Intense slumber

This work is purely fiction.
No resemblance intended.
Written by Olugbenga Ayoola

No part of this publication can be acted for screen display, printed or published without the permission of the author.

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About the Book

Trying to unravel the mysterious way her family was wiped out; The revelation sent Lydia to an intense slumber from which she seemed unable to be awakened.

CHAPTER 1

Lydia Williams sat on the edge of her bed, feeling utterly exhausted. She rubbed her temples, trying to ease the throbbing headache that had settled in. She felt as if she could sleep for an entire week to recover from the whirlwind of events that had recently swept through her life. It all started when her husband, Kunle, received a phone call that changed their lives. After ten long years of dedicated service at Capital Oil, he had been promoted to a managerial position. This was a tornado-like blessing, sweeping them off their feet and into a new chapter of their lives. The catch was that it required them to relocate, along with their two children, Nike, age eight, and Tade, age six, to a government reserved area.

The past month had been a roller coaster ride for Lydia. She had tried to prepare her family for the move into their new home, a massive and expensively furnished house that felt more like a museum than a place to live. The sheer size of it overwhelmed her, and she couldn’t have managed without some help. Kunle, though delighted by his promotion, had been swamped with work, leaving Lydia to handle most of the preparations on her own. It was then that she had called her younger sister, Titi, for assistance. Titi was the rolling stone and the black sheep of the family due to her wild lifestyle, but Lydia loved her all the same. She knew that when push came to shove, Titi could be counted on. Lydia felt that if it wasn’t for Titi’s help, she would have come down with an illness from the stress. Her sister’s energy and willingness to pitch in had been a lifeline during this chaotic time.

Lydia was also grateful for her boss, Mrs. Rosemary Effiong, the principal of Brighter Future Secondary School. Mrs. Effiong had been kind and understanding, permitting her to miss a few days of school to pack up everything they owned and make the necessary arrangements for the move. Lydia had been overwhelmed and, at the same time, deeply impressed when Mrs. Effiong had volunteered to take some
classes herself to help cover for her absence.

One evening, as Lydia and Titi were packing up some of the finer things in the house, Lydia couldn’t help but express her gratitude to her sister. “Titi,” she said with a smile, “Mrs. Effiong has a golden heart for allowing me to miss school to pack properly.” Titi, always one to tease, snickered mischievously and declared, “Oh, Lydia, you’ve got it all wrong. Mrs. Effiong is just playing her cards right now that you’re rolling in money with Kunle’s promotion.” Lydia gasped at Titi’s disparaging words, trying to stifle a giggle. “Titi, why are you so naughty?” She shook her head in disbelief at her sister’s audacious sense of humour. Despite the exhaustion and the chaos of the move, Lydia couldn’t help but appreciate the unwavering support of her family and the kindness of her boss, making this tumultuous period a little more manageable. It was an ordinary weekday evening, and Lydia had been in the midst of preparing dinner when she heard the front door slam shut. It was a sound she was used to, as her husband, Kunle, often returned home from work. But today was different.

Today, he had returned earlier than expected, and there was an urgency in his footsteps that piqued Lydia’s curiosity. Kunle hurried into their new house, his eyes filled with excitement, and he asked Lydia to follow him outside. Her initial reluctance stemmed from years of being the victim of Kunle’s playful pranks. She had learned to approach surprise announcements from him with caution, not wanting to fall for another one of his tricks. “Kunle, what’s going on?” she asked, her brow furrowed as she turned off the gas cooker and wiped her hands on her apron. “Just come outside with me,” Kunle replied, an almost childlike eagerness in his voice.

With a hint of skepticism, Lydia followed her husband out the front door. Her mind raced with thoughts of what he might be up to this time. Had he planned some elaborate joke or surprise? She couldn’t have prepared herself for what awaited them in the driveway.
As Lydia stepped outside, her eyes widened in disbelief. There, gleaming in the soft evening light, was a brand-new car parked in their compound. She blinked, trying to process what she was seeing. It was a beautiful car, stylish and elegant. Her heart skipped a beat as realization slowly dawned on her. Kunle had bought her a car! Overwhelmed with joy and love for her husband, she couldn’t contain her
emotions any longer. Without a word, she threw herself into Kunle’s arms, tears of happiness welling up in her eyes. Kunle held her tightly, a grin stretching across his face. “I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said, his voice filled with warmth and affection. Lydia couldn’t find the words to express her gratitude and happiness. She simply hugged him tighter, feeling incredibly blessed to have such a thoughtful and loving husband. The new car was not just a vehicle; it was a symbol of Kunle’s love and appreciation for everything she had done during the hectic move. In that moment, their new house felt even more like a home.

CHAPTER 2

From the moment Mr. Kunle Williams and Lydia Williams moved into their expansive new house in the government reserved area with their two children, Nike and Tade, and Lydia’s younger sister, Titi, it seemed as if Mr. Kunle had found a newfound enthusiasm for hosting get-togethers. It was a pattern that quickly established itself, turning their weekends into a whirlwind of social events.

The spacious living room and beautifully landscaped backyard of their new home were perfect for entertaining, and Mr. Kunle was determined to make the most of it. It started innocently enough with a housewarming party to introduce themselves to their new neighbours. The party was a resounding success, with delicious food, lively music, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. However, it didn’t stop there. Almost every weekend thereafter, Mr. Kunle would find a reason to throw another get-together. Whether it was a birthday, an
anniversary, or simply an excuse to enjoy the company of friends and family, he had an uncanny ability to come up with a celebration-worthy occasion.

Lydia, at first, was both surprised and amused by her husband’s newfound penchant for hosting parties. It was a stark contrast to their previous life, where they had lived a more modest and private existence. Yet, she couldn’t deny the joy it brought to their children, who revelled in the frequent gatherings and the chance to play with friends in their expansive backyard.

Titi, always up for a good time, wholeheartedly embraced the party spirit. She charmed everyone with her infectious laughter and exuberance. Her presence added an extra layer of fun to each event, and she quickly became a favorite among their guests.

As the months went by, the get-togethers became a beloved tradition in their new home. Mr. Kunle’s enthusiasm for hosting was matched by Lydia’s talent for cooking delicious meals that left their guests raving. Their weekends were now filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses as friends and family gathered to celebrate life’s moments, both big and small.

Their new hous’ had transformed into a place of joy and togetherness, a testament to Mr. Kunle’s passion for creating lasting memories with loved ones. It seemed that in their government reserved area, every weekend was a reason to celebrate, and the Williams family wouldn’t have had it any other way.


After a while, the Williams family went through a period where the lively parties and get-togethers that had become a regular part of their weekends became scarce. The mastermind behind these events, Mr. Kunle, found himself drowning in his work, often having to travel for business more than once every month. His demanding job had taken a toll on their family’s social life.

Among the family members, it was Nike who felt this change most acutely. She was an energetic and sociable child, and the absence of the weekend parties left her feeling cheated. She couldn’t understand why the fun had stopped, especially when her 8th birthday was just three weeks away. She wanted her birthday to be special, and she wasn’t about to let the recent trend of quiet weekends ruin it.

One sunny Sunday afternoon, with determination in her eyes, Nike approached her father. Mr. Kunle was relaxing under the cool sun in a foldable chair, engrossed in the newspaper, when Nike tugged on his sleeve to get his attention. “Daddy,” Nike began with a serious expression, “my birthday is coming up in three weeks.”

Mr. Kunle lowered the newspaper and looked at his daughter, a warm smile on his face. “I know, sweetheart. It’s going to be a special day for our special girl.” Nike, however, wasn’t satisfied with just reassurances. She mustered all her courage and continued, “Daddy, I want you to throw me the best party ever.”


Mr. Kunle sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his brow furrowing. “Nike, you know Daddy has been really busy at work lately. I’ve had to travel a lot, and I might not have the time for a big party this year.” But Nike was determined. She looked up at her father with those big, pleading eyes and said, “Daddy, but it’s my birthday and I’ve been telling all my friends there’ll be a big celebration at our house? Please Daddy…”

Mr. Kunle couldn’t resist his daughter’s earnest plea. He chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately. “You’re quite the little negotiator, aren’t you? Okay, sweetheart, I promise I’ll do my best to throw you the best birthday party ever. You deserve it.” A radiant smile broke across Nike’s face, and she threw her arms around her father in a tight hug. “Thank you, Daddy! You’re the best!”.

To be continued……