Good Evening to the great writers in the house, your contributions will help me become a better writer.

I titled this one "Bolaji Agbekoya (The Pain Behind the Smile) I will work on a Fresh Episode at least once in two days. For a start, please manage this short episode as your episode 1, i hope to get better as the time goes on.

Shout out to Davepen (You na Baba o), ivorysPen, Ishilove(Chai this girl can write fa), ChommieBlaq, Haykinx98 (My namesake), Femid1st (Tuale Sir) and others. I Salute!




"E ra ta, e se be...!,alata yin ti de oooooo! Fresh Tomatoes, Fresh Pepper!" She screams at the top of her voice as she moves from one corner of the street to another. It is almost 9'o'clock on a Monday morning in the city of Lagos - West Africa. She is late for school already because the assembly starts by 8am yet, she needs to make a reasonable amount of money before she returns to her mother else, there is no food to school this morning.
She knows her mother loves her dearly, she never wants her to go to school late. But, in her own case, going late is better than not going to school at all. She remembered how her mother had fought for her freedom from her father's sister who was using her as a slave. Things have been difficult since she lost her father to the cold hands of death, it has been two years since his untimely death, things has never been the same for the family ever since.

"Alata!" called one woman as she walked past a building, Funke quickly turned her attention to the direction where the voice called out from, she gave the woman yet another look to be sure if she's the one she called for, the woman didn't move from where she was, looking at the other end of the road banging her left leg against the ground like a ram waiting to charge to action during the Ileya festival ram fight.

"Did you call me ma,?" Funke asked as she moves slowly to where the woman is "no I didn't call you, I called the other girl selling pepper in Maiduguri" she responded with a frown. Funke quickly apologises knowing too well that the woman is not in a mood for rubbish questions, she drops her tray of pepper and tomatoes, wraps the piece of cloth that has helped balance the tray on her head around her waist as she explains the price one after the other.

After the hard but successful negotiation with Mama Ijebu, the woman finally points to some set of tomatoes and pepper, but not until she has changed almost the entire set of tomatoes and pepper.
"Change this one too, or can't you see it is too small compare to this one?" The woman asked as she replaces yet another tomato with another one. Funke didn't say a word, she replaces every single one as the woman has asked her to, she is used to this kind of customer in her two years experience of selling tomatoes. "Thank you ma" she said as she balances the tray on her head. As she turned to leave, the woman called her back, at first, Funke was upset, she knows the woman is up to something, maybe she has discovered another tomato that looks like the last born of her family like she does describe a small tomato.

Funke turned to her, she wanted to ask if the woman called her, but, she remembered she asked some minutes ago, the response she got or whatever word Mama ijebu is going to say to her is not what she want to get again.

"Take this hundred Naira" Mama ijebu said as she pulled out a hundred Naira note from the corner of her wrapper which has been her Central Bank before you came into this world, "use the money to buy yourself something to eat, and if you like, use it for some worthless things". Funke was shocked, Mama Ijebu never part ways with her money and if she's to part way with her money, you can be rest assure that she's getting something worthwhile with it.

There is a story that everyone around is familiar with, no one knows if its true, but the elders joke about it often, according to them, a group of boys attacked Mama ijebu and some other men on her way back from an event one Sunday evening, the boys tried to take her bag from her after they successfully rob the men of their money and some other expensive things they had on. To everyone's surprise, Mama Ijebu held on to her bag screaming, the boys threatened to kill her if she refuses to let the bag go, yet, she clinched to the bag like her life depend on it until the boys decides to let the old woman go with her wahala, when the boy left, the other men who were robbed congratulated her and asked if she just collected her pension, they claim she said no, that her 470 Naira is in the bag and she's not ready to let it go.

"Take it from me!" Mama ijebu voice restored life to Funke who has been standing there like a statue too long for the woman to handle. "If you like spend the money anyhow" she emphasized as she handed the money to her. "e seun ma"(Thank you ma) she said as she turn to leave, she walked for a while and then turn around to be sure if an Angel has not taken the position of the woman, there she is, Mama Ijebu counting the pepper and tomatoes, that's Mama ijebu for you, she do count almost everything her money brings to the house. Kunle, Funke's classmate whose house is a stone throw from Mama Ijebu house once claimed Mama Ijebu counts her garri before leaving the house to be sure no one mistakenly takes a pinch of her garri ijebu.

To be continue...

I appreciate you for reading this, your comments are welcome!

Bolaji Agbekoya - Episode 2

"Why are you just coming to school?" Mrs. Oremeji asked as Funke enters the classroom looking rough as usual. This is not the first time Funke will come to school late, Funke late coming has become an everyday practice that the teachers in the school are tired of beating her for late coming. Funke has been punished so many times for late coming that it has become a way of life for her. Funke is not a stubborn girl, she always tries as much as she can to wake up very early in the morning despite the fact that she still has to sell pepper and tomatoes after school before she joined her mother to sell tomatoes, pepper, ewedu, Okro etc. at the bus stop.

Despite the little sleep (within 1am-5am) every day, Funke still has to be up by 5am, go through her house chores before 6am then go out to sell her pepper and tomatoes the usual way. There was a day Funke came back early, her mother sent her back to wherever she thinks she was coming from claiming there are still customers out there waiting for her. She even threatened that if she returns to the house like that next time, she will be punished.

"Move yourself to your chair" Mrs. Oremeji commanded as she turned to the blackboard to continue with the Biology note she is writing for the students to copy. Mrs. Oremeji has grown tired of Funke's late coming already, it has become an everyday ritual for the teacher to punish Funke for late coming since the beginning of the term. After few weeks has passed, the teacher became tired of punishing her. Funke is not the most brilliant student in class, she is not her teacher's favorite too. Funke is easy to identify in class, everyone knows after she settles into her chair, a few minutes later, she is fast asleep. She does not have so many friends apart from those who patronize her during the break. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Mama Funke sells sweet and biscuit.

During the break, Funke brings out the packet of sweet and biscuit her mother has packed in her bag for her to sell in school. She knows quite alright that she must not abandon the sweets and biscuits to catch some fun with her classmates, if she tries that, she knows there is no food for her when she returns from school. Ok, Ok, I know I have said that before, but, it is the truth, Mama Funke, as she is fondly called does not have another way of punishing her daughter. There was a day Funke was pushed to the floor by some group of boys running from what they only knew was chasing them. Half of her tomatoes was damaged by the boys who didn't wait to check if the person on the floor was still breathing. Funke cried her eyes out before she got home that day, despite the fact that she had a cut on her left arm, Mama Funke still punish her by making her go hungry for 48hours!

"Can you please borrow me your note to copy when you are done?", Funke asked the girl next to her seat, "no problem" replied the young beautiful girl. Bolaji Agbekoya has been Funke sitting partner since the beginning of the term. She's a beautiful young girl with a lot of friends. Who will not want to be a friend to the most brilliant young girl in the class? Bolaji Agbekoya is not just a brilliant student but also a neat student, Bolaji has so many attributes that everyone believes she is the Senior girl in waiting. It is hard to see Bolaji without a smile, she always have her smile on no matter what, she is the envy of everyone, she's so nice to everyone too.

There was a day Funke got angry because Bolaji refuses to open her book for her to copy during a test. Funke started hating on her, Bolaji soft words as she explains her reasons for doing what she did melt Funke's heart that she made up her mind never to cheat during test or examinations again. Most of the students and teachers believe Bolaji's rich parents contributed to her happiness. Amina, one of the girls in her class once said it to her face that she has everything she wants, what else is there to be worry about. Apart from Kayode Obenbe, the smart brilliant young boy sitting in front of the class, no one competes the number one position with Bolaji Agbekoya.

"Good morning ma" Sunday, the driver of Chief Agbekoya greeted as he looked at his wristwatch to be sure. "Good morning Sunday, Bolaji, come for your food please", the teacher said as her eyes escort the food to meet the waiting hands of Bolaji. "Fried rice right?", Mrs. Oremeji asked as her throat jumps up and down like Kanu Nwankwo when the Gold medal was dawn on him during the Olympics Games in Atlanta, USA. "Ofada rice it is ma" replied Sunday who handed the food to Bolaji.

Everyone in the classroom knows, once it is eleven o'clock, Bolaji food will come through the ever punctual Sunday. There was a day when Sunday brought to her pounded yam and egusi, Mrs. Oremeji mind was not at rest until break time, she kept on making mistakes upon mistakes until finally, the school bell saved her.

Just before the break time, Mrs. Oremeji asked Bolaji to stay back for reasons nobody knows. She also instructed the students out during the break, claiming she does not want to be disturbed. This is not the first time Mrs. Oremeji will ask the students to leave the classroom during the break. Ruth, popularly known as "the razor" once gave a full detail of how Mrs. Oremeji ate a portion of Bolaji's food then forgot to wash her hands. Ruth claimed the oil stain was all over her teacher's hand when she came into the class before any other person. Some people believe her while others know if it is the razor, you can't really depend on her words else you end up like Emmanuel. Lemme keep the details of Emmanuel jare.

"Why are you crying?" Mrs. Oremeji asked as she moves closer to Bolaji who is still glued to her chair, Mrs. Oremeji looks outside the window to be sure no one is watching, she pulled Bolaji closer to herself consoling her like she really understands the reason why Bolaji is crying. Bolaji has never explained why she do cry whenever she is eating her food during the break. Two weeks ago, Mrs. Oremeji forgot her purse in her bag in the classroom before leaving for the school canteen, she didn't notice until she was asked to pay for the food. When she got to the classroom, she discovered Bolaji has fling aside her food, she was crying as she sits on the ground at a corner of the classroom. Despite her effort to ask what happened, Bolaji refused to give a response to all her questions, instead, she dried her eyes pretending all is well. Mrs. Oremeji wanted to ask more questions but Bolaji insists that she does not want to talk about it. Very strange of her, Bolaji quickly bends down to clean up the classroom (the area where she messed up with her food), Mrs. Oremeji joined her, in the process of doing that, Mrs. Oremeji got her hand stained with oil in the process, just before she could wash her hands, Ruth walked into the classroom.

"How long will you continue like this?" Mrs. Oremeji asked as she pulls Bolaji closer like a newborn who is about to be breastfed by her mother. After a long silence, Bolaji sits up, she look into Mrs. Oremeji eyes, she is ready to say something, she is ready to let it all out, she is ready to tell her teacher what she has been going through, today must be that day, the day she let it all out, she has been keeping this pain to herself for a very long time, the pain behind her lovely smiles that she is known for.

To be Continue...

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Bolaji Agbekoya - Episode 3

Funke walked into the school premises at about 10:05am, she was shocked to see the other students moving to the assembly ground, the assembly ground since the inception of The Senior High School, Lagos has been an open space opposite the principal's office. The assembly ground has served as the football pitch for the SS3 students alone over the years until the SS2 students recently protested against that rule. This lead to a serious fight between the SS3 students and the SS2 students. After the fight, the students were punished for their bad behavior, the open field has since been banned by the Principal. No one dare take his football to the space to play soccer during the break.

Funke has never been part of the morning assembly since she started her secondary school education, she knows the time for the morning assembly but she has never been to school early enough to join the other students (we all know the reason for that shey).

"what is happening" Funke murmured to herself as she quickly joined the other students heading to the assembly ground. She passed a few students walking towards the assembly ground without saying a word until she caught up with Ruth the razor. Ruth has been interviewed by almost all the students immediately they were summoned to the assembly ground. "Good Morning Ruth" Funke greeted as she tries to get the attention of Ruth who just finished killing a girl with her razor mouth. Ruth has a habit, she love people greeting her first, if you refuse to greet Ruth, she will not open her mouth to greet you, she knows you will need a piece of information someday, knowing fully well you will come to her, she will list you among those who she want to deal with, when you come around, Ruth will remind you of the days you refused to greet her, right there, she will ask you to greet her over and over before she gives you the needed information.

"Good Morning Funke, wonder shall never end o, so you sef go join assembly today be that o, na wa, if persistence continues, a stammerer will one-day call daddy o" pretending not to have heard all that Ruth has said, "What is happening?" Funke asked, again, "Don't ask me stupid question jare, I don't know what is going on, or am I CNN?" Before Funke could ask another question, the school bell sounded, the student's attention was drawn to the principal of the school who was just taking position beside the school senior boy who was moving the school flag down. "Stop halfway," the principal said as he turned his attention to the students who are eager to hear what the principal have to say after he ordered the flag to be left half way the pole. The last time the flag flew halfway its pole was on the 5th of May, 2010, when the President of the country, Umaru Musa Yaradua died. During that period, it was the country's flag that was flown halfway. But, there it stood, flying higher as usual while the school flag was said to fly halfway.

"Good morning everybody," the principal greeted, he clears his throat to continue but he burst into tears in front of the students. Mr. Ajao is not known to be a soft man, he is a stone cold man who behaves like he lost his emotions a long time ago. Mr. Ajao has no conscience, he beats any student who misbehaves like a hungry lion devour the carcass of an antelope after a nice hunt. The other day when the SS2 students and SS3 students fought for the open space opposite his office, the Senior boy was the scapegoat, Mr. Ajao flogged him like he was going to take his life. Mr. Ajao is not friendly o! It is hard to see Mr. Ajao smile, even when he smile, the smile does not last, Ruth once claimed he has a bad tooth just at the corner of his jaw that is why he does not smile too large to display it to the public. It is hard to see Mr. Ajao in a class, he is always in his office, Mr. Ajao only comes to a class if there is a situation that needed his attention. When you see Mr. Ajao approaching your class with four strong boys, you already know your class is in a mess, a mess nobody can save you nor your classmates from.

Silence dominated the school environment as Mr. Ajao cleaned his eyes with the handkerchief passed to him by Mr. Femi, the Mathematics teacher who himself has been crying since the principal burst into tears. Mr. Ajao cleared his throat, looked into the crowd without looking at anyone in particular, he looks into the sky, shook his head and
at last, he let it all out.

"Mrs. Oremeji passed away to the world beyond yesterday evening, she was found dead in her house by her husband, as many of you who will like to attend her funeral, I urge you to see my Secretary, Mrs. Ajayi Awopitan, through your class captains, May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace". Before the Principal could finish his speech, the cry of the students has swallowed up his voice, Ruth strains her neck to listen to the principal's final words as the noise has already become unbearable for her.

"Please, carry that girl! carry that girl!" screamed Mrs. Ajayi as she noticed a girl amidst the students collapsed to the ground. Ruth quickly jumps to the scene where this sudden drama is happening, although the death of their class teacher is painful, she does not expect anyone to collapse hearing about her death.

"Bolaji! Bolaji!" Ruth scream as two boys try to make her stand to her feet, she was gone, she couldn't stand on her own, as the boys tried to raise Bolaji to her feet, she collapse to the floor again, before she hit the floor like she did when she first collapse, the boys held her up. Mrs. Ajayi who is already at the scene quickly order the boys to put her on her back, she backed her straight to the sick bay, everyone was shocked to see Bolaji collapse. Whispers could be heard as Mrs. Ajayi made her way to the sick bay, Ruth followed her quietly along with some other girls from Bolaji's class.

This is not the first time Bolaji will lose a close friend to the cold hands of death, her Sunday school teacher died two days after she explained what has been her secret, the pain that has dwelled in her for a very long time; you guess right, the same secret she shared with her teacher, Mrs. Oremeji yesterday during the break. After the death of the Sunday School teacher, there was another who died the same day she shared the same secret with her. Deborah who is a sister to Sunday, her daddy's driver, she died the same day she told her what she has been going through. After the death of Aunty Deborah (as she's fondly called), Bolaji has promised herself never to tell anyone again, if not that Mrs. Oremeji asked her to tell her everything, she would have kept it to herself if it has crossed her mind that she was going to lose her the way she has lost the others. Hmm... To Be Continue...

Hmmmmm! Thanks for reading today's episode, We continue from here tomorrow. What do you think is happening? Mrs. Oremeji death, does it have anything to do with Bolaji Agbekoya who has lost two friends already after sharing her secret with them? Or is this just a coincidence? God will keep us safe until tomorrow, Bolaji Agbekoya Episode 4 Loading...

Thank you so so much for reading today's episode, I will appreciate you even more if you drop your comment below, as your comments is like the fuel that has been driving me on

Bolaji woke up beside Mrs. Ajayi who has been glued to the side of the bed where Bolaji was laid since she collapses. Her eyes were not that clear as she was still trying to understand why she is here lying down, she rubs over her face with her left hand sluggishly like a girl who was just waking up from a long sleep after a tough day. Slowly, she begins to identify everybody in the room just as the memory of what occurred some minutes ago rushes through her head. She remembered everything the principal has said at the assembly, the words were ringing as if he is saying them all over again. It is hard to believe Mrs. Oremeji is no more, she was more than a friend to Bolaji, she was like her own sister.

She remembered last year when Mrs. Oremeji was getting married, before the marriage date was picked, Mrs. Oremeji has been requesting Bolaji to be among her bridal in training, requesting should be an understatement here because it was more of a command, if not that Mr. Agbekoya has to approve it first, she would have commanded her. Luckily for Mrs. Oremeji, Mr. Agbekoya granted her wish, Bolaji traveled with them to Ibadan, where she got married to her husband Gbenga Oremeji.

Gbenga Oremeji was a student of the University of Lagos when he met Atinuke Obanla, the best student in her department. She was a beautiful young woman with a bright future, all the lecturers in the Education Department of the University of Lagos know Atinuke will be a teacher. She was not the type that is in the Department out of frustration, she knows what she wants to be, and she chooses the department she wants to be with the aim of becoming the best teacher anyone has ever seen. This was her first few words to Gbenga the first day he had a chat with her, he was blown away. Gbenga, on the other hand, was a Law student, he was in his final year when he met Atinuke who was a 200L student.

There love and respect for each other grew as they maintain their friendship until they walk each other down the altar. They were still enjoying the very first year of their marriage before the sudden death of his heart rob Atinuke.

"What are you doing here mum?" she asked in surprise as she noticed her mum beside her bed, Mrs. Agbekoya has rushed down to the school after she got the news of what happened at the assembly that morning, she quickly raised the head of Bolaji, resting her head on her lap, as she feels the temperature of her daughter by placing her hand on her forehead. "I heard about what happened this morning, I had to rush down here to see you," she said as she signals Sunday to bring the energy drink she bought on her way to the school. "Here, your favorite energy drink, your food is here too, see, it's fried rice and chicken, your favorite".

As soon as Sunday brought out the food, Bolaji eyes dripped off the tears that has been waiting to rush out of her eyes, she remembers Mrs. Oremeji kind words whenever she refuses to eat her food, she is the only one who knows how to convince her to eat the food she has vowed not to eat again for reasons only Mrs. Oremeji and the others who has shared in the same fate as Mrs. Oremeji knows. "Stop crying dear, we all love her, but God loves her more," the principal said as he moves closer to Bolaji. The voice of Mr. Agbekoya must have stopped the principal as he quickly turns his direction towards the direction where the Honorable Chief Agbekoya voice is coming from. "You are welcome sir," they all echoed as Chief Agbekoya walked into the sick bay in his traditional white agbada. His beads danced across his neck as he shook the hands of the principal who has been smiling like a little boy who was handed a 500naira Note by a visitor (although we both know the money will be collected by his mother immediately the visitor leaves the house...our mothers sha).

"Baby, am so sorry for what happened, God will continue to keep us safe," the whole room chorus "Amen" like the Redeemed Christian Church of God after Pastor Adeboye must have dished out a word of prayer, the only missing piece was surely "Let somebody shout Halleluyah" in Babas voice. Bolaji buries her face in between the laps of her mother as Chief Agbekoya walked out of the room with the Principal, some minutes later, the Principal returned to the room to call Sunday. Bolaji has started eating her food as her mother feeds her like a new born child.

"I hope nobody follows you nor suspect you," Chief Agbekoya asked as Sunday approach the car. "Yes sir, no one suspects me, I did a very clean job, sir" I trust you, Chief Agbekoya said as he handed an envelope to Sunday who quickly drift it into his side pocket. Just before Chief Agbekoya uttered another word, he noticed the principal, he smiled at him, but the principal didn't smile back this time around, he was sweating.

Chief turned to Sunday quickly, "Make sure the money gets to him, and tell him to bring forth a lovely show when we come around" he mentioned as he steps into the car. "Yes, sir" responded the ever loyal Sunday. "Do you think he knows?" Chief Agbekoya asked in a low voice, "Yes, with the way he is sweating, I can tell he knows something" Sunday replied.

The principal has been standing behind the two men since Sunday walked out of the sickbay, he listens gently as the two men discuss some personal issues without saying a word. Chief Agbekoya smiled at him again, this time, the Principal manage to reciprocate with the ugliest smile you have ever imagine, he managed to smile in between a puzzle sweaty face. "We need to talk tonight," the Chief said as he bangs the door of the car behind him, "We really need to talk Mr. Ajao".

Without saying a word, the Principal walk slowly back to the sickbay, Sunday watched him as he walks away, he looked around to know if anyone was watching before he follows the principal into the sickbay.

Wonderful story.... Keep it up bro.. Waiting for the next episode

Waiting for next update o.... Can't wait to know what will happen to the principal too. And the secret one must not know

To have you reading this is a privilege. I appreciate your presence.

Wonderful story.... Keep it up bro.. Waiting for the next episode

Thank you for coming to read this, I appreciate you.

Cont'd
She rushed out of the office as soon as she heard what the principal has narrated to her, she finds her way to the car where Sunday was waiting patiently behind the wheel, after thinking for a while, she gave a deep breath, looked at Bolaji as if she was going to ask her some serious questions, "take me away from here" she said to Sunday who kicked start the car before she could finish the statement. It was a 10 minutes drive from the school, yet, no one says a single word until they got home.

Bolaji Agbekoya 5

The news of the death of Chief Agbekoya spread across the country like a wildfire set in the forest during the harmattan. Many people refuse to believe that such a nice person could be murdered, "good people no dey last o", Mama Iyabo said to nobody in particular, she continued arranging her pepper as she recalls how nice Chief Agbekoya has been when she was still in secondary school with his daughter Bolaji Agbekoya, the girl sitting right next to her in class. She can remember how Chief Agbekoya satisfy all the students in Red House during her last Inter-house sport in the school. Red House won almost all the medals, some claim it is the extra motivation they got from Chief Agbekoya that has steered them to victory, a statement of fact, Chief Agbekoya actually gave each student 1000naira just because they are fortunate enough to be in Red House. He also promised that each medal won will be rewarded.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, It's been ten years since the death of Mr. Ajao, the school principal who listened to the conversation between Sunday and Chief Agbekoya. Gbenga Oremeji whose wife was killed eleven years ago has since started working as the Head of the Marketing Department in one of Chief Agbekoya's company in Lagos, Sunday is no more a driver, he is the Head of the Media Department and the spokesperson for Chief Agbekoya who was serving as a Senator before he was murdered.

Bolaji gained admission shortly after her secondary school, she has since graduated, she is now working in a top company in the country. She refused to work in her father's company because she does not want to be seen as a girl who is successful because of her father. Mrs. Agbekoya was found dead three years ago in her room while Kayode Obenbe, the brilliant boy who always sit at the front is now a pastor in a famous church in Lagos. How time flies, less I forget to add this, Funke has grown to be a mother, she named her daughter Iyabo because she lost her mother a week before she gave birth to her daughter, Iyabo. Many claimed the shock of her mother's death rushed her into the labor room while others think she was ripe to give birth. "put the pepper outside there" Mama Iyabo finally addresses her daughter who was attending to her assignment, Iyabo quickly dropped the book, collected the pepper from her mother, she placed the pepper on the table outside the shop which serves as their room, parlour, and shop. After the death of her mother, Funke (who is now Mama Iyabo) inherited her mother's trade, since that is the only thing she was good at, she was not a brilliant student like Bolaji, even Kayode that was so brilliant has since become a pastor of a church. If only she managed to scale through school, maybe her mother would have allowed her to go to a university, or probably a Polytechnic, no one knows.

Funke couldn't finish her secondary school education after she got pregnant, she was gang raped by some unknown boys on her way back from the market where she and her mother sell pepper in the night. It was raining that day, her mother had told her to stay back in the market. The one room apartment where Funke and her mother stays is an old building owned by Alhaji Yahya who is a careless landlord who does not think about his tenants. Alhaji Yahya comes to the house once a year, to collect the rent, once he collects his house rent from the tenants, he disappears until the following year. The roof of the house is as good as nothing, whenever it rained, you know you are in trouble. To prevent the water from damaging the little property owned by Funke's mother, she told her daughter Funke to stay back at the Bus stop while she rushed home to save the foam they will sleep on by putting buckets where the rain might be leaking from.

Funke didn't tell her mother about the rape, days turns into weeks and weeks into months, Funke discovered she was pregnant. She tried to hide it from her mother who was not suspecting her until she started showing signs. Her mother had to beat the life out of her when she claimed she does not know who she was pregnant for. She later explained what happened to her mother who concluded that her education is all but over, she will need to work harder now that she has brought shame to her. Funke's mother even suggested they tie the pregnancy on anyone who has been sleeping with Funke before or after she was raped. Although Funke was not a virgin as at the time she was ganged raped, she was too afraid to tell her mother about Brother Taju. Funke has been sleeping with Taju, the mechanic who is married to 22 years old Afusat who is learning to tailor (tailoring) from Taju's sister's shop, and 24 years old Christiana who is learning hairdressing on the same street as the shop of Taju. Not that he married them in the proper way, they got pregnant for him and he has been living in the same house with the two young girls and his sister who works in a factory not too far from the house.

Brother Taju as he was called by Funke has always been nice to her, he was the one that deflowers her, he tricked her into the devilish act with some extra cash he let her keep after buying pepper from her. How it all started, no one knows, Taju always takes time off to Funke's house to buy pepper each time Mama Funke is out of the house.

"Good afternoon ma," Mrs. Oluwashina greeted as she approached Mama Iyabo who was arranging her pepper. "Good afternoon teacher, how are you today?" Mama Iyabo responded as she gave the teacher a warm smile and a chair from the corner of her shop. "Iyabo, get your teacher a sachet of water," she said as she placed the chair at the left corner of the shop where she has prepared as the class of her daughter who she has promised herself to spend the rest of her life providing for her to get the education she was not opportune to get. "Did you hear about the death of Senator Agbekoya?" Mama Iyabo asked as the teacher settles on the chair, "Yes I heard about his death, the news is everywhere, but I don't care about the death of Politicians, they are not people one should spend time grieving over" the teacher responded as she was handed a sachet of pure water by Iyabo who quickly pick up her duster to clean the chalkboard her mother has asked a carpenter to build for her.

"Chief was not like that dear" Mama Iyabo said as she places a well-arranged tomato on the table outside the shop, "Do you know him?" the teacher asked, Mama Iyabo gave her a quick glance, she nods her head as a reply to the teacher's question. "I Know him, he was the father to a girl I knew when I was in secondary school" she responded still arranging the tomato. "He was a good man, he understand his position in the society and help as many people he knew back then" the teacher who is now standing close to the chalkboard took another sip of her sachet water, a longer one than she did earlier, picked up the Mathematics textbook on the chair she has been sitting on and gave no respond to Mama Iyabo's words. As long as she is concern, Chief Agbekoya is an animal, if it was Angel Gabriel who sits right before her to convince her that Chief Agbekoya is a good man, she will never agree with him. "May he not find peace wherever he is right now" she has said to herself as she begins to write the topic of the day on the chalkboard.

Who Killed Senator Agbekoya? Did you read this part? - "Mrs. Agbekoya was found dead..." Gbenga Oremeji now works for Senator Agbekoya, how come? What is the relationship between the husband of Mrs. Oremeji who died after hearing the pain behind Bolaji Agbekoya smiles and Bolaji's father? Or maybe, the job was a compensation or probably a reward. A reward for what you might want to ask; don't even try to guess, you might be disappointed when you discover how wrong you are. Mr. Ajao is dead o! and a certain lesson teacher is hating on Senator Agbekoya.

Errrrm...I will like to stop here today, the next Episode promises to be more interesting and longer than this.

Nice write up bro, dont be discouraged by not having many comments yet and views, all will come with time. This is a very good story and i really look forward to reading the next update and more.

I have been following this story for a while, i had to rejoin nairaland just to be able to comment here. Please dont fall my hand and update soon o. Thanks boss. Wonderful work

GeneralJB:
Nice write up bro, dont be discouraged by not having many comments yet and views, all will come with time. This is a very good story and i really look forward to reading the next update and more.

Wow! Thank you so much for your comment.

I appreciate you

GeneralJB:
I have been following this story for a while, i had to rejoin nairaland just to be able to comment here. Please dont fall my hand and update soon o. Thanks boss. Wonderful work

Episode 6

Sunday removed his sun shade as the mortuary attendance brought out the corpse he came for, the corpse was open for identification by the mortuary attendance, after Sunday confirmed the body, he signed a document and then gave a satisfactory nod. The mortuary attendance checked the document again just to be sure of something I don't know before he moved back towards the direction he came from.

Sunday bends low as he whispers: "Go to hell" to the lifeless body of Chief Agbekoya, He tucked back the sunglasses which he removed when the mortuary attendance came out with the body some minutes ago into his face, he spent some time looking at the body before he moved away from the corpse, as he moved away slowly, he signals the two other boys with him to move the corpse into the ambulance. "I would have forgotten two bullets in this big stomach," said one of the boy as he tickles the big stomach of the corpse. "If no be oga wey say make we just strangle him neck ehn, I for just cut him bele small small until all him intestine draw comot for him big belle like rope, stupid man!" the other boy said as Sunday gave a deadly smile. "You guys did a perfect job, any which way, he's dead, that is the most important thing here" they all laughed out really hard that they got the attention of the mortuary attendance. Sunday who noticed the stare ordered the boys into the ambulance, he puts on the siren before he kicked start the ambulance.

Chief Agbekoya family has been concerned about who will go to the mortuary to pick the body of the Late Chief, according to tradition, the first son of the deceased would have led the team of other young men to claim the body from the mortuary. In Chief Agbekoya's case, there is no son to claim his body from the mortuary, the only child he has is Bolaji Agbekoya who will arrive from her business trip to Dubai later today. Sunday who happens to be close to the late Senator had taken it upon himself to bring his body back from the mortuary, Chief Agbekoya's body has been kept in the mortuary since he was murdered in his hotel room in Lagos.

As they drive down en route to the house, Sunday reflects on the first day he came in contact with the Chief, Chief Agbekoya back then was a young Marine Engineer who led the team of other engineers to the rural area of Port Harcourt for a Boat Survey. Engr. Pelumi Agbekoya as he was called then by his colleagues was an intelligent engineer, Sunday, who always go from one engineering site to another due to his love for what they do was on the site the day Engineer Pelumi arrived with his team of other intelligent engineers. From the very first day of his arrival, Engr. Pelumi Agbekoya was attracted to Sunday simply because he appears intelligent, Sunday run errands for other engineers on the site, he knows where to buy everything they ever wanted, Sunday and Engr. Pelumi became closer after the Engineer tasted Banga soup and starch brought by Sunday one Saturday morning, the soup was so sweet that the Engineer said he will follow Sunday to his mother shop to enjoy the delicacy again. It was not the first time Engr. Pelumi Agbekoya will visit Delta State, he spent a whole year in Warri during his NYSC exercise some years ago, he still knows his way around, but, most of the road looks different now, it has been a long time since he served his father's land and so many changes have been made. "Port Harcourt has really changed oh, I remember the first time I was here as a Youth Corper, things were not like this," he said to Sunday who smiled and nod in approval without saying a single word. The journey to Sunday's mother shop was a short one, Sunday came down from the car while Engineer Pelumi looked around for space to park his car.

Sunday was still in Secondary school at the time, most people around has been calling him an engineer, some people cannot remember his real name, they simply know him as "the engineer" or "engineer". A 9-year-old boy who has been the solution to so many engineering problems around him, he gathered his experience from the engineers around as he has been learning and involving himself with different engineering work after school. Sunday was still in the Junior school, he needs no one to tell him he will need to pass the entrance examination into the Senior School with a big score in order to be qualified to be in Science class. Most people has tipped him to go on and become an engineer, Sunday himself dream of the day he will become a full engineer not just an Engineer by name.

Engr. Pelumi came down from the car with the two other engineers with him, they walked down to the shop where they found a blind woman on the doorstep, she smiled as they approach the shop, Sunday looked embarrassed as he introduced his mother to the three men, they didn't say a word as they picked up chairs to sit for their meal, they watched as the blind woman finds ingredients, she steer up the soup she was preparing, tasted it and then called on Adaobi, the girl who helps her in the shop to come drop the soup from the stove.

Engr. Pelumi continues to look at the woman, just like the other two men, their face was full of surprises, a blind woman prepared that delicious banga soup they ate this afternoon? it is unbelievable, these are the possible questions on their minds as they hold back whatever comment they want to pass, maybe because they noticed Sunday, who felt a little embarrassed by the condition of his mother as he introduced her to the young Engineers.

"Are you from Warri?" Engr. Pelumi finally asked the woman, she was silent for a while, instead of giving a direct respond to the question with an answer, she asked her own question: "Is that you? Pelumi?" the two other Engineers with Engr. Pelumi looked at him, they were shocked to hear the woman say their friend's name, they knew each other? where? how? Sunday looked at Engr. Pelumi again, he wanted to be sure if those are tears coming out of the young engineers eyes, even as young as he is, he knows things are not right.

Thank you for reading today's episode

Nice work. I dey follow

uniquebee:
Nice work. I dey follow

I appreciate your comment

"You did a brilliant job," Bolaji Agbekoya said as she handed a well- wrapped envelope to a young man in her hotel room. Even though Bolaji Agbekoya was full of smiles as she gives the envelope to him, Agbako didn't smile back at her, he collected the envelope, stood up from the chair he has been sitting and reach for the door without saying a word. Bolaji watched him leave, she's used to him already, he only speak when necessary and doesn't talk much. She remembered the first job he handled for her, it was so perfect that no one suspected anything, she gave a sign of relief, picked up the glass of water on the table, she held the water up to the air, smile to herself and then drop the glass of water again "I guess my trip to Dubai is over now" she said to herself smiling.

Bolaji Agbekoya - Episode 7

"Why are you parking the car?" one of the boys with Sunday asked as he parks the car, Sunday smiled, he stepped out of the ambulance, the two boys dropped from the car too as their eyes were fixed on Sunday as he walks a little distance away from the ambulance. In silence, the two boys watched him, one of the boys gave a sign to the other one, they reached for their gun which was hidden behind their jeans trouser, they cannot trust him they knew that, even if he is going to shot at them right now right here to cover up his secrets, he will only get one of them before the other shot him dead.

"One of you will have to drive us home," Sunday finally said, "I need to prepare my weak side to take control of me, they need to see the tears flow", He turns towards the boys, walked himself to the back of the ambulance where the casket is, opens the casket, looks at the corpse for some seconds before he pulled the body of the Chief up towards him by grabbing his suit with his two hands. "Look at me old fool, Look at me ingrate" he said as he looked into the eyes of the corpse that has remained opened since life parted ways for the old rugged man called death, anger burn through his vain as he drops the dead body way up beyond his casket, like a stone dropped from the top of a building, the corpse landed into the casket again, lying there lifeless. The two boys looked at each other briefly, Sunday turns around handing the key to one of them, he jumped into the back of the car while the two other boys maintained the two front seats. They soon began their journey, shortly after they began their journey.

Sunday was again lost in deep thought, at first, when he saw tears dropping from Engr. Pelumi's eyes the first day he visited his mother, he was thinking Engr. Pelumi is his father who his mother has refused to talk about since he was born. The two other Engineers were shocked to see tears rolling down Engr. Pelumi's cheek, they couldn't say a word, silence dominated the room until Engr. Pelumi broke the silence, "She was my helper when I needed help while I was in Warri serving my father's land" he said as he smiled at his fellow Engineers, Sunday remembered his mother once mentioned a boy who she helped before she gave birth to him, he needs nobody to tell him that the boy is Engr. Pelumi. "But, she was not blind when I knew her" Engr. Pelumi continued as he quickly turned towards the blind woman "What happened to you? What lead to you loosing your eyes?" he asked as he moved closer to Sunday's mother.

The tension in the room was finally calmed by the words of the young Engineer, at some point, the thought of the young Engineer being his father has crossed Sunday's young mind, his mother has never made mention of who his father is to him, even when he was mocked in school, his mother still finds a way of talking him out of finding out who his father is. "It's a long story Pelumi", Sunday mother said as she tries to touch Engr. Pelumi's face "You have really grown up oh, see bear-bear," She said as she touched the beard of the young Engineer, they all laugh at her joke. She was really happy to hear from Pelumi, the young corper who promised to always love her, who promised to spend his life with her, he has promised her heaven on earth just after she gave up her eyes to get him quick fortune some years ago. The thought of when they first met swept across Sandra's mind as she feels the face of Pelumi, she remembered how they use to be happy together, Pelumi being a young corper then in warri use to visit her mother's canteen with other corpers. They both became friends just after their first encounter, she just gained admission into the University of Nigeria, her love for the young corper knows no bound, she was ready to do anything just to please him, he loves her too, he always talks about getting married to her the following year, but he do say one word over and over again "it is only money that can delay my marriage to you, if I no get money, I no go marry you o!" those words are his final words whenever they are to depart everyday, it always bother her, especially when she asked him if he's serious about it and he said yes with seriousness written all over his eyes.

"You can go back to the site. I will be joining you guys later" Engr. Pelumi said to his colleagues who enjoyed the starch and Banga made by Sandra, Sunday's blind mother, they thank the woman, paid for their food and promised to always patronize her, she smiled as she listens to them, Sunday cleared the table, he packed the plates to the kitchen where the other girl was waiting to wash the plates. "why did you lie" Sandra said to Pelumi as soon as she is sure Sunday was away from them, "Keep your voice down" Pelumi said as he drags a chair closer to where Sandra sat. "You expect me to tell everyone I am responsible for your condition?" Pelumi smiled and quickly change the topic as he noticed Sunday coming towards the shop, "the soup is really nice Sandra, you inherit your mother's cooking skills" he said, Sandra who understands, smiled, "Abi na, at least, the cooking skills brought you back to my shop", she said as they both give a louder laugh out really loud. Engineer Pelumi stood up from the chair he sat on when he noticed Sunday will not leave the shop, "I will like to be on my way" he said as he stands up from the chair, he handed Sunday some cash, before giving Sandra some money too, "I will come back to pick you tomorrow so we can talk, it's really been a long time since we had time to talk" he said as he walks towards the door, "there is a solution at hand for everything" Sandra said, "as you have said, we have a lot to discuss".

Immediately Engr. Pelumi drove off, Sandra asked Sunday to take her to Umukoro, the herbalist known as "Dibia Koro" who is few blocks away. Sunday wanted to ask questions but his mother was in a hurry to answer any question at the moment, she stood up almost immediately, Sunday quickly gets her stick, gave it to her and led her to Dibia Koro.

Sunday knew something is up in the air, what it is, he cannot tell, but whatever it is, whatever solution his mother is talking about, he is determined to find out.


Thank you for reading today's episode. Bolaji Agbekoya returns on Wednesday, Please tell a friend about it.

Still following gidigba bro... Nice write up, can the update be more frequent bro
I'm guessing Engr Pelumi is Sunday's father tho from the last update

I will like to appreciate you for coming this far with me, God bless you plenty, more MB to your phone...

Bolaji Agbekoya - Episode 8
"It is a good thing you found him after so many years, it is time for him to pay for everything he has done to you," Dibia Koro said as soon as Sandra finished narrating how she has been lucky to be visited by Pelumi. It's been years since Dibia Koro's niece returned from Warri blind and pregnant, he can still remember how hard he tried to restore the sight of his niece, all effort prove abortive, he didn't just spend years looking for a solution, he lost his first son in the process. After the death of his son, it dawned on him that there is no solution to the problem at hand, except for revenge. They (Dibia Koro and Sandra) have always look for a way of getting the revenge which their heart and soul cried for every morning and night, but as the saying goes "if the wall did not crack, the lizard cannot go into it", now that the wall is cracked, the lizard will not only go into it, the lizard will reside inside of the wall.

"I want you to think of what we can do, I am meeting with him tomorrow, I intend to tell him there is a solution to my eyes problem to lure him to this place with me," Sandra said as she cleaned her eyes with the tip of her wrapper, Dibia Koro who is now standing close to the door with the intention of calling Sunday to take Sandra home, opens the door to call the young boy, as soon as he set eyes on Sunday who was playing with a bicycle opposite the building, he said: "I know exactly what to do, He will not be poor, He cannot be poor again in his life, as long as you remain blind, so, we are going to make his money work for us. You see this your son, he is going to inherit everything the idiot will work for, we are going to make him impotent and also leave a curse on his generation, he will take Sunday with him to Lagos, but before then, I will explain everything to Sunday, so he will be ready to act according to plan". Sandra remained silent, she didn't say a word, she was lost in the thought of remaining blind for the rest of her life, she is ready to do anything to make Pelumi regret his life, it doesn't matter if it will cost her to part ways with her son, she is ready to pay the price to get back to the man who has destroyed her life.

The following day was just like a year to Sandra who couldn't sleep all night, the morning arrived and to her surprise, Engr. Pelumi was the first person to knock on her door, they talked about the solution she has talked about yesterday, after Sandra had explained what she meant by that, Pelumi agreed to go with her to the herbalist as long as Sandra will regain her sight. Pelumi took Sunday to school in his car, the news of Sunday's father bringing him to school spread round the school that the teachers soon asked Sunday if that person is his father, Sunday reply was exactly what you are thinking, "YES" he has responded with a broad smile.

Dibia Koro and four other herbalists were waiting when Pelumi and Sandra arrived; after they broke kolanut together, Dibia Koro explained to Pelumi that the ritual is a simple one as he just needs to eat a prepared concoction. "Do you have a child?" one of the herbalists with Dibia Koro asked, Pelumi who was surprised to hear the man ask him if he has a child, how does that affect what they are here for? he asked himself, "Yes, I have a daughter, I got married last year, me and my wife have a daughter," Pelumi replied looking at Sandra who sat down gently like a child who has been promised a packet of biscuit. "What is the name of your daughter?" Dibia Koro asked, Pelumi was silent for a while, at last, he decided to ask what his daughter's name have to do with the ritual, a smiling Dibia Koro told him they want to know the name of the daughter in order to prevent evil from befalling the child in time to come. A relieved Pelumi quickly gave the herbalist the name of his daughter: "Bolaji, Bolaji Agbekoya" he said.

Pelumi was asked to walk into the shrine naked, he wanted to protest but he later swallowed whatever thing he has in mind as he believes he is doing it to save Sandra who has done more than whatver thing that will be ask of him. After he was stripped naked by Dibia Koro, the other herbalist with Dibia Koro started incantations in their native language, after ten minutes of incantations, Dibia Koro handed the concoction to Pelumi, who sat down on a mat eating the concoction. After the ritual, Pelumi gave a bundle of 50naira notes to Dibia Koro, he refused to accept it, instead, he demanded he wants to ask for a favour from him, "we cannot ask you to marry Sandra, that will be an act of wickedness, but, we can beg you to take care of her and her child Sunday. I urge you to please take care of Sunday, he is a smart child, please, help his future" he said. Pelumi can read the passion attached to the plea of the old man, he had it in mind to take good care of Sandra and her son, but, with the way the old man has pleaded for it, it has become a necessity for him to see to that. Sandra was happy to hear him accept the plea of her uncle, at least, she didn't loose her eyes in vain, whatever thing Pelumi come out to achieve, it will all belong to her son, although she knows Pelumi have a daughter already, who will be in pole position to inherit her father's property after his death, but with the spell cast on him by the herbalists, he knows the girl would have killed herself or better still run away from her father before the death of Pelumi Agbekoya, if only he knows what this single act has caused his future, if only he knows the damage he has caused on his lineage, If only he knows the generational curse he has placed on his family.

******************************************
Bolaji Agbekoya arrived the family house a little early than expected, she was dressed in a black gown, she has her glasses tucked into her eyes in between her long thin nose, her handkerchief was wet, a sign that she has been crying herself out since she learnt about the death of her father, Senator Pelumi Agbekoya. Senator Agbekoya sister was the first to greet her as soon as she step into the compound that was filled with a lot of people including Gbenga Oremeji, the husband of her teacher in secondary school, a few other familiar faces were present to join the family in mourning the late Chief, she came across a more familiar face just after she greeted the sister of the late Chief, who she simply called Mama. Mama has been worried since Bolaji left the family house, she has been away since her mother died, she has not picked her calls, she does not reply her messages and even refuse to show up when she celebrated her 80th birthday some months ago. Mama was pleased to see Bolaji again, they both embraced each other warmly for a while, "Mama, am so so sorry" she said as tears rushed down her cheek, "I didn't mean to..." Mama placed her finger over her lips, she hugged her again and said: "It is okay my dear, let us go inside".

Bolaji turned around again, she knows she recognized the face she saw amidst the crowd a few seconds ago, she looked around again to be sure she didn't sight Agbako standing closer to a man in suit, "maybe I am just curious..." she said to herself as she moved with Mama towards the door. The press gathered round Bolaji Agbekoya for an interview, everyone want to hear what the only daughter of the Senator has to say about the death of her father, Mama was not happy with the amount of crowd that is trying to get to her at the same time, she tried to get them out of the road, but the more she tries on her own, the more the press press forward, at last, Bolaji said she was going to give the interview, to the delight of the reporters who wanted to throw their questions on her right now, right here. "Bolaji!" screamed one of the reporters, Bolaji was not shocked to see Ruth amidst the reporters, she hugged her, she wanted to start a conversation, "not here," said Ruth who knows exactly what she was doing "I am here as a reporter and also as a family friend, as a family friend, I am entitled to publish our family story" Ruth said smiling, she signaled to the two strong guys standing like Voltron beside her since she showed up, the two strong guys quickly guide the two young woman into the house, Everyone knows what's next, Ruth will be the first to publish official statement of the daughter of the Senator's daughter through her blog site, Ruth who has grown to be a Blogger owns a gossip Blog which many consider as the number one Blogsite in Nigeria.

As Bolaji walked into the room, Mama walked up to her again, she introduced some family members to her, family members she has never met, she greeted them all, one after the other, she was shocked to see Agbako in the room, Mama introduced Agbako as the assistant Pastor of a popular church in Lagos, the same Church Emmanuel, Bolaji's classmate in secondary school is a pastor of, she wanted to faint as she shook hands with a smiling Agbako who Mama just introduced to her as Pastor Dapo Ogunjinrin, she managed a smile, still in shock, she excused herself that she needs to be alone, many believe she must be tired after her long journey from Dubai, she walked through the stairs as Ruth followed her gently like she did when Bolaji fainted after she heard about the death of Mrs. Oremeji...To be Continue!

Thank you for reading today's episode, am sorry if it is short and boring, I promise you, the next episode will be better than this as we take a look at how the death of Chief Agbekoya has to do with Pastor Emmanuel and Pastor Dapo who was formerly known as Agbako, What was the generational curse placed on the Chief by Sandra and her Uncle?, How does this affect Bolaji? Who is even responsible for the death of the Chief? Is there anything relating Gbenga Oremeji and the Chief? Ruth, what's her role in all this? and Much More...Episode 9 comes tomorrow by God's grace.

Wonderful update bro, keep up the good work. Dont relent.