oyinella:
oh my Musa is fine, how refreshing. Thanks for the update ore

*Hugs*

hizeeksheun:

Updated already Bro.

Thanks OP, more wisdom.

Dybala11:
Thanks OP, more wisdom.

Amen Bro...You are welcome.

Since then he'd tried all he could to avoid Lois, asking her to work on the editing in her office while she sends the edits via mail.

A more lustful smile tugged at her lips as she entered his office, to which he responded with a frown asking her to sit on the long family chair, and work on the stool attached to it.

"So, how far with the entries? He asked as a line etched on his forehead.

"Yess. I have gone over 100 out of the 120 you allocated to me sir." She replied in a level tone realising he wasn't in for her gimmicks.

"Okay, so how many do you find worthy of publication?"

"Yesss, I found 10 of them really intriguing with a real depth of the African heritage sir" she said, with a bit of excitement, as she drummed her fingers on the table.

"Okay, just send them to my email" Kayode replied her simply.

As they did their final editing silently, someone knocked on the door .

"You can come in" Kayode said raising his chin as the door creaked open with Tolani sashaying into his office. They'd been having regular conversations on WhatsApp on her writings now.

"Hello, Ms Tolani?" He raised his chin as his frowned face slowly transformed into a slight smile.

"Hello sir"

"Ms Lois how are you?"

"I am fine, Thank you." She replied

"Yessir...I see you are busy now, I would check back later, It's about the editing...and yesss, On Naija Streets agreed to review my book" She said

"Congratulations!...and it doesn't matter, I can check it out now, just send it to my mail." He said smiling, as Lois wondered what the relationship between Kayode and Tolani was. Budding Love? Definitely not!

***

Feeling empty inside, Chinyere tried to get over Femi as she blocked him off her social media accounts. Blocked him from calling her too as she sat down with her diary and Lee Ann Womack to company,
Soon her phone buzzed. Her bone aching she reached out to grab it and in checking the caller ID she realised it to be an unknown number. Huh? Who is it?

She slid up the receive call option as she said into the phone, "He-llo"

It was deep baritone voice. Pretty familiar too. "Good morning"

"Sorry, please who's this?" She asked in a curious tone.

"I am sorry Chinyere. I didn't mean to ---"

Swearing under her breathe, she flipped her phone across the bed, as she rose up from her bed - tears forming on her eyes.

***

She trudged into the sitting room, her eyes brimming with tears.
She gripped the arm of a chair, as she weightily sat down, crossed her ankles in front of her; sighed, as blurred memories of herself and him sitting to watch "Beauty and the beast" taunted her.

But was he truly sorry? He couldn't have meant cheating on her? She loved him and he loved her too.

She gave a steeple of her fingers as she tried shake her head off the thoughts.
Picking up the Television remote control on a stool beside her, she switched on the TV, the no-signal notice popping up the screen.

Running her fingers through her hair, as a thought of speaking out to Tolani soon crossed her mind, she rose to go pick up her phone in the bedroom.

***

Grief hollowed her out, as she tried to force a calm "Hello" into the phone.

"Hello Chi, you don't sound good"

Silence.

"Hello?"

Another silence, as Chinyere tried to hold up from crying over the phone, finally blurting out in a shaky voice "Tolaniii, I am sick of everything!"

"I miss him" She added, wiping a tear off her eyes.

Tolani not sure of what to say, paused, then said in most affectionate way, "Chinyere, don't bother about him. I would be coming over to your place now"

"Okay." She said, her heart feeling light, as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah" Tolani said in a friendly fashion. "See you soon"

***

Ending the call she toggled to her music playlist, and click-played "I Don't Care"; shook out her hair, and gave a half smile, waggling her hips, as she raised her face to admiring the Dolly Parton portrait hanging off her wall. Yo! That's the spirit.


It just been sleep-sob-sleep-wake-sob-sleep since morning and now it's 4:00pm. Tossing her hair, she swaggered into the bathroom, yanking it's door open.

She pulled of her clothes, turned on the claw head bath tub as she felt some sort of peace as the water cascaded down.

She wore her clothes, got into the kitchen, picked, washed bean pods, and placed it on the cooker, while the I-Dont-Care song seemed to blast out louder.

Just then she heard a faint knocking of her gate.
"I'm coming ooh" She hollered, as she strode up to the gate.

"Who is there ooh?" She asked

"Human being. Abeg open joorrr" Tolani said excitedly as Chinyere turned the key through the lock in opening the gate.

"Hian, my babyyy" Chinyere said happily, as she hugged Tolani.

"Wait ooh. Did you trick me into coming over?" Tolani chuckled as she slid her a guarded look.

"Aha aha" Chinyere laughed, as she held her hands playfully.

"It's some self coping mechanism, I got since I called you. I was dead depressed moments ago."

"Ehen ehen, it is well ooh" Tolani said as they walked into the sitting room.

"Sha don't forget my regular Kayode gists" She said grinning.

"Comot here joor" She said "Kayode koor, Kayowa nii"

"Abegggiii" She tapped her playfully. "Don't whine me joor"

Giving her a puppy-dog look, she said, "Owk, I have heard you", to which Chinyere responded with a wink of her eyes.
Just then her phone buzzed, checking out for the caller ID, It was unknown.

Swiping down the reject call option, she thought, "I would call back later".

Thanks for the update OP.

Thanks for the update Op. More pleaseee

Dybala11:
Thanks for the update OP.

You are welcome

Adeola25:
Thanks for the update Op. More pleaseee

You are welcome.

- Next Tuesday *Winks*

nice update

Electricboy:
nice update

Thank youu!

***

"Daddy, I am going out" Kayode said out to his dad as he strolled up the door.

"Where are you going? " Mr Randy asked, his glasses resting on his nose ridge, as he slipped him a curious glance.

"I said, I am going out!" He said. The unending arguments of the week had him all worn out.

"OoOoh" His dad exclaimed. "The name of a place?"

"Daddy, please can you just let me be?" He said, as he yanked the door open, jamming it behind him.

His dad stomped out and scoffed, "HAND OVER MY CAR KEYS"

As rage poisioned his veins, he threw the keys up the veranda, adjusted his face cap, and swaggered out.

He can go to hell if he chooses to. He swore under his breathe, as he waved down an okada The rider came to a halt in front of him, raising a lot of dust .
"You wan hit me? You dey mad?" Kayode carped.

"Oga abeg no vex." The Bikeman said in a soothing tone, gripping the handles of his scooter.

"No wahala, i dey go Junction"

"Naah #150 ooh"

"Okay" Kayode said as he climbed up his motorbike.

Soon they were at the junction as the bikeman brought the bike to a halt, Kayode he paid him, then dialed the number of the Uber driver he always chartered whenever his car was faulty.


***

"Let me get you something ooh" She said as she walked up towards the fridge. "You must be tired" She said as she opened it, it's light glowing as she picked a canned fruit juice and chin chin, and placed it on a tray.

While she brought it, her phone buzzed again - the same unknown number. Huffing, she swiped up the receive call option.

"Hello" She said into the phone.

"Hello"

"Please who is this?" She asked in a curious tone.

"Hello Tolani, I'm sorry for troubling you, this' Femi, Chinyere's finance, please ---"

"What do you want?" She snapped at him. "Get off my phone you idiot!" She said as she ended the call.

"Tolani, is anything the problem?" Chinyere asked in a voice soft with affection.

"It's nothing, just one of those boys." She said.

"You know, you are not hiding this from me right?" She said, as she dropped the tray. "We would talk it after dinner"

"Okay, after dinner" Tolani grinned.

***

A Danladi Industries' truck driver almost losing control, swerved into a wrong lane, missing the Uber, by a flint!, as the driver, lurched out of the road into the parking space of a nearby restaurant, as the Truck suddenly came to a halt; Kayode's head rocking to and forth, as the Uber driver tried to bring the vehicle to a halt.
Fear suddenly clawed through him as death-thoughts rushed through his mind.

He had heard of people die in accidents. Had written stories of people experiencing accidents, describing the jerks and skids, but he had never experienced one. The real one didn't feel nice anyways.

"Oga na God save us" The Driver said; his breath fastened as he brought him out of his reverie.

"Honestly!" Kayode said as fear crossed his face.

"Oga, please do jeje ooh" Kayode said, as the driver kicked started the vehicle, as it sprang into life, as they zoomed en-route the National theatre. A friend had invited him to her book lunch at the theatre. And man! He would be giving a speech. Finally....an open show of his stage fright. He had confessed his stage fright to her but no; She was strong willed!
"Kayode, you can do it!" She said to him last time they met.


The Uber giving a screeching sound as it rounded the corner, came to a halt in front of the Theatre as he suddenly snapped out of his reverie.

"Thank you!" He said, paying him his money.


***

Green and white lights sparkled, as Wizkid's Pakurumo blasted the speakers. People sat threes, as they conversed in low hush tones, some in loud ridiculous accents. Raising his chin, as his eyes widened, he looked out for Mabel - the lady of honour. They've been good friends since Unilag days, such terrific writer. It was her debut book launch.

"Kayode!" He heard someone call. Turning his neck, he looked out for who called him. Lo and behold, he saw her, her face beaming with smiles, standing next to Lois.

Seriously?

She stalked him or --? What the heck was she doing here? Different thoughts ran through his mind.

"Hey! Mabel. Here I am" He said, as he gave a mocking bow.

"The Lord Kay!" Mabel blurted out, as she returned the bow, then started, "I hope you are prepared for the speech" to which Kayode responded with a broad smile, then she held Lois shoulder playfully, "I learnt you guys work at the same Publishing house. Lois is my cousin."

Thanks for the update OP, more wisdom.

Dybala11:
Thanks for the update OP, more wisdom.

Amen. You are welcome! *Hugs*

wahala is coming o, @hizeeksheun weldone

dammyd46:
wahala is coming o, @hizeeksheun weldone

Thank you! *Winks*

"Wow." He exclaimed, forcing out a smile.

"Hii" Lois said faintly, her breathe hitched.

"Kayode help yourself here, you would be sharing a table with myself and Lois." The book launch begins in a giffy!

"Your speech would be after the opening remarks, and Congratulations on shortlist" She added.

"Thank you" He said.

"Owk, I need to get all things set, would be back in a moment. Do enjoy yourself" She said smiling

He sat down, while they both hurried to welcome other guests, his palm on his cheek as he watched two guys having a loud and thrilling discourse on the reading culture in Nigeria.

"People don't read anymore" The guy in blue cap started.

"No, Nigerians don't read" The other guy retorted back.

"Because they don't have the funds to buy"

"Screw that!, they are lazy too"

"You think so?"

"Yes, I know so."

"Aren't you Nigerian?" The other guy chuckled.

"Few who do read our plagiarized copies."

"At least they do. Their faults? I doubt but the government"

They went on and on with Kayode fully engrossed in their watched them forgetting his speech.

"Mr Kayode Randyyy" He heard the MC bellow. Startled, he rose up as he swaggered up the stage.

***

"It's almost readyyy" Chinyere said in excitement, as she tasted the beans, then got ready to cut the plantain.

"Yum yum" Tolani giggled, as she pressed her palm to her heart. Her love for beans was way beyond the ordinary.

"Oh my God! My data got exhausted this evening ooh and I'm to send a mail tonight" She said, throwing her hand up.

"Please I need to go and get recharge card in the shop opposite your house" She added.

"Okay, be careful ooh. Please don't go far" She said sounding like a real mum.

"Abegggi joor" She gave a half shrug. "Just opposite your house now"

"I am just saying ooh, some gang boys roam the streets at night"

"I have heard you. It's just from the next house now. I bought from them the last time I came now."

"Okay ooh, don't stay up late" Chinyere said as she cut the plantain into slices while Tolani made her way to the house entrance.

Closing the gate behind her as she stepped out in the dark blue night married to a poetry of stars twinkling in rhythm to the glow of the moon hanging over them. Old men were outside their houses chattering and discussing politics and children making animated sounds under the glowing street lights. The Dangerous streets Chi spoke about.


She strolled up the shop opposite her, a 15 year old girl with her elbow propped on the desk, sat by the counter, expecting customers.

"Ekale ooh" Tolani greeted in Yoruba as she gripped the barricade bars.

"Ekale ma" The girl greeted back in Yoruba

"Mo fe ra card".

"O ti tan ooh" The girl said, gesticulating it's-finished.

"Oh God! I should have bought it long since ooh" She thought to herself "and purchasing online was out of her options"

Then she asked the girl for another store where could purchase, which she described.

She darted out to the shop in haste, which was on the next turn, a stark dark corner, and suddenly, as she made a turn, she felt a firm grip on her hands.
As fear splintered her heart, on top of her lungs, she screamed, "HELP"!

Thanks for the update �

Wahala de oo, I pray make dem no rape Tolani. Thanks for the update.

becca2017:
Thanks for the update �

You are welcome *Hugs*

Adeola25:
Wahala de oo, I pray make dem no rape Tolani. Thanks for the update.

Abii, make we gather pray for am?
You are welcome! *Hugs*

Trembling in the stark dark, she screaamed, "Who is that?", as she struggled to get loose off his grip, the eerie darkness of the night masking his face. But no!, she was overpowered.
The more she tried, the tighter his grip became, her wrist bruising as he dragged her closer. Ooh Loooord! He smelt of beer and cigar, a scent that turns her stomach, making her want to puke.

Then, he hoarsed, "Hmm, you smell nice", as he dragged her to an uncompleted building, leaving her to shudder screams into his cold-hand closed hard round her mouth.

There he abused her, leaving her to stare at the twinkling stars, shame spiraling through her as she wondered why and how it happened.

After what seemed like forever, she struggled to her feet, she felt blood dripping down her legs, but she limped on, in worsening pain.

***

"...Thank you!" Kayode took a bow as he finished the speech, thundering claps filled the air, as he swaggered back to his seat.

"You see, I told yaa" Mabel winked at him as he sat down. "You can do it!"

"Hun, I practiced repeatedly though" He said, smiling as his eyes caught Lois' eyes, his smile suddenly vanished.

"We all do" Mabel said, her mouth curving into a smile as she picked the lint from her sleeve.

"But seriously, you did pretty well." She added.

"Thank you" He said with a little sense of pride as he tugged at his collar.

"So, how is Bimbo?" She asked.

"Ooh Bimbo" He sighed. "It all ended in UNILAG"

"Really? ".

"Abeggi, things happened sha, then we parted ways after Service year." He said. "It just didn't go well"

"Ehyaa..."

"And Kemi too?"

"My Sister?" He asked. "She is fine"

While they discussed, Lois was busy reading tweets on her phone, as she propped her chin on her palm.

"And how is my Lois doing in office too?" Mabel asked, tapping her as she brought her out of her reverie.

"She's doing well"

"Good to hear, she should follow your footsteps and win prizes too ooh. Please, I would be back soon" She said as she rose up, "I need to settle some stuffs before the book signing"

"Mama the mama" He hollered, as he leaned back into his chair, watching her mincing off, memories of them studying for exams back in UNILAG running through his mind. Soon he heard someone call him. Turning his neck, he beheld the guy in blue cap with the other guy who discussed few munites ago about people in Nigeria not reading anymore.

"Hello" Kayode greeted.

"Good evening" They said in unison.

"So, you are Kayode Randy " The guy in blue cap yawped out, drumming his fingers on the table, "and Congratulations!"

"Yeah, Thank you" He said as a wave of pride enveloped him as Lois stared at them.

"I'm Fakunle Adeola" The blue capped guy stretched his hand for an handshake, as Kayode accepted it.

"I'm Kingsley Nworie" The other introduced himself.

"Nice, to meet you both sirs"

"Nice to meet you too. You write pretty well!" The guy in blue cap said.

"Your short story, "Lagos-Aboki" on Ibadan Heritage is really nicee" The other guy added

"And we hope your book is on the way too." He said.

"No problem. And thank you for the supports!"

"And also, there's no justification for plagiarism!..." He explained "It's more like rendering the efforts of the author useless."

"Hmm, yeah" The guy conferred not wanting to put up an argument. But an argument?

"Nice meeting you again" Kayode said as they shook hands again.

As soon as they stopped talking; the guys resuming back to their table; Kayode's eyes and Lois' met.

"Hey!" Lois started.

"Hi"

"You planned this?"

"C'mon, I had no idea, you knew Mabel" She said, "Also, Congratulations on your shortlist"

"Thanks!"

"You are welcome" Lois said as she held her cup of wine feeling a bit nervous.

"And I am also sorry about the other day." She added.

***

As guilt consumed her from within, she lumbered into the house, as the blood continued dripping; The pain from the bruises tingling!

How would she explain to the Police? Say they decide to take her case serious. How would they track down the monster? Finger prints? DNA Sampling? Pain gripped her chest as she yanked the door open.

Perhaps, she should be glad she wasn't killed for rituals. Who would have known? She snapped her fingers to shake off the thoughts off her head as a mix of anger, despair and sorrow shredded her inside.

"Tolani is that you?" Chinyere asked as soon as she heard footsteps; the plantain slices sizzling in the frying pan.

"Yes dear" Tolani said with a sad grimace as she clumped up to the visitor's room.

"So, did you get your credit"

"No, they did not have" She said, "I'm going to take a shower"

"Alright" She said, then added, smiling, "Your beans is ready ooh"

"Owk ooh" Tolani replied, letting out a harsh breathe, as she made her way to the bathroom.

Opening the door of the bathroom, she entered, tore her clothes off, threw them into a bucket, then ran the shower on as the water cascaded down, the sense of guilt washing down with the water.

But it soon returned, as she felt a tingling pain of her bruised walls, while dried herself with a towel.

She blew out her cheeks, shook off her hair, then wore her night gown in a moment, placing her hand on her chest, in a way to chill out her spirits, then sauntered out of the room to meet Chinyere, forcing out a smile.

Awwww dear Tolani.. This is so painful!!!!
Thanks for the update..

Rapists are animals I swear. Sorry Tolani. What a painful incident. There should be a death sentence for all rapists if caught, and the useless thing between their legs should be cut off before they die a painful death. Well-done OP.

Adeola25:
Rapists are animals I swear. Sorry Tolani. What a painful incident. There should be a death sentence for all rapists if caught, and the useless thing between their legs should be cut off before they die a painful death. Well-done OP.

lol.I agree with you on the death sentence that is if proven guilty.But the way you specified the cutting off made me wonder if its only guys that are guilty of rape.

Lol, I know girls rape guys too but that one aren't common. Correct me if I am wrong. But if a female specie is found guilty of rape, her boobs should be cut off too. That's what I thought though ;DLol, I know girls rape guys too but that one aren't common. Correct me if I am wrong. But if a female specie is found guilty of rape, her boobs should be cut off too. That's what I thought though

Adeola25:
Lol, I know girls rape guys too but that one aren't common. Correct me if I am wrong. But if a female specie is found guilty of rape, her boobs should be cut off too. That's what I thought though ;DLol, I know girls rape guys too but that one aren't common. Correct me if I am wrong. But if a female specie is found guilty of rape, her boobs should be cut off too. That's what I thought though

chaii,you must be a strong willed lady.I know its easier said than done.just imagine if a knife is handed to you to do the needful.

becca2017:
Awwww dear Tolani.. This is so painful!!!!

Thanks for the update..

You are welcome *Hugs*

Adeola25:
Rapists are animals I swear. Sorry Tolani. What a painful incident. There should be a death sentence for all rapists if caught, and the useless thing between their legs should be cut off before they die a painful death. Well-done OP.

Thank you,
I share the same rage!, *Hugs*

crossfm:
lol.I agree with you on the death sentence that is if proven guilty.But the way you specified the cutting off made me wonder if its only guys that are guilty of rape.

But then, do you know you sound rape apologetic right now?

hizeeksheun:

But then, do you know you sound rape apologetic right now?

we all view things from different pespectives,if that is the way you understood my write up then no wahala.All I was trying to depict was that we need to take rape serious and look beyond gender.Both male and female can be rapped.
It's also ironical for you to say am apologetic to rape where I stated it boldly that death sentence should be the punishment for rape if proven guilty.perhaps,my statement 'if proven guilty ' is why you could make a despicable assumption of me.my motive for making such sentence is to protect poeple who are being accused wrongly.

crossfm:
we all view things from different pespectives,if that is the way you understood my write up then no wahala.All I was trying to depict was that we need to take rape serious and look beyond gender.Both male and female can be rapped.
It's also ironical for you to say am apologetic to rape where I stated it boldly that death sentence should be the punishment for rape if proven guilty.perhaps,my statement 'if proven guilty ' is why you could make a despicable assumption of me.my motive for making such sentence is to protect poeple who are being accused wrongly.

Oh...I understand you, I think there's a current push for an equal term for a wrong rape accusation now.

Also, I think the lady to whose comment you replied was coming from a lady's perspective, so I felt there was no need for you to bring up the "guys get raped too" thing.

But then, no wahala, I understand you and thank you for reading my story! *Hugs*

hizeeksheun:


Oh...I understand you, I think there's a current push for an equal term for a wrong rape accusation now.

Also, I think the lady to whose comment you replied was coming from a lady's perspective, so I felt there was no need for you to bring up the "guys get raped too" thing.

But then, no wahala, I understand you and thank you for reading my story! *Hugs*

you are really doing a great job.I'm the president of ghost readers association but,just renounced my position now.
Your diction is what glued me to the story. Patiently waiting for the next update.
More ink to your pen.