I often picture the story in my head while reading and I must say that it’s mind blowing, it’s suspense filled, intriguing, it’s full of comedy as well as love.

Centino, I don’t know the process of getting a tv station like Africa Magic to invest in your story for it to be acted and shown as a series in their station. Keep up the good work bro, I see you going places with this magnificent piece

I stumbled on this thread on Monday and was able to complete the episodes yesterday albiet almost wearing eyes out, I must say this is a wonderful story and it had me laughing at some of the familiar languages and I could also relate with most of the happenings of such a collection of families. Centino Abasi odiong nfi, I hope you understand that.

eyesofpearls:



Oga I no like height o... I no follow go rooftop

Lmao

But immediately after you run from Efe, no be there you go now now?

...and you like wetin you just do for compound abi?

You lucky I no dey there.

By the way, Ichie Centino, I hope you no dey plan bury Chisco as you take bury Castro? No play with my hero oh!

Mehn this is hilarious,i just can't stop laughing



More ink to your pen bro

Centino:


Thanks man. You're one of my favs you know...

More ink, more oil and more grace

Centino,this is a great work.
Pls keep it up
More ink to ur pen
And more data also
#ghostmode_deactivated.

@centino , this is one of the best piece of writing i have read in my life, the balance of comedy with seriousness is just top class.
I read the latest episode yesterday and while walking on the road today i related it and started laughing hysterically.
Man, i respect you. Please make a pdf , i go buy(not expensive oooo)

Ok i really have to deghost for dis story

CENTINO
My namesake
Ive read storries on nairaland bt
Dis one jst stands
From d wierdness of the title to the style
YOU ARE THA BOMB

Centino:

Looks like you missed "Charity Begins At Home." Go to page 127.

Alright,thanks.... By the way,where is Castro?? What has become of Talabi and Wasiu?? Mama Akunna's grandson nkor

Centino:
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME

Can't believe I missed this... Am glad I voiced out... Thanks CENTINO

mimilight:
use to support Togo anytime.. They are playing match but
people think am supporting Nigeria..
This one got me thinking of Akpabio's "my heart was with you in 2015 election, I even voted for you" statement to buhari.

first time commenting. Nice story

Akpabio said that? SMH.

Dhavido:
I often picture the story in my head while reading and I must say that it’s mind blowing, it’s suspense filled, intriguing, it’s full of comedy as well as love.

Centino, I don’t know the process of getting a tv station like Africa Magic to invest in your story for it to be acted and shown as a series in their station. Keep up the good work bro, I see you going places with this magnificent piece

Thanks man. Hopefully someone who knows is reading

clumsydyna:
I stumbled on this thread on Monday and was able to complete the episodes yesterday albiet almost wearing eyes out, I must say this is a wonderful story and it had me laughing at some of the familiar languages and I could also relate with most of the happenings of such a collection of families. Centino Abasi odiong nfi, I hope you understand that.

Of course I do. Sosongo. Welcome to Katakata Street

thenewmunir:
Centino,this is a great work.
Pls keep it up
More ink to ur pen
And more data also
#ghostmode_deactivated.

Nice to have you man.

zesh:
@centino , this is one of the best piece of writing i have read in my life, the balance of comedy with seriousness is just top class.
I read the latest episode yesterday and while walking on the road today i related it and started laughing hysterically.
Man, i respect you. Please make a pdf , i go buy(not expensive oooo)

One day man. Make we dey watch. Thanks.

yungking100:
Ok i really have to deghost for dis story

CENTINO
My namesake
Ive read storries on nairaland bt
Dis one jst stands
From d wierdness of the title to the style
YOU ARE THA BOMB

Thanks man. Deghost

EkopSparoAyara:

Alright,thanks.... By the way,where is Castro??
What has become of Talabi and Wasiu??
Mama Akunna's grandson nkor

All of them dey. Tory still plenty. We'll see them again

Oga Centino where wednesday Update na ?

Finally caught up, one of the best stories ever on nairaland

Alhaji centino dis ya story is getting more thrilining day by day ..,...., keep it up we need more lamba

rukidanty:
the name moseph attracted me to comment on your post..are u pinima n pamelas elder sister in ph?
well nice update from centino

No

Mr centino weldone, irifreke should be a comedian, hes d main guy I keep rooting for every week... He got nd cracking up tonight man!

Mr centino weldone, irifreke should be a comedian, hes d main guy I keep rooting for every week... He got me cracking up tonight man!

Oga centino some people don buy fuel ready to on generator oh waiting for your Sunday dose

Broz Centino, today done reach. No too party with your friends forget us o

Last weeks update was posted on Tuesday. In case you missed it, go to page 131. Happy Sunday folks.




THE CONQUEROR



Irikefe and Castro stood and watched the men fawning over Agbonyibo from a distance.

“Guy, see as you dey dem come parade your crush like goat for market square.”

“She is no longer my crush. My papa go kill me.”

“Your papa? When did you start listening to Papa Efe?”

“You no go understand.”

“You mean it?”

“There is something about that girl. I know Papa Efe. For him to block my way like that, e get wetin him know. And last night, the girl appear like ghost for my back when I go out to go piss. She wear only pant.”

“You no give am belle?”

“Gerrout.”

“Guy, abeg explain yourself.”

“I no know wetin happen. You know say I no fit see that kind thing remove eye. But the girl just change her mind and before I open my eye I no see am again.”

“Guy which kind story be dat na?”

“It happened like that.”

“And today she is being offered to all those failed bachelors. A girl of our generation.”

“Castro. The original Ewu Gambia!”

“Guy I serious. You see say Undertaker dey talk? Serves Sister Esther right. I warned her.”

“You?”

“Never mind.”

“Come Castro. Is there something I should know? When did you start warning Sister Esther?”

“She was my sister in the Lord. We crossed paths.”

“Ewu Gambia.”

“Please stop it.”

“Meanwhile see as your mama come disgrace your papa. How many strokes of cane she don give am?”

“Watch your mouth, guy.”

“No be your fault. Nothing to be ashamed of. Everybody know say Mr Zubi na woman wrapper.”

“Stop it Irikefe.”

“Imagine! A whole Chairman of the Elder’s Council! Him wife just come out come shout for him head him just run enter house! Na because of your mama him abandon him interest for Nurse Jo. Lai lai no woman fit control me like that.”

“Okay I don hear. Are you saying you are no longer interested in the man’s daughter?”

“I cannot sustain my interest. Apart from wetin my papa talk, I don dey feel somehow.”

“Is that to say that I am free to enter?”

“Enter what? You, Castro?”

“Guy you dey underrate me.”

“That your head wey dem break no do you abi?”

“That was in the past. I have grown since. I will beat these men to Evae. I want to prove myself in this compound.”

“Eh hen! You want to prove yourself.”

“Yes, my guy.”

“Ordinary JAMB you no fit pass to prove yourself. Na woman you wan carry prove yourself.”

“It may be my talent you don’t know. No be only book be the route to success.”

“So for you, success means Evae. Woman!”

“Guy, do you know that even porn actors are referred to as talents? Whatever you do, do it well.”

“You are still seeing Wasiu right? You still dey smoke igbo?”

“I’ve not seen him since he stole his things from us.”

“Then why are you talking like this?”

“I have grown. I want Evae. The only reason I slowed down was because of you. Now you say you are not in for her. Watch me surprise all of you.”

“Woman wey big pass you.”

“She can’t be more that eighteen. I am nineteen.”

“Them tell you say na age I dey talk? She resemble your size?”

“Her dad says she has not been touched by a man.”

“Ewu Gambia!”

“Stop it.”

“So you want to go and shoot porn with her?”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m only saying that my ability with Evae could be a pointer to how I can navigate through the difficulties of life. This is something I am taking seriously.”

“I can see that. So you too will go dancing for her father for her attention?”

“There has to be other ways my man. Like I said, my success here will be the beginning of Castro the conqueror.”

“Castro the conqueror.”

“Yes boss.”



Ndifreke waited the whole day and Maya did not return to him. So he picked up his phone and sent her a whatsapp message. “I am still waiting for you honey.” Her reply was “Please transfer the money to my account.” He tried to chat with her but nothing else he sent after that delivered. Her dialed her number and saw that her phone was switched off. He then went to look for Mr Cosmas.

“I know that giving her the money will be a mistake. I have no intention to keep it or misuse it. It is her first earning. She has a future to protect. Her mother is up to no good.”

“It is not in your place to decide that my young friend. That is being controlling.”

“I care for her sir. I will not watch her make such a mistake.”

“How do you know that that is not a mistake she needs to make?”

“I beg your pardon sir?”

“Let me put it simply my young friend. As trite and as the saying has become, but there are not many truer words been spoken. Experience is the best teacher.”

“That may be true. But I know this also sir. A wise man learns from his experience but a wiser man learns from the experience of others. Maya’s mother is selfish and avaricious. Nothing good ever comes out of people like that. Society is replete with such stories. She should be stronger. If she can’t be, I want to be her strength.”

“So you asked her to marry you.”

“Yes I did.”

“If this money thing did not happen, would you have asked her?”

“I was always going to marry Maya sir.”

“Was it now you wanted to propose?”

“Maybe not.”

“That can be viewed as manipulation you know.”

“Our marriage was always going to happen sir.”

“You must resist the temptation to be controlling. No matter how good your intentions are, you must let people live their lives, make their mistakes and learn from them. No one learns from the mistakes of others. Those days when we used to go to bar-beach to watch the execution of armed robbers, right there as people were being killed for stealing others still picked pockets. Everyday smokers are diagnosed of lung cancer and more and more people are taking up the habit. HIV is real but the number of abortions and baby mamas nowadays tells you that condoms are not the most popular sex accessories in town. Never try to force your good intentions on others. It always backfires. Go with the flow. Send good thoughts and prayers to a person you care about who may be doing something you do not agree with, but do not impose your will on them. Should it happen that you were right and they got into trouble as you had foreseen, be there to pick them up and never say I told you so. Everyone must pass through the crucibles and gain their own experiences for their maturing. Don’t stand in their way.”

“So I must stand and watch people I love put their hands in fire?”

“No. You can advise and admonish. But if they insist you let them be. They need the experience.”

“So I give Maya her money.”

“It’s hers not yours.”

“Her mother will waste it.”

“It is none of your business.”

“I love her.”

“Then give her her money.”

Ndifreke thought about it and then said, “It may be for the best. It’s causing so much tension. When we didn’t have any money, problem. Now we have money, bigger problem. Apart from this, everyone now behaves somehow towards us. If I didn’t know better I would call it envy.”
Mr Cosmas did not say anything. Knowing him now, Ndifreke knew he would not be drawn into that unless he was directly asked a question. It was becoming uncomfortable so he decided to change topic.

“Mr Cosmas, the other time I mentioned the blood of Jesus and you said topic for another day. I want to hear it now.”

“Do you remember the story in Matthew 27:24-25?”

“I don’t sir.”

“When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing and a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd and said ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. You shall bear the responsibility.’ And the people answered ‘His blood be on us and our children’. The first users of this phrase were the wicked ones who nailed him on the cross for the truth he brought. The fate of these people and their obstinate children is there for all to see. They are still fighting wars millennia after. They are exiled in all parts of the world. Luke tells us they were warned “But Jesus turned to them and said “daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me but weep for yourselves and your children.” (Luke 23:18)

“But what then is the significance of the blood?”

“He said to his disciples that he who absorbs his word absorbs him and eats his body and drinks his blood. He is the word that became flesh! If we accept his word of salvation and act accordingly then we have absorbed his flesh and blood and that is what saves. Invoking his blood is akin to the chants made before Pilate. Those were the chants of murder. Pilate who knew absolved himself from such infamy. Go and live his word. That is all you need for salvation.”

“But people call on the blood of Jesus and miracles happen.”

“Miracles happen because you believe. If you believe and really put your mind to it, even if you call on a table you will see miracles. Those who believe in the Law of Attraction do not call on Jesus or the blood but they get results. So for the occultists. So for the babalawos. Believe. Never underestimate the power of the human mind. Science, Noetic science acknowledges this too.”

“So it is wrong to say “The blood of Jesus.”

“You are simply beating your chest and feeling good about the callousness he suffered on the cross. Remember that on that day the elements rioted, there was earthquake. Heaven and earth abhorred the act, and He then prayed the greatest prayer of intersession ever uttered. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. It was a crime.”

“One last question Mr Cosmas”

“Yes, friend.”

“Why do you quote parts of the Bible to buttress your point, and then at other times the evidence from your words is that you don’t believe what the scriptures say. You cannot believe in part, you either believe or you don’t believe.”

“That is a question for another day.”



Josiah ambled along the corridor. He greeted everyone that he saw at the top of his voice. He deliberately went into his room and picked up a heavy armchair and struggled to drag it through the corridor to his shop. Five minutes later he dragged the chair back, making as much noise as possible. There was no sign of Evae anywhere. He bumped into Agbonyibo and considered kissing his feet when he greeted him, but he thought the better of it. He just made sure he said his good morning the way Agbonyibo had never heard good morning being said. He saw that Agbonyibo’s smile widened and that pleased him.

“Have you had breakfat Mr Agbonyibo?”

“Yes I don chop. My wife cook akume and pates.”

“Akume and pates?”

“Yes na we Togo food. Akume na porridge wey dem make with maize flour and pates na de sauce. Na eggplant, tomatoe, fish and spinash dem dey take do am.”

“Oh I see. I have to taste that akume one of these days.”

Agbonyibo only smiled and there was a moment of awkward silence before Josiah excused himself and returned to his shop. There was no Evae.



Lukman also perambulated on the corridor hoping to catch a glimpse of Evae. He brought out his phone and began to make a call.

“I will quit this barbing business in the new year. Yes, yes. I am getting hold of twenty thusand dollars which I will use to relocate to America. Yes yes.”

He had said it at the right time because Agbonyibo was just coming from the bathroom and entering the room. He saw that Agbonyibo hesitated a beat when he mentioned the plenty dollars. But where is Evae?



Mr Kingsley decided to do his reading in the corridor. He stacked big volumes on the floor while he sat on the flood barrier in front of his door and read, his eyes scanning the corridor the entire time. Sister Esther emerged after an hour and stood in front of him.

“So this is where you sit and read now Kingsley?”

“When distractions are manifold, it is best to remember what you are supposed to be doing- David Levithan”

“Oh…so you acknowledge that you have allowed yourself to be distracted.”

“If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or the other to end before we can really get down to our work – C S Lewis.”

“So in other words you are making yourself do your reading even when distracted by a stay pair of breasts.”

“You can always find a distraction if you are looking for one – Tom Kite.”

“Shame on you Kingsley. At your age.”

“You can cry. Aint no shame in it – Will Smith”

“You are a fool. And it is in this new endevour of yours that you will come to realize.”

“Not caring more about what other people think than what you think. That’s freedom – Demi Moore.”

“I pray that you remain free indeed” Sister Esther said and turned back and entered her room.”

Mr Kingsley hissed and looked up and down the corridor. Yet still, no sign of Evae.”



So it remained until evening. The men who wanted to woo Evae did not see her at all for a whole day. The wives of 225 Katakata street remained jittery. Agbonyibo trotted about with a perpetual smile on his face. Ndifreke and Maya went for a shoot in separate taxis. Mama Akunna prepared a fresh ogogoro and herbs recipe and got Castro to help her write on a blackboard and put in front of Agbonyibo’s shop a sign that read “New ogogoro for high sense available tonight.”

The council of elders would not meet because Mama Willy-willy had forbade her husband to sit anywhere Agbonyibo may be found. People were getting restive and wondering what would happen next. Then that night something happened. Chisco returned. The children and women cheered as he alighted from the okada. He waved at everyone and slung his bag on his shoulder and bounced into the compound. They watched him open the door to Wasiu’s room and entered. While everyone wondered what Chisco was doing in Wasiu's room or how he got the keys Agbonyibo over at thew shop kept his eyes on a particular customer of Mama Akunna’s who kept glancing at him and looking away. Then when their eyes met one more time, he winked and beckoned him over to the shop. The man drained the ogogoro in his glass and payed Mama Akunna. Agbonyibo licked his lips as the plump man came to him.



TO BE CONTINUED.

Thank you centino

First to comment..Centino u re indeed a great writer..i recommen nd applaud ur great work.

This tori sweet pass the yam when I just cook

Ehhhyyy! Agbonyinbo na gay.... I talk am. Thanks centino.