Hey Nlanders, I wanna start a new story. Please comment as you read, i.e critics and advisers wre all welcomed.
Let's roll...

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I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, took a quick glance round the classroom- everybody seems to interested in what the teacher was scribbling on the black board.
I summed Madame Diallo with a look, I couldn't help smiling at her fat legs...

"Le langue Francaise... Repeat after me." madame Diallo began.

"Le langue francaise!" the whole class throated.

I hissed quitely, do we have to say this? We're in J.S.S.3 for crying out loud! Besides, why do we have learn french this hot afternoon? I am a Nigerian! A Yoruba for that matter...

"Il ya des ecole, eu du mangue." the teacher said again.

"Who can tell us what that means?" her cat eyes searched the class.
Bisi stood up, I trust her now- over sabi-sabi. I hissed again.

"it means, in front of the school, there is a mango tree." bisi said smiling like a donkey

"Clap for her."
I didn't clap, i looked out of the window instead.

"Madame et monsuier Akosua, il habite poto-poto-brazaville." I heard her say.

"who can translate that?"
I kept my eyes glued to the window.

"Teju can you help us out?"
I heard her definitely, me translate french? Rubbish.

"Tejumola Benson!" she shrilled

I jumped up, pretending to be startled.
"translate that!" she pointed her cane at the black board.

"Which one of them?" I scratched my cornrows.

"Teju!" she scowled.

"Errrm...madame...errn, it means..erm,mr and mrs..Akosua, have children....errm...called...erm, poto-poto and brazaville..." I stammered.

She stared at me in disbelief.
"Teju!" her eyes almost popped out
"You sitting for your Junior NECO very soon, and you can't translate this?"

I looked away.
"I'm so disappointed!" she added.

That one is your headache, I wonder if french is a necessity.

"Sit down, class lets continue."

Rubbish! I hissed

"Bring out you notebooks, and copy these down." Madame Diallo ordered before she started scribbling some notes on the board.
I copied the note for copying sake, i had no intention of reading it. We copied and copied endlessly till a bell rang.

"End of period" Ayo- a fat chubby boy yelled from outside. We all laughed. Ayo-the time keeper, we told each other.

"Lets call it a day, aurevoir" madame Diallo packed her books.

"Au revoir" we all throated, my voice at its peak.

The whole class became a noise den, some of them even played ten-ten. I watched them all, with no intention of joining them. I've not eaten since last night, I don't have the strength to play...

"What's the noise all about?" Eric the headboy roared.
They didn't even notice him.
He banged a table loudly.
They all came back to their senses.
"Good afternoon Senior"

"What's good about the afternoon? Ehn? Why were you making such noise?" Eric's massive voice thundered.
Nobody replied him

"Who's the class captain?" he asked again, infuriated.

I quickly adjusted my skirt, tucking in my shirt properly.
"I said where's the..."

"Sir?" I chirped cutting him short.

"i want the list of noisemakers now" he ordered

"List?" I wore a puzzled look

"oh so you just watched them abi? Whats your job?" he queried.

Na today? ThankGod say I no join them sef, if not this building for fall- I hissed within me.

"Are deaf or dumb?" He yelled at me.

"None of the above." I replied with a frown. Some students began to giggle

"oh really? Okay, come out here." he ordered.

"go and kneel down under the sun!" he declared my punishment.

Mo kpe! I thought quitely as I knelt down. This hot sun plus kneeling down plus hunger again? I'm finished.
I didn't spend a minute kneeling down when I saw David the assistant headboy walking towards me.

I looked away, David was very popular in the school, he became the assistant headboy the very day he stepped his foot into S.S.S.2. Maybe cos he's brilliant or cos his father was rich- very rich-a senator. Maybe cos of his looks, he is too beautiful to be called handsome, those full eyelashes, the dimples....

"What are doing here?" David asked

"punishment." I replied.

"Go back to your class, this sun is too hot." He said quitely.

I stood up, murmurred a thankyou, and walked quickly to my class, who said my God isn't mercifull..
"stop there!" eric roared from behind me.
"Who asked you to go back to your class?" he gnarled.

"I did." David sauntered towards us. "Guy free the girl, this sun is too hot." David patted Eric's shoulder.
"Go to your class" he said to me.

Oh yea! I felt so fly as I hopped to me class.

Bukky done show... Abeg dnt keep us waitin c'est fini...

i'm followin.......

Nice one

Whats up hadespark?
Hy sugarbabe

::::::::::::::::::::**********
I trudged into our flat, as usual Maria-my step mother was sitting; crosslegged in the parlour.
"Ekun le oo" I said trying to sound cheerful

"Maami good evening." I greeted her again,
She did not reply, she glued her eyes to the television.
That's your problem, I shrugged, and walked towards my room.

"Oshi!- Devil!" I heard her say, I quickly turned to look at her.

"Aje- witch!" she added again.
I became apprehensive, trouble in the air.

"go and tell your fellow witches that my head is too strong for them o" she clapped.

Is this woman okay? I asked myself, I moved towards my room but stoped again when something struck my head from behind.
The sharp pain surged through my body, I let out an ear-deafening scream- thats my major talent.

She pulled me roughly, "let me warn you, if you tell your father anything, I'l kill you!"
I stood still, staring at her.
"Take your winchy eyes off me jare! Oya go and fetch water for me."

"okay, let me pull off my uniform."
I moved towards my room, tears streaming down cheeks.
"which uniform? Go like that jor!" she pushed me roughly.

I dashed to the kitchen, picked a bucket and made for the bore-hole, to prevent more beating and insults.

The borehole was about 20 blocks from our flat, I filled my bucket,and made towards home.
I wished my dad would just come back, he's gone for his so-called 'business trips'. If he'd been around, I wouldn't fetch water, he made sure we buy from water vendors.

"Tejumola Benson!" someone called from behind me. I turned sharply and saw Bisi my classmate running towards me.
Here comes the over sabi-sabi, I rolled my eyes.

"So you fetch water too?" she asked. I didn't reply.
"you should have changed from your uniform first now." she added.

Over sabi-sabi mind your business now, I wanted to tell her.
"Thanks for your concern" I replied with sarcasm

"Its alright" she gave me a donkey smile. Eeewww!

"Let me help you, I'm going down the road." she collectedd the bucket of water, balanced it on her head and we walked home.

"Teju, you were funny during french class, that day, hmm." she said.
I simply grunted.

"You see this house?" she said as we walked past a huge mansion.

"yes"

"shey you know David ko? The assistant head boy, ehen, the house belongs to his father, they all live inside." Bisi explained.

"Ehhn! Tell me something." I said in a gossip like fashion.

"Hmm, you mean you don't know? His father has three wives now, David is the only son, with about 15 sisters. My dear, each of them have a well furnished room. You know their father is a senator" Bisi rattled on.

"Thanks for the info" I was sarcastic again. Thank God she didn't notice

"not atall, if you need any story, just call me, I know almost everything." she said dropping my bucket of water right in front of my house.

"Thanks" I wore a plastic smile.
Amebo number 1, I wanted to tell her
"Hmmn, bye"

I watched her leave before taking my bucket of water into the house.

"How many hours did it take you to fetch just a bucket of water?" Maria snarled.

I turned the water into a drum and made to walk past her.
She pushed me and I toppled over, bashing my head on the floor, I shrieked in pain.

"Idiot! I will make this house miserable for you, so far you and your witches won't let me give birth."

"I didn't hold your womb, go and ask the doctor who helped you abort so many babies when you were a love peddler in town." I blurted out, I was surprised at myself.
Wow! I'm now grown,not the little girl she used to molest. 14 yrs no be beans, I'm not called Tejumola for nothing.

She stared at me surprised, hate-pain and anger written all over her face.
"Who did you call a love-peddler?" she marched towards me.
I backed away slowly, too slow enough for her to grab me.
She beat, scratched and pulled my cornrows. I begged and begged to no avail. Sensing she might kill me, i stopped begging.
I held unto her tightly, brought my mouth close to her ear and screamed with all my might.

She quickly released me cos my scream could make her go deaf, it was piercing and irritating.
I ran out of the kitchen, into my room. I quickly bolted it, locked it with keys.

She banged at my door.
"Teju open the door, I'l kill you today." she yelled.

"Ashewo kobo kobo no market today?" I screamed back at her

she fell silent, I could hear her sob, winchy-wincho! I hissed.
I examined my injuries, just then I remembered i was hungry.
There was no way maami is gonna feed me today, I will wait till she is asleep, then I'l steal some packs of indomie.

Man pikin dey suffer! I told myself after gulping down three cups of water.

Thanks Ludasam

I dey bambam,yew nko?

Bukky, U're always on point!

Bukky, soyez le bien venue.
D subject is 'la langue française' not 'le'.
French is an interesting subject oh.
I read French/English in d university.

bukky i luv u sowi i mean to say ur story.update jare

Me just kul@ hadesparks.
Thanks hon@ spendblex
Don't mind my french jawe, thanks for the correction@ avicky
I understand na@ Ice4jez.

:::::::::*******

I stoped about a 100 metres from the school gate to examine myself. I wiped off some sweats, cleaned my shoes and so on.
I took a quick glance @ my wristwatch before resuming my cleaning exercise.
8am? Yikes! I don over late.

I quickened my pace and in no time, the school gate was just a few steps away.

Eric was standing there, alongside David and some other prefects. Some 'late- comers' too were kneeling down.

"Good morning senior" I flexed my knees, already I was working out some excuses...

"bad morning to you! Join them!" Eric snarled gesturing towards the other students.

"Let her go in now, you know they're writing J.S.C.E exams...they would start by nine." David was pleading with Eric.

"No, she must be punished!" Eric said with a note of finality.
"what's even your business with this girl? Ehn?" he added.

"kneel down there!" he ordered me.

"You don't have the authority!" David retorted at him.

"who has? You?" Eric sneered

"Get inside!" David told me.

I stood up sharply, dusted my bag, and walked past Eric.

"come back here!" Eric pulled me back.
I shrieked feigning pain, pretending to loose my balance. David quickly held me to steady my balance.

"You don't dare rough handle her!" He growled at Eric.

"Why? Cos she's your girlfriend? See this small boy o!" Eric sneered.

Quick as a flash, I saw David raise his hand and his palm landed on Eric's cheek.
"How dare you?" Eric darted towards him. They engaged in a scuffle, David beating up Eric.

I didn't stand to watch the show, I ran quickly towards the classroom, I needed to revise my notes. Who separated the fight? I didn't care.

********
Ayo rang the bell. "School closed" He yelled.
Every student excitedly picked up their bags, lunch boxes and what have you- they all hurried out of school.
For some reasons, I remained seated in my position.

"Teju, won't you go home?" Bisi asked me strapping her bag.

I bit my lower lip, they send this girl to me ni?!

"Teejumoolaaa..." she cooed

"Biiissiii" I replied.

"won't you go home?"

"When did you become my guardian? Ehn?" I queried

"Noo, I was just trying to.."
she tried to explain.

"Shut up! Over sabi-sabi! Did we come to school together this morning?" I cut her short.

"Okay, sorry o." she walked away, leaving me alone in the now- empty class.

Good riddance! I rather remained in school than go back home to see Maami's ugly face.

The school became quite, only for some low voices from the staff room. I played around the class, mimicked some teachers, practiced some dance steps, I even practiced some kung fu, Imagining Maami as my opponent, just to while away time.
I glanced at my wristwatch; 4:30pm. Good! Atleast with 30mins trekking, I'll get home by 5pm. I quickly rehearsed my plans.
Firstly, I go to the kitchen, fill my bag with bread and 5 packs indomie.
Secondly, greet maami before hiding in my room.
That woman can't kill me!

I got to the school gate and saw a boy in uniform standing there.
Maybe he is waiting for their family driver to pick him up, spoilt rich man's children.

"Hey!" David said, standing up

"Good afternoon senior." I replied.

"what are you still doing in school?" He asked.

See question, you too what are doing here, Ode!
"Errm, I stayed back to revise some notes." I said instead

"Oh really? That's nice" he shook his head like an agama lizard

"I've been waiting for my driver, the guy doesn't wanna show up" he added with a weary look.

Did I ask you? Can't you trek?
"Eeyaah, sorry senior." I said wearing a pitying face.

"your driver is here to pick you?" he asked

Driver ke!
"Noo, me I'm trekking o"

"Wow, that could be fun!" his eyes glinted, his dimples showing.

Fun! Indeed! I smiled.

"Can I join you?, I mean, lets trek together?" he was smiling too,and those dimples...Oh! I was a sucker for dimples.

"okay, no problem." I sounded like someone important.

He picked his books, and we trekked home together.

That was how we became friends. We always trekked home together, no more driver coming to pick him up.
We'd stay back in school after closing for hours doing nothing in particular.
He always bought me snacks and carbonated drinks during breaktime, well as an ojukokoro, I always collected them with 'thanks'.
No prefect dares to punish me anymore, I became more stubborn and efficient in my trouble making.

Teju da trouble maker...

Hahahaha, Hadespark thats a good talent.

::::::::******.*:*:*
I came back home late in the evening as usual, I tip-toed to the kitchen to begin my daily routine of indomie and bread theft. I walked gently into the sitting room after accomplishing my mission, I found my father sitting there.
Suprised, I gaped at him, when did he come back?

"Baami," I shrieked before jumping into his arms.

"Hey, my little princess, omo mi atata." He patted my head.

"welcome Baami, I missed you ooo, when did you come back?"

"This morning" He smiled, my father is too handsome.

"why are you just coming back from school by this time?" he queried.
I racked my brain hard
"Errm, Baami, you know the distance from school, its too far, I have to trek, and besides we are having extra lessons in school" I explained.

"Liar!" maria said

"aah! Maami, you know I won't lie now." I quickly said, whats wrong with this winchy sef.

"other children in this area came back home since 2pm.." she began

"I was singled out now, you know, errm, we...errm, we'll be going for a competition very soon." I scratched my head.

"Its alright, just make sure you come home early, okay?" My father patted my head.

"You've become so lean Teju, what happened?" he looked me all over.

I looked at Maria, she looked visibly scared, I might give her away.
"No..Baami, I'm missing you that's why." I laughed.

"Come and sit on my laps, omo mi atata." he pulled me towards him.

I sat down on his laps with a wide grin.

"Tejumola omo baba re"

I glanced at maria, she looked jealous.

"Maami, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Don't mind your mother, she's jealous." My father said before leading me to my room.

***********
Things went on well, both in school and at home, no more qualms.
David was writting his S.S.C.E examination, we're still the best of friends.
One day after his afternoon paper, we were sitted in an empty class room, discussing nothing important when he suddenly said

"Teju, very soon, I'd be leaving school, I would further my education abroad..." he hesistated.
"That means, I won't get to see you everyday anymore." he added with a pained expression.

"hmmm"

"hmmm? Is that all you'd say? Yuo won't miss me I guess." he said placing an arm round my shoulder.
I laughed. He sounded funny, miss who?

"have I ever told you, how beautiful you look when you laugh?" He brought his face closer to mine.
I blushed furiously, though I'm dark in complexion so it wasn't visible.

"I love you Teju." he whispered.

One thing led to another and we kissed...

*************
We all stood in straight lines on the assembly ground. Being one of the tallest girls in my class, I stood at the far back end.
"Sing the National athem after count of three...1...2..3" the assembly prefect instructed.
The whole school sang except me. I wasn't feeling so well that morning, I vomited thrice before coming to school, couldn't eat breakfast cos I didn't have appetite to..

"The pledge!" the prefect said again

"I pledge to Nigeria my country.." I managed to mutter before everything around me began to spin. I felt dizzy, I tried to steady my self, my palms became sweaty.
I rubbed my eyes, opened them, the whole school was spinning faster, I quickly shut my eyes, my head was spinning too...I passed out.
::::::::::*

I opened my eyes again, only to find myself on the hospital bed.
My father was staring at me, disappointment written all-over his face.
"Kpele- sorry" he said when I tried to sit up.

What was going on? I rubbed my forehead to ease the pain.

"Teju.." My father began

"You know I love you, and will do anything to make you happy.."

I became tensed, something was wrong somewhere.

"I want you to tell me the truth..." he continued.

Truth of what? I asked myself

"tell me, Who did this to you?" his voice became shaky

"Who is reponsible for this pregnancy?" he said gently.

I frozed at the spot. Preg..what? Who? Me? Tejumola? Is this a dream?
I pressed my stomach firmly.
How can I be pregnant?

"Teju..." my father placed his hands on my back.
"Talk to me."

I held his gaze for a moment, before looking away. I could feel the whole world crashing at my feet. Fat tears rolled down my cheeks. What would I tell my father?

"Don't cry." my father held my hands in his.

"If you don't want to tell me, no problem."

I turned to look at him, he was crying too.

"Its all my fault.." he lamented
"I should have spent more time with you.."

I could feel my heart splitting, should I tell him or not? David was far away in London...I'm finished.

My father hugged me " my daughter, I'm sorry, forgive me." he whispered.

"I'm sorry Baami, I'm sorrrry" I wailed

"It's alright, don't cry anymore, I'm here for you, I'd take good care of you." he patted my back soothingly.

My thoughts were far far away. My loud sobs echoed through the walls

Chei....ewwwwwe.....teju don carry belle...shakara don end o

Make i give da baby name , Tejumade da stubborn baby..... Bukky yarn me nah

Ohhh y na,wat will happen to school now

U r tooo gud d@ i dnt knw d adjective to qualify u... Bt pregnant?;(

Following...

:::::::****
My father actually kept to his words, he took very good care of me,he no longer travelled. Even maami became suddenly soo nice.
She made sure I ate well, she even helped me with exercises and massages.

The day I had the baby was a great day. The joy on my father's face was beyond description.

"omo dada- good baby" he whispered into the baby's ears.
He sat on my bedside.

"Sorry, mummy" he teased me.
I smiled for the first time since past months i was pregnant.

"She looks just like you, very beautiful and hairy!" he patted its hair.

"What name would you call her?" he asked

I looked away, name ke! How old am I that I should know how to name babies?! Unless if they would name her Tejumola after me.

"I was thinking of naming her Eniola or Ayobola, but more preferrably Eniola." he continued, he was used to me refusing to talk.

I simply nodded.

"Welcome to the world Eniola." he said before whispering some prayers into its ears.

And that was how Eniola came into our family, the identity of her father still remained a mystery to everybody except. No one dared asked me unless they wanna see me cry.
**************
on Eniola's fourth birthday, things went sour for me.
I was alone in the house, my father has taken Eniola with Maami to the Amusement park.
I refused to go with them despite Eniola's pleas.

There was a knock on the door.
"Who's there?" I queried before opening the door.
I saw a fat man with a pot-belly enclosed inside a brocade Agbada smiling at me.

"Good afternoon sir" i flexed my knees, he should be in his early fifties.

"Ba wo ni- how are you?" he smiled again.

"Fine" I replied with a frown.

"Is Mr Benson-your father around?" he asked.

"No, He went out."

"Okay, if he comes back, tell him Chief OlaBadmus came to look for him o" he said before turning to leave.

I slammed the door.
Who is this one again? Of course I know Chief OlaBadmus, he is David's father, what does he want? Where did Baami get this new friend?
Hmmn.
I lay gently on the rug, and sleep stole me away.

"Mummy...mummy!" Eniola shook me out of my beauty sleep.

"Lil' cutie, you're back?" I sat up.

"Welcome." I greeted them.

My father handed me an envelope
"The post-man said its for Tejumola Benson."

I gave him a quizzed look, opened the envelope, a beautiful flower encrusted card fell out: it read
I MISS YOU MY DARLING.
I looked up at my dad, he saw it too, his face expressionless.

I brought out the letter, and commenced reading it.
It was from David, he said he's sorry for not keeping in touch,that he would be coming back next week, that he missed me,that he loved me e.t.c.

I hissed aloud, tore the letter, picked the card and envelope, and into the thrash can I threw them.
I walked into my room in anger.

Rubbish! I muttered under my breathe.
After ruining my career...he missed me and so what? I guess he wanted to continue from where he stoped
I hissed aloud again.

"Teju?"

I turned to see my father holding the torn letter.

"Is he Eniola's father?" He asked.

I kept mute. He sighed.
"Teju sit down, lets talk." he began

"you have to tell me, you see...you're getting married next week..."

I jumped up, my right hand clutching my chest.
"Married? To who? Baami to who?" my voice was close to a whisper .

"I've already made arrangements, you can't sit at home like this.." he hesitated.
"You see...errm, that man that came looking for me, he is your husband to-be" he concluded.

"Baami? Chief OlaBadmus? That's a joke right? " my lips quiverred.

"No joke Teju, you're getting married." He rose to leave.

"Baami, please don't do this to me, it hurts, Baami it hurts." I was on my knees.

"It hurts? Hmn,when you dragged my name in the mud, threw sand of shame at my face, did think how hurt I was? When you disgraced me, did you stop to think how I felt?" he shot back at me before leaving my room.

I let out a heart rending sob.
This can't be happening to me, my father can't do this to me

"Mummy sorry." Eniola circled her tiny arms round me.

I hugged her tightly, and we wept together.

Bukkydan am bk at ya. Love life on campus
Don end, nw its ♏ў life. Dnt worry i keep
Following bt pls no dulling oooooooo

Dis z a taboo.... Baba teju wnt teju 2 marry her daughter grand pa..... Bukky Bukky Bukky.... Omo yi daa?

Here I am @ hadespark.
Bigsholly what's up?
*********
I was kneeling before Maria, I need her to talk to my father.

"Maami, please, help me talk to Baami" I told her.
She shook her head gently.

"I'l try my best okay? Now stand up." she helped me to my feet.

"where's Eniola?" she asked

"sleeping." I replied, resting my head on her shoulders.
We actually became close friends ever since I became pregnant with Eniola. She blamed herself a thousand times for the pregnancy.

"Maami, lemme stroll out." I told her before going out of the house.
I needed to rest my head, a long walk will do.
My 'wedding' is just 48hrs away, Maami need to do something fast.

I got to the end of the road, stood there for a while, before heading back home.
A range rover sports car pulled up beside me, almost knocking me down.
I jumped! Which kind mad driver is this? I hissed.

"Hey, baby!"
My heart missed a beat.

David walked to where I was.
"I was about coming to your house, and..errm, here you are.." he was all smiles.

I looked away.
"you haven't changed, still your beautiful self."
" so how's everything?" he tried to take my hands, but i pulled away.

"Baby, anything wrong?" he asked sensing my discomfort.

Which kind bad breeze blow this idiot come here na!
"Why did you come back?" I snapped.

"I...I'm sorry..fro..for.."

"Why did you come back?" I snapped more angrily this time

"I..I..came cos of you.." he looked confused

I rolled my eyes "you came for your father's wedding." I laughed mockingly

"I...yes! You heard of the wedding too? I heard he is getting married to some pretty girl" he laughed.

"And do you know who that girl is?" I grimaced

"Errm no, thats not my problem, what matters now is you and I."

"You and who?" I asked
"Come o, are you mad? Se ori re buru ni? Do I look like a thrash or a scrap that you can use and dump?" my temper rose furiously

"I...I..I" he began to say

"Shut up! Idiot! Ori gbeku gbeku! Comot ma see road jor" I pushed him away, walking away as fast as I could

Different plans flooded my mind, the best plan was to run away!

I got home, woke up Eniola, picked my purse and sneaked out of the house with her tugging at my skirt

"Mummy, where are we going?" eniola asked as we got into a taxi.

I didn't reply.
The taxi dropped us off at the car park. I bought a ticket to Lagos, and thank God they needed just one more passenger. In less than thirty minutes, we said Bye to Ibadan.

I felt joy surging through my veins. But my joy was shortlived.
Boom! The two back tyres of the bus we're in bursted

"Mummy!" Eniola screamed.

I held her tightly as the vehicle somersaulted thrice, it fell into a ditch, and everything just blacked out.

Ohh Bukky,y is d gal sufferin like dat na Waitin 4 more o

Me no c u o Bukky... Wia r u @?

ice:-bukky bukky bukky how many times i call u
bukky:-3 times oga ice
ice:-before i close eye open again i won see beta update u hear me
bukky:-yes sir

Ice4jez: ice:-bukky bukky bukky how many times i call u
bukky:-3 times oga ice
ice:-before i close eye open again i won see beta update u hear me
bukky:-yes sir

oga ice take ur tym o...c hw u just dey shout dat girl name up n down

See me na @hadespark.

Ludasam don't mind oga Ice o

dear splendblex chill na!

:::::::::********
I opened my eyes gently only to shut them back almost immediately due to the piercing pain on my eyelids.
Arrrrgh! I winced.
I opened them again on impulse only to see Eniola sobbing gently.

I looked around me, there was comotion everywhere. Only then did I recall we just had an accident. I quickly sat up when I heard a siren, an ambulance was heading towards us.

"ye! Haaaa! Mi ole ku ooo" one old women screamed as the nurses helped her to her feet.

I managed to stand up, dragged the sobbing Eniola away from the chaos.

"mummy, let's go home" she whimped. Some blood trickled down her cheek, she'd a cut on her temple.

"Sorry baby" I wiped the blood off with my skirt.

"Young lady, get into the ambulance!" a nurse said to me.

Me? Go back to Ibadan? God forbid.
"No don't worry, we'd be fine." I replied.

"But you can't remain here!" she protested.

"I said I'm not coming with you!" I yelled at her and she left me alone.

Soon the whole scene was deserted, it was getting dark.
I sat Eniola down on stone, she looked tired, I felt so sorry for her.
I saw a station wagon approaching, I quickly flagged it down; luckily it stopped.

"Errm, please, we're going to Lagos." I told the driver, surveying the passengers with my eyes.

"five thousand naira"

"No problem." I shoved Eniola into the vehicle, though I knew the price was over expensive.

*************
It was already dark when we arrived Lagos.

"We're in Lagos." I told Eniola excitedly.

She smiled at me and continued to munch her Gala, I wondered if she understood me.

"where do we go? Maybe we should get a hotel room?" I told her again.

"I don't know" she replied innocently.

"We have enough money girlie.." I was cut short by the rumbling of thunder.

Oh yikes! This rain should hold on, atleast not now.

"mummy!" Eniola squealed rushing to hug my thigh, she pointed at something behind me.
I turned swiftly only to find two Agberos glaring at me.

"Wetin you carry?" One of them asked.

"Nothing." I was trying to calm my self.

The other one dragged my purse off my grip, and they both ran off.

"Oh no! Thief! Thief ooo, help!" I called for help but none came, the whole place was deserted.

I looked at Eniola, she placed her hand on her face and sobbed silently.

"I'm sorry.." Was all I could whisper.

She nodded.

"We are stranded!" I hoped she'd understand.

"Lets go home" she sniffed.

"Noo honey! We can't! We've no money..."
the thunder rumbled again.

"Oh no!" I gasped
the rain began with a shower, later it came down in torrents.

I hugged my daughter tightly, we both wept and shivered under the rain.

"Mummy...cold...mummy..cold..." Eniola kept whimpering.

"I'm sorry my Lil' princess..." was all I could offer.

I regretted my actions. If and only if I didn't run away. I cursed David, his family and all.

Suddenly light flashed around us, it was a car coming towards our direction.

Kidnapper! Ritualists! My heart was pounding dangerously. We're doomed.

"What are you doing here?" A woman in mid-forties question from the car.

I turned to look at her, she was alone, I just felt I could trust her.

"Please can you take my daughter with you?" I wasn't sure of what I said.

"How's that possible? Why?"

"Please madam, she's cold, we came into town late, we were robbed...we don't know where to go.." my lips quivered.

She shook her head gently.
"Come in" She opened the back seat.
I didn't hesitate, we got onto the car and she drove us to her house.

Candis what's up?