as she barely arrived the compound. His voice sounded a little irritated and that also scared her. She didn’t know whether Baba’s question was actually a question in the real sense of the words or expressions of displeasure. She couldn’t respond even if she wanted because she was panting, panting really loud one would think she would drop dead soon if she didn’t find anywhere to sit and calm down. She looked on at her aunty and couldn’t read anything from the way the older woman stared vacantly at the road before them. Something must have gone wrong with the way the atmosphere felt, or something went unexpectedly right? She didn’t even know which to pick from any of the options. Whether it was part of her aunt’s profession as a nurse never to show emotions on the face or not, Laibe wasn’t aware of that, one thing she knew as much as she knew her name was that, none can ever read whatever was up in her aunt’s mind from her facial expression. She masked pain as perfectly as she masks joy. Laibe stood patiently. She was hoping someone would open up and speak to her. She was too curious to know her fate. She decided to ask her uncle if she would be following them back to Ankpa. It is true the man hasn’t said a word to her since yesterday but she wanted to risk it this time. The presence of Baba should savage things and of course Uncle Matthew wouldn’t want to let Baba in on the fact that things weren’t so right between them. Just when she opened her mouth to let the words in her mind flow out, the Samsung galaxy in her Uncle’s hands buzzed and he wiped at the answer button almost instantaneously, “Hello… Boyega? … Hello… Network is horrible here… If you can hear me, I will call you back when I get a better reception. I’m in the village” She heard her uncle say into the phone’s receiver leaving some seconds silence between one statement and the next. With the expression on his face when he first dropped the call, she advised herself to just keep quiet. Matthew walked over to the car, one of the village young men was washing it. This is common in Ofabo - more like an act of hospitality because the owner of the car wouldn’t even know when the person began washing. He and Baba came out with his wife only to see the young man was meticulously scrubbing the tires of the Black Ford Endeavour that had changed into gelatinous brown from the dusty roads. Left to Matthew, the car should be left that way till he got back to his car washers at Ankpa, because no matter how clean it would look at the end of this washing, the journey back would return it to brown or even worse than that now that it was fairly wet. He just let the young man finish his work anyway, moreover he had nothing to lose except perhaps the five hundred naira he would hand over to the young man to show appreciation afterwards and with his status, five hundred naira is some piece of change he gave out all the time. “Mtcheew!” he drew a long hiss in irritation when his phone started ringing again. Not as though he didn’t like the caller’s ID on the screen but because he couldn’t hear him. The network strength was so horrible where he was and even as the calls pulled through, he couldn’t hear anything Boyega was saying at the other end of the phone save some noisy waves. “Why is Boyega calling consistently nau?” He murmured to his irritated self. Apart from the fact that Boyega was part of the friends he rarely remembers having on his contact list, it’s been a while since they last talked. Calling him persistently and consistently now was a big call for concern. “Matthew, you have a call” Udale called out from where she sat lazily on the veranda. She handed over the tablet to Laibe to go give her uncle and the latter hurried off to where Matthew stood. Udale kept the tablet in her bag for him when he parked in front of the house. She knew her husband quite well and his renowned reputation of losing phones over and over. Whenever he is not with his office bags, he forgets to pick up any of his phones after dropping them anywhere and that has been how three expensive phones had suddenly developed limbs and gone missing within the past one year. They had to both agree that whenever they were in a place and he wasn’t with the bag, Udale should keep the tablet safe for him, the other Samsung was something he could easily put in his pocket as the SIM card on the tablet wasn’t used for calls and only few persons had that line. Matthew kept muttering some inaudible statements to himself while Laibe hurried towards him. There was no way Boyega would have his other number so who on earth is bothering him at this point? He collected the tablet from Laibe’s hands - more like yanking it off the poor girl’s hand, opened the case and saw the caller’s ID. Now it became obvious that there must be some fire on the mountain for Ocholi, his younger brother to be calling when he knew quite well they were at the village and he had the leverage to attend to any emergency in their absence. He reluctantly tapped on the receive button as the call came again the second time, “Yes! What’s the problem Ocholi?” Laibe’s heart missed another beat as that name was called while standing back and waiting to return the tablet to her aunty when Matthew finishes with the call. She raised her head to look at her uncle’s face and she could literally see how the face contorted into a fiercer one within a minute. He listened with eyes darting from sides to sides, like something was wrong, like something had gone so wrong. “What! Who?” Matthew exclaimed loudly before he could stop himself. Udale jerked up and Baba straightened out on his chair as well, they both looked on eagerly as if they couldn’t wait for Matthew to be through with the call that’s arousing so much tension on his face. Patience is a virtue at this point. Tbc

The second wife is pregnant

hmm and the way Mathew second wife is behaving i sincerely hope it will not cause problems in the family

the same episode

Hmm fire in the mountain

hhmmmmmm

Episode 11 Continues.. The car was barely at the gate before the gate flew open. It was as though Ocholi couldn’t wait for them to return or better still he stood at the gate all the while. Whatever the case was really mattered much right now. He hurriedly pulled down the hook of the huge black iron gate and inserted them firmly in their holes on the ground before running underneath the canopy where the Ford Endeavour that just drove in parked. It parked beside Aunty Udale’s. The Peugeot hasn’t been returned yet so the parking lot allocated to it was left empty. Because of the isolation in this environment they live in, the fence was built so high up that it almost swallowed the whole height of the seven-bedroom storey building, that’s aside the barb wire that aligned the top of the fence so much so that any robber would be electrocuted, at the drop of a hat, if he/she dared to even climb the fence halfway. Matthew has always been the ‘prim and proper’ kind of man right from his youthful days. In fact, Udale practically learnt how to pay deep attention to tiny details from her husband. He didn’t literally teach her in that sense, she was compelled to learn by example. So much for marrying a cool, calm and collected husband. For her, anything goes and she was so happy to be in love with him, except that he could be a brutal and merciless animal whenever his anger issues came over him. “Where is she?” Matthew questioned as instant as Ocholi got to the car, before the latter could say a welcome, before the former switched off the ignition. “In the sitting room sir” Ocholi responded quite politely. He wasn’t much interested in responding to his elder brother as much as he was in looking through the window of the car for something or… someone only him seem to be aware of. Matthew finally killed the car, got down and headed straight for the entrance door. Udale looked on with gross confusion written all over her face when she saw her husband’s actions. In fact, everything about Matthew to her has been pretty strange lately, including all the stunts he has pulled right from the morning they left here for the village up until now. Even after waiting patiently for him to get off the call he screamed from, the only answer he could give Baba and her was: “everything is under control. Udale, we are leaving immediately”. She remembered how Baba had to give up asking when he perceived his son in-law wasn’t ready to put them in the know of whatever was happening. She couldn’t help but wonder who the ‘she’ in her sitting room was and she needed to go find out. God help her today she wouldn’t be giving someone a hot pepper bath. “Ocholi, take those things into the room. Laibe you too, join him” Udale ordered as she hurried after her husband who just entered the sitting room. Ocholi stared at Laibe as she looked exhausted again, yet she was smiling. He remembered all the drama that ensued with the poor girl right from the road yesterday up till this moment. He admired her spirit a lot. Her spirit is indeed the fighting one. Bundling her back to Ofabo the way they left this morning? If it were some other girls, she wouldn’t have agreed to return back, and sincerely if he was to be the one he wouldn’t have taken any of the attitudes his brother was dishing out. Something definitely inspired her. Something must be driving her with this so much grace and courage and he couldn’t wait to find out what that is. Laibe bent over to pick up the ogede - bunch of banana, which a woman gave to her aunty as they were about leaving. She tried to lift it in futility before turning tired eyes to her crush of life. Ocholi let out a mischievous laughter before holding up the ogede from the trunk. Laibe marvelled at that, at the way the young man held the large bunch like a child would hold a broken pencil. She own strength, or maybe used to own one. She normally carried about four of that size of bunch from the farm back home in her wheelbarrow. Why she seem to be so weak today beats her imagination. Yes! It could be the way she woke up this morning. Waking up abruptly and in fright has a way of giving anyone migraine all through the day let alone the unplanned return journey. The so much laughter her friends caused her, running round the tree so as to dodge hugging Omachoko, running back home in fright when she was told Baba and her aunty were looking for her and the peaceful elation that filled her heart when her aunty told her to sit in the car as they were all going back to Ankpa together – all these were tasking. With joy, she almost jumped on Baba after hearing her aunt but she refrained herself to just a light hug. Baba held her hand and prayed for her. When he was done with the prayers, he dropped an adage that got her thinking “Laibe, anyaja a kedo ofu n” which means, despair has no meaning where there is faith. Of course she knew the meaning of the adage, he had heard Baba use it a lot of times especially when her mother was still alive. The only thing she had a difficult time in fathoming was the relationship between that adage and her going over to stay at Ankpa with her aunty. It was an important punch line because Baba didn’t say it like some of those words he voice out just for the fun of it. He had that deep crease on his forehead, squeezing his face into a fiercer form while sounding with the notion that he meant every word and anytime she joggled her head to decipher its meaning, the migraine doubles. It is true and said in Igala that what an elderly man sees while sitting on his chair, a child, even when he climbs up to the top of a high mountain, may never see it. She hoped and prayed silently in her heart that no bad omen would confront her here again. She lurched as a startling sound brought her back to reality. It sounded like something moved inside the handle of the car she just partly closed. Her frightful movement was so intense that her aunt’s bag almost fell off her hand and before she could gather her strength she heard Ocholi laughing really hard, OK! Now that was beginning to get embarrassing. It wasn’t his normal welcoming and warm smiles, this was really a ridicule and she hates much more than anything else to become an object of mockery. “What?” she yelled. That took Ocholi aback. For real? Did she just yell? Her face contorted into a grossly irritated one. Well, Laibe looked so innocent no one would think she would get angry or irritated with anything. Ocholi stopped laughing, pressed down the ‘lock’ button on the car’s remote again and the car doors made the same sound but this time Laibe did not jerk, she only stood transfixed to the same point. She felt like hitting herself on the head for feeling scared in the first place. Perhaps, her thoughts necessitated that, but truly again, she wasn’t seeing cars with automatic remotes often, so she shouldn’t be blamed for her ignorance. As all these thoughts patronized the market of her head, she felt the impulse to laugh, just smile and release the face that had all of a sudden formed a horrible frown. Her friends tell her she looked horrible whenever she frowned. How could she have done that before her crush? How on earth did she raise her voice at him? Will he now become like Uncle Matthew who doesn’t speak at all to her from now? All these questions begged for sincere answers in her head. “Laibe…” Ocholi called out for the second time. They must be something on this girl’s mind that makes her go ‘offline’ at every given interval. It was weird. He may be just five years older than her – he wasn’t sure though, but one thing he knew of a surety was that when he was at her age, he had nothing bothering his mind. He had just how many more times he should eat in one day to worry about. “Erhm! Uhm?” Laibe stammered her response. “Let’s go drop these things please, I have something important to show you!” He said and starting walking into the house. Laibe took a deep breath before following him through the other door that led directly into the kitchen. ****** Matthew followed Udale into their bedroom. She had walked in on Angela hugging him cheerfully. Angela was so excited to finally see Matthew after a very long time so much so that she forgot her heavy condition and jumped on him. Matthew had nothing to worry about, he was powerful and huge enough to catch twice the size of pregnant Angela, of course, if he could raise his rotund wife off the floor with only a hand, there was practically no woman he couldn’t carry. They only both got into each other’s arms when Udale opened the door and walked in. He looked at his wife’s eyes and they weren’t friendly at all. Women and insecurity! For reasons not tangible in the sight of Matthew, Udale just walked on towards the stairs without responding to any of the greetings falling on deaf ears from Angela. “Is anything the matter?” Angela turned back to face Matthew with a babyish look when Udale snubbed her attempt at giving a hug. “Just be comfortable. I’ll be back” Matthew replied, touching her smooth and well powdered cheeks lovingly before following his wife. “What do you think you are doing Udale?” Matthew confronted Udale immediately he was sure the door was firmly shut behind him. “She is beautiful and gorgeous and I’m sure your baby in her would be as handsome as you are too” Udale responded while sniffing in the catarrh that was flowing down her nose. She let out a sarcastic laughter in between her statements as she fell her robust form unto the bed in frustration. “Baby? Handsome as I am? What do you mean?” Matthew questioned her in return, sounding really marvelled. “What if you had told me earlier? Would that kill your ego as a man?” she asked. Her voice was rising initially until she finally let them break out and the ocean of tears poured uncontrollably “only for you to announce it before my father this morning that you were taking a second wife… What can be more disgraceful?” Matthew started laughing. He was still standing at the wardrobe in the room, very close to the entrance door, but he laughed so much that he didn’t know when he walked to the edge of the bed and took his seat on one of the side drawers. “Sweetie, I told you and Baba that the statement was a joke. I mean, we settled it there and talked about other jovial things so what’s all these about?” “Yeah! Joke indeed! It would have been cool if you deceived just only me, but saying a done truth was a joke to my father and denying it in my very before is worse than taking a knife and cutting my head off right now” Udale lamented slowly. One could feel the agitation in her voice and if she had her way, she would have screamed out the many harsh words her mind had collected for Matthew. She didn’t have the energy to use a loud voice this time though, she sobbed quietly while her mouth talked on. “Matthew just kill me” she broke down finally into full uncontrollable tears, “Kill me now...” Matthew has this issue with women; very emotional and very close to tears. It irritates the life out of him a lot. He tried to cuddle his wife, even if he didn’t know which was the best word to use first, he wanted to get her stabilised all the same but she yanked off his hands immediately he placed it across her shoulders. That got him even more vexed. “You should have at least let me introduce her to you before concluding” Matthew said with the calmest voice he could gather at the moment. “Keep your stupid explanation to yourself Matthew. Oh! You impregnated one of your concubines and even had the nerves to bring her into my house? I see, you will have to kill one of us to survive in this house” she yelled at the top of her lungs now. “Damn!” Matthew yelled hitting hard on the wood he sat on, “That woman is Angela, Boyega’s wife. I couldn’t hear whatever Boyega was saying over the phone because of the stupidly poor network in your village. Ocholi called to let me talk with her. I was only shocked she could locate my house, that was why I screamed that way. There was no big deal, there is still no big deal. She has a screening tomorrow morning in Lokoja and she is coming from Aba. She is aware I work in Lokoja so would hitch a ride with me down tomorrow morning. That’s all!” Matthew narrated with increased provocation. He paused and glanced at his wife’s direction. The sobs were lighter now, not as loud and pitiable as they were when she started out. He rolled his eyes in disdain. “Maybe, I wasn’t joking about taking a second wife after all but she is definitely not Angela” he added and got up, displaying his intimidating huge form. His voice still sounded very much irritated. Udale wiped her eyes quickly and turned to face Matthew, for the second time today she preferred her ears didn’t hear clearly instead… “Not Angela? Who?” Udale asked, popping her eyes wide open as though they would fall off their sockets. Of course she wasn’t expecting her husband to respond. She knew him better than that and just when she wished today could be an exception, Matthew only eyeballed her coldly before walking out of the room and closing the door gently behind him. She was left to figure what to believe as usual. Her heart however didn’t completely buy her husband’s tale regarding the pregnant woman in her sitting room. She pulled herself together from the large bed as a scene came into her mind. It’s about time she displayed her acting skills. . To be Continued..

Hmm continue

oga continue oo

not the woman he impregnated?? (I did not see that coming). next please

Uhmmmm I don't trust him

put up your acts lets see how it goes

Hmmm.. Ride on

o serious

observing

Episode 12 Continues.. “Mummy, for months now, he has been acting up strangely. As if something is really wrong somewhere and it’s so painful I cannot wrap my hands around it. Firstly, he abruptly resigned from his lecturing job for God knows why, and for months ma, he was jobless. He had a lot of offers from public and private universities both here and abroad. You know he studied Crop production and processing…” she gave an inquisitive look, “I mean, teaching has been my husband’s life and passion all along, even before we got married. How the whole table turned so much so that he preferred remaining jobless to picking up a lecturing offer still beats my imagination. He was like that for several months until God started favouring him with contracts from this new administration. In fact, I don’t understand anymore, He’s like a shadow of himself these days” Udale explained with teary voice. She was shaking like a chicken beaten under the rain. She was scared of a force that seems to be pulling Matthew away from her by every passing day and the most scary is her helplessness in the face of all of these. It’s quite unfortunate she personally had no privilege of motherly care right from infancy: Her parents, Baba that is and her mother got separated two years after she was born. Mama couldn’t live with Baba anymore because of reasons she referred to as ‘personal’. It had taken her mother five years after the birth of Ugbede, to give birth to Udale. Udale is so called as the full name is actually Ojodale which means ‘God vindicates’. So many mouths had begun to run, like defected pipe-borne water, regarding Mama’s inability to give birth to more children and Baba was even admonished many times to take another wife. Though Baba refused heeding their advice and kept holding onto faith alongside his wife, Mama felt it was being cruel on her own side to live rent free in the house of a man she has been unable to give ample number of children as she would have loved to. That was how Mama left the house, leaving her little children behind. No one has been able to correctly tell what became of Mama after she left the village up until now. Ever since then, Baba has been everything to Udale and Ugbede her elder brother. While growing up, Udale knew and was aware of practically all the stress Baba and her brother went through to take her through the nursing school that brought her to the level she is today. Although, so many times since their marriage, Matthew had his way of making her feel incompetent at everything altogether, especially being aware of the fact that she grew up with a single parent. He is the prim and proper kind of man, while she is the hyperactive go-getter and that has caused the both of them some harsh argumentative periods. One of them would have to step down humbly at one point or the other, only then can they reach a timely conclusion on vital issues and Matthew being the calmest did the stepping down more often than not. This recent drift she was beginning to feel however, was really much more than the case of individual differences. It sure feels much more than that. “Udale, you have to be friendly with yourself even more now. There is nothing to fear in the face of our God. Jesus is on top of it all…” Pastor Lydia started out with scripturally backed up words of encouragement. Haven listened to Udale’s explanation about her husband’s deeds, she felt obligated to put a call through to him. Even after Matthew was called in Udale’s presence, she still held on to her own firm belief and that’s exactly what is getting the fair elderly woman, Pastor Lydia, the wife of the senior pastor of Kingdom Destiny Ministries, confused. She has been Udale’s mother and mentor ever since she lived with them the brief period after her graduation. It was a tough time trying to reinstate self confidence and self-esteem into the then young girl that struggles and poverty had made her lose her identity in a quest to finding herself. She didn’t know what she was worth; despite her mental prowess fetched her close to an automatic job, she still had doubt in herself and whether her life was going to make any sense or just be as irrelevant as it were. Pastor Lydia was instrumental to her marrying Matthew who was then a vibrant and dedicated brother in the church. Everything about the young couple was so rosy in the first few years but it seems the storm that had hit their ship is bringing Udale back to the state she used to be so many years ago. Pastor Lydia got up from her seat and walked over to sit beside Udale who only left her bulky self, scattered on the rugged floor. Udale’s legs were placed on the transparent glass centre table while her back leaned against the chair behind her. “I need you to pull yourself together Udale, it isn’t the time to cry yet” Pastor Lydia patted her back lovingly as she said those words. Udale could not say anything, she has always known her susceptibility to tears whenever she talked about anything causing her so much pain. She had been crying since she was done lamenting, she hopes keeping quiet would reduce the pain. “He makes those statements Ma, and you just know he’s sincere but the crazy part is that he would joke about it being a joke.” Udale said Pastor Lydia started nodding her head in the affirmative, “When I showed pastor the text you sent to me last night, he called Matthew during the early hours of this morning and he maintained his statement about taking another wife was out of anger and that you were the one that stretched him beyond limits.” “I knew that would be his response yet he said nothing to me before heading out for Lokoja today with his pregnant mistress” Udale interrupted before drawing a long hiss- Mtcheew. “No!” Pastor Lydia cut in, clapping her hands quickly, “…don’t say wrong things from your mouth Udale because you are sad and angry. We both know that other woman is not his pregnant mistress, he already explained things to you.” She continued rebuking her while Udale dropped her head and just let the tears flow out freely. “I don’t know what to think anymore mummy! The pregnant lady yesterday was so innocent. In fact, a devilish mind asked me to pour peppered water on her face, but on getting to the sitting room and seeing she was still greeting me, even after I snubbed her earlier on, was quite thrilling. I didn’t expect that though but I’m not one given to pretence. I couldn’t pretend as if I was fine and accept her hug just like that. I left them and walked out of the house… I needed to clear my head. Whatever she ate and how she settled in to sleep was not part of my business…” Udale said in frustration, “…I need to know the other wife he is taking. Lemme know who my replacement would be. At least, I have every right to know…” Pastor Lydia got up, dragged down the squeezed edges of her chiffon dress before moving a bit from where Udale sat, “Well, some men have wives they never married” she said on a note of finality. Udale felt like something hit her and immediately wiped her face with the back side of her hand, she didn’t understand what her spiritual mother just said. “Wife. Wife? Some men? Wife they never married?” she muttered to herself as though she wanted to totally absorb the elderly woman’s statement “Mummy, what do you mean by some men have wives they never married? How can they be wives if they weren’t married?” Pastor Lydia turned back to face her with eyes carrying further statements waiting to be spoken. ****** Matthew maintained a stern face even as Hon. Joshua Umoru walked past him to his seat. Back at Marist Brothers Ejule, where they both were secondary school mates, Josh, as he is often referred, had a great drive for politics. Everyone, especially Matthew who was his best friend knew about it. Josh continued through to Kogi state university where he obtained a Bachelor degree in Agriculture, pursued a lot of degrees and special courses both home and abroad. He had said, all those certificates were because of his political ambitions as he needed to have more than enough qualifications before the day opportunity would present itself. And the day really met him on the right ground. Though, his dream exceeds here, it was still wise to start up his political career from the level of a state commissioner for Agriculture. His appointment into this office by extension has been more or less an answered prayer to his best friend Matthew. “See Mat, you can continue to run but you definitely cannot hide…” Josh started, bringing Matthew who looked very far away from the expansive office back. “Clap for yourself Josh. She thinks there is something between Angela and I” Matthew replied in a subtle voice mimicking an attempt to clap his hands. Whether it was the voice or the statement, Matthew couldn’t really place what was so funny and made Josh laugh that loud. He continued looking at his friend with utmost astonishment and Josh knew better than to continue laughing with the stern glance he got. “I’m sorry! I mean? Boyega’s wife can be an actress. That’s the issue with marrying all these American-bred ladies. She almost made me think she was crushing on me at a time with the way she behaved… Like she was seducing me right in front of her husband…” Josh started and had to pause as it was Matthew’s turn to let out a hysteric laughter. “I remember that time you were just worried about what would become of our friendship with Boyega if his wife pushed you to herself that hard” Matthew commented, still laughing. “Mehn! I haven’t seen such a lively and dramatic girl in the entirety of my adulthood. I don’t blame Udale for worrying. In fact, I would have been surprised if she didn’t.” Josh said with all sense of certainty. Matthew swallowed, “Well, I have a greater problem to worry over than her right now. Somebody has to leave, Josh.” Matthew said “Really? But why? Of all your irrational sides I have seen in years, I never envisaged you not wanting to give shelter to a poor little girl.” Matthew took in a deep breath, “You don’t understand Josh, do you?” Josh calmed down seeing his friend was saying deep things that felt hard to gain expression. “It gets worse by the day.” Matthew added with his head dejectedly dropped to the ground. Josh stared bug-eyed at him for many seconds, “For real? Hmmm! Mehn! You are in on some long train bro.” Josh voiced out as he fell back into the back rest of the rotating seat unable to believe his ears. Tbc

it complicated

i don't even understand Mathew self

what's with this Matthew self

just observing

I seriously don't understand Mathew

Cont.

Episode 13 Continues.. “Oh I thought the brother that got us all agitated in the office last week lived with you?” Udale smiled broadly at that cocky statement, pulling the curtain, “Why did you ask?” “Because I was almost fed up with ringing the doorbell. At a point I thought no one was in this house and wanted to leave before the security man insisted I exercised some more patience” Jane responded while using her hand to feel the large framed picture of her matron on the wall. The sitting room is quite expansive and beautifully laid out with vase flowers of different colours and sizes littered everywhere. No one would have imagined the stern-looking matron ever loving anything romantic, let alone having flowers occupy the bulk of her sitting room. But here we are! It’s just like Jane’s father’s house, just as she likes it. “Oh dear! Ocholi had gone back to school Jane, he schools at Federal University Lokoja… Fine arts.” Udale responded to the almost absent-minded lady who was more concerned about letting her eyes dart from one side of the room to the other than she was with the seat offered her. “Wow, that’s great. I would pass if told he was a literate with the way he looked that day” Jane scorned without showing any expression whatsoever on her face, Udale tittered lightly before responding to her, “Young lady, you saw he was overworked that day. You were there when he said the car had issues, right? Don’t come here teasing my husband’s younger brother.” Udale sounded the warning jokingly. With her first finger pointing in Jane’s direction, she continued smiling as those words escaped her lips. “Oh…!” Jane exclaimed. She brought her palms together in a pleading manner as she spoke, “Oga’s brother? Matron, I’m sorry o, I didn’t know” Udale laughed her air out at the young lady’s gesture. This is why she enjoys Jane’s company a lot sometimes; she is comic and very free, like she has no worries in the entirety of her life. “It’s OK Jane, please it’s too early” Udale managed to voice out when she could finally catch her breath, “…and to what do I owe this August visit this beautiful morning? You should have called, what if I wasn’t in town?” Jane smiled and relaxed into her seat, “We are not in August by my own calendar. Moreover, if I didn’t meet you, I will just leave a word with your gateman, that one is not a big something! We are missing you so much in the office and I wanted to pay you a surprise visit today” she said all these without breaking to breathe. “Aww! That’s so thoughtful of you my baby! You know how boring leave can be for me. I was still coming to work those times to while away time, nothing to do at home plus Ocholi was here. Now, I have so much to attend to at the moment. So I would rather observe my holidays my dear” Udale explained. Nurse Jane just kept smiling mischievously as she told the matron of her ordeals at the office over the past one week. The other nurses as usual disliked her, she had no one to run to whenever she read, saw or heard any exciting news and that practically translated her into a much needed state of partial dumbness inasmuch as keeping quiet for thirty straight minutes was the greatest punishment anyone could met onto her. She’s got to survive anyway especially throughout the absence of her beloved matron. Something struck her though. She knew something somehow was wrong with the matron sitting in front of her, judging from the way her eyeballs have dug deep inside as it’s characteristics of one who had cried her eyes out overtime, same applies to her voice. Her voice was coarse and husky, it must have cracked from the excessive litres of tears she had drained from her tear-bank, Jane thought within herself before gathering the boldness to ask the questions on her mind. “Mummy, I thought you finally took out your holidays to rest yet you don’t look YOU, what has been happening?” Whether it’s the question or the ‘mummy’ Jane calls her at times like this that causes shudders to run down her spine, Udale didn’t know. One thing she know is that she is always thrown off balance these days. Matthew hasn’t called her since he left with that pregnant woman last week. Yes. True. He will always spend a maximum of two weeks whenever he goes for the job at Lokoja and return to spend the next one week at home. He runs that type of circle and she has grown to get used to it, at least since it started. That was why she wasn’t expecting him last week and decided to bring Laibe till the unfortunate sudden appearance happened. As it stands now, she doesn’t know his schedules anymore - when or not to expect him. Gradually their communication level is drifting farther apart and for all the times she thought about it, she blamed herself solely for it. ‘Perhaps if I had a child for him, he would be excited to come home to me’ or ‘What right do I have to stop him from having mistresses anyway, when there is not a single child in this house to call our own’, these thoughts puts her mind into severe torture and at all those times, she scratches her hair so rigorously, perhaps she could scratch reality off her mind. “I’ll be fine Baby! I have a thirteen year old to look after now and she is really some loads of work” Udale responded, trying to coin out a little smile around her lips. Deep within, she knew all the things wrong with her right now has Laibe as the least cause of it. “Oh! Really? You never told me about it.” Jane replied sitting up. Udale raised her left brow and lowered the other one. She couldn’t trace the location Jane was driving from at the moment; they both are not mates in any regard at all. In fact, if Udale like other girls at her time, had married, she should have a daughter older than Jane. The age gap is that wide and she is not particularly someone to discuss family issues outside, so she wondered why the young girl felt disappointed for not being told. Well, let’s cover it up, it’s a good thing someone cares, Udale admonished herself. “I’m sorry about that. She is my late elder brother’s daughter. The day Ocholi came to the hospital was the day he went to bring her” Jane immediately burst into a hysteric laughter and Udale continued staring at her vacantly while she laughed unable to decipher whatever was so funny in the last statement because even the heartless know that the mention of the phrase ‘late brother’ is not comic. “No wonder you looked like you saw a ghost when Nurse Ephraim came to tell you that you had an urgent visitor. I’m sure you related it to the news I came with about the rampart kidnap of girls. Matron, Matron, you can fear sha!” Jane spoke out after she saw the displeasure on her matron’s face as touching her laughter. She rattled the ending part of her statement in pidgin English, hitting her right hand softly against Udale’s thighs. The matron heaved a sigh of relief before smiling back at Jane, “Yes dear, I had to be scared. One, I stubbornly sent to bring my niece against my husband’s stern warnings. I mean? What do I tell her grandfather and my husband? That the girl was kidnapped? Ojo kiko” she explained and gesticulated with her hands in saying ‘God forbid’. Every one of the ordeals of that day now made sense to Jane with this recent information… or revelation as the case may be. It’s now quite understandable and justifiable the actions of her matron that day. “My baby, what can I offer you? It’s almost noon, so you can take yam and scrambled eggs right? Or is it noodles? Children of this generation.” Udale asked and laughed at the little joke she cracked Jane’s response was as though she didn’t hear any of Udale’s last questions, “Mummy where is she now and when do I get to meet her? Your niece, that is.” Udale who was about to stand up earlier sat back to answer the questions not knowing in what order to start, “Ok! I enrolled her into JS1 at Aleka Academy and she has started school since Monday, that’s the answer to where she is now. About when you will get to meet her… ehrmm… hmmm…” Udale stammered as she tried to wrap her head around the best answer to give regarding a perfect meeting time for her two foster daughters. ****** “It is time for break, not time to sleep” “Maybe she is waiting for us all to leave so she could steal from our bags” “No, my mummy said Villagers don’t steal, they only take what is theirs” “Yes! They don’t steal, they only say ‘my name it is Laibe’ when asked to introduce themselves” Everyone burst into loud mocking laughter as the little boy that said the last statement mimicked the scenario. They stood barely an inch away from where Laibe sat, two boys and two other girls. They were so close and spoke loud deliberately so much so that even if Laibe wore a headphone over her ears, she would still hear them loud and clear. These four group of students - Helen, Rita, Mustapha and Simeon as she heard others call them - had made life very unbearable for her since she resumed. Ocholi had paid and done the necessary registrations at the cashiers’ office and was permitted to leave as the teacher on duty would take over from there. That was how Mr Emma, who was the teacher on duty that Monday morning accompanied her to JS1B, the second classroom on the block to the left almost immediately one exits the administrative block. She heard the students greet ‘Good morning Sir’ as she followed behind the tall and fair teacher into the classroom and after he was done responding to their greetings, he asked everyone to sit down. Mr Emma announced that they had a new member in their class and he would love her to introduce herself to her mates. Laibe, up till now, wished that time never came. She became extremely nervous and her palms began to sweat as she rubbed them against each other with her very big school bag strapped firmly to her back. “Introduce yourself to your classmates” she heard Mr Emma’s voice come through her ears again. “I… My…” she started. As she stammered the beginning of her introduction, she felt impatient eyes staring at her. Their stares pierced through her skin and that doubled the original fear pendulum that was set rolling on her inside earlier. She swallowed and tried to calm herself before continuing, “My… my name… my name it is Laibe, Laibe Godwin” Just when she thought she had successfully overcome fear and was expecting an applause or something, she watched the whole class roar in thunderous laughter. The laughter began like kick-starting a machine engine would. Someone, one of the biggest boys in the class named Kabir, let out a loud cough when the words were barely off her mouth and the others joined consecutively till the laughter circulated round the class like diffusing gases. She was left to feel like the ground could open up and swallow her from shame. She rolled her eyeballs to the side and saw how the tall teacher standing beside her was also struggling to lock his laughter deep within. She endured her world of shame for some minutes before the teacher gathered himself up to stop the students. They didn’t even heed his instructions till the cane in his hand landed angrily on the first table in the front row. Everyone sat up, those that had tears rolling down their cheeks from excessive laughter quickly cleaned it while they picked up the books that fled off their seats. “The right thing to say is, my name is Laibe Godwin” Mr Emma corrected her introduction and made her repeat after him twice before offering her a seat. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, it was that same seat he hit some minutes ago, the first on the first row. As she walked over to take her seat, she felt eyes all over her, that type of stare when there is no freedom to laugh at all. That day has been her nightmare all the while. The only thing she had said in this class for the four days she’s been here was the edited version of her introduction whenever the other teachers asked. And as though it was a tradition or some form of modules operandi in this school, every single teacher that had taken her class since Monday had asked she introduced herself. She was grateful the teachers were not demanding anything other than her name. It was only the Business Studies teacher, Mrs Okigwe, that tried to press more into knowing other than just her name but when the woman saw the pleading helplessness on Laibe’s face, she let it slide and just carried on with her class. Her aunty made lunch for her and packaged it in a lunchbox before driving her down to school this morning; she had taken over that responsibility after Ocholi travelled two days ago. Laibe misses her crush a great deal and the only memory left of him is what he showed, and later on gave her that afternoon they got back from the village. Laibe, however had some group of other bullies in the class who would cease her lunchbox during break, eat up everything in it and return an empty container back to her while these four students made mockery of her the whole length of the break time. She didn’t know what to do, she didn’t know who to report to. Even when she sees who to report to, as Mr Emma had told her to always report to him, how would she express herself? She had become dumb in class, not saying anything to anyone. Not as though she had nothing to say but then she lacked the best words with which to express herself and was afraid not to add more mockery lines to the ones she had earned already. “Laibe is a bush girl… iya iya o” The students started banging on her desk so she could raise her head up. She didn’t know what they wanted from her; they have taken her food and now she tries to just rest her head, she can’t do that as well? Why is everything in the Ankpa of her dreams turning sore for her? Perhaps she would be forced to report this unbearable one to Mr Emma but she hadn’t seen him since Monday. He obviously doesn’t take any subject in her class. Before she could say Jack Robinson, she felt one of the girls, Helen, pull hard at her hair. That’s painful; her hair though long and dark is very tough. So tough that at times, she dreaded passing a comb through it. She got up and the pitch of the song seem to triple. They followed her as she trudged towards the door in frustration. Her head was left dropping downwards, she couldn’t look at anyone of them, she just figured the direction of the exit in her mind and continued moving without looking. Just when she felt the whole class walking behind her, the voices began diminishing till she almost felt the everywhere become as quiet as a calm sea. She also felt feet running back to their seats with the tables sounding as it dragged on the cemented floor. Did a miracle happen? Laibe was confused but fear and shame didn’t let her raise her head up. Her uniform was already soaked in her own sweat and the maroon jacket made of wool, which is part of the uniform, didn’t help matters as well. She remained transfixed to the floor, perhaps whoever came in to save her from this agony and torture would eventually speak up, but no voice came through her ears. She imagined if it was the principal, or finally. maybe Mr Emma had come to her rescue again. Gradually, she admonished herself to gather courage and when she eventually did, she couldn’t believe her eyes as they popped out like large ShopRite doughnuts, stunned by who stood at the door of the classroom. Tbc

who is that

curiosity they catch me here... who be that???

Ride on...

Who is that???

Who is that

who is that.....

Episode 14 Continues.. The principal didn’t know the best way to appease the extremely angered man standing before her. From the rigorous repeated wriggling of his hands and stamping of his feet hard against the rugged floor, even the blind would see that this man is greatly enraged. He had been raking right from the classroom and when the teachers around couldn’t curtail it anymore, they had to gently talk him into coming to the principal’s office to iron out issues. The office, averagely spacious and coloured with lots of awards hanging on the walls, so much so that one would wonder how the barely twelve-year old school had achieved so much magnificent feat within that little space of time. Truly, it has. Owned by a British woman, the sophisticated Aleka Academy, Ankpa run with internationally standardized scheme of studies. A perfect blend of a white man’s idea with Africa’s beautiful and serene environment. “You don’t tell me to be calm young woman!” Matthew yelled, pointing his first finger at the principal, Aunty Theresa, popularly called Aunty Tee “…Wait a minute! Is this how you let children bully one another under your watch? I am very, very disappointed in you all, very very.” He pointed from the principal in front of him, to the teacher on duty and the form teacher of Laibe’s class standing behind him as he said the last part of ‘very, very disappointed in you all’. The other teachers courteously dropped their head to face the ground as he turned to point at them. Apart from his height and stature which is already intimidating enough as it were, the thunderous voice he waa out with made shudders run down everyone’s spine. “We sincerely apologise sir. It is their break time and students should normally not be left in class, same applies to teachers. We, however, take it as a little act of negligence on our own part and we promise it won’t repeat itself ever again” Aunty Tee voiced with the little more confidence she could mutter. Her voice was unusually as calm as a still stream and even if a pin fell while she spoke, everyone would still hear it. At the same time, anyone listening to her would know she isn’t threatened, instead, she is being polite. What more is expected from the principal of such a large school? The plight of the man that had bluntly refused to take the seat offered him in front of her was quite understandable and there was no sense in her trying to be defensive or playing the blame game at this point. Not with the type of tensed atmosphere the man had successfully created in the administrative block thus far, his voice literally shaking the foundations of the building. If truly what this guardian met today had been happening all along, she expected the poor girl who is the victim to come report. That’s how it is done. The school is very large, no doubt, but students had good rapport with their teachers including herself, in spite of her elevated position as the principal. The management board and staff try as much as it depends on them to create a homely and friendly atmosphere especially for the ‘Johnny Just comes’ – JJC, as the freshmen are fondly referred. Maybe the girl who is standing at the entrance to her office, looking as timid as a snail withdrawn into its shell, wasn’t in the know of all of this; which is close to impossible. The deed is done anyways and she should be humble and wise enough to clean the mess. Of course that was why the proprietress put her there as the overall eye. “This poor girl was brought from the village barely a week ago. I was rest assured of the discipline and principled tenets of this particular school when my wife messaged me about it. I didn’t find it reasonable objecting to it, I still haven’t replied her messages. I’m just coming back from Lokoja for the first time in the last week and felt like dropping by to check how she is fairing in school, only to see this horrible sight. Her classmates ridiculing and making mockery of her…” he voice rose higher with every new word. “We apologise deeply sir for the embarrassment. We are very sorr…” “Sorry for yourself Young woman!” Matthew snapped, “…I’ll take my daughter away from here if this happens again.” Laibe’s heart missed a beat when he heard her uncle’s statement. ‘Daughter?’ Did he just call her his daughter? Is her uncle accepting her stay in his house finally? Has he adopted her as daughter as her aunty Udale had always wanted him to? She smiled as those thoughts made her mouth feel as if it was filled with sugar. She crave for the love of at least a foster father in her life. She had only had a grandfather all along. Her father died when she was barely three in a ghastly motor accident on one of his trips to oba, a very large market where people from all over the state come to sell and buy things at cheaper prices. She remembered hugging him that morning and he promised to buy her usual - cheese balls, whenever he is returning. She stayed anticipating and waiting for her father in vain. It was the next day that an ambulance drove into Baba’s compound and some men requesting to see her mother and Baba. Laibe really didn’t understand much but seeing tears dropping down Baba’s face, she knew something horrible had happened. Her mother cried her eyes out, rolled on the mud floor as sympathisers tried to hold her down and stop her from injuring herself in the process. She was only three, all she did was hold on to her mother’s wrapper as if so as to prevent the older woman from leaving her too. A week passed and only then did she realise that her father was never going to come back with her snacks. She didn’t cry, maybe because she was a child, no one knows. She only jerks up whenever she closed her eyes to sleep; she would see her father’s ‘pick-up’ van over thrown and summersaulting at an extremely high speed into the bush. From that time onward, she dreaded cars of any form. For months she battled with sleep and fell ill over and over again as a result. Something inside her scares her. It scared her that cars would always kill one when people are at home waiting for you. In fact, only God can fathom the fear lit in her heart everyday she is being driven down to and back from school since Monday. Her heartbeat only normalizes when she steps down from the car. She had gone the past ten years without a father and if only her uncle can assume a father figure in her life henceforth she would be most grateful. “The Js1 class is filled with children with different manners from their diverse primary schools, Sir. We are committed to instilling discipline, knowledge and culture into them within the shortest possible time Sir. We apologise for this particular event, Sir. It’s the first of its kind, I can assure you. We guarantee her of the best in this place, Sir. ‘For a better tomorrow’ is our motto.” Aunty Tee assured him, ensuring that the repeated ‘Sirs’ was heard clearly Matthew didn’t loosen his face. He left it that way - tied, angry, and unwelcoming. “We are deeply sorry sir!” The three teachers behind him apologised as well and at this point Matthew cautioned himself and heaved a sigh of relief. “That would be all for now.” He said and got up. Laibe could not look up at her uncle in the eye. Apart from her small stature, she was burning with fear on the inside. She kept her face down and clung onto the door frame like she would penetrate it. As her uncle moved towards the door, she didn’t know what to expect. Her heart was anticipating a hug. Like a father would embrace a long lost but found daughter. Would that be so much? OK, a smile at least. She had never seen a smile dance around his lips before. A smile should do. But she got none. None whatsoever. She only felt her uncle dash out of the office in a flash like a wave that almost swept her off her feet. She didn’t know if she felt like crying, after he left her standing there like that without a word, or not. She didn’t understand; the man never say anything to her, and right here that he is passionately defending her before her teachers, he still said nothing to her. “Laibe… Lai…” The principal screamed from her seat. “Ma!” Laibe jerked back from her thoughts. “I have been calling you. What is on your mind?” Aunty Tee paused as though she needed a response and on a second thought continued, “…Who were the students mocking you in the class?” Laibe kept staring blankly at her principal. Was she supposed to know the names of those students? Even if she did, would she implicate some other people’s children? She has always gotten used to taking blames, accepting others peoples’ faults and even going ahead to receive punishments on their behalves. She doubt if she would be able to point out any of them. “Alright, you don’t know their names? Mr Jibrin, lead us to her class, she would surely know their faces when we get there. Those students must receive ample doses of punishment for bullying their new classmate.” Aunty Tee stood up, rearranged her dress and walked out of the office after Mr Jibrin. Laibe was the last to step out and if given the opportunity to say anything, she would beg Aunty Tee not to punish anyone on her behalf. ******* “Baba, number le le no” Omachoko told Baba that ‘the phone number he was dialling wasn’t connecting’ while handing back Baba’s handset to him. Due to the last scenario that almost rose Baba’s blood pressure – the rampant kidnap mantra- aunty Udale gave the old man some money while they were leaving to buy a phone no matter how small. Baba later sent Omachoko to go get him a handset, portable and affordable from Aloma. Because Omachoko had to use his old rickety bicycle to get down there (and the bicycle really showed how old it is by breaking down nothing less than three times), Baba could have easily sent Edogbanya since the latter worked there, but as it’s characteristics of the old man, his spirit seem to click with some particular people. Reasons best known to him as he never discloses. The Nokia3310 has been Baba’s saving grace for a week now, at least he gets to know the wellbeing of his granddaughter by calling Udale. Laibe’s voice over the phone sends shudders down his spine. His spirit is not at rest with Laibe’s stay at Ankpa yet he couldn’t raise any alarm. Udale is his only child left for Christ’s sake, she couldn’t harm her own little niece, would she? It didn’t seem so, at least up until yesterday morning when he last spoke with them. Udale said she was taking Laibe to school and that was a thing of joy to the old man. He had always known how Laibe wanted to go to school and be truly education. The number isn’t going through now, he may have to try later in the evening. The thought didn’t comfort him though. Omachoko followed the elderly man as he walked into the house from under the mango tree they have been standing. The strength of the network inside the house is always weak so one needed to step outside like this to get better and clearer reception. Omachoko quietly took his seat on one of the old armed chairs beside Baba and just watched with astonishment how the old man effortlessly found his way around the house, considering that his vision grew dimmer by the day. Baba took his bowl of ofofolo and drank passionately from it before offering it to Omachoko. The young man collected it courteously and gulped some quantity down his throat before returning it onto the stool. One may not be able to categorically pinpoint why Baba liked the young man Omachoko, but this must surely be one of the reasons. Baba always see him as hard working – trying to maintain the legacy his father had left behind. Baba also see his younger version in Omachoko, except of course for the dreadlocks, and so accord him an undeserved level of respect. “Baba, na lo t’Ankpa” Omachoko finally spoke up after minutes of deafening silence. He said ‘Baba, I’ll be going to Ankpa”. His fingers has been stroking his little chunk of beards tenderly all along as his mind ran over the best way to present this to Baba. He tried also to imagine Baba’s possible response and some likely questions he would ask. Baba didn’t know if those words sank well in him or if his ears were deceiving him again. He sat up and turned in Omachoko’s direction. His eyes were blood shot and that somehow scared Omachoko. All the while the young man had been contemplating this decision, the only thing that worried him was how Baba was going to take it. They have grown closer in the past week and as its said that the aged gets to a point they become kids again wanting love, acceptance and availability, it wouldn’t be nice to get this close to his heart and dash off all of a sudden. Still, he wasn’t sure if that is the real problem. He waited till Baba gave a response which was a deep question, asking what his reason for deciding to go to Ankpa is. Omachoko tried in futility to enumerate cogent reasons that informed this decision to leave the village. He thought of using his new business idea as a reason but the fact is his large farm would suffer in his absence. Eventhough he had asked one of his cousins to look after it, everyone, however, know that none can take care of a property as good as its owner. Especially a skilled owner like Omachoko. That farm is his and family’s only source of livelihood. Why then is he contemplating abandoning it? Perhaps what he was going to do in Ankpa would improve the state of the farm… or would turn his whole life’s boat from the farming business altogether. He wasn’t sure. He had much plans as it were and the last statement of the old man that threw him off guard was when he asked if his decision to go to Ankpa had Laibe as its precursor. Omachoko swallowed deeply as he looked on at Baba. He didn’t know the best answer to give but surely, Laibe couldn’t have gone scot free after all. . To be continued after comments..

Laibe u need to be bold to stop this bullying attitude

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Labie didn't do anything to him

alive should just use one of them as a scapegoat for others to stop bullying her. Mr Matthew u have come back to your senses

Episode 15 Continues.. They had to stop, to watch, as the gateman opened the huge black gate so as to enable Matthew’s Ford Endeavour drive into the compound. As usual, Udale felt her heart skip a beat again, instead of being elated that her husband had arrived after a week. He hadn’t told her prior to this time and the recent surprise stunts he had been pulling lately didn’t sit too well with her at all. Udale glanced over her shoulders and noticed Jane’s broad smile as her husband approached them. Whether it was his huge stature which became even more obvious in the brown suit he is wearing today or the intimidating walking steps he gently took towards them that necessitated such breadth of smiles, it beats Udale’s imaginations. She kept calm, praying silently that the young nurse wouldn’t try anything funny today. They both have had very good company since she’s been here and if not that she needed to go, Udale would have asked she stayed back or possible spend the night. Jane was young, she acted and thought so innocently like a child without worries. That’s Udale’s life’s dream - the day she would wake up and they would be absolutely nothing else to worry about any longer, not even her childless state. “Matron, I know this is patron” Jane said, giggling excitedly. If she had lowered her voice just an inch more, Matthew who already was quite close to them wouldn’t have heard a thing. Udale quickly nodded in the affirmative as Jane almost threw caution to the winds. Frankly, the older woman know nothing about what was so much exciting to Jane. She was at the moment behaving like the typical ‘daddy’s little princess’ who leap for joy after finally seeing the daddy she had been expecting for a very long time. “Good afternoon Patron” Jane greeted as soon as Matthew was at where they stood. Matthew looked down at her from his height and was tempted to let out a resounding laughter at the ‘patron’ part of the greeting, he only allowed a dry smile dance around his face as he responded, “Good afternoon, my dear girl” in a rather welcoming fatherly tone. This was unexpected to his wife and she almost didn’t remember to greet before Jane’s over curious reactions got her back. “Matron, aren’t you going to introduce Patron to me?” Udale quickly cleared her throat and smiled faintly. “You are welcome Sunshine.” she said, giving him a light side hug before continuing. She hoped he wasn’t going to shun her when her brain asked her to attempt hugging him. They have collected harsh words to say to each other in the past fading months. In fact, the events last week, especially about the pregnant Angela, cumulated it all. He didn’t pick up her calls neither did he respond to her text messages since he left here, and the most hurting silence was that on the text bearing the information about Laibe’s enrolment into the prestigious Aleka Academy. Thankfully, he is matured enough not to create a scene before the young girl he should decipher was her junior colleague because of the uniform she is having on, even though it’s his first time of meeting her. “Meet Ms Jane, former Patron Odaudu’s daughter” Udale said, watching Jane squeeze her palms in each other with head bowed as though she suddenly became a shy baby. “Yes! So much resemblance” Matthew affirmed and stretched out a hand to her. Jane took it courteously as the initial display of shyness seem to have vanished all of a sudden, “Most times I’m afraid because my father appears to know everyone.” Matthew and Udale burst into laughter at that response. “Of course, Philip Odaudu is a good man and one of the best chief nursing officers that hospital had ever had.” Matthew replied as soon as he was able to stop himself from laughing. “Well, Mummy, your darling wife here is fast at his heels and would beat his records in no time from now. Isn’t that so Mummy?” Jane turned to face the smiling Udale. The question didn’t appear like a question with the way her lips turned at the sides to form an inverted U as she said ‘Mummy’. “You are such a smart girl, I’m so pleased to meet you.” Matthew confessed and that made Udale look up at him to be sure she heard correctly. Her husband had become so closed up recently to everyone, like he was enclosed in a metallic box of some sort. Having and hearing him commend someone, especially that she is a young girl came strange through Udale’s ears. “Thank you sir. But Mummy would only be pleased with me if I excused her and her husband soon enough…” the couple started another resounding round of laughter but Jane’s face was still expressionless. Udale wonders how the young lady does it sometimes – create and make everyone laugh while still wearing a straight face. Jane continued, without waiting for the laughter to die down, “…that said, I’ll be leaving now sir and ma. I’ll pop in some other time. Mummy, thank you for hosting me and for the boiled yam and mashed eggs.” “C’mon baby! You are welcome anytime. I truly appreciate your coming” Udale expressed her sincere appreciations and Jane cowered lightly before stepping backwards. “How are you going? Is that your car I saw outside beside the gate?” Matthew asked and Jane nodded her head up and down like monitor lizard. Udale looked surprised as she saw the sincere concern on her husband’s face for the first time in a long while and as Jane walked briskly towards the gate, she arranged the order and format with which her discourse with Matthew would ensue. “Baba called on my way…” Matthew interrupted her thinking while pressing down the knob of the entrance door. “Hope all is well?” Udale asked, looking dazed. Matthew shrugged as he walked into their large sitting room. “The old man should know the wellbeing of his only granddaughter right? I guess that was why he called. He kept saying your line wasn’t reachable…” Udale tried to stop her head from looking for trouble where there is none. Having Matthew respond that receptively to Jane was one big testimony for her so that even when it looked like her ears heard him stress the part of ‘his ONLY granddaughter’, she admonished herself to let it slide. He has been the topmost on her list of prayer points lately, it’s as if God is beginning to answer her prayers and soften his heart. “And if we are going to adopt Laibe as our daughter, then you should wake up to your responsibilities as her mother. She is being mocked and traumatised by her classmates” Matthew said, dropping the bag in his hand on one of the couches and heading towards the kitchen. Udale who had lazily sank into the chair as soon as she entered the sitting room dragged herself up and followed Matthew into the kitchen. She didn’t understand his last statement. Laibe and her haven’t seen nor spoken to him for a week now, how come he knew about whichever classmate was mocking her. “I saw your text on Monday so decided to drop by at the school on my way from Lokoja this morning. Thankfully, it was their break time and I was able to get the teacher on duty to lead me to her class after the security man at their gate had worried my soul out with loads of questions. I was embarrassed on getting to the entrance of her class to find her almost running off because some group of students were singing scornful songs for the innocent girl…” He bit his lips angrily, “I was so enraged. It took the persistent calming voice of their principal to quench the flaming fire in me. So annoying...” he let out a dry hiss. Udale forgot her mouth wide open as her husband narrated the whole story while pouring himself cold water he picked up from the fridge into a tumbler. “What!” Udale exclaimed involuntarily just when he sipped out of the water in his hand. Many things constituted that exclamation. One being that she didn’t imagine bullies still existed. The last time she heard of such was her own days in primary school, more so that Aleka Academy was a private school and not one of those public schools around where everyone takes law into his or her hands. Well, it’s quite understandable; those children making up the Js1 class came from different background – some from public primary schools and others from private ones alike - and those with vices would need to be dealt with so as to get rid of it. Secondly, it could only mean one thing if Matthew could drop by to check on Laibe. Thirdly and finally, he sounds like he is agreeing to adopting Laibe as his own, was that not why he used the word ‘our’?. All these lifted her legs with the speed with which they quickly flashed through her mind till she was in her husband’s arms. She leaned her head against his chest tiredly wrapping her hands around his waist. Matthew held her with his right hand as the other one was still holding the tumbler. “You scared me Sunshine!” Udale said in a sultry tone. Matthew dropped the cup on top of the fridge and held her face up till his nose was touching hers. “I am so sorry Baby!” He responded. He calls her ‘Baby’ only at times like this when he is calm and in a good mood, otherwise, he calls her by her first name ‘Udale’. Udale blinked shyly. “You acted so friendly and normally with Jane, even though you are meeting her for the first time today but you flared out on seeing Laibe. You didn’t even say a word to her up till now. To think that Laibe is just some months shy of thirteen, she is only a girl.” Matthew withdrew from her and walked back into the sitting room saying “You will not understand” all the way through. She stood for some minutes trying to imagine what was that unexplainable before going after him. Because the chairs were made of quality woods and other materials, it didn’t matter how weighty she was as she sat on the handle of the chair on which Matthew sat. “Honey, you told me you wanted to take another wife.” “And your craze started when you saw pregnant Angela, huh?” Matthew cut in on her, smiling teasingly as he used his hand to draw her soft cheeks. Udale smiled, “Well, what would you rather a helpless woman do? My position was threatened because I have not given you any child and you gave me attitudes to back it up.” She wrapped her hand round his neck and jokingly threatened to suffocate him. Matthew just kept grinning from ear to ear as he watched his wife play like the baby he used to know again. He had watched the young, soft and innocent lady he married many years ago harden by every passing day. At some points he feared she would become inhumane with the way she was going and her only source of worry has been this childlessness issue. He is not particularly disturbed about it. Of course, there are so many things calling for his worrying self at the moment but his wife never seem to understand that worry won’t form the agile sperm that would fertilize her. If only she knew what he knows. “You may even be the architectural designer for the commencement of that relationship” he added quietly. Alarm tried to sound on her head as she had few minutes to ponder on that ambiguous statement, she rather chose to rebuke it, “There may have to be a cold day in hell that day then. I’ll rather die than arrange another wife for you Matthew. I love you that personally.” She said, bringing his head to come rest on her bosom. She meant what she just said even when it appears Matthew was only teasing her with that. She is not one to bring another woman for her husband to impregnate because of her inability to conceive. Moreover, the doctor haven’t categorically pinpointed who was responsible for this infertility. On her own side, she can claim to be hale unless proven otherwise. She hadn’t done anything harmful all her life, no abortion, no consumption of illicit drugs, in fact Matthew met her as a virgin so it couldn’t have been coming from her. Inasmuch as she also trusted her husband a great deal, his recent ‘you don’t understand’ language is making her to suspect him. She kept repeating ‘God forbid’ in her head as she moved his head on her bosom. She was nearly successful with that when the entrance door creaked and presented Laibe before them. They quickly sat up as she approached them. She was sweating profusely and her eyeballs look extremely worn out. Udale looked up at the wall clock. 2:45pm. Was it just her eyes? Laibe’s school uniform appear oversized on her this evening. Maybe, it’s been that way all along and she wasn’t keen enough to take note. “Aunty, Uncle, go- good e-vi-ning” she stammered her greetings that way. “Why are you home so early? I should come pick you up by 5!” Udale broke out in curiosity neglecting the young girl’s greetings and taking a glimpse at the wall clock for the second time. She knew the training Laibe will get in that school would be tremendous, it’s commendable enough she is greeting them in English in barely a week, she should gain good mastery of English in no time. Laibe’s tension reduced when he saw her uncle smile in response to her greetings. A step forward. Maybe, he would find her worthy to be spoken to very soon. Her shivering palms were firmly interlocked in one another as she squeezed them. Perhaps, it was what happened that was so inexpressible for her or she had issues with how best to present it again. No one could understand exactly what went through her mind as she stood before them with confusion wrinkling her face. . To be Continued...

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Wow at least things are going well for now

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laibe put your shelf together things will turn out well

I am happy for you udale

Nice one.. Ride on

Episode 16 /. Continues.. Matthew rose his head involuntarily from the pillow as his eyes flew open. He had been contemplating within as to whether it was still too early to get up or not. He gets this luxury of time to sleep anytime he got off that strenuous demanding work of his. A week is good enough time. Well, that’s all he could afford for the meantime. Inasmuch as he needed something to force him up, it would definitely not be the forceful bang of the door as it hit the door frame. What went wrong again? He sat up, with the duvet still covering a better part of his tall form as Udale trudged into the room. She looked angry… or frustrated? No one can correctly tell whatever the expression on her face bore. She moved with the venom of a wounded tiger, muttering many inaudible things to herself with each step. Thankfully for Matthew, she decided to increase the volume of her voice on getting closer to the bed. He let out a loud sigh. “For whatever reasons she doesn’t wanna go to school” she murmured almost inaudibly so much so that Matthew had to strain his ears to hear what she said as she collapsed onto the same side of the bed he is sitting. In fact, if Matthew hadn’t promptly removed his legs, they would both have had a case of multiple fractures to attend to at the hospital today with the way the fat woman landed on the bed. “What’s the problem, Baby?” Matthew asked, his eyeballs like they would pop out of their cage in no time. This subtle approach should work at the moment, right? He’s gat to tread with caution if not with the way she woke him up abruptly, he would have given her a bit of his mind. “I get up as early as possible just to make breakfast for that little fellow to take along. She does nothing for me in this house, more especially in the morning save to dress up and enjoy a luxurious drive down to school, only for her to be… to be…” she started stammering and her husband didn’t blink the curious gaze he cast on her all along. “For her to be… to be what?” Matthew asked when the repetition was becoming sickening. Udale swallowed. “She is still curled up in her bed at this time…” she turned to look at the large wall clock above her dressing mirror as she said this, turning Matthew’s attention there as well. “…as if that was not enough, she told me she can’t go to school because of what happened yesterday. Can you imagine that nonsense?” She asked, not expecting any response actually. Her face contorting in a fiery glaze of anger all over again as the scene she just witnessed few minutes ago tore at her mind as it replayed in her head. Matthew heaved another audible sigh, this time, everyone could feel the relief literally written all over his face. He will never be able to completely understand women after all. All these charades and behaviours because of whatever Laibe said to her? Incredible. He could bet his life that the little girl couldn’t have been rude to her aunty after all. Perhaps they were more things frustrating his dear wife this beautiful morning. Udale looked on expectantly at him after finishing her last line and that got him confused. Was he supposed to say something? Ok! Like, don’t worry Honey, we would deal with that little girl? or, I told you not to allow her stay here in the first place? What exactly is he supposed to say at the moment. He didn’t know what she wanted him to say or how he should best react. Finding an idea of what to do, he left a playful smile dancing on his face as he pulled the duvet off his legs, slipping into his bedside slippers, he managed to bring himself to his feet. Udale whose eyes have been following all his actions, from moving to the edge of the bed to standing up, like her eyes controlled him continued watching in astonishment, wondering whatever Matthew was up to right now. Oh no! She didn’t just report Laibe to him, did she? Even though she had seen her husband loosen up a bit yesterday and his normally cold glare at the poor girl brightened up a little too, she shouldn’t have come to give this report. It’s too early to soil the good relationship that’s just about sprouting up. What was she thinking? “I’ll be back” Matthew’s soft voice now heightened her worries even more. She couldn’t have landed her niece in another trouble so early, could she? She held her head with both hands; her hair was neatly packed in a hair net so it was very easy to hold it as one piece. She figured out the wisdom in following after Matthew or not when she heard the door close behind him gently. ***** Laibe turned her face towards the direction of the door. She was backing the entrance before now; before the door creaked open actually. She faced the wall all along, since her aunty left the room, hoping she would see something soothing in those yellow painted walls and if possible penetrate to go hide in there with a little more stare. Her mind couldn’t get off the guilt she felt yesterday. The guilt that got her uncomfortable so much so that she had to sneak from school before closing time. Yea! It was a dangerous thing she did: running through bush paths just so the security men that manned the iron school gate or any of the senior prefects don’t get to see her. She had an idea what the punishment would be if she got caught trying to escape from school. She once saw a student that was asked to dig his height and another given a large portion of grass to level. The punishment. Yes! Indeed, the punishment. It would even be worse than the punishment she carried overwhelming guilt for right now. Aunty Tee had ordered all her classmates out of the class when she didn’t want to point out any of the people that tormented her. The principal made them lay flat on the carpeted grasses in front of the class and as if that was not enough, she ordered that Mr Jibrin gave then seven strokes of the cane each – boys on their buttocks and girls on their backs. Laibe’s feet went cold and she felt like urinating in her pants, from the point where she stood behind the principal watching regretfully, as her classmates wailed out in pain. She couldn’t bear it. She is used to being scolded, beaten and punished for other people’s misbehaviours and not the other way round. She covered her ears with both hands as well just maybe she could prevent the agonizing screams from the victims of the punishment from getting to her ears. Whenever Aunty Tee turned back to glance in her direction, she readjusted herself. Whenever a tear rolled down her little cheek, she quickly wiped at it with the back of her palm. She literally started feeling feverish on her feet. Everybody was ordered back to the class after the punishment but she couldn’t enter. She gave a flimsy excuse of wanting to use the toilet and since her seat was just beside the window, she squeezed out her bag through the frame immediately Aunty Tee and the other teachers turned their attention away from her, addressing her class. She ran off in the direction of the toilet. She was merely halfway the toilet when she luckily saw the school gate open because the toilet was almost perpendicular to the direction of the gate. Before anyone could say Jack Robinson, she had dashed into a bush path she usually sees some of her classmates taking after school while she enjoys the comfort of her aunt’s drive home. Whether she had lost her way or not, she wasn’t certain at some points. She kept moving on the tiny deserted road, fast and furiously, as her heart beat hard against her chest. There was no way she could face the hateful look that would be left greeting her on the faces of her mates if she entered back into the classroom with them. She dreaded it; she dreaded rejection with everything in her and just when she thought sleeping over it would completely clear the guilt off her memory, it rather escalated by the time she got up this morning. Guess her aunty is particularly mad at her because the older woman encouraged her after she narrated the story to them yesterday. Aunty Udale told her that punishing stubborn kids is a normal part of the drilling process and that it was no fault of hers, but all those didn’t console her. She felt like she had put some innocent kids in pain and agony unjustly. “Reconsidering your dreams of becoming great already?” Matthew’s voice spoke out after staring at her for nothing less than five minutes. He released his hand from the door knob and took giant steps fully into the room till he came near her bed. Laibe readjusted immediately while staring at him unable to bring her brain to making any sense out of the first words her uncle is ever saying to her. Taking his seat beside her in a way that he was sited squarely before her, he continued, “In the pursuit of greatness, strive as much as possible not just to be well-known but to be worth-knowing…” He softly placed his large hands on her little shoulders with a smile firmly plastered on his face. “…you know a wise man by name Langstone Hughes once said ‘Hold fast to your dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly’, and you my little girl cannot achieve any level of this greatness or great dreams as the case may be, by curling up yourself on the bed the morning you should be preparing to go to school” he added calmly. Everything he said was now beginning to appeal to Laibe’s senses. She had things to say in response but she always had this strong limitation - how to express herself in English. She is still upcoming in that aspect and inasmuch as her aunty is giving her credit for rapid improvement, she didn’t want to ruin this swell time she had dreamt of, the one week her uncle deserted his own house. Maybe that was what she thought anyway. Not until he came to her school yesterday afternoon, she was beginning to feel like she was responsible for her uncle’s disappearance from the house for such a long time. She finally decided to respond. She wanted to say she was scared, she wanted to say perhaps her dreams of greatness was just a mirage and that she didn’t deserve such ambience of good dreams. She wanted to say she cannot tolerate rejection, not from him, not from her aunty let alone from her classmates, but all she wanted to say remained within her and the only thing she could come up with was a nod. And another nod, and still an additional nod. “You will go to school now, Ok? You have less than fifteen mins to prepare. Your aunty is waiting.” Matthew said and got up, patting her back. He knew and could connect to exactly what Laibe was feeling at the moment. Even worse than such has he felt in recent times but first things first. Laibe couldn’t believe that her uncle had talked her into going to school as much as she couldn’t believe her uncle had talked to her at all. She felt happy, and the whole emotional thrills threw her off the bed to her feet. She all of a sudden felt this strange boldness running down her spine and the only thing she could picture right now was walking down majestically to her seat in class. Matthew paused at the door and turned hastily like he forgot something and yea he did. He didn’t know but he felt the propelling force to say it as it came up in his mind. While still considering if it was the right time to say this, he voiced out before he could stop himself. “I’ll take you to Lokoja… where? Ehnmm…” he kept a finger on his lips thoughtfully, “Yes. Confluence Beach. I’ll take you to confluence beach during your next holidays, that’s only if you do well.” He flashed his set of beautifully arranged dentition at her and closed the door behind him gently. Laibe stood glued to the floor all of a sudden like someone awaiting a death sentence. She tried pinching herself to consciousness. She needed to be sure it wasn’t a dream at the end of it all. Or, maybe it was a dream coming true? She heard the alarm clock her aunty set up on her reading table ring and her eyes instantly turned in that direction. 7:00am? She slipped into her slippers and hurried into the bathroom. If she does not cross the school gate in less than thirty minutes’ time, it would be better she didn’t go to school at all today. ****** Matthew got back to the bedroom with a rather pretentious smile dancing around his face. He had to smile at least, with the way his wife was eagerly sitting on the bed and waiting for him, he could guess as perfect as he would his name what was going through her mind. “She would be ready in 10. Please help her not to go late” he said, squeezing her shoulder as he took his seat beside her. He felt Udale’s eyes widen, like some freshly baked ShopRite doughnuts and that didn’t surprise him at all. She must have not expected what he did again, as usual. He’s been all shades of dynamism lately. Udaletook a deep breath and got up, heading towards the bathroom door. She will never understand her husband, that’s certain. The man is so full of diversities, or… is it mischievousness? She can’t seem to wrap her mind around the particular name to give to what is popping up on her mind as she lazily dragged down the door knob. “Again, if we must get used to having a child in this house…” Matthew started and she turned her head involuntarily, still holding firmly to the door knob “…if we must get used to having a child in Laibe, then we must get used to becoming parents and you especially must master the art of being a mother.” He said. That smile was still playing somewhere around his face as he spoke, though it’s a little milder now. Udale’s tongue felt tied, she couldn’t even say anything as that bunch of timely truth sank deep into her blood. She swallowed and entered the bathroom, closing the door gently behind her. Matthew’s face contorted into a frown immediately his wife was out of sight. Like, the initial smile he’s been wearing was a mask that he just pulled off his face. He didn’t understand the meaning of this thing and the more he tried to justify himself, the more he keeps drowning more and more. He thought of a thousand things to do. For once… and most especially on this matter, his brain is failing him and he disliked that with all his might. He needed his head to think now more than ever before. He stretched out and picked up his phone from the side stool. He looked on at it with all concentration for some minutes before deciding to do the only thing that came across as reasonable to his mind. He typed a short message, scrolled his contacts list till he got to the number he needed and tapped on the ‘send’ button. Dropping the phone like it burnt his palm, he quickly readjusted on the bed when he felt his wife was about coming out. . To be continued after enough comments..

Hmm getting more interesting

This change is going to help everyone

next oo

change of mind

I just hope Mathew is not a paedophile, nd he won't get d poor gal pregnant.

Who did he message and what is the message all about

Episode 17 Continues.. Joshua let out a rueful smile as a message popped up on his phone, especially that the customized message tone could only be one person . He left off the laptop on which he was typing and picked up his Nokia 8800 Gold edition. Opening the message, his smile started fading off slowly till it faded away. He had been in here right from the early hours of this morning, specifically, over four hours ago. Ever since the state decided to ‘diversify economy’ as a strategic way of completely eliminating poverty, his ministry has become close to the busiest amongst all other government parastatals in the state. A lot of pressing demand is laid on his shoulders at the moment, so much so that he had to, as a matter of urgency, equip the home office that had just been there useless during his first tenure – that’s his first four years of living in this apartment, one of the very many duplexes in the commissioners’ quarters. He needed to work late into the night and some other times as early as possible. Travelling the long distance from Ganaja to GRA and Adankolo area where the government house and ministry of Agriculture is respectively wouldn’t be convenient at all. His family - wife and two kids - also needed the attention and availability of their husband and father in that sense. He even got a bit relieved and with more time on his hands to work ever since his wife travelled to the UK. It’s been over a month now and he would prefer she stayed back a bit longer if given opportunity to suggest. But women? He had better not raise that suggestion in the first place, else it would arouse some awkward suspicions in her mind. The type of suspicion that would pull her into the flight heading to Nigeria the very next day. It had happened before, so he could tell. Moreover, the children are in a standard boarding school in Abuja, he has almost nothing to share his time at the moment save his job and of course, morning mass, strictly and only on Sunday mornings. The maids now almost serve him breakfast, lunch and dinner right on this table in the home office. Yes, he needn’t go to the real office all the time except maybe his attention is unavoidably needed or the governor has an emergency meeting with the commissioners, him especially. He couldn’t have prayed for a better timely assistance as this in Mat, as he fondly called Matthew his dear friend turned brother. You know the mistake people make is in thinking that it is the most knowledgeable folks in a particular ministry that gets elected… or appointed, as the case may be, head over it. Well, everyone may have to wake up to the fact that politics is real and it’s a game for only the smart lads. Joshua knew he needed an intellectual support if he must meet up with the expectations of not just His excellency, the executive governor of the state as it were now, but the populace most importantly. He literally leaped for joy when he asked Matthew to come assist and the latter obliged without hesitation. Seriously? The Matthew he knew would never give up teaching for anything under the heavens. Someone, himself and other of their friends including Boyega almost prostrated to beg, so he would consider picking up the robust offer from Chevron that year. Matthew blatantly refused. They all began to think that Matthew’s case was becoming spiritual, or ‘ma to ubi kwunyi’ as the Igala people would refer to someone who is perceived to have been bewitched from his village. It was one irritating part of the only man he called his friend, even when Matthew finished with the most-sought-after 5.0 CGPA. How many persons graduate with that kind of distinction grade in our real world without sorting or cheating? Yet he decided to follow a long standing irreconcilable passion of his, teaching… “common teaching” as his friends teased him with. Matthew proved a point with it anyway, a big point that sealed the mouths of all of them put together, including Josh in the long run. He had made so much living and impact especially after he bagged his Ph.D and picked up a lecturing offer at the State’s College of Education. Bearing all these in mind when he wanted to call for assistance, Josh didn’t know how it would sound to Matthew asking him to come take up a managerial role in one of the big departments of the ministry – the extremely exhaustive Service Department at that. Most tedious and energy draining. Joshua couldn’t believe his ears when his friend told him that he had resigned from lecturing months earlier. “You are kidding me, aren’t you?” Josh responded unable to hide the shocked expression on his face. When Matthew nodded in the affirmative and reiterated that it wasn’t a joke after all, Josh had to press further so as to find out whatever must have chased Matthew from the only fuel that drove his passion in life. He couldn’t help in the end but applaud Matthew’s bold choice as the best he could make to salvage this particular situation. Maybe if he were to be in Matthew’s shoes, he wouldn’t have been able to give up everything just like that. Not when he gave up all the mouth-watering and exciting offers in order to stick to his passion earlier. Well, for Joshua, everything was actually working for his good from all points of view and even when Matthew had doggedly refused to come and live in Lokoja - in a massive house attached to his portfolio - Josh didn’t mind. Getting the work done and in time was all that mattered anyway. He dropped his phone on the table and as if after a second thought, picked it up again. Staring at his wallpaper – his family picture , like he was seeing that picture for the first time ever, he dropped the phone again. He was torn amidst decision making and just sitting aloof. “Josh! It keeps getting messier by the day” Josh swallowed as he read out loud from the phone he is picking up for the fourth time already. Abandoning his laptop, he relaxed into the swinging seat and let the wheel of the armed chair rock him from side to side gracefully. He couldn’t be less concerned at the moment. At least, if not for anybody, this is Matthew. Matthew has grown beyond being a friend to him, Matthew is blood. He hit hard on the table in front of him in frustration, careful not to spill his cup of coffee though. Nothing had ever come across so unable to be tackled between the both of them ever before. They’ve always been this immaculate duo; at least if Josh couldn’t proffer solution, Mat would and the situation is resolved before it even becomes a situation. This case is just so different and he hate to admit that Matthew is… rather, they both are truly in a deep mess after all. Picking up his phone, he considered replying to the text, but he didn’t know how best to compose the words. Whether the words were too large to be confined in the seemingly small message box or that he had difficulty with expressing himself correctly on this matter via writing, he didn’t know which was which at the moment. He only know that he needed to respond to his friend and there was no way he would communicate exactly what was going on in his mind via that limited character allowance of a space called textbox. He thought to call, “What if Udale is with him?” “How do I talk?” he asked no one in particular as he discarded this second option as well. The air condition now feels like it’s releasing lighter coals of fire as his mind tore his head into shreds. ******** Laibe sank into her seat. It is a padded metallic seat and for the first time in the one week she had been in this school, the chair felt like a cushioned sofa underneath her buttocks. Her both hands crossed underneath the little sprouting outgrowths on her chest as she stared vacantly at the teacher taking… whatever the young man was taking. She was not listening to him in the very least, she couldn’t even see him at all. Her mind had been wavering like a ferry on a stormy sea from one thought to another, over and over again and even when she admonished herself to concentrate, she lost interest seeing that the teacher was narrating more of his personal life’s stories than the Business Studies he was paid to deliver. The school management won’t know this when commenting on general student’s performance at the end of the term. It would be a case of massive failure of students on one particular subject, not knowing that it is the new teacher that spends the two hours allotted to him explaining the story of creation and politics. He, the teacher, is not part of Laibe’s issues right now. She hasn’t been able to erase the events of this morning off her brain, inasmuch as she needed to and tried. Uncle Matthew promised taking her to Confluence beach, that’s probably one of the best things she had heard in the entirety of her life. The first and only time she heard anything about that beach was when a corp member posted to Ofabo some three years ago mentioned it. ‘Ajuwaya’ as the villagers fondly called the corp member was living in one of Baba’s free rooms at the back of the main building. As a worthy elder in the village, Baba bears the sole responsibility of catering for every visitor that came visiting or on an assignment, especially when related to academics. Laibe, even though out of primary school then and didn’t have money to proceed to secondary school, Corper Monica took her through some private lessons at home within the space of the one year she served her fatherland. Corper Monica taught the students in the senior class English Language at the only community owned Emodu Community Grammar school, Ofabo. Laibe would have the tutorials with her in the evenings on returning from her sales of garri at the market and ultimately fixing dinner up for her beloved grandfather. It was at one of those extra lessons that Corper Monica asked Laibe to mention three spot for tourist attractions in the Kogi state. Laibe looked on dumbly for many minutes and when she saw Laibe was clueless about it, she listed Confluence beach, Ajaokuta steel company, Mount Parti, Igala Unity square, Anyigba, amongst others. It has been on the young girl’s mind ever since then that she would surely be presented with an opportunity to visit some… if not all these attraction sites in her own state one of these days. That’s why it’s feeling like she won an award when her uncle told her he would take her there, Confluence Beach – where river Niger and river Benue met and are still meeting up until now. Little wonder, Kogi is called ‘The confluence state’. She feels thrilled. Shudders ran down her spine at the thoughts alone. The condition attached though! A lot of intelligent students abound in this class, in fact it appears as if Aleka Academy had selected all the best brains from the Primary schools around to form this her class most especially. The way children she knew and so certain she was far older than spoke English with fluency as though they had chewed and swallowed the language, marvelled her. However was she going to do well? What is even her uncle’s definition of doing well in the first place. Something within her has placed her in the last position even before she would write her first continuous assessment test that’ll be due in a week’s time. Justas she thought about how she was going to intensify efforts and put in all her best to do well, she felt the eyes of the class piercing through her skin. She sighed deep initially to be sure everything was alright or perhaps it was her brain messing with her all over again. Hell no! She rolled her eyes sideways, like a thief does when trying to scout for a sneak hole, everybody’s eyes were on her again. When she looked up and saw the teacher staring in her direction also, her heart set out into an uncontrollable undulating rotation of a pendulum at high frequency. Oh God! This is not happening again, she prayed silently in her heart. She meant every word of the prayer. She was grateful no student had scorned her when she got to school this morning even when she was almost late. Everyone looked up as she walked into the classroom and as though they were allowed limited viewing access to her as an aftermath of yesterday’s general punishment, they all returned their eyes and fixed it on the book before them. She gathered little boldness as she approached her seat walking like they were some pins littered on the cemented floor that she was stepping on. Thankfully, her seat was the first table to the right so it wasn’t hard getting there after all. It only became hard believing that Helen, one of the arch leaders of her dreaded mockery group had moved her bag to the same table. “Laibe Godwin, we are waiting for you…” Her teacher’s voice scared the living daylight out of her, worsening the condition of her already pressured heart. “Uhmm?” she exclaimed involuntarily, giving him a questioning blank look. She expected the students, her classmates that is, to go all up in thunderous rounds of mocking laughter, jesting and throwing hands in the air as at other times, but no one did. None could even do anything as mild as clearing of throat. This got Laibe even more horrified than usual. Maybe they should just start laughing, or dragging the table noisily over the floor. Maybe the biggest boy behind should slam the table and begin the crow for laughter. Maybe, something other than this silence should just happen. She would prefer it a thousand times over right now if the whole place got filled with what she was used to – ridicule. But everywhere remained quiet, dead silence. In her moment of confusion, she saw Helen put up her hand. “Let me bail her out sir,” Helen said calmly when the teacher saw her hand and turned back in their direction. Laibe’s eyes almost dropped out on the floor with the way she stared unbelievably at Helen who got up with so much grace and boldness to answer the question. “Adam Smith defines capital as “That part of a man’s stock which he expects to afford him revenue”, so to a layman, Capital can be defined as the first amount of money used to start up a business that would yield profit.” Helen responded, with a smile plastered on her fair face. “Clap hands for her” the teacher said, sounding very impressed. Laibe worried that his eyes were still on her. As the children clapped, Laibe’s hands appear to be locked in each other with shock. She looked so stunned that moving her hands against each other was heavier that lifting log of woods. The members of the class were beginning to act strange; they were comfortable with her which was one of the things her uncle had predicted would happen, Helen is sticking out for her, no one is laughing at her anymore. The man must be right with everything all the time then. “Laibe Godwin…” The teacher called her again and this time she jerked up to her feet with some daring boldness. “Yes sir!” “You would follow me to the staff room after this class… is that clear?” The question came loudly like resounding gong in her ears. Of course, her opinion isn’t required. She must. As a matter of fact, it’s a command. Though the teacher’s voice sounded calmer than the initial time, she still had cause to worry about the urgent summon to the staff room. . To be continued after enough comments..

Continue pls

Labie you have to get your mind in school work not somewhere else

Laibe focus

Following..

what wy repost now

Fabulous

oook next

Episode 18 Continues.. “Nurse Abigail, well done o” Jane waved with one hand as the other held the phone to her ear. Even after they had all been cautioned not to address each other on first name basis and instead use each person’s surname while at work, Jane seem to be the only person still faulting that order. When asked why, she bluntly says, ‘their surnames are too indigenous and hard to pronounce’. Being the ‘baby’ of the hospital, everyone just let it slide. It’s even good enough she has the courtesy to put ‘Nurse’ before the name. Who would kill her if she decides to address everyone only by their names? Perhaps she would say then that adding ‘nurse’ is too long for her. The two nurses flashed a coy smile at her in return before she continued wriggling her waist as she walked out of the nurses Bay. “Your colleagues again right?” Jane smiled as the expected question came through her ears. “Yea! I saw this coming and trust me, you never disappoint me. Anyway, I needed to greet them” “Of course you do!” Max responded with sarcasm. His voice went so low, it almost became a whisper. Jane giggled as she leaned her back against a pillar just in front of the building. “Tell me you are jealous of my colleagues again, Max?” Jane asked, it came like a statement though. “C’mon! Why not? They get the luxury of seeing and being with my dazzling angel all day long while I wallow here in loneliness…” Max muttered, sounding sober and pathetic already. So pathetic a tone that it got Jane laughing real loud. “Max! Maximillian! You have to stop already. I don’t want people thinking I’m losing it o. Don’t forget this is an hospital.” she cautioned, holding her ear with her hand as though he could see her from where he was. She was still smiling. Her innocent, charming and pure smile… Guess, everything had a touch of Max in it after all. She cleared her throat as something was about choking her as a result of excessive laughter and continued, “That’s the price you pay when you are too much in a hurry! I mean, who becomes a consultant at twenty-six, Max?” Her eyeballs rolled upwards, staring at the ceiling as though addressing it. “Maximilian Eneojo O…” “Keep shut my friend!” Jane ordered playfully before he could finish calling his surname as boisterous as he started. She knew that would be his answer, it has always been his answer actually. Max is everything in one these days, to her, with her and for her. It really feels adorable not only that they had known each other for like forever but also that they would live together forever and a day more. “ Seriously, Goddess…” Max started. Jane blinked her eyes at the mention of ‘Goddess’; she had warned Max in futility to stop addressing her that way. The young man, on his own part, feels and keeps insisting that she is too beautiful to be a mortal so much so that inasmuch as Jane wished they was something she could do, she had to live with the name for the main time, if not her whole life. “… I have no regrets reaching the peak of my career at this astounding young age actually. Especially that everyone can justify me, that’s what happens with having extremely elite parents. Not as though your parents helped matters as well. It’s fulfilling though! People see you and share personal issues with you. Goddess, there are lots of tales for you. Serious, exciting ones. That would be whenever you come here or when I come down. I doubt my own side though…” “And why is that?” “Well… you have more time in your hands at the moment and…” “ Work huh?” Jane cut in on him and she waited for a reply only to hear him take a deep breath in. She continued, “…Look here Max!” she dragged the last alphabet in the name with emphasis that it almost sounded like M-aaxe, “…You have to start making conscious choices, sensitive decisions between this relationship and your job!” “C’mon Goddess, we are not going there again right?” Max sounded very much uneasy as he said these words. “We are o. We are going there. In fact, we are already there big time, the earlier the better and…” Jane started getting loosed slowly, taking a good posture that would enable her vent out her frustration better but she barely finished the words in her mouth when Max interrupted her, “Oh! Not… again! I… am… sorry… Goddess! I have to go now…” it was hard letting those words off his throat. “What?” Jane yelled involuntarily, before she could stop herself. “I’ll make it up to you my Queen. I promise…” he motioned the nurse making eyes sign language in front of him to go open the door, “…and… I am not joking… Believe me… Take care right! I love you” Max fumbled those words off his mouth like they were hot burning coals that he needed to get rid of as soon as possible. He waited for few seconds… split seconds, obviously for Jane to say her own version of their ‘I love you’ anthem, as it’s their tradition. Jane just stood looking vacant, like she was lost in thought and in a world of her own, somewhere she couldn’t be reached. She removed the phone from her ears and stared at it angrily till the line went dead. She felt like smashing the phone on the concrete stairs in front of her. She has become too enraged and angry already. Turning her back, she headed into the building before she would do something harmful to herself. Maybe someone more elderly will save her from this trauma. ********** Maximilian readjusted in his seat, displaying the full poise of a well-trained doctor he is, or better still, youngest consultant in the Lugard house Hospital. Most people call him lucky, others call him the ‘brain box’, but he only see all he has amassed this early in life as a product of grace and God’s blessings on his little self. Frankly, the kind of speed he had in this career and professional pursuit sounds very impossible in the ears of others. In fact, some doctors who were already senior registrars when he was only a house officer still at the same level but for him now the story has changed. They seem to have remained there while he climbed cautiously on their back to where he is now. Working in the State government’s hospital, though demanding, seem to be the best thing that could ever happen to any man in his sight. There were times while treating, he kept wondering how vulnerable those mouthed politicians could become right in front of him. No one can better explain than him in particular. He could recall the apprehension he felt the first time he was asked to come and treat the state governor some times ago. He couldn’t bring himself to believing it as it sounded too real to be true. It was like a childhood dream coming true. “How are you doing today, Doc?” He rose up to receive the hand stretched forth to him “I’m pretty well sirs…” he said, offering them a seat at the other side of the table he is sited on. He waited till they were both comfortably sited before taking his. “…and I hope it is coming through all along?” One of the men pulled a deep breath in and glanced quickly in the direction of his friend sitting beside him. His glance was so quick one would think something tortured him from within. “I… I… I really don’t know what to say doctor…” He managed to voice out after a while. Max sat up from his seat. His hands were fixed into one another tightly as he dropped them on the table; the position he always takes whenever he is about to pay keen attention to his patients. For him, it awakens all his senses, especially the sense of sight. His gaze needed to be fixed on the man talking as part of correct medical observation, bearing in mind the fact that eyes don’t lie. “Can you just try? Just say it as it is. Anyhow.” Max tried to plead with his eyeballs still penetrated deeply into those of the man sitting at the edge of his chair nervously. His face bare some shades of helplessness and that was somehow discomforting to Max as his eyes begged him to talk faster. “Things have gotten too messed up than estimated now” was the first response from the man that sent Dr Max into a long train of deep thoughts. ******** Udale dropped the text in her hand immediately her ‘work-daughter’ as she fondly referred to Jane walked in. “Power of a praying wife”, one of her favourite books. She is reading it for the fifth time already and she finds it fascinating all the times she read it. The older woman kept a curious and concerned look on Jane, for obvious reasons of course. Jane never wears a long face no matter how bad things get at the office or how busy the day has been for her. She cheers and lights everyone’s countenance up all the time. Jane had this inner joy streaming from her inside all the time and seeing her sinking into the padded chair right now, with face as dour as an unyielding rock, was a call for big concern. “If you perhaps voice out what is eating you up, only then will I be able to come to your assistance.” Udale said after watching the young nurse turn from one side to another restlessly on her seat for several minutes. Jane swallowed bitterly. Her eyeballs were red and watery. She shouldn’t be doing this now; when in a pained mode, she would rather return to her shell -somewhere secluded - without distraction to settle herself by herself. Why she chose to come to the matron’s office this time was not such a clear idea in her head. The anger keeps spilling out, like acidic juice pouring and ulcerating a smooth surface. It feels as if someone’s trying to ruin her life, be a burden to her on purpose, as if the universe is in on some plan to ruin her. At this point, she knew she needed to vent out her frustrations, explain all these feelings to someone, just anyone that can at least connect to the tussles of keeping a distant relationship. “Mummy, Max frustrates me even more these days…” the stream of tears formed in her eyes had started to flow now, she was crying this time, “… at times I feel selfish for complaining, for lamenting, and for wanting too much but here I am… I am dying inside from hurt and pain.” she ran her right hand through her long dark weave, scattering the once neatly combed hair. Udale who was looking at her in awe initially smiled broadly when Jane started crying, “Inasmuch as I don’t know our dear Max, at least I know he calls you for long hours every day right?” Udale pointed questioning eyes towards Jane and she responded with a deep sigh before talking, “Long huh? It is long but very shallow” she wiped at a tear drop. Udale drew out the drawer of her table, pulled out a handkerchief from the pack and handed it over to Jane, “I want something deep and real, a kind of heart to heart conversation but patients won’t let me have time with my man. I need something tangible and deep…” “Apart from the fact that your story was everywhere in this office when I returned from leave, I’ve also stayed here for quite some time to testify to its absoluteness.” Udale’s smile did not disappear even when seeing Jane wasn’t going to smile, no matter what, today. Jane hit her hand hard on the wooden table and got up. She walked over to the shelves just beside her madam’s side of the table and like someone standing up in search of something she wasn’t finding, she walked back to and fell back into her chair tiredly again. “You know what, Mummy?” she started, casting her gaze on Udale, “…dad and his are best of friends. Their children must get along – so they said, so they wished. We didn’t object, we already loved ourselves from way back. Waiting back here for him while he ran his residency, or what is it even called again?” she questioned, “… yes! Residency na. Residency and consultancy in faraway Houston. In fact, it is one of the biggest sacrifices I have made in life for anyone…” her first finger is on the side of her wet lips, “…now he is done and all, yet I have to compete unfavourably with all these patients and appointments mantra, how long more will I do this?” Udale cleared her throat with that little smile still dangling somewhere around her face. The girl’s situation which she isn’t just getting aware of – she was quite close with Patron Odaudu, Jane’s father, her predecessor and though official, they had at one point meandered into that line of discussion before, is somehow similar to hers. She had been the one praying, at those times Matthew was at home jobless, that God should provide him a good job. Now the job is here, with all its mouth-watering fringe benefits, but it’s taking a long toll on their marriage big time. At this point, she has to select her words wisely. Whatever she will say to this young girl right now might determine a lot of things and she can’t afford to ruin her relationship with the unknown Max. There is no wisdom in rattling with her too. “I think the question shouldn’t be much about how long more. It should rather be, ‘How much more am I ready to sacrifice myself for this man I claim to love?’. This is what will lead you better.” Jane opened her mouth to talk immediately but as though a second thought popped up in her head, she closed it back. She cleaned her eyes with the back of her hand. This part of the speech has been haunting her even before now. . To be continued after enough comments

Jane reply your madam nao

matron good

observing the story

Work is becoming a hindrance to the relationship, which is not right

Episode 19 Continues.. He walked in, holding a grey file containing white papers. One could tell what was in the file because the doctor was flipping through them all the way from the door to his seat. He is a little advanced in age and it’s still quite amazing that he didn’t use eyeglasses even up till now or at least for the very many times Matthew and his wife had travelled down here to visit. He is quite nice as well, peradventure, that’s why Matthew stuck with him in helping with their issues. Else a typical Matthew would have been worn out with doing the same thing – seeing the same person – over and over again, but they had to come down here regardless of the distance from Ankpa in Kogi state to the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Nsukka, Enugu state. The distance meant nothing to them. In fact, they don’t mind going all the way out just to get a reasonable solution. They are both running out of time and if there is one thing that has been included in Udale’s daily itinerary; it is counting how closer to her menopause she gets by each passing day. The doctor told them the last time they visited, which was two months ago that things looked better, ‘there is hope’ was exactly what he said. Virtually everyone, including the blind, know that doctors would always find an iota of hope to hold onto in every situation, no matter lethal and fatal. That, definitely, must be a part of their training at school. If not, Dr Nonso must be really doing a mighty job at still putting the soul and body of this couple in one piece. “How has it been with Obaje?…” Matthew gave a horrible look back at the doctor, his shocked eyes begging him to shut his mouth. Dr Nonso got the message and changed the topic almost immediately. “Have you considered the option?” He asked, raising his eyes from the papers in his hands and placing them on the duo sited in front of him. He scanned through their eyes and in no time got the answer to his question from there. “Who is ‘Obaje’ or what did you say now, Doc” Udale asked, looking all curious. “Look, I strongly suggest that you try to consider this as the best available option. You have almost nothing to lose. We have the best hands here and reliable equipment too.” He tried to persuade, neglecting Udale’s question as though he didn’t hear her in the first instance. Matthew sat up in his seat. He removed his hands that were earlier folded across his chest and placed them on his thighs. Sitting like he intended to get up anytime soon, he began by clearing his throat. “So are you now saying doctor, that nothing else can be done? Or that our waiting is in vain?” The doctor swallowed and dropped the file on the table. “The situation should improve. You both are doing well at the recommendations. I’m very hopeful and optimistic that your baby would come in no time from now.” Matthew shrugged. “It’ll be seventeen years by October, doctor” Udale cut in. It was as though the statement was a trigger because hot searing tears began burning down her face afterwards. Matthew, as always, felt irritated and instead of holding her hands in his as at other times, he just ignored her and focused back on the doctor. “If the situation is improving… or did you say should improve?” he waited to get a confirmatory nod from the doctor, “Whatever! If our situation should improve with time as you said and I believe you know what you are saying, why are you now encouraging us to take that option?” “I know I’m going too personal, what I’m about to do is not totally in line with the ethics of the medical profession…” he clears his throat, “…but Matthew, I see you as a younger brother…” Matthew’s eyes popped open as though he was just struck by a ghost but the doctors soft smile eased him a bit. He hoped for the sake of the doctor’s head that he would not bare out his secrets right here. “I have all your records, you have been seeing me for many years now, so believe me when I say I am an elder brother.” He affirmed, leaving the smile plastered on his face. If only he knew what was going on in Matthew’s head, he wouldn’t be smiling comfortably at this moment. “I have seen your love and affection for each other deteriorate and dwindle down the lane slowly over time as you come visiting. You are no longer the strong, resilient, and courageous couple that I have been attending to for some years now. Experiences I gathered from people with issues like this is that they would both wear themselves out one day in the end of it all and may then decide to separate or even divorce. I don’t want you to get to that point. Look at U-u-da-le now…” he pronounced the name as though his tongue was outstretching, “…she is, every day, reducing to a shadow of herself. And you too. You are only trying so as not to feel lesser than a man.” Matthew took in a very deep breath. “We have the best hands, we have the best tools and equipment. You have nothing absolutely to lose. Consider this my brother.” The doctor’s last tone was deep and it really sank in but Matthew didn’t seem to be having any of this. Udale held Matthew’s hand, “Honey, maybe we should just do it…” she sniffed, “…we have faced enough ridicule, I can’t bear it any longer. You know the risks of complication increases with age, right? Honey, please let’s do this. We would soon be honoured twenty years of childlessness.” Her voice was still breaking all through her statement. Matthew sprung up from his seat and the doctor’s eyes followed him all the way up. “Maybe, we would wait till it’s twenty. Let’s go Udale.” He said, looking down at his wife who felt so relaxed like it was her house. He turned to the doctor, “ Thanks a lot for your concern doctor. Thank God there is no new adverse development. We would be leaving for Ankpa now.” “It’s my job. Safe journey on the road” Dr Nonso responded, “… don’t forget to …” he paused on a second thought, taking Matthew’s hand courteously before watching them till they walked out through the door. He shook his head over and over, from the left hand side to the right. “Of course not. I didn’t. I gave no clue that would let the cat out of the bag, did I? No! I didn’t.” he tried to convince himself as he powered his laptop. ******* “I spent my holidays at Obudu cattle ranch. Daddy promised he would take me there if I took first position in class and I enjoyed every bit of my stay there with animals and wild lives.” Her sharp voice ran through the air. “Clap hands for Helen Obinna” The whole class resounded with thunderous applaud as the instruction came. “You know, I don’t know what to say to the boys in this class. You would sit and watch ladies occupy the positions from first to eight? That’s embarrassing. Girls clap hands for yourselves again” “Myself God bless me, and make me wiser, Amen…” came the usual chorus that accompanies an applaud. The class in no time became quiet again and it seems Laibe could hear everybody’s heartbeat. She was the next person to talk. She was the last to give the account of her last holidays. Right from when Kabir, the boy on the last row started speaking, she has been rehearsing how she was going to say her part. Her English mastery wasn’t the problem now, far from it, she has improved a great deal. Her problem remains her problem. “You know, one person’s result surprised me last term so much so that I felt really ashamed for some of you here…” the form teacher pointed her long sharp-edged cane at some persons as she move closer to them, especially the boys. Everyone dreaded her, she is very strict and disciplined and being the form teacher for their class didn’t make matters any easier. This is even one particular time they dreaded the most, she had warned them sometimes last term ahead of time. When she would ask everyone to get up and recount their holiday experience while she makes her comment on their individual results because she has a copy of everyone’s. “Well, everything is about setting priorities and goals right. I’m so proud of this little girl.” She continued, walking back from the back of the class she just strolled to, towards the white board. “To think that she joined you all in second term and you were at some points teasing her, she came in the eighth position out of the thirty-two of you…” she turned in Laibe’s direction, “…I’m sure her guardians were so proud of her. Can you all stand up to give a round of applause for Laibe Godwin as she shares her holiday experiences with us?” The class went up in thunderous applaud again and Laibe felt even more uncomfortable in her head. It was as though her past few minutes of rehearsal were all washed off and dementia has suddenly set in. She got up and walked slowly towards their teacher, that front served as the podium everybody used ever since. As she walked, she tried to shut her eyes but she couldn’t. Or better still, she didn’t want to. She wouldn’t be liking and ultimately not needing what she would be seeing if she did. She needed all the boldness there is to successfully finish this speech. The applaud kept going higher and higher as she approached her form mistress. The latter hugged her and stepped aside. Laibe stood still for a moment. Trying to steady herself, she placed both hands on the table in front of her. She shut her eyes and opened it back immediately. “No!” she exclaimed. Everybody focused all attention on her, wondering what she was saying no to. She formed her face into a sweet smile, encouraging herself to continue none regardless. “Uncle said he would take me to Confluence beach If I perform well in the exams. That, in addition to my own long-time dream propelled me into action. And with the relentless assistance from Helen, my friend, I was able to make uncle proud…” she paused and looked in Helen’s direction. She was giggling and chuckling. They had become close from that day she helped her out with the definition of ‘capital’. Helen grew to like her so much that she even moved over to come use her table and they had been seat mates since then. She couldn’t have prayed for a better friend than Helen in that class. Helen made sure they read constantly, spending their prep hours and some Saturdays in the school library, after which, she would still give her assignments to take home. Helen is definitely the persons that should take the greatest credit for her success in that exam. Laibe saw the whole class looking on at her with curiosity written all over their faces. If only their eyes could drag the words out of her mouth. “True to Uncle’s promise, we went to Lokoja and we went to confluence beach. A place I’ve always dreamt of going all my life. We spent three days there and had a beautiful experience, and had a memorable experience, and had…” She held her head, trying to stop her brain before it embarrasses her but it was too late. “No!!!” she screamed again as the scene flashed through her mind. This time the scream wasn’t only loud but it provoked tears. She dropped to the cement floor, thrust her head in-between her hands and started wailing loudly. Helen immediately ran over to her and tried to pull Laibe up, but she wasn’t yielding. The teacher initially couldn’t get up because of confusion but had to when she saw almost half of the class were already at where Laibe lay weeping. Could this be a joke? She thought to herself. “Alright…” she said loudly, alerting the students that their time was up and she needed to take over from there. They started leaving for their seats one after the other while she tried to raise Laibe’s face up. Her eyes were red, so red that it could stain a white material if placed on it. The form mistress kept getting more and more confused by each failed attempt of trying to raise the damsel off the floor. “Alright, everyone, you can now go for your break” she announced, and as though some couldn’t wait for the words to barely leave her mouth, they were already en route the canteen. It was no fault of the students, the form mistress was using their break time to do this class assessment. Helen came over and they both held Laibe up. She was still crying and unable to steady her feet on the floor. Every single cell in her body was vibrating at a dangerously high frequency. At this time, Miss Mary thought to take her to the school clinic before Laibe would faint or pass out in her hands. She placed one of Laibe’s hands across her neck and Helen did the same as they walked out of the classroom and towards the administrative building. ****** Stepping out of the corridor into the open compound, Laibe encouraged or rather, advised herself to have a grip on her tears. Yeah! If she wastes it now, what would she have to use tonight? Her pillow has been graciously enjoying soaking activities for sometimes now, and she didn’t know when it was going to end. She hopes it ends soon enough. Well, maybe when that horrible scene stops flashing through her mind, they may have to format her brain to achieve that anyway. She held herself up and brought down her hands from the neck of the two persons holding her. She looked forward and saw they were entering the reception of the administrative block already but then she prayed who her eyes just sighted wasn’t who she is thinking. Let it just be familiar or her imaginations. “I guess I would have to wait for longer than two hours to see you when you become the governor of the state.” Miss Mary’s face turned in the direction of the voice. Laibe was surprised that she is just noticing the person. Releasing Laibe’s hands, she hurried over to the edge of the room where she sat. “It’s different for we teachers my dear. We are not Nurses” opening her hands for a hug. Jane rolled her eyes and pouted… “Whatever!” falling into a warm embrace. “You should have called” Miss Mary responded, “After posting coming to visit you for the past three months? It was meant to be a surprise, Punk” she teased, hitting Mary on the head. Jane had always been like this anyway. Right from nursing school, she can be so nonchalant to a fault. Imagine Jane calling Mary a punk before her students. “Is the reception your office?” Jane asked sarcastically as she obviously has become tired of seeing the receptionist’s face. Helen chuckled at the question and only then did Jane remember Mary walked in with two other people. She looked in their direction and something told her to move forward to confirm. Laibe felt like disappearing into the ground as she felt Jane was walking over to meet her. Her white shirt, maroon skirt and pullover were stained with dust from the floor she fell on some minutes ago. What would she tell sis. Jane – as she normally calls her – now. “La-i-be!” Jane dragged the name. It dragged so long that one would be tempted to think she had forgotten how to pronounce it. How can she forget? Her Matron’s daughter, the girl she had spent numerous hours together with in the house. She saw as Laibe felt uncomfortable and that bothered her more. “You know her?” Mary asked Jane Jane nodded in the affirmative. Miss Mary smiled and called Helen. It feels like there is a little relief now. She gave the little girl five hundred naira, ordering her to get something, food, drinks and snacks for her visitor from the canteen. Helen ran off as soon as the command was issued. Mary led them to her office. Normally, most teachers had their tables in the staffroom. Only her and two other teachers have a little calved out office respectively to themselves. Her case is especially different because she is the Biology teacher in the senior classes, Js1 form mistress and the school’s health officer. The first aid box and the other emergency apparatus for this ‘mini school clinic’ that doubles as her office are kept under her charge. Not everyone has a father that can link her up into a government hospital to start work immediately after school like Jane. She believes life comes to those who believe and only T, time, is the difference between HERE and THERE. Jane sat just beside where Laibe sat as well. “My sister, what is wrong and why are you crying?” “Ask her o…” Mary cut in, proving that the statement has been lingering in her mind all along. Laibe just looked blank as her form mistress narrated the event that just took place in the class. The accuracy with which Miss Mary narrated it was marvelling and at a point, she was beginning to think the woman had a video covering the scene after all. “…I didn’t even know that it was Matron Udale you were telling me is your madam and friend all this while. Please help me ask your kid sister, how narrating her holiday experience would cause tears. I mean, she said she went to confluence beach for that matter.” Mary lamented. Laibe’s heart skipped a bit as she heard the name confluence beach again. That phrase does something to her inner soul. Jane drew closer to Laibe and held her hands, “Remember, you told me you had always longed to go there. When your result came out, you called with Mummy’s phone to tell me you made it. Also remember, I was there, the morning you and patron travelled. You promised me you were going to enjoy every bit of your holiday...” She paused and sunk her eyes into Laibe’s, “… what happened there that’s making you cry, Laibe.” Laibe swallowed painfully. The tears were beginning to well up back in her eyes and everyone could see the deliberate attempt she was making at stopping it. She is caught between two balls here. Telling Sis Jane would make no difference because if she doesn’t, Jane would report the whole scenario to her aunty and she didn’t want to imagine what the outcome of that would be. But the words were so heavy in her heart. It was like a big large ball, firmly stuck to the walls of her vocal cords not letting the words flow out. She continued looking from one person to another, not still knowing what to say. Thankfully, Helen knocked and walked in with the numerous things Miss Mary asked her to buy. Dropping them on the table, she dashed out of the room without talking to Laibe. That was quite unusual. Just when Laibe thought she had escaped the hot seat, “Laibe, we are waiting…” She heard Miss Mary say from the corner she sat, paying rapt attention. Tbc

Episode 20 Continues.. Udale opened the bathroom door halfway again and handed Laibe a milk silky towel without looking in. “Be faster, let me show you how to fix this,” she added as Laibe’s wet hands collected the towel. She moved backwards to sit on the bed. Her eyes scanned through the room in quick successions, only then did she realise that she hasn’t really been in this room in a really long time. She can however give kudos to this little girl’s sense of neatness. Everything in the room looks very tidy, and her laundry bag beside the door was even empty. When did she do this laundry? Udale questioned herself. She knew she hasn’t been performing optimally in her duties as a mother after all and it bothered her a lot. She has solace in a little fact though, Laibe and Matthew had gotten very much along. So much so that at times, she feels jealous of Matthew’s attention to the little girl. Laibe can’t possibly become promiscuous, not when she is always in the house and under the close watch of Matthew and her. “Girl, be a bit fast dear!” she said calmly but loud enough for Laibe who was tarrying in the bathroom to hear. “I’ll soon be out aunty” came her sharp response Udale sighed. She is tired; tired of the journey down from Enugu this evening; tired of her childless condition; and more tired of her husband’s resistance in conceding to a procedure that would salvage the situation. Stretching her hand, she pulled one of the pillows closer to her. She was taken aback as a paper drop from it. Alarm rang in her head but she calmed herself down. Picking up the white paper and turning to the other side, her jaw almost dropped to the ground at what she saw - a teenage girl was struggling with dragging a heavy stone from a bushy, wet and slippery area towards a rickety Peugeot car standing some distance away. The drawing was so perfect, it looked like a camera captured it but then it was pencil drawing. The girl in the picture looked exactly like Laibe and the area looked familiar to her but her brain couldn’t fathom it just yet. As though, that painting she saw opened her eyes afresh, she began to notice some other things in the room. First, Laibe’s dressing table contained different expensive skin care products. Yes, she bought some for her, but the other brands of body cream with perfume and face cleanser of the same product, she didn’t buy that. Her curiosity increased even more and she stretched to open the bed side drawers, unconsciously hoping Laibe wouldn’t come out yet. A little sparkling red box shone on her eyes from the inside of it. Udale dipped her hand and brought out the box, opened it and lo, a dazzling silver wristwatch shone brightly on her eyes. This is incredible, she thought! Not as incredible as another medium sized greeting card underneath the wristwatch. “Stay cute, Stay pure, Stay beautiful, Always!” Those are the words on the card. Turning the card hurriedly back and forth, she was disappointed there was no name neither was there any identity of the sender on the card. Hearing the door knob move, Udale took a deep breath and sat down beside all the things she had seen and arranged beside her on the bed awaiting Laibe. The girl sure has so many explanations to make. **** Laibe had actually finished bathing and was about to come out when a thought came to her mind to peep through the door hole. Thank God she did. Her aunty was opening her drawer. She saw her pillow had also shifted from where it should be. Right there and then she knew she was done for. Hell might let lose tonight if she is not choosy and extremely careful with her response. And of course, she is still praying Sis Jane hadn’t related the ordeals of the day with her aunt as it would only add to the numerous explanations she would have to give when she gets out. Peeping from there all through her aunt’s movement in the room, she decided to come out immediately the older woman sat back on the bed. Laibe cannot afford her aunt calling her again. All the incidents of today are like terrible accidents waiting to happen and it’s just so unfortunate she is wrapped in it again. She felt her mind racing. Cautioning herself, she needed to be strong if she must give any explanation at all and of course, she prayed that horrible scene doesn’t flash back in her mind in front of her aunty as well tonight. She opened the door and her slippers was still making slap slap sound against the carpeted floor even when she was walking really slow, almost crawling. Her knees were shaking and she couldn’t guarantee any faster pace than this. Her aunt’s eyes kept staring at her right from the door till she got to her front. It took extra caution for her not to drop to the floor from those eyes piercing her soft chocolate skin. She is gradually becoming an adolescent. Udale brought out one from the packet of new panties she bought. “Where did you keep it?” She asked Laibe. Laibe, knowing what her aunty was asking for, quickly hurried over to her dressing table and brought the sanitary pad aunty gave her some minutes ago before going to the bathroom. “Once you know how to wear it, you can be sure of going about your normal activities without fear of getting stained. Do you understand?” Aunty Udale spoke while collecting the pack from Laibe’s hands. She took one from it and tore it open before picking back up the pant she held earlier, “Now, cleanliness is the rule of the game henceforth. Make sure to have your bath, dry up and change the pad regularly, OK? It is not earring that you would wear twenty four hours. Change it after six hours max, full or not. Is that clear?” She got a quick nod from Laibe and continued, “This is how to fix it…” she pointed Laibe’s eyes to every step she took and Laibe paid rapt attention with her eyes as well, though her mind was running somewhere around the house. Her aunt asked her to go put on something loose before they’ll go have their dinner. As she moved to her wardrobe, she was even in much more confusion than before. It is utterly impossible for her aunty not to say anything about the strange things she had seen in her room, not when those things were sitting beside her on the bed also. “So you now follow boys, Laibe” The question didn’t take her unawares, she has been expecting it since she got out of the bathroom. “No ma” she responded politely, pulling one of her flowery flare night gowns from the wardrobe. “Who drew this and why is it under your pillow? Oh! It helps you sleep well, right?” sarcasm filled Udale’s tone as she asked the question like a statement. “That drawing was the day Ocholi brought me from Ofabo. When we got back the next day and Uncle had a visitor and you asked us to pack loads from the car into the kitchen, Ocholi told me he had a surprise for me in my room…” she paused “Eheeen!!!” Udale interjected curiously “ He gave me the drawing as a gift. A time during our journey that I went to get a stone from the bush to use as wedge for the car that broke down.” she explained, pointing at the bush and the stone in the picture. Udale heaved a sigh of relief. It’s an insider, it should be easier dealing with this. If there is anything she could vouch for in Ocholi was his photographic memory as he only needs to see it to reproduce it back on paper. “So the both of you are in a relationship under my roof and under my very nose, is that so?” This one took Laibe unawares, more so that her aunt’s voice was beginning to rise now. In a relationship is a relative term if you asked her. She could go with being in love with him, or having a crush on him as it were, but she couldn’t understand what her aunty meant by that question. “Don’t play dumb on me Laibe. Why is he buying you all of these…” she raised each item on the bed as she spoke, “…a greeting card, beautiful wristwatch and Diva skin care products, if you both are not in any relationship?” The merciless torment was beginning to roll back in Laibe’s mind as her aunt spoke. She clenched her fist tightly, so tight that it feels as though she could lock everything up in her palm. The AC in the room was on, aside that she just had her bath but she had begun to sweat profusely. She kept mopping blankly at her impatient aunt and the woman wasn’t finding the whole scenario peaceful anymore. Udale got up and walked angrily to where Laibe was standing beside the wardrobe. Holding onto her hand roughly, Udale dragged her till she fell onto the bed. “Did you hear me or not? Who bought all these for you? Why would Ocholi buy all these for you?” Udale yelled at the top of her lungs now. Laibe’s silence was killing her. Laibe on her own side was shivering and fidgeting like a weed blown by hot Northern wind. She could barely raise her head up. “I think I should inform your Uncle about this. You cannot give me high BP in my own house.” Udale threatened and made angrily for the door. “It’s not Ocholi, aunty. Uncle bought them for me. He said they are gifts from the both of you.” Udale got stuck at the door and unable to move any further. She turned to stare at Laibe for a whole long while not knowing what exactly to tell the little girl. “Don’t let me call you to the dining table.” she said quickly and walked out at the drop of a hat. ****** “You ladies don’t want me to eat today, is that?” “I’m sorry Honey, she is seeing her menses for the first time, I needed to put her through some things.” Matthew sighed and dug his fork into the plate of rice in front of him. He had served himself immediately his wife came, after waiting for them for over twenty minutes. “Where is my baby?” And as though Laibe was following their discussion, she walked in and pulled a seat out. “Good evening Sir.” She greeted without raising her head. Matthew smiled as he ran his eyes over her petite body. Apart from the other early signs of puberty that the young girl has been manifesting in the past few months, he was unusually excited that she is ultimately becoming a woman now. “I know you are clean, you have to be even cleaner now, OK? You are now a mini woman.” He added Laibe nodded her head in the affirmative, again without raising it. She picked up her fork and also tried to move some drops of rice into her mouth. “Jane said you were crying in school this morning when asked to narrate your holiday experience. Why was that?” Udale’s calm voice came. Rice spilled from Matthew’s mouth as he heard his wife. He dashed a questioning look at Laibe who did everything possible not to get an eye contact with him. Laibe cursed her luck in her heart. She just knew this would happen after all. “Why can’t Sis Jane keep a singlele thing to herself?” she muttered with disappointment underneath her breath. “Laibe… Laibe, is it a newly found habit not to respond to questions when asked now?” Her aunty asked, sounding provoked again. Laibe quickly shook her head from side to side… “No aunty!” “So why have you been playing dumb since? It was as simple as saying your uncle bought those things for you earlier…” Matthew’s eyes opened wide immediately, but he tried to not show his growing level of discomfort, “… you waited till I threatened to report you. Now, I’ll ask you for the last time, why were you crying in class today?” Her aunt’s voice came in screams this time. Obviously the woman has lost all her cool. She should. Laibe’s silence was deafening and painful, and if there was any way she could pull the words off this little girls throat right now, she would. “Sweets, I guess it’s all linked to her menarche. You people in the health sector always say there are many changes in the body and the hormonal flux at the beginning of menstruation can get one overtly emotional, isn’t that?” Matthew asked. “This doesn’t look like hormonal effects to me Honey, crying instead of narrating her holiday experience is absolutely…” “Baby you are over flogging this issue really. She hasn’t been crying ever since, so it’s just so normal to relate her over emotional reactions to this new development in her life. Isn’t it obvious?” Matthew interrupted before putting another spoon of rice in his mouth. He is as collected as always. Laibe was grateful her uncle had come to her aid and she nodded her head as though the question was directed to her. Udale kept quiet to think for a while. Why didn’t this occur to her since? She had rained all kinds of assumption on the innocent poor girl. Oh no! She didn’t just transfer her aggression and frustrations from the doctor’s visit on little Laibe, did she? The thought of this tortured her. If she cannot be so observant and considerate towards a teenager under her care, how was she going to cope with a bouncing baby who wouldn’t be able to give any explanations. She felt so horrible that she lost appetite immediately. “Honey I think I should rest.” Udale said, getting up from the table. “Be sure to rest well darling wife.” Matthew responded before turning to Laibe immediately Udale was up the stairs. “We are sorry, OK?” He rubbed her thin shoulders lovingly. Laibe quickly wiped at the lone tear dropping down her cheek. There was rice in her mouth, the same she had had all this while. The lumen of her throat had become blocked all of a sudden. She forced the rice down and quickly ate up the remaining in her plate in silence, though praying Uncle Matthew finishes his meal soon enough too. She needed to be left alone; to groom, to think and most importantly, to cry. Her eyes must never meet with her Uncle’s. ******* The room was extremely dark and as he rubbed his hand against the wall to find the wall switch, it seems the switch was running farther away. When he finally found it, he didn’t know if he should press it down or not. He will still do this after all, so why not do it now. If it would make the already bad situation any worse or better, that’s left to fate. Udale didn’t go to their bedroom, it’s usual for her to behave like that whenever she feels so horrible about anything. He would leave her to herself most times like that till she comes around and gets over the ill feeling. Tonight was different, lying on his bed all alone he had thoughts already creeping up in his mind. Getting all-a-Gog over the recent developmental stage, he felt even more compelled to do it. Running his mind over thousands of ways he could go about it, he encouraged himself to act notwithstanding. Taking in five calming breaths, he pressed down the switch. The bright white light brought everything into clear view. He rubbed his tongue against his lips as though savouring in some invisible aroma. He was also trying to calm nervousness. She is deep asleep. He stood there for nothing less than ten minutes, staring and gazing at the whole form on the bed before he started walking gently towards that direction. He was so gentle that one would hear it if a mice walked through. And as it’s believed to happen when one is staring at you for so long, she turned and opened her eyes just when he barely got to the bedside. He felt her struggling and trying to recognise who it was. He watched quietly, imagining the possible struggles up her medulla at the moment; the way sleep usually clouds one’s vision most times. . To be continued.. After comment's

what secrets are Liabe and Her uncle keeping now??? please ride on bro

Those two are keeping some secret Please tell me they are not dating

I think something is going on here

Something fishy

Matthew And Laibe Are Dating Nee?

Next!

Episode 21 Continues.. They walked out of the office and heading straight to the parking lot. The two men looked like the most serious fellows of the century even though one wore an obviously expensive designers blue suit and the other wore a native white ‘kaftan’. Of course, one is the commissioner and the other his friend. Who wore the native kaftan then? Your guess is as good as everyone’s. The Rolls-Royce car blinked as Joshua pressed on the remote from afar. They walked hastily without talking to each other. Each as focused as if something worth billions of dollar ran in his mind. Holding the door handle, they flung the car door open and sat. Panting and heaving sigh of relief. “I think His Excellency was right, Matthew. It’s just that this only mean more work for this ministry. Mehn!!!” Josh fell his back against the seat rest and blew out hot air from his mouth in exasperation. Matthew smiled, trying to fix back some documents he held all the while into his official bag. He was not in a hurry to give a response, typical of him. Knowing who he has, Josh just continued; plus he had a lot of things rushing up his throats already. “When the governor hinted me about his plans to diversify our source of state’s revenue, and especially major in agriculture, I didn’t know it would be immediately after his re-election. I mean, this is just the first year in our second tenure, just few months after the rigorous stress that accompanied the keenly contested elections for goodness sake!” Josh complained bitterly, shaking his head. “Perhaps, if he had changed his commissioners, I wouldn’t be hearing all these unnecessary complains this sunny noon.” Matthew spoke out for the first time, eyeballing his friend. “C’mon now, I wasn’t exactly complaining” Josh retorted giving Matthew a nudge. He held the key in his hand, pointing it towards the ignition but it was obvious he wasn’t going to kick start this car anytime soon. “Four years isn’t so long a time from now and if you are to right the wrongs as your administration is determined to, work should start immediately the owner of the gubernatorial seat is declared.” Matthew said firmly. “Yea right? Feeling like adviser of our time, huh?” Josh responded, again punching his friend who only smiled coyly. “The Youth Empowerment in Agriculture Program was really strategic. You heard his excellency talking about it in there, right?” “Eheen! I was just going to ask about it. How far now?” Matthew sat up to ask with curiosity written all over his face. “Well, the fifteen qualified people that submitted their proposals and CVs have been undergoing rigorous trainings for two months now, you know? The governor is really personal about this training, so much so that he makes a personal appearance in their classes once in a while” “Wow! That’s very impressive.” Matthew cut in before Josh continued, “As part of the assessments for the qualifying proposals, each candidate was to draft out a detailed prospective mechanised strategy in their own ideas and so on and so forth.” He paused and swallowed, “Guess what?” Matthew responded by turning to face him with popping eyeballs. “There was this fellow whose work, impressive would be an understatement for. The governor, the judges were amiss for words, including myself. I didn’t know we had such hidden talents in this state - describing how this machine should assist, how ploughing, harvesting, planting should go in synch. I mean, it was way too awesome!” Matthew chuckled. “It’s lack of opportunities like this that make those kind of people die without anyone ever getting to know all the beautiful ideas flowing on their inside. Little wonder they say the grave is the richest place.” “Very true my friend…” Josh nodded as though he just caught a deep revelation. “The governor had to arrange he be moved as soon as possible. “Moved? To where?” Matthew’s confusion is quite obvious. “First to Thailand and subsequently to Canada for intensive training. There is this C… CA… CAEP, what’s the full meaning again?” Josh pointed questioning eyes at his friend. “Communicating for Agriculture Education Programs?” “Ehen!” Josh affirmed, “ He’s left for a while now. The training shouldn’t be so long. Ha! Mr Ekele is blessed with raw brains, I tell you.” Josh said, grinning from ear to ear like an over flattered kid. Matthew squeezed his front head, “Who is that?” “Oh! Sorry, I forgot you weren’t part of the screening panel. You just opted out on me at the dying minute. What a friend I have!” Josh said pathetically. “I had to, Josh. You are beginning to get too comfortable with me doing all your jobs for you. You can’t even recall the full meaning of CAEP, that’s ridiculous for your exalted position. Need I remind you that I’m not the one paid and bearing the name commissioner for agriculture. Am I?” Joshua started laughing, haven known where his friend was coming from. He tried to wave off that line of discussion soon enough, “Well, you are still the best man for this job, any day. And oh! Mr O. Ekele, that’s the name of the young chap that blew all our minds. The smart one that’s chilling abroad now. No worries, you will be working with him a lot when he gets back.” Josh said, winking at Matthew who only eyeballed him coldly without any response. Josh knew his friend could be very cold during discussion, especially when a topic is stretching for too long but when Matthew is extremely cold like this, both in response and in action, he knows that one thing has started bothering him again. “Tell her nau… You are being really unfair to this woman altogether. Matthew, you need help and you are not going to get it by hiding… and perhaps running away from the one who can give it.” Matthew started laughing this time and Joshua had to pause, “I’m not going to get help? Na curse ne?” he rattled in Pidgin. He rarely gets that jovial. Too collected to. Josh frowned, “C’mon, don’t make light of this. You know what I’m saying. Tell it to Udale, you’ve been struggling for over a year now.” Matthew took a deep breath. “I wish you would understand that it’s not as easy as you say…” he swallowed, “…and, can we at least get out of this heavily policed area, please? I know it would happen eventually but I don’t want to get arrested just yet.” He let out a fake consoling smile. Josh took a deep breath in and pushed his key into the ignition, starting the car. How could he have forgotten that they were still at the government’s house parking lot all the while. Well, if the hot scorching Lokoja sun had been able to cut through the AC to them, he would have realised earlier that he was sited in a car. Not at all! The air in this car is damn chilly. “We couldn’t take breakfast cos of this emergency meeting with His Excellency. Can we go have it now? I’m starving. The crescent restaurant, my usual. They serve good food there, you know” Josh winked Matthew chuckled loudly. “My car is parked in your compound Josh. Take me home.” Josh didn’t get that, “but we don’t need two cars to get to a restaurant, right?” he asked in astonishment. “I’m going to Ankpa straight away. I have to say it to Udale, now or never. No matter how difficult it is, I must say it today.” Matthew said faintly. “Now you are talking… No I meant to say, now you are reasoning!” Josh teased. Stepping on the accelerator, he zoomed out of Lugard house. ********* “Good… afternoon… Senior…” “How are you?” “We are very well, thank you. How are you too?” They chorused uniformly again, dragging every word alongside. “I’m fine. You can have your seats.” The Senior ordered the students to sit down. His name is Ezekiel. He looked on from one person to another, taking his time, without saying anything neither giving any clue. He knows what he is looking for… or better still, who he is looking for. The new class should be the reason for the distorted sitting arrangement. It didn’t take him this much time to locate then last year. His eyes kept darting back and forth till his flashing eyeballs finally fell on where they sat - three seats away from him. “Helen and Laibe, see me outside now.” He ordered and dashed off as soon as those words were off his mouth. Helen looked at Laibe with a knowing smile. Laibe on her own side didn’t understand that early enough. If there is anyone Senior Ezekiel should call out, it’s definitely Helen not her. Of course, Helen had been the one crazy about him all the while. She had been the one clouding Laibe’s ears with gossips and petty talks about what she call crushes. Right from when the guy came into SS1 last session when they were both in JS2, Helen wouldn’t let a day go by without talking about how much she liked Ezekiel, how she saw him in her dreams, how she wishes to be his girlfriend and all those sorts that seems like arrant nonsense to Laibe. The latter had to endure all those. So much for being a seatmate and more importantly, a friend. It’s a good thing though, at least Helen makes her forget her nightmares for the bulk of the day she spends at school. That’s soothing and a manageable succour till she gets back home. “Let’s not keep him waiting.” Helen jerked Laibe up. Giggling excitedly, she tried to see her face through the dark edges of her calculator. Helen at this point wished she came to school with a mirror and perhaps, a makeup kit as well. Even when she had wished and prayed her crush, as she always called him, would eventually respond to her, she didn’t expect it to be this soon. Especially that it is still school hours. She has been fantasising, as she sees in South Korean movies, that he would walk into the school garden one of those few times she is there alone, blowing a melodious love song from a little flute, he would bend over to perk her on the forehead and thereafter say the immaculate words, “Please be my girlfriend.” The thoughts, as usual, made her cheeks get redder as she dragged down the edges of her maroon pullover over her short flare skirt and started walking out like she was rehearsal rudiments of cat-walking on an elevated isle. Whether anyone in the classroom was watching was immaterial to her right now. When it comes to Ezekiel, it feels like he is the only living thing in her world. Laibe reluctantly closed the textbook she was reading and followed after. “What took you so long?” Senior Ezekiel was almost shouting at Helen but calmed down when he saw Laibe coming gently behind her for unclear reasons. “So… sorry Senior…” Helen muttered with her head facing the ground, she clenched her fists. Laibe didn’t know why her extremely confident and bold friend, whom she always took reference from, was acting all timid here. She isn’t timid before the principal – Mr Dauda, the school’s new principal that came towards the end of last session, taking over from the veracious Aunty T. She wasn’t timid towards teachers, including Uncles Emma and Jibrin that all the boys in the class seem to dread. Why then is she all shy before Ezekiel, the Library prefect, a mere senior colleague? Laibe didn’t let her thoughts drown her deeper before she realised she heard someone yell. Bringing back her attention, she needed to know why the senior yelled at her friend… “…It’s bad enough that I don’t know who gave you my Whatsapp line. Don’t you come up saying emotional things to me on that social media platform again, did I make myself clear? Spoilt little kids like you. Ladies don’t ask men out.” He clapped his hands loudly, one would think it was a hot slap. Laibe felt Helen’s head drop down more in shame at Ezekiel’s last statement. She could connect the loose dots now. She remembered Helen telling her she’s been anonymously chatting Ezekiel up since last term. Laibe was apprehensive and sensed danger immediately Helen told her that and advised Helen passionately to stop. For some days she kept asking Helen if she had heeded the advice or not till she finally said she has. Who would have known that the agreement was just to wave Laibe off her emotional life. “If in your family - the family of the rich you claim to come from – if in your family, you don’t mind ladies doing men’s job for them, I mind! Do you understand? I so damn mind!! Don’t you ever chat me up for no reason from today, is that clear?” Ezekiel’s voice rose higher and higher in anger as he spoke. “Ye… Yeah… Yes senior” Helen started sobbing. This broke Laibe’s heart. She wished she could do something, stand in for her friend as she usually did for Ebi and Umali back at home. This case is different though, this boy right here is in SS2 and a prefect for that matter, it would be a lost case when it gets out that a Js3 girl was confronting her senior right in the school compound. “I am… I am sorry.” Helen said amidst her teary voice. “Sorry for yourself. Now… Leave!” His voice startled Helen and even Laibe. Laibe hated that she is helpless in this situation. Helen almost fell over as she turned to leave and Laibe had to hurriedly grab her. She didn’t know why the senior called her alongside. Just to make a public show of her friend, definitely. She made to lead Helen into the class or wherever they should go sit for the main time. “Laibe, you wait!” Ezekiel ordered. Laibe was running out of patience, but she had to be calm now, at least her stay in this school would be defended if she pulls through this provoking moment without creating a scene. That’s including the bitterness and hatred tied up somewhere in her mind for the upturns of events in her little life. Ezekiel won’t even survive this grenade’s explosion if he dared anything stupid. Ezekiel looked on at her and didn’t say anything till he was sure Helen was out of their sight. Laibe wasn’t comfortable with the young man’s eyes running over her body, she is never comfortable with it. She has always been allergic to stares. “What?” she blurted out in provocation when the gaze was getting too unbearable. Ezekiel was taken aback at first, then he started smiling as his confidence came back, “Laibe, you are beautiful!” Laibe looked up at him with blood shot eyes. She made sure their eyeballs met and she didn’t blink. It is like a burning furnace was comfortably sitting in her head, burning cat and dog, so hot that it would roast the young man in front of her if he dared come any closer than he was attempting already. She didn’t understand it anymore, everything buttresses her point that men are only some bunch of self-gratifying monsters. So long as it gratifies and satisfies them, they don’t mind who is hurting or not. They don’t mind whose emotional life they had set in shreds. They mind nothing. Annoying chunk of selfish idiots. Mtcheeeew! She hissed loudly and bitterly before stopping herself. “No Laibe, I mean it. I’ve watched you since I got into this school last year. You are gentle and intelligent. You are nice also…” Laibe eyeballed him even more angrily now as he said these words. “Please, I want you to be my girlfriend, Laibe. I would take care of you, I promise.” Ezekiel made attempt to hold her hand but she yanked it away in a flash. If eyes carried guns, the type of look she had been serving him since would have killed him by now. “Laibe, please say something.” He pleaded. “Oh! Like? Like what? Like, oh! Ezekiel, it’s so sweet to know you know I’m beautiful? Or it’s an honour to be your girlfriend sir? Which do I say first?” Laibe asked with sarcasm. “Take care of me? How much of skin care products can you afford? How much of golden and silver wristwatches, bracelets and earrings can you buy? Do you even know where there are sold? How much of ball gowns and expensive perfumes can your miserable breakfast money buy? that’s after saving for the next two years…” She clapped her hand in a mocking fashion, still inserting her sarcastic laughter somewhere in-between successive statements, “I can’t believe this. Are you all like this? Torturing us and thinking of getting away scot free? Ah! My innocent Aunt…” Laibe knew she was beginning to take the matter way too far now but she couldn’t stop herself anymore. She couldn’t prevent the words from letting loose. Especially now that she needed not to scout for a word in order to express herself. Two years here and her grammatical accuracy has been transformed greatly beyond her own imaginations. She loved it, especially that she had successfully shut the mouth of the most respected senior in the entire school. She loved the way Ezekiel forgot his mouth open while staring at her as she spoke. She felt truly disgusted and irritated by everything about him altogether. Her friend is killing herself all for this fellow that has no regard whatsoever for her, rather he is coming for Laibe. “Did you have to embarrass Helen like that? Oh! And you even had the effrontery to do that before me, huh? Whatever made you imagine in your wildest dreams that I would like you an inch after what you just did to my best friend? You disgust me already!” she said rudely as she walked away, dragging a very long hiss almost through the first half of the distance. Ezekiel stood astonished for a long while. Wow! He saw the girl too easy. It was innocent Laibe, the village girl as some of his classmates called her. From the venom with which she spoke, something best known to her must have really wreaked havoc in her little life. But she is still a girl. The only girl he had come to like. ****** The bedroom is extremely cold. For no reasons they both left the AC on. It’s so cold that they had to use the thick duvets to wrap themselves up. If only one of the duo could just get up to go up pick the AC remote on the dressing table opposite them, they would be saved the stress of using the blanket. If anyone would, it’s definitely not Udale. She is virtually snoring here – fat woman under a thick blanket – sounds like a tornado already! Matthew had given up on tapping her to readjust. As much as he hates it, he know that snoring has never killed anyone before so tonight cannot be the first. His legs felt very heavy as he lay… or should we say, he sat, using the back rest of the bed as his pillar. He is a perfectionist to the core and derive great pleasure in purchasing flashy things, ranging from cars to accessories to even domestic appliances. Josh would always call him an exhibitionist, but there is no crime in wanting things primly and properly done, is there? With the extreme coldness in the room, he still felt hot. Intense heat burned up from within him and he could feel sweat in his palms. Whether imaginary or real, he couldn’t say at the moment. He knew it would be difficult but didn’t realise it would be this extremely difficult while driving from Lokoja earlier in the day. He had assured Josh he was going to tell her, no matter what. He had rehearsed his lines, even stood in front of the mirror several times in a row before his wife got back from work. He thought he could say it over dinner. Was that not why he made dinner for the first time in a long while today? He couldn’t believe his eyes when his long abandoned cooking skills came in handy tonight. Udale however scattered his plans. Not intentionally though, the news about Baba’s increasing ailment shut him up. He isn’t insensitive to say such a thing as this with that kind of news. But he had to say it today! He thought of writing it down. Perhaps as he sees in Nigerian movies, his best movie industry actually, he would write a note while she is away and leave her to read it whenever she gets back. That’s not possible. He can’t find enough right words to express what he is about saying, let alone find the best way to pen it down. Udale only snores this loudly when she’s had a very hectic day. That, accompanied with her father’s ailment is good enough reason for anyone not to distract her much needed sleep. Matthew rose his hand, moved it towards her and dropped it on a second thought. “You have to do this mehn!” he admonished himself quietly as he rose the hand up again. This time, he tapped her lightly but they was no sign of consciousness whatsoever. He swallowed. He would have to shake her rigorously after all. “Udale, forgive me”, he let out as he shook her so vigorously that she spoke from her sleep. “Oh!!!!!!!! Honey, I’m not snoring!” Who is concerned with snoring at the moment, Matthew thought to himself as he tapped her till he was sure she had woken. He stared at her drowsy eyes and it was as though the words he crammed vanished again. “Honey, what’s the problem?” Udale said, her sleepy voice made her voice come out so soft and sultry that Matthew was taken aback initially. He admonished himself to concentrate already. And he did. “Erhmm! Well… You see… ah… ehmm… I …!” Matthew stammered on and on. This action had a good effect on Udale as it made alarm to sound in her head. Matthew is the most confident and boldest person she had ever met, stammering now only signify that something horrible was about to come. She sat up immediately and gave him her full percentage concentration, preparing her mind for the worst. “What’s the problem, Matthew?” “Ehmm… It’s about your family…” Udale’s eyes popped open, “what about my family?” she asked sounding really impatient. Matthew was running down the remaining patience left in her with the unreasonably slow way he was speaking. “Baba asked we took care of Laibe the last time we went visiting and I’m sure he would have said that when you both talked today, save that he is very weak…” he started, perhaps he could get a captivating intro from there. Udale heaved in a sigh of relief and smiled as it’s characteristics of her being in charge of every situation. “I know you are very attached to my father Matthew. I know he is your friend but trust me, nothing would happen to him. You don’t have to get this sleepless and all worked up.” she moved her right hand up and stroked his face lightly. Matthew swallowed, “You won’t understand! Laibe…” “We are already doing our best with Laibe…” Udale interrupted, “… I’m sure she didn’t dream of all the things we are doing for her. You especially have been so fond and around for her. Buying her gifts, making her holidays worthwhile and all, I appreciate you a lot Matthew. You are the best husband in the world.” She pecked him. Matthew managed a chuckle. “Is that why you are not sleeping? C’mon Honey, let’s go to bed. I have a long day again in few hours.” “But…” Matthew started and paused as Udale drew back under her blanket. “Shhhh! Don’t worry your head My Love, nothing would happen to my father. It’s my father we are talking about here, right? Nothing would happen to him. Nothing.” Udale assured, making sure to stress the ‘nothing’ emphatically. “Oya, come and sleep” she added. “Go ahead Baby, I would join you soon…” Matthew replied politely, turning the bed lamp back off. As if the sleep she left off was a cloth somewhere around, Udale pulled it hastily over her head and in a twinkle of an eye, she was back to snoring again. Matthew managed to go pick up the AC remote and switched it off. He came back to sat for a while thinking, he swallowed and slid underneath the blanket to join his wife. Sleeping beside her or not has stopped having any significant effect on his chemistry since way back. He wished he wasn’t caught up in the middle of all these. If only Udale knew the battle going on in his mind, she would beg him to spill it out completely. Tbc

Episode 22 . Continues.. “Not again!” Laibe made a great fuss, squeezing her nose upwards and contorting her face into a tired piece. “Who are you doing that sexy face for?” Laibe dropped the board she was holding and hit him hard on his back four times. “I… I have… I have told you not to use vulgar words for me.” she said consecutively with every instance her hand landed on his back. Ocholi started with a light chuckle which culminated in a loud laughter later on. “Really? Laibe! Vulgar?” he sounded with disbelief. Raising his left eyebrow and lowering the other one, anyone could clearly sense awe in his tone. “Mehn! Aleka Academy is treating you well. Where did you learn such big words from?” Laibe shrugged and picked back the drawing board she left off some moments ago. “Apart from the fact that we do spelling competitions most often than not, everyone is obligated to learn at least one new word each day and my form teacher herself made sure of that. I’ve spent over two years there, so you can imagine how many new words I have learnt.” She tuck out her tongue after the statement and Ocholi shook his head. “What are you feeling like?” he asked with sarcasm, “Most learned of our time, huh? Here, your block head cannot simply understand that while contour shading you make your pencil as light as possible. Can you see the rubbish you just drew again?” Ocholi mocked Laibe kept staring at him while he spoke, as though thinking of something mischievous to do to him. “If not that I’m sited here ehn? You would have known whose head is blocked by now.” She feigned seriousness as she put her index finger onto her tongue and out, mimicking an event of swearing. Ocholi laughed so much at her actions till his back hit the bed he sat on, just beside her. The petite girl he had brought from the village over two years ago has become almost an entirely different specie. She is becoming someone new every single day. Yes. Because, her expression wasn’t this firm the last time he came for holidays, the same way her mouth wasn’t this sharp as well. She seem to be getting more interesting by the day and even when he knew the poor girl hasn’t ever had any interest in fine arts, he took it as a responsibility upon himself to teach her some basic things whenever he is home on holidays like this. Laibe appear creative and imaginative and those, to him, are strong enough selling points in fine arts. “Are you done laughing now?” Ocholi’s eyes popped out at that firm question coming from Laibe. He couldn’t particularly decipher whatever was going on in her mind from the expressionless face she wore at the moment. “Very well then. Let’s get down to business. Show me the contour thing and I’d be done with Art lessons for tonight, I have assignments to do.” Ocholi smirked. “Dear Aleka Head prefect ma, today is Friday and that is a weekend on this part of the globe” the sarcasm was so readable in his voice. Laibe let out a quick smile. So quick that it would go unnoticed save that Ocholi’s eyes were firmly on hers. “Moreover, aunty would soon call us for dinner…” she said. Not believing she just said that, she turned briskly to Ocholi and the other tittered backwards involuntarily. “Why are you making me explain up and down sef? Are you going to show me the part of this my beautiful artwork I should erase and the so called contour margin?” Her voice sounded threatening now. “No!” He said politely. “No?” she furrowed her forehead “Not until you tell me why you did that” Laibe stared like a ghost just hit her. She had no little idea what Ocholi, the only guy she has always had a strong crush on, sited right beside her was talking about. “Why I did what?” “You know what I’m talking about…” “Oh come off it Ocholi…” she interrupted quickly, “… if I know what you are talking about, I wouldn’t be asking.” Ocholi heaved and kept quiet just staring at the opposite wall in front of him as though addressing it. At this point, Laibe was getting more and more impatient. She didn’t have the slightest idea what he was talking about and if anything else spins her head faster than suspense, then it is still suspense itself. After what seemed like forever, Ocholi got up. Laibe’s eyes followed him all the way up and with the so much dramatic performance the usually free minded Ocholi is putting into this, she didn’t know where to find her racing mind some water to cool off with. Walking slowly towards the door with his hands in the side pockets of his shorts, Ocholi felt like there was an external force other than him lifting his foot. Everything can be said, it depends on the right time it is said. Same way the truth can be gotten, depending on the time and mode of confrontation. His mind pondered on this as he walked sluggishly in the direction of the door. He turned to face where she sat and he could see the uneasiness boldly written over her face. “Promise me you would tell me the truth” he said, more like a request anyway. Laibe rolled her eyes, “Truth about what?” sounding much more impatient than at other times earlier. Ocholi paused and dipped his right hand into his back pocket. He held out a white and neatly folded paper from it and started undoing the folds slowly. Laibe got up on seeing the paper and started walking towards where Ocholi stood leaning his back against the closed door. He was done unfolding it by the time she came to stand in front of him and turned the other side to show her the content. She felt as though the ground should just open and swallow the whole of her into it. Alas! No wonder. She had searched every nook and cranny of this room in vain for this particular paper. At a point she concluded she must have mistakenly taken it to class and perhaps forgotten it there. That would be a dangerous one though but it is still far better than having it in Ocholi’s hands. Ocholi couldn’t have gained access into her room in her absence and there was no way he could have picked up that paper from where she hid it without her knowing or suspecting. “How did you get this?” her questions escaped her thoughts into her mouth before she could stop herself. “Why did you do this Laibe? And… and you know better than to lie to me.” Ocholi’s voice carried deep sincerity, care and affection that almost brought Laibe to the brink of tears. She stood frozen to the floor. Her long hair resting over her shoulders as she ran her hand through it for the third time already. Ocholi took two steps forward and came to stand directly before Laibe so much so that their bodies almost rubbed each other. She rose her head to meet his eyes while he dropped his head to meet hers. The height difference hasn’t been resolved yet… up till now. Laibe felt more uneasy with every instance their eyes met. Her silent affection for the young man in front of her hasn’t faded in any form, in fact, all his actions tend to deepen the whole quiet torture she goes through in her heart. “Once again I ask, Laibe my pretty and cute lady, why did you do this?” Laibe sought for a more convincing way to let Ocholi know that she didn’t want to talk about what he is interested in. Not now. Not anytime soon. She thought of lying and covering up, but that’s almost impossible. Ocholi is the most sensitively smart chap she has come to know. “Where are these children?” They jerked back to reality as Aunty Udale’s voice came in loudly from behind the door. Thankfully, they both already turned and faced the door before she pushed it angrily open without even a light knock. “Oh! I have to scream my lungs out before you both hear me, is that? Or where are the headphones you both had on?” Udale questioned angrily. “Aunty, aunty…” Ocholi started smiling jokingly. He was hoping perhaps he could make the angered Udale laugh at the moment but the careless wave of the paper in his hand at her face while talking is about turning the beautiful intended sarcasm into a more serious case. “What’s in that paper, Ocholi?” Only then did he realise that he had been flagging the paper at aunty Udale’s face. Laibe’s breathing became heavier. Of all things, she would be dead if her aunty lay hold on that paper and especially with the obvious connection the content had with her. She started muttering inaudible prayers underneath her breath. Ocholi needed a higher degree of wisdom to pull them both through tonight without anyone getting hurt and beaten. “Let me have that paper…” Udale yelled as Ocholi stood looking blank after her first question. Ocholi thought of something quickly and then started laughing out loud. Udale felt a little bit irritated at first but this is Ocholi, her ‘right hand man’ as she called him. “Big Sis, I heard nurses now take a minor course in Fine Arts” Udale furrowed her front head in confusion. “What’s that?” “Yeah! It has to be. Of course. It is only then a full certified nurse would ask someone grounded in the mastery of the Arts for a paper when she knows paper to a fine artist is like a stethoscope to a doctor.” Laibe took in a very deep calming breath. Udale rolled her eyes twice before saying another thing. “Now both of you, out and off to dinner now!” she opened back the door and made to leave. Laibe’s heart was full of appreciation and her respect for her crush increased again with this wise defence he just put up for her a while ago. “Let me watch the both of you leave this room this minute.” Udale commanded pointing her fingers from one person to the other and finally pointing towards the door. Laibe hurried out. She just narrowly escaped the judgement of fire now, she can’t afford to be caught up in any further web again tonight. Ocholi stood, hoping Udale would go ahead and let them, himself and Laibe that is, complete their discussions but Udale looked unrepentant with the way she is standing and waiting at the door. Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly followed after Laibe. Udale flapped the door and headed towards the dining room behind Ocholi and Laibe. She asked Laibe to go bring the last food container in the kitchen which the latter hurried over to do quickly. Frankly, the last thing Laibe would want is to give any allowance that will make her aunty ask about that paper again. To think that the paper is still in Ocholi’s possession, his pocket to be precise. Ocholi can be a pain in the neck at times like this. “Awhhh!” Ocholi screamed out impulsively when Laibe’s leg hit the door frame hard and she almost fell over with the food flask. “So long as you don’t make us sleep hungry tonight.” Udale answered coldly. That struck Laibe, but she understood her aunty to be very blunt much more than anyone else in this life. She managed to lift her hurting foot, at least Ocholi’s smiles ministered a little dose of relief to her. If her mind wasn’t occupied, she would have remembered the kitchen door’s frame is still elevated, unlike other doors in the house. “She didn’t hit her leg intentionally, right?” “Well, after I practically had to force you all out for dinner, I deserve to eat my meal in peace too, right?” Udale answered, turning in the direction of Matthew who was climbing down the stairs. She wanted to talk further but she was too hungry to say more. The very instance the bowl of soup in Laibe’s hands sat comfortably on the dining table, Udale got up and started dishing out without hesitation. “Sorry my girl.” Matthew said affectionately, pulling out his chair to sit down. He was wearing a midi length jean trouser which displayed in all clarity the smoothness of his legs. Perhaps, it’s because he’s always on long trousers, one doesn’t readily get to see his legs often. His red striped T-shirt hugged his body so tightly that Laibe wondered if he was breathing in there. So much for his huge form and stature. Laibe smiled at her uncle. This is normal to her. The abnormal part is that her aunty smiled as well. Innocent woman she is, Laibe thought as she dished food for Ocholi and herself. Matthew almost caught a glimpse of them while Ocholi winked at her, but thankfully, he was more interested in the delicious meal of white rice, stew and plantain in front of him than with anything or anyone else as the case may be. Laibe returned Ocholi’s wink with a dour stare. Her shocked eyes begging him to behave well before elderly people but he wouldn’t bulge. “My girl…” Laibe rose her head up immediately as Matthew started, midway into the meal, “…help me bring the nylon on the stool beside my reading table in the study.” “Ok sir!” she responded politely and made to go, ensuring no eye contact with him as usual, all through. “Honey, can’t that wait? She is eating.” “It’s alright aunty, I’ll get it now.” Laibe responded and hurried off before anyone else could comment. Ocholi was only looking, dumbly from his brother, to his sister-in-law and of course his amiable Laibe. Matthew smiled at Laibe’s smart response and a wind of satisfaction gushed over him. Indeed, she defines satisfaction. Udale continued munching her food as the little girl ran upstairs and downstairs in a flash, holding a KOS delivery customized nylon. She recognised the nylon immediately because shopping from Konga – the online market deal, is one of her favourite hobbies. Yes. Apart from the fact that her rotund size made her naturally lazy, she sees no need going in search of things at the Ankpa busy markets when some people have put it upon themselves to get one those things and even deliver them at your doorstep. She is not also surprised seeing it, because Matthew himself is the chief online purchase guru. In fact, he indoctrinated her into it, could be an appropriate claim. That is paying him off anyway because with the ease at which he misplaces phones, he would need such outlets to be at his service most often than not, twenty four hours. The only obsolete thing right now though is that she is not aware that Matthew placed any other, more so that they almost need no new gadget in the house at the moment. “Here, Uncle” Laibe handed the nylon over to her uncle with her head tilting towards the floor. This is one behaviour Ocholi has been racking his head all the while to understand. “It’s for you…” “Uhmmmm?” Laibe stared vacantly back at him, like she suddenly didn’t understand English anymore. “What’s that?” Udale left her food now, asking curiously. Ocholi who was getting pissed off with the dumb way the two women were behaving snatched the nylon from Laibe’s hand and tore the package open. “Samsung. Galaxy. S6. Edge. Plus!!!” Ocholi exclaimed, unable to believe his eyes, “Konga’s freebie Power bank, screen guard, gold case, a SIM pack!” Ocholi spoke like he was in awe of the whole event right now. Laibe stood forgetting her mouth wide open. She had few clouds of tears forming around her eyes. She didn’t even know what to say. “Honey, a phone for her already? Isn’t this too early?” Udale asked “I heard when one of her friend’s, is it Umali now? Or…” He got a confirmation from Udale’s affirmative nod before continuing, “…Eheen! Umali, I heard when she called you asking to speak to Laibe. Also Baba needs to speak with his granddaughter more now that his body isn’t strong.” Matthew explained, smiling broadly. His smile is so sweet whenever it comes out genuinely like this. “Honey??? Baba is too sick to make a call, more so her school wouldn’t let her use a phone.” Udale protested. Reasons for her protest, she couldn’t really place any in her mind. Maybe she is being over protective of the seemingly little girl but in another section of her mind, she is so happy with the deep affection her husband showers on Laibe. “Why are you standing that way, won’t you say thank you to your uncle?” Udale faced Laibe who stood aloof like her skin was disjointed from every bony attachment in her body. Laibe ran over to her uncle and held him tightly. The older stood up and received the deserving hug in full measures, drawing and pressing her small body closer to his. It’s one thing he had always struggled to get Laibe come to give him willingly, coming now, he should make full proof of it. He put his hand on Laibe’s back and pulled her chest firmly against his even more. “This is a big surprise, brother” Ocholi’s voice broke them off the hug. Udale was reading the writings on the carton bearing the phone all the while. Laibe felt really shy now. She rushed back towards Ocholi, walking like she was stepping on hot coals. Matthew readjusted his jean trouser and sat down gently with that fulfilled smile still plastered on his face. Udale pushed the phone back to Ocholi. “Lee, let’s go arrange your phone at the veranda.” Ocholi suggested, getting up. “Finish you dinner first. And why the verander if I may ask? There is more than enough space in the sitting room in front of you.” Udale questioned. Ocholi particularly didn’t know why his sister in-law has become so suspicious of everything all of a sudden. Initially, he thought it’s a joke but this is gradually turning to serious stuff and it’s beginning to irritate him already. He kept staring expressionlessly at her for a while. “Auunty! Uncle, thank you again. Thank you so much. Ocholi, oya lets go fix my new phone.” Laibe giggled excitedly as she packed her stuff into the nylon that it came in and ran off with it. Ocholi swallowed; put his hand in his pocket and walked majestically after her. “Your show of love to my little girl is so overwhelming…” Udale turned in Matthew’s direction. He blushed and scooped another spoon of rice into his mouth. “Thank you Honey. The other time I saw some dresses you bought and one special card. How is it that I don’t know how to do all these ehn?” she placed her two hands against her chest regretfully. “Special card?” Matthew asked, sounding confused. “Yeah! Special card. Wait. Or you weren’t the one that bought it?” Mathew shook off some thoughts from his head as his wife faced him squarely now. “No… I mean… yes I did” he stammered, “…did she show it to you? I mean, how did you see or learn of it?” He demanded with some manageably gathered boldness. Udale smiled, “Nah! She didn’t show me. She couldn’t have. I know I’m not that close to her as you are. I found it in her room a long time ago. When o?” she asked no one in particular and answered herself before Matthew would talk, “ yeah, her menarche day. That evening we got back from Enugu and I was confronting her about crying in class and so on…” Matthew chuckled lightly while shaking his head, “ what a mother she has. I guess you haven’t been in there since then.” “Haba nau!!” she gave a look of displeasure. Seeing no need for long explanations, she let it be. “Well, I was there today when they were taking long to come for dinner and I saw them dragging some paper like that. Those children though!!” she lamented. “What paper?” “How would I know, your brother is an artist and he is really bent on making Laibe one.” Matthew heaved a loud sigh of relief, reasons best known to him. “… I want her to become a nurse like me, you know? She is so smart and learns very fast. I mean, see how fluent her spoken language is after barely two years. The medical field is obviously where she belongs, a nurse or even a medical doctor is not a bad idea right?” she paused to look at Matthew, he wasn’t listening to her. His mind seemed far away. Very far a way for that matter. She slapped his hand and he jerked back. “Hhuuuuh?” “What’s on your mind, Honey?” she demanded an explanation with her eyes and hands at the same time. Matthew swallowed and readjusted uncomfortably on his seat. “My mind? My mind is here. You were talking about eherrrmm…” he tried to joggle his memory. Udale hissed dryly, “ you see? And you said your mind was here. Anyway, I was talking about Laibe going to the sciences rather than the arts as Ocholi is bent on making her.” Matthew smiled faintly, “No problem. Wherever she wants to go is good and when we get there Baby, we will cross the bridge.” He finalised as he dug his fork through the large turkey lap on his plate. Splitting it in pieces, he put one in Udale’s mouth before putting the next in his. ******* “One, let’s charge the phone before switching it on as directed, your eagerness wouldn’t let us. I’m sure this would be your work henceforth. You no go do any better thing with your life again o, e sure me scatter!” Ocholi teased the girl that was trying hard to navigate the corners on her new phone. Laibe gave him a wicked look, “Which better thing?” “This!” Laibe turned towards him only to see the paper again. Oh God! Is Ocholi going to weary life out of her. “Why did you do this?” he asked, sounding extremely serious. “Not again Ocholi” “Why do I think something is wrong somewhere?” he pressed on. Laibe’s patience was running out. She needed to seal Ocholi’s mouth before he succeed in launching an avalanche on her. “Lee, you can talk to me. What is wrong?” “Wrong where nau?” Laibe snapped in provocation and that sent Ocholi aback. She calmed down and decided to say something, anything. “Well, Helen my friend doesn’t talk to me anymore. She packed her things from my seat. I even think she is teaming people up against me.” She said quietly. Sounding remorseful. Ocholi’s eyes were as round as large doughnuts. “Why? What’s wrong?” He asked. “She thought I betrayed her. Her crush who is our senior colleague says he loves me and not her. The stupid boy went behind me to tell her I accepted him. I don’t and can’t even love him to start with. God knows I wouldn’t forgive Ezekiel if he makes me lose my friend…” she cursed, “what am I even saying? I’ve lost Helen already.” Ocholi sighed, “this is really a dicey one!” “Yes it is!” Laibe affirmed. “But that doesn’t answer this anyway” Laibe turned to see Ocholi still waving the white paper at her. She swallowed. To be continued

very good and nice but something is going on between this uncle and laibe

Ok nexxxxt

what is even the content of the paper self??

Episode 23 Continues... Laibe was almost tip toeing through the staff room as she headed to her form mistress’ ‘special’ office. The young woman had succeeded in getting a hold on her finally today. Laibe had consciously avoided Miss Mary over the last two weeks. Yes! Surely, she comes to call attendance every morning in the class but Laibe found a way of quickly responding to her name and running off shortly after that; before Miss Mary would have the luxury of her five minutes interactive session with the class, which now cannot be every day anymore as the new principal seem to prolong the morning assembly session into the period for the first class. Indeed, she is the best form teacher ever, and following the class all the way from Js1 till now is one of the very many good things that has happened to them, Laibe in particular, in this school. It is time for ‘prep’ as they call it – a time when everyone is to be seated quietly in their various classes and normally reading, though some never-do-wells would still make a hell of noise while others take their time to have a good nap. Whatever works for you! This would last for an hour and the extracurricular activities last the next and last hour before closure by 5pm. Laibe had been reading, from the long break period, stretching into this prep time. She likes going through all the notes given to her in class at least once before the end of that very day, especially that she most times doesn’t know how her night would turn out when she gets home. She’s resigned to her fate, and that’s in making good use of the time here while still in frightful anticipation for the worst. Helen wasn’t in the class all along and Laibe actually felt worried. Helen also loves using her prep time well. In fact, she used to be Laibe’s greatest motivator until now that they are no longer on talking terms, they can’t possible read together as they always do anymore. Barely ten minutes before game-time, it’s her class’ turn to have games today, Laibe felt pressed. All thanks to her Uncle, Matthew, she had developed some little interest in Badminton. There’s a court in the house where she would play with him those Saturdays he is around. With time, when she acquired little boldness to come out to play, she started playing it in school too, most times with Helen. Gosh!!! This Ezekiel-induced quarrel with Helen is causing her so much more than anyone else can imagine. She is coping anyway. At least, she had attempted reconciliation about twice all to no avail. Obviously, Helen would still be mad at her a little longer. The painful part is that she didn’t do anything, but who would she tell that to? Her friend wouldn’t even give her a chance to explain? Or Ezekiel, who told a lie against her? The last person she wanna be seen having a conversation with anytime soon would be our dear Senior Ezekiel. It was as she headed to the bathroom that she ran into Miss Mary. The latter ordered she come down to the office immediately she is done easing herself. Laibe right there knew she was done for. Her form teacher is very observant and disciplined. She particularly feels Miss Mary pays so much special attention to her and instead of that making her feel proud, she feels more so uncomfortable all the way. At the door, she made sign of the cross. All thanks to what Helen had put into her whenever she is tensed. There is this magical relief that flows in after that sign is made and she would immediately feel like going to confront a lion. Laibe had thought about possible questions Miss Mary would be asking her in there and had joggled her brain deeply to get a strategic, even if not a convincing answer for each of them. She wouldn’t be lying. It’s just ‘covering up’, she convinced herself. It can only be either of two things; about her sudden malice with Helen or the continuous reports teachers give Miss Mary about Laibe’s fast-becoming-an-habit absent mindedness in class, as it appears to be dealing a big blow on her grades day after day. Laibe hoped for the best as she held down the door knob “It takes you forty minutes to ease yourself huh?” Miss Mary greeted her with a yelling voice immediately she opened the door. This frightened her so much so that the pen in her hand almost fell off. Ocholi had been the recurrent recipient of these her frightened responses to everything. The very latest, for instance, was in her breaking one of the tumblers at the dining table. It wasn’t her fault, she tried to make her mind believe her in futility. She was meant to be alone in the house… or so she thought, as everyone should have gone out as usual. This was last two weeks Saturday afternoon. Those thoughts, those replays that come like horror movies started taking merciless spins round her head again and again as she tried to rest, till she dragged herself off the bed. “Cleaning the dining should distract me a little,” she said as she carried a towel from the kitchen, put soap into the water in the bucket in her hand and got at her forced duty. Unfortunately and expectedly, that didn’t help. At any time her eyes followed through the corridor that led to her bedroom, her head begins to spin afresh. She was about moving the rack holding tumblers with her eyes still fixed on the passageway when Ocholi spoke, “Is there anything you lost on that corridor?” She tittered backwards involuntarily, gravely frightened as flush of hot air gushed over her face. Needless to say that Ocholi’s voice sounds exactly like his elder brother’s. She tried, but couldn’t catch it before one of the tumblers fell off the rack and split in pieces immediately it kissed the tiled floor. Ocholi, who apparently had been standing there for God-knows-how-l ong, kept unbelievable eyes on her for some minutes. Ocholi had been a difficult nut to crack, her extremely sensitive and curious interviewer who also stubbornly refused to give up on asking her questions she cannot provide answers to. Every time he came on holidays, she feels as though brought under a Criminal Investigation Department’s detention. Obviously he had this strong conviction that something was really wrong, and all that began after the Confluence Beach holiday. The first one, of course, she’s been there two more times after that. She had tried in vain to persuade Ocholi that there was no cause for alarm but she wouldn’t even believe herself if told that. “Lee, what is the problem? You haven’t still told me why you did that …” Ocholi had started again, as they both bent down to pick up the broken pieces of the tumbler. “Why I did what?” Laibe put in quickly. “Same thing! The paper!!” Ocholi replied, giving her a knowing look. “Oh! I thought we were over that Ocholi?” Laibe muttered out, sounding irritated. “I thought so too, until I confirmed that just any voice and action keep startling you.” Laibe smiled, smiled so broadly. She knew that her smile somewhat has an effect on Ocholi. If not for anything, it would reduce the pressure he is putting on her. “I didn’t know there was anyone at home. Your voice scared me.” she said. Partly true and partly lies anyway. Perhaps changing the topic would help. Ocholi tried to argue further but she found a way of escaping again this time as usual. The way was by asking him to show her how to use the Twitter app on her phone. And even after Ocholi had gone back for about a week now, the young man seem not to wanna give up on pressing into her. He calls her often and would end it with ‘Laibe, what is the problem?’ Then, however was she going to say it? “That I… I … how would anyone want me to say such a thing?” she would let out a frustrated smile all the times she had thought of this while staring back at herself in the standing mirror in her room. She is back here now to face another panel before her form teacher, and one more interesting personality; Miss Mary had called Helen too. This is even tighter than she envisaged and she needed to gird her loins as well if she must pull through this without having that emotional attack she had in class about a year ago. “I’m sorry ma!” she simply and hurriedly apologised in response to Miss Mary’s confrontation, not wanting to prolong stories. “Sit down!” She looked at her teacher, like she wanted to see her voice. The only seat available for her to sit was beside Helen. This is difficult right? Helen hadn’t said anything to her in so long a time now that she is beginning to get used to her new life – the one without Helen in it, that is. She noticed Miss Mary’s eyes all over her and she knew better than to raise suspicions. She quickly took her seat, avoiding the two people’s piercing eyes as much as possible. Well, Helen wasn’t particularly looking at her in the first place. “A classmate of yours confided in me that you both are fighting over a senior prefect…” Miss Mary started. Characteristic of her to go straight to the point at all times. She turned questioning eyes to the two tiny females in front of her. She wasn’t really expecting them to respond so she continued anyway. “Your friendship was so beautiful to let a boy define or ruin it, don’t you think so?” she asked again and got silence as response, “Ehn?” she slammed hard on her table when they were taking forever to respond to her. “Yes… Yes ma!” they both chorused as though it was planned. “I have spoken to the prefect concerned. What we talked about is none of your business by the way. Basically, your minds are too shallow for anything termed a relationship now, do you understand me? Do you?” Her voice rose for the second time. “Yes we do Ma’am…” their heads were bent to the ground. “And you Helen, sort out whatever crush you have on Ezekiel as soon as possible, is that clear? When you are ready, you would find more than enough worthy young men seeking for your precious hands in marriage, and those men would not be eyeing your best friend. There is a big difference between response and responsibility…” Helen’s tears were dropping now. All these over-pampered children. Too much of love stories and movies make them fantasize about impossible and naughty things in real life. As Helen sobbed, she affirmed strongly within herself how much it hadn’t been worth the stress all along. She regretted having to hate Laibe for something she was innocent of. As Miss Mary spoke on, guilt overwhelmed her and before she could stop herself, she ran into Laibe’s hands and gave her a long warm hug. Laibe spread out her petite hand to accept the whole of Helen who was bigger than her in all regards. She didn’t know if she was expected to cry as well. These days, unlike before, tears are the most sought after commodities in her eyes. She can’t bring herself to cry even when she wanted to… needed to. She must have finished all the tears left in her eyes after those horrible series of events and sleepless nights. She held onto her friend like a lifeline and was grateful this day is finally here. “OK, you both! Enough of the lovey-dovey and say what you should…” Miss Mary’s voice broke them away from the hug but they still held each other’s hands looking back at her like she just spoke the Northern part of the German language. Just then, the meaning of the words sank into Helen and she immediately turned over to Laibe… “I’m sorry Lee, it won’t happen ever again.” Oh that? Laibe thought as a smile flashed her face, “I’m sorry my beloved friend. It didn’t happen and can never even happen.” They fell into another round of hug again as Miss Mary watched them fondly. She is grateful she had been able to attend to one part of her mission. With the emotional outpouring from Laibe, it would be wise she reserved the next part for another time. It is almost closing time anyway, permitting them to go isn’t so much of a difficult thing for Miss Mary. One, she was the teacher on duty this evening and secondly, she really wanted the duo to make up for lost times at least for the few more minutes they have today before it is officially closing hour. “Is your brother or aunty coming to pick you up today?” she asked and Laibe shook her head from right to left. Aunty Udale hasn’t been herself for some days now, especially since Baba’s ailment worsened. Fortunately for her, the health workers in the state are on strike. That has resulted into her living almost a sedentary lifestyle lately – stays indoors from morning to night and only walks from bedroom to kitchen to make their meals. Laibe, ever since Ocholi returned back to school, is usually given transport money so she would take a motorcycle back home. She dreaded the insensible speed with which these ‘okadas’ ply the rough roads yet she’s got no choice. “What about you Helen?” Miss Mary turned her attention to the giggling damsel in front of her. “No aunty! Dad and mum travelled out. Our cousin’s wedding, actually. I’m also supposed to take okada down home, but would rather trek the whole distance with my cutie Lee here…” she said, squeezing Laibe’s hand in hers. Laibe smiled alongside Miss Mary. It seems Helen was even more excited that they are back together than anyone else. “Make sure I don’t get report that you both got home late by tomorrow morning… Did I make myself clear?” “Yes Ma’am!!1” they screamed excitedly and dashed out of the office before Mary could say anything else. She watched them run off the passage of the administrative building till they disappeared from her sight. Miss Mary sat back into her chair. Still with that smile dancing around her lips, she grabbed her phone. At the gate, they presented the note Miss Mary gave them to the gateman who opened the gate for them without hesitation. Laibe turned in Helen’s direction and they both gave a knowing smile as the older man opened the gate. Just when they were about stepping through, they stopped. They thought they heard someone called Helen, and later called Laibe, but since the school was rowdy cos it is time for extracurricular activities now, they weren’t sure. Making to move forward, they heard their names once more, and this time turned to see Senior Ezekiel running towards them. Not knowing exactly what to expect as he drew closer, they decided to let their hearts rest till at least he got to them. “Hi ladies” “Hi… HI” They chorused the response excitedly and politely at the same time. It didn’t take long before Ezekiel suddenly realised that the gateman was standing there waiting to shut his gate behind the girls. “I’m coming sir, I wanna have a talk with them” Ezekiel requested humbly and the older man, who is said to be a member of the ‘man O war’ only smiled in response. “Wow!” Laibe thought. That was a first one for her, the smile on the old man’s face that is. She hadn’t seen that before, not in almost the three years she had been in this school. She finally had to conclude in her head sometimes last year that he was paid to frown. “Your both eyes could fall me down, you know?” Ezekiel confessed immediately he got closer to them. Sincerely, the type of gaze and stare the duo were giving him was quite scary and it took his exceptional carriage, confidence and charisma as it’s characteristics of all the prefects in this school, to still come close without stammering. Helen let out a faint smile with her hand still holding onto Laibe. The latter gave her a scow, the ‘I thought we agreed no smiles’ kind of look. Guess the poor Helen of a girl still had her little monster crush on ‘senior Ezekiel’ as everyone called the cute, dark and slim boy standing before them. “So where are you both headed? It’s not close of school yet” Ezekiel tried to lighten the tension in the air. Laibe scoffed and Helen looked away. “Okay! Look here please, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have come in between you both. I knew Helen liked me, but I didn’t think it was that deep…” “Mtcheeee…” Laibe drew a loud hiss, cutting in on Ezekiel, “… Of course, you men are always that insensitive, Mtcheew” she hissed dryly again. “Well, I don’t know what you mean by ‘we men’, I’m only talking about myself here Laibe” Ezekiel defended. Laibe’s eyes has literally turned as red as scarlet, “Of course, you won’t know. You can never know in fact…” she spilled out angrily, “Just because someone is in need of love, only because you know we seek love, attention and acceptance, you derive pleasure in taking our pride away from us, you derive satisfaction in reducing us to nothing less than a piece of rag. Why are you men so heartless?” Laibe was screaming on the top of her lungs now. Helen tried to squeeze her hand lightly earlier when her voice started rising, but she didn’t even feel it. It feels like a smoke, too hard to be constrained in the muddy four walls of the kitchen of her voice box. Her eyes were firmly shut while she spoke and a thin line of tear dragged down her cheek now. Helen had become more uncomfortable, so was Ezekiel. The security man was beginning to make moves from inside the compound like he would soon open the gate. This is not good, Ezekiel thought within himself. What exactly has he done to deserve all these outpouring? Especially that this isn’t the first time. He was only giving a simple apology for crying out loud. He swallowed and looked on at the girl that’s just screaming like a wounded elephant. “The next time you want to treat a woman like trash just because you know she is in need of love and attention, remember that it was a woman that bore you” she spilled out like the words were hot searing coals that would burn her tongue if not said that fast and quick. “Ok! Laibe, just shut up already!” Helen almost yelled, speaking out for the first time since Ezekiel got here. She was fed up with whatever emotional outpour her friend was doing right here in public. Yea! Public. Ezekiel alone is enough public eye before Helen, things should be done pronto and well-coordinated before him and not making a public show of shame at any point. She held onto Laibe tighter and dragged her away into the main road. Ezekiel was too dumbfounded to say or do anything. He just stood there like he had been glued to the ground watching the two girls as Helen pulled the reluctant Laibe all the way to the road. He didn’t know what to think. Laibe has been every shade of mystery lately, sometimes, she is all outspoken and violent, at other times, she is returned to her shell and not saying anything, and at other awkward moments, she seem to be thinking about something only her knew about. What was going on? He asked himself again and the opening of the gate brought him back to planet earth before he could decipher an answer. He quickly adjusted his tie - nothing happened to the tie actually - and headed in before the security man would have the luxury of asking him about who and why someone was shouting. He didn’t have answers to give so he wouldn’t give him a chance to ask in the first place. He bowed lightly as he crossed the gate into the compound, keeping his head straight up, he moved towards the administrative building. There was something he needed to urgently find out. ***** This was meant to be a making up moment right? Of course, that was why Miss Mary permitted them to leave school few minutes to closing time. Helen had attempted to start up a conversation ever since they got on the lonely road that linked the school and the expressway. Whether it was the confusion as to what necessitated that show that’s stopping her from talking, or that the look on Laibe’s face could sting with venom, she cautioned herself just to stay quiet and enjoy the speechless walk. Laibe, as usual, had dragged all the ropes on the handle of her strap back, Tightening into a knot on her sides, it felt like she was trapped in a seat belt. That’s what she does anytime she’s beginning to want to stay off the world. It would look like a flight off the planet to a ‘thought world’ only her had access to. Helen had to call her attention when she saw that the black Toyota Camry that’s approaching them had drastically reduced in speed so much so that it appears to be crawling right now. “uhmmm?” Laibe gave that her questioning look again and it came quite irritating to Helen. How was it possible for someone to walk without being aware of her environment? It beats her imagination. “The person in that car was staring at you” Helen said, pointing at the car that had just passed them with nothing longer than a mile distance. “Me?” Laibe pointed her finger to her chest like she didn’t believe what her friend just said now, she then continued, “…but there are two of us here, right?” Helen shook her head from side to side, “I know, I know! But the person was looking at you, so seriously, so engrossed. I’m not joking!” Laibe hissed and stepped up her pace. “Perhaps if your mind wasn’t so far away, you would have noticed” Helen said amidst trying to hasten up her steps to meet up with Laibe’s. Just then, her tone changed from the loud way it’s been a while ago to somewhat whisper… “Oh! My God! He is reversing. Laibe, let’s hurry!” It was at this point Laibe actually turned back to look at the car in question. It look so new, the tires, the mirrors, everything on the car was sparkling. If the person in the car was actually staring at her as Helen here claimed, then it’s not safe now that the person is reversing back towards their direction. She couldn’t even see whoever was in the car to start with. All thanks to tinted mirrors. Guess, ‘let’s hurry’ should actually be the action at this point, Laibe thought within as she increased her steps furthermore. The car wouldn’t stop. It was as though whoever was in it was coming for them actually. It wasn’t coming across as something funny anymore. Though they are almost close to the main road, it is still about at least five fences to get there fully. By ‘fully’ it means, to get to a place where one can easily shout for help and get help. Helen’s heart was palpitating as she held tightly on to Laibe’s hands. Since Laibe can walk as fast as the speed of light, at a point Helen thought, people win ‘award for walking’ in the villages. As they walked faster, the speed of the car increased as it still reversed backwards, now they heard the honk and it appears as if the person was asking them to stop but they did not stop. They cannot even stop. As if what they feared had finally befallen them, the car came to cross right in front of them in a way they had no choice than to stop. Though Laibe’s heart was also beating hard against her chest, she needed to be a source of strength to her extremely babyish and pampered friend right now. One person has to be the man in every situation. She shoved Helen behind her as the car came to a halt. Laibe had this unshaken confidence within her that they would rather end up taking everyone here to the hospital than for the owner of this car to hurt them. She waited nervously, trying hard not to bend over to see whoever the person is, till he or she gets down. It’s even more scary that the fellow is taking almost forever to sought himself out in the car and come out, especially when he had practically blocked people from walking. Moreover, the route is not frequently navigated by cars and motorcycles. Helen had started breathing out so long that the breaths sounded like the sounds of talking gong at a typical village new yam festival. Finally, the door of the car opened and the four eyes belonging to the two girls standing couldn’t wait for who would be the first to identify whoever this person is that’s taking the living day out of them. Tbc

Episode 24 Continues.. “Touch my palms to be sure I’m not a ghost, like we were taught in Sunday school.” He said, mimicking the teacher. Laibe giggled, “Really?” She gave him a questioning look and continued, “Of course I know you are not a ghost anymore. You drove Helen home and here you are driving me home as well, a ghost wouldn’t possibly be this tangible. It was the way your car was moving on that lonely road that got the both of us agitated, especially that that route has a reputation for kidnapping.” She rattled on, relaxing more and more into the soft leather chair in the car. She threw her school bag to the back seat earlier so she could relax better and especially use her seat belt. Her aunty mustn’t hear that she was in a moving car without her seat belt on. He kept looking at her, with the characteristic way he always looked back then. His eyes boring holes on her body till she started feeling shy and uncomfortable. He hadn’t changed much; he is still wearing his big shoes – timberland, as they call it. Just that this should be the original and expensive brand as opposed to the one he used back at the village. He would always say in defence that his shoes should show his kind of work, because he was made for the farm. He has also learnt some gentlemanliness and good looking business, Laibe thought. His dreadlocks look so clean, one would think it’s braided hair he had on. Needless to say that the recent glistering of his fair skin has hidden the bulk of the tribal markings on his face. She also needed to be sure she wasn’t sensing any form of foreign accent in his voice. For real! His once scattered and unarranged dreads look as attractive as C. Ronaldo’s sporting waves now - that’s in addition to his well-trimmed beards. Money truly answereth all things. Look at Omachoko looking all beauteous. Her hand involuntarily landed on his shoulders at the last thought, with a smile plastered on her face. “What?” he gaped when Laibe’s hands landed on his shoulders heavily… well lightly maybe, because her hands are nothing to be compared with his. “Why are you staring at me like you are just noticing my presence here?” Laibe questioned him, sticking her tongue out of her mouth while at it. “You… You know… I can’t stop marvelling … I mean, I can’t stop wondering how grown and changed you have become within this short time… three years right? Or two?” His eyes still bore absolute unbelief in them. “See who is talking! Oh! You think I’m not marvelled as well huh?” she retorted. “Ehnn!!! C’mon, look at you, you speak English so fluently, knowing all the phonation and intonations. You know all the exclamations as well. OK! I guess I’m not so surprised because that’s what you have always wanted.” Laibe smiled, more like blushed away the statement. On this aspect, her grammatical prowess that is, she feels so fulfilled at the moment. At least everyone is commending her – Ocholi, her Aunty, her uncle, her classmates, her teachers and now him? This is some grace really. She cleared her throat after he killed the engine in front of their gate. “But seriously, how did your farm at Ofabo buy you this big and costly ride? What am I saying? You must have borrowed it right?” she questioned with curiosity written all over her face. Omachoko broke out into a loud train of laughter. He laughed so much that the car key he just removed from the key hole fell off his hand. “You didn’t have to specify the location of my farm, did you?” Laibe rolled her eyes, “Well, I need to be sure that you are not into some 419 games too.” Omachoko laughed even louder, “It feels good to know you still care…” he winked at her and she gave a smirk, “…Of course not. I am not into any game. Anyway, Laibe, we would have to talk better some other time, OK? You said it was a make-up moment for you and Helen, I’m sorry I interrupted the comeback moment.” She sighed, “No problem, Helen and I would always have our time. The most important thing is that we are back now. But you? I’m seeing you for the first time in three years. The last time, you were still peddling your much-talked-about inherited bicycle, and right here, you are cruising a Camry, don’t you think I deserve an explanation of some sort?” she sounded serious now and Omachoko noticed that in her tone. He needed to tread with caution, Laibe would always be Laibe regardless of the years that had passed. “I know right? I know! But…” “No but, let’s go into the house, I’m sure you want to greet aunty too, even though you still don’t know my aunt’s husband till now.” Omachoko took in a deep breath, “I couldn’t have known him. He, unlike aunty Udale, almost doesn’t come to the village…” he paused to think, “…OK, let’s do it this way. You alone would go in today, I’m just coming from an errand and my boss is still waiting for me. You see the time?” He took up his hands to glance at his glistering wristwatch like he was showing her. This is incredible, Laibe thought. “So I may have to make it down here some other time. Definitely, within the week.” He begged with his eyes. “I saw you mistakenly today, according to you. How will I see you again? How am I even sure you didn’t come there looking for me in the first place?” She asked like a statement. Omachoko quickly nodded his head from side to side, “Nah! I told you I’m running an errand. We have a work going on up that Opulega area where your school is and I was just on my way there to settle the labourers when I saw someone that looked like you. Remember, I was driving slowly at first? I needed to be sure my eyes were not deceiving me. Then I recalled Baba telling me you got enrolled into Aleka Academy that year. That recollection made me sure it was you, so I reversed faster and came to double cross you both.” Laibe chuckled, “Na wa for you o! It’s your boss’ car after all?” Omachoko smiled and slide the question away as though he didn’t hear her. “So you see, I still need to go back to Opulega and return to town before 7pm today. Permit me to go, please! I will call you when I plan to come over.” Laibe started laughing. “Call me? Do you have my phone number? How are you even sure I have a phone?” “Well, I was just hoping you do.” Laibe slapped him on his shoulders again, “You will not change ‘Choko.” Opening the door, she got down after pulling her bag from the backseat. “Here…” Omachoko handed her an official card, “…the other number at the bottom of the card is the most reachable and available. Call me anytime, with your number I suppose, or better still with anyone’s, I’ll call you back.” Laibe stared at the little paper in her hand in awe; the company name on it look very familiar to her. She just couldn’t recall where she had seen that before. This is incredible, she thought again as more questions and suspicions flew through her mind but she had to be considerate; the young man is running out of time and since they were going to be talking over the phone, there is no need keeping him longer. “Alright!” she turned to him smiling. Omachoko smiled broadly too before kick starting the car, “Remember you are still here…” pointing his right hand to the left side of his chest without taking his gaze off her. Typical. “…now, always and forever.” Laibe only smiled sheepishly. Omachoko stepped on the accelerator and drove off with an alarming speed. Laibe stood still for a moment still staring at the official card in her hand before dropping it. She didn’t need to knock on the gate. She saw when the gateman opened to peep at them after the car halted initially. She knew he surely had left the gate open seeing it was her. She pushed it and walked into the compound, thrusting the card in a pocket opening on her school bag before her aunty or anyone else at home would see it. Just like the case of the white paper two weeks ago. She walked briskly through the sitting room, seeing that there was no one in. Her aunty must be sleeping inside, she supposed and it wasn’t normal to have her uncle at home. She would just dash into her room and into the bathroom. She needed to ponder on the ordeals of the day while those cold water ran down her body under the shower. Starting from Miss Mary’s reconciliation mission, to her outburst on Ezekiel, to seeing Omachoko and then this familiar official card. A lot of things to ponder upon indeed. As she walked briskly through her most dreaded corridor, she made efforts to be as quiet as possible. Walking like she had hot coals littered on the floor she passed through. Her aunty is a deep sleeper, she know. In fact, she also know that the woman would not wake up even when a home theatre is set sounding at the highest volume close to her bed, but she didn’t want to take the risk right now. “Boys now drive you home from school, right?” She almost froze to her bones when she heard her uncle’s voice as he came out from the kitchen behind her. What is he doing there… or better still, what is he doing at home at this time? He was supposed to have travelled back to Lokoja this morning, at least so she overhead him telling her aunty. “You heard me. Toyota Camri, Black.” She was shocked even more and her eyes couldn’t hide it. “Now don’t stand there staring back at me like I’m talking to a deaf fellow. Who was that person that drove you down?” His voice roaring and thundering now. Laibe’s legs started shaking. Sweat, profuse sweat gushed down the back of her neck and soaked the white part of her school uniform. What was she going to say now? It was obvious the man had seen them… seen her, Omachoko didn’t step out of the car with tinted mirrors. Possibly, he was viewing through the wide window in their bedroom. The window was perhaps specifically designed for such a time as this. “Laibe, after all these, you still move around with little boys? What do they have to offer you? Money? Food? What do they offer you that I haven’t? OH! Of course, a ride in Toyota Camri…” He sounded sarcastic saying that. Laibe stood with her head inclined to the ground. She didn’t know what to say and how best to answer. At this point she was hoping her aunty would come out and interrupt them. Perhaps she would be able to explain better to her. She would be able to say it was Omachoko. At least aunty, unlike Uncle Matthew, knew Omachoko a bit well. She would be able to explain what exactly happened and why he drove her home. Apart from the fact that her uncle didn’t look like he would give any listening ear to her, she also always feels so tongue-tied when it comes to talking with him. The reason is known to the both of them. “Don’t think your aunty is going to save you today my dear. Didn’t you marvel why I’m home? We both couldn’t leave you alone in the house. She is far away in Ofabo.” He explained like he read her mind. “Ofabo? What happened to Baba?” she rose her head to ask this one, looking straight into her uncle’s eyes from her bottom height. “Oh! You can talk? I thought you are suddenly deaf and dumb.” He said, approaching her hastily. Laibe’s heart started pounding fast, beating against her rib cage. She didn’t know what he was up to walking that fast towards her. Or what has she said wrong now? Asking about what was wrong with her grandfather shouldn’t provoke anger now! As Matthew drew nearer to the little girl that was taking involuntary steps backwards, a mischievous smile tug around his lips. Only God knew what was going on inside that head of his. Laibe got to her door and quickly opened it. She literally jumped into the room and slammed the door behind her, just before her uncle could get hold on her. She leaned her back against the door tiredly when she was sure the door bolt was fixed. Scanning her eyes through her room, as if to be sure there wasn’t any loop hole through which the seemingly angry man outside would pass through to come meet her in here. Anger? Seemingly. This isn’t anger in that sense. She waited, her heart racing. She waited for him to knock the door… hit it hard with his large hands till the door would break down and there would be nowhere else to run to. She also waited for him to scream her name, mutter some threatening words to her till she opened the door in fright. She waited… but in vain. She didn’t feel his presence behind the door and her palpitations started reducing. She slid down the door with her back till her buttocks touched the floor. Drawing in her legs, she held them tightly to her chest. She heard a pop sound and got startled. Looking in the direction of her dressing mirror, she realised it was her phone; she had forgotten to put it off before leaving here this morning. She tried to remember something she planned to do when she got back to her room. She tried hard for a while before it popped up in her head that she planned to call Omachoko when she gets into her room too. “What if Uncle is actually at the door?” She thought about this as she dragged herself up to go pick her phone. Missed call from Ocholi. Message from Umali. She threw the phone back on the table without opening the message. She had an idea what would be in there. Just then, she realised she had thrown her bag on the floor while walking backwards to escape her uncle’s hands. “Oh my God! And the card is in it!” she silently cursed her luck. Getting to the bed, she fell into it like a bird would her nest. **** Matthew thought it wise not to knock on Laibe’s door. He had something better pictured in his head. Turning back to leave, he saw the school bag Laibe left off on the floor in her haste to escape from him. Not seeing any use of it, he walked past it. Then, something… a thought popped in his mind and he walked back, bent over to pick up the bag. He saw whoever was in that car hand over some paper to the little girl when she got off the car. He saw the shock and confusion on Laibe’s face while she read through the inscriptions on the card he supposed to be an official business card. Since he started walking downstairs almost immediately Laibe opened the gate, so he could reach the kitchen before she got to the door, he couldn’t really tell where the girl kept the card. He needed to find it and ultimately find the fellow that has the guts to not only toy with his little girl but also drive her to the front of his own gate. Feeling a flush of jealousy and rage over him, he decided to check the bag. Laibe’s school skirt has no pocket provisions; the only place where a pocket is, is on the breast pocket of her white top. While talking with her a while ago, he was sure he saw no sign of paper or anything at all on her breast pocket. “It’s definitely in this bag.” He affirmed as he took his seat on one of the chairs in the dining room. “The fellow had better be out of this town by the time I see this card before I get hold of him…” He said boisterously, getting down to business. ***** Laibe jerked up. The loud ringing from her phone woke her. She hissed dryly while using the back of her hand to clean her drowsy eyes. Turning her head in the direction of the wall clock, she snapped out of the bed, 12:59? She screamed. Looking at herself, only then did she remember that she had probably dozed off still wearing her school uniform. How could she have slept this deep? She threw the sandals on her legs to the other end of the room and slipped into her bathroom slippers. She needed to get her school bag no matter what now. Dinner? That wouldn’t be necessary tonight as the last thing she would need now is her uncle sighting the very least of her. She would just tip toe out and pick her bag from where she left it. She only hope and pray that he hadn’t moved it away or searched inside it for the card. Turning down the key in its hole with the most care she could afford, she scanned with her eyes to be sure the veranda was not just safe but that no sound was coming from the TV in the sitting room. It’s past midnight and everyone should normally be sleeping now. She was surprised when she saw her bag laying at the point she left it and in the same way she did. “Could it be true? That her uncle didn’t ransack her bag?” This is unbelievable, she thought, but the physical sign here signifies that is the case. She felt a little bit relieved as she held on to the brown bag and pulled it from the floor. There is no time to start confirming anything at this moment, so she ran back straight into her room and locked back the door. She thought she heard movements somewhere in the house while at the passage or maybe it was only her mind playing a smart one on her. She moved the key in the hole twice and attempted rolling the third time again before remembering the maximum was two times. She left off the key hanging on the door to come sit on her bed. She still felt legs walking somewhere around and whenever she turned, she saw no one. That alone had erased her initial plan of taking a shower before sleeping. She would just quietly switch off her light and cover her head with the pillow on the bed. She looked at the door again, “Let me remove the key and hide it under my pillow, if uncle knocks and threatens I open the door, I would tell him I can’t find the key.” She smiled at her own smartness and removed the key as she said this, switched off the light from the wall switch, managed to get her phone from the table through the darkness till she fell onto her bed. She dropped the key inside one of the pillow cases and pulled the other pillow over her head. Thankfully, all the rooms are soundproof somewhat, so she could respond to the ringing on her phone. She saw the call that woke her up was from Umali, just then she remembered the girl had sent her a text earlier on. “Laibe, make we talk tonight. Ebi de too.” she read out the text. Oh! Laibe grumbled, contemplating if it was wise for her to actually talk tonight. If she had read this text when she got in without assuming Umali was sending her the usual ‘someone asked me out today’ message, she would have been able to program her mind well enough for a sleepless night. Now she actually have no choice; she can’t dash the hopes of her friends, especially that Ebi would be with them tonight. ‘Wherever her husband went to though’, she chuckled mildly. She would call back. Airtime isn’t a problem for her as her Uncle always topped her phone anytime he topped his. That’s aside the wow free night call service her service provider offers. She had wondered sometimes ago since she started talking with her friends over night, most times with Umali and very rarely Ebi, how she would have survived without MTN Xtra cool as the tariff plan is referred. “I think say you wan sly me again tonight…” Umali’s voice came up loudly through the speaker of her phone. “Isn’t it past midnight where you are?” Laibe asked, trying to have Umali reduce her voice. “Nothing like night for Lagos, sho!!” she responded bluntly, increasing her tone even more and continued without waiting for Laibe to talk, “… lemme connect Ebi, she de on hold at the moment” “Come, is Ebi…” “Hi girls!” Ebi’s voice came up, interrupting what Laibe was about to say earlier. “Ebi, good to have you here tonight. Where is our husband?” Laibe asked. “I tell you una say him de work for manufacture company. Tonight na night shift, na why I fit follow una talk be that. Him go kill me if e hear say I de talk on top phone for night…” Ebi explained, rattling in Pidgin English. The two started laughing at the innocence with which she spoke. They were such a solid and resolute piece of a triad. In fact, Ebi was the last person among them anyone would suspect can get married this early. She had always wanted to be this very renowned fashion designer right from time, back then at Ofabo, even when she knew nothing on the sewing machine. Guess, the separation had weakened their resolve a little. Since it was Umali that first called Aunty Udale asking to talk with Laibe after she got a little strong footing in the Lagos she went to about eight months after Laibe left for Ankpa, Laibe was shocked when Umali told her Ebi had to forcefully be married off to one of pa Alfa’s sons that worked in Kaduna. The story was so long; especially the protest and hesitation from Ebi’s side but she later had to yield in. Her father had ‘hernia’, so the doctors said and an operation needed to be carried on him. There was no money but there’s a daughter worth more than the money. Trade by barter had to be done. Though Ebi never liked the fact that she is married at barely sixteen already because she would always complain about the exorbitant age gap between herself and her beloved husband but she ought to endure everything. More so, her husband had enrolled her in a tailoring workshop. Since tailoring is very lucrative in the North, she should be able to fix herself and her life up soon enough. Isn’t that what growth is? “At least, hers is legal” Laibe mistakenly spoke her thoughts out before she could stop herself. They had lost her in the conversation a while ago. “Wetin de legal Laibe?” Umali attacked her like she was waiting all the while. The haste with which Umali’s normal soft voice has drastically changed into a rough girl’s marvels Laibe as well. “Answer o…” Ebi said from her own side. Laibe swallowed, “I’m sorry I wasn’t really talking. It was only a spilled thought.” “Spilled thought?” They both chorused like they planned it, before bursting out into a mocking laughter. “…spilled thought ko, spilled milk ni. Ejor, make we speak Igala, I no de for all these enefu this night.” Umali expectedly opined, speaking both Pidgin English, Yoruba and Igala together in one sentence. Everyone had no choice now, they all have to switch back to Igala. Laibe on her own part was struggling with the flow. She had no one with which she spoke Igala with in this house and worse still, at school. She is almost getting used to speaking English too fluently that she does code mixing and code switching all the time they talked. Having Ebi tonight, which is rare, made her the subject of the discussion. Ebi talked about her husband, thirty-three years old; the one room apartment they both live there in Kaduna south. She complained how feeding two square meal was getting difficult by the day yet the man is so in a hurry to get her pregnant. She talked about the beautiful and nice Ameriya who is their neighbour and how the woman has been taking care of her like she is her own daughter. Thankfully, the woman is also the owner of the tailoring shop where she is an apprentice. Ameriya had promised Ebi that she would set up her own tailoring shop for her if she is diligent and hardworking enough. Ebi is so grateful to the woman that she practically put all her heart into the work. At least it’s feeding her and buying her some little home needs. The only frustrating part of it all is that whenever her husband isn’t on night shifts like tonight, he rest virtually the whole of the day till Ebi comes home from work at night and without considering whether the poor girl had eaten or not the whole day, the man would only be interested in performing his ‘role’ as a man, as he always called it. And guess the role? The activities of the ‘other room’. He would do this so much so that Ebi would be so weak and tired yet have to report at the shop first thing the next morning. “Umu gbogbe kpa me fa.” she said ‘she’s emaciating daily’. This time, her voice broke and the duo knew she was about breaking down in tears as it’s usual of her. “Calm down Ebi, calm…” Laibe couldn’t finish her statement as she felt a hand tap on her door. In a flash, she felt a key move through the hole from the other side of the door and at this point it was obvious that someone was about breaking into her room. What would she do now? She thought, dropping the phone quietly under her pillow so the light doesn’t come up. She didn’t even remember to end the call. It was better she didn’t because if she did, calling her back would make the phone ring loud and draw more attention. She tried to joggle her mind as to what to do before the door finally flew open. It is extremely dark in the room and she could only feel the figure as the figure tried to find the light switch on the wall just beside the door. “Laibe, Laibe, are you there, wetin happen? You don sleep ni abi wetin?” she could hear Umali’s voice through the phone. “Wetin happen?” she heard it again but couldn’t respond. She prayed earnestly in her mind that the proactive Umali would not end the call and try to call back. “What to do?” she thought in her head as it feels like the figure was taking time to find the switch. Oh no! Not again tonight. She thought to scream. She almost screamed. Screaming would not do anything. It has never done anything for all she know. She drew her tiny legs into her stomach till she became as tiny as a snail considering the size of the bed. She is doing anything possible, maybe by any means she may become invisible. Hell no! The light came on and what she dreads the most is about befalling her again tonight. Tbc

this your uncle is something else but let wait and see what will happen

wow I hope it is not what am thinking....

What exactly is happening btw d two jo?

This Suspence Is Killing O Ibeg, Wats Really Going On Btwn Those Now?

Episode 25 Continues.. Udale trudged into the sitting room. She looked really exhausted on the long plus-size gown that dust had added different shades of colours to. Apart from the fact that it took the gateman forever to open the gate for her, she was first thankful to be with her own key anyway, and was totally shocked when her eyes fell on Matthew. He lay scattered on the settee, like someone that just ran a thousand and five hundred meter race. He would not have heard any knocks whatsoever, not when he didn’t even hear her walk in till she tapped him lightly. “Good morning, Honey!” She greeted, trying to awaken Matthew more now. It is strange enough that her husband would sleep this deep. Matthew never does. She has always known him as a nocturnal being right from time - he jerks up in the middle of the night at the slightest turn. Sitting up now, he wiped a hand over his eyes to be sure of what… who he was seeing. To be sure if he wasn’t dreaming or perhaps in a close vision. “Udale!” He exclaimed in unbelief. “Yes. The old man’s situation has gotten far more critical, I needed to bring him down here first thing this morning.” Matthew’s face formed into a frown. “And you choose this very early to do it? Do you know how dangerous it is driving as a woman with a sick man at this ungodly hour?” Udale was a bit taken aback. She moved her eyes away from Matthew who had now sat up fully on the couch, wearing his boxers and a singlet. Well, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria must have shown themselves and probably flexed a muscle overnight, she concluded; especially that her husband is the least tolerant to heat. Surely that must also be the reason he came to sleep in the sitting room. “Ungodly hour? Honey, this is eight minutes to nine Am.” She defended, trying to move his eyes in the direction of the wall clock. Her eyes caught the house’s spare bunch of keys on the table in the process. Matthew felt embarrassed now, “Oh! I am sorry Baby, I must have really slept too deep then.” “I hope you are OK, Mat?” Udale asked now with concern squeezing her forehead. Matthew shrugged, “I am. Why? Of course, I am.” He quickly responded, sitting more squarely and continued before Udale would interrupt him again, “…and how is he? Where is he?” She took in a deep breath. “He was placed on admission. I actually would want him to come home, so I can keep a proper eye on him. The general hospital is going on warning strike… all the state workers for that matter. It would be good if he is with me here, that way I won’t have to worry so much. I had to set a line for him in the hospital first though, basically because I haven’t discussed this with you before, and wasn’t sure how would take it.” Matthew smiled with a little sense of pride. “And did you have to come home to do that? You should have called!” Udale wanted to talk now... to respond. She actually didn’t know why she drove down home instead of simply calling first. She didn’t think Matthew would be home today after all. Apart from the fact that she needed to freshen up and change into something better, she must have been too crowded upstairs to remember that technology has brought distance closer to everyone. “Ehennnn! What’s up with you, Honey? Shouldn’t you be at Lokoja or one of your work sites today? I mean, you said you were travelling before I left yesterday, didn’t you?” “I did, guess plans changed...” He used a roguish smile to hide his uneasiness, “…moreover, it was Thursday already yesterday; I felt I should just relax since it’s weekend.” Udale kept unbelieving eyes on her husband. What he was saying sounded strange to her ears. Not when it’s been over four years, what sort of patronage was that? “Honey! Weekend? You? Do you have a day in the week you can’t travel? I mean, you are never here over the weekends because of your so called job, or was that a smart way of missing church services?” Udale rose her tired eyelids, Matthew chuckled lightly, “C’mon now, smart way of missing church?” He laughed at the statement which appeal extremely funny to him. “It’s true I haven’t attended church in a while… In fact, only God knows how long, but to think I am doing that on purpose is to think extremely wrong my dear.” He placed one of his large hands on her shoulders. “But… that’s what you are insinuating… you…” “shhhhh!” He placed a finger on her mouth, shushing her. “… it’s obvious you were not expecting to come home and meet me, and now that it is the case, you are not happy in the very least.” Udale shook her head to disprove him, “Away from it Honey. Just that…” “Just that nothing, Baby…” he interrupted her again, getting up and displaying his extremely huge stature, “…freshen up if you must… and on time too, let’s go bring the old man down here.” Udale swallowed, “Has Laibe gone to school?” Alarm rang in Matthew’s head realising that today was actually still a working day but as usual he tried not to show it. “Well, I doubt it. She has a full room to herself, why not check yourself?” He said politely. Picking up the keys, he slid his legs into his slippers and walked in the direction of the stairs. Udale felt a slight pain somewhere at the back of her head; the type she usually feels when something is not right somewhere, but she couldn’t lay hold on what exactly that is. She dragged herself from the couch and walked down the veranda that led to Laibe’s room. **** Laibe jerked and drew backwards towards the wall at the very instance her door flew open. Her heartbeat came out so loud that it almost pushed out through the pink flare flowery night dress she had on. “What’s the problem? Why are you so scared?” Udale asked in astonishment. It didn’t appear normal for one to be this agitated and tensed up in her own room, especially that it’s in a big and well secured house. She scanned her eyes through the corners of the disarrayed room, raising her legs to avoid stepping on clothes as she drew closer to Laibe who was holding a pillow very firmly to her chest. Udale observed her swollen eyes and it was as though her nose was running as well. Without delay, the older woman used the back of her right hand to feel Laibe’s neck. “Ha! Omai, are you running temperature or what?” she exclaimed, removing her hand as hastily as possible, like Laibe’s skin burnt her. “Oh no! No aunty!” Laibe was quick to respond. “Then why is your body this hot?…” she asked, confusion spewing through her voice. Laibe tried to open her mouth to answer the question but her aunty continued, “…do you roll this much on your bed?” Udale’s eyes scanning over the scattered room again as she asked this. School bag - half turned out, lay at the foot of the bed. Her school uniforms were laying somewhere else on the floor. One of the pillows was left somewhere very close to her dressing table and the bed cover and duvet are struggling for who would emerge ‘most squeezed’. “Do you fight when sleeping?” Udale didn’t think this funny as she asked again and Laibe kept greeting her questions with nods. Maybe because it’s been so long she came this early to her room too. But then, this doesn’t look like the usual rolling from one side of the bed to another that a lot of people do during sleep. It appears like a scene in civil war was exactly acted in this room over the night. Laibe tried to push back the tears that was pushing forth from her eyes. At least, she had to heed to one warning. She must. One thing she made sure to do was not to get up or shift from the position she is now, that would mean shifting both herself and the pillow she is tenaciously holding onto in this case. “Aunty… I …” she stammered, “What nonsense!” Udale yelled, “…You think you are still a baby? You would be sixteen in no time from now Laibe yet your room look this unkempt and unhealthy? How long does learning take you?” Udale rattled on and on. Pouring all the tiredness from the journey and frustrations from Baba’s ‘not responding to treatment’ on the young lad sitting in front of her; shivering. “And is this what you do when I am not around? You skip school? Is anything wrong with you this little thing?” Laibe was crying now. Her aunt’s voice kept rising higher and higher giving her no single opportunity to talk. “What exactly are you good for? You don’t like going to school, you don’t do anything in this house, and again you can’t keep your own room neat? You can’t keep…” “It’s not me!” Laibe screamed, interrupting her aunty. It has become so unbearable for her to take in, especially that she is not guilty of all these charges pressed against her. She quickly held her mouth with her tiny hands just maybe she could hold back the words she just voiced out. Too late! And she understand that she is done for already. She knew her aunty that much. “Oh!” Udale clapped her hands lightly and sat beside Laibe, facing her squarely so as to read every detail from her voice, from her moves and from her eyes. “It’s not you? It is me then!” She drew her hand closer. “No aunty… no aunty!” Laibe shouted apologetically. She wanted to move back but she couldn’t. She mustn’t move an inch away from where she is. Tears poured from her eyes uncontrollably as her aunty held onto her ear, dragging it with every statement she made. “It’s not you, it’s not me? I gave this room to you alone, so who scattered it then?” she dragged Laibe’s ears harder and the little girl wailed out in pain. “Get up! You must explain why you can’t keep a single room arranged today.” Udale got up, drawing Laibe’s ears alongside. It became more unbearable because Laibe wasn’t ready to get up from where she was. Her brain sent more and more painful signals to her ears and the wailings increased. Laibe thought of what she would ever say that can save her from this whole thing right now. ‘Why didn’t I wake up earlier than now?’ she cursed her luck as she cried loudly. Apart from not knowing her aunty would return today, let alone this early, she was so weak she couldn’t have brought herself to waking up at any time earlier than now. Now she has missed today’s school yet in her aunt’s trouble? All these thoughts tortured her mind and propelled much more traffic of tears down her cheeks. “What are you doing Udale?” Matthew yelled in anger, slapping her hand off Laibe’s ears. “You want to tear it off?” “Anything I do to her right now is well deserving. I don’t know the kind of girl I’m breeding here in this house.” She retorted, walking a bit away from the bed. “That is the most insensitive thing you have said today.” Matthew was screaming at the top of his lungs now. With the way he vibrated, one would think he wanted to beat his wife up. “…don’t you ever lay your hands on this little girl again, ever!” “Oh!” Udale let out a sarcastic laughter, “… You are the one spoiling her obviously. That’s why today, she didn’t have the sense to go get ready for school. Just because Aunty, ‘the bad person’ is not around.” “You can say whatever you like…” Matthew responded, turning to look at Laibe who dropped her head immediately to avoid eye contact with him, “…You said we should go pick Baba, and I went on to get ready, only for you to be torturing this girl.” “Baba!” Laibe jerked up as she heard that. She felt a flush of excitement and relief rush down her body. “… Baba is coming here?” she giggled like she wasn’t the one crying some minutes ago. “Yes, my girl!” Matthew patted her shoulders. “… I’m sorry about your aunty…” Udale hissed at Matthew’s gestures and stormed out of the room, heading upstairs to change. “I know you have missed your grandfather…” Matthew started slowly, wiping any tear that dropped from Laibe’s face while he spoke, just before it begin its journey down her face. He felt like holding onto her petite body in his arms and have her lay head on his extremely broad chest. He felt like stroking her long dark hair and planting soft kisses in them all the way. He felt like holding her soft little body to the warmth of his chest. He felt like many things in one at the moment before he noticed Laibe wasn’t moving and could connect to it. “Don’t worry. He is very sick though but we would bring him here and you both would have your time again.” He said, trying to get up but Laibe held tightly onto him. “Is Baba going to die?” Matthew didn’t see that question coming. The condition may have worsened, undoubtedly, but there is always hope in those who believe. “Baba would be alright, my girl! Don’t worry your pretty head!” Laibe took in a deep breath and before she could recover from that, she felt her uncle peck her on the forehead. “Tidy up the place before we get back. You hear?” He was slow and blinked at her playfully before walking out of the room. Laibe waited till she heard the door close firmly behind him before attempting to get up. The blood stain on the mattress and that on the pink night dress she had covered with the pillow all this while shone brightly back at her face as she looked at it. She quickly pulled the bed cover off and removed her night dress tiredly, still on the bed. Dragging close a towel from the side of her bed, she tied it around her chest. She landed her feet on the floor and made to move. She felt excruciating pains run from her legs, through back to her head. It’s at this point she realised it was more serious than she thought. ****** Baba wouldn’t let Udale and her husband rest all through the drive back home from the hospital. If there is anything sickness has not been able to take away from the old man, it was his talking prowess. Ha! Baba can talk for West Africa. The most annoying part of his nagging this afternoon was that he is making them repeat the same thing over and over again. Udale is particularly more exhausted than anyone else already. She had to use her position as the chief nursing officer of the general hospital to let them release her father, emphatically stating that she needed closeness to him. Baba woke up some thirty minutes after they got to the hospital and from the point of wheeling him into the car up until now that they are almost at the gate of the house, the old man kept asking after his granddaughter. Udale had told him over and over again that she’s fine but Baba didn’t seem to believe her. His reasons as he made a big deal out of them were that; why didn’t Laibe follow them down to the hospital if she was actually fine, and why is no one saying she went to school, considering it was still a working day of the week. At a point, Matthew was contemplating saying Laibe was in school and that’s why she didn’t follow them down but that would be dangerous. When Baba eventually see Laibe on getting home, he would wonder why they had to lie to him in the first place and that would definitely heighten his suspicions. It is bad enough that he looked this restless and worked up over her. It seems the gateman’s efficiency has increased these days as he no longer wait for Matthew to blare the honk countless times before opening the door. That must only be peculiar to Matthew, Udale wouldn’t affirm that. “Wolale Baba!” the gateman ran over to the parking lot to greet, immediately he was done fixing the hinge of the iron gate into the ground. Baba seem to be more concentrated on something he was looking for, rather than the excited gateman saluting him. Matthew brought down the wheel chair from the trunk of the car, the gateman and him set it down before helping the old man out of the car and into it. Udale walked sluggishly behind them as Matthew wheeled Baba into the house with the gateman carrying some of Baba’s clothes Udale had managed to bring down alongside him this morning. In the heat of the argument with her husband over Laibe, she had forgotten to offload the trunk before going back to the hospital. It was obvious different things ran through everyone’s mind as they moved into the sitting room in silence. Udale was hoping Laibe would jump out on hearing their car drive into the compound. Of course! It’s her grandfather and she is well aware of his arrival. The whole scenario is quite strange but she, like the other three men in the room, didn’t want to raise any suspicions or cause for alarm first. Baba’s eyes were still darting round and round the room, searching expectedly for Laibe. She is too happy a girl not to come out and embrace him. Or has she seen them through the window in her room and pained with the fact that Baba had been relegated to sitting on a wheel chair? If that’s even the case, she should at least come out and show her pain here. Everyone knew that cannot even be the case. The wheel chair mantra is because the old man has been too sick for a while and become so weak and weary in his joints. The gateman excused himself after dropping the bags on the floor beside Udale. “ugbo Laibe de ke?…” Just when Baba decided to air out his curiosity by turning to his daughter and son in-law to ask them ‘and where is Laibe?’ he felt a little hand hold the wall at the end of the veranda in front of them. Slowly, the head of the owner of the hand came out before the body and legs sluggishly dragged themselves out as well - presenting Laibe. “This girl is getting weirder by the day” Udale thought, as she cleared her throat. Laibe stood there holding onto the wall like a lifeline and staring at Baba like she didn’t know who he was all of a sudden. It marvelled everyone that she couldn’t even open her mouth to say anything to anyone; let alone have the courtesy to greet. The only thing she had managed to do since her aunty and uncle left was to take a warm shower and soak her nighties and bed cover. She felt pains all over her body, grabbing her legs more than anywhere else. This is a first time and she could suggest why. It hasn’t always been like this and worse is that it chose the wrong time to happen. “Wolale Baba.” she finally said, breaking the deafening silence that had filled the room for several minutes so much so that the only sound heard was the whirling of the ceiling fan blades. “Would you come over here and greet Baba? Laibe, is anything wrong with you these days?” Udale couldn’t curtail the whole attitude any longer and yelled before stopping herself. “Take it easy Honey.” Matthew said calmly, patting his wife on the back. Udale shrugged, throwing her husband’s hand away. She was mad this time and Laibe was really learning better ways of getting on her nerves. She felt like hurrying over to where she stood leaning against the wall and pulling her into the sitting room by her ears. Perhaps, she would soon tear the poor girl’s ears if she keeps up with this annoying newly found attitude of hers. Though Laibe jerked at her aunt’s nagging voice, that was the only reaction she could give. Left to her normal self, she would be running towards Baba to embrace him, to hug him tightly, because she’s missed him a great deal, but she cant. Even if she wanted to. It meant a lot having Uncle Matthew stick out for her. It’s really been a trying moment today. Baba didn’t say a word. He didn’t ask Laibe any questions, he didn’t say more than his initial question to Udale and Matthew neither did he interrupt nor stop his daughter from nagging. Worst of all was that he didn’t look surprised or provoked in the very least. He only relaxed his back against the back rest of the wheel chair and concentrated the entire percentage of his eyes’ viewing ability on his once little girl who is gradually becoming a fully grown woman. He was particular about her eyes and tried to read them as quick as he can. Matthew left off the wheel chair he was holding and walked over to Laibe. He bent in front of her so as to equal her height with his. Udale hissed loudly and sank into her seat. At this point she was more than convinced that Laibe would visit a psychiatrist or psychotherapist sooner than she estimated. She won’t stand the chance of having a growing adolescent run mad before her very eyes and under her nose. Laibe bent her head facing the floor immediately Matthew squatted in front of her. It is now a usual thing and Matthew didn’t mind whether she looked back at him or not. Truth is, she never does. The most important thing is that she heard him. He held her little hand in his large palm, “Pull yourself together and come greet your grandfather.” he said simply, got up and walked back to where the rest were. Laibe inhaled and exhaled with difficulty. If she were to be an asthma patient, one would think she is having an attack already with the way she was breathing. She wished all these didn’t have to be today. ‘Pull yourself together girl, and go greet Baba’ She felt some flush of motivation somewhere in her lower abdominal region. That was good enough propelling force for her as she made to move but Matthew’s eyes popped open; Udale forgot her mouth wide open; while Baba on his own part couldn’t understand what was happening as Laibe took the first three steps… rather as Laibe practically leaped towards them like she had an injury somewhere in between her legs. . To be continued..

Episode 26 . Continues.. “At least, let me see her aunty.” He pressed on. “Oga! I no wan look like say I de shout, but you don de insult me and I no like am.” The gateman’s voice is at its peak as usual. “Insult you? Haba! How is that?” Omachoko’s eyes begged for explanation. “I don talk am today say Laibe no de house…” He paused, and accessed the young man standing in front of him again, “…she no de. You no fit see am, you no fit see madam too. You don understand wetin I de talk now?” He rattled more and more in Pidgin English. Omachoko swallowed. He didn’t know why the gateman was acting so impolite and all rude towards him. Perhaps if this old baba knew who he was, he wouldn’t be behaving like this. To think that the man is paying special attention to his dreads. Surely, he would be thinking that this is one tout or something even worse than that. Well, it’s not safe to start showing one’s identity everywhere one goes, right? Inasmuch as Omachoko never envisaged not being allowed into the compound, he had envisaged the possibility of not meeting Laibe in the house. There was not so much time on his hand after all. He walked back to the car and picked up a little note from the side of his seat. “Please give this to her as soon as she gets back. Please!” He saw the disapproving look on the gateman’s face and was tempted to ask what his stress was. It’s not as though he is one irresponsible boy looking for someone’s daughter to harm. Having the nerves to come down to a girl’s house in the first place is some guts if you asked him. Although he has been that daring all the while and his relationship with Baba – Laibe’s grandfather, is one proof of that. “Sir, please, hand it over to Laibe herself. This is urgent please.” He accompanied the paper with two new five hundred naira notes. The older man started smiling immediately the notes settled in his hand. “Ah! My son, thank you oh! Laibe go see am. In fact she de…” and on a second thought, he changed the statement, “…she go see am omami. Thank you very plenty o.” Omachoko smiled at the man’s gesture. My son? Seriously? Here is the man that was almost calling heaven down a while ago. He just turned around as he headed back into the car. The gateman at this point practically opened the car door for him. There is nothing money cannot do, he thought deep within. Omachoko shook hands with the older man one more time before winding up his tinted mirrors and zooming out of the area. The gateman quickly pushed down the naira notes into the deepest part of his pocket, like he didn’t want anyone to see it at all. He opened the gate and was about to open the door to his house… or office as the case may be, when he heard, “I heard you shouting, Faruna.” He jerked back involuntarily, “Shout? Me? Oga! NO o!” Matthew shook his head, “You are shouting again, already!” The gateman quickly held his mouth. Every member of the house seems to have given up on him. “Who was that and who did he leave that note for?” Matthew’s curiosity rose. The gateman looked at the note he still held in his hand and remembered the instructions of the young man that just left here. More so, the ‘boy’ gave him money, he shouldn’t betray him, right? But here is the higher authority - The person that hired his labour. “Na de boy wey bring Laibe come house from school that evening…” Matthew hastily drew closer, “I thought I told you to come and call me whenever he comes around again?” he demanded. The older man hit his head hard, “ah! Oga, forgive me!” he was almost squatting, “…I think say na make I tell am say Laibe no de anytime hin come here you talk oga. No vex abeg.” “Oh! Was that what I told you?” Matthew got the confirmation from the gateman’s nods, “…Ok then. Let me have the note.” He stretched out his hand. Gateman placed the note in Matthew’s hand without any further delay. “Let no one hear of this…do you understand me?” Matthew warned before heading back into the house, folding the paper gently into his pocket. Though the gateman felt somehow about all these warnings he is getting from diverse quarters, he knew he needed to play his card well and with caution as well. Heaving a deep sigh of relief, he entered back into his house. ****** Laibe held onto the tray tightly. For good reasons; since everything frightens her, she wouldn’t want to shake and pour away Baba’s akamu and akara in her foolish fright. It’s a good thing she could prepare him breakfast again. Baba’s presence in the house since Wednesday has been a thing of relief for her. Probably because the visitor’s room where Baba stays is not so far from hers. Hence, her horrible night scenes haven’t been reoccurring. It dare not even. She feels very bad within. She had been warned both casually and seriously not to tell it out to anyone. She’s been living by that instruction but dying inside as she has to lie to cover up a lot of times. The most recent was the day Baba was brought to the house. She didn’t like it that she couldn’t just act along and go hug her grandfather as everybody had expected. Truth is, she wanted to. She had even told Ocholi before he left that she misses Ofabo for one reason, that only reason is her grandfather and would jump at any opportunity to see him. She surprised her own self that she could stand aloof staring back at Baba for that long and even requiring pushy statements from her uncle to move into action. Well, again, it wasn’t her fault, she would try to convince herself. She was in pain, excruciating pains. It was as though something had torn her into shreds from her spine down to the least of her foot bones, and to worsen the whole matter was that her voice was lost. She had screamed and wailed in anguish the better part of the night. She must not let anyone know of it... So she told a lie… again. She told them that she had played badminton at school the day before and incurred a painful dislocation on her ankle. It didn’t really sound sensible to her aunty. It was written all over the poor woman’s face, especially judging from the state of her room she met earlier that morning. Laibe guessed her aunty just waved the whole scenario away because of Baba. The old man needed rest and not to chair a panel at his very first moment of entry into his daughter’s house after a long time. And that was how she escaped them on Wednesday. She was thankful no one had raised that issue up since then… yet. Laibe felt the main door of the house open and she knew it must be her uncle coming into the sitting room. Without further waste of time, she hurried till she flew the door to Baba’s room fast open so he doesn’t get to see her. Thankfully, Baba wasn’t asleep. Aunty Udale had warned her, since the first and last time she ever did that, never to wake baba up when he is sleeping. “Laibe, omanyebe, otuokpa lodu.” Baba rained encomiums on her immediately she stepped into the room. Laibe only smiled as she walked slowly to the side table where she normally keep the food. Baba’s Ofofolo was still remaining. Sickness! Such a hard thing, she thought as she placed the tray on the stool. It is only sickness that can make Baba unable to finish his ofofolo. Only sickness. “Iye we, Ichojo, me du da kpakpo…” Laibe smiled again. Baba had started, he had been saying this particular thing for days now - since he got here. “Laibe, you are just a carbon copy of your mother’, ‘oh! How I miss Ichojo, your hardworking and respectful mother’, ‘she definitely transferred her hard work and culinary skills to you’ and on and on. If a drop of rain fell for every time he made these statements, the whole town would have been flooded by now since he got here. Laibe knew her mother very well. They had gone to the farm together, planted and harvested cassava together. They both fried garri together, cooked the rice she sold together and transported the whole stuff to the market together at the same time. That was before her death, anyway. Baba knew she and her mother were an indivisible item, she didn’t now understand the basis for Baba’s continuous referral to the dead. Laibe was done setting the stool, dragged it towards the bed and Baba was required to sit up and eat his meal. “Ojo abene omami.” Baba stretched as he struggled to sit up on the bed while blessing her. “Ami” Laibe kept saying ‘Amen’ to all the pronouncements. Picking the cup containing half-filled ofofolo, she made to leave when Baba stopped her. She’s wondering what the problem was this time. “Gwane!” Baba motioned her to sit beside him on his large bed, and she did almost instantly. “ukawe kakini, anyaja a kedo ofun…” Baba reminded her of the advice he gave her when she was about travelling from Ofabo that very fateful morning. Laibe’s mind could recollect clearly. Baba had said these words, more like a proverb, with all seriousness and certainty. It meant and still means ‘despair has no meaning where there is faith’. Yeah! Her faith has been the rock she’s holding onto, else the very many unfortunate things that had befallen her in this house is strong enough to make her run away and not look back. How farther her faith would carry her through is what she couldn’t say. Baba continued talking; from how proud of her he is and how he is sure she would make it in life with or without him around. That bothered Laibe. She has heard how the elderly people in Ofabo usually die. They most times give final words of advice to their children and protégé before sleeping peacefully, never to wake up. She hopes for herself that would not be Baba’s case. He looked totally unhealthy now but she has faith. She believes he would stay alive for her, at least a little longer till she is able to bring herself to say all the ordeals she’s been through. Baba suddenly sat quietly for a long time. Something serious was definitely going on in his mind. Laibe sat still too. They may not be in the village right now but as wrong as it is to interrupt an elder while talking back there is the same way here. If it’s going to take Baba the whole day to say what he is pondering over, then she would have the whole day to wait. Walking away is not close to the option. Laibe is just a typical example of a well-behaved cultured girl and everybody is fond of her for that. “Ewn a che?” Baba’s voice was coarse as he asked simply ‘what’s wrong with you?’ and that agitated Laibe. She didn’t expect this question to be the result of his long minutes of thinking. Baba has always had this discerning mind after all, so she got to be watchful as to whatever answer she wanna give him. “Laibe, uka ki ewn a che?” this time his voice rose up a little bit and sounded coarser. Laibe just stared at the blue coloured wall opposite her as though addressing it. If she said nothing was wrong with her, she is certain Baba would take her mind back to her various unusual actions he has seen since he got here. If she said something is wrong with her, that would even be the worst as Baba would insist on her telling him what she had been warned… at other times bribed with gifts and materials not to say. She knew she was in a deep mess right now and would do anything to get out of the tight corner this situation has placed her. She thought of something and started clearing her throat till it turned into a loud continuous cough. She did that the first time and the second time but had to caution herself. Baba is giving her the ‘be fast and answer my question’ kind of look; which is very much unlike him. He is one to be concerned when she starts coughing or gives the slightest sign of breakdown, but he could care less about this at the moment. She stopped and turned to stare at Baba who is actually looking away, deep in thoughts. “Baba wola oroka.” She jerked back quickly as she heard her aunt’s voice. Oh God! Aunty just came in here at the right time, she thanked her stars. Following closely behind her was uncle Matthew who looked quite cheerless unlike his dear wife. Udale walked over to her father and hugged him slightly but Baba was more interested in giving a handshake to Matthew than he was in responding to his daughter. Baba started smiling all of a sudden and in few moments, it felt like no one noticed Laibe’s presence anymore. Well, she is so thin and short compared to her tall and huge uncle, the tall and thin Baba and the fat and short aunty. Her eyes popped open as Baba held onto his son-in-law’s hands. Uncle Matthew glanced at her coldly and removed his eyes. Baba told him he is committing Laibe into his hands, that he should help his wife take care of her and help her realise her dreams and vision of building him a storey building even when he wouldn’t be alive to live there anymore. Everyone, most especially Udale reacted to that statement, “God forbid Baba, you are not dying yet”, “you will live to see your second grandchild” Baba smiled and asked Uncle Matthew to promise him he is going to take good care of Liabe. “I will Baba. I surely will.” Laibe could see the sense of overjoy in Baba’s face as he hugged Matthew. Laibe was so sure her uncle was capable of taking care of her, at the same time she wouldn’t want Baba to die anytime soon too. In all, she was grateful Baba had forgotten that he kept her on his hot seat some minutes ago. ******** Max drove into the crescent restaurant. If there is anything unique about this place is its touch of pure nature. The trimmed flowers, the green grasses on the lawn, the palm trees and other fruit trees – all to mention but a few. Whoever did the architectural design for this place must be extremely wonderful at his profession. He got down and hurried over to the other side of the car to open the door for his lady. Gentlemanliness is not exchanged neither is it forgotten in the study and practice of medicine. Jane stepped down looking all shades of adorable. Maybe because she is beginning to get accustomed to her nursing uniforms and is seen majority of times on those, her beauty seem to magnify once she is off that dress. Today’s is exceptional. With her hair making a pony tail at the back, jewelleries to match her straight short royal purple gown, she looked really and gorgeously dressed for this meeting and Max wouldn’t give a chance for any of those jobless men to think she is his sister. Even though they kind of look alike at times, he held her so close today that even the blind would see they are an item. Finding his way around this place isn’t so much stress for him. This is where most top government officials patronise. One would be tempted to ask if he is one but the fact remains that, working in the Government house medical centre has given him undeserved access to a lot of places. They walked gallantly into the beautifully coloured restaurant proper. Max waved the gateman on duty who screamed, ‘oga, oga, I be your boy o.’ Max smiled, he would give him some money by the time they are leaving here. “One minute please.” he excused himself and went over to the receptionist. Jane stood glued to the floor as she felt almost all the eyes turning in her direction. She definitely wouldn’t wanna stand there for so long. Thankfully, Max got back to her almost immediately and held her hand as they continued walking. She is not really familiar with this terrain so would just make do with trusting Max’s judgement and leading. Their relationship has been smooth and beautiful, that’s partly because she had come to accept the fact about him – he is busy. He would probably be this busy or even busier later on when they eventually get married, so why won’t she save herself from hypertension? It is better he is even busy with work than being busy with other women. She definitely would be badly hurt, no doubt. Talking about marriage, Jane has recently been all about her big day these days. The trigger might have been her father who called to inquire whatever was going on between her and Max, but deep within, she knew it was time to settle. She is working. Max is working, with a very robust pay. The only thing that has been stopping them from tying the nut has been them. It came like a fantasy, then later became a wish when Max asked if she could come over for the weekend. Her own hospital has gone on strike again. In fact, health workers in the state has made it a perpetual habit to strike yearly and that hasn’t helped no one at all. She’s been using her strike period to see a lot of movies and especially those containing diverse interesting proposal scenes. There was this particular one she adored and wished Max would use; proposing to her in a garden. Max pushed the slightly covered gate that lead into the garden open. The whole place was beautiful. The grasses and trees made it look like it is coloured green. Max took a step through the foot path on the lawn that led towards the middle of the whole compound. Jane saw a prepared table somewhere around where they were headed and it took her patience to avoid letting her fantasies get the better of her. Jane took her seat as Max drew it out for her before returning to his own seat. This is quite impressive, she thought. She blushed the whole of the time her eyes caught Max’s. He owned the whole of her heart and he knew that quite well, she didn’t only understand why he had to act like he is stealing a glance. While they ate in silence, they winked, giggled afterwards with the hearts doing the bulk of the conversation. Once, they held their stares uninterruptedly for about five minutes before a wide grin formed around their lips. Jane is so certain she loves the man sited in front of her. It’s about time. “Goddess…” he spoke for the very first time since they sat. Jane gave him all her attention but Max was unusually quiet. Just staring and probably searching out something from her eyes with his. His eyeballs are brown and small, so small one would think he wouldn’t see anything if he brought them any closer. “What?” Rice was still in her mouth when she exclaimed before catching herself. She is allergic to stares and Max’s eyes are really getting her uncomfortable. A light smile formed around Max’s lips. “What is what?” “Why are you staring at me like that?” Jane asked immediately she managed to swallow the food in her mouth. Max cleared his throat first, “I love you, Goddess!” Shivers ran down Jane’s spine. It feels like her heart just skipped a beat and words all of a sudden couldn’t form in her mind. Not as though she hadn’t heard those words before; it’s always been the closing statement at the end of their usual long calls. Of course, she’s heard it almost as many times as she’s heard her name in the office, but this is different. She could see the dear look on his face and her mouth felt as though filled with sugar. And the ‘Goddess’ part? Spins her nuts to unwind. “Working at the government’s house hospital is everything…” Oh! Here he goes again. Can’t they ever have a decent discussion without having to involve work? She’s heard so much about his work and can practically name the key workers in Max office even though she doesn’t frequent the place. They talked work over the phone last night, they talked work on their way driving down here and now they would talk work again? Max is a killjoy like that; she surrendered and dipped her fork back into the snail meal. “…all these our leaders have a lot of things under their agbada. You would never know until you get close or until you are privileged to treat them like I am.” Jane tried as much as it depended on her to still pay attention to the seemingly unimportant subject Max was discussing at the moment. “Baby, can you remember paraphilia? More specifically, paedophilia? You nurses did a bit of mental health back then, right?” he gave a questioning look to Jane, dragging her attention to him. Jane nodded in the affirmative. She knew Max would want her to say something more, talk excitedly over topics as always. She is sorry to disappoint him though, she is not in that mood at the moment. She is in the mood for what this meeting appeared to look like at first… not this. “With the increase in numbers of people with diverse forms of sexual orientations, don’t you think it’s high time we… I mean health workers now… start letting the public know some salient points that could make just a difference no matter how little?” Jane swallowed, “OK Max, where are you going with this? Can you go there already?” Max felt the impatience in her voice and only smiled, “I’m saying a lot of times we see some of these things as a mystery that leaves all of us helpless, Meanwhile, some people have taken their precious time to research and come out with valuable points. We shouldn’t be helpless at all. Well, except that it’s even typical of us blacks never to read.” He chuckled at his own joke which didn’t appear funny to the lady in front of him. “For me o…” Jane started, wriggling her hand carelessly, “…I’ve seen that there is nothing medicine doesn’t attempt to prove. You keep giving proof about things that are delusional, how do you expect the men out there not to do rubbish? The issue of same-sex marriage came and proofs came that they are suffering from some sexual orientations nonsense. Really?” she raised her eyebrows, “… then is this new form of classifying abusers, some would say molesters, others would say abusers. What is the problem exactly?” “It’s because sex specific therapists keep finding things every day. I think the same way I don’t punish you for being a lady, I shouldn’t be punishing others for merely displaying their genetic composition.” Max opined “Oh! Come off it Max! Paraphilia… be it paedophilia or hebephilia, be it abuse or molestation, I don’t actually care. I believe any defaulter of the law should face its full wrath.” Jane spilled. Max couldn’t tell if what he felt in her voice this time was anger or frustration. It’s only good however that he has a very intelligent lady all to himself. Jane matches up to his standard in all ways and he’s usually proud of showing her off anywhere and to anyone. “I know if you release one of two persons who commit virtually the same offence on the guise of orientation, tongues would wag but believe me, there are proofs that these persons came like this…” “Then they should put more efforts to avoid the occurrence. They say you can force the horse to the stream but you can’t force it to drink water. No excuse is good enough to abuse a child sexually if you asked me.” Jane cut in “Look at it this way again…” Max started, his voice calm and persuasive “Max!!!” Jane shouted now. She can’t bear in her frustrations any longer, “…can we talk about something better, please?” He adjusted his blazer. “OK! We’ll. It’s just that there is this….” Jane slammed her hand hard on the table and juice spilled from one of the glass cups. “Really, is this what we are here for?” Her anger is very obvious now. “…can we go to the house and have this very noble discussion of yours instead?” she pushed her chair backwards and got up. Max hurriedly got up after her with pleading eyes. It’s a good thing they are of same height so he could still look eyeball to eyeball even at standing position. He watched his woman’s lips as they quivered, hot searing anger must definitely be burning on her insides and he couldn’t seem to know the reason for this. Jane started to walk away but he caught her hand before she would move the third step. Holding onto her hand, he dragged her closer to his till their bodies touched each other. Jane is reluctant. Her face is contorted in a round ball of disappointment, frustration and anger all bottled up in one piece as she looked away from him. Max moved his hand till it wrapped round her tiny waist, he kissed her lightly on her lips and that caused more reactions from Jane as she immediately withdrew from his grip. “Your order ma…” a waitress’ voice seem to startle them, though Max didn’t appear startled in the very least. “My order?” Jane stared at Max before turning to the waiter who is carrying a tray in which a beautifully designed flat plate with cover sat, “It must be a mix up dear, I didn’t make an order.” she said frankly. She turned to Max again and he is smiling. She couldn’t decipher what was going on. “At least allow the young lady to drop the tray on the table Ma’am, her hands are hurting.” Max said casually, still smiling. The waitress appeared moved by Max’s statement as she dropped the plate before those words were off his mouth. “Max, there must really be a mix up somewhere. Say something. I didn’t order anything. I mean, I don’t even know this place well enough.” Jane was still defending and Max sat really carefree. “You fret too much young lady…” Max started, “…it’s one of two things, either the Crescent restaurant has seen you worthy enough for a free additional plate of food; which is very unlikely because even we the customers haven’t had that before.” Jane was beginning to get angry at Max’s sarcasm again, he saw this and readjusted, “C’mon, don’t you ever joke in your life?” Max asked her grinning, “… or it could actually be a mix up as you rightly said.” “Oh!” Jane gave a dour stare, “… you are now being reasonable after she’s gone right?” she pointed in the direction of the waitress who is already at the door of the main restaurant. “Why don’t you even find out what ‘your order’ is first. It could be desert, cheese, peas or even food, your favourite.” He winked at her. Jane shrugged as she sat back. The tray has been set in front of her own side of the table so she need not do anything other than removing the lid. She gaped as she did, covering her mouth with her right hand. She is not only surprised that the plate is empty but more at the inscription on the plate, ‘Will you marry me?’ She raised her head and turned in Max’s direction only to notice he had come to stand in front of her. He held out a little golden box from the pocket of his blazers and got down on one knee, “Pick any Saturday from today and we would do it. Marry me, Goddess.” Jane sat too astonished and overwhelmed to give any response whatsoever. Tbc

Episode 27 Continues.. Laibe was so grateful aunty Udale let her cook today. It’s been such a long time since she cooked real food. Trust! It’s not been a long time at all since she ate real food. Both courtesy of her aunty. The older woman wouldn’t leave her kitchen for anyone except Ocholi. Quite strange, but her close relationship with Ocholi is alarming. The only thing Laibe has been able to do alone in the kitchen is making Baba’s akamu while aunty fried the akara. This isn’t a big deal for the young girl but who would she complain to? She’s always on edge whenever she’s alone with her aunty. Something tells her the woman may ask her questions, and probably insist she give answers but her aunty has been disappointing her and she really hopes the woman keeps up with it. She opened the door to Baba’s room quietly. He is still sleeping? She glanced at the wall clock to be double sure. 12pm. It’s way past his breakfast time and time for taking the morning dose of his numerous drugs. Uncle Matthew practically ran out of the house earlier this morning after he received a call. Laibe saw him explaining some things to her aunty though he wasn’t audible enough. They had all gone over to Baba’s room at that time even though they knew it would be very odd for the old man to be awake by then. Who knows? Baba had played so much with them the whole of yesterday. After repeatedly asking Matthew to take good care of Laibe, he also showered prayers on his beloved daughter, praying specifically that her womb be opened. There is this belief that all reproductive issues in marriage is from the woman’s side, and Baba, maybe due to his age has no objection to this school of thought. He practically faced Udale while praying for the sound of a baby to be heard in their home. Laibe really didn’t feel comfortable with the whole drama she was watching as something seem not to be going right but she was at least comforted with the fact that Baba had forgotten he was asking her some questions earlier. It is good to escape from Baba’s questioning sessions. Laibe closed back the door to the room. ‘Though aunty has warned me never to wake Baba up whenever he is sleeping, I would disobey her this time. More so she should be fast asleep upstairs. Baba needs to take his drugs, he needs to eat and most importantly, he needs to eat this ukpehe rice, he specially asked us to make for him yesterday, while it’s still hot’ Laibe told herself as she walked back into the kitchen. She picked up the big ceramic plate – Baba’s plate – and started dishing the ukpehe rice whose aroma has filled the whole kitchen and even streaming into the sitting room. Though the special Igala spice, Ukpehe, has it’s delicious effect like that, Laibe’s expertise in its use made it even more significant. She picked up a bottle of water from the carton; Baba isn’t allowed to take cold water neither should he take any form of sugary drink - all these dos and don’ts are saved on Laibe’s head. Recently, she is beginning to welcome this thought of wanting to become a medical doctor. She needs to treat her grandfather and heal him of diabetes completely. She needs to build a real hospital in Ofabo and treat the other uncountable sick people who don’t have children to run to in the city like Baba. She needs to build her dream storey building in Baba’s compound and do a lot of things to help people where she grew up. She needs to do a lot of things actually, first on the list is to pass her Js3 promotional exam – junior WAEC - which would be in about three months. She pushed the door open with the tray in her hand and walked in fully. Pulling forward the side stool beside the bed, she kept the tray carefully on it. She thought of what to do for a moment. First, she took her seat in front of Baba and placed her right hand on his forearm. She immediately removed the hand involuntarily. She thought she felt something extremely cold. She isn’t sure so she would try again. The result is the same. Alarm rang in her head as she got up and tapped him lightly. Baba didn’t shake neither did he make any move or sign. She felt her heart racing hard as she shook Baba a little more vigorously. “Aunty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” She screamed as she ran out of the room and made for the stairs. ********* Miss Mary got off the ergometer and cleaned off sweat with her face towel. She has practically converted this part of her two-bedroom flat to a mini gym, even though the running machine and ergometer are the only equipment in here. Every single person that had ever entered this ‘gym’ would ask her why she bought the two equipment, knowing truly well they serve same functions; she didn’t mind. She is the ‘no one pound addition’ person and she tries so hard at it. It’s just unfortunate that unlike her friend, Jane, who is slim-to-fashion by nature, she probably need to work out more often. from time to time to stay fit. She’s not complaining; not as if she needed to pay an exorbitant fee to enrol into any gym. It’s just the part of being faithful to her work out time that’s important. Believe it or not, the last time she did this was two weeks ago. ‘I thought you said you would work out every morning before work?’, Jane scorned when she called her two days ago. Mary would never come into her mini gym with a phone. ‘Let’s minimise distractions’, she would always tell herself. Whatever made her leave her ringing tone as loud as this still baffled her. The phone is in the other room and it’s ringing for the third time now. Who could that be? She cursed as she reluctantly headed for the phone. Today is public holiday. Everyone has gone on it… everyone should actually go on it, herself inclusive. It had better not be the principal or anybody from the school calling her. She plans to make good use of this compulsory holiday before she resumes to face her life as a form teacher again, especially with her very dramatic student of the year – Laibe! “By the time you kill my battery Babe, you would come and charge for me.” she screamed into the phone immediately she swiped right the receive button. Jane burst into laughter, “Is it now my fault that you use light as prayer point in that town of yours?” Mary sat into her bed, giving a smirk as though Jane could see her. “I see. I hear you my friend. It’s not your fault…” she hissed dryly, “…I won’t sacrifice Ankpa for the heat in Lokoja. Never.” She paused, “…and it was meant to be a weekend, right? Not a vacation!” “General Hospital is on strike, my dear. I’m not a teacher working in a private secondary school like you, you know?” Jane still had an iota of mockery in her voice. “Well, I’m not the one who had been jobless for about a month or so now.” Mary responded. “OK! Alright, you win. Must we quarrel every day, Punk?” Jane screamed so loud Mary had to move her phone a bit away from her ears. “Everyone would know that a new child now lives in GRA.” Mary stressed the ‘child’ part of her statement, and laughed hysterically. “Yeah! A child that’s getting married pretty soon. Mrs Obaje in a bit…” Jane said it so slow and low, like she didn’t mean it… like she isn’t excited about it. “What do you mean? And why is your cranky voice like that?” Mary’s curiosity can be tasted in her voice. She knew her friend so well. Jane and sarcasm are five and six. Jane and seriousness are two poles apart. Jane and playfulness are yam and egg, so she didn’t want to assume anything. Let Jane use her own mouth to talk. “Girl, I’m getting married!!” Jane screamed even louder now, giggling with the type of excitement Mary could literally feel from where she is. Mary jumped up and started dancing. They both could be children at heart a lot of times. “I’m so happy for you, girlfriend. Maximillian my Edo brother, always representing!” She knew Jane would react to that and Jane didn’t disappoint her at all. “Abeg o, he is an Igala o, it’s only his mum that’s an Edo o…” Mary wouldn’t give Jane the privilege of arguing over Max’s tribe today; God knows they’ve done that enough times. One’s father is Igala and the mother is Edo, Mary still doesn’t know on what ground they would conclusively place Max as an Igala. Two different blood runs on his inside for crying out loud. “Oya! Why I called you. I’ve been staring at this table top calendar all day. Any Saturday I pick is good with him, he said, but I seem not to know which to pick. I don’t even know what to consider in consideration.” She sounded really frustrated, “…this is one of the times I miss mum…” she took in a very deep breath that came loudly over the phone. “Ehn ehn! No. Please don’t start now. We are talking about your big day here, don’t ruin the moments.” Mary cautioned her. “But what do I do? You are not even the emotional kind of person…” Mary’s eyebrows rose up involuntarily at that hurting truth but she said nothing in defence. “…how would you know what and what I should consider in choosing a wedding date? Go into a relationship, you won’t give any of those your plenty guys a chance…” “Is this about me now Jane?” Mary cut in, trying hard to keep her voice normal. She hates when her relationship, emotional and private life becomes a subject for discussion. It’s not written anywhere that we all must get married, she would always told herself. “No o! It can’t be about you o. When you are not the bride.” Mary smiled at Jane’s statement. She isn’t even dreaming of becoming one anytime soon. “Perhaps, if you get back here soon enough, you would know that you still have an office mother in Matron Udale…” “Oh my God!” Jane screamed, “… how be it that I totally forgot about my mummy of life?” she didn’t expect any answer for that so she continued anyway, “…you see, your brain is good for something after all…” she tuck out her tongue. “You are crazy Jane!” “I’m crazily in love with you Mary. I’ll think of when to return and we would go see mummy soon. See you soon. Love you plenty. Bye!!” Jane mumbled everything together hurriedly and excitedly before dropping the call. Mary stared at her phone smiling. She moved backwards till her back hit the soft bed. Surely, her work out is over for today. ********** Matthew is frowning seriously at his friend while the other seem to be having the time of his life, rotating in his armed chair. “C’mon man, it’s not that bad.” He is apologising to his friend for the umpteenth time today. “It’s not that bad, huh? Matthew snapped, “…by 5:30am, that your disturbing spirit chose me again. ‘Mat, it’s emergency and you need to be in Lokoja as soon as possible’. I tried in vain to know exactly what the problem was but you said we needed to see the governor as it’s not something we can discuss over the phone. Wow. Well done sir!” He saluted. Josh started laughing out even louder, “Because I know you wouldn’t come if I told you.” “Are for real? If you love seeing my face more often, why don’t you just say it forefront?” Josh stopped laughing but a smile was still plastered on his face. “Mat o. Not as if what I did was totally wrong, was it?” “It’s a public holiday, damn it! I have a sick father in-law to attend to. I have a family, Josh.” Matthew’s voice rose now. “Is this about coming with me to see the governor in order to finalise Mr Ekele’s travelling plans? I thought you of all people wanted to meet the young man?” Josh sincerely couldn’t understand what was annoying his friend this much. “I could see the guy any other time except today. You could finalise the plans with His Excellency. My problem is in you dragging me into all your jobs…” he got up angrily and walked to the cabinet at the other end of the room, “…there are some roles that are exclusively yours Mr Commissioner, don’t always keep dragging me into it.” Josh felt something stabbed him as Matthew made the last statement. It’s true. He actually doesn’t know why he likes having Matthew present at every of his meetings and joining him in taking every single decision there is. Perhaps, he sees Matthew way more capable than himself. Matthew is right anyway, there are things he should do headlong without inviting anyone else. The roads are even too bad for all these impromptu journeys. Josh cleared his throat and finally the smile disappeared, “ I’m sorry, I didn’t really mean it this way but right now I see your point and …” He got interrupted by the knock on his door, “Come in…” he answered loudly and Matthew quickly returned to take his seat. The door opened and two men walked in. One is much more elderly compared to the second. “Commissioner, I sincerely want to appreciate you so much for your efforts and assistance, thus far.” The elderly one started, immediately everyone exchanged pleasantries and took their seats. Matthew brought out his phone hurriedly like something just popped in his head. Something he would forget if he didn’t act immediately. “Ha! You are the one we should be thanking. Mr Ekele here, is an asset to us… to the entire state even. And all thanks to the training you have been giving him at your company.” “It’s a great pleasure Mr Commissioner, thank you for the exposures and for finding my ideas useful enough.” the younger man said very politely and Josh nodded his head. He has always been and is still impressed with the youngman. Matthew’s forehead was creased as he’s still busy on his phone. “Omachoko and I dropped by to say, thank you Mr Commissioner. We would be taking our leave now sir. He needs to get to Abuja before the night falls, if he must make his journey tomorrow.” The elderly man said, getting up alongside. “Yes! Of course, of course!” Josh nodded in the affirmative. “It’s important he flies out tomorrow. We can’t afford any delay in sealing up deals with those companies. For once we would export something to them, and this is not anything but our very own beans.” He patted the young man’s back as he moved to give them another handshake. “Omachoko? Is that your name?” Josh asked as though his brain just simulated it, while wriggling the handshake he took from him. “Yes sir. Omachoko Ekele is my full name sir.” “Wow! Impressive, oko eche ochochi o” Josh commented that he is really an asset, as he shook him better, noticing his almost completely faded tribal mark for the very first time.. “Uhn?” Matthew gave a lost look at them immediately the elderly man’s arm tapped his shoulder lightly. “Oh! Very well sir. Have a good trip and you too Mr Ekele, I trust like always you would deliver again. Safe safe trip.” Matthew quickly said, hiding his absentmindedness. The two left the room after exchanging final pleasantries. Josh saw them off to the door, closed it gently and came back to take his seat. “Whoever that was must be very important, Mat!” Josh said immediately he got back to his seat Matthew gave the ‘what are you talking about kind of look’ and Josh pointed at the tablet on his hand. “What was that about? That you blanked out on all of us in the room till someone had to tap you?” Josh confronted, sounding really serious for the first time in a very long while. “That fellow is getting on my nerves…” Matthew started Josh cut in, “allow her to have a life. You already have yours, why are you ruining someone else’s own?” Matthew eyeballed him coldly, “he had the guts to still come over to my house yesterday afternoon, Josh. He should thank his stars I didn’t lay my hands on him. He left a note with my gateman for her and I seized it.” Joshua started laughing at his friend’s seriousness. Matthew never ceases to amaze him really. “I’m serious. The crazy part was that there is no form of identity whatsoever on that note. Just, ‘Laibe, I expected your call and now I’m here. I feel you have lost my card. Just call me back on 08103872490 as soon as you see this’, can you imagine that?” “Matthew, don’t tell me you crammed every word in the note…” Josh shook his head in utter disbelief. His friend’s solution is really far-fetched. “…have you dialled the number then?” Matthew shook his head from side to side, “Udale dragged me to Baba’s room immediately I entered the house and we talked so much I forgot about the note, then came your emergency call this morning. It was while the two men got here it popped up in my head. I knew I saved the number, I couldn’t just remember with what I did that.” “You see the kind of work you are giving yourself, my good friend? You got lost, searching the whole numbers on your phone book.” Josh nodded his head in disappointment this time. “Maybe you should call him now!” he added. Matthew picked his handset from the table and unlocked the tablet to copy the number into the dialler of his handset. He is about tapping on the call button when his phone buzzed. “Udale!!” His eyes popped open as he looked at Josh. Josh shrugged, not knowing what else he was expecting. “Why is she calling me? I told her…” “Why don’t you pick the call first? We would know after that.” Josh motioned him to pick up before the phone would ring out. Matthew felt a part of him not comfortable with the call but he had to pick up to be able to understand his reservations. He sat up and slide the receive button, placing the phone closer to his ears, the background of the caller sounded so noisy. The type of unclear noise one would not be able to make any sense out of. “Hello…” He said when it was as if Udale didn’t know she dialled him. ******** Omachoko sat in the car awaiting his ‘oga’, as he usually call him. The man had gone to do some transactions inside the bank. It’s meant to be a quick transaction, or so oga said before leaving, asking him to wait back in the car. Omachoko checked his wristwatch for the third time and it’s already over an hour. Well, banks in this country can be very frustrating. Frustrating you over collecting money what’s yours. One would wonder, if banks are to give free money, the level of frustration then would be greater than frustration itself. Whatever happens though, he has to wait. He didn’t really have a choice after all. Oga telling commissioner he should be at Abuja by evening was all fables. Though all he needed for his journey was already at the back of his car. Since the flight is for 8.00pm tomorrow, Omachoko would drive his oga down to Ankpa and take a commercial transport down to Abuja early tomorrow morning… or just anytime that would take him down to the airport before his take off time. They had to sound dutiful before the commissioner anyway, like they are really in this for real. Truth is they are in it for real, but the actions in there a while ago was barely exaggerated. At times he wondered what he would have ever done in this life without Oga Jude. His main reason for coming to Ankpa… maybe it hadn’t even changed was Laibe. The fact that he had cousins, whom he stayed with in Ankpa during his senior secondary school days set his mind at rest that he had no problem. From the little money he gathered as the chief merchant in Ofabo, he arrived in Ankpa to see everything has absolutely changed within the short number of years he left here. His uncle and family could barely feed one meal per day. At a point, he literally fed the whole family while job hunting. Since Ankpa isn’t a small town, he was rest assured that he would never run into Laibe at any time, that’s in addition to the fact that her aunty wouldn’t let her out anyhow. Oga Jude is a wholesaler, dealing with food crops and related products. When he employed Omachoko as a sales boy in his shop at Ejeh road, the once ‘wealthy’ local champion Omachoko didn’t mind. He needed to make a living, so as to be worthy enough to marry Laibe. While at the new job, he later found out Oga Jude got his products from many farmers in the nearby villages; one day they even travelled all the way down to an interior village called ojuwo olijo to get cassava. “This is what I grow in the village on a normal day, even much more, beans, yams, potatoes…” he came to a realisation. Bingo! That was the beginning of his exploits. He made his suggestions known to Oga Jude who for some surprising reasons agreed immediately. So Omachoko would go to the village during planting season, do all his work there, intermittently go to check on it and then finally harvest the produce. His harvest are usually massive as usual. He would take Oga Jude’s truck with which he brought all the produce to Ankpa for sale and give a percentage of the produce to his Oga. He could remember the day Aunty Udale came to their shop, it was a miracle she didn’t see him – very narrow escape. There is something peculiar about the produce from Omachoko’s farm at Ofabo, people come purchasing it like their lives depended on it, so much so that in no long time, Oga Jude had grown from being an ordinary wholesaler to one of the biggest dealers in agricultural farm produce and he owed Omachoko for all of it. Omachoko on his own side wasn’t left out in the dividends as he got enough money to increase his farm; employ people to work all year round and even use mechanised methods. In a space of one year, the young man had become Oga Jude’s main distributor, helping him deliver goods across the country. Everything still feels like a dream to Omachoko till this moment, especially after he was chosen as the best candidate in Kogi Young Farmers scheme; everything about him has turned beautiful since then. “If not for you Omachoko, who would think I can ever sit and talk with the executive governor of Kogi state.” Oga Jude told him today and he felt a flush of fulfilment gush down his throat. Seeing and talking with the governor as well as other notable key holders in the state has never been his dream, not to talk of traveling in and out of the country for trainings and business transaction like one would go to his backyard. A broad smile formed around his face as he played P square’s ‘chop money’ from the DVD player of his car. Oga Jude bought this car for him as a show of appreciation immediately he got back from the States. His life feels fulfilled, yeah, but very empty without Laibe in it. He doesn’t know why he has this strong affection for the girl, right from their tiny childhood days. He had seen girls in the courses he took in Thailand and Canada, girls who literally threw themselves at him. Apart from his very attractive well-built stature, his dreads has become a selling point for him as well. But he didn’t see any of the things they asked for in him to offer them. It is Laibe he loves and would love, forever and a day more. “Why hasn’t she called me till now? OK! Agreed she lost my card, that was why I left my number on the note with the gateman, why hasn’t she called?” Omachoko’s thoughts spilled through his mouth. He ran his mind around possible reasons and couldn’t find any. Laibe appeared matured in some way the last time they talked. It’s not as though she didn’t like him at all, was it? It’s those her friends back at Ofabo that won’t let her consider him. He jerked up as he heard a tap on the mirror at the driver’s side. Looking in that direction he saw it’s his Oga. He immediately pressed on the car lock to unlock the doors as Oga Jude came to sit beside him, sweating profusely. “Inside the bank is extremely chilly, just the little distance from there to this parking lot and I’m sweating like Christmas goat already.” Omachoko chuckled, “What took you so long sir?” “Don’t mind those rubbish children they employ to work in banks these days. Can you imagine one telling me the amount on the cheque Chief K wrote for me as payment for those goods we delivered to him last month was too much? Maka why? Is it her money?” Oga Jude gesticulated as he said all these and Omachoko laughed out this time. His boss can be very funny when frustrated. “I apologise on their behalf. Can we go now?” He asked politely, starting the car. “Yes. Sure… Wait!” Oga Jude rose his right hand. Omachoko wasn’t taking this delay so well right now. It’s not good for him at all, especially for his plans to see Laibe this evening. He would go back to the house with more money and perhaps a bag of their processed beans and beg the gateman to help him call her out. He needs to see her, he needs to have a medium of getting across to her, especially now that he would be travelling for how long he wasn’t sure of. “Senator Farouk called me while in the bank. You know we have been seeking audience with him for a very long time now…” He paused to seek confirmation. Omachoko nodded in the affirmative hurriedly and he continued, “… he asked if I can make it down to his office by 7am tomorrow morning and who am I to say no?” Omachoko continued looking at his boss, wishing and hoping he wouldn’t say what he was thinking. “So?” he asked, when Oga Jude was taking forever to continue. “So we are going straight to Abuja right now ‘Choko. This is very important. Don’t worry about me and your car, we’ll find my way back after that.” What! Ocholi exclaimed inside him. This is not happening right now. Abuja? Right now? He need to go to Ankpa and see Laibe. How would he tell his boss now? How would the older man not see it as rebellion, on his part, jeopardising the business that made him, for a little girl. He took in deep calming breaths and pushed the key into its hole. It’s at this point, for the first time, he wished he knew Laibe’s uncle in person or where he lives. Someone had told him he works in Lokoja. Laibe’s uncle would have been the best person to give him anything linking to Laibe right now; a phone number, a social media username, an e-mail address, just anything. He is caught in-between two balls with tied hands now. He swallowed as he zoomed out of the parking lot into the main roads. Tbc

am loving this

Woa This Is Serious O, Laibe I Feel 4 U O, Pls Speak Out B4 Uncle Destroy Ur Life

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laibe put your fair aside now your gman is death you have nothing to lose

Episode 28 Continues.. Ocholi opened the door wider, gently. Laibe is standing at the window. The window of her room that opens to the gate area of the house. He stood for over ten minutes, yet she didn’t notice. Poor girl! She has drastically reduced in size… and it looks like her height came down as well. It’s been three very rough weeks for the whole family. He walked over to where she stood and put a hand around her shoulders. She didn’t jerk this time as she would have usually done, neither did she appear scared or frightened, and that, instead of comforting Ocholi, bothered him even more. He had to come down to Ankpa. Big sis, as he normally calls Udale, had called him, reporting that Laibe was acting all too strange for her comprehension. She also said that the little girl hadn’t said anything to her since the past one week she got back from Ofabo. “You know how to relate with her better… please come and help me, Ocholi. Your brother and I have tried in vain.” Udale had helplessly told Ocholi over the phone some days ago. Even though travelling down to Ankpa was a little bit of a sacrifice for him, as he had some things to put in place before his long awaited trip, Laibe is worth way more than all. Actually, some burial rites according to tradition, especially that Baba was the oldest man and Madaki of the village, must be performed before and after the burial. His children… his daughter in this case, had to stay back for about fourteen days after the burial. Udale didn’t really see a big deal in that traditional rite; not like she was asked to do anything extraordinary, apart from sitting indoors all day long and not changing clothes. It’s rather unfortunate that Baba is only survived by a daughter and granddaughter. Some elders talked this over for a long time during the burial. She wondered exactly what their grievances were. Some said Baba’s house would soon become ‘alache’ as there is no one to stay there anymore. Others recalled the times they pestered Baba to take more wives so as to improve the size of his family. The rest only looked at Udale with sympathy, carrying the ‘we wish you were a man’ look in their eyes. It’s a man’s thing, yeah! What a world? What responsible man would come back to settle in the village because his father’s house is empty? Udale couldn’t tell if Ugbede, her late elder brother, would have remained at Ofabo till now if still alive. “How are you, Lee…” Ocholi said quietly. Laibe still remained still, facing where she’s been facing. She acted like no one walked in, not to talk of noticing any hand on her. “My very beautiful big girl…” Ocholi started slowly, trying to remember words that would normally get a reaction from Laibe like this ‘big girl’, but the little girl was falling for none of it. “… so I came here last night but you were fast asleep, I didn’t know you sleep that early these days…” Ocholi smiled first, then he cautioned himself. These lines were not important, the girl here almost didn’t care who comes in and leave this house anymore, obviously. “So… so I… so I know it’s been a very hard time for us all…” Ocholi continued. He didn’t know if he should put himself in the picture like that; he barely knew Baba anyway. “…but I need you to stay strong for yourself and be rest assured that I’d be here for you anytime any day…” then he remembered something, “…especially that it is important you insert the battery into your phone first. Only then would I be able to communicate better with you anytime and from anywhere.” Ocholi searched her dressing table with his eyes for her phone. He found it and moved over there hurriedly. He tried fixing the battery but couldn’t find her SIM card in it. “Laibe, where did you put your SIM card?” The silence he has been getting as response is still his greatest cause of worry. When a very proactive girl starts acting like a vegetable, it only calls for concern, yeah! Laibe hasn’t been able to neglect his questions ever. Even when he asked his annoyingly repeated questions, the young girl would only delay his answer, not that she wouldn’t answer at all. The only answer of hers he hasn’t been able to wrap his head around and talk himself into believing is the one about the white paper. Ocholi knew Laibe was covering something up but how will he enter into her mind to bring it out? “So you wanna paint?” He gently drew her face towards him, holding her little chin in his palms. Her eyes were still normal. She still look alright, no tears, no pain… yet no words. He brought out a paper diagram from his pocket, “… how about you come help me paint this diagram? It is a sample of a work I was given. You still have all the apparatus in your toolbox, don’t you? Yea, come on!” Ocholi’s eyes begged her to respond but she was staring back at him instead. Soon enough, she withdrew her face and turned back in the former direction. Ocholi took in a deep breath. Thankfully, he isn’t one to get angry over anything – direct opposite of his elder brother. Aunty Udale told him her husband had given up asking Laibe questions after attempting three times. The only issue Ocholi has right now is that he had not so much time on his hands anymore and he needed to tell her exactly what brought him back home. If it would change anything anyway. “So I told you the last time that I’m putting in for a scholarship scheme to help me run my masters abroad, right?... In another news Lee, I got it!!…” He sounded excited while talking at first, then he paused and waited. Somehow he felt a flush of disappointment all over him. He had expected, even if nothing would, his announcement should make her elated of course; because she, specifically, has planned out how they were both going to celebrate when the scholarship finally comes. All thanks to this unfortunate incidence. Ocholi, however, sees this incidence as just a trigger for Laibe to expose her very many locked up emotions. It’s been a long time coming, he could tell. “There were many options…” he continued anyway. He was satisfied she could hear him even though the aim of communication could not be achieved right now. “… so I chose half scholarship. That option had provision for me to take on a part-time job while still running my Master degree. Actually, it’s big bro that chose it for me…” he glanced at her again, “…Laibe, you know I don’t wanna leave you right? But it’s not my money o. This is an opportunity everyone would kill for…” He waited for her one more time. He swallowed, put back his hand on her shoulders. She didn’t move, she didn’t jerk. He brought down his hand and pocketed it. He opened his mouth to speak again but nothing was forthcoming this time. “I… I guess I’ll talk to you later.” He said calmly and walked out. ****** Jane pulled over at the gate. She didn’t know if she should call her first before going in but she must do one thing surely today, no matter what, and that’s seeing Matron Udale. She turned to Mary when she noticed her lips moving. “It’s not really your fault, alright? You were in Lokoja - On becoming Mrs Obaje…” Jane cut her a livid stare. “…it’s true na. Perhaps, they didn’t really want us to know about it in the first place…” “How is that, Mary?” Jane interrupted, “… you know that’s not true. Laibe was away from school for over two weeks, didn’t you know that?” Mary smiled. “Really? Was I not the one that told you that?” Sarcasm. “…well, we called the number of her guardian with us and it was her uncle who picked it up. He simply said they all went to the village urgently and that we shouldn’t worry about it. He didn’t mention anything that can point someone’s attention to death, let alone burial…” Jane sighed. “I’m so nervous. I don’t know how my mummy would be by the time I see her. Imagine me planning to bring wedding plans before her, I dare not anymore. That woman seem to be suffering from something all by herself in silence.” “Na you know… OmniSabi! Weh done ma!” Mary nudged her at the side and opened the car door, “…let’s go in before people start thinking we are spying on her house.” She got down immediately and started towards the gate. Jane quickly locked the doors and hurried after her as well. The gateman didn’t say much to them. Apart from the fact that he is familiar with Jane, he seem to be grieving as well. At the door, Mary pressed on the door bell and waited. She pressed it again, this time listening to confirm if she felt someone’s footsteps inside. “Hi Ladies…” Ocholi smiled at them, giving way. Jane smiled knowingly at Ocholi but the young man obviously couldn’t place her face. He left the door for them to come in. “Nurse Jane. I was in Matron’s office the day you brought Laibe to town and your car broke down or something.” “Ah! God forbid, that Peugeot 504 can never be my car o… You see, we have thrown it away from this compound. One car be giving people so much problem.” He said these in such a hilarious way that the two ladies laughed lightly. “…anyway, pardon me! I was so scared and nervous that day, I didn’t even see any other person in the office. You know how your matron can be.” He lowered his voice a little. “ I noticed…” Jane started but stopped as she heard Mary’s greeting. “How are you my darlings?” Jane ran into Udale’s open arms and rested her head on the older woman’s breast. It felt like her real mother. “I’m so sorry mummy… I … I … didn’t…” “Shhh!” Udale placed a finger on her mouth. “How are you my daughter?” Ocholi didn’t wait to be told to excuse them. It felt like a mother-daughters reunion. He is not caught out for any of these emotional shows right now. He had some parking and arrangements to do. “Ma, Laibe’s uncle told us when we called that you all went to the village for something urgent. He never mentioned burial…” Jane’s eyes begged Mary, while talking, not to say this part but she knew her friend better – so direct to the point, to a fault. Udale’s eyes widened, “Oh! Really?” She motioned them to a seat before taking hers. “We are sorry. I would have led delegates to Ofabo if I had known that it was Laibe’s grandfather that died. I know how fond of him she is.” Mary affirmed. “Well, the little girl has been acting really weird and strange lately. I don’t know what to think anymore.” Udale confessed and the two ladies sat up quickly on their seats like pins pierced them. “Strange and weird? How do you mean Mummy? Where is she by the way?” Jane rained the questions, leaving no breathing space in between. Udale got up, started walking away and they followed her. **** Matthew kept pacing around the spacious home office. He wasn’t talking, not saying anything. Josh who had tried to force the words off his mouth, in vain, had given up. Yet, he could not concentrate on the mail he is trying to make a meaning out of, on his laptop. “Mat, you need to see this. This young boy is doing great feats there. The company has accepted to send down the agricultural machines we are bidding for, at a very ridiculous low price. You won’t believe this. Isn’t this guy a genius?” He thought a change of topic would ease the tension in the air. Josh, to Matthew, was talking at the top of his lungs. Matthew could only wonder why. “Mat, did you hear me at all?” Matthew turned to him, creasing his forehead. “What?” Josh showed displeasure. “Now tell me I have been talking to myself all the while?” He hissed dryly, “…well I was talking about Mr Ekele. Or Omachoko? Yeah, that was the name he called the last time. Anyway, here is his picture with the managing director of the company…” Josh started turning the screen of the laptop in Matthew’s direction, “…and he attached a scanned copy of their acceptance later…” “Can you just keep quiet, Josh? Please!” Matthew yelled, hitting his hand hard against the wall. At first, Josh was taken aback then he calmed himself down and got up. He didn’t know if it was wise to go near Matthew as it is right now but he trusted his guts. The highest that would happen is for the press to carry it later today that the commissioner was involved in an exchange of blows with one of his dear managers, who is also a close friend. Not as though he would be the first person in the state to do that; some paid leaders do it during most of their sittings. “What is the problem again, my friend.” Matthew squatted, rubbing his sweaty hands nervously against each other. As if that position wasn’t soothing anymore, he got up and went to hold onto the frame of the window. “What is…” Josh was about to complete this when Matthew interrupted him. “She is damn not saying anything anymore. Since then!” Josh looked morose. He couldn’t understand who the ‘she’ and when the ‘then’ in his statement were. “I’m talking about the little girl. I’m talking about Laibe. You know we both got back from Ofabo together, about a week before Udale…” he gave Josh a questioning look and the latter nodded in the affirmative before he continued, “… she didn’t say a single word to me, up until her aunty returned last week. I have done everything possible; scream, talk, at a point threaten, and plead at other points but she is stubbornly unyielding.” Josh took in a deep breath. “The crazier part was after her aunty got back.” “Did she talk to Udale?” Josh sounded curious. Matthew looked more tensed and anxious. “She didn’t… she hasn’t. Ocholi had to be called from his place of work even when his trip is soon… tomorrow or so, I can’t recall now. She is still damn not talking, even to Ocholi.” Matthew hit the wall hard again. Josh swallowed. He knew what he was about to say wouldn’t help matters but they both can’t give in to fear and anxiety, drowning in the ocean of regrets right now. “Maybe she has come to that stage the doctor talked about the last time.” Matthew stared back at his friend, trying to recall the ordeals of the last meeting with the doctor and nothing seem to be clicking. He is even too nervous at the moment for his brain to consider thinking. “What stage?” His eyeballs were almost dropping to the floor. Josh walked back to his table and closed his laptop. Picking up his suit, phone and car keys, he walked back to where Matthew stood. “You know what? Let’s go see the doctor immediately.” Josh said firmly and walked out of his office, leaving the door open for Matthew. ******** Laibeis still standing by the window Ocholi met and left her some minutes ago. She appears to be really focusing on something only her could see – something so far away, where no one could reach out to her. Jane ran over to her and grabbed her waist from the back. Mary was so startled by Laibe’s emaciation that she couldn’t even lift a limb. “Laibe! My kid sister. Look at you? How are you? I’ve missed the hell out of you?” Jane talked on. Sometimes dragging Laibe’s face to her but the little girl would pull her face away and back to where it was. Jane turned to Udale, eyes demanding answers. “That’s how she has been since Baba died. She saw him first, while trying to serve him his food. She ran up to call me and we rushed the old man to the hospital…” Udale moved towards Laibe’s bed and sat down. She has never been the person to stand long, “…will you believe if I tell you that even when the doctors at Bethel hospital certified Baba dead, this girl didn’t shed any tear?” “What!!!” The two ladies exclaimed as though they planned it. Udale gave a little sarcastic chuckle. “That’s even small. At the village, during the burial and up until now, she hasn’t shed a single tear. Neither has she said anything to anyone.” “Oh my God! This isn’t good” Jane exclaimed touching Laibe’s neck. “What is that?” Mary said for the first time today and she’s just also able to move from the door post where she had stood looking electrocuted all the while. She drew closer to them and touched Laibe’s neck also, removing her hand involuntarily. “She is running temperature, ma…” Mary exploded. At times, Jane wonders what kind of nurse her friend, Mary, is, as everything gets her agitated and worried. This is only high temperature for crying out loud! Just when Udale was about to get up, Ocholi opened the door. He didn’t leave the door knob as he carried confusing eyes from one person to another. He had a bag dangling across one shoulder and he had changed into a more formal dressing now. Udale quickly got up and made a sign to the ladies with her eyes. Jane and Mary immediately understood what she meant and started smiling. Ocholi wasn’t convinced but then… damn! he is running out of time. “Trust me, I would have driven you down to the park at least, but you see what your sister is making me go through?” Ocholi smiled as Udale patted him on the back like a child. “Yes o! You just must make these ladies know that I haven’t gone abroad before in my life, huh? Big sis!” Everyone started laughing, except Laibe of course - she doesn’t even feel in this room at all. “Sorry Ladies, I’m no comedian. It is just this ecstasy that comes with first time things.” He blinked at them and they smiled back. Mary was beginning to like him. He is probably her type; the fun type with well-built muscular body. “…Sis, please take care of my Lee. And find her SIM card, I need to call her or otherwise, I will have to be disturbing your phone…” he hastily pecked Udale. He didn’t want to go to Laibe any longer. Ladies are here with her now, she should come around soon. “Bye…” They waved at him. “Good bye.” He closed the door hard. Udale turned to the ladies and thanked them for playing along. When they asked her why, she simply said Ocholi could damn that whole trip if he discovers something else is wrong with Laibe. She told them he really cared about her welfare. But then, they had paid so much for the tuition to risk him missing that flight the next day. “So what do we do about her running temperature now?” Mary asked, not really interested in Udale’s explanations. “We would wait for her to come…” Udale said firmly, going to touch the neck as well before returning to her seat on the bed. The two ladies turned to face each other, as though they got hit by a ghost, and Udale afterwards, “Who?” they shouted. ********* “Doctor, don’t you understand? She isn’t talking. She isn’t damn talking doctor!” Matthew yelled, shifting in his chair. “As I said before sirs, she probably has reached the height of it. She has gotten to the peak of how much she can take…” Dr Max said, trying as much as it depended on him to maintain a very polite and calm tone even amidst the tension. Typical of doctors, isn’t it? He dropped the pen in his hand, sat up straight to face the two older men eyeball to eyeball. “I told you the last time that children in her condition have limit to how much they can bear…” “What damn condition are you talking about Doc?” Matthew interrupted. Max shot an annoyed look at Matthew. The type that says ‘can you shut that wide mouth up, already?’ Though, he couldn’t say that now but that look said it all. Josh noticed this and held Matthew’s wrist. “You have to calm down man!” “Calm down?” Matthew flared up again. “… are you really asking me to calm down?” He got up from his seat now. Dr Max sighed. In his next world he wouldn’t let Dr Nonso do this again. “Well, you have to calm down to be able to tell your wife, to start with. I have given you enough time to make this decision all by yourself sir, but as it stands now, I may have to go out of my way and contact your wife. At least, for the sake of the poor girl.” Max looked firm, no one could really tell what was going on in his mind. Matthew laughed lightly. “Are you threatening me now, Boy!” Wow! Max just got hit on his bad side. This man is beginning to step on his nerves more than he could bear. “We don’t threaten here, we treat, if I may remind you this is an hospital sir. By the way, the rule of confidentiality in the medical practice has its exceptions. As it is in this case, the other party is in danger.” “He is threatening me again!” Matthew sounded sarcastic amidst his uneasiness. Josh worried for his friend greatly, Matthew most times doesn’t know how to manage anxiety and he needed to intercede soon enough. “Doctor Maximillian, I apologise for all these…” Josh pleaded, looking sideways at his friend with a corner of his eyes. “No problem, honourable commissioner. He has to tell them now, or I would be left with no option than to tell his family myself. Protecting the girl is most important right now. Whatever we must do must be done now. Either ways, danger is still ahead.” Matthew calmed down a bit and came to rest his hand on the table, looking at the doctor from high up there. “Either ways? There is danger ahead? What does that mean?” “You have to tell her before your wife employs the services of a psychotherapist. You wouldn’t like the outcome if she learns about this whole thing from the girl herself during therapy.” Max admonished and started typing away on his laptop. Josh jerked up immediately and came to stand beside his fidgeting friend. It’s been years something scared the living daylight out of Matthew like this. Matthew is too cool, calm and collected to shake over any matter, no matter how tensed up the matter is. He is usually the comforter. This case is really different. Josh took out his phone, pressed some buttons on it and placed it against his ear. “What are you doing Josh?” Matthew managed to ask, his voice shook terribly. “I’m calling Udale. It’s about time!” Josh kept his voice calm. ********** Jane opened the door, gave way to let her come in. She is dressed in a long black skirt and her blouse is tuck into it. She looks extremely smart as she walked past Jane and into the sitting room proper. “Matron Udale?” “No. She asked I bring you in. Please do follow me.” Jane said politely as she led the way to Laibe’s room. This woman called while at the gate and Udale asked Jane to go lead her in. Only God know who she is. “Ah! You are welcome, Halima. I’ve been expecting you!” Udale gave her a side hug immediately the all-smiling woman stepped into the room. She doesn’t look Udale’s age mate and Jane knew she definitely isn’t either of herself or Mary’s age mates, as well. Who is she then? “Ma’am, I apologise. Some emergencies came up at the office.” She sounded so professional too. “No problem Halima. It’s good you are here now. Here she is…” Udale got up as she led Halima to where Laibe is standing. Laibe quickly turned for the first time as Mary gave space for the two women. Laibe’s turn was so quick that Udale tittered backwards. Halima had this smile which appeared to be permanently plastered on her face. She looked so welcoming and nice already even at first sight. She stood before Laibe and squatted so as to become equal heights with her. “How are you today, pretty damsel…” Her smile didn’t waver, even when Laibe gave no response. “You are so so beautiful. My daughter would be so delighted to meet and become friends with you.” She paused for a while and saw that tactic didn’t work. “Can we talk as friends? I like you a lot already…” she added. “Who is she?” Jane thought she was whispering not knowing that her voice was out there. Halima smiled. Jane just gave her a good ground to start from now. She smiled more at Laibe who didn’t seem to even be seeing her. “My name is Halima, I’m a psychotherapist.” She stretched forth her hand for a handshake but Laibe only kept her face fix to where it has been fixed to. They left the door to her room open, so she was busy staring through it to the adjoining passage - her very own Veranda. Mary and Jane heaved a sigh of relief on getting to know who the smiling woman is. “Laibe, I’m here to help you. Trust me, I know you are such a wonderful person. I only need you to talk to me.” They, most especially Udale waited anxiously for her to talk but she is disappointing all of them again. Laibe didn’t do as much as blink an eye. Strange indeed! “OK baby. Please allow me to help you…” Halima continued. Smiling even sweeter. “I’ve helped a lot of girls your age. I was only able to do this because they agreed to become my friend. Please talk to me!” “Leave me alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Laibe screamed at the top of her lungs. Inasmuch as everyone was elated Laibe spoke for the first time in three weeks, this talk isn’t a good one at all. She is screaming. She is pulling her hair tightly with her hands. “Leave me alone. Uncle, uncle…” she held onto her shirt and ripped it off, “Uncle, leave me alone… NO!!!!!!! Uncle…” she held onto the window rod like she wanted to pass through it. When she saw that wasn’t feasible, she put the edge of her torn shirt in her mouth, “…uhmmm… sweet… ice cream… beach… sweet.” She laughed out loud to herself. Mary is crying already and Udale’s eyes were flooded with tears. Laibe threw the shirt in her mouth away and threw herself onto the floor. “Please!! Leave me alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!” She screamed even more. Halima motioned them to shut the door. As if she saw it coming, Laibe got up in a flash and hurried for the door. Mary and Jane grabbed her. It’s funny how the both of them are struggling to steady the small girl but Laibe wouldn’t calm down. She is still screaming, “Leave me alone!!! Uncle, Uncle please, Leave… Leave me… Leave me alone!!!!!!!!!!!!” “Man the door Ma’am. I need to sedate her, we are taking her to the hospital right away.” Halima ordered Udale before heading for her car outside. A mixture of fear, confusion and frustration gripped Udale as she occupied the entire doorway with her bulky self. Tbc

Episode 29 Continues.. “Some man got me extremely infuriated, Goddess. You wouldn’t believe it. Damn! He probably just planned to ruin my day.” Jane smiled as Max voiced out his frustrations. Maximillian, for as long as she knows, is not one to complain or lament on, let alone about his job. He is that good par excellence. Having him ranting at this moment is quite strange in her ears and truthfully, she didn’t know what soothing response to give him. “Don’t you think you are under so much pressure with this thing? I know it must be the commissioner and his friend’s case. Even though I haven’t met them, I can bet on my honour that they are extremely arrogant. Well, who does money not make arrogant anyway? Don’t you think you need a break off all of these?” Jane opined as she turned into the junction in front of her. She readjusted the earpiece which slid off, onto her right hand and quickly stole a glance at Mary. She couldn’t tell whether the lady beside her was meditating or lost in some wild thoughts. It’s just obvious that she’s been staring out through the mirror of the car, all the way from Bethel Hospital. They had driven behind Udale and the psychotherapist after they were sure Laibe fell asleep. The sedative didn’t take so long to work on her after all. They both had to stay around Matron Udale for a while and only left when her husband finally came around. His face didn’t look good neither did he appear as welcoming as the first time Jane met him. Something must have gone so wrong and it was only wise they excused the couple. “Pressure? This is my job, you know!” Max objected, changing from his initial devastated voice to a firmer one. Jane smiled broader this time. She knew Max so well. He can do anything in the defence of his much-talked-about job. “Soothe yourself then. I’m not really in the best of moods myself…” She dragged the gear to park, in front of Mary’s compound. “What is the problem, Goddess? I noticed that in your voice too.” He had sincerity in his tone. Jane rolled her eyes. “I guess I have to move in with Mary for the meantime…” She jeered and could feel him very uncomfortable over the phone. “That’s not what I’m asking and you know it. What is the problem?” “My mummy, my matron, you remember her now?” That was meant to be a question but Jane didn’t stop to let him respond. “Her daughter is behaving strange and weird. We just left the hospital. She would even be seeing a psychotherapist…” She jammed everything together, not breaking to breathe. “Psychotherapist?” Max sounded amazed. He felt something was trying to pop up in his mind but he was too tired to think at the moment so he dismissed it, as quick as it came. “Yes Love.” Jane removed her car key and got down. Mary had gone in a long time ago, when she saw the call wasn’t going to end anytime soon. Max was quiet for a while. “You know what, Jane? Come to think of it, I think I actually need a break…” Jane was taken aback. First, by him calling her first name but she understood - he is under so much pressure. Aside the fame and the honour that comes with working with politicians, it can be extremely hectic more often than not as they would require you to do things at their own convenience and at their beck and call. She had come to totally understand her fiancé’s predicament and has adjusted to it. Moreover, the past few weeks she spent at his place had opened her eyes to a lot of things. He had assured her that things would get better with time. She totally doubt the possibility of that anyway, because it appears he would continually even get busier with time and chance. Unless, of course, the government refuses to stay stingy for once and employ more hands - especially doctors - to come work in the Lugard House hospital and every other hospital, for that matter. “Are you for real?” She caught herself saying. She didn’t know if she was excited about the news or not. “…when and where would that be then?” “Hmmm… I guess this weekend? I’m not sure. And where else? I would be coming to Ankpa surely.” Jane tittered unconsciously. It’s about time. She told Max how her father is longing to see him, so much so that they, Jane and her father that is, both talked about it this morning before she left the house. She couldn’t have let Max in on it. It would have been extremely insensitive of her, knowing how busy he is. Now that he has, by himself, succumbed to taking a break? The pleasure is all hers. “I can’t wait to see you and get to go to all the places and people you said we needed to visit. It’s high time we doubled the speed of our wedding plans. You know it’s not so far away anymore.” He waited as Jane chuckled. “…I love you so much, Goddess!” “I love you too Max!” Jane screamed into the receiver excitedly. Max ended the call but she still held onto her phone, staring with unusual full attention at it for a very long time. What a good surprise? Finally, her darling mummy, matron Udale, would also get to meet Max officially. Another intriguing episode of ‘On becoming Mrs Obaje.’ ********* Udale frankly didn’t know why Matthew is nagging again. Truth is, she is truly becoming fed up with all of him. All of his guts. All of his threats. All of his harsh words. All of his nonchalance. All of the damn things in him. He had started all the way from the hospital till they got into the house and he is still keeping up at it. She has had a very trying moment in the last few weeks and having Laibe laying on that hospital bed doesn’t seem like something she found interesting in the very least. It’s good Matthew is only nagging and not shouting. Only God can tell what she would do if he had shouted on her before the ladies. He dashed into the hospital not so long after Udale asked Mary to send him a message using her phone. Udale had forgotten her own phone at home during all the rush hour events down there. Mary simply drafted a short text, saying ‘Laibe was rushed to Bethel hospital’. There was no much details and she thought Matron’s husband would call back immediately after reading such a message. Well, this is not the first time the man’s actions are leaving her in utter disappointment. The very latest being Baba’s burial secret. “Which of them have I done wrong now, Matthew? Calling a psychotherapist for a girl who isn’t talking yet behaving unusually weird? Or sedating and rushing her to the hospital when she started screaming your name all of a sudden.” Matron demanded with a raging voice. Her eyes flashing and burning with anger. Matthew swallowed. “I’m not saying any of your actions were wrong Udale. I’m only saying…” “Only saying what? Only saying what, Matthew?” She cut in, raising her voice. “…excuse me sir? You are only saying I should sit back and fold my hands while my only niece and of course the only blood relation of mine left lose her mind? Incredible!” She looked at him with deep concerns, unable to believe her ears. “What should I rather do? Run away to work in Lokoja as well, and leave her to run mad? Can you listen to yourself, Matthew?” Matthew knew he needed to tread with caution now. Udale was apparently blowing the whole matter out of proportion. He picked up the remote and turned on the TV for no good reason; he just needed to be a bit distracted. Music? Alright. At least, so Udale wouldn’t notice his nervousness… or is it anxiety? He is actually unlike Matthew at the moment. “And did Josh call me over three times? Was there a problem?” Udale jolted him again, staring at the screen of her phone as she picked it up from the side stool she had left it while taking Jane and Mary to Laibe’s room earlier. Matthew glanced at her. He now realised why the calls rang out unanswered, earlier. Perhaps he would have been able to say all of it then, if she picked up the call. Josh was more or less a great source of morale for him. Josh would have helped him say it, if he couldn’t. Right now, he is struggling hard with how best to say what is eating up his mind. The doctor was right, he would wish for death to come if Udale finds out through the psychotherapist what he had done… or what he has been doing. If once was to be a mistake, how then can one account for several times? “Did you hear my question at all?” Udale frowned when her husband didn’t seem to be responding to her. Whatever was on his mind, she could care less right now. “Yes… yes… yea I did. I … I did…” Matthew sat up on his chair. “Never mind. I guess he only wanted to tell you something.” “Something? Josh?” Udale sounded unbelieving. “…I should call him right away then!” She started tapping away on the screen of her phone. Matthew jumped up and snatched the phone from her hand before he could stop himself. This got Udale both confused and suspicious as she turned questioning eyes at her husband. “You don’t have to call him back, OK? He… he… he probably wanted to reach me…” Seeing Udale didn’t fall for that. “…I know… I know… I know we were together, alright? But you know Josh now, he can be extremely… erhm… extremely forgetful.” He knew he wasn’t sounding convincing but he got to take a chance. Udale couldn’t comprehend what her husband was saying in her head but didn’t really want to raise more alarm… not at this time. She was about to say something when the doorbell chimed. “I’ll get it.” Matthew sprang up and hurried to the door immediately. “I’ll need some explanation on why she kept screaming out ‘Uncle’ and asking you to leave her alone too. That’s after all this is over.” Udale called out from behind him. Matthew felt extremely weak at the knees but didn’t stop. He only continued walking till he got to the door and pulled down the knob. He was startled initially but quickly gained back his composure. The faces he was seeing didn’t appear familiar to him in any way. ****** Laibe tried to open her eyes. It’s as if there was something gluing the upper part to the lower one. She forcefully continued till she could see something before her. It looked like a white cloud. Oh, she made it to heaven so early? She questioned herself. Then she thought she heard a voice, “it must be the angel sent to welcome me.” A broad smile formed around her face. “You are back.” The voice came again, and at this point, she was beginning to joggle her brain to remembrance, especially the part talking of the journey she got back from. She tried to get up. A pang flew through the inside of her right eyes all the way through to her back. She fell back almost immediately. “You need to rest, my friend.” Laibe heard and this time she was certain it wasn’t any heaven and the white clouds were the colours of the ceiling right above her. She turned to see the woman smiling at her. She definitely isn’t so young neither is she too old. Laibe didn’t seem to remember anything as she just stared at the women demanding answers. “I’m Halima, your friend. And ehrm… and we rushed you down here some … some hours ago.” Oh! Here she is thinking she had at least escaped the torture of her grandfather’s death and the other one she faces at home yet unable to confide in no one. She didn’t mind ending it on earth at the moment already. “Friend? Did you say your name was He… Halima?” Laibe sounded like someone recuperating from chronic amnesia. Halima smiled. Laibe thought that the woman’s smile is very beautiful. At least, it’s giving her some bit of comfort and relaxation right on this hospital bed. The first time Laibe was in this hospital was when they rushed Baba down here and he died before her very eyes. She remembered she couldn’t even shed a tear after that incidence. Her heart was heavier than a stone and perhaps, a portion of it detached and had probably come to clog her throat. That explains why she wasn’t talking too then. A woman’s heart is indeed a deep ocean of secrets. “So you relax, OK? I would get the doctor for you soon.” Halima said politely and got up. Laibe watched her as she walked on till she was almost opening the door. “When do I meet her?” “Meet who?” Halima turned confused face back at Laibe. She thought the girl was hallucinating again but all of a sudden, her brain gathered up the many things she thinks the young girl must be talking about. She came to one conclusion and believed that must be what Laibe wanted to know. “Anytime you want, my friend!” Laibe smiled at this and Halima returned the smile before walking out of the wardroom. ****** Helen sat a little bit uncomfortable. Though she is an Igbo girl, she has learnt every single alphabet in the Igala language; so much for being born and bred in Ankpa. She didn’t have issues communicating with aunty Udale… it was not as though they spoke Igala with each other. When Laibe’s uncle opened the door, she wasn’t surprised at all that he stood staring back at them for a long time. Helen, herself, didn’t also help the issue because words failed her on seeing the huge man… suffice to say that she felt intimidated all of a sudden. Thank God aunty Udale came to the scene at the time she did. Laibe’s aunty is the only one Helen is familiar with, they have seen and talked the many times she came to drop or pick Laibe at/from school. It’s rather unfortunate that her friendship with Laibe had always been within the four walls of school. Since their driver brings her to school, Laibe hadn’t gotten the opportunity to meet any of her own parents, unlike her. “Wow! Helen? Great surprise. How are you my dear girl?” Udale had said, hugging Helen, on getting to the door. Helen quickly introduced the other man with her, who insisted on waiting outside, as her driver. Udale felt really impressed as the little girl said she asked her father to let the driver bring her here to check Laibe immediately she got home after school. “Where is she now?” she had asked almost as soon as she took her seat. Laibe’s uncle didn’t look the least interested in her question neither did he seem as excited as Udale was to see her. Helen felt he hated her already with the way he snubbed her and sat on his own like he wasn’t in the living room at all. Funny enough, Laibe has never mentioned him in any of their discussions, so Helen has not the slightest idea as to who her friend’s uncle was. “She is in the hospital.” Udale responded, taking her seat. Helen sat up involuntarily. “Hospital? Which hospital? I mean why?” She saw a look of gross irritation on Matthew’s face as her voice rose. And before she got an answer to her questions, the man got up, picked his car keys and excused himself; heading up the stairs. Helen absolutely didn’t understand. Was Laibe’s uncle this unkind to visitors who are her friends or it’s peculiar to her? She let the thoughts slide away. Where to find her friend is the most important thing right now. “Your friend is having some health issues… I truly fear it wouldn’t result in mental issues in the long run.” Udale said slowly, counting her words out like she needed prayers to say every single one of them. “How do you mean mental issues, ma?” Udale swallowed painfully. Stress has left a permanent crease on her forehead today. It’s been such a hell of a day. “Well, I’m just hoping it is not, my dear. Please can I ask you a question, Helen? And I need you to be extremely sincere.” Udale’s eyes were penetrating the young girl now and she felt really uncomfortable. But as it is typical of Aleka Academy, the school has put in her courage and boldness to politely face anyone in whatever situation. Thus, she tried to still maintain a fairly stable and comported facial expression. She nodded in the affirmative. That was the most polite response she could give right now and thankfully, aunty Udale didn’t mind. “Was your friend following any guy around in school or anywhere else? Anyone that you are aware of? Was there any unusual male around her at any point that you know?” Helen stared back at Laibe’s aunty in confusion. The confusion was gaining a lot of grounds in her head, more and more by each ticking hand of the clock. It can’t be Ezekiel, surely. Laibe couldn’t have had anything to do with him, she knew that deep within even while they were keeping malice. “You see Helen, you may be afraid of talking now…” Udale’s voice brought her from her thoughts, “… this is for her own good. Your beloved friend is acting abnormally and we left her unconscious at the hospital…” Helen’s eyes popped open and Udale smiled lightly, “… she was actually sedated.” She corrected and felt Helen take in a deep sigh of relief. “Aunty, Laibe doesn’t like boys. She hates them with passion, you will know even from the disgusted way she talks about them.” Helen’s voice was calm as she spoke. “Disgusted? How do you mean?” Helen twisted her tongue inside her mouth. She would try to stay within the confines of what she can remember. She didn’t want it to be said that she betrayed Laibe... or whatever the so-called code of friendship entails. “I don’t know how to explain ma, but whenever we talk and it comes to issues of boys, she gets overtly infuriated and screams at the top of her voice.” Udale felt another big blow on her face hearing this. How couldn’t she have known, noticed or found that out? There was no way she would have. She haven’t had any deep conversation with Laibe in recent times… that’s if she ever did at all. She had always thought Laibe should be fine… and finest if need be, because, unlike the village where she was taken from, she has more life to herself now than ever before. I’m a failed mother obviously, perhaps that’s why God didn’t give me a child, she cursed herself silently within. “So you mean there is no boy she has introduced you to? She hasn’t told you she liked any one? I mean, you know what I’m saying. What you people call ‘crush’, am I right? Think! Anyone, anytime.” Udale pressed on Helen still shook her head from side to side She knew Laibe’s disposition whenever it comes to the opposite sex. In fact, at a point she began to wonder if Laibe was homosexual. That should be the only thing potent enough to completely erase a lady’s attraction for a man, right? Udale kept pleading eyes on Helen while she nodded from left to right in thoughts, until gbam! Something seem to flash back in her brain. “No one that she had told you she liked? No…” “Yes, there was one guy…” Helen interrupted, “… the first time we saw him… well, I don’t think that’s Lee’s first time though, he scared us with his car. We were walking down that lonely street from our school, so we thought he was a kidnapper.” “Kidnapper? Walking to where please?” Udale asked in astonishment and continued, “Eehen! So what happened?” Helen felt quite uncomfortable saying this. Her only solace is in the fact that Laibe didn’t tell her to keep it secret as they would always do. “Nothing ma. Nothing happened. We later found out he was someone she knew. Actually, my guts tells me the person looks familiar, but I couldn’t point it. At least, till the guy drove me home before bringing her here and up until now…” “OK! Thank you very much. Anymore thing?” “Laibe didn’t come to school the day after that. She however told me some days later that the guy has been asking her to marry him… though we couldn’t talk much that time because it was our test week. We haven’t finished the discussion since she has been away from school for so long now, her phone has been off as well and I was worried until Miss Mary told me she lost her grandfather.” Helen narrated. “The guy you both met, how long ago was that?” Udale asked. Helen shut her eyes for a while, as though trying to picture the date required of her. “Uhmm…It was on a Thursday… yes. Thursday. She didn’t come to school the next day. I guess she said, her grandfather was brought home that Friday or so. I can’t completely recall.…” Udale felt alarm ring in her head. “So she didn’t play badminton that Thursday at school?” Helen found the question funny but she didn’t show it. “No ma. Miss Mary excused Laibe and I from extracurricular activities that day.” “So you are sure she didn’t play badminton?” Helen didn’t understand anymore. Aunty Udale is asking the same question she just answered. “We both didn’t do anything other than walking out and getting frightened initially by the guy who later drove us home.” She sounded very firm while talking. She was as sure of this as she is of her surname. Udale swallowed, many pictures were reappearing in her head and she was trying hard to figure out a sensible way of merging everything together. “This guy in question, do you know his name?” Helen stared back at aunty Udale, searching deep inside her head, perhaps she would find the guy’s name, that’s if she ever heard it in the first place. ***** Udale violently pushed the door to the bedroom open. She glanced at Matthew who was sitting at her dressing table and headed towards the bed. She was not going to be satisfied, after all Helen told her, until she finds the guy whose name Helen couldn’t provide. She sat down on the right side of the bed where her husband usually use, feeling extremely restless and then jerked up. She felt Matthew’s eyes turning to her immediately she dragged open his side drawer. “What are you looking for in there?” Udale shot a cold eye at him and he kept quiet immediately. She pulled out one of the notebooks from the drawers and tried to fan herself with it, then a paper fell off it. Matthew felt the impulse to rush for that paper but he knew better than adding to the very many reasons he has given his wife to suspect him today. He however prepared himself, bracing up for expected questions. “Laibe, I expected your call and now I’m here. I feel you have lost my card. Just call me back on 08103872490 as soon as you see this…” Matthew listened, without looking, as his wife read out the content of the paper that fell off the book she carried out of his drawer. “…You knew about this?” Udale kept unbelievable eyes on her husband. “Knew about what?” Matthew replied. He has always known the ‘question back’ mechanism to be efficient. “Oh! Don’t give me that Matthew…” Udale seem to be flaring up by each statement she made, “…you knew about the guy that dropped her at home that Thursday? You saw him? You knew he probably slept in this house with her? Why didn’t you tell me?” “Slept in this house?” he snorted, “… and you believe I’ll let someone in here to sleep with our daughter? Do you know how precious she is to me?” Matthew sounded extremely disappointed this time and that worked. It worked because Udale started crying. Kudos to reverse psychology. “I don’t know what to believe anymore, Honey. Helen just told me about a guy we don’t know his name, this paper is having probably the guy’s number and that appears like you know him. I met her room in complete disarray the morning of that day and you were sleeping in the living room, she said she played badminton, Helen said, they both didn’t do any activity the day before. She walked like she had balls between her legs. I don’t know what to think anymore.” She started sobbing even louder, so much so that Matthew had to get up and go pat her gently on the shoulders. Her fat body vibrated heavily, shaking the bed. He could feel his own heart beat loudly against his chest as his wife’s tears poured. “Contrary to what you think, I don’t know the guy. True, I saw them the day he dropped her and I confronted her but she said nothing. I ceased this note from the gateman’s hand some days later - apparently the same guy came looking for her.” Udale wiped a tear drop with the back of her left hand. “Why didn’t you tell me, Matthew? Why do I think you are the one encouraging this girl in all the rubbish she does?” Matthew swallowed, making sure there was no eye contact with her. “Far from it Udale. Baba was very sick, I felt you had enough already to handle knowing how extremely worried you can be. I decided to handle it my own way.” “Now, she is going haywire, how in your own way did you handle it o? Have you called the number?” “The number has been unreachable…” “Ha… unreachable?… Ojo mi o!” More tears poured off Udale’s face. “…did he rape her and ran away? Were they having an affair? Laibe looked heartbroken, could it be as a result of his unavailability? Oh God, what is happening to me?” She wailed louder and deeper. At this point, Matthew didn’t know what to do. Udale’s questions are very many and he will never be able to answer them correctly. He also know he had an answer that would clean off this set of questions and arouse entirely different ones. Perhaps this is the opportunity he has. It may even be the last chance he would have. He needed to pull himself together anyways and say it now or forget it forever. He opened his mouth to speak but shut it when Udale cut in, “Matthew, I feel like I failed my own only brother.” Tears poured freely even more now. “No Baby, you are just being hard on yourself. You never told your sister-in-law not to bother you, did you?” He’s trying to be as consoling as possible. “I’ve always suggested to my late elder brother Ugbede, that he should move to Ankpa. I was ready to do whatever it would take me to make him settle down here when he comes, but you know you men and your ego right?” Udale explained. “Yeah! And I know this story you are telling me already too. He insisted he would stay back at the village and try to make ends meet because it sounded insulting for him to come running to his younger sister for help.” Matthew concluded it for her but she wasn’t satisfied. She still continued. “And that was how my brother… my only brother… went to Oba and never returned alive.” Udale cried more and more. “Youhave to be strong, Honey, I know it’s hurting! It was a road accident, it could happen to anyone. Pity party would not help anyone now.” Matthew said, gently stroking her hair. “You have no idea Honey, you have no idea what it feels like for your own brother’s wife to be seriously sick and not mentioning any of it to you because she also feels she shouldn’t disturb you. Seriously, if I had learnt of Ichojo’s sickness earlier than I did, she would still be alive by now.” Matthew didn’t know what he was supposed to do anymore. None of his consoling words seem to be sinking into his wife. “But death can happen to anyone. It wasn’t your fault. Remember, you did your best after realising it, no matter how late it was. It wasn’t your fault any of them died, Udale. Don’t be hard on yourself.” He managed to pull this off his throat comfortably without accompanying his frustrations alongside. “My brother died because I wasn’t able to convince him well enough. His wife died because I was too negligent… perhaps, I should have visited the village more regularly, now my father has died too and my only niece is going mental. I don’t have any child to call my own. Am I not heading to hit the rocks? Who is doing all these to me?” Udale wailed loudly. This time, Matthew knew his wife has chosen the path of self-pity and nothing would be potent enough to comfort her. He drew her closer for a hug and pecked her hair over and again. It’s good there is even chemistry adequate for these. She is his wife and it’s his duty to comfort her no matter the guilt that is firmly tied to a part of his heart. Udale rose her head, bringing her eyeballs to come stare straight into Matthew’s. He felt a bit uncomfortable but couldn’t show it. He mustn’t show any cause for suspicions just yet. Maybe, he should just go ahead and tell her. The worst that would ever happen will happen. There is no good time on his hand, he is aware of that, and his grace period expires with each tick of the clock. “Matthew, please tell me what you are not telling me.” Udale’s question brought him back from his thoughts and he felt his heart race heavily against his rib cage. So heavily that one would think the heart was going to pull out of its cage and unfortunately, Udale’s head is resting on his chest. His hand on her back got weak immediately and her teary eyes got the words in his throat pushing out but he is yet to fathom the best way to begin this. He swallowed deeply. Tbc

Episode 30 Continues.. OK sir… alright sir. I’ll definitely do the needful as soon as I can. Thank God, you just confirmed they actually live in Ankpa and not Lokoja.” He turned his face, when he felt the door creaked, to see Jane coming in. “You know what, Uncle? I keep saying in my next world, I’ll not accept that kind of person again, whether the order came from you or mum.” Max practically mouthed into the phone. He waited for what the person on the other side of the phone was saying and he laughed lightly. “OK sir. I guess my woman just came in to tell me my time is up…” He flashed his eyes at Jane who was looking all dressed up, “…I’ll sir. In fact, I’m greeting her now for you already.” He winked at Jane and she smiled. “…I’ll get to work as soon as possible. Thank you sir. Bye for now sir.” He hung up and hastily moved over to hug Jane. Though he came into Ankpa yesterday, he haven’t had her time. Majorly because her father kept him engaged all through. It’s really been a long time and the men both had a lot of things to talk about, especially now that they are working towards the date Jane chose. “You and this your uncle! What kind of person has he given you that you wouldn’t accept next time?” Jane confronted him, immediately he released her from the hug. Max smiled, pecking her forehead. “You know I told you that man was infuriating me the other day. Thank God he hasn’t returned since then, I’m hell fed up with him. Uncle Nonso was the one who directed them to me. That’s not even the problem, he is a chronic insubordinate patient. You give the man simple instructions that would help his situation, he would not do it, then, he comes back yelling at me over what I didn’t do. It’s annoyingly crazy! He even threatens me about losing my license, can you imagine that?” Jane started laughing and he stopped because her laughter got him confused. He didn’t know what was funny in his statement. He had an idea what Jane was laughing at though. It was probably the serious face he wore while talking. Truth is, this matter usually gets him infuriated, especially after the last meeting with them. He wished the man’s wife had picked up her call when the honourable commissioner called her in his presence. He would have insisted on talking to her himself. Bloody lying rich men! He drew a very long hiss before he could stop himself. “Are you OK, Max?” Jane called back his attention. Max quickly dragged down the edges of his polo. “Of course I am. Is your father ready to move now?” Jane didn’t believe him fully but also didn’t want to push anything. “He was the one that asked me to come and call you. You are obviously keeping the old man waiting.” “Let’s hurry then. Don’t mind my uncle. He rarely calls and so keeps one on the phone, the few times he does, so long you will wonder if he gets charged by his network providers at all.” Max said, spraying a deodorant on himself. Jane smiled. She has heard so much about Dr Nonso, his uncle, that she is beginning to wonder whether Max’s dad is his actual father, or not. She opened the door and led the way. “Do you by any chance know any Dr Matthew Onoja?” Max thought she could be of help, so as to ease his findings. “No!” She cut in, without thinking, even before the words barely left Max’s mouth. “Why did you ask?” Jane inquired with questioning eyes. Not keeping her father any longer than they have now was most paramount. “OK! Never mind then. I’m supposed to discuss something with his wife.” Max said firmly and followed Jane out of the room. ******** Udale had to stop as she saw a car drive into their compound. Even though the car looks very familiar, she wasn’t expecting any visitor as it were. In fact, she should have left with Matthew to the hospital an hour ago if not that she isn’t someone to dress up in a hurry, most especially after she was just done cooking Laibe’s meal - and so she asked him to go ahead of her. Laibe has been in that hospital for almost a week now. It’s sickening. Halima said she’s gradually succeeding at making friends with Laibe, even though she hadn’t been able to get Laibe to say all the things they needed her to say. “Therapy works, Ma’am. It’s one step at a time.” was what Halima told her two days ago. She is running out of patience sincerely and her new found job of taking food to the hospital every morning didn’t come across as a newly found hobby to her. What can she do? She beamed with smiles on seeing who stepped out of the car. These are truly August visitors. “To what do I owe this august visit, Sir?” she said, bending courteously to greet patron Odaudu, her predecessor. Jane quickly came over to hug her while Max said his greetings from somewhere there. “U…dale… you look adorable, as usual!” Udale blushed as Patron Odaudu said these things. Though he wasn’t being truthful, it felt nice to hear a compliment in a long while, most especially the modified way he often calls her name… like he was stressing the first part of it to sound like Uh…dale. “Thank you sir. Please do come in sir.” Jane was still clinging onto her. A child in an adult’s body she is really. “Come in? You look like you are headed somewhere. We didn’t intend to stay long, just to greet you and your husband, since it’s been so long.” Patron Odaudu said courteously. “And to let you finally meet the much talked about Max…” Jane whispered in her ears and her smiles got broader. “Maximillian? Our very own Dr Max. It’s nice to finally place a face to the name.” Though Max didn’t understand the part of ‘our very own’, he didn’t show it. He only moved forward and took her hand politely, in the perfect gentleman’s fashion. “Same here Ma’am. Jane has told me a lot about you too, her mummy.” They all laughed out. Max and Patron Odaudu, his soon-to-be father in-law were almost on the same clothes. Well, it was coincidental. Max followed Jane downstairs to see that her father also was on a jean trouser and polo. It felt good and Max immediately made some grandpa goals; to be as young and fresh as the older man even in his old age. “Please, let us go in. You don’t want my in-law to know my house?” Udale joked, winking at Jane and they laughed again. “Some other time, some other time. How about your husband, where is he? I’ve since longed to see him.” Jane’s father said. Udale’s smiles has reduced appreciably but she is trying very well to mask her feelings. “He went to the hospital earlier. I was just about going there too myself.” “Hospital? Who is at the hospital?” Jane’s father exclaimed. Just then, his eyes fell on the basket filled with food flasks beside Udale. “I told you about my kid sister’s condition, daddy.” Jane interrupted and that eased some burden off Udale’s heart. “Oh! I’m so sorry. Is it that serious that she has to stay there till now? It’s about a week or so now.” Philip Odaudu couldn’t help his curiosity. “It’s serious, sir.” Jane thought her mummy’s voice broke while saying this. She picked up the basket and started out, ahead of them. “Well, let’s all go together then. I wanna see the girl and also see your husband.” Patron Odaudu turned knowing eyes at Max who stood quiet all the while, seeking what seemed like approval, and the later returned his stare with a nod in the affirmative. “I guess, we are all good then.” He said, leading the way. Udale wasn’t sure of this. Especially that Matthew had warned her not to come visit Laibe with another person, let alone two new face, but she is caught between two balls here; this is her superior and she shouldn’t be disobeying or talking back at him. Any hesitation to his suggestion would paint a picture and atmosphere of suspicion which she wasn’t ready for right now. She took deep calming breaths and hurried after them. ********* Max drove a little calmer this time. There is this thing about taking precautions whenever you are driving elderly people. In fact, common sense would tell you it’s important. He didn’t want his father in-law to-be to complain about him driving recklessly. He applied the break slowly as he tried to negotiate the bend that lead to Jane’s street. He knew Jane was not happy in the very least. She had really wanted to follow her ‘mummy’ to the hospital. Well, perhaps if she used her own car, she would have been able to follow her ‘mummy’ without them, but this is her father’s car right here and everyone must submit to his authority. “You know, son, that there is actually nothing urgent to attend to right?” Philip Odaudu started. Max looked sideways at him with confusion in his eyes. Nothing urgent? So why are they not on their way to Bethel hospital after or in company of Udale as the older man opined earlier, he thought within him, and as though Jane’s father could read his mind, he answered the questions. “Yeah! You know when you get to my age, with so many life lessons and experiences, observing some things comes in handy, simple and natural.” Max coincidentally saw Jane’s face through the mirror as she smirked. Her father is towing the path she obviously don’t always get comfortable with… more like she had heard those lines over and over again and she finds them hell boring already. “And what was that observation, sir?” Max said politely, masking the smile that Jane’s action almost formed on his face. “She didn’t want us to follow her to the hospital…” Max and Jane’s eyes popped open. “…Yes! I know what I’m saying, she surely agreed just because she feels I shouldn’t be disrespected, and not because she actually was comfortable with our following her to the hospital idea.” He explained further. It’s true though. Max had observed the hesitations in Udale’s footsteps earlier and she’s apparently not one to be able to hide her emotions clearly away from her eyes. He felt relieved when Jane’s father saw it too. “That was why I had to tell her to go ahead this time and we would, on another occasion. I actually used the guise of someone waiting for me at home, and something urgent to attend to; so as not to make her feel bad about it because I know Udale, her eyes are as close to tears as a fish is closed up in water.” His words got Max pondering again. It’s good to have an intelligent father in-law, really. He pulled into the compound and dragged the gear to park. “Sorry Sir…” He said quickly before Odaudu would step out. If Jane’s eyes carried guns now, he would have dropped dead from the look she shot at him. Jane had admonished him, even when she claimed to be joking but he knew she was serious, that he should be calling her father ‘daddy’ and not address him as ‘sir’. Most especially that their rapport is very good, she wonders what makes it hard for Max to sound ‘personal’ with her father. Max on his own side, maybe due to excessive years of studying and living abroad, has come to see that taking someone ‘personal’ should be in calling him or her by the first name and not in all the titles that we blacks make a big deal of. Well, that belief of his cannot grow here, if people mustn’t read him as disrespectful. That’s why the words, ‘ma’am and sir’ are vital part of his vocabulary. His own parents are not even helping matters; they call each other by their first names and don’t even mind if the children call them as well. “Yes! What is that, son?” Odaudu said, sounding a bit impatient. “Uhm… Mr… I mean, Dr Matthew Onoja, do you by any chance know who that person is?” Max asked, hoping he could get a lead to the man’s house. The database of Matthew in his file had the commissioner as everything; the next of kin’s phone number, the home address, the contact address. Seeing how large Ankpa is, whoever would give him any information about his patient is welcomed. Philip Odaudu placed a finger on his empty jaw. There was nothing to pick, so the finger only rested. “Matthew… Matthew… Matthew Onoja…” He muttered to himself for a while. Jane sat still at the back, she could bet that the name sounded very familiar. At least, her mummy’s name tag at workplace bears, ‘Matron Onoja’. It couldn’t have been her own Onoja anyway. Jane presumed the name must be for that horrible man that did all those nonsense and still have the nerves to wanna cover up, if, and of course she is quite sure, all the stories Max told her are correct. “Yeah!” Odaudu sprang up on his chair. “…that’s Matthew now. Udale’s husband, the person we would have gone with her to the hospital to see. Oh! Matthew! It’s been a really long time. Since he started working at Lokoja, I barely see him around anymore.” A smile formed on his face but quickly faded when he turned to Max. The young man was sweating in an air-conditioned car. Jane had let out a loud shocked scream when he affirmed the person with the name identity. If nothing else, these two children are having him confused here. “Is there any problem, Max?” he called him by his first name for the very first time in a long while. “Ye.. yes sir… no, I mean no sir…” Max stammered and Odaudu rose his eyebrows. “If you don’t mind sir, I have to follow the woman back to the hospital, this is important and urgent.” Max requested, dragging the car key out of his hole, handing it over to him and stepping out while at it. The older man was obviously confused and could see how Jane worked so hard not to leave any expression on her face as well. He only could pray Matthew was in no danger. “Why not?” He excused Max, who practically took off to his heels. “You don’t know Bethel hospital, Max.” Jane called out, running after him till he stopped. “Let’s go in my car.” She said calmly. “I’ll handle this, Goddess. Just pray for me.” He mouthed and walked out through the gate. Jane stood fixed, looking at him till she could see him no more. She would pray that nothing happens to her fiancé in this mightily complicated case, especially now that the victims are people close by. ****** Halima hurriedly followed after Udale. She didn’t know if she should have said what she said, or was it the way she said it? Maybe, she shouldn’t have said it that way, or should not have even said it at all. But what would she rather do? Udale’s husband had driven out of here earlier too, just immediately he heard it from her. He didn’t even wait for her to say the last part. The part that would require her asking more interesting questions. Perhaps, this couples behave the same way, because Udale also isn’t patient to listen to her. She hurried over, and her leg was almost hitting Udale’s when the latter opened the door to the ward room where Laibe was staying. Laibe was sitting on the chair beside her bed instead. Udale had left off the basket of food in her rage from Halima’s office. Though the last one she brought alongside cutleries are still on the side table. Laibe rose to her feet immediately her aunty walked in. Her eyeballs were so red that they could stain a white material. She couldn’t move so much because a drip was placed on her hand. She had been vomiting all the things she ate in almost the whole week she has spent here now. She made sure nobody noticed it and thankfully that she was in a private ward containing its toilet. She had successfully kept everyone out of it until two days ago when Halima came in to check on her at an unusual time. Laibe knew her therapy time, she enjoys the discussion with Halima, especially the part that made her anticipate seeing Halima’s daughter soonest. It’s either Halima wanted to surprise her two days ago… or not. Whichever way, she came in late in the evening with some cookies, only to find Laibe throwing up in the bathroom. Her uncle and aunty were done visiting and had left then. Laibe could remember the surprised look on Halima’s face and she wondered why. At least, it’s as normal to vomit as it is to run temperature, right? Halima sat back interrogating her instead of dropping the cookies and leaving immediately, Laibe cursed her luck. Asking her questions like; the day she last saw her period and very many inconsequential questions… or so she thought. She had felt like throwing up about twice during that time of interrogation and excused herself each time. Halima however followed her in there the third time, cleaned her up and held her hand. “We need to run tests on you, Laibe.” was the simple answer she gave when Laibe asked where she was leading her to. She had awaited Halima to come over and talk to her all through yesterday, at least about the various tests they conducted on her, but nothing. She also expected unusual questions from her folks, that’s if they’ve learnt of the test results, but to her amazement, none made mention of it yesterday. The drip that was set by a nurse, after those series of tests, now feels like a trap to her because she couldn’t detach it and move outside to go meet Halima for clarity after anxiety became her food. Earlier, about an hour ago, Uncle Matthew also walked gently into this room. She wasn’t sleeping, she had her back resting against the rod that edged the bed. She stared back at him demanding answers as he stared at her. He didn’t say anything, he just held onto the door knob like he would usually do. It felt like that door was his pillar while helplessness filled the bulk of his eyes. Laibe could feel pains almost dropping off his shoulders and hitting the floor so hard it could cause an eruption. “What is the problem?” She muttered underneath her breath. Surely, she wasn’t going to ask him questions, not with the way he is looking like someone that just got struck by a purple ghost. After some appreciable number of minutes, she watched as her uncle left off the door knob and walked out, closing the door gently behind him. She felt like jumping off the bed and running after him, or meeting anyone… just anyone that can save her from this brain torture of waiting for Halima… her friend. It was in her confusion and frustration that she slid off the bed onto the chair beside it… that was the much she could do. She stared so much at the needle that was bounded by whatever that brown thing is…plaster… whatever… to the back of her hand with wishful eyes. She felt so much pain that she started to cry, weep, wail, and even sob, all together. Udale stormed in with red shot eyes as well. “So you let that riffraff sleep with you?” Her voice was at its peak Laibe looked back with the ‘excuse me’ look. “The boy that drove you and your friend from school on that Thursday evening I travelled to bring baba.” Laibe didn’t know what to say now. “Was he the one that got you pregnant?” Laibe’s heart missed many different beats in succession. She saw her whole world crumble before her own very eyes and the broken pieces, like glasses, broke into even tinier and useless pieces. Pregnant? “Answer me before I poke the whole length of my arm through your throat.” “You have to take it easy, Ma’am.” Halima spoke out for the first time when she saw Udale would beat Laibe up if she didn’t speak up early enough. Halima blames herself for all of these. She should have kept the findings from the test results to herself and continue therapy till she is able to get Laibe to say who was responsible for the pregnancy. She just felt Laibe’s folks are learned people, especially that Udale is a matron, she expected more maturity in the handling of this case than she was seeing now. “Take it easy? Take what easy?” She laughed in spite of herself. “...Laibe, after all I’ve done for you? Picked you up and made you one to stand out amidst others, you decided to let one never-do-well boy make a mess of your life?” Udale was still screaming but tears were flowing from her eyes already. Laibe is no exception to this tears party. In fact, hers is more pitiful. “I… I am sorry, aunty.” Udale rose her hand and landed a hot slap on Laibe’s cheeks. Halima immediately jumped in between them, pushing Udale onto the bed beside her. “Are you OK, baby?” Halima asked, rubbing Laibe’s face. More tears. Less words. “Yes I am…” Laibe held her cheek. She thought she had gone blind earlier when the thunderous slap landed on her tender cheek, that was because she began to see numerous sizes and colours of stars. “You better tell me who got you pregnant, if you don’t want me to strangle you with my bare hands.” Udale screamed from where she was sited, stretching her hand to reach the little girl but Halima prevented it. Halima held onto Laibe’s hand, the one drip wasn’t fixed to, tenderly. Her eyes drilled into the little girl’s petite body and wished she could help her bear the pains right now. “Who got you pregnant, my friend? You know you have me. I’m sorry about this, but just tell us, please?” Halima kept her white eyeballs on Laibe while saying this. The poor girl was still in tears, shaking and vibrating so violently like someone set on a vibrator. “You don’t have to patronise her. All her tactics have been laid bare. Tell me now or never.” Udale called out. “Enough Mrs Udale. Please let’s hear her out.” Laibe saw Halima frown for the first time, thank God it wasn’t towards her… yet. “We lodged in the same room at confluence beach hotel, as father and daughter, on the first ever vacation after my result came out…” Laibe swallowed and tears poured. Halima encouraged her with nods and attentive eyes as Udale sat up. “…on the second night, he asked me to draw closer to him. I didn’t see it right, but he pounced on me during the moment of hesitation and slept with me.” She didn’t say them together all at the same time like this, she said it bit by bit, pushing out the next words like it stuck to her throat. Udale thought she was listening to an episode of This Life family drama’ and she drew closer, though feeling weak at the knees this time. So much so that she knew she would drop down if she made any attempt to stand up. “I screamed and screamed till I could no more…” Laibe’s tone brought tears to Halima’s eyes. “I saw my blood everywhere as he entered me, yet he didn’t stop. My groaning didn’t make him stop. I tried to fight with my leg but just one of his on me, covered the whole of me.” Laibe could picture that night as she said this. That night remains the most unforgettable night of her life. She hadn’t seen it coming at all. He had made her have so much fun at the confluence beach earlier in the day. He even told her goodnight when she came to lay after insisting she took her bath and change into the nighties he bought for her. About two hours into the sleep was when she felt a hand caress her thighs. She thought it was dreams until the hand started raising her dress. She immediately put on the bedside lamp and saw her uncle, sweating with red eyes. The sweat was so much, it dripped onto her. It was mixed feelings for her; fear and confusion. He started sounding helpless while begging her not to stop him. The words were barely off his mouth before he pulled his entire weight on and into her. “ahhhhhh! No… Uncle, no! Leave me alone! Leave me!!!” Laibe screamed from her thoughts. She had prayed nothing would require her remembering those horrible pictures vividly ever again. Though she probably wouldn’t forget it but telling someone else about it has been what she hasn’t been able to do for about three years now. “Laibe…” Udale’s voice sounded light as she sniffed. “You mean your uncle slept with you?” She was only able to nod her head in response. “How many more times?” “Oh! No, please…” Halima cut in Laibe answered anyway, “A lot more times. All the other vacations we had, at times when you travel and even when you are around and sleeping. The day I started menstruating, many more times after that.” Laibe has exhausted all the pity she has for herself and saw nothing to lose or gain hiding any detail from her aunty. She has come to her final stop. She would say everything there is and await the consequence. “He told me not to ever tell anyone. At times, he would threaten to kill me if I did; at other times, he would promise to give me whatever I wanted; and at other times, he would bring expensive gift items for me.” Udale could connect the loose dots around those costly gifts she saw in the little girl’s room and she said were from her uncle. Udale also remembered the shocked look on her husband’s face at the dining table when she asked him about the gifts. Why didn’t she suspect anything? Oh God!!! “When was the last time he did this to you?” Laibe cried more. “The night you went to bring Baba. It was so merciless that I felt something tear in me. When I tried to move, I couldn’t. that was why I couldn’t run to come hug baba as you expected.” Halima was also crying now. Udale unlike before, now feels enormous pity for her niece. She had brought this upon the little girl. Her negligence and ignorance have. “Is she five weeks pregnant, Halima?” Udale asked with the little more energy left in her. “Yes, five weeks and three days.” Udale got up and stormed out of the room, in so much haste that she disappeared like lightening, slamming the door hard behind her. Halima left off Laibe’s hand and followed after her. Laibe cried more and more, searching for something on the side table with her eyes. ****** “Ma’am, ma’am, someone is here to see you.” “Not now!” Halima snapped, waving her secretary who was running after her, off. She watched and continued in the direction Udale was headed, the latter didn’t stop and didn’t slow down, holding an handkerchief to her nose. Udale held her phone out when Halima came to meet her. “I have ruined my own self, Halima.” She sounded painfully sarcastic as she said this and Halima dragged her closer for a hug. Udale shook in Halima’s hands. “What did I do to deserve this? From Matthew? Unbelievable!” She lamented on and on and on. After a while, Halima released her from the warm hug and made her sit. They were already at the front of the hospital building. “MTN number you are trying to call is currently switched off, please try...” Udale ended it before it would finish the statement she has heard thrice in the past few minutes. “He switched his phone off.” Udale started another round of wails. “You have to be calm Ma’am, you are outside.” Halima cautioned. “Who cares, my husband has been sleeping with my niece under my nose and have now impregnated her? What a wretch I am.” “You have to be…” Halima started and was interrupted by her phone. The number she just busied is calling back. “I said not now, Ele.” She yelled at her secretary. “I’m sorry ma, we’ve looked all over the place for you.” The voice came out loud over the speaker. Whenever she isn’t with her earpiece, she puts the call on speaker. Never would she put a cell phone close to her ears. Her life is still precious to her. “By we, you mean? You and the visitor? Can that wait please?” she caught herself screaming. She needed to calm down too obviously. “Alright, what is the problem?” “The… the nurse that attends to her…” she talked like being held under gun point. “…screamed and ran out of the room just now… she is either looking for you or going for the doctor now, I can’t really say.” “Scream?” Udale jerked up as Halima repeated that. The latter ended the call and hurried back into the building with Udale practically running after her. ***** They opened the door to see Laibe’s head tilted to the side of the chair she’s been sitting on. The dinning knife was left somewhere on the blood stained floor. The women drew closer to see that Laibe has cut herself with the knife and is losing so much blood from that deep cut on her wrist already. The door flew open almost instantly and they jerked back. The doctor, accompanied by a younger man, Udale recognised as the same person she saw earlier, rushed into the room while the nurse that obviously went to call him…or them now, hurried after them. . To be continued..

Hmmmm soooo speechless jst don't kw wat to say bcause it pains me much to see or hear of kids going through such pain,with no one to reach out to.

There are so many careless women out there like Udale,who have failed in der duties as a mother to those around and under there care.we should always kw dat in asmuch as u did nt give birth to them,u should learn to come down to der level,in order to provide for them emotionally, so as to avoid the HIK(Had I kown)statement in future.and as for Matthew u are vry sick in d head and needs big time help,but b4 then oooo jst pray nothing happens to dat girl if nt u are soo done for it.keep it up dear for d updates @vickyoung and more ink to ur pen.

It just beat my imagination to the extent at which people will go just to have babies. Some couples will be soo desperate for kids that they are willing to do the unthinkable (including sleeping with other people). One thing will all need to know is that it is not only by giving birth to a child that can make one a parents.... adoption can do likewise. Plus, it is not everybody that is meant to give birth. Each time I hear of a thing as what Matthew did, it makes me feel like skinning such men alive. May any man or woman that has molested any innocent child no know peace in his or her miserable life.!!!!!!!!!

To the women and mothers out there listen to this. Once the girl is approaching puberty, note that she can entice a man sexually so if you notice that your husband or whoever that lives with is getting closer to your girl child unlike before... watch out.

I'm very sorry for what you had to go through Laibe and I pray you survive so that your shameless uncle can be brought to justice for his elicit behavior.

Pardon me coolvallers for my outburst. I get agitated when I hear of child molestation or child abuse.

Episode 31 . Continues.. Continues.. Josh turned away from his laptop to quickly attend to the call. Seeing the caller’s ID, he knew there would be nothing faster than a fire lit into dry harmattan grasses. The ruin is better imagined than experienced. “Doctor Maximilian.” He seemed to be the only one that calls Max fully and it can be annoying at times like this. Max shifted a bit away from the noisy streets, at the Ojogobi road roundabout, to a place where he would hear the commissioner clearer. At this point, he wished he had taken Jane’s car… or anybody’s car for that matter. “Honourable Commissioner Sir, no one seems to be able to reach your friend since he left here this morning.” “Left here? Left where? He is not in Lokoja, is he?” Max could feel sincere confusion in the older man’s voice and he took a deep breath. “I’m in Ankpa at the moment. Dr Nonso was able to give me good details of his family and I even met his wife without knowing she was the one. The psychotherapist here said your friend left off on hearing the little girl is pregnant. His number has been unreachable up until now.” “Jesus!” Josh exclaimed so much so that it startled Max. “Psychotherapist? Pregnant? Has it gotten to this? Oh no!” Josh lamented all at once. Max blinked his eyes. He thought the Honourable would give him vital information as to where Matthew had disappeared to. He is not ready for this pity-party right now. “I’lltalk to you later, sir.” He hung up without waiting for response as he flagged down a bike man. “Kingdom… kingdom ministries…” He sounded unsure. “Kingdom Destiny Ministries?” The bike man helped him out. “Ehen! Do you know the place?” He jumped on the back of the motorcycle before the bike man could finish nodding to his question. He didn’t even bother to bargain as he asked the bike man to move at the highest possible speed too. The church will forever be the safest place. ***** Omachoko killed the break in front of Laibe’s aunt’s compound. “Is this the place?” He turned to respond. “Yes, Oga Jude.” He came back into the country less than a week ago. Inasmuch as Laibe was the first person he wanted his eyes to meet, he couldn’t come straight to Ankpa without giving due reports to those who sent him. First, he had to stop over at the federal ministry of Agriculture in Abuja. He learnt that Hon. Josh had talked to the minister about the agricultural involvement venture the state is undertaking and the latter had bought into the idea. Therefore, Omachoko had to see him and give various reports, aside that they all would be meeting soonest to plan how these new agricultural schemes that is already boosting the economy of Kogi state in hundred folds can go round the entire Nigeria. Lokoja was the next place to give his reports; though he had mailed them earlier, Hon Josh maintained that he presented some slideshows to him, in the presence of many of his directors and key people in the agricultural sector of the state. He did all those in three days and the next opportunity he got, he practically flew into Ankpa as soon as possible. That was an exaggeration though. “Is she coming out to meet you?” “Uhm?” Omachoko turned confused eyes at his boss “The girl, is she coming out to meet you here?” Oga Jude repeated himself. Omachoko felt the impulse to laugh but he maintained a straight face. Whether Oga Jude didn’t hear the part he said earlier that he hadn’t any means of contacting her… or not, baffled him. “The house looks empty.” Omachoko carried glaring worries in his eyes as he said this. It was at this point that Oga Jude could only wonder if the young man was drunk. “You are sitting in the car outside the gate of a heavily fenced compound, yet you can tell whether people are in there or not?” Oga Jude wasn’t asking a question. He just was being sarcastic. “Too much of planting and processing beans sha. Goodluck to you!” He said this with a deeper Igbo accent than the one he normally had. He pushed the car door open and got down. Omachoko quickly opened his door, got down and hurried after Oga Jude who had gotten to the gate already. Only God knows why Oga Jude insisted on following Omachoko all the way here. Aside that he said Omachoko has been away for such a long time, a proud way of saying he missed him, he asked they go check out a plot of land he is trying to buy over. Omachoko didn’t complain as he also needed some sight-seeing in this beloved town. “So are we not going to give kolanut out soon?” He had interrupted the cool music blaring out of the DVD player of the car on their way to the land, about an hour ago. Omachoko immediately lowered the music, he knew where conversations like this led to… not as though this is the first time, neither is it the second. Oga Jude believes a man settles down once he is married, more so, bearing the fact in mind that he has become responsible for his responsibilities now. Omachoko on the other hand believes a man should be settled before talking marriage. He knows marriage isn’t supposed to ‘complete’ one, instead it should ‘compliment’. So that even though he plans to marry Laibe as soon as he settles down, he wouldn’t rush her into anything. “You haven’t even seen her yet Choko, stop deceiving yourself.” He cautioned himself, waiting as the gateman was taking forever to open the gate. Omachoko smiled immediately the gateman stepped out and stood, covering the walkway through the gate. He had expected the man to recall his face and probably say some familiar words that would ease him the stress of introducing himself one more time. Nothing of such. In fact, the gateman stood aloof, staring back at them like he could barely see them. He looked drunk to Omachoko, or was it sleep? “Where are the owners of the house?” Oga Jude asked, sounding extremely impatient. The gateman shot him an annoyed look and the both of them wondered why. “Na me be this!” Omachoko felt like pushing his staggering soul off the gate and going headlong into the house, but no. He must tread with caution. “Sir, you remember me?” Omachoko points his first finger towards his chest and the man looked on absent-mindedly. “Please can I see Laibe, it’s important.” He was literally sounding like a beggar now, and Oga Jude looked confused amidst it all. “She no de. She never de for long now. Madam and oga sef comot, na me wey own house now, na me stand here so.” He mumbled in Pidgin English. Oga Jude shook his head from side to side in gross disappointment. How can a watchman be drunk? Apparently because none of his lords are around. He started walking to the car when his phone buzzed and started ringing. “Hello!” He mouthed into the speaker, walking farther away. Omachoko stared at the gateman with pleading eyes. He had this feeling that nobody was inside the house, he was so convinced that he didn’t wanna push the gateman further to the point of giving him money this time. “Thank you Baba.” He said to the elderly man and walked back into his car. Oga Jude joined him almost immediately. “You know, if I didn’t tell her to go to the office with that inhaler this morning, it wouldn’t have pained me, right?” Oga Jude lamented. Omachoko was confused, but didn’t bother. He knew his boss very well; he never leaves any stone unturned in storytelling. “Helen’s mother o…” and as though he remembered something, “…sorry, my wife. I forgot you never visited my house. How unfortunate. So, someone like you, with the way we have come thus far, you can’t even see any of my kids on the way and choose to help them? How would you anyway, when you haven’t even met them before.” Omachoko smiled. There are various lines of discussion he doesn’t like towing with his boss and this is number two. Inasmuch as they are closer than just being employer and employee, Omachoko believes that some things would spoil official rapport between people. One of those things would be meddling so much with the family members of your boss. Don’t get him wrong, he asks after them most of the time, he is very familiar with his boss’ wife. They call each other ‘my personal person’ and that familiarity arose because of one thing; she comes to the shop. Oga Jude is the only Igbo man selling at Ejeh road in Ankpa that exempts his children completely from coming to his shop. His reason is very simple; he wanted to proceed more than the secondary school certificate he got but after he was sent to his uncle to learn the arts of money making, he had refused to further on realising that education is not the only determinant factor for making money at all. He however wants his child… he told Omachoko he had only one daughter, to get to the peak of her academics, after which he wouldn’t mind setting up any kind of business she wants for her. “So where are we going now?” Omachoko asked in confusion. “To my house, of course. Women. Women, separating them from trouble are the hardest thing I have come to find.” He complained bitterly all over again. Omachoko smiled at his boss. He would complain over what he will yet eventually do. “Your house?” “Yes, my house! Don’t worry, it’s not as though I am really your boss anymore, it’s just courtesy. You should be the boss now anyway. I haven’t had round table meetings with one-third of people you have been privileged to sit and talk with.” Omachoko didn’t even know how to answer this now, but he knew one thing for sure – his loyalty for this man that dusted him from the mud would never waver in the very least, no matter the heights he get to. “I wanted to say, thankfully I will get to meet your daughter today, then I remembered today is school. At least I would meet Mummy Helen, it’s really been a long time, you know!” “You can say that again. Now, move as fast as you can. She sounded like she needed it urgently.” Omachoko heeded his orders without hesitation. **** Udale stood, resting her hand on the branch of the cashew tree in front of the uncompleted building in this bushy and deserted area. She was so lost in thoughts. ‘What in her life would she ever be able to do right?’ she couldn’t supply answers to the question. She had dialled Matthew’s number over and over again, same answer. Her heart was thrown into shreds. Into broken pieces that cannot undergo any further breakage again. She couldn’t help but ask why Matthew did this to her… or did she do it to herself? She didn’t know who to handle the blame in this case. She remained still as a lot of things flashed back her mind, as vivid and as precise as possible. “Good afternoon Ma’am!” She jerked involuntarily as she heard the voice. No. No one should have known where she went to. The doctor told her that Laibe’s cut was deep but she hadn’t lost so much blood, all thanks to the timeliness of the nurse. He assured her that it wouldn’t be so much issue except that they would keep a stronger eye on her henceforth, since she has resulted to attempting suicide. Udale, on her own side, couldn’t bear up the whole issue anymore. Her husband impregnated her only niece. The niece now is attempting suicide, aside the many other deaths in her family she blames herself totally for. Somehow she left the hospital building before anyone could notice. She needed to think. She was getting mad. “Max?” she couldn’t believe her eyes. “How did you find out I was here?” “I brought him!” Udale turned around to see Pastor Lydia coming through the same side of the uncompleted building Max apparently passed. “Minister Onuche, the chief doctor… or how do you people call it, of Bethel hospital… called me. He said he was sending this young man to the church office and there is something he needed to talk about. Since daddy isn’t in town at the moment., I had to hear him out.” “Talk to you? Max? Except that he is a doctor practicing in Lokoja, what does he have to talk to you about?” She carried eyes from Pastor Lydia to Max. “Oh! Or has my husband been impregnating girls back in Lokoja too?” Udale’s confusion was growing with each explanation her ‘mother’ made. She wasn’t surprised that pastor Lydia knew her hide out. They, daddy and she that is, know where she would usually run to when things get too messy for her to understand. The place she went at those early times of living with them and they were objecting to her decision of getting married to Matthew. They didn’t really have any strong point to convince her and when she took to hiding out of their sight, they gave up and let her marry the man of her choice. That marriage was the greatest mistake she had ever made in the entirety of her life, at least, so she feels right now. No children. No happiness. A pregnant niece for her husband. Another of the times she ran here was when she was confusing one pregnant woman that came to see Matthew as a mistress. A lot of water has crossed the bridge in Udale’s eyes and she is having a really tough time bringing herself to accepting this horrible fate. Max swallowed. He couldn’t tell if the woman in front of him was only being sarcastic or she meant to really ask if her husband was doing that around. It’s not her fault any way; he may be tempted to think that way if in her condition. “I have been treating Dr Matthew at the Lugard house hospital for a while now. It was under the directives of my mentor and senior colleague who is also my uncle, Dr Nonso.” Max could feel some perspiration on his forehead but he has to keep his voice normal, giving out no tension at all. He is shouldn’t be emotional, he is a doctor – the only doctor here. “So Honourable commissioner for agriculture…” “Wait!” Udale cut in, holding up her hand “Allow the young man to talk, daughter!” Pastor Lydia said, after keeping quiet for so long she must have been forgotten “Wait…” Udale yelled before she could stop herself. She finally stopped and sighed. “I’m sorry. Mummy, I’ll only ask the young doctor some questions and his answers to them would determine my audience or not.” Pastor Lydia gave a knowing look at Max and he immediately knew he needed to brace up even more. “So, Josh knew about this?” Udale asked, not moving her eyeballs any inch away from Max. “Know about what, Ma’am?” He feigned ignorance. “OK, I’ll either change or rephrase the statement. Do you know that my husband has been sleeping with my niece who is young enough to be his daughter or not?” This was that point Max had dreaded while on the motorcycle that took him to the church. Pastor Lydia has queried him so much about why he heartlessly didn’t leak the secrets out and save everyone this traumatic situation. He tried to explain to her about the patience confidentiality part of the medical ethics. Though that particular thing feels like bullshit right now. He couldn’t even calculate how many people got and would still get affected with this. He was that extremely careful because he was caught up among politicians - toughest men in the state. “Oh! You knew?” Udale’s voice came up loud, so loud that it startled Max. He must have stayed quiet for too long a time. “It’s somehow complicated, Ma’am!” “Damnit!” Udale hit hard at the branch of the tree she’s holding onto. “Where did I go wrong? Ehn! Mummy, abuche ke? What have I done for Matthew to waste my life like this?” She was crying now. Max felt sweats roll down the back of his hair to clog on his back, wetting the polo shirt he had on. He can never stand a woman’s tears. “Udale, please pull yourself together?” Pastor Lydia admonished, coming to hold onto the weeping Udale. She’s weeping like a bitter baby, the type that automatically makes everyone around her feel guilty and responsible for a lot of unknown things. “Mummy, was this what you meant by ‘some men have wives they never married? Putting a poor child in the family way?” Udale sounded pitiful. “Mummy, talk to me. Is it because I haven’t been able to conceive? Couldn’t he have gone for any of those rich women in his office? Any of those women. Why must it be this poor child? Mummy, can someone…” “He is a paedophile!” Max cut in. He couldn’t stand the woman’s tears any longer. Even though he planned to eventually break the news out, this one seems like a slip of the tongue. “What? What did you just say?” His phone buzzed and started ringing just when he was about responding “Dr Matthew!” He announced and the women popped their eyes open. “Hello sir!” He waited, hoping to hear Matthew’s coarse voice but no, the background on the other side of the call was so noisy, and he was managing to hear whoever was calling. “State patrol?” He exclaimed and the women drew closer to him reflexively. “Accident? What!” He couldn’t tame his mouth anymore. He was as scared of the eventualities as everyone else and somehow he found himself praying that nothing too lethal had happened. “OK. Thank you so much for calling sir, I would be on my way as soon as possible. Thank you, sir.” “What happened?” Udale asked just when he barely dropped the phone off his ear. His eyes carried no hope at all… for the first time. “Matthew had a fatal accident on the Abuja-Kaduna highway.” He said, with the little calmness he could gather. “Matthew? Kaduna? What is he going to do in Kaduna? Oh my God!” Udale was jumping on one of her feet. “Let’s get out of this place first.” Max said, walking away immediately. Pastor Lydia with watery eyes held onto the feeble, tired and weeping Udale. Pain can never be measured in equal sizes. ***** Oga Jude walked into the office, Omachoko following closely behind him. “You are welcome sir.” The secretary said as courteously as she could, rising to her feet. “Is my wife in?” Oga Jude asked, smiling and ignoring her question. “Yes, she is sir.” Her eyes are all on Omachoko and he could only wonder why. It was not the normal look of astonishment or marvel; it was the type that speaks clearly the state of her heart. Omachoko saw Oga Jude open the door to the inner office and he hurried off after him quickly, before he would close it. Halima was standing against her window. She probably was so lost in thoughts because she looked frightened the initial time she turned to face them. “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t know you would get here this fast.” She moved to hug her husband. “…Choko, choko, my personal person, apart from shinning, what other hobby do you have?” she sniffed, rubbing his back lightly. The way one would a child that’s crying. Omachoko is used to this. Maybe because she deals majorly with kids, she supposes everyone to be one. If not, what would explain patting the back of a fully grown man? Halima is extremely caring. Caring to a fault. That was probably part of the reasons Omachoko will never go to their house. At the early times with Oga Jude, she would send a driver to buy food and bring for him. She did that three consecutive times every day. That was before she got busy anyway. Omachoko couldn’t have had any mind of being more hardworking if she had stayed back and keep loading his stomach with free food. She is sweet like that. She got busy attending a lot of professional seminars and taking examinations here and there. To Omachoko, it was a good thing she got busy. “Nice to see you again, Aunty Halima. It’s been so long. Where have you been?” “Yeah! Really long. I’ve been in my house.” She winked her tired eyes at Omachoko who smiled. He knew where she was going to with that answer. “Lolo, that was exactly what I was telling him in the car o. So he cannot now see Helen on the road or anywhere and recognise her.” Oga Jude added, concentrating on whatever he was doing on his phone. “It’s not like that jor. I should have met her today, save for school. But I’ll meet her soon. Probably take her out. She may even be a wife material Oga.” Omachoko was giving an inconvenient joke and he knew it. Oga Jude scoffs, looking at his wife. She has grown lean within the few hours she left home this morning and now? “Lolo, asthmatic attacks now makes you cry?” Oga Jude asked Omachoko felt that question was insensitive. Maybe not, though. He knew about her health condition right from time. He was quite close to her at that beginning time and she served more or less like a spur to him as well. Her wells are golden. Maybe that’s why his oga calls her Lolo, she is royalty indeed. Slender and tall, with ageless soft, clay colour skin. Her smile? It can melt the heart of a wicked king. And that smile was what she just gave now. He has really missed her. “You know, because I was a victim myself, I know how it feels when poor innocent children are molested.” Halima started but her husband interrupted her. “Nne bia, what am I saying, what are you saying? I’m asking why your eyes are red!” “I know, sir. You know so much stress usually stimulate the attack. I had seen some messy things today and started coughing dryly some minutes ago, I didn’t want to embarrass myself so let’s just have the inhaler to be double protected.” “Seen messy things?” Oga Jude sounded concerned. “What happened?” She took a breath in before explaining. She talked about the girl that had been under sexual abuse by her uncle for about three years now, how she had suffered in silence because according to her, her aunty is so unapproachable. She talked up to the part of discovering the pregnancy and the suicide attempt of the little girl. “What?” Omachoko screamed, springing onto his feet. “The bastard should be locked in the deepest part of the dungeon and the key should be thrown into the river. Mtcheew!” He drew a long kiss. “I feel so horrible. How can people be so heartless to molest a little child? The innocence, the helplessness, the undue sadness.” A tear rolled down her right cheek and she wiped it out immediately. “…my father almost made my life miserable. He would get drunk and I became his prey for that night!” She coughed out loudly. Oga Jude quickly got up to hold his wife down till she sat comfortably. He picked at her hair lightly. “You really don’t have to remember all those, Lolo. You know you can’t afford to break down now.” “This asthmatic nonsense was his entire fault… or was it Nne’s fault? She was hurt. I can understand her pain. It’s only that I couldn’t understand why she chose only me to pour the anger on; by sending me out of the house in the cold night and asking me never to come back.” She was literally crying this time. Oga Jude held onto her. He never approves her talking about this part of her life. She wouldn’t agree, but she obviously hasn’t been able to deal with the hurt. It’s so long ago now; one should naturally enjoy saying the story. Halima’s case is different; her heart is as soft and charming as her smile. “I didn’t get pregnant then o and you knew all I went through before God finally fated our paths to meet…” He looked up at him leeringly and he blushed. They almost have become oblivious of Omachoko’s presence and he didn’t mind. He was enjoying the whole show. After getting everything good, get a wife good in everything. That has been Omachoko watchword. “…this girl in question is pregnant!” “God!” Oga Jude exclaimed, falling into the settee beside her. Omachoko felt like getting up and going in search of the heartless fellow that must have subjected a little girl to this so much pain. “Where is the idiot now?” He asked, in an angered tone. “We don’t know my dear. He left here this morning when I broke the news of her pregnancy to him and they said his number has been unreachable all day. The wife is so devastated and had to leave. I understand her case.” She mopped her face with the handkerchief she dragged close from the shelf beside the settee they are sitting on. “Can I see the girl?” Oga Jude asked, sounding really concerned. He got up, collected Halima’s hand and helped pull her up. “I would be back shortly, Choko. Please wait up for me.” “Oh why?” Halima asked with surprised tone. “You can come along Omachoko. She was sedated so as to stitch the cut she gave her wrist. She is still asleep.” She turned to Omachoko who didn’t get up from his seat. “Oh! Unless you don’t want.” He finally dragged himself up. He was fuming with anger so much so that he rolled his first into a strong blow “Calm down, Choko!” Oga Jude said as he gave way and let Halima lead them out of her office and in the direction of the private wards. ‘The stupid men that molest poor girls would look for death if my hand lands on any of them…’ he said within himself. To him, it’s the highest degree of insolence and they are still thriving around because there is no known measure to accost them until harm has been done beyond repairs. He stopped and took deep calming breaths as Halima opened the door to the wardroom. He waited till the other two were really inside before entering, his head first, then the body much later. Tbc

Episode 32 Continues.. Udale held onto one of her husband’s hands. No matter what she had discovered he did, she couldn’t bear the mere thought of losing him to the shivering hands of death. A part of her that still felt any form of affection for him… whether love or pity, she held onto it. All through the drive from Ankpa down to the federal medical centre Abuja, she had pondered over and over again on Max’s revelation. “Paedophile?” “Isn’t that a type of paraphilia? A mental disorder? A sexual orientation?” She couldn’t believe her ears. Matthew seemed normal and alright. Well, according to the part of mental health that was taught her in nursing school and all the various professional courses she had undertaken in her course of service, people with sexual orientation usually lead a normal healthy life, so much so that the difference between paedophiles and the seemingly ‘normal’ people is in the category of people they are sexually attracted to. Also, it has come on record that one major boosting characteristics that can stimulate the expression of these disorders is isolation. Matthew has always been an isolated person right from time immemorial. In fact, it was because her pastors, who were her guardians then, felt she needed some more courtship time, to get to know him better, that they were hesitating. She, however, felt she found the one. The very ‘right one’ at that. Matthew has always been a man of few words, but whenever he outbursts in anger, you would wish hell was let loose instead. She had always known him to be a lover of little, adolescent and all categories of children - probably that was why he taught at a secondary school regardless of his high performance from the university. What? Perhaps he discovered this inordinate feelings for the children he taught and that was why he resigned, to the utter amazement of everyone. This could only be the most reasonable explanation for that kind of drastic decision he took, as he has blatantly refused to say to anyone why he let go of his so called life’s passion. Doctor Max said they discovered… rather, they confirmed it not so long ago. It was actually Dr Nonso that did, during one of his numerous interactions with Matthew, and he had been undergoing therapy and taking drugs alongside since then. Drugs has not been an effective medium of treating patients with mental disorders, research has come to prove, and this is even worse because it’s a sexual orientation. Maybe, all those ‘initial gragra’ were his own way of being careful so his lust doesn’t lead him into something as embarrassing as what has eventually happened. Udale could remember a lot of things. First and foremost was his outright refusal to accommodate Laibe, the first day she was brought to Ankpa. Udale had known Matthew to be friends with children right from the world go, so couldn’t really understand why he was that harsh with her niece. Maybe if she had calmed down to hear his reasons, she would have found another better option. But she wasn’t calming down at all, in fact, none of them seemed ready to reach a consensus regarding the matter. Udale could bet her instinct telling her that her husband had something on his mind which he needed to say. His hesitations in voicing out was more or less a source of worry to her. Who would say such a thing as this easily, anyway? Thence, came this issue of Matthew telling baba that he would be taking another wife; there was also a time he told Udale that she might be the ‘architectural designer’ of his next wife. God! Udale cried more on his hand while all these thoughts flashed back her mind. He is lying unconscious with the oxygen mask firmly gripping his nose. She still can’t stop wondering why Dr Nonso hadn’t told her. Matthew’s case isn’t exclusively paedophilia as it were then; because they had great sex in the beginning time of their marriage, at least up until the resignation from teaching. Things started moving down the spiral from that time, so much so that at some points, she felt like a stranger on her own husband’s bed. They slept so wide apart like young people forbidden to fornicate. When pastor Lydia told her, ‘some men have wives they never married’, it didn’t make the slightest meaning to her or maybe the older woman didn’t explain well enough? Could she have known about this Matthew’s condition too and didn’t tell her? “No! That can’t be!” She screamed from her thoughts. Her head is beginning to shatter again. So much sorrow in her lifetime. She glanced at Matthew to be sure her shout didn’t wake him, on a second thought, she wished the shout actually could wake him. The more she thinks about it, the more she realises that this abuse thing thrived in her house due to her quick assumption, ignorance and carefreeness. What could she have rather done? They have taken Laibe to be their own daughter. Should a mother not trust her husband with their daughter any longer? As much as she tried, she wasn’t well able to console herself. There was the night Matthew woke her up. He looked like he had something serious on his mind. Maybe, she should have listened instead of talking. Maybe she should not have concluded he was only worried with Baba’s ill health and let him say what his mind was. But she would not. Typical of her to take the first lead and feel in charge of every situation. See where it has landed her in now. Then the day she found a lot of romantic presents in Laibe’s room. The little girl said her uncle bought them for her and actually when she confronted her husband, she could tell she felt discomfort in his voice. He first was eager to confirm how she learnt of it. Udale didn’t suspect anything, nothing whatsoever. Even when the white paper she saw in Ocholi’s hands that evening contained a horror diagram – a little girl with tattered clothes, like the type that result after gang rape, was pushing hard at a thick tall wall. A huge man, who she now believes was the abuser seemed to be chasing after the poor little girl as she struggles for rescue, while another older woman is seen, just beside them, dozing off on a table with lots of paper works to attend to. Udale snapped back immediately, “Did Ocholi say he drew that picture? He probably quickly admitted making that painting, just not to arouse further questions. So it was a cover up? Oh my God!” Her tears doesn’t seem to be finishing as they poured out the more, helplessly. She should have pressed on further till Ocholi tell her the truth about who made that painting. No. Instead, she was stupidly more concerned about Ocholi teaching her fine arts than she was about the message Laibe’s painting was presenting. She has heard that abused children result to writing or drawing their pains since they’ve been probably banned and at some case threatened from letting anyone know about it. Why didn’t she think this? Udale pitied herself. Of course, the painting on the white paper, though not so accurately done depicts deep emotions. She could see the connection more now as she thinks about it. Right there was a poor girl running away from an abusive man, and she, who is supposed to be the refuge, the listener, the mother the girl could run to, was busy with a lot of work coupled with tiredness, so much so, that she didn’t even smell the aroma of the food being cooked under her very nose. She has always called herself a failed mother, guess this crowns it all. She used to be one of those persons that wonder how sexual abuses thrives in homes and people don’t get to learn of it early enough until a danger or harm is done. At those times, she blamed the man who is irresponsible enough to be involved in such an abominable act but right now, she has seen how much most of the abuses thrive, simply because one of the parents - especially the mother, has chosen to be either too busy or carefree. The latest of the events that made her completely judge herself a failure was the day she brought Baba from the village. Truth is, everything sounded and appeared suspicious to her that morning but she didn’t let her brain think the possibilities in there. Mathew rarely sleeps in the sitting room… more like never. She found the spare bunch of keys for the house, which is always kept somewhere not close by, on the table. He was wearing only a boxer and slept so deep that he didn’t even notice when she walked in till she tapped him and the best explanation her ‘daft head’ could conclude was that PHCN probably dragged him out there. “How could I be that dumb?” she asked herself. “Laibe’s room was scattered. Since I don’t even visit enough times, I couldn’t tell if that was done overnight or if it was a normal attitude. God! I was so fast to judge her. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t explain herself, yet I was busy slapping her.” Udale let hot searing tears pour down her face as the scene of that day played in her head, torturing every part of her being. She should have known that Laibe would normally run into her grandfather’s arms any day, and not stand staring vaguely at him. She should have asked better to be sure her leaping painful steps was truly as a result of playing badminton as she claimed… or not. She should never have been quick to judge Laibe. She should have visited her room more often, get to know the kind of person she is, and what her fears were. She should have been less concerned with the IVF Dr Nonso advised they do and focus on caring for her niece who had become her daughter. She should have tried to understand Matthew’s hesitations about accommodating Laibe, she should have tried to understand his hesitations concerning doing an IVF. She should have done a lot of things to save her marriage and the poor girl. She should have… she should have…she should have done a lot of things, but she failed at all of it, every single one of it. “Oh God! I’m a failed wife and mother!” she screamed out. “No, you are not.” Udale jerked back to see someone she presumed to be the doctor walk in. Pastor Lydia couldn’t follow them down to Abuja as she needed to stay with Laibe at the hospital. Max who drove them down has been with the doctor… this doctor, ever since and now that he was here, Udale could only hope for a milder bad news, because it’s certain the news can’t be any good. “Doctor, is my husband going to survive this?” She dragged herself up and hurriedly moved over to the approaching doctor. She has lost appreciable kilograms of weight in the last weeks. She hopes to wake up sometime and all these are nightmares. “Calm down, Mrs…” “Onoja… Udale Onoja.” She cuts in before the doctor could finish her name. He nodded. His face wasn’t betraying any expression whatsoever and Udale could feel her heart almost spilling out through her ribcage. “Let’s see in my office, Ma’am.” He said, and turned to walk out. Udale glanced at the helpless shadow of her very own hefty husband on the bed and sniffs. She picked up her phone and followed the doctor as fast as she could. If there was anything she’s sure about, it’s the fact that Laibe cannot keep a baby for her husband. ***** Laibe felt like she was watching her own obituary. How could this be happening to her? She had long been eager to meet Aunty Halima’s daughter and she just did, even though she never envisaged meeting her this way. A lot of things has happened since morning. The last she could remember was that she felt horrible about herself. First was that Uncle Matthew walked in, glared at her like a piece of thrash and walked out in silence. He was followed by aunty Udale much later, and she came asking her who she was pregnant for. She had sat down helplessly when her aunty dashed out of the room, and Halima followed after her. She used to think she was a curse of some sort. If not, what would explain her losing her dad, her mother, her grandfather and now… herself. She wanted to end it all. There was absolutely no use of her anymore, so she grabbed one of the dinning knives in her food basket and slashed her hand. She was praying to die. She needed to die. Perhaps after death, she would understand why so much horrible things has happened to her in a life time – her father died in a ghastly motor accident when she was only a child. Then her mother died also few years ago. She felt coming to Ankpa when aunty Udale suggested it to her this time three years ago was God’s way of answering prayers and taking her many steps nearer her dreams. She had always wanted to be great, to be influential, and to be someone with a name. The first thing she did with the android phone uncle Matthew bought for her was to google names of influential young people in Nigeria. She saw many persons that gave her inspiration and if not for anything, she shares one thing in common with most of those people - they came from a very humble background. Majority of those persons are survivors of poverty, abuse, discrimination and even low self-esteem. She was so inspired that even with the torture and abuse from her uncle, she could still see that one day she would be able to break lose and become all that she had ever wanted to be. Those are not feasible anymore. A sixteen year old girl who is pregnant for her own uncle? What good can come out of such a girl ever again? She has lost her dignity, her self-esteem, her self-worth, and also her academic pursuit. “Tell the members of the class that I’m so sorry for disappointing them.” Laibe cries on Helen’s shoulders while hugging her. Helen was crying bitterly too. In fact, the latter’s tears superseded that of Laibe. Helen’s driver brought her to the hospital on the demand of her mother. The older woman has been telling Helen about an interesting patient of hers she should meet. So it’s more like she’s been looking forward to this day; the day she would finally come to her mother’s office – where she visits once in a blue moon. Her parents practically forbids her from leaving the house, let alone coming to any of their work places, not as though they are always around to start with. She was so eager to see this girl her mother told her so much about, also that the girl was eager to see her too. She didn’t believe her eyes on getting to the office to see her father and the young man that frightened them with car about two months ago. They were actually both stunned, herself and Omachoko that is, so much so that they held each other’s gaze absentmindedly for many minutes. It was her father’s attempt at introduction that interrupted the stare. One thought came to her mind, and that’s to call Laibe’s aunty that she had seen the guy again. The guy seemed dangerous, at least, her friend’s life seemed to have turned in disarray since they saw this guy. It’s even safer that he appears to be working with her father – that way they can pin him down if he attempted escaping. All these were carefully undergoing synchronous calculations in her head till she got to the ward room to see that the girl she has heard so much about was Laibe. “Laibe!” she had screamed and her mother quickly pulled her by the arm and out of the room. “Do you know her?” Her mother had asked curiously, sounding like she was whispering. Well, it’s an intensive care unit. She explained everything to her mother, and they all waited for Laibe to wake up. Laibe didn’t look happy waking at all. It was truly a suicide attempt. “I’ll miss you, Helen.” Helen wiped at a tear dropping down her soft skin. “Laibe, stop talking like you are going to die.” Laibe chuckled in spite of herself, “Am I not dead already, Helen? Everything has been taken away from me. What more should I live for?” The questions came out so deep that Helen’s heart broke while hearing it. “Sometimes we feel like just dying and letting the pain all go away, but then we need to stay alive… that’s because we have to see how the story ends.” The familiar voice came through the door. “’Choko?” Laibe exclaimed tiredly, and as though his name carried onions, more tears gushed down her face. Everyone had left Laibe and Helen alone, and have been waiting back at Halima’s office for them. Oga Jude left a while ago though, after he got a call. So Omachoko has been in that office with the two women, Halima and pastor Lydia. It was Halima that asked him to go check the girls as they appeared to be taking so much time. The poor psychotherapist was afraid of another attempted murder. “Laibe, I need you to be strong now.” He quickly wiped a teardrop off his own face. Grabbing Laibe’s feeble body, he bent over to hug her. He has never seen his beautiful girl breakdown in tears this way before, except when her mother died. Even the tears then wasn’t as deep, as painful and as sorrowful as this. This felt like a dagger was passed through her chest and she was screaming at every painful drill. Helen held the handkerchief firmly to her nose as she stood somewhere there watching the duo cry in each other’s arms. It is true now that this fellow loves her friend, and he wasn’t a sign of danger as she had thought him to be. Something to be grateful for today. Laibe quickly jerked off the hug. Omachoko would have fallen backwards if he wasn’t much bigger and heftier than her. “Helen, please call your mum and mummy Lydia.” She signalled to Helen, avoiding Omachoko’s eyes as much as possible. She was sure he couldn’t wait to decipher what she was up to and why she was sending for those women. In a flash, the door opened and Helen led the two beautiful women into the room. Laibe is just noticing the resemblance between Helen and her mother, Halima. Whatever made her not notice earlier, though? Pastor Lydia came to sit down, while Halima hurried over to her. “Are you OK, baby?” Her voice was shaky. “I am.” Laibe manages a fake smile. Laibe sat still for a long time. It felt gloomy in there. Everywhere was extremely quiet and heartbeats from everyone in the room came out loudly, like the characteristic traditional drums from the ogani festival. Those, and the whir of the fan above them produced the little sound heard in the deafening silent room. “Lee, why did you ask I call them then?” Helen couldn’t hide her apprehension anymore. Laibe carried pain struck eyes from one person in the room to another. She did it so slow that fifteen rounds of cardiac cycle would be completed by the time she was able to move her eyes to another person. Haven done that, she took in a very deep breath. “I… I…” she stammered. If the eyes pointing at her carried guns, she would have been shut dead, over and over again, by now with their stares. “I want Omachoko to… I want to … I mean, I…want to go back to Ofabo.” “Ofabo?” everyone screamed as she let out the bombshell. They screamed it, at the same time, as though planned. ******* “Please have your seat, ma.” Udale moved her curious eyes from the doctor that just spoke to the seat offered her. She stared so intensely at the seat, as if she was trying to gauge its capacity to carry her with her eyes, before finally bringing herself to sitting on it. She sat up, with her hands resting on the desk in front of her. She is as much afraid as she is scared… well, there may not be any difference between these two words but to her right now, the news should be at least better than worst. Once she is done from here, she may have to quickly go back to Ankpa and see how Laibe can terminate the pregnancy before more persons hear about it. It’s already more than shameful as it were. If Matthew had impregnated another person, like the Angela woman she was suspecting at the initial point, it wouldn’t have been as shameful and abominable as impregnating someone that is literally her own daughter. Baba’s spirit would not be happy wherever he is, she thought. She quickly discarded that thought as fast as it came. The dead are dead, and have no spirits roaming around anywhere, she reminded herself. Another thought had come to her mind also. Perhaps this an answer to the prayers Baba made about hearing a sound of baby in her house. Perhaps, she wasn’t fated to give birth to a child for Matthew. This Laibe’s baby might be the opportunity she has been waiting for. She tried to consider the option of adopting the child as hers and letting Laibe continue with her normal life. Being the emotional person she is, she just knew she can’t. What if the child is a girl? And Matthew being a paedophile abuses the child again. No! Laibe would abort that pregnancy and that’s non-negotiable. She brought back her attention to the doctor who was only staring vacantly into thin air. “Doctor, you are not talking?” she querried, breathing impatiently when the doctor’s silence was becoming deafening. The doctor on the other hand maintained a straight face, giving away no expression at all. “He drove into a ditch.” The doctor said, looking straight at Udale and she swallowed deeply. He continued notwithstanding. “Seeing the so many accidents that are happening at the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Road Safety officers have been heavily mobilised to that area…” Udale didn’t know if she needed all these details. Doctors and unnecessary protocols! He was trying to calm her down perhaps, so as to absorb the oncoming bad news better. But what is the need of calming her down in the first place if she was going to still hear what he had to say? “They said it was while your husband sped off, after refusing to harken to their flagging him down, that he drove the car off the road and into a ditch.” “What? Were the Road safety men chasing him?” She demanded. “No! They said they weren’t even ready to chase after him. It was in their bid to attend to another oncoming car that they heard a loud noise, only to see the car has landed in a deep ditch. Well, it appears like an attempted suicide to me.” The doctor said and that made Udale flare up. “You just said he was attempting to avoid the never-do-well road safety officers on that road, that’s because they only wanted to collect bribe and nothing else. How can they save him when it was needed? They were busy waiting for another victim of theirs.” Udale drew a long hiss, in spite of herself. “I don’t think it’s so, Ma’am, because…” “Because? Because what doctor? My husband is laying there in serious coma, and all you are doing is defending the Federal Road safety commission?” she stood up and made to leave. The doctor felt frustration sauced with anger in her voice and could connect to it. “Have you ever seen him with this before?” Udale stopped in her track and turned to face the doctor. He is holding out a little bottle. The bottle look both familiar and unfamiliar. Familiar in that she had seen it sometimes at her workplace before, unfamiliar in that she has never seen it with or on her husband at any point. She moved closer and closer till she collected the bottle and held it in her hand. “We found that in his car’s safe. And after the tests we ran on him, we found the content in his blood. Obviously, your husband drank this poison before driving down that road, and its effects only started at that point, blurred his vision and made him drive into a ditch. Whatever the storyline is, ma’am, the point remains that your husband attempted suicide.” “Jesus!” Udale screamed and fell into her chair again. She left herself off so thunderously that the doctor thought she fainted. Her body shivered more and tears flew down freely off her face. Her legs felt so weak and her head so heavy on top of her neck. “The poison has affected a lot of things in his body. We are trying our best and hope he comes around. This is a very slim probability.” “Doctor, you mean, my husband might not survive this?” Udale’s tears could make a lion have an appetite to taste grass. “I can’t say Ma’am. Dr Max told me you are a matron, so I would be as blunt and open with you as possible. As it stands now, his chances of survival are slimmer than the slimmest of things there is. And if he eventually survives at all, he would remain impotent and a vegetable for the rest of his life.” Udale slid down gradually from the seat till her buttocks touched the floor as she screamed out in anguish. To be continued..

Episode 33 . Continues.. EIGHT MONTHS LATER. Omachoko didn’t understand why his mother practically came over to open the car’s door for him. Now, she didn’t do that literarily, so to speak, but his mother haven’t come out to welcome him back from trips with this kind of worried look all over her face before. It is even more bothersome as it’s not any of his long trips. He only left here two weeks ago for Christ sake. “Olodudu ma!” He prostrated courteously. The old woman only smiled at him without responding to his greeting, neither was she moving any inch away from the place she’s been standing, just a little distance from the parking lot. Omachoko pressed down the car lock immediately he saw his assistant was done packing everything he came with. Not as though he travelled with a lot of luggage. He likes to travel as light as possible, and the only constant part of his load would be his heavy ‘timberland’ shoes. He watched as his mother’s eyes followed the nylon in his assistant’s hand until the young man disappeared from their sight. Everyone in this house can tell what’s in that nylon and who it’s for. “I chane mewn!” came her voice. Omachoko felt relieved that his mother finally spoke out, even though her words were not consoling enough, as it were. The old woman narrated to him how ‘his wife’ as she normally call her has been ‘misbehaving’ ever since he left. She doesn’t respond whenever anyone wants to engage her in discussions. At times she sits crying and lost, deep in thoughts. The worst part was that she wasn’t eating well enough. Most times, she would give the lame excuse of not having appetite for the particular food presented and even when another is brought to her, she turns it down absolutely. Omachoko’s mother understands how it is with pregnancy, and how some people suddenly develop frustrating habits towards the climax of their gestation period. She thought initially that Omachoko’s ‘wife’ was having one of those mood swings and nauseating feelings that accompanies pregnancy, but lately she has resulted to worrying. Not eating. Not sleeping. Not having peace of mind. It’s not safe for the young girl, it’s not safe for her unborn child either. Omachoko tried to encourage his mother and make her see reasons with the poor girl. She has gone through a whole lot in her little life and his mother knows all of these. He commends the woman though, because, he didn’t know how he would have coped with Laibe when she insisted on coming back to the village. Laibe’s aunty couldn’t even say anything when Laibe’s decision was told her. Omachoko could see guilt in aunty Udale’s eyes – the type that makes one sign off any deal just so as to regain respect in the sight of the other party. Laibe on her own part gave him a lot of problems when she came back to Ofabo. Her both friends were gone – Ebi is married and Umali is hustling somewhere nobody knows in Lagos. Her grandfather – who was her rock in the village – was dead, and to crown it up, Omachoko has become helplessly busy, so much so that he can’t afford to stay back in the village with her at the times she probably wanted him to. He remembered Laibe insisting on going back to live in her empty grandfather’s house. ‘Has something come loosed in her head?’ Omachoko thought within, when those words left Laibe’s mouth. However was she thinking of living alone with pregnancy in an empty and isolated house. Never! Omachoko employed two more house helps, in addition to the three his mother had before. All was for Laibe. So that the love of his life can stay comfortable in his family house and have everything done for her at her beck and call while he continues on his marketing, distribution and agricultural research works that are all lined up in front of him. Things even got overcrowded after the federal government hired his labour in addition to the tedious demands from the state government. “Ugbo I de abajoi?” Omachoko asked his mother where Laibe would be at the moment. The woman pointed in the direction that lead to the back of the house and Omachoko literally ran off there. True to his mother’s statement, Laibe was sitting on the wooden bench at the back of the house. This place has become her most favourite part of the house for obvious reasons. Omachoko had asked her, a month after he finally brought her back to Ofabo, if she could grant him one of his lifelong wishes. And when she asked him what that could be, he simply asked to lay his head on her laps. Omachoko could remember how she laughed unbelievably. At times, Laibe wonders why Omachoko practically adores her. They had a very long discussion that sunny morning with his dreadlocks resting on her tiny thighs as she crossed her legs on each other, so as to make the ‘bony pillow’ high enough for Omachoko. The young man is so hefty that the bench that bore Laibe comfortably could only bear his right leg, on which he placed his cowboy’s hat, while the left leg rested on the bare ground. They talked about a lot of things, even though he did the bulk of the talking - as talking has practically been deleted from Laibe’s to-do list. His eyes bore holes through Laibe’s face and he wished he could not just kiss her deeply, letting his tongue roll through the entire cavity of her beautiful mouth till they both got breathless, but also kiss all her pains away. That was the closest they’ve gotten ever. He could feel his own heartbeat as Laibe’s hands gentle stroked his dreads. She has always been his worst addiction. Even with the so much exposure Omachoko has now, they are two things about him that didn’t change. First is, he wouldn’t stop wearing heavily intimidating timberland shoes – very expensive ones now though, alongside a cowboy’s hat. A passionate farmer to the core. Second, and most important, is that his affection for Laibe hasn’t wavered in the very least. Ocholi also came over to see Laibe after about four months of settling in Ofabo. By that time, her once flat tummy was shooting out and she felt very disappointed in herself, facing her one time crush with heavy pregnancy for none other than his elder brother. The good thing though is that no one seem to be stigmatising her for it. Omachoko’s mother has taken her in as her own daughter ever since. Staying in Omachoko’s family house was the most reasonable thing to do, even though she gave him a lot of stress before yielding to his suggestion. She is heavily pregnant, and being her first time, going to live alone in Baba’s empty compound wasn’t ideal after all. She could get scared, feel haunted or even harm herself when alone. Laibe enjoyed Ocholi’s visit. He stayed two nights and Omachoko was around at that time, so it was all fun and games for the three of them. Ocholi brought her new sets of drawing materials and even when she wasn’t interested, he insisted she redrew the last painting she did - the painting in the white paper. Laibe couldn’t believe Ocholi preserved the paper until that time, but he did. According to him, he knew that wasn’t just a painting but some way of expressing deep inexpressible thoughts, so he was hoping that one day, Laibe would come around and let him in on all of it; on all of those things that terrified her silently and made light scare her. All of those things that made her attempt such a deep painting. That’s, of course, till everything turned messy. Ocholi was already getting to the middle of his first year in the master’s program then but he knew he needed to come back home after all Aunty Udale explained to him over the phone… or so he said. Laibe was more important than the very demanding course work he left behind. To Laibe, Ocholi’s coming brought some sort of healing to her, at least he didn’t sound like he was utterly disappointed in her. “Woman!” Omachoko startled her. Laibe formed a little frown on her face. Omachoko would never stop doing same thing, especially after you let him know that thing is upsetting you. Typical of him. She had warned him not to call her ‘woman’ uncountable times but he wouldn’t bulge. She got used to it anyway; after these long months. “You scared me!” Laibe got up and hit him hard on his chest till he screamed out in fake pain. “Someone missed me too much she couldn’t eat her food, so I heard!” Omachoko said, touching her soft cheeks lovingly. Laibe has added a recognisable amount of weight, maybe due to the pregnancy and also due to too much enjoyment. “Ahhh! Was that what Mama told you?” Omachoko laughed, seeing the innocence Laibe was trying hard to portray. He drew closer to her, till the space between them would barely be enough for air to pass through, except that her protruded stomach gave a natural barrier. He could feel Laibe’s heart beating fast as he looked on at her. “OK! Yes! I missed you.” Laibe said quickly, waving him off with her hand before turning her back. Omachoko laughed even harder. He knows Laibe has always been allergic to stares, especially when it’s deep and leering like the one some moments ago. He wrapped his hands around her waist as her back leaned against his chest. “You still didn’t switch on your phone?” He said into her ears like a whisper. Laibe shrugged. “Not again! You were at least contacting me through Mama, weren’t you?” “I may not be the only one that want to call you, you know? Your friends may want to say Hi to you, Ocholi may want to talk to you too, it’s been over five months since he left here. Your aunty, your…” “Enough!” she screamed, snapping herself off his hands. Omachoko stepped back as he watched her flare up in anger. Laibe’s anger is interesting, because she would barely say anything before tears come pouring down. Her tears are golden, and Omachoko never want to see them. “I bought you corn beef. The exact type you like.” He took another method to pacify her and like a baby, the almost crying Laibe started smiling through her tears. Now, they were there. “Why do you do all these for me, ‘Choko?” she drew nearer to the wooden bench and sat down. Due to her condition, she can barely stand for long before getting exhausted these days. Omachoko came over to where she sat, and took his seat as well. He clamped his hand and this time avoided eye contact. “I must have probably told you this enough times but there is no harm in repeating it, right? Especially when the big woman says to.” Laibe eyeballed him coldly and he smiled. “The day I told Baba that I was going to Ankpa, he asked me a question I would never forget in a hurry. He asked me to tell him whether that decision was made because of you or that I really wanted to go to Ankpa. Deep down, I knew my going to Ankpa was to combat with the distance created between you and I.” “But I never saw you. Not even once.” Laibe cut in. He nodded in the affirmative. “You don’t ask for the heart of an ambitious girl with an empty hand.” Laibe scoffed. “So you take me to be money-seeking, is that?” Omachoko could feel the provocation in her tone and knew he needed to thread with caution now. “It’s not safe for my ego as a man! You are smart enough as it were and that’s intimidating enough. Coming to ask you out again without anything to show for it feels like abusing a goddess.” Laibe blushed carelessly. “All of those doesn’t explain why you are doing all these for me, ‘Choko.” “Yeah. I know!” He took her hand and placed it on the left side of his chest. “You remember this?” Laibe nodded. He has done this enough times for her to narrate a video of it. “You are here in my heart, now, always and forever.” He said, pulling her up. She reluctantly followed him up till he drew her into his arms for a long hug. Omachoko then withdrew from the hug and sat down. “Come and sit.” He pointed her to his laps. Laibe’s shocked eyes begged him to stop ‘rough play’. He stretched forth his hand and dragged her till she fell on his laps. “Choko, what are you doing?” Her shaky voice came out loud. Everyone wonders why everything scares Laibe, especially the slightest show of emotions. “I wanna show you something.” She wanted to respond but he shush her quickly. “Just close your eyes.” “No, I can’t. Just show me.” Laibe protested. “You are the one keeping us now o. Don’t think you are weightless on my legs o. I’m carrying two persons.” Omachoko winked at her and she smiled. He can be funny in a ridiculous way. She weighed her possible options and decided to try closing her eyes, even when, she felt like a gun was pointing her head while doing that. “Yeah! It’s two minutes now, open your eyes…” Omachoko whispered in her ears. Laibe could not believe her eyes. She has only seen sapphire twice, in a movie, and the day she decided to search it out on Google. Here she is seeing it life and direct. The rays from the early morning sun made it even glitter the more on her face, lighting everywhere up with colourful sparkles. Omachoko dug his hand into the box containing the ring. He had searched everywhere for this particular ring and when he got it during this trip, he knew it’s about time. “Please, marry me Laibe.” He popped out the statement that came like a question. Like a question because his searching eyes demanded an answer as it looked on like a hungry puppy. Laibe covered her mouth with her hands as tears rolled down freely now. It felt as though she was dreaming and wouldn’t want anyone to wake her up. She looked down at her stomach and saw it’s still protruded. Did Omachoko just ask her to marry him? Who engages a pregnant girl? She couldn’t help the thoughts, and as though someone hit her lower back with a dagger, she screamed out. “Ahhh!!” She tried to steady herself but the pain came again, sharper than the initial one. Omachoko didn’t understand what was going on. First the scream came like an over joyous and excited one, but now, it’s coming like pain… severe pangs. He looked on helplessly at Laibe, as the girl seem to be having unbearable pain on her lower back. What to do? He looked down to see water-like liquid flowing down her legs. What is happening? He quickly dropped the box containing the ring, gently let Laibe down and raced into the house to get his mother. “Mama!!!” The old woman ran out of the building and towards Laibe. Laibe was screaming, wailing, and crying altogether. “eeeeh! Ahhhh! Mama ooo! Ooooh!” Omachoko saw his mother wasn’t as worried as he was and he admonished himself to calm down, bearing in mind the fact that he is the man of the house. The old woman smiled on seeing the water dripping down Laibe’s legs and held onto her, in a futile bid of stabilising her. “Nya di Iye Ebi wa.” She ordered Omachoko to go call Ebi’s mother. She sounded really urgent with the order, so much so that Omachoko started running out of the compound before he could stop himself. He wanted to ask his mother why Ebi’s mother should be summoned when Laibe is screaming out in pains. He wanted to suggest putting her in the car and racing her down to Aloma - where the nearest hospital is. Then he remembered that there is only one local midwife in the entire village and that’s who he was asked to go and bring. *** “Of course. I know ‘I was held up in traffic’ would be your excuse.” He gave a disapproving look at the man who hastily walked over to his seat in the office. Dahunsi laughed, he had just a polo and midi-length trouser on. “Now, that you know my usual say, what then would be my defence?” The both of them laughed this time. “Seriously mehn! I’m sorry, today’s game review was much and fans kept calling in. I couldn’t end the program abruptly.” Ocholi shook his head as he stared back at his friend. “When people like us are struggling to get a Master degree, just so as to gain relevance, children of the rich like you inherited the biggest Arts studio in Lagos on the platter of gold, yet you prefer to work as a radio Sports reporter cum host? Incredible!” Dahunsi smiled. “How was your flight, man? It’s been over five months since we last saw you within the borders of our beloved country.” “Course work has been tight. My flight went well. I came in the last flight and the car from Lagos here should have taken me closer to Lokoja by now if not that you didn’t show up on time at your work place.” Dahunsi knew Ocholi so well. He can like to hold onto one point and beat it for as long as possible. “I wonder who is a son of the rich among the both of us. You are taking a master degree in Fine Arts abroad. Abroad o. In this economic recession, you still enjoy the luxury of flying in and out of the country at will.” “You know I wouldn’t travel if I had nothing important doing.” Ocholi was on the defensive. “Ehennn! Same here! You know I won’t keep you waiting if I had nothing important doing on Radio.” Dahunsi winked at him and he scoffed. “Even your sales manager wasn’t on seat. You are leaving this place for your secretary to run, right?” “No. You see, it’s too early. Moreover, people don’t usually buy art works in this part of the world. They, more often than not, come on tours and excursions down here. Only few, like you that your life is tied to Fine Arts, come to buy.” Ocholi eyeballed him. “You haven’t told me who you always drop by to buy drawing sets for. Or don’t they sell it in your abroad school?” He sounded very sarcastic and Ocholi was ready to respond suit. “They do. Ones with greater quality for that matter.” Ocholi waited till Dahunsi shot him an angry eye. He smiled victoriously before continuing, “…but then I prefer to buy it from you this block head. And don’t get it twisted, it’s for my younger sister!” “Younger sister bawo? Are you not the last born of the Onoja’s anymore?” Ocholi was just about to respond when the door creaked open. An elegant lady walked in. She was on little high heels, with hair flying down her shoulders. Ocholi stared at her absentmindedly. She was wearing a grey chiffon dress - it’s at knee level and fits her body perfectly in a way that displayed her endowed shape. Ocholi tried to distract his head from looking at her, but he couldn’t. Her cologne filled the entire room and just when her voice came through his ears, he felt his heart palpitating to the rhythm of it. Her teeth looked scattered, yet produced a very sweet smile anyone would like to have a taste of, if solid. “Ocholi!!!” He jerked up on hearing Dahunsi’s husky voice. He hissed out loudly. He had gone into a fantasy world as the melodious voice of the lady that entered pierced his ear lobes. He opened his eyes to see she was gone. “What was that?” Dahunsi demanded, putting a serious look on his face. “What was what?” Ocholi feigned ignorance, sitting up on his seat. “Are you…” “In love? Yes. I am in love! Love at all sights.” Ocholi cut in before his friend could finish. “What? All sights or first sight? Kai! Ocholi, you are not serious!” “Why?” “You are asking me ‘why’? That’s my new sales manager for God’s sake.” Dahunsi felt Ocholi was sounding unbelievable. “And so? At least, you are married to Beatrice with a son. Don’t you want me leaving the bachelor’s league anymore?” Ocholi rose his right eyebrow and lowered the other one. “I do. Of course. I mean… why not.” Dahunsi was stammering. “The thing is, she is new here, man and I even barely know her yet. I don’t know how to help you run this kind of parole.” Ocholi smiled, displaying his handsome self even more clearly. “I didn’t ask you to help me run any parole yet Mr Dahunsi.” Now the former looked even more confused. Thought Ocholi was sounding like he was swept off his feet by the lady that just left here? Why is he now acting indifferent all of a sudden? “I don’t understand you anymore, Ocholi.” “Just create a platform for us now and step back.” Ocholi said, winking knowingly at him. Dahunsi took in a deep breath as he picked up the intercom. “Yes. Mr Oluwadahunsi on the line. Please take everything you came to the office with and come back to my office immediately.” Ocholi smiled as he dropped the call. “Being a boss isn’t good for you at all. Don’t you think that was pretty too harsh?” Dahunsi covered his lips with his first finger when he heard the light knock on the door. “That was so fast.” He said as the lady walked in. This time holding her bag firmly in her hand. “You are the boss, sir.” “Dahunsi!” he corrected “OK! You are the boss, sir Dahunsi.” Everyone, including Ocholi, laughed at her little show of humour. “Alright. Meet Ocholi, my classmate at the federal university, Lokoja. He is currently undertaking his master degree abroad.” He stressed the ‘abroad’ and Ocholi felt embarrassed about it. More so that Dahunsi has never taken to mind the name of Ocholi’s school as he prefers the ‘abroad’ thing. “Don’t mind your boss. I am Ocholi.” Ocholi cut in before his friend would spoil everything for him, seeing his overexcitement. Ladies are ultimately turned off by any little show of pride, however minor it seems. “Nice to meet you, Mr Ocholi.” The lady stretched out her hand courteously and Ocholi took it. “You are really beautiful.” He added, while holding onto her hand. Dahunsi, at this point, didn’t know if he was interested in watching another episode of ‘the wedding party’ right now. He looked as his sale’s manager blushed carelessly while his friend kept leering eyes on her. Ocholi should be described as ‘beautiful’ really, and it’s as if the weather ‘abroad’ is really doing some more magic on him. Dahunsi cleared his throat and the both of them turned to face him. “Ocholi here would like to discuss something with you.” He said and Ocholi felt shocked at first but maintained himself, leaving no clue whatsoever. “So you can take the day off and resume back tomorrow.” Ocholi could see the confusion on her face but there was nothing he could do. It’s good to have a lady’s boss for a friend – on paving way for you. He smiled broadly as that mischievous thought popped in his head. He opened the car door for her and let her sit. “Don’t worry, I am not really taking your whole day. I have to be in Ankpa today.” Ocholi said as he joined her in the car. “Ankpa in Kogi state? That’s pretty far. You had better get going o, before it’s late.” She responded. “How did you know Ankpa is in Kogi state?” Ocholi demanded with shocked eyes. The lady smiled. Her smile is sensational. “Because I am a Kogite. An Igala.” “Now this is getting interesting. And don’t tell me you are my sister, because I need you for something much more than that.” Ocholi confessed. “Something much more than that? Something like what?” she demanded, her bold eyeballs looking straight into his. She has this charisma of an opened-eyed city lady. “OK. Alright? Can we start by equalising the game?” He thrust his car key into its hole and started it. He felt her questioning eyes staring unblinkingly back at him. “May I please know the name of this beauty that my eyes has been longing to see?” The lady smiled shyly. Ocholi is definitely getting her right buttons. “You try at flattery by the way.” Ocholi smiled. He didn’t know if that was supposed to be a compliment or an offence. “My name is Umali.” She added. ***** Omachoko was pacing up and down the veranda in front of the house. Iye Ebi has been in there with his mother and Laibe for too long a time that he is beginning to get scared. He was at least wise enough when his mother gave birth to their last born who is now in secondary school. It didn’t take this long time. In fact, him and his father heard the cry of the baby few minutes after Iye Ebi went into the room. Whatever was delaying and prolonging this now was what he could not understand. The bad part is that no one was coming from the room to at least give progress report or anything of such. He has been hearing Laibe’s agonising screams and shouts from the room all along. Just then, the scream seemed to die down and he moved closer to the door leading into the room where they were. He felt the impulse to push the door open, but that would be very wrong, as men are customarily never allowed to see a woman in labour. What was he supposed to do now? The door opened and his heart beat increased greatly. His mother stepped out and did not just close the door firmly behind her, she stood as though she could prevent anyone from entering. She looked as worried as she was when she came to meet him at the parking lot earlier this morning, just that she looked even more helpless. Omachoko wished he could pull out all the words off the old woman’s throat but it’s not possible. After many minutes of deafening silence that felt like years to Omachoko, his mother finally spoke out. “I nukpahiu ki a bi no.” she was almost in tears. She said Laibe doesn’t have the power to push. She said it was a bad sign and if care is not taken, they may lose her. “God forbid!” Omachoko yelled before the last words were off his mother’s lips. He can’t lose her. She has to stay alive. She has to say Yes to his pending proposal. They have to get married and raise this baby alongside the others they would have together. He can’t bring himself to love another. He can’t bear the thoughts of losing Laibe. Not now. Not ever. An idea came into his mind. Maybe he should drive Laibe down to the nearest hospital. He hadn’t liked the idea of giving birth in the house. It wasn’t even right to start with. What if complications arose? Where would be the next place to run to? That’s why mother and child mortality rate is on the increase in rural areas. “Why didn’t I think this earlier? Why didn’t I take her when she was just starting the labour?” He blamed his head for not thinking smartly when needed. Now it’s too late. It’s damn too risky too. He turned to his mother, she had tears in her eyes. Just when he was about to open his mouth, he heard a loud sharp scream from inside the room. The scream came very loud and sharp and died down almost immediately. His mother returned his questioning gaze with a more confused one. Without wasting any more time, he pushed her away from the door and entered the room. Damn all restrictions. To be continued…

EPILOGUE “Good evening viewers. It’s another great time on your best TV show - FROM BROKENNESS. It is not just a good time for me here but a rare privilege to be sited face to face with this awesome and breath-taking great mind. Someone that has made Nigeria, Kogi state, and Igala land in particular proud. I must not forget to state here that it’s because of the love this awesome personality has for this generation that the opportunity was granted us. So we would be having an interactive tim as usual, and you can send us your questions via mail to the address on your screen and can also call any of the numbers. So, let’s begin. Good evening Noble one.” “Good evening…” Udale lowered the volume of the TV immediately she entered the sitting room. First, she thought Matthew was being unreasonable by not reducing the loud volume from the TV, then she got closer and realised the remote was far from his reach. Even though his wheel chair was just beside the chair he was laying on, he couldn’t possibly lift himself into it without her help. Matthew smiled as she came back to sit on the stool beside the settee he’s lying on. She handed the remote over to him and readjusted his head onto the pillow. “Mummy, I want to wear my shades.” The four year old boy ran over to Udale, thrusting the plastic eyeglasses in his hands on her legs. “Please wear it for me! Please wear it for me.” “No. Ocholi, you cannot wear sunglasses in the night.” Udale protested. The little boy frowned. “I want to wear it to watch aunt’s show. Wear it for me. Mummy wear it for me…” The boy’s hesitation was beginning to get on her nerves. “OK! My cute boy! Do you still wanna play Temple Run?” She needed to distract him. “Yes Mummy!” He screamed excitedly, obviously forgetting his initial sunglasses mission. “OK. Take my phone from my room. Take it to yours, stay on your bed and play it.” Ocholi ran off and up the stairs before Udale could finish her last statement. Little children. She never let him handle her phone, ever since she discovered he would always run down her phone’s battery in a bid to play TEMPLE RUN, but she needed to do this now. She needed to wave off all forms of distractions as it seems Matthew was very interested in the TV show tonight. Why wouldn’t he be? God knows Udale wasn’t in support of this ‘on air’ thing. **** “You really have to make everyone think I’ve snubbed your emails all these while?” The presenter laughed at this response. Whether said literally or not, she knows that the guest in front of her has snubbed her mails over and over again. Being a celebrity, it’s permitted to be busy though. “Many ladies build potentials, in tailoring, in make-up, in event planning. In many other things. When the grand winner for the International Idol Arts festival was announced and Laibe Godwin the winner, I was left to wonder, a woman? Painting? So I would want to ask you ma’am, why Arts? Or better still, why did you chose Fine Arts?” Laibe smiled shyly as the bright studio light came all over her glowing face. Her natural hair was packed into a ponytail and held to the sides by a glistering red pin to march the white flare gown she had on. Her face was without any artificial touch yet everyone could see beams of beauty radiating from her eyes. “Uhhhhm! Now, that’s a big question.” She turned to the presenter and they both laughed lightly. “Well, I think the best person to answer that question for me would be Ocholi Onoja. You see, he is not here to defend me now o.” Laibe sounded really jovial as she spoke. “But on a serious note, Ocholi, much more than being my Uncle’s younger brother, brought out the artist in me. I got to realise that art is life. That one can truly communicate better the state of one’s heart by a simple representation on paper – be it writing, drawing or painting.” The presenter nodded, all smiles. “Wow! Art is life! Caught that. Again ma’am, how did you learn about this competition that brought you into limelight?” “Eerhmmm! This painting that’s bought and priced highly all over the world now was first done over five years ago.” “Wow!!” “Yes. I was going through a horrible situation and couldn’t tell anyone so I decided to sketch it. One night Ocholi saw the painting and held onto it. The first time he visited me in the village after he learnt I got pregnant, he brought out the painting with sophisticated tools and demanded we do a better painting of the art concept. This I reluctantly did. He made me do it about two more times after that, alongside others. I didn’t know what he was up to. He was still running a Master degree abroad then.” Laibe narrated, keeping the smile glued to her face like a plaster. “You mean to tell us Ma’am that Ocholi entered you into the competition?” The presenter cut in. “I couldn’t have done that all by myself. I was a shadow of myself after I had Ocholi. I didn’t think I could amount to anything again so I gave up all the dreams that I ever had. At some points, I didn’t even know where my phone was, how could I have possibly seen advert to enter into any competition?” “After you had Ocholi?” Laibe could feel the confusion clearly in the presenter’s voice. “I named my son Ocholi, after the big Ocholi, of course. Big Ocholi used to be my crush the first time I came to Ankpa. My little boy is a little over four years now.” “Wow. Wow. Wow. So, Mrs Laibe Godwin-Ekele, sorry if I didn’t get the pronunciation well…” Laibe smiled. “It’s fine!” “We don’t mean to penetrate your private life, but who knows? They may be someone out there that needs hope and needs life. Can you tell us about the part where you were abused as a young girl and became pregnant at 16?” Laibe took in a deep breath. She had deliberately avoided interviews and TV shows because of moments like this. Apart from the fact that she doesn’t ever want to revisit her past, she feels it would be dragging her uncle’s name in the mud whenever she tells the whole world about it. The amazing thing was that it’s her uncle that insisted she accept this particular interview invitation. Even when Laibe and her aunty protested, uncle Matthew insisted she goes on air and also that she should tell the story when asked. How to go about it now was an uphill task for her. She cleared her throat. “No problem if you cannot answer it, Ma’am!” the presenter’s voice came, seeing she was taking so much time. “It’s fine. My uncle was a paedophile, or so did the doctors say. Did I say ‘was’? Well, I don’t know if there is any graduation from it as it’s a sexual orientation. All I know is that I started being sexually abused right from my first term holiday in JS 1, I was about thirteen years old then. It, however, only got out in my last days at JS3, over two years later. I was so demoralised by my grandfather’s death that I almost lost my mind in the process. It was in combating with that situation, speaking to a psychotherapist and my eventual pregnancy that brought it out.” She wiped a teardrop off her face. “I can’t say I know how you feel, partly because I haven’t been a victim of abuse before and as well, it’s too close a family member to even imagine.” “What is the greatest pain you have felt in your lifetime?” Laibe asked the presenter and that almost sent the latter off balance. “Me? Well, I guess it would be menstrual pain.” Laibe smiled. “I don’t know how menstrual pain feels like, but I know labour pains. At a point I thought I would die and I actually almost did. I couldn’t push and was losing blood. Having the baby eventually was a big miracle. That… that labour pain was nothing compared to the pain an abused child feels. It’s a silent killer sort of pain.” She stole a glance at the presenter who was getting lost in her deep words but continued. “Well, it’s so painful. Imagine groups of people simultaneously drilling into different parts of your bones and joints with rusty tools, not caring about how painful it is and how deadly the tools could be to your systems? Then your mouth is firmly sealed, so much so that you can only scream within your brain? That’s how the mild pain of abuse is for a child. You feel as though your whole world is crumbling and keeps shattering even as you make efforts to gather them together.” The presenter took in a very deep breath. She wasn’t sounding as sharp as before again. “What is your take on laws and orders with respect to child abuse and molestation?” Laibe smiled, in spite of herself. “I may not be in the best position to say anything regarding that. Medicine is justifying a lot of actions. I mean, you can’t sentence someone with paraphilia to jail, because everyone believes he abused the child due to his mental case but the sensitization has to take roots from the family before bearing fruits upwards. If you know what I mean. No one should be overlooked when it comes to potentials to abuse. Family members have to care more for one another and be sensitive enough to realise a misnomer, a cold attitude, and any change in the atmosphere as quick as it comes.” Laibe said. “What makes abused children not able to voice out?” Laibe shot a look at the presenter and she readjusted immediately. She wanted to continue but Laibe cut her short “No problem, this would be the last question I would answer regarding abuse.” She says firmly and the presenter nodded. “Well, I may not know about others but in my own case, I already had issues with acceptance prior to the time. Having my uncle accept me all of a sudden was more than heaven for me. A lot of abused children most times don’t feel accepted by their peers, and even by their own family members, so much so that they welcome love and affection shown them by anybody at all. You would agree with me that everyone wants to feel loved. Whenever, as a victim of molestation, you want to voice out, something makes you afraid of losing the love and affection you have come to enjoy from this particular person, and that keeps everything you have to say back inside.” “OK! That’s…” “And…” Laibe cut in again and continued. “…gradually, not being able to voice out moves from fear of losing a ‘seemingly only’ loved one to fear from the diverse threats they would be receiving. But in all, if we pay closer attention to our family, much more than work, career, and the general vigorous pursuits of life, we would be able to tell when things are going wrong or not. It’s that simple. Let us, as parents, hear our little children out. Let’s not be nonchalant, thinking all is well. Let’s try to cut off on some of our busy schedules and create ample time to converse with these children. They probably have so much to say, yet no one to say it to. We all need to stay vigilant to pursue and stop abuse.” “Thank you very much, Ma’am!” “Laibe!” She corrected the presenter. “I just turned twenty-one three months ago for Christ sake. Don’t make me feel like a granny yet. My husband won’t hear of it.” Laibe joked and the other lady laughed. “Now concerning your husband, how were you able to grow past the pain and possibly hatred you must have developed for men over time before meeting him?” “You are really asking personal questions, yeah?” Laibe smiled. “Anyway, I have always known Omachoko, I guess since I was born. When I was a local girl in the village and could barely speak a correct line in English Language, he was one not to laugh at me but rather encourage me. He has always claimed to be in love with me right from that time, till I went to Ankpa and even after all these incidents saga, he still could propose to me while carrying another man’s baby. What manner of love can be more than that again?” The presenter smiled as Laibe turned to her, as though demanding an answer. “You know, I actually had this thick bitterness tied in a nylon of hatred sitting somewhere to the left side of my chest. The bitterness was for men. I remember how Helen Obinna, my closest friend at Aleka Academy, Ankpa then, kept wondering why I easily get disgusted with guys. In fact, I hated anyone with the slightest resemblance to manhood. It was that bad, but Omachoko was different. Omachoko has been the medicine there is to my soul. He made me heal faster than anything else could. When I was done weaning Ocholi, he enrolled me back in a senior secondary school in Abuja here where he now works. Trust me, I was the oldest in the class, but to what do I care. Moreover, my little stature didn’t give away my age that quickly. I just started school of nursing seven weeks ago. It seems everything has fallen in shape for me, after all. I will finally become a nurse… a celebrity nurse now because of this award.” She winked at the presenter. “Yes Laibe. You are really a celebrity and I must tell you that a lot of people, young molested and abused ones have drawn so much inspiration from your story. Out of the broken pieces of one’s life, one can still reach the destination he/she desires. Only learn to stretch and allow room for healing.” Laibe smiled. “You wanna shout out to your loved ones?” The presenter demanded and Laibe nodded in the affirmative. “All glory to God who preserved my life in that labour room. It was a miracle, I keep saying that over and over again. I thank God for my husband, Mr Omachoko Ekele, he has been a rock standing solidly beside me through all the hurdles. I appreciate my lifetime friend, Ocholi. I would have still had more crush on him if my childhood wasn’t taken away from me that early.” She smiled and continued immediately. “My cute son, Ocholi – he is my greatest asset ever. I also thank God for my uncle Matthew and aunty Udale. They’ve done a lot for me, even for keeping and taking care of my son right now means a whole lot. For Helen Obinna, she is currently studying Medicine in Ukraine, we both wanted to be doctors together. I appreciate her big for pushing me to study. I appreciate my best friends, Umali and Ebi, crazy girls. We were an unbreakable triad as innocent girls but now the wind of life has blown everyone to different places. I simply thank God for everything, my fans, the media, my art centre and for everyone I’ve met in my little life. I’ve had a lot to learn from each situation and condition.” “We appreciate you greatly, Ma’am. Sorry, Laibe, pardon me. You are too noble to be addressed by your first name.” Laibe blushed at that statement. “Any last words for friends, family and fans out there?” “Everyone out there who have heard, read and possibly experienced my story, I want to leave you with these words by one of the notable great men ever. He said, The one thing you think you can do better than everyone else – go out and do that. The light shining out of your eyes should blind people. You should be on fire all the time. Hope is a gift you don’t have to surrender, a power you don’t have to throw away. Stay hopeful. Remember, there is always sunshine after rain.” **** “Hey Goddess, I could hear this sound from the estate gate.” “Oh! Eehen! So I shouldn’t watch my sister’s show again because I live in an estate?” Jane retorted, throwing her hands carelessly while she spoke. “C’mon Goddess. I’m sorry!” Dr Max said, dropping his car keys and squatting to kiss Jane’s protruded stomach. “How is my little princess doing today?” He was addressing the stomach. “Of all days to come home horribly late, Max? We had an agreement. Look here right, it’s not fair. You didn’t let me work ever since the wedding and this pregnancy just gave you a good point to hold onto. It’s more than three years now that I’m stuck in this room all day like sardine. I’m hell bored. Especially when you come to your house this late.” She rattled on and on. “I know this is about my missing Laibe’s show, right? You know, I didn’t really miss it. It was playing in the hospital’s common room, only that I was quite busy attending to an emergency patient. That is even why I came this late. I’m sorry, Goddess!” He pulled himself upwards and planted a soft kiss on her left cheek. Jane smiled. “So, how is the patient now?” She sounded like she mused those words through her nose instead. Max felt relieved she finally smiled. “Well, he is there. Should be fine soon. How was your sister’s show?” “Epic. Thank God we didn’t lose this girl during that scary labour. I blame Omachoko for letting a local midwife attend to Laibe in the first place.” Max undid his tie and sat on the handle of the chair. “The only thing I’m grateful for was that Laibe didn’t develop obstetric fistula. I mean, the labour was prolonged and dangerously long enough for that to happen. I guess the young lady is a strong woman in her own right.” “Yes o. That’s why my daughter has to grow up and marry her son, Ocholi.” Jane said, sounding serious. She flashed a glance at Max’s face and she knew what was up. “Hey! C’mon, I was only joking.” She tried to tickle him. Max got up, dropped the nylon he’s been holding on the table. “That’s the goddess’ appeasement, as usual.” He blurted out and started walking away. “Max! Stop being unreasonable na. It was merely a joke.” Jane dragged herself up and tried to follow after him. Max turned to face her with red shot eyes. At times, Jane wonders why those particular words get at him this much. He had warned her not to say that over and over again. Typical Jane! She doesn’t follow simple instructions. “Nothing is more unreasonable than betrothing my beautiful unborn daughter to a product of an abuse, Jane. Nothing.” He said coldly and entered into the bedroom. Jane paused involuntarily and her eyeballs widened. So wide, it could rival the size of ShopRite’s doughnut. First was about him calling her ‘Jane’ and then the other part. “Children born as a result of abuse are children and should be treated as normal as that. No one determines how he or she should be born, we can only determine how we should live.” She called out after Max, forcefully opening the door and storming in to meet him. ***** Matthew turned off the television as the presenter was wrapping up the show. He tried to stand up but remembered he needed his wife’s help to do virtually everything he needed to do, including taking his bath. Maybe it would have been better if he died than living like a vegetable and a liability on the poor woman like this, after all she has been through. “I told you not to let her go on air.” Matthew smiled as his wife’s voice came up. She’s been crying all through the show obviously. “It’s part of her healing process, Udale. If she could speak about it freely then we are rest assured that she is healing and moving on.” He counted every of the words. “What about the bad name it’s bringing to you. What about your reputation that’s dragging in the mud?” Udale queried, trying to stable her breaking voice. “I spoilt my name the very first time I yielded to the temptation of sleeping with my wife’s niece. I dragged my name in the mud with my own hand when I molested her secretly and subjected her young heart to untold hardship and torture in silence. I made a mess of my own self when I made her the wife I never married.” That confusing phrase again. Well, now Udale sees how one can be wife without being married. She quickly grabbed Matthew’s hand and held it tightly to her chest as she cried. **** “I’m so proud of you, woman!” Laibe quickly turned around to see Omachoko. He hasn’t stopped calling her ‘woman’, he may never stop even. She hugged the presenter and shook hands with the other technical crew that accompanied her out of the studio, and dismissed them. They had to lead her through the back door because a good number of people, journalists, bloggers and newsmen alike were outside waiting for her to step out before they would launch their questions on her. Laibe had stated clearly that she wouldn’t be talking to any other member of the press again and that was why she waited for her husband to come pick her. “Guess who I came with?” Omachoko said, immediately they were left alone in the conference room of the Channel’s TV building. “Who?” “Tada!!!” Laibe jerked back as Umali hurriedly opened the door and practically jogged into the room. They ran into each other’s arms and stayed in that hug for quite a while. “I’m proud of you, Lee!” Umali said, releasing herself from the hug. “Indeed! We are more proud of you, Umali. Everybody is talking about your textile designs. Just few years at an Arts studio, and you now design fabrics?” Laibe sounded unbelieving. “What can the righteous do na, babe? Lagos has taught us how to hustle noni.” Umali made them laugh. “What are you doing in Abuja and where is prince charming?” Laibe relaxed more into Omachoko’s arms as she asked this. “You are telling them on air that I was your crush, huh? You want Umali to break your little head for you!” Ocholi said, bumping into their discussion from outside. Everyone laughed. Ocholi would never stop being funny in his life. “Break Laibe’s head on top of man? Can you listen to yourself?” Umali retorted. “Oh! You can break it on top of woman, right? Oga ‘Choko, tell them it’s now sixteen years in prison without bail o.” Ocholi motioned to the Omachoko that couldn’t curtail his laughter. “Shooo! Better person jare…” Umali dragged Laibe from Omachoko’s hands. “You know Ebi is so good in her tailoring business now, right? After that her abusive husband was put behind bars for three months - the last time he beat her sore, he had to let her live. Ebi now has her tailoring place there in Kaduna, all thanks to alhaja. So I use her as my stylist. I design and make the textiles and she makes them into admirable styles to be worn by my models for adverts.” “Ebi makes those adorable styles we see on Glamz Magazine? How wonderful. Why didn’t you ladies tell me all these while?” Laibe queried, feigning anger. “Because you are now a celebrity o. An international one for that matter, don’t relate with all these local champions again o.” Ocholi cut in on them. Umali ran over to him and reached out her fist for his chest but he held it back. “Why are you always looking for Umali’s trouble, Ocholi?” Omachoko spoke out of laughter finally. “Because she is my property and mine alone.” Umali eyeballed him coldly. “God know say I still de single. I am no one’s property. It’s not by how many years you know somebody that makes you his property na.” Everyone started laughing again. “I hope you enjoyed your so-called singleness, cos it’s elapsing tonight. And I didn’t say it includes your role as the sales manager for Wale’s arts studio, what is the name again?” he pointed questioning eyes at Umali but didn’t let her answer before continuing. “ I wasn’t also referring to your position as the CEO of UMALITE TEXTILES. I am only saying your singleness elapses tonight.” Ocholi stopped as he saw everyone looking at him like he had lost his mind. “What are you blabbing about, Ocholi?” Laibe called out to him. “Blabbing? Won’t you commend me for risking my fine life to be with this trouble maker?” Ocholi pecked Umali’s cheek quickly and withdrew like he stole it. The latter slapped him on the shoulder. “You see what I am saying? She is showing herself already. I was just thinking of asking her to be my wife now o, but I changed my mind.” They laughed again. He continued, “I changed my mind because I don’t want you to only be my wife but I need you to be my air, Umali. I love you so much, I can’t live without you.” He drew very close to her and wrapped one hand round her waist while the other went into his pocket. Laibe and Omachoko’s eyes popped open when Ocholi brought out a ring box from his pocket. It’s about time. Umali felt like crying as Ocholi’s eyes stared deeply at her. “Don’t even think I’ll go down on any useless one knee. Better take this ring and wear it on… on which finger again? Just wear it quickly before I change my mind again.” Laibe and Omachoko kept staring at the strangest form of wedding proposal they’ve ever seen. Umali was smiling broadly through her tears. “Hey! OK! I’ve changed my mind again. Everyone here now feels I am insane.” Ocholi said, looking at the presenter that just stepped in. The young woman must have come to see what was going on. They’ve probably spent so much time here as it were. “I have changed my mind. Umali, I don’t just need you to be my air anymore; be my medicine, cure my insanity, give me everything I need.” Umali covered her mouth with her two hands. THE WIFE I NEVER MARRIED THE END. Thank you everyone for following the story to this time. I hope you weren’t disappointed? Not tragedy, right? Thanks to Grace for sharing the story with us..

Wow what a mind blowing story.

ok

you are welcome nicely ending

Next o....

Lovely story with nice ending

This is serious ooooo

Waoh...... This Story is so interesting, emotional and also funny especially at the ending part. Kudos to the writer

this is really mind blowing. so pathetic! sentimental and also perfect.