₦airaland Forum

mehn....I posted o, but the antispam bot botted the update. >: Cc: Obinnau abeeeeg unhide the last post and unban souloho19. Thanks boss.

^^

Cc: Obinnau

Please unhide the last update by souloho19 and unban also. Gracias

souloho19:
Calling on the detectives on NL;

Cc: Obinnau

pls unhide the post and unban souloho19

Rat Attack

I never liked being a rat, its been terrible. The humans hate you and always literally look down on you. They're always trying to kill you and to top it off, we're at the bottom of the food chain. I mean the very bottom.
I hate being a rat with everything in me, hate living from hand to mouth-literally and I hate the fact that I have to scavenge for food to survive and most of all, I hate being called a sewa rat. But the sewage is the most accommodating place for my clan. But still I had dreams, yes rats can dream too. I had a dream to discover the life of luxury and be looked upon as some sort of saviour who would deliver my clan from its pitiable existence, from scurrying about underground in filth, avoiding being seen by man and other predators when we hunted for food.

I was the only one who had this dream cause everyone seemed satisfied with the state of things. It was nature, it was the circle of life, we were meant to be constantly relegated to the bottom of the food chain and live in the lowest standard of the eco system.

But I had a dream. And so I set out, moving mostly at night, risking it during the day, taking underground shortcuts and bursting out from different plumbing systems.
I found many beautiful locations the kind i had never seen before but there was always a problem. Sometimes there was a cat, sometimes it was a dog sometimes the house was too cramped and not sufficient to contain the colony which numbered about 5 dozen mice. Not to talk of the expecting mothers. And other times I stumbled on a used satchet of 'rat killer' while I rummaged the trash for food. These humans were not friendly!

Finally by a sheer stroke of luck I happened to find my way up this particular plumbing. At first I was scared, the sheer volume of the house was astonishing and I spent hours moving round, so certain that a wild animal of some sort had to leave here. But then it dawned on me that no one was home.

I spent the night, dug a hole into the air conditioner vent and snuggled there just in case of company. The next morning, my good fortune dawned on me and out of excitement I nibbled everything in sight, which was mostly the wiring of the a/c I had spent the night.
I chose the particular room for our living quarters because there was something elegant about it.
There were pictures on the wall, humans I didn't know but they looked important and what really fascinated me was the table. There were papers neatly arranged and I knew my friends and I would have a swell time nibbling whatever we could get our hands on. There was a piece of clothe, it looked breathtaking although it was quite plain with just two colours: green and white.
I was excited and I took off, retracing my path down to the sewers. I couldn't wait tottell the colony about what I had found. At first they didn't believe me, I had always been the erratic one, the different one and maybe a little 'crazy' but my excitement was contagious coupled with my beautiful description which was exaggerated a bit.
It was decided. We would no longer be sewage rats. We would be high class rodents! We decided to migrate the next day.

°•°•°•
It was a tale of grass to grace. The comfort was priceless and we had drilled dozens of holes around the villa and whenever the women came to clean the place we remained out of sight. The minute they would leave, we would run out of our hiding places.
I loved the chair especially. The way the leather felt on my paws, a sweet sensation and I spent most days rolling on the chair, enjoying the leather scent and wondering the kind of human that sat on it and where he was.

We stayed in our new habitat for over 90 days and by that time we had believed we would stay there forever, we had destroyed wirings, eaten documents and nibbled on the curtains. This had to be rodent heaven.
But they say all good things must come to an end.

Sometime around the 100th day, the men arrived. They wore gloves and carried cannisters, they came in the dead of the night.
They sprayed some kind of chemical that threatened to choke us to death and one of them shouted when he saw one of my brothers run to his hole.

They were going to kill us. It seemed the owner of the house was returning. He had been away for so long and we had enjoyed his house but now we had to run away. It was very clear we would be killed if we didn't run away.
So the next night we moved in the dark. One after the other we dug our way down the plumbing and back to the sewage. We had tasted power for three months and it was sweet but now we needed to go back.

Our evenings are always full of tales and discussions as we reminisce on our short holiday in the unknown man's villa.
Till this day we have no idea the ripple effects our actions caused.
One of these days we'd go up again.


https://www.nairaland.com/4002919/president-buhari-working-home-renovations

*FP: August 22

Mobecs maryclaire1 igyeseh bakeuhappy castleberry jazmynne damselbae donteanz meneski mrlemuel smokeydrinky nanadeeva01 raintaker frankenstein slimberry123 rachealfst debbycreamy olufemiwhit nabla queenitee vakjay08 kimkardashian modik iamloyalty rhayne kunbeex soulminister heemah osch10 nnmaglit forzarush sofiaamrozia vincad misselocon bibijay123 samexdx deview001 your analysis and comments have been priceless gracias!

P.s: had to post with this, cant let the ban disrupt the flow.



Chapter 4

They had paired themselves in twos, Osi went with Ovie leaving Gregory and Bukky as a team.
The deacon was a lone ranger he said he'd rather be alone but Osi affirmed-rather firmly that he would be joined by pastor Bartholomew later in the day.
Evangelism wasn't show business.

The day was bright, the sun was on full blast and Osi took a deep breath as he bounced on his heels on the porch. He felt refreshed...recharged....energized..
"So we'll cover the market square..while you and Bukky would take the other direction, towards the stream" Ovie said to Gregory as Bukky handed them bunch of fliers and tracks to be shared to the villagers.

"I'd be going towards the market square too" the deacon announced.
Osi jumped in "That's a good idea, I think today should be the market day, there'd be more crowd"
He paused, a thoughtful look on his face.
"You know what...I'd rather Ovie and I took the other path and the three of you go straight to the market square, we would double back and join you there"
"That sounds fine with me" Gregory agreed
The deacon shrugged. For the first time he seemed to agree with Osi.

°•°•°•°•
"....I accept you this day, amen"
"I accept you this day, Amen"

Osi opened his eyes and smiled at the young boy he had just prayed with. "Congratulations friend, you're a new person!"
The young boy who was about 14 shook his hand excitedly and skipped off.
Osi watched him for some seconds then went in search of Ovie.

He saw him ahead talking to an elderly woman. He was speaking to her and she had an intense look on her face. He hoped it was a look of concentration not confusion because he knew Ovie's Igbo was not very good.

He couldn't see any other person to preach to at the moment and decided to find a shaded spot to relieve himself.
Suddenly all the cups of tea he had drank during breakfast didn't seem like such a good idea. He had been urinating like a pregnant lady!

He sighed as he went deeper into the woods, which was strange as the path was deserted and there was no one to shield from.

He closed his eyes as he struggled with his zipper, humming the tune of a hymn.

The zipper must have gotten hooked on the material because it wasn't moving freely. He opened his eyes and looked down.

His eyes darted to the right, he saw something peculiar and focused back on his zipper but his eyes swung back again as the image registered in his mind.

He saw a hand, just a hand protruding from inside the bush.
He almost screamed like a girl, he actually jerked like a girl and would have screamed too but his voice was much too deep to pull of the kind of scream his shock warranted.

He turned away, hurrying out of the woods but then he stopped.
He was a pastor, he owed it to whoever lay dead in the bush to offer at least a prayer.

He had never seen a dead body before and even as he thought about the cause of death, he knew what had happened, she had been raped...raped and beaten to death.

'This is a crime scene....I have to be careful' He didn't know where the thought had come from but he studied the surroundings for the first time.
He thought the ground looked rough, he bent down and noticed some broken twigs and concluded a struggle and the deadly act had occurred here.

Slowly, keeping a lot of space between him and the body, he turned a semi circle till he could get a good view of the body.
He moved closer.
He was not prepared for what he saw....
He was horrified!

Her face..was no longer a face, it had been brutalised and pounded shapeless. He forced himself to study the face, wondering how he was able to stomach such a sight. He was seeing signs of blunt force trauma, some kind of object had to have been used, it couldn't be a fist...if not it would have to be a very large and strong...no, there waw no way a fist was responsible for this ungodly sight.

She was naked and he observed what he figured to he bite marks on her neck, breasts and...good Lord!

This was a crime of passion, a terrible crime of passion...an impossible crime. Whoever did this couldn't be human..
The killer had really lost himself this time.
Osi shivered as goosebumps spread all over his body.

He had seen enough!
He knew he would never forget this sight..
It would hunt his dreams.
He tuned away but looked back almost immediately, something had caught his eye yet again.
He squatted down and picked up the material.
It was a piece of clothe, pink material. The colour looked faded and the material looked washed like it had seen better days.
It was obviously a second hand material.
He wondered if it was connected to the body or if it was there by coincidence but....it had been too close to the body.
Plus it looked like it had been torn off some kind of clothe roughly..

He shut his eyes and prayed for the deceased, prayed she would find peace and her family be comforted.

Closing his eyes was one of the most difficult things he had ever done. The sight had shaken him badly and he felt like he could open his eyes and the body won't be there or worse..the body would be standing looking at him.

He rounded up the prayer and opened his eyes slowly, the body remained behind the bush...it wasn't a dream.

He would have closed the eyes if he could find them. What kind of rage could cause this?

"Pastor Osi...Pastor...pastor where are you?"
He heard Ovie's voice and hurried out of the woods.

°•°•°•°•
"Amara I don't have time...you buy the ingredients lemme just run to Mouka's shop so that she would finish my hair" Joy snapped rather rudely at her sister.
Amara nodded absentmindedly and her younger sister took off to get her cornrows braided.

Amara stood in front of a shop about to select a bowl of fresh pepper, she didnt notice the pepper was not fresh but was getting soft.
But she noticed a lot of other things..
She noticed Okudili from his spot under the tree as usual looking at her with a satisfied look on his face and this time the pig had his hand in his trouser.
She noticed the lady pastor and her colleague as they moved together opening bibles, sharing fliers and mixing with people.
She noticed pastor Osi was no where to be found...

And she noticed something that confused her and made her frown in thought:
Yesterday, at night Paul had asked Chinaza 'how is your father'
She had replied he was fine..
The question was how did Paul know about her father's ailment? His strange sickness had only started about 6 weeks ago and Paul had been away for almost 3 years...?

She shrugged, Oluchi must have told him about everyone in the village....

Suddenly she noticed some kind of commotion as Dé John emerged from the other end, he walked briskly with a pale look on his face.
The tall pastor followed behind, walking slowly with his fat friend.
They both looked like they had seen a ghost.

divepen1 pls unban souloho19

Divepen1 please unban souloho19 and unhide the update. The antispom bot again.
Thanks boss!

The hotel was a five star hotel. It was found in one of the classiest part of Lagos and was a location suitable for the presence of the kind of guests billed to attend the award ceremony.
As we drew closer, I found myself wishing that the time would be African time and that the hall would still be empty when the timer would count down.
That was just in case I couldn't reach it in time.

The amount of cars and the heavy security presence at the gate would convince me that was wishful thinking. Wishful thinking of the highest order. A strong mixture of both police and military presence was evident at the gate and they were doing a stop and search before letting cars into the hotel premises.
"Shiit...I don't know how on Earth we're going to get into the hotel at this rate" Betran sighed
"Relax we'll get in" I assured him. Though I wasn't so sure.
"And when we get in? How on earth do we get into the hall?"
"Look Betran..we didn't come this far to turn back without trying...stop worrying and start praying.....pray for me..I don't want to lose my life today"
He fell silent after that and we waited impatiently for our turn.

"Pop your trunk" A fierce looking soldier instructed and Betran complied immediately. A police officer inspected the booth of the car and not finding anything suspicious, shut it with a loud bang that caused a jittery Betran to jump.
"What is your business here today?" The soldier asked
I spoke up before Betran could, "we have a business meeting over the weekend and Our colleagues would be joining us later today"
He scrutinized me closely then turned his attention to Betran. After some few seconds(felt more like hours really) he decided we fitted the business type. He waved us in after adding: "endeavour to stay away from the west wing of the hotel today" he featured with his hands to show us where he meant.
I could see the hall was in that portion. Countless cars were already lined up and I could see a small crowd outside the entrance and some camera crews as well. Whatever journalist was not at the other hotel location conducting the interview would be here it seems.

We nodded our agreement and Betran drove into the premises gratefully.
"What now?" Betran asked me
"I don't know" I replied. He was circling the parking lot, looking for a suitable parking space.
I scratched my head deep in thought "do you think I can pass for.....(filtered)?"
He shook his head "uhm uhm....his elder brother probably...but definitely not the real deal..your face is too withered"
"Poof!" I checked the time "we have just thirteen minutes to 12..what time did you say the gas is going to go off?"
"The latest should be few minutes past noon"
"Shït! Stop this car...park anywhere!"
He parked immediately and I yanked the door. "What are you going to do?"
"What I do best" I tossed over my shoulder as I hurried away "improvise!"

The a/c in the hotel reception hit me with full force and I felt like it was going to freeze my grey beard.
I hurried to the marble desk in the center of the room.
"Please where is the kitchen crew?"
"I beg your pardon?" The Lady behind the counter was gorgeous but she seemed rude. She responded me and looked me over with a sneer. (Apparently I looked nothing like the great writer...maybe a poorer, rougher version)
I broke my words letter by letter if possible " I said..where is the kitchen! I don't have time to waste!"
The urgency in my voice broke through somewhat and she sat up "I'm sorry who...who are you?"
I sighed impatiently "woman...where are the (filtered) we ordered for...where are the (filtered)? The (filtered)? How do you expect us to serve his excellence bottled water alone as appetizers?"
Her eyes widened "oh...you're with the-"
I interrupted her rudely "my friend point me to the kitchen where I can get this mess sorted out if not someone is going to take the blame and it might as well be you!"
That got her. She gave me directions immediately and even added "we're so sorry for the inconvenience" as I hurried off.
I had no idea what I was doing, a part of me wondered drily how I hadn't grown feathers judging by how many times I had 'winged it' on different occasions.

I took the lift to the third floor where she had told me the kitchen was located
On the floor, on my way to the kitchen I could see young men rushing out, looking sharp in suits and waist coats, all with a tray balanced expertly on one hand. They all seemed to be in a hurry and I was guessing the receptionist must have called to alert them that one of the organisers from the ceremony was headed up and breathing fire.
What now...what now...what now...? I thought frantically to myself. The time was 11:51 and I was in a race against time.

I saw the answer to my dilemma the moment he rushed out of double swinging doors pushing some kind of Cart ahead of him that housed bottles judging by the soft clang I heard as he passed me.
He hit the buttons on the elevator impatiently and I hurried after him.
I looked back and saw another waiter holding a tray come out and also rush after us the minute I stepped into the elevator.
"Hold it...hold it...please hold the door!" He shouted but to no avail. I didn't respond and when his colleague said baffled "why don't you hold it?" And stretched his hands to halt the closing doors for his mate who was rushing madly, I stopped his hands in mid air. Grabbing his wrists with force and halting his movement.
His partner shouted "what the-" as the door closed.
He himself shouted "what do you think you're doing? Let go of my hand!"
I did just that.

•°•°•°•
Two people got into the elevator but only one stepped out. You guessed right: yours truly...I stepped out dressed in the sharp white shirt and waist coat and was fixing the bow tie properly when the doors opened.
Somehow my luck held and there was nobody waiting for the elevator to go up. There were two functioning elevators so I'm guessing the second must have been used recently.
I pushed the cart and stepped out, donning the nose mask and pulling it down to cover my grey beards.
I kicked the legs of the unconscious waiter further inside the elevator so the doors won't close on them.
"You got knocked out for a worthy cause...I'm sorry!" I said as the door closed.
I checked the time: 11:54 am.
I ran like a mad man out of the hotel and into the sun, towards the west wing.

Official Government cars where in parked here and there, classy and flashy cars were littered about and security agents armed to the teeth. They all didn't pay me any notice and I hurried by like a waiter hurrying to his duty and indeed I was hurrying to my duty, albeit a different kind.
I could see people were allowed in on their self recognition or else they produced some kind of invitation or press pass.
I thought I saw Emenike the Chief's first son outside making a call from the corner of my eye but I wasn't sure.

I was in!

A popular comedian who was the MC for the day was on the podium and telling a joke which had people cracking up.
I could see the Governor and his wife seated in the front along with the Chief and his wife also, they were on some kind of high table with other distinguished and important people.

I scanned the walls and the roof for air vents and I saw many...not to talk of the split units producing cool breeze from the wall.
I noticed a particular tube from the nearest air conditioner. It looked like the type used to take out the hot water and air from the unit and deposit outside. But it didn't go through the wall like it should have instead it ran round the wall and connected to another air conditioner. I tried to trace it to the source but the hall was too big. Nevertheless, I was convinced it went back stage.
"What the Bleep are you looking at? Get to work!" A fellow waiter hissed in my ear on his way out.
I hurriedly chose the closest line that would bring me to the back stage and began dropping bottles of wine and juice randomly and hurriedly on tables.
I glanced at the watch and saw I had just 3 minutes till noon. I abandoned all formality and began hurrying towards the backstage stopping here and there to drop a bottle when the calls from disgruntled guests became too much.

The technical crew was to the right of the backstage. A complicated looking amplifier board with intimidating wires was being manned by two men with headphones. They had all concentration on the board and didn't notice me.
I abandoned the cart and ducked into the backstage.
The size was staggering. It was spacious and there was a small group of women in cultural attire getting prepared to come on for their performance.

They looked at me obviously surprised.
"Get ready..you have two minutes to come on" I told them and they began talking within themselves discussing last minute routines, not minding me.
Backstage was a bit choked up with loads here and there, I hurried left and right checking but not seeing anything that remotely resembled what I sought.
Suddenly I looked up and true enough I saw the same kind of tube I had seen attached to the air conditioner.
I traced it, breaking into a semi run and it led me to the very rear of the backstage.
I traced it to a small cage attached to the wall, like a circuit box. I yanked it open and I was staring at the timer.

00:03:46
I had about 3 minutes remaining.. I fumbled with the canister then noticed the number code. The code I had been given had been in my head since the day before and I repeated it: 386...386...
I was about to type it in but then I stopped.
"Mr X you bastàrd!"
The space for the code was like this:
_ _ _ _
I needed four digits...he had given me three....I needed one more..
The timer read: 00:02:55

So I got banned again..but the devil is a liar
The annoying thing is the spambot won't highlight what caused the ban so you can edit it.
I'd try to filter and post with this account.
If you still don't see it that would mean I got banned again

No chill for this bot this time around...I myt update with this alternate..so pls be on the lookout

BlissfulJeff:
weldone soul,nice update

Tnx bro..happy sunday

queenitee:
I'm starting to trust this strange eyes

Me too..but that guy eh...

yommy20:
Nice one bro and still waiting for the next updates. Thanks for the dedication, more grease to ur elbow.

The updates are incoming..tnx a lot..happy sunday

arrestdarrester:
I am not unaware of the dedication and I must say thank you. I am happy you manage and keep commendations in perspective. Connecting the dots, sustaining the suspense and raising the expectation to a new high each time makes for good reading. Thumbs up

Tnx bro..I really appreciate.. Jah bless

forzarush:
Souloho,you are always spot on,never disappointing me. kudos bro,more grease to your elbows and more ink to your pen!

Gracias madam forza..happy sunday