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Infinite Love 96

OTOBO

From afar Michael and Onos watched the strange occurence unfolding before their eyes. They didn't understand it. They couldn't even hear them but something in their body lan

guages made them realise that something different, something unusual was happening between those two, especially with Dayo. He didn't have his normal stiff exterior on infact he was, kind of...enjoying himself. And Dayo never got along with other people, especially not girls.

"Hahaha" laughther floated over from Dayo and Gerry's table towards Michael and Onos.

"Was that laughter?" Onos asked.

"You heard it too?" Michael responded even more surprised.

"YES! Is Gerry laughing at something Dayo said?"

"I think they're both laughing at something he said."

"Incredible! So...Dayo can get along with girls! When did he develop this ability?"

"I think he could do it all along he just...didn't want to?"

"So, he was pretending to be a monk all these years?"

"I...think...so, maybe? I don't know."

"That monkey! I'm going to kill him!"

"HAHAHA!" their laughter interrupted them once again` and they stopped talking and continued watching the miracle in silence.

...

"Wait, so let me get this straight." Gerry was saying after Dayo had told her everything that happened at the bank and the crazy policeman in pursuit with the soldiers. "You broke every rule in the banking sector; including but not limited to: stealing passwords, hacking accounts, invasion of privacy, embezzlement of funds and broke client confidentiality in order to get that old lady her money?"

"Yeah, you forgot invasion of privacy, betrayal of trust, misrepresentation and identity theft. I did all that too, just to get her, her money."

"Wow! This old lady must have been really special." Gerry said resting her elbow on the table and cuppingh her chin in her hand, easing more into him.

"Nah, she was okay. But I think it was the despair on her that I witnessed that got into action. You should have seen her. She was utterly helpless. The way she held herself up even though her soul was distraught was...I don't know. I just had to do something."

"Wow! But what happened once it got out, what you did?"

"Well, it was scary. The real embezzlers of the funds sent soldiers and I thought I would spend the rest of my life in a soldiers cell somewhere."

"And so what happened?"

"I got help. From my my friend Michael and someone I never expected it from. I never even thought that he liked me. Black Santa Claus."

"Who?"

"My bank manager, Mr Bamidele. I always thought that he was this fat and lazy guy who got to where he was due to his connections and I always made things difficult for him, so when he helped rescued, I was shocked."

"Fantastic! Was it just him only from the bank that rescued you?"

"Yeah, just him. The rest were either too angry or too scary to help me. Which is why, helping took more guts than I thought he ever had possible in his fat erm...gut."

She laughed at this and Dayo found himself wondering how nice her laugh sounded like, how white her teeth were and the way her eyes seemed to spark behind his glasses with anticipation and delight at his story. He wished he had a longer tale to tell her, if only to keep her smiling for long.

"Okay but you realise that you can no longer work in the banking industry right?"

"Yeah and thank God! I think one of the reasons I was able to do what I did was partly because I hated my job so much. That place made me hate banking with all their haughty attitudes to the customers while after hours they are just as much lowlifes as bank robbers. Seriously, after this, I will never step into a bank ever again. I will keep all my money under a carpet."

She giggled again and Dayo was in such awe of her. Smart, curious and straight to the point. She was amazing!

"I think you're amazing! Your teeth are so white and your handwriting is impeccable! Seriously, I have never seen anyone write with so much skill and beauty in my life, and with your left hand! In pencil!"

She retracted, it felt as if his words had stung her. She was used to compliments all her suitors did it and she knew their words were of little value but coming from him, his words carried so much weight and feeling that it surprised her. She quieted down. He noticed, he never meant to make her uncomfortable he hadn't even intended to say what he had said. He was only thinking it and next minute the words were coming out of his mouth.

"Hey, I'm sorry if I said something wrong. I didn't even mean to say those words, they just came out. My friends tell me that I say the wrong things all the time. I'm sorry if I offended you."

She regarded him for a minute before continuing.

"No, it's not an offense. I was just surprised to hear you say those words. I wasn't expecting them. You didn't say anything wrong." she assured him.

"Great! So, please tell me how you got to have such a nice script."

She hesitated before she opened up. She was not used to opening up to people, not even her immediate family members but something made her feel safe with this stranger, safe enough to tell her anything.

"Well, I never really attended a school for it or anything, I just really like pencils."

"Really?"

"Yes, I love them."

"Wow. I remember getting to primary three and being superexcited about leaving pencils and sharpeners and erasers behind me." Dayo said.

"Me! See I was sad about that. I still remember that day when my mom packed my school bag and wanted to leave out the pencils. I protested! Until she gave them to me. She was convinced that I would get over once I got to school but I didn't."

"I refused to use pens for a long time and even then I was very particular about the pen."

"Buy why pencils? They're such a hassle. They break and you would have to sharpen them and so on and so on."

"I never cared about that. I don't mind the sharpenings. I just prefered pencils because they always seemed to make my handwriting look nice. Almost all pencils make my writing look nice but many pens have ink problems or they are too drippy or something."

"Oh I see."

"Yeah, but everyone was made at me. My mom didn't enjoy the complaints from the school. My father thought I was an unnecessary embarrasment and the school thought I was just being too stubborn. Only my grandmother, Lawlaw Adinoe our family's matriarch, who listened to me and intervened. She got my father to negotiate with the school to let me use pencils for all my classwork but for exams I always used pens."

"Nice. Your grandmother sounds great. Is she at this party?"

"No, she died...about eight years ago."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Were you to close?"

"Yeah, we were very close. She was the only one who made me feel like I was really a part of this family. She made me feel like I mattered. This family was bearable because of her. It was her who encouraged me to do whatever I set my mind on. She was the one who first encouraged me in designing greeting cards for money after I made one for her. Because of her I was able to get card designing gigs and I was able to make some money from designing elaborate cards back then. She was the one I went to when I wanted a job during our school strikes or holidays. She got my father to get me a job right here at The Evergreen Ruby back then."

"You used to work here? As what?" Dayo asked.

"I used to work at the front desk. My father thought I was just being another complete waste of his time but I was proud to be working and I even enjoyed it for a while."

"Nice! But now you're a journalist for the BBC. Did your father help you get that job too?"

"No, I got that myself. I was contacted by the BBC after I wrote a news article about Etairoke a riverine community here in Yenagoa. Etairoke has become under attack by the state government because it is a shanty town, made mostly by wooden shacks contructed directed above water. The government tried to demolish it many times in order to build a more modern real estate at the seaside. But if they had then the occupants would have no place to go. So I wrote about it and dilemma of the people of Etairoke. It was picked by the BBC and it became a quite a thing. Long story short, I was able to help stop their evacuation at the time."

"That's great!"

"Thanks, Law law was so proud of me but my dad..still considered it all a waste of my time."

"I'm sorry about that."

"No, it's fine. It's not your fault. All my father ever considered me to be was a waste of time. He had two wives and thirteen children. The boys he adored but us girls were meant to listen and be quiet. He didn't understand why I was doing all that I was doing when I was eventually going to be married off. Law law made it bearable being a member of this family but after she died, then it all became so tiresome. My father restricted my movement and all he ever did was talk to me whenever he found a suitor for me. To him, my entire worth was just to help him acquire more wealth and status by being married into another wealthy family and I never had a say about it. It never mattered the source of wealth, embezzlement of public funds, fraud, or even outright kidnapping. I was for a time resolved to being married off when they got me my first suitor, but after I realised that I could never live that life they were marrying me into. I called it off and the idiots haven't stopped coming ever since. I have rejected proposals after proposals but the men for some reason, just keep coming. Even the worst ones. I can't ge trapped in this life. I would run away but I don't have that kind of courage yet."

She sighed and in that moment Dayo felt for her and without even thinking about it he reached out and touched her shoulder, but her reaction surprised him. She jerked it off.

She was alarmed "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Oh sorry I just...wanted to comfort you."

"AND WHO ASKED YOU TO DO THAT? I DIDN' ASK YOU TO DO THAT!"

"I ...er I know I just thought you needed it."

"This was a mistake. I asked you to leave me alone earlier, so please go. Go away!" she said alarmed and he was totally confused but she looked over his shoulder and saw someone.

"OH NO!" she sank into her chair. "Hey, quickly before he sees you, quickly walk away."

"Who?" he said looking around.

"Don't look! Are you insane? It's my last fiance!" she whispered heavily "OTOBO IS HERE!"

"Oh, but that's not an issue. You guys broke up. It's over right?"

"Yes but not for him. He has threatened to kill any man that comes near me."

Dayo laughed "It's fine. That's just things some people say when they break up! Am sure he would have calmed down by now."

She looked at him curiously and asked "Do you even know who Otobo is?"

"No. But I'm assuming that he is another one of those rich businessmen that your father for you."

"Otobo is the current Leader of The Niger Delta Militants."

"Um...what did you say?"

"Fifteen white men were kidnapped from an Exxon Mobil oil rig last month and he demanded one billion for their release."

"Ehn?"

"Exxon Mobil contacted the Federal Government for help with their rescue and...the Government told them to pay him."

"What..?"

"Soldiers can't beat militants in their creeks."

"Oh!"
"Now, do you still think that kind of person would have calmed down by now?" She asked as he slowly got up getting ready to dash out of Bayelsa state when he saw someone coming towards their direction surrounded by what could only be called guards. He prayed fervently against all for him to be anyone else except him when he heard...

"Major Otobo. Long may you reign!" And the angry looking man coming towards him raised his right hand in salute without looking away but dead straight ahead towards him.

"Oh God! Otobo!" He said peeing his pant a little, but he was still coming.

I may always stray but I'm never late

To you I will always find my way

Feels like emerging from an empty void

Feels like speaking with a new voice

Like the last step of that hard mile

It's a smile that will make you smile

Meanwhile, I will always find my way

Feels like warming up in the sun

And at peace with everyone

It's a song that will make you swoon

Feels like dancing on the moon

To you I will always find my way

Feels like springtime in your mind

It's a comfort that's oh so kind

It's as easy as taking breath

This is freedom from even death

Dear Beth, I will always find my way

Oh yeah, I will always find my way

To you, I will always find my way

Infinite Love 95

A Dangerous Line

The next day, Onos woke them up bright and early,

partly because he himself didn't
couldn't fall asleep as he was too restless about their task of the day.

His
instincts dictated that it will be far from easy. So he woke them up and got
them ready for the day. He got them proper traditional outfits for the occasion
and he lent them the other car to the event while he drove his wife while they
followed him in the other car.

"Thank you very much for everything, Onos. You have
been so helpful. I will always be greatful for this." Michael said as they
arrived at the event hall of The Evergreen Ruby, the foreost luxurious hotel in
the heart of Yenagoa. It has a two low
rise 12 story buildings connected by a circular domed hall at the centre facing
the city at the front and behind it faces the Atlantic Ocean directly.

It boasts of a tennis roof, a helipad, olympic sized
swimming pool, undergroud casino and aquarium with many yachts and boats
cruising out into the sea for distinguished guests. It is situated right at the
centre of the city, surrounded by all the other services and amenities therein.
The view of it alone took the boys breath away as they arrived.

"Wow! I feel
like we just entered another country! Do you mean Nigerians built this
place?" he asked incredulously.

"Yep! Welcome to the Evergreen Ruby, it was built by
the very best of corrupt money." Onos replied.

"WOW! Corrupt money or not. It certainly takes your
breath away." Michael added.

"Do you come here often?"

"Yes, unfortunately. Clarice's family are always
looking for an excuse to throw a party here so they can show the world how much
money and influence they have. Their parties and aso ebi is the reason I am
usually in debt and my teacher's salary cannot cater to it."

"So you mean all these old aso ebi clothes that you
borrowed us are quite expensive? How much are they?"

He sighed "You don't want to know. Now, let's go
inside. We're here on a mission, not for sightseeing."

And with that he ushered them inside and he and his wife
went excused themselves to go over to greet celebrant of the occasion, Chief
Irikieri, who was getting chiefainted for yet another unnecessary flamboyant
title. Michael and Dayo learnt the meaning of the expression "stupid
money" that day. Which meant rich people wasting money just because they
can and they enjoyed doing so. The boys witnessed extravagance the likes of
which they would probably never see again in their lifetime. They also saw a
glimpse of how Clarice's family treated Onos, they practically snubbed him even
when he was right in front of them greeting them more respectfully than they
deserved. They felt for him. They hated seeing the way they treated him and
worse, they hated thinking that he could treat them with all the respect of the
whole nation and still they wouldn't recognize him. To them he was just an
outsider who didn't belong.

Onos came over to
join them afterwards.

"Man, are you okay?" they asked.

"Me? Oh, you mean about the way they...nah, I'm not at
all bothered about that. Really, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'm
married to their daugther and there's nothing they can do about it. They can
turn their noses all up to the sky at me and still I would be married to their
daughter." he said cheerfully and they felt better for him.

As the event was filling up with more and more people ,
Clarice suddenly turned up beside them;

"She's here, dear!"

"She's here?"

"Gerry?"

"Yes!"

"Where?"

"Over there. Look!" she pointed in the direction
towards to the hall entrance and they all turned their faces in the direction
of her finger and to the surprise of Michael and Dayo especially, they were
surprise to see a lady, slim and casual looking. From her head to her toe
nothing spoke of the high class that her family were practically screaming with
their vagrant display of wealth. She didn't wear any headtie like the rest of
the women were wearin as indicated in the dress code and her small round
haircut not quite an afro was showing. She was dark skinned with a small oval
face and had on glasses. In

No trace of makeup could be seen about her face. And wore a
small jacket on top of her pink blouse instead of the floral lace blouse that
rest of the 99% women were wearing at the occasion. The only item of clothing
she had on that was from the dress code was her skirt, dark pink and long that
stopped at her ankles and she wore black flat slipons instead of shoes. She
obviously didn't care about looking different although she wore the central
colours of the occasion, she just turned
downn the extravagance of it and wore casual alternatives. She secluded herself
from the main party and sat at a table close to the door away from the rest of
the guests that were chattering nonstop and obviously having the time of their
lives. She was near royalty in status but she disregarded it or did't care for
it. Dayo instantly, like her.

"Come on, let's go say hello."

And as his wife hurriedly trudged off towards Gerry, Onos
almost dragged them along.

"Gerry! Hello!" she said immediately they got
close enough.

"Oh, hello Clarice! How are you?" she said getting
up to greet her cousin with a hug.

"I'm fine, thank you and how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, every...is everything alright?" she asked
eyeing the men suspiciously.

"Oh! Yes, sure. You remember my husband, right?"

"Good morning, Gerry." Onos said holding out his
hand and she took it only lightly and briefly, still suspicious.

"Yeah, er...these are my brothers. I mean...friends, my
bestfriends but they are more to me. They are brothers, I mean...they are like
brothers to me. I believe these guys and I trust them completely...er and you
can too." Onos said weirdly, he was obviously nervous and his wife had to
pet him to calm him down. It was as if he wasn't used to talking to her.
"Sorry. Thank you, darling. This is Dayo." he touched Dayo who was
right beside him "And this is Michael. I have known and trusted these guys
since secondary school."

"Hi!" Dayo said and he held out his hand for a
shake but she only corked her right eyebrow, obviously still suspicious of them.

"Erm...yes, Gerry we would appreciate it if you would
just...listed to them for a bit. It's important. We know you don't usually like
this sort of thing but please just listen." And with that Clarice dragged
her husband away and left DAyo and Michael alone with Gerry.

"Right, Miss Gerry. It's nice to finally meet
you." Michael said and she gazed from her cousing Clarice in the distance,
wondering why she would leave two strangers alone with her and looked at him.
She regarded them both for a minute and simply sat down and opened her small
handbad to bring out a pencil and a notepad wherein she started writing
something.

Michael was a little shocked at this. He stopped talking
because he was't used to being ignored in such a dismissive way before. He was
discouraged and doubted that she would ever help them in the first place. But
Dayo, made a hand signal that meant continue to him and he continued talking.

"Erm...yes. My name is Michael and this is my friend;
DAyo. We have come along way, all the way from Lagos, to get here and now it
seems that it might be..."

She continued writing in her notepad and still kept ignoring
him.

"...only you." he stopped again totally disturbed
by behaviour but Dayo still kept signalling his hand in a circular motion for
him to continue and so he did.

"You see, it might be only you in this entire state who
might be the one that can help..."

"Excuse me. Why do I have two strange men standing over
me?" she asked without even looking up.

"...erm, well as i was about to tell you. We need...erm
I need help and you might be..."

"Whatever, you have to say. One of you can say it. I don't need the
both of you here. One person should step away and the other can stay and talk
to me for five minutes." She said all this without looking up and she kept
writing with her pencil and at this Michael gestured silently at Dayo meaning
'what now?" Dayo gestured silently 'It's okay, just continue talking to
her' and he proceeded to withdraw so that only Michael continued talking to her
when Onos who was still nearby, pushed Dayo towards the table that Gerry was
writing on;

"Sorry, so sorry Gerry. Please continue." he said
and he dragged Michael away leaving only Gerry and Dayo. Dayo watched as Onos and
Michael backed away and he instantly became tense.

He gestured to Onos "What are you doing?"

Who responded "Don't worry, go ahead and talk to
her."

He began "So madam, Gerry? Are you a madam or should I
call you miss?"

She made no response or even movement.

"Okay, just Gerry then. I and my friend Michael, we
came all the way from Lagos because we need help. We erm...we need money."
He said quietly almost not audible with the money part because was embarrased
to be asking some twenty eight year old girl that he knew nothing about for
money. He almost thought she would say something rude but still no reaction as she
kept on writing and so he turned back towards Michael and Onos for support who
in turn gave him the thumbs up for 'continue' and so he turned back to her.

"So, like I said we need money and you see...my friend,
he needs it quickly because we have registration...Will YOU DROP THAT PENCIL
AND LISTEN TO ME?" he snapped irritated and instantly regretted it as she
stopped writing and raised up her head to face him corking her right eyebrow in
curiousity.

Michael and Onos didn't hear what he said but they
recognized that tone and knew that Dayo was losing his patience with her.

"Oh, no!" they said fearfully.

"Why, did you pull me away? You know Dayo is not good
with people? And he doesn't even like girls!" Michael asked feeling
hopeless.

"I just...feel that she would respond better to Dayo
than you."

"Why?"

He shrugged "It's just a feeling." Michael shook
his head "My future depends on Dayo winning over a girl? I'm doomed!"

"Come on. Let's have faith in our boy. He may be
annoying but he has his strong points."

"Yeah...he does, doesn't he?"

Onos looked at Michael's depressed looking face for a minute
and asked.

"Mike? Are you okay about...Angela getting
engaged?" he asked gingerly.

Michael looked at him curiously "Yeah, of course. I'm
happy for her! I wish her all the best!"

"Mike? Come on, it's me! Remember?"

Michael regarded Onos for a minute before finally saying
"Did you know I was finally going to tell her? I was right there, about to
tell her how I felt and some guy...had to go and steal my thunder." he
laughed.

"God must be messing with me. And what's worse it that
I keep having this dream about us."

"What dream?"

"I keep dreaming...we...all of us were back on the
grass, the one by the chapel where we used to hang out and I would propose to
her, like I should have done all those years."

Onos sighed "You really should have done it all those
years ago, Mike."

"Don't you think I know that? Anyway, it's done now.
It's in the past and I have to focus on my future and on here and now. We have
to focus on Dayo right now. Look it seems that they are arguing."

"Do you think that you're the first person to ask me
for money? I get money requests every week because of that stupid rumour.
People have told me so many stories that I can fit in my head, all lies. How is
yours any different?"

"Well, mine is true!"

"Congratulations! The last dozen people also said the
same thing." she said flatly.

"Listen, my friend's dream is to become a pilot and
with your financing he can finally do that. And you will get your money plus a
100% return on investment plus dividends when he completes it starts making
money."

"Okay, how much are we talking about?"

"Fifty million naira."

And she laughed bearing her front row teeth that she
hurriedly covered with her hand. "YOu mean to tell me, that I should give
you 50 million? Five Zero million for your friend and i will get my money back
IF...he becomes a pilot?"

"No, not IF...when. When he becomes a pilot."

She was still sniggering, she couldn't believe the story
that she was hearing, others have come up to her with money requests but few
have been so brazen about it, with an even more ridiculous offer at that. She
thought she was getting punkd!

"No."

"No?"

"Yes, no. As in, No, I will not give you fifty million
or any money for whatever reason."

"Wha...why not?"

"Because I don't want to."

"Bu...I don't understand Onos said that you would
help."

She looked up at him curiously "I seriously doubt he
would have said that since he doesn't really know me. And let me advise you, it
would be best if you go away from me. You really shouldn't be seating with me
over here."

Dayo was stunned, he knew begging her wouldn't work and for
the life of him, he couldn't think of what would make her change her mind.
Suddenly, he couldn' breathe. He unbutton his to shirt buttons. Michael was
counting on him and he didn't know what to do. He got up for a bit and flapped
his top shirt collar to blow air into his body. She watched him carefully, wondering why he was acting so strange at her
refusal. Surely, he didn't expect her to just hand over fifty million to him.
Then her eye caught something around his neck.

"Can I see that please?"

"Hmm?"

"I said, can I have a look a that please?" she
said pointing towards his neck and he removed it and gave it to her. It was his
stopwatch, the one Mrs Aiyedade had given for helping her get her money back
from the bank. It was an old thing, probably worthless but it was priceless to
him.

"This is an antique stopwatch!"

"Is it?" he asked not quite hearing her.

"Yeah it is." she
examiined it more closely. "It is a Victorian antique, probably
crafted in the 15th century,"

"So that thing is very old?"

"It is super old! Where did you get this?" she
asked suddenly more relaxed with him and warmer too.

"A customer gave it to me. I helped her with her
account and it was all I could accept as gratitude."

"Really?"

"umh hmm"

"Wow! How much do you want for it?" she asked and
he suddenly realised that her small wristwatch was similar in age to his
stopwatch. She also had on an old jacket, her handbag was old fashioned and
slightly worn out too though well maintained, even her hair pin was of an
ancient style and she was writing with a pencil."

"You like...old things don't you?" he surmised.

"Yes." she said smiling warmly with him for the
first time. "Yes, yes I do."

He liked her warm smile. It transformed her face somehow.
Suddenly, the icecold uncaring royal snub was gone and now she looked totally
different as if he was talking to someone else.

"Fifty million!"

"What...?"

"I will only sell this stopwatch for 50 million
naira." he said grabbing it from her hand.

"You can't be serious!"

"I am...very serious."

"I will give you fifty thousand naira for it."

"No!" he said getting up to leave "It's means
a lot to me considering I lost my job (which technically I hated) and a crazy
policeman and soldiers nearly killed me for it."

"WHAT!"

"Yeah!" he said and she regarded him for a moment
trying to find any trace of dishonesty in him. Finding none, she said...

"Sit down, have some water and tell me all about
this." and she offered him bottled water from the table. He regarded her
sudden interest and asked...

"Why are you so interested? Are you a journalist?"

"Yes." she said opening her notepad to a fresh
page and began taking notes again "I write for the BBC Africa. Now, tell
me all about this event."

Normally, Dayo could care less about other people in his
business but there was something about the way she was smilling at him. She was
eagerly awaiting his story with her dainty oval face and round eyes. She had
puppy dogs, cute and pleading, that were hard for anyone to say no to. And as
she smiled at him one more time, he couldn't imagine being anywhere else in the
world except sitting down with her and receiving her smile. The whole world had
melted away for DAyo. The friends he
knew; Michael, Onos and the dangers he was yet to confront; Otobo. All of it,
disappeared. Only Gerry, with her bright white smile and him existed in the
entire world. But Onos, was still nervous for his friend.

"Come on, Dayo." He thought "What are you doing? God, I hope Otobo
doesn't show up soon. Dayo was seated way too close to Gerry. If he saw them
together like this. Dayo, was as good as dead.

I was just tired boss. Thanks for asking. Update is today by God's grace!

Gerry has ... unique issues. Just wait till you meet him.

Infinite Love 94

Gerry!

“What…what
do you mean by ‘Oh no’?” asked Dayo.

“Yeah, is this Gerry guy difficult?” asked Michael.
“It’s not what you think, it’s not a he, it’s a she and yeah, she can solve all your money problems very easily. It’s just that…” Onos hesitated.

“What…?”

“Well, Gerry is complicated.” Added Clarice “You see, she is the daughter Chief Irikefe E. Odafe , my uncle.”

“Yeah
and Chief Irikefe is even wealthier than Clarice’s dad. I mean like hotels and
private yachts level of rich.”

“Nice!
So if this Gerry can give us the money then what are we waiting for? Let’s go
see her right away!”

“Hmm…it’s
not that easy.”

“You
erm…need to understand the situation a bit more before making any moves.”

“What
is it guys? Just tell us.”

“Okay.
Gerry, like all her other siblings were engaged to other wealthy or well
connected people, you know, normal rich people type of style of doing things.”
Onos said. “Yes but for some reason, when Gerry got engaged to Timi the…erm,
darling what did Timi do again?”

“He
sells boats.”

“Yeah,
the guy was some kind of millionaire who assembles and sells all kinds of boats
and exotic yachts, we all thought it was a done deal, he was rich, young and he
could take her anywhere in the world. So, when about a week to the wedding…she
called the whole thing off…we were all shocked!”

“She
broke off the wedding?”

“She
did.”

“Why?”

“No
one knows but that’s what she did and it created more than a scandal because it
was unheard of, that kind of rejection in these parts. When something like that
was agreed upon by both families, it was usually a done deal but often, rarely
but often the guy might change his mind that could happen but for the girl to
reject? That was just crazy!”

“Wow!
So, what happened next?”

“Only
God could understand what happened next because normally such a girl would have
been ostracized from society but then the family…got another proposal!”

“Yeah,
another one.”

“From
who?”

“Some
guy…”

“Femi.”

“Yeah,
him. What did he do again darling?”

“NIMASA!”

“Yeah
the guy was some maritime rich boy who was then the head of the government’s
maritime sector. They courted for a while and then we heard that marriage plans
were on going. But a few weeks to the said wedding…”

“Let
me guess.” Dayo said “She broke it off again.”

“YES!
She did! We were even more shocked than the first time and definitely thought
that it was over for this girl. We thought that nobody was going to even
mention her name anymore much less court but next thing we knew, there was
another, then another and another and so it when.”

“I
don’t understand. How?” Michael said.

“Neither
do we.” Clarice answered “Nobody understands it or …her. But her father kept
pushing her proposal to any suitable bachelor…”

”…rich
bachelor…”

“Chief
Irikefe kept telling people that his daughter wasn’t the problem, those guys
were simply found to be incompatible with her later in the courtship. We don’t
fully understand the situation ourselves but somehow, Gerry became competition
for two kinds of suitors. One; the first kind wanted her as a status symbol,
simply to get the title of the guy who finally married the girl that rejected
everyone. The next wanted her for the loot. There were rumours that every
fiancé who she rejected had given her gifts, money and jewels worth billions of
naira was still piling up. A marriage jackpot that was still growing and every
greedy idiot out there wanted to try his luck.”

“I
think I like this girl.” Dayo said and Michael smiled not surprised.

“And
then there was this last guy, Otobo.”

“Last?
Do you mean she married him?” He asked feeling disappointed.

“Not
a chance!” Clarice said.

“Me?
I knew she wasn’t going to marry the guy. Everybody knew she wasn’t going to
marry the guy, everybody, except for maybe the guy himself.”

“Me
I wasn’t sure she wouldn’t marry this particular guy because he kept on
showering her with gifts.” Said Clarice “I would go to their one day and I
would see jewelries; gold, precious stones all over the furniture. Her mom and
dad would spread them all before and keep saying; ‘Gerry, this is your husband
o! He is the right one! This one must not go o! Do you hear?’ I went another
time and they told me he had bought her a whole yacht with the promise of a
private plane after the wedding’ Her mother wouldn’t let her rest that day. They
were practically shouting at her in their home.”

“But,
she didn’t marry him right?” Dayo asked feeling anxious for some reason.

“No,
she didn’t!” Clarice said.

“The
world almost ended that day!” Dayo added. “Her mother was hospitalized and
their family were terribly embarrassed but she didn’t. And the guy didn’t take
it well at all! He swore that she must conclude his marriage with her or else
she would never marry.”

“Ah,
he just sounds like a sore loser.” Dayo said in light way and Onos and his wife
exchanged a look and made a quick decision not to say much further.

“But
I still don’t understand…” Michael said “…how I get my money?”

“Well,
you erm…ask her.” Onos said.

“Really?
Yeah.” Clarice nodded.

“But
I don’t even know her. How do I ask her for such a huge amount of money? Can’t
you guys ask her for me?” he nearly pleaded.

“Well,
we actually…think it might be best that you do it. At least, one of you. If I
ask and the family got wind of it, things could get extra difficult for me. You
understand right, Michael? And, it would be more believable if it came from
you.”

“But
how do we know if she would even give it to him?” Dayo asked.

“I
think she might.” Onos said.

“Yes,
Gerry is somehow…different from the rest of our family.” Clarice added.

“Yeah,
she is nice. She was actually the only one that didn’t look down on us for
getting married. I like her. You just have to be honest. Don’t play games with
her, she’s very smart.” Onos warned.

“Okay,
then when do we go see her?” Michael asked and the couple exchanged looks once
again.

“Luckily,
there is a chieftancy title ceremony one of her father’s brothers, her uncle tomorrow
morning at the Ruby Hotel in Ekpoma. She is bound to be there.”

“Great!”
Dayo said.

“Hold
on! So is the rest of her family. We will introduce you, so you will have a few
minutes about fifteen minutes tops, to convince her and get the money before
her parents notice. They are very protective and after that it may be impossible
to reach her again.”

Michael
was having that headache again “Wait, wait…so let me get this straight. You are
saying that I…”

“We!”
Dayo corrected.

“…we!
Will have only fifteen minutes to convince a girl who doesn’t know us and who
has rejected almost all the most eligible men in town, to give us money?”

“Yes,
and you have to do it without her family noticing and without her family
knowing that I brought you to her, if you can, please.” Onos put his hands
together in a plea.

“Wonderful!”

“Honey,
it’s late. It’s time for bed.” Clarice said and she went over to the couch and
turned off the TV and carried her son off to bed. “Goodnight guys.”

“Goodnight,
madam. Thank you so much.” They said.

“See
you tomorrow.”

“Yeah,
see you.”

“You
guys best head off to bed too. You have a very exciting day tomorrow. I’ll show
you to your room.” And with that Onos took his bestfriends to bed and said his
goodnights to them and turned off the lights. But as he climbed into bed beside
his sleeping wife he wondered if he should have mentioned that Otobo was also
going to be there tomorrow and he had vowed to kill any suitor or man that
comes near Gerry. And Niger Delta Warlords that specialize in oil bunkering,
pipeline vandalization and kidnapping, do not make empty threats.

Gerry
was either going to save his friends or she was most assuredly going to get
them both or possibly all three of them, killed! Onos tried in vain to get some
sleep.

Okay boss

Infinite Love 93

Disruption

Both Dayo and Michael exchanged looks.

“I’m sorry I don’t we understand. What do you mean ‘you don’t have money’?”

Dayo asked in a frown.

Dayo asked in a frown.

“Um…yeah, what he said.” Added Michael.

“Guys…um honestly…I don’t have any money. Actually, no…I have money, of course I have a few credits in my bank account but…nothing quite as vast or even near the amount Michael needs for flight school.”

They both exchanged another look.

“BUT YOU HAVE THE HOUSE!”

“AND
THOSE CARS!”

“AND
THOSE CLOTHES!”

“AND
YOU LIVE IN THIS ESTATE!” they ran all the major points that indeed proved that
Onos was a rich but still he insisted.

“Yeah,
but…most of it is not mine. They are for…my wife.” He said finally and the
others sank in their chairs.

“Huh!”
Michael said feeling a headache starting in his head from the confusion.

“You
need to explain.” Dayo said.

“Okay…”
he said pulling a stool to sit closer, in front of them “…I’ll start at the
beginning. Do you guys remember, Ejiro right?”

“Your
criminal cousin who lives off of scamming people in the U. S? Sure!” Dayo
responded.

“Yeah,
him. Well…he came home a few years back after I lost my job at that stingy
man’s secondary school. I was living in penury at the time and I was so glad to
see him. I thought he was going to be my salvation because I was broke and out
of options back then. I was so down financially, that I couldn’t even afford to
buy soap for bathing. I would get into the bath and scrub extra hard with the
sponge alone.”

“Oh!”

“Yeah,
so when he came, he took me under his wing. He would take me to where ever he
was going; hotels, lunches, bars, restaurants and meetings. Everyone was happy
for me. I was happy myself. My cousin was back from America and he was loaded.
I begin to dream of all the things I was going to buy, my house in an estate,
my cars even start my business. It all seemed to real to me and so close to
coming true because he was taking me out with him everywhere. We would go see
businessmen both local and expatriates, politicians, senators and various
beautiful women in different colours. And I saw how much money he was moving
because I used to handle a lot of his documentations for deals and stuffs at
these places. I said to myself ‘Onos, it is your time. It has finally come.!’
But after a while, after about three weeks, I realise that I was no richer
being with my cousin. In fact, I was becoming poorer because he hardly gave me
money for transport to and from his locations. I, was the one borrowing money
from people to go to him and he always put forth an excuse saying ‘he will see
me later or another nonsense like that’. So, I eventually got to talking with
him about my condition. Do you know what Ejiro told me?”

“What?”

“He
told my condition was my own doing, that I caused all of my problems for
myself. All those years that I wasted in secondary school and the university
trying to get an education while he kept calling me to come and join him in his
business in America…”

“By
business, did he mean..?”

“Fraud!”

“Oh,
okay.”

“He
told me that I should use my certificates to save myself that he, was in fact,
not able to help me.”

“Wow.”

“You
see he came home because he was on the run at that time, the police or someone
was chasing him and all those people that he was giving money; politicians,
gangs, businessmen were all crooks that he was paying to bail him out and try
to get him back to his business.”

“Business?
You mean…”

“Fraud!”

“O-kay.”

“He
gave me a few cash that day. So, I continued following him because I didn’t
have anything else to do, I was broke but at least at his places I could always
eat my fill instead of going hungry at home. But eventually on one of those
outings, the Odafe family were having a party; their grandfather was turning
seventy or something and I was there with him. I remember someone asking Ejiro
who I was and if I was into the same thing he was into and he laughed. He said
I was a poor bookworm who likes books more than more money and they all laughed
at me. I nearly died of embarrassment that day and I swore that I would never
follow him again. I realized then that he was never going to help me. So, I
avoided him and his calls no matter how often he called me. But one particular
day, he called me so much that I decided to pick up out of curiosity.”

“He
yelled ‘Go to Number 3 Tamuno Street and tell them from Ejiro, they are
expecting you.’ I later found out that someone at the Odafe family’s party
overheard that I was a bookworm and they needed a tutor for someone. So, they
called my brother and he called me. So, I got there and I met Clarice.”

“Who’s
Clarice?”

“That’s
me!” Ono’s wife signaled from the couch in front of the TV “I’m Clarice.”

“We
met and that’s how we fell in love. During tutoring.”

“Wow,
man. Good for you!”

“Thanks.”

“Your
wife is amazing. You’re very lucky.”

“Thanks
guys. But it wasn’t easy. These Odafe guys don’t play when it comes to their
family. Almost every girl has been slated to marry some specific guy and they
make sure that such marriage happens. Clarice was supposed to marry some…some…darling
who was that guy they wanted you to marry again?”

“

“Mitaire!”
she responede.

“Yeah,
yeah, Mitaire! I think he was some chief’s son?”

“He
is Chief Etareri’s son.” She said coming over to join them and leaving the TV
on cartoons for Daniel.

“Yeah,
that chief’s son.” Onos continued.

“We
haven’t even met before.” She added.

“Really?
Not at all!?” asked Michael.

“Not
at all.” She said thinking “Although, we spoke on the phone like, one time, I
think? That was it! My family just kept telling me to stay away from boys and
boyfriends, that I already had someone I was going to marry.”

“Wow!”
Dayo gasped.

“Yeah,
you see. Her family doesn’t joke with their family members. You know rich people
and their greedy ways?”

“Hey,
that’s my family you’re talking about mister!” his wife said frowning.

“Oh,
sorry dear and I love them very much. You know I do.”

“Okay.”

Then
Onos added in a low whisper “Her family claim to be into oil which is only half
true because they will happily accept money from crooks like my brother and
front for shady businessmen.”

“I
heard that mister!”

“But
you know that I love you and your family very much.”

“Okay.”
She said smiling and Dayo admired them and thought for a brief moment that it
might be nice to also have a wife until he remembered that he grew up with five
infuriating sisters and perished the thought of ever living with a woman again.

“So,
it wasn’t easy for us. Her family were completely against it. Seeing as they
had someone for her, who I don’t think was all that interested in her because
he was somewhere in the UK with no intention of coming home anytime soon. But
still, her family preferred to have an absentee son-in-law than a broke
bookworm like me. So, they threatened and threatened until Ejiro heard about
it. And for God knows why, he actually defended me. He told them that they
should allow me marry their daughter or else he will remove all his investments
from their companies. That’s when they let us be.”

“Oh
dear, I also think that they saw how much we were in love and meant for each
other as well and that is why they agreed to our relationship.” she added and
Onos responded.

“Yes,
darling.” But he covered his face from her and whispered “No, way!” to the others.

They
laughed “So, your cousin actually helped you out?” Michael asked.

“Yes,
if you can believe it. He helped me. For once, for the first time that I have
ever known him, he helped me. And he in fact, practically paid for the wedding
from the U.S while her family gave her, her, not me, this house and the
car and about how much?”

“Thirty
million naira plus.”

“30
million.

“30
million? Nice!” Dayo whistled.

“Yeah
and they kept monitoring my every movement and especially that money to see if
I would steal it and run, since they believed that I was a gold digger.”

“Wow,
that’s tough.”

“Yeah,
it is. Whenever, they see me or her they keep asking about my movements and
what I have done or was planning to do or some other nonsense like that. It
gets very annoying. Luckily, I got another teaching job at a community college
in Sagbama, so they can’t accuse me of joblessness anymore.”

“So,
you just left all that money lying somewhere?”

“No,
I…um we…decided to start our project.”

“What
project is that?”

“We’re
starting our own school. It is actually his idea but I love it and we’re using
the money for it. Actually, we have already used most of it and of course I
told my parents that it was all my idea…”

“…but
of course, they made sure that the entire project is in her name but…I’m fine
with that. I’m actually excited about starting a school. I love teaching!”

“That
suits very much.”

“Right?”

“Yeah,
you would make a great teacher.”

“Thanks
guys.” And he paused a bit before adding “So, I’m afraid, I don’t have that
kind of money, like I said. A government teacher’s salary is not enough to
finance flight school.”

“Wow.
I guess not.” The three of them were silent for a minute trying to come up with
ways of raising the money to no avail and failing deeper and deeper into
hopelessness when she said.

“Hold
on! Maybe we don’t have the money but we know someone who does.”"You do?" Michael asked excitedly.

"You do?" Michael asked excitedly.

“We
do?” asked Onos.

“Yes,
dear.”
"Great!" Dayo exclaimed.

"Great!" Dayo exclaimed.

“Who
do we know that can give us that kind of money?” Onos asked cautiously

“Gerry!” she said flatly.

“Gerry?” he asked then added. “OH NO!”

Maybe you should read on.

Lol
You think say na every big man you see get money?

Missmossy:
How come you don’t have any money Onos?? I need to understand

����

Infinite Love 92
The Broke Millionaire

Afterwards, after all the hugging and grabbing with a little bit of friendly smacking, Onos said;

“I am really happy to see you guys. I swear its been too long.”
“Yeah, it has. But you haven’t changed a bit.” Dayo said patting his tummy and Onos laughed heartily. “I know. I tried sit-ups but after a while, I gave up. Who needs a six pack?”
The others joined in the laughter “Come on, let’s go inside.”
He turned away the gateman and opened the gate himself because he wanted to personally treat them well, they deserved it. He took their only bag and led them in.
“Wow, this is such a big house. Congratulations man!”
“Yeah Onos, its awesome.”
“Thank you, please let’s go inside.”
“Your floors are amazing! And your ceiling, its gorgeous!” Dayo said turning side to side and up and down.
“Thank you very much! Here, have some water.” And he gave them bottled water “My wife will be home soon with the kids, then we can have some lunch.”
“SPLURMMPH!” Dayo splattered water all over the beautiful floor.
“COUGH! COUGH!” while Michael choked on his water.
“Oh sorry, sorry guys. Are you both alright?”
“Michael, I want to insult him. Can I please insult him?”
“Hold on first, Dee.” Michael said hold Dayo’s hand.
“But he got married without TELLING ME? Did he know? Did he tell you?”
“No, he didn’t…hey. You didn’t tell me you got married!?”
“I wanted to guys erm…but…”
“Seriously, Michael. He deserves some bullying right now. How could you not tell us you got married?”
“Dee…look” and Michael pointed to the family photograph on top of the huge plasma screen TV.
“and you GOT BUSY!?”
“I’m going to kill him now.”
“Hold on, Dayo. He has a family now so we can’t suffer his family by killing him.”
“But I can at least bully him again?”
“No, we’re already past that.”
“Insult him?”
“He has a kid, so technically im na person papa and so we can’t do that either.”
“So…he just gets away with it?”
Onos with his two hands in a plea said “Guys, it’s a long story and I promise I’ll tell you all about it…just tell me about you two first. What’s been going on?”
“You’re lucky I just repented from bullying you, Michael you tell him, I’m tired.”
Michael started from their high school graduation and subsequent admission into their universities. Then Michael’s father’s accident and his mom’s health issues with Dayo’s job at the bank and the Tafa files and later escape but he tried to leave out the part about Angela but Dayo put it in.
“Really? You met Angela again? How is she?”
And Dayo went on and on about how she and Michael got back into their normal half friend half boyfriend and girlfriend routine and wasting time until some sharp idiot proposed to her and now, she is getting married God-knows-when.
“Oh, man! I’m so sorry, Michael! That’s terrible!” Onos said.
“Hey, what’s there to be sorry for? She’s getting married congratulations to her.” He said nonchalantly but his friends looked at him closely, he wasn’t fooling them and them continued on the issue while he was hoping that they would just drop it.
“I blame him totally; he should have done that as soon as he saw her again instead playing the slow game. He’s just too slow.”
“I hate to agree with Dayo, Mike but…he is right this time. I mean, why didn’t you make your move? It’s been almost fifteen years already.”
“Move? What move? She’s a celebrity and what am I?”
“You’re Michael!” Onos said.
“Damn right, you are. You’re the best Michael I know!” Dayo agreed.
“And I’ve got nothing for her. Nothing except my near poverty, sick mother and probably bleak future!”
“Michael, don’t even think like that…listen to me.”
“NO, I WON’T! I’m not here to talk about Angela. We came here for a reason and that is what we are going to focus on, okay?”
The others kept quiet for about a minute before…
“Why are you here?” Onos asked
“I’m here because I want to go to Zaria and I need your help. I need both your helps.”
“Zaria? Do you mean the Wilbur…?” Dayo said
“Flight school, yeah.”
“That’s your father’s dream. Are you ready?”
“I think I am but I am scared…I am so scared guys.” Michael confessed “All my life my father has been the one pushing me, driving to do this and do that. I always got angry about all his pressures but now that he is gone. That is all I can think about. His drive. I don’t have his type of drive. I am not like him. I don’t think I could ever crawl from a small boy grinding pepper for people at Oyingbo Market to and educated senior staff at the airport. That man was incredible! And with him at my side I achieved so much in such a short time. Ever since he died, I’ve just been lost, sidetracked and aimless. I have failed. I failed myself and worst of all my father.”
“Hey, hey, hey that’s not true!” Dayo said coming to sit beside him. “You’ve done a lot with your life.”
“Dee, I work as a laundromat in a slum neighborhood…”
“…and you’re a damn good laundromat. Don’t put yourself down. You have done a lot already.”
“Yeah, Mike. After your dad died, aren’t you the one who took care of your mom and paid all your medical bills?” Onos asked.
“Yea…but that was nothing. What else could I have done?”
“No, wait a second.” Dayo chipped in “Who financed your brother’s education and got him his clothes?”
“Me…but that is not a big…”
“Shut up! Who got your family the apartment and paid all the rent and kept you guys fed?”
“Guys guys guys, I did all that. But that’s not what I’m talking about. All that is something I did that had to be done. There was no other option. I’m talking about accomplishments; I have done nothing with my life. I am a nobody!”
“Michael, we know you. You are not a nobody!”
“Yeah, all those things you did? They are all INCREDIBLE!”
“Yeah, don’t you see? What you said ‘had to be done’ was done Only because you chose to do it, another person could have easily abandoned the responsibility. You did it because you are an amazing person. And your family’s survival is one of your greatest accomplishments. You have faced odds even your father didn’t face. Your father had only himself to take care of as a boy. You had to take of everyone else first before taking care of yourself.”
“You have had…a much tougher life than he did and so you have already achieved a lot more than he had at your age.”
“He would be…PROUD OF YOU!”
And with that, Michael felt instantly better and more capable of doing anything and he was so glad they decided to come see Onos.
“Thanks, guys.”
“Of course…”
“You’re welcome.” They said nudging his ribs and slapping his thigh. The door opened and a pregnant woman and a young boy came in.
“Hello, dear we’re home.”
“Hello, darling welcome home.” And Onos went over to peck his wife on the cheek and hug his son.
“Oh my God, she’s already pregnant again.” Dayo whispered to Michael as they stood up.
“I’m surprised he doesn’t have a dozen kids already.” And they both giggled.
“I hope you guys are not making fun of a pregnant woman?” she said approaching.
“Oh no, not at all.” Michael said.
“We won’t do such a thing. Not us.” Dayo added.
“Hmm,” she said unconvinced “don’t think I don’t know you two. I know you two well, brother Michael and brother Dayo.” She said pointing to each of them when calling their names.
“Oh wow!” they said surprised and she laughed.
“He talks about you all the time.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Hello, little guy. How are you?” Michael greeted the young boy.
“Fine, sir.” He said bashfully.
“Hey, shake me. What’s your name?” Dayo asked.
“Dami.” He said still looking at the floor, shyly.
“You both must be hungry. I’ll go get dinner ready. Come Dami.”

After dinner and after they had showered and changed into a few of Onos’ smaller t-shirts because his regular sized t-shirts were big for them, they lounged on the sofa in a corner talking while Onos’ wife and kid watched TV.
“So, what’s the plan for flight’s school?” Onos asked.
“Well, I already know how to get started on it with the admissions and follow ups, my dad already taught me that many times. I am here because…erm well…” Michael hesitated.
“He’s here because he needs money and you’re the only one we know he can get it from.” Dayo said bluntly and Onos stared surprised.
“Oh…me?”
“Yes, you. He told me that you’re connected to politicians here and from the looks of it, you are making big bucks. You must be a politician yourself!”
“What…? Not at all.” Onos laughed nervously.
“I know that it’s a lot to ask and I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t serious and you know I would pay it back as soon as possible. I’m good for it.” Michael said.
“Oh…it’s not that, Mike. Dayo what about all the money you took from the bank, can’t you give Michael from that?”
“I gave it all to the people who owned it. I never took any of it for myself.”
“Oh…I see.”
“Onos, what’s going on? Don’t you want to help Michael?”
“Of course, I do!”
“Then what is it?”
“Its just that…”
“What?”
“Guys, I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t have any money.” Onos said and the two became so confused.

Yes he is!

The Thanos Of Bayelsa is coming!

Thanks boss

Bros, thank you so much but...I am tired and so The End is Near!

Thank you so much

Missmossy:
Such an emotional update, eager to know what would happen next. Kudos adeabdul2, enjoying every bit of your story.

Infinite Love 91



THE BULLY

“Dayo, why did you do that?” Michael said.
”You th-this guy would never ch-change.” Onos said wiping his glasses clean with the whitest handkerchief that both of them had ever seen.
“Oga, weti

n happen? Shey na dem beat you? Make I beat dem?” said the gateman who came running out to defend his boss.
“No, Pa James. It’s alright. These Neanderthals are like brothers to me.”

Onos said to his gateman thoroughly confusing him into thinking that Neanderthals were like a tribe and smacking people was their own of greeting people.
“Okay, sir.” He said disappearing back into the house but Dayo wasn’t done yet.
“You-you-you had ALL THIS!? And you let us SUFFER in Lagos!? Do you have any idea how PAINFUL, these last fews years had been for us? Especially, Michael and you just STAYED HERE!? Lavishing in luxury all by yourself? YOU’RE SO SELFISH, ONOS! I never thought you would ever do something like this! Michael’s dad died and YOU DIDN’T EVEN CARE!!” at this Onos instantaneously, gave Dayo a big smack of his own right across the head.
“Hmm, that’s right oga, greet am well well.” Pa James said from inside the house startling the three of them.
“HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME?” Onos yelled “Never in your life, EVER SAY THAT TO ME AGAIN! Mr Gabriel was like a father to me, Michael and the rest of his family were the only kindness I ever received in Lagos. It was tough for me in Lagos, it was lonely my aunty that I was living with always ignored me. It was Mr Gabriel’s little words of encouragement that usually motivated me and I never forgot any of them. All those stories about how he survived Lagos as a young boy from Imo to working in the airport were everything to me. I never forgot them and I never forgot that it was Michael’s textbooks that I used to study and it was his desk that I shared until I graduated after mine was destroyed and my aunty refused to pay for another one.”
“Oh spare me, you can’t tell me that you had all this…” Dayo said pointing to the mansion “…while we almost had nothing and you just kept quiet. You never called!”
“Actually…he called me a few times.” Michael said taking a few steps back.
“WHAT!?” Dayo said moving threateningly towards Michael, who took a few more steps backwards.
“Erm…just a few, not…many times.”
“Why-didn’t-you-tell-me?” he said slowly.
“Because I asked him not to.” Onos said and Dayo turned and faced Onos again.
“Why not?”
“Because I was going through a tough time and telling you probably wouldn’t have helped.”
“What tough times could a fat mansion owner like you could possibly have been going through? What, your Mercedes were getting scratched by the poor people’s cars on the public roads?” Dayo sneered.
“THERE! RIGHT THERE! THAT’S WHY I didn’t tell you!”
“What?”
“You never take me seriously! You are always making fun of me!”
“So, what? That was high school. Kids made fun of each other and you always made it so easy to make fun of you. You couldn’t talk to girls and you always stammered whenever you were talking to even other boys. You always carried around that stupid dictionary and were always memorizing big old nonsense words all the time as if you were going to become the grand Verbose Chief of Nigeria or something. It was ridiculous and you made it impossible not to laugh at you.”
“Dayo, what is wrong with you?” Michael said getting upset.
“Not Michael, its fine. He has always been like this. I didn’t expect him to change after all these years. I hoped but I didn’t expect it.”
“What?” Dayo said.
“Do you know why I couldn’t to girls in school and why I always stammered whenever talking to other boys? It was you!”
“bumfph…yeah, right. You’re blaming me for all your problems? Nice.” He said laughing.
“That’s right I’m blaming you. Not for all of it but most of it in high school? Yeah, I’m blaming you.” He said pointing a finger right into the centre of Dayo’s forehead “I couldn’t talk to girls because of you. Don’t you remember? You used to call me Dadu the monkey.”
“Oh Dadu, I haven’t said that in years.” He said smiling
“NO! That’s not funny. Not funny at all! I couldn’t talk to other people because whenever I tried all I heard in my head was…Oh, Dadu, try not to mess up. You monkey. Oh, Dadu, your big nose is full of pimples today OR oh, Dadu, did you eat all your aunt’s crayfish this morning because your breath smells.” Onos said glaring at him.
“Yeah, I remember saying those they were funny.”
“No, they weren’t. They were mean.” Michael said seriously. “We all at some point made fun of each other but you intensely focused on Dayo, for like…every single day.”
Dayo was stunned by this but he added “But wait a minute. You knew I was only making fun, I never meant any of those things I said. YOU KNEW THAT!”
“NO, I DIDN’T. I took every single thing you said seriously and buried it as facts in my subconscious mind. My confidence was dead because of you.”
Dayo instantaneously became silent.
“You were the smartest one amongst us. So, of course I believed it. I was almost a stranger in Lagos, I had my aunt but I was still a stranger to them because they never accepted me. I only had you two; just YOU and Michael. And I believed every single thing the both of you told me.”
Dayo could only stare.
“You think you were the only one who had a hard time after high school? I got admitted to DELSU and while studying I had to sell palm oil to survive during a full time program. Do you have any idea how stressful it was selling palm oil and still attend classes in the same school? I would attend classes and students would slowly go to another seat because of the smell. And sometimes, they would even make fun of me.”
“I didn’t know that, you could have told…”
“You? How could I have told you anything about that? I thought that you would have made even more fun of me as you usually did!”
This stung Dayo and he looked away shrinking in realization of how much pain he could have caused his best friend unknowingly.
“Oh, but all that was nothing. After 200 levels I found it easier to make money by writing notes for fellow students and taking their tests for them and a lot of times writing their projects for them. I was always working and I never had a holiday. But all that was nothing compared to what happened after I graduated. I got a job into this secondary school as a English teacher because I love teaching and the owner; Mr Edineh, I will never forget that man. He made me the class teacher, of two different classes, added Maths and Business Studies and he still wouldn’t pay me unless he was owing at least three month’s salary.”
“WHAT!?” Dayo gasped.
“Yes and the crazy thing was and I was the school’s bursar! I collected the school’s fees for him. It was another one of the few jobs that he gave me.”
“What?” Michael gasped.
“YES! That was how bad it was and who could I have turned to? No one!”
“Onos, don’t say that. You could have told me, anytime.” Dayo said painfully.
“I wanted to…but after not calling you for a long time, I thought it would be wrong to just call you about all my problems. But I tried one time. Do you remember? I called you but you only hung up after I told you my name. Do you remember that?”
“Yeah…I was…just angry with you for…not calling earlier.” Dayo said shamefully.
“I know. And I didn’t take offense really but it really pained me when I called Michael and he explained to me everything that was going on with his dad and his mom. I was hurting because he was hurting and I wanted to help but I just didn’t have any money to help him with. I made up my mind to get money for Michael. That was when I lost the teaching job.”
“How did you lose your teaching job?”
“I went to collect my salaries, all of them, everything that he owed my boss owed me and he refused. So I left his office and took out one of the student’s desk and broke it. I removed the top part of the desk and smacked it across his head and I shouted; GIVE ME MY MONEY!”
“Wow!”
“What?”
“Yes!”
“So, did you get it? All your money?”
“I did. That slowpoke had a secret drawing underneath his desk where he kept cash all the time so he gave me the money and told me never to come back to his school again.”
The boys laughed heartily but then Onos said seriously “But…when I got home. I realized that my rent was over due and I couldn’t afford to not pay my rent. So…I used the money to pay my rent instead.” And with his head bowed Onos added. “I’m so sorry Michael. I should have sent you that money but…I…” he said shamefully.
“No, no don’t be like that! Of course, I didn’t expect you to go homeless. How would that have helped me? I know that you would have if you could have. I don’t blame you for anything at all. And besides Dayo helped a lot. So, it was a bit easier.”
Hearing that Onos brightened up again. “Phew,” he exhaled “I had carried that guilt with me for many years.” He and Michael embraced while Dayo looked at them sadly.
“I really, didn’t know that I was so mean to you, I swear. I was angry a lot because my sisters at home then always annoyed me and I took it out on you and sometimes Michael. I really wish one of you had said something to me back then, I would’ve stopped. I know I would have.”
“Nah, we couldn’t. We were a little intimidated by you and your sharp wit.”
“I wish you had.” He sighed “I feel so bad right now.”
“Hey, come on. It’s in the past.” Onos said.
“Yeah, man. That was years ago.” And the two guys hugged him.
“I want you to two to know, that I LOVE YOU BOTH, VERY MUCH!” Dayo said.
“WHAT DID YOU SAY?” Onos gasped.
“ARE YOU SICK?” Michael put a hand on his forehead to feel his temperature and Dayo took it away.
“I’m fine! Leave me. I know I can be difficult.”
“Very difficult.” Onos added
“Don’t rub it in.” Michael said “He never gets emotional.”
“I just…want, no…I need to start letting you guys know whatever is bothering me instead of holding it in and lashing out at you two. I am SO SORRY for that all these years. You two deserve to know that I love you. You are the brothers I never had and if I had to sell a kidney to save any one of you? I would do that, gladly.”
“Oh, I love too. You stupid monkey!” Onos said hugging Dayo tightly.
“Yeah, I can’t believe you got soft in your old age. I love you guys.” Said Michael hugging the other two while the gateman kept looking on wondering what kind of culture these people from Neanderthal land had, first beating up his boss and later hugging him.

Infinite Love 90

Musketeers Reunited

They were young again all of them. Lying down on the wet grass and watching scared grasshoppers leap out of their hiding leaves.

Onos jumped at the sight of a grasshopper flying his face and Dayo laughed at his comical reaction. He plucked a few grass blades from the ground and threw towards Onos slightly covering him in dirt. He jumped up and went after Dayo as he ran and Michael and Angela laughed as the two boys chased eachother and dodged and darted this way and that, all in slow motion.

Across from him, laughing while sitting on the grass, Michael saw the greatest sight of his life. Her teeth bright and beautiful, her face even more radiant than the afternoon sun behind her and her body propped up elegantly by her left hand, Angela; the greatest sight he ever saw; was her. The wind picked up and her school uniform flapped along with her hair as the sun’s beam radiated her every inch; Angela, she was always his dream. She turned to look at him, away from the boys and her mouth closed, the corners lifted up and her eyes gazed upon him like a dream, Angela; he always knew she loved him. He got up and got down on one knee. Dusted away the dirt as he reached into his pocket for the little ring like his father’s, he got down on one knee;
“Angela; will you marry me?”


She cupped her mouth in shock of it, the boys came from behind clapping their hands, still in slow motion and all smiles.
“Oh, Mike.” She gasped
“Mike! Mike! Mike, wake up were here!” Dayo nudged him again until he stirred awake.
“Oh, okay. I’m awake. Have we arrived?”
“Yes, we’re here; Yenagoa Bayelsa.” Michael looked around as they got down from the interstate luxurious bus that they chartered overnight because they had been nearly chased out of town by police and soldiers. They chartered it after they had left that Princewill guy’s car in a nearby garage though Dayo put up resistance in leaving the car. He was ready to drive another guy’s car from Lagos to Bayelsa. Michael was not that brave, or crazy.
“Hmph!” he exhaled sadly he had always imagined himself leaving Lagos for the first time with his father. He had always put off any sort of interstate travel because it was always a dream of his dad to see the country together. It was one of their dreams together, never meant to be fulfilled. Although, they could not have fulfilled that dream, he was determined to fulfill his father’s best hope for him and that was why they were here in Yenagoa. He gazed at one of his best friends. Well, Dayo had in many ways been like a slightly elder brother to him, so it made it less sad that his first time was with him.
“What is that address, we are going to again?” Dayo asked him.
“Yeah, it’s er…Ekeki Housing Estate Phase 1.”
“Phase one? That sounds expensive. Do you think maybe Onos could be wealthy?”
“We’ll know when we get there.” And they grabbed the bag, the only luggage that they managed to save during their chase and headed out to look for a taxi.
…
They found the place easily. Apparently, Ekeki is a popular housing estate for rich politicians as told by their very loquacious taxi driver.
“Ah, bros, Ekeki. Na correct estate be dat o oga. It is the first and still the most expensive estate Yenagoa. Na big big politicians dey live for there. Who you go dey find for there?”
“We are going to look for our friend from school.”
“Ah, your life is already better and ya problems are already solved because…your friend is now a big man if he is living there.”
Dayo laughed “Onos! A politician? That’s impossible! Onos couldn’t put a single conversation together to a girl when we were in secondary school and when talking to boys he stammered so much that you would think he was tap dancing with his feet. That’s funny, but no not Onos.”
Micheal thought for a second “Well…” he said finally “It’s a little difficult to imagine Onos as a politician really.”
“Okay, alright but I dey tell una say anybody living in that place must be a big man, maybe your friend dey live there inside one oga politician for him boys quarters as a worker sha.”
“That makes more sense.” Dayo said flatly.
“Anyway, please ehn…in case you hear say dem dey find driver for there abeg, please I will give you my phone number and you fit call abeg…na my dream to find work for there.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah, we’ll do that.” Dayo said wondering how a situation such as that would arise but promising to make the poor man feel better anyways.
“Please don’t forget me o! If I find work for there, my entire family life don better be dat. Chei! God o! Helep my hustle.” He shouted out loud and they all laughed all the way up to the crystal white gate that left both Michael and Dayo speechless at its sight and the sight of the grand edifice behind it.
“You see! BIG MAN HOUSE! Anybody wey dey work here don make am! Your friend, even if im be houseboy for here, im don make am! Abeg o, no forget my gsm number if you here say dem dey find driver o!” their taxi driver said leaving them standing speechless wondering what in the world Onos would actually be doing in such a house. It was while they were staring that the security man shouted at them through the square box peep hole.
“Hey, wetin una want for here?”
It took them a while to discover where the voice was calling out to them from before they replied.
“We’re looking for our friend Onos.” With that the square box slammed shut and a man emerged from behind the pedestrian side of the gate.
“Oga Onos? From where? Who are you?” he asked with intense curiousity.
The boys exchanged looks wondering in what context Onos was actually anyone’s ‘oga’ before saying their names and as the man disappeared into the enormous house with all its lush garden and trees surrounding a beautifully crafted ancient Roman styled mansion.
Then he emerged.
Walking slowly, even from afar they all knew each other. They knew. As they had known each other all those lifetimes ago when they were boys. There were few people in the world who knew every inch of hair, every step and gait, every chord in their voices as these three brothers from another mothers knew each other. They recognized him as he walked, even with the shiny black Italian shoes they recognized they way he used to walk, even behind the starched smooth pants and tucked in shirt, folded above the elbow they recognized his chubby body and of course the round spectacles could not hide the tiny almost Chinese looking eyelids that they had been fond of for many years. They both recognized him well, and at the same time, they did not know him at all.
He dismissed the gateman and proceeded to unlock the gates himself;
“Michael? Dayo? Wow!”
Michael couldn’t find the words, he was choking on air, it was until the man grabbed him into a bear hug that he finally exhaled and he could breathe again.
“Oh my God!” he whispered finally, he could not tell how long that had held each other until he noticed Dayo glaring angrily at them both and then he let go to allow Dayo hug him too. But Dayo being Dayo, did what Dayo would usually do.
“THWACK!” he smacked him hard across the face.
“ONOS! YOU STUPID MONKEY!” he cried as Onos stumbled from the force backwards into Michael.
“Oh God! This boy again!” he said.

Update dey. I updated last night boss.

Thanks boss

Infinite Love 89

Loss

"What are you saying, John?"

"Mama, please let me sleep. I have had a very stressful night."

"You have been sleeping since last night, get up and explain what you meant about Michael and Angela. Are you saying they are engaged?" Michael's mom was asking for details but Johnny was still too sleepy from his big escape from the police and soldiers that were chasing them the night before.

"Mama, if you know what I went through, you will let me sleep till next week." he said flatly and turned on his other side to continue sleeping.

"YOUNG MAN WILL YOU GET UP?!" his grandmother slapped his back and his sprang back to attention.

"CHINEKE!" he said springing up.

"SPEAK UP!" she demanded.

"Chei! Okay, alright. But please stop beating me."

"Shut up and tell us what happened!"

He thought for a second "Do I shut up or do I tell you what happened? I'm confused."

"Don't be smart. Tell us exactly what happened with Michael and Angela last night."

He was still very sleepy and doubted he would be able to tell much of a good account which is why he wanted to get a good sleep before telling them anything. But his mother and his grandmother had been pestering him ever since he got back about why the house was in array, where Michael was and what happened with Angela.

"Me, brother Michael and his friend brother Dayo came home and realised that we had to leave quickly..."

"Why? What made you and Michael realise that you hd to leave so suddenly without telling us?"

Johnny only remembered one thing specifically and that was because Michael warned him about it several times and it was to never mention anything about the mafia, police or the soldiers to their mom and grandma, under any circumstances.

"Erm...it was just a nice weather to travel in." he said plainly and his mother and grandmother exchanged looks.

"Ehn?" grandma asked "Nice weather? So a nice weather made my own Michael leave me without saying goodbye abi? Me? No worries. He will come back and meet me here. My God will spare my life till i have the chance to draw his ears over his head again."

Their grandmother was vexxing terribly but their mother was watching Johnny closely.

"That's it!? Are you sure there's nothing wrong?" she asked disbelieving him.

"Wrong kwanu? Hello, Johnny is anything wrong? Tell us o!"

"No, nothing's wrong. I have told you, it was just a nice weather and a good day to travel."

"So, why is the house all messy?"

"We were in a hurry and didn't have time to clean up?"

His mom was deep in thought for a bit before saying "The weather must have been extra special for Michael to leave us like that."

"It was...twas very special." Johnny said grogily.

"Anyway," she said slapping him awake again "...tell us what happened with Angela. What did you mean they are engaged?"

"I never that they were engaged. I said that Michael went over to tell her how he felt about her. We all know he is mad about that aunty..." he yawned "and she got engaged to some guy. I don't know his name at their party." he said falling full flat on his tummy asleep again.

"CHEI!!!" grandma shouted "YOU SEE! YOU SEE! I KNEW IT!"

"Johnny, will wake up and tell us what happened properly?" his mom was shaking him but he was already in a comatise sleep.

"BRIDGET! DIDN'T I TELL YOU? I SAID IT!"

"Mama, please calm down."

"I WON'T COME DOWN I WILL REMAIN UP AND I WILL STAY UP BECAUSE I SAID IT! That girl is a witch! In fact, she is worse than a witch. She is absolutely terrible. How can she do that to Michael? My own Michael, Bridget answer me, how could she do that?" grandma was crying hysterically at this moment "Michael, who should be chased by all the girls in this neighbourhood, she rejected him after leading him on after all this years and got married to someone else."

"Not married, Nna. Johnny said she got engaged and we don't..."

"BRIDGET, DON'T CORRECT ME! ANSWER ME WHY SHE DID THAT TO MY GRANDSON! I thought they were dating? I thought they knew each other as far back as their secondary school days, so why is it now that she decides to go for another man? HEY O! My poor Michael! He must be heartbroken."

"Nna, please stop crying. It may not even be what we think. As soon as Johnny wakes up he will tell us exactly how it happened. Let us try to calm down until then please, Nna."

"Hello, good afternoon. Good afternoon, ma." as soon as she knocked on the door and called out she knew something was definitely wrong. She would come to later realise that it was the very worst of timing on her part.

"Ehn? Am I seeing things Bridget? Isn't that the girl we were just talking about?" grandmother asked Mama.

"Er, yes Nna, that is Angela...but please let's keep calm right now." Michael's mom tried to control the situation but it was already too late.

"WOOOO WOOOO WOOOO WITCH O! WITCH O!" grandmother blasted Angela "GET OUT OF HERE! GET AWAY FROM HERE, ONYOSHI!"

Angela was stupified.
"What? Excuse me? No...I'm Angela. Michael's friend from school. I'm here to see Michael."

The women exchanged looks "Yes, we know who you are. We are not senile old women that we will not recognize a witch when we see her."

"Ah ah, Nna. Please stop calling her that now."

"What? I should stop what? I WON'T! WOOO WOOOO WITCH!"

Angela was totally taken aback. She was already greatly embarrassed but she felt somehow this was some kind of misunderstanding surely the old woman shouting and cursing at her was mistaking her for someone else and so she tried to save the situation.

"Please, I'm only here to see Michael. I haven't done anything wrong and I am not a witch."

"Really?" this only infuriated the old woman the more and she got up from the chair and came to her face squarely. "Did you not date my son for years?"

She wasn't quite sure how to answer this because her and Michael had spent a lot of time together and it seemed that they were heading in that direction but they hadn't put their relationship in those terms yet, so she answered truthfully.

"We went out many times ma, yes but we are friends."

"Friends who go out are called lovers, my friend. YOu children of nowadays call it boyfriend and girlfriend and now answer me. Is it not true that after my son, my grandson Michael confessed his love for you, you dismissed him and got engaged to someone else?" she spat in her face.

"What...? No...I..."

"Did you or did you not get engaged?"

"I...did."

"Really?" Michael's mom asked disappointed and sad for her son.

"Um...yes ma. It's kind of complicated. Is Michael home? I really need to speak to him."

"Can you imagine? Are you not even ashamed of yourself? You are engaged to another man and now you are here to continue stringing my grandson along as you have been doing all these years!"

"Oh, no, ma. Not at...!"

"WOOOO! GET OUT! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT! DO NOT BEWITCH ME! LEAVE THIS PLACE." and she began to throw things in her direction plates, can, spoons everything. Michael's mom had to get between her and Angela in order to stop the onslaught and usher her away.

"Please, my dear. It's best you go. I think my mother is right. It's better you don't come here ever again as you have a fiance now. Please, for the sake of my son's peace of mind. Please don't come here again."

Angela tried to beg to plead, to make them understand that she wasn't engaged by choice but rather by her own mother's unrelenting schemes. She didn't want to marry Princewill, Michael was the one she wanted and she needed to see him and made him see things clearly.

"But, Mama...I..."

"Is she still here? WITCH O! GET OUT! LEAVE HERE NOW. THIS MINUTE!" and she began to throw water towards Angela and Michael's mom now had to push her away and out of the line of fire, I mean water.

"Go my dear, please go now."

And she did leave, in tears. Sad not because of her embarrassment but because she was afraid that Michael also felt the same way as his family about her. She feared that she might have broken his heart and he now hated her.

But you really should head on to my blog for the latest update

You're welcome boss.

And yes, of course he will.

See what time I dey do update. I really like you guys o!

Infinite Love 88

A Prince's Life

"YOU DISOBEYED A DIRECT ORDER?!" the DPO screamed.

"After I specifically ordered behind the desk, you disobeyed me and started running around with soldiers, SOLDIERS! On your own personal vendetta?!"

"Sir, I..."

"SILENCE!!!" he screamed again and the windows shook "And to top it up! As if all that wasn't bad enough, you arrested a celebrity, AT HIS ENGAGEMENT PARTY!"

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Your stupidity is equal only to you incompetency. By the time I'm done with you, you'll wish you'd never put on the uniform. But first, release that man at once!"

"Adanna, wow. My beautiful daughter, let me see the ring again." her mother was fussing again and she held out her hand for a look see for the umpteeth time.

"OH MY GOD!" she screamed and Angela rolled her eyes "That Prince must REALLY LOVE you in order to buy you such an expensive engagement ring."

Angela sighed.

"And the romantic way he presented it?" she held her chest and swoon back and forth "Oh wow! I swear could feel the love pouring out from that man."

"Then maybe, you should be the one to marry him." she said exasperatedly.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she said defiantly.

"Mama, he asked me to marry him and before I could answer, you announced to everyone that I said YES!"

"Ehn? And so? What about it? I was merely doing you a favour in your moment of weakness."

"What...?"

"Yes! You were begining to think about it. If you had thought anymore, you might have said 'No' to that dashing young man."

"Oh my God, Mama. It was my choice to make you had no right to speak for me."

"I am your mother, I have all the right in the world to do what is best for you.!"

Angela was already tired of the conversation but decided to give it one last go.

"Mama, It was a marriage proposal for God's sake, not a job offer. I am going to have to live with the guy, don't you think I should have given it some thought? What if living the rest of my life with Princewill is not what I want?"

"WHUSSAI!" her mother exclaimed suddenly covering her eyes and dusting her daughter's hair as if waving off some spirit of madness that had settled therein.

"PERISH THE THOUGHT! ANGELA CHIMAKA NWOLISA! PERISH IT!!! You don't want to marry who? Listen to me, that man Princewill is the best thing and the very best man for you. In the World. Don't let any evil thoughts creep into your head, telling you otherwise again." and she continued to heavily dust off the imaginary spirit off her head again until she was forced to protest from the unending blows from her mother.

"Okay, OKAY! Mama, I have heard you. Thank you very much. That is enough."

"Oh, okay. Adanma, I want what is best for you, my dear, do you hear me?"

"Alright."

"Good, now let me see the ring once again."

"Oh, Mama, please that is enough now."

"Okay, okay. I need to go check the calender for the right wedding day. It needs to be perfect in terms of the physical weather and spiritual climate as well."

And as she left Angela watched her go, wondering what a bad spiritual climate was. Until, she caught herself in the mirror and got up from the bed to walk up to it. She held up the ring a twin spiral of gold stems that met at the centre gripping a red ruby. It was supposed to be a beautiful ring, it was supposed to make her gush with delight but instead it made her feel trapped. It seemingly resembled two snakes about to devour an apple like in the Nokia phone game; Snake Xenzia. Her mother and Prince were suddenly about to trap her; an apple and she couldn't get out of it. She understood her mother very well. She was only fighting to secure her future, albeit misguidedly. But Princewill, she couldn't understand. Were was this sudden proposal coming from? They had only dated once or twice at the begining of their work relationship to build chemisty on screen but she thought that they mutually didn't feel anything special past the physical attraction needed to nail a convincing performance on screen. They were just too different people. And once the onscreen chemistry was strong enough, the dating just fizzled naturally by their mutual consent. Princewill, never really showed a deep longing for her past the passing fancy of someone who wanted to get a quick score and whenever she rejected him, he always had a host of girls to get that from. It wasn't until Michael showing up that he seemed to pay attention to her again, deeply this time. But she had attributed that to his male ego rising up to the presence of another male despite their non-existence relationship. But she never imagined in a million years that jealousy would drive him to propose. This is insane!

She held up the ring to her chest and regarded herself in the mirror with it.

"Good afternoon. My name is Mrs Princewill Okeke." hearing her possible new name and seeing ring made her nauseous. She felt sick to her stomach.

"How could even think of marrying a guy like Princewill?"

Then she began panicking.

"How could she think marrying anyone except...Michael?"

She took off the ring and went to her side drawer. She brought out the pin. The aviator wings pin that Michael had given her when they first separated after highschool. She went to the mirror and held it up between her fingers.

"Good afternoon, I am Mrs Michael Osu." and she smiled despite herself. The knot that had tightened in her stomach loosened and she added.

"Nice to meet you. My husband and I are so glad that you could come. Thank you so much." She went to same drawer and brought out the Ebony magazine with her photo cutouts. As she flipped through photos of herself. She knew in heart whose ring she wanted on her finger and whose lastname she wanted added to hers. She needed to fix this She needed to get out of her wedding fix and she took her bag and headed out. She was almost at the door when her mom saw her.

"Adanma, where are you going right now?"

"I'm going to see Michael, Mama."

"WHAT! WHY? BUT BUT...PRINCEWILL!"

"Mama, you only like Princewill because he's rich!"

"SO?!"

"See you later, Mama. I'll be back soon."

"But...but Angela?"

"Bye Mama." and she dashed out the door before her mother could bolt it.

Princewill was under a lot of pressure for once in his life. But he had been handling it very well. Everything was going according to plan until those stupid people came to arrest him and now Uncle Hector was here at the station.

"WHERE IS MY PHONE?" he barked at the policewoman behind the desk.

"Oga, please calm down. Let me look for it for you." he took and went over to his uncle. His family's designated chaperone.

"Uncle Hector, my dear old uncle. My favorite Hector in the world. Why did you come you didn't have to?"

"Why won't I come? Were you expecting someone else? Who else had been bailing you out of all your nonsense spots all these years?"

"But, darling Uncle Hector this time it wasn't like that at all. I did absolutely nothing wrong. I swear it. I would swear it on our late grandmother if it would convince you of my innocence."

"I'd rather you didn't desecrate the memory of my dear mother over possible one of your drug induced arrests. You had been warned Will. Anymore messes or legal troubles and the family would cut you off financially, permanently."

"NO, NO PLEASE! I swear it! I had done nothing wrong. I was at my engagement party when police came to arrest me, you can ask my new fiance and everyone else there."

"Okay, so you're telling me that you got ENGAGED! FOR NO REASON! Did you and your fiance fight eachother to mark your engagement as well?"

"No, the soldiers beat me up!"

"Oh, so it was soldiers now? I thought it was policeman."

"No, it was soldiers and policemen!"

"Really?"

"Yes, Uncle Hector."

"And you've done nothing wrong?"

"Nothing, at all! I was only having a good time at a party and..."

"Many times in the past you have been arrested for 'having a good time' because your good times have involved illegal activities."

"No...I mean...I had just got engaged to my costar Angela Nwolisa."

"Really?"

"Yes sir."

"So let me get this straight; you were arrested by both policemen and soldiers for absolutely nothing and the fiance you got engaged to is not here to bail you out. Is that all you're telling me or did I miss anything else?"

"No...that's about it."

"That's an incredible story Will. Even better than the other incredible stories that you used to tell me back in the day."

"But I'm different uncle. This is not like back in the day. I've changed honestly. If the family would let me back in the family business, I could prove it to them, to all of you."

"The last time you were in the family business you nearly killed yourself, literally and our reputation..."

"This is not..."

"SHUT UP AND LET ME SPEAK BOY!" Uncle Hector flared and Princewill cowered.

"Sorry, uncle."

"I'm getting too old for this. Listen to me, Will. The family has given you only two conditions; prove yourself competent and that you have developed restraints and you will be let back in on the deals. We have already invested a lot of money in your acting career and if you can't make it in this, you won't be let back in.

"But uncle, I have been very successful. People love me and my show has been very successful too."

"Yes about that. We have spoken to your producer and to your director both of whom we have significantly bribed to give you this opportunity and they both had few good things to say about you."

"What...?"

"Yes, your director said you have been difficult to work with and that most actors prefer not to work with you."

"WHAT!"

"The producer, said that aside looks your acting adds nothing to the show."

"RUBBISH! THAT'S A LIE!"

"Actually, that's quite true. I have watched the show and you are a terrible actor."

"What...Uncle Hector, you too?" Princewill gasped becoming emotional.

"Willy, I'm on your side. Listen to me. I know you have been working hard, you just need to work a little bit harder. It's only a matter of time now. If you indeed have this girl engaged then that's really good. She's very popular and that will really go down well with the family, it means you're becoming a family man and who could refuse helping a family man? GET THE GIRL. YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT!"

"Yes uncle."

"Where's your car?"

"Erm...I was told someone stole it last night."

"Wonderful!"

"It wasn't my...."

"I know, it wasn't your fault." and his uncle handd him and envelope

"Find your car and clean yourself up for God's sakes."

"Yes, Uncle. Thank you for coming."

"Yeah well, don't forget what I said. Get the girl. Your future with the family depends on it. Goodbye."

"Yes, Uncle. Goodbye."

As his uncle left, Princewill thought of his rise and fall in his life. He belonged to the Okeke family., an Eastern family known to be wealthy miners. Of which at one point he was a prominent member profiting heavily from their family business.

He was in the first year at the university when his father called him to tell him that Chinese people had found Antimony a sought for heavy metal in their family's land.

Antimony was like lead but preferred in use of bullet and other arms manufacturing. A family of crayfish farmers became rich overnight.

By the time he graduated his family land in the village had a host of foreigners including Chinese mining on their land as well as local Nigerian businesses. His grandfather's decision not to sell their land finally paid off big time. They were all big timers now. They organized themselves and secured every available means to protect their weath. They had the eldest sons in high positions in mining companies and the got allowances for every prominent family member and their families on a regular basis. When Princewill graduated and was put in a prominent position in the family business as the most educated grandson at the time, boy did he let loose.

The Okeke's were mostly a conservative family protecting their money, keeping a low profile and spending it quietly, but Princewill was a sharp guy. He wasn't doing none of that.

When he saw the car and the house that came with job his mind was blown. And when he found himself dining with State Governors, meeting with oil moguls and partying with international celebrities, he lost his sanity. He took control of all their mines and began awarding licences to whomever would bribe him. He began changing girls like underwears and drank expensive wine in place of water. He threw parties for his friends and chartered private jets for his guests. After five months on the job. All the locals in PortHarcourt were fully aware that the Okeke's were in money. A secret that they had been keeping for years until Princewill's lavish lifestyle blew everything out of proportion. Additionally, all the prominent Okeke sons, previously crayfish sellers that had retired to enjoy their family money became alarmed because Princewill had spent all their money as well. And suddenly, other unrelated families suddenly came up with different cases against them, claiming the rich Okeke land was actually theirs, that the Okeke's had used illegal means to wrest control of it from them. After, only seven months on the job, he had created turmoil and chaos within the family and he was summoned numerous times but he didn't care nor attennded.

He was already on drugs and sleeping around. It wasn't until he had overdosed on drugs with alcohol and collapsed on top of a hooker in an hotel that his senses began to come back. By the time he woke up from his coma, the family had initiated a hospital arrest and took the time to seize back control of their assets and properties. Humility was when he was realised from the hospital only to be denied access to his house and cars and had nothing to his name but the clothes on his back after being Enugu town's number one big boy. The family had ostracized him and replaced him with cousins he never knew he ever had. Cousins home and abroad who were more educated and far more loyal to the family than he had ever been. The family was now super cautious about whom they left in charge and the amount of power that person had. If not for still having the Okeke surname, he would have been abandoned but they gave him condition after condition to meet before being allowed back into their fold. And their last condition was Angela, get her in his life and he was back. She was his lifeline now.

Honestly.

Yes, I plan to.

So glad you like it.

I just hope I finish it this month. I have been writing this story since last year, I'm tired.

Even my school project didn't take this long.

Thanks

Infinite Love 87

The Engagement Party

Angela had been checking her watch for the past hour hoping that he would come. He was the only one that she really wanted to have with her. The only one that mattered.

All this wouldnt have happened without him and she had invited him. But he wasnt in a good head space at the time and she went back to their house to see him but missed him again. She hoped against hope that he would show. She had been trying his number but that hadnt been connecting for weeks, she tried it nonetheless. Still switched off.
Still she stood outside and pretended to be welcoming the new guests to their party.

"Adanna, what are you doing out here?

“Adanna, what are you doing out here? Most of the guests
have already arrive. Why don’t you go inside and keep them company?” her mother
implored.

“Oh…it’s alright, Mama. I’m merely welcoming… some guests.”

“But surely some other can do that? This party is for you.
For the past few months you have been filming this show and it is finally over,
please come inside and celebrate.”.

Her mother watched her for a bit, thinking.

“Are you waiting for that Micheal boy? Ehn Adanna.”

“Mama…please just go and wait for me inside, I’ll be in
soon.”

Mrs Nwolisa stood there a moment before her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Mummy. It’s me, Princewill. Is everything ready?”

“Oh, my dear. Yes everything is almost ready. Angela is
just standing and she refuses to come in with me?”

“What…why, Mummy?”

“My son. I really don’t know.”

“Oh that’s okay. Just make sure that she doesn’t leave
the party before I get there please.”

“Of course. I have everything ready. She won’t even
suspect anything.”

“Okay, mummy. I will get there soon. I just have to
finish up here.”

“Alright, my son. See you soon.” And with that she
hung up the phone and continued staring at her daughter. She wondered if Angela
would in a wrong head state as Princewill, charming and rich Princewill was
coming for her and she was out here waiting for some useless boy. She promised
herself that everything would go according to plan by all means necessary
whether Angela likes it or not and that was final before she head back inside
for the end of shoot party.

…

“So, Michael what’s the plan?” Dayo asked from the back seat
as he was shuffling through the second rucksack that Johnny had hastily packed
for the two of them.

“It’s pretty simple really, first we meet up with Onos and
then we come up with a plan for Zaria.” Michael said it tentatively, carefully
watching his best friend’s reaction from the corner of his left eye.

“WHAT!!!”

“Yeah.”

“What do you mean; meet Onos? We haven’t heard from him in
years…right?”

“Er…actually…I may have heard from him once or twice.”

“You did what?”

“He called me a few times in the past, always with a
different number and asked that I not mention it to anyone.”

“Really?”

“Erm…yeah.”

“Johnny. Stop the car RIGHT NOW! I am NOT going anywhere
with you!”

Johnny looked at him from the rear view mirror. “Are you
sure about that bros?”

“Yes, stop the GODDAMMED CAR!”

“Have you forgotten who was chasing you. If I stop this car
and they catch you, your next bus stop is Kirikiri Prison.”

That seemed to calm his down a bit “Fine but I am not going to
speak to that guy or even you for keeping this from me, for that matter.”

“Come on, Dayo. It’s not like that. I really wanted to tell
you but he asked me not to.” Michael pleaded.

“I don’t want to hear it. Just check the other bag to see if
your brother packed a decent tea shirt that I can change into. My clothes are
sweaty.”

“Dayo, come on now…” Michael pleaded.

“I don’t want to hear it!” he shouted “Just get me a
t-shirt.”

Michael sighed and began checking the bag. He recalled
packing some t-shirts before his brother came over and yanked the bag out of
his hands to threw it out the door. His hands touched some paper materials and
then he brought it out. It was the newspaper and magazine cut-outs of Angela
that he had kept all these years. He had instinctively packed them even without
thinking about it. His brain knew that he needed her to be close to him in
whatever way or form. Just like he had kept her all these years. She was always
with him in some form. Even when she was away. And now he was leaving without
saying goodbye and she was going to be away from him physically and he would
only have her magazine pictures just as before.

“Are you going to hand the t-shirt or what…? Are those
Angela’s photos?” Dayo asked bringing back his mind to the present.

“Er…yeah…”

“Brother, have you told her you’re leaving yet?” Johnny
asked and Michael couldn’t bring himself to answer.

“Oh God, Michael. Are you ever going to tell her?”

“Yes, brother she deserves to know you’re leaving.”

“That’s not what I meant Johnny.” DAyo corrected “Are you
going to tell her how you feel? Are you ever going to do that?”

Johnny glanced towards Michael and then Dayo before facing
the road and back to Michael again. “You mean you never TOLD her? After…after
all these time?”

“I was going…” his words were interrupted by some noise from
beside the car. Someone was riding on an Okada and simultaneously hitting the
car, trying to get it to stop.

“STOP THE CAR!”

The three men looked incredulously at the body of Officer
Martins at the back of an Okada waving his hands and shouting at them like a
madman.

“STOP THE BLOODY CAR!”

“Brother…what should I do now?

“This policeman is insane! Martins has finally lost his
mind.” Dayo said a little frightened.

“STOP OR I’LL SHOOT!” Martins said pointing at Johnny who
was finally slowing down the car a little. “STOP THE CAR RIGHT NOW OR THE
SOLDIERS AT THE BACK WILL OPEN FIRE!” he
threatened again and the two other guys in the car cowed in fear. That’s when
Michael did the unthinkable. He rolled down the car door window beside him and
shoved the rucksack throw it and into the face of the Okadaman driving Officer
Martins forcing the man to shake, lose control and crash into the grass.

“YEEEH!!!”

“BROTHER!”

“MICHAEL!”

“They’re fine! Don’t worry. I just made sure that they won’t
follow us for a while.” He said.

“But…what about the soldiers?” Dayo asked

“There aren’t any behind us yet. He was lying. But they may
be coming soon.”

“Wow, brother. That was a wicked move. But thank God you did
it. Now we can escape faster.”

“NO! WE HAVE TO GO SEE ANGELA!”

“WHAT?!”

“BROTHER!? WE DON’T HAVE TIME!”

“We’ll make time. I can’t live without telling her how I
feel.”

“Oh my God! Twenty years. Twenty freaking you had to tell
her and you choose to tell her now?! When when we have a psycho-policeman and
soldiers on our tail?”

“I won’t live without telling her, Dayo!” he said matter-of-factly.

…

“Director Dele, please help me with this girl she’s not
listening to me again o.”

“Angela, what’s this I hear your mom saying that you’re out
here refusing to come inside?” she turned around after checking her watch for
the umpteenth time to see her mother bring along her director towards her.

“Oh, its nothing really sir. I just needed to get some air
and clear my head.”

“But this party is about you and Will and the amazing job
you too have done. Come on, let’s go inside everyone is waiting for you.”

“But sir I…”

“You have cleared your head enough! And now it’s time to
come inside.” He insisted slightly pulling her and her mom practically dragging
her in. She entered the lavishly lit auditorium and surveyed everything in its
splendour and everyone at their most glamorous and didn’t get any satisfaction
from it, because he wasn’t there.

“MICHAEL!” she yelled seeing him as he walked in and
practically ran towards him escaping from her mom and gave him a big hug. He
embraced her right back. She disengaged after a minute to survey his looks.

“Are you alright? You look… different.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry…I had to dress this way erm…because I’m
leaving today…as in, right now. But I needed to see you first.”

Her face fell “Oh! But…why? Why all of a sudden, is
everything alright?”

“Yeah. Fine, but I just…I have to tell you something.” And
he showed her the photo clippings of her had collected all these years. “Ever
since, back in school even before we became good friends. I have always like
you.”

And in that moment Dayo and Johnny walked in and kept behind
them so as not to ruin their moment. Dayo squeezed Johnny on the shoulder.

“He’s telling her! I can’t believe he’s finally telling her!
Oh, how I wish Onos could see this!”

“Hey, I thought you were angry with Onos…?”

“Shush! Let’s listen to what he’s saying.”

“I like you too, Michael.”

“Thank you.” He said “But it’s more than that. Ever since I
started hanging out together back then I realised how tough you were, how much
you were willing to get back up after everything that you were going through
back then. I was amazed and in awe of you. Initially, I thought it was just
that; respect but then I would go home and think about you, only you. From the
uniform you were that day to the very pen that you used. What you said and how
you laughed to our jokes. It would all play again and again and again in my
head until I fell asleep and then it would all playback again; in my dreams.”

Angela’s heart was racing; she couldn’t believe her ears.
Michael was saying everything she had felt all these years and he was saying it
to her. It was her dream come true. He continued.

“I remember hoping for Mondays to come and end the weekend
so that we could hang out again. Initially, I thought all this was just
admiration for a friend but over time. Even when we went our separate ways,
thoughts never stopped swirling round my head and I would daydream about how
magical it would be when we met again and how amazing our future would be,
because all this time apart has shown me one thing. One thing that I have
always wanted, more than anything else in the whole world, and that is y…”

“ANGELA. THERE YOU ARE!” Princewill came in with arms wide
open for an embrace as he approached them but initially only acknowledged her.
They were both a little shocked they were in their own world until Princewill
came in and hugged her dislodging her from her.

“You must be kidding me.” Dayo said shocked

“Umm…Prince you remember my friend Michael?” she said
awkwardly removing herself from him.

“Erm…yes Michael of course. How are you?” he asked shaking
his hand.

“Good evening.”

“Good evening. Now Angela, come with me.” He began pulling
her away but Dayo stepped in. “Excuse me?” Princewill regarded him for a second
and his dressing before handing over his car keys to Dayo.

“Yes, my good man. Those are the keys, you can park my car
at the back but be careful. It’s a classic.”

“What..?” Dayo stuttered stupefied at being mistaken for a
servant. “Hey?” he tried to say but Johnny stopped him and pulled him back.
Johnny, Dayo and Michael looked on in grave disappointment at the distraction
from the perfect moment but to their horror it was going to get worse because
Princewill got everyone’s attention as he and Angela climbed the stage with her
mother in tow.

“Good evening, everyone. May I have your attention please?
As you all know, for the past few years Angela and I have been working together
closely very closely to bring to the world one of the most watched daytime soap
opera in television history. But what you all didn’t know is that, we were not
just acting like lovers; we have been infact; in love for a long time.”

Angela, became shocked at the revelation and she quickly
searched for Princewill’s eyes for any trace of a practical joke but his
smiling was all seriousness. She then turned to face her mother and saw her
smiling heartily and agreeing with Princewill and it all made her feel
terrible. She glanced at last to Michael and saw his blank emotionless face and
felt even worse. But the worst was yet to come.

“So, without further ado.” And with that, in front of
everyone, Princewill got down on one knee, brought out a ring and said; “Angela
Nwolisa, would you do me the honour of marrying me?” her mother gushed.

“Oh, dear Lord.”

Angela was horrified and stuttered “Umm… Prince I…”

Her mother behind her sensing danger, taking advantage of
the noise, jumped forward and shrieked “SHE SAID YES!!!"

Princewill quickly slipped the ring on her finger and the
room erupted into a big applause and Angela’s mom hugged her daughter and
everyone else came for forward to hug and shake hands and congratulate the newly
engaged couple.

Michael’s felt his whole world crash in that moment. Johnny
nudged him and Dayo tried to pull him away.

“Micheal, we have to go now.”

He wouldn’t move.

“Brother, it’s time. We have to go before Martins and the
rest find us.” But instead of following them, he pulled away and moved towards
her. When he got to her, she was pleading with her eyes for his understanding
at her difficult circumstance.

“Congratulations, Angel. I wish you all the very best.” He
said and she shook her head.

“No, Mike please don’t say that. It’s not like that. I…I
wasn’t expecting this, this isn’t what…”

But he wasn’t even listening, and he shoved it roughly into
her hands, all the photos of her he had collected and kept for years. Every
single time her name was mentioned, or her face was in a poster or her picture
at a movie premiere or even movie clip came up in. He had diligently saved it
all and pasted them in an immaculate copy of the Ebony magazine. She flipped
through the pages and noticed events, occasions and movies that even she had
forgotten that she was in. Meagre productions that she was involved in even
before she was popular, he had saved them all. Her shattered into fragments and
she looked up and searched for him but he was gone.

…

The three of them headed out the door and Dayo was still
trying to talk sense to Michael.

“Hey, Mike come on! It’s not over yet. You can’t just give.
You have to try again. You have to tell her. If you tell her how you feel, I’m
sure she will definitely think twice before marrying that guy. Right, Mike?
Mike? Are you even listening to me?”

“Get back! Get back!” Johnny said shoving them back towards
the door.

“What’s the matter?” Michael asked.

“That policeman is here with the others.” And they all
peeked outside from behind a door to see Officer Martins now with bruises and a
plaster on his face and dirty uniform standing amongst the soldiers around
where their car was.

“What do we do now? We can’t get to the car, they’ll see
us.” Dayo said.

“I have an idea.” Johnny said “Hey, do you still have that
guys car keys?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Okay, I’ll distract them while you two get to other car and
drive off through the back exit okay?”

“Hey, you’ll get caught!” Michael said alarmed.

“No, I won’t. Trust me, I won’t.” and he followed them to
Princewill’s car and took on some of his clothes and when the other two were
settled in the car he said. “When you see them running towards the party drive
off fast and don’t look back.”

Michael grabbed his brother’s hand “Be careful, alright?”

“Brother, trust me. I’ll be fine.”

Johnny quietly left them and went towards the entrance of
the party hall. He quickly put on Princewill’s jacket and came out to shout to
the officers.

“Hey! I’m getting married today and you people can’t stop
me!”

“That’s one of them.” Cried Martins and they all darted
towards the party as Johnny ran inside it. Once inside he quickly took off
Princewill’s jacket and hid in one of the hall’s toilets. As Dayo and Michael
saw the coast clear up, Dayo kick started the car and they drove off. Meanwhile,
inside the soldiers were roughing up Princewill.

“Let me go! Let me go! Yes, I got engaged today but let me
go I haven’t done anything wrong.” But nobody was listening as the soldiers
were on a rampage disrupting the event and ruining the party as the carted away
Princewill into their truck while Johnny quietly escaped through one of the
toilets windows and when the officers had left he drove his car back home,
happy that his brother was safe.

Infinite Love 86

The Fast and The Furious

Inspector Martins and the soldiers found out the hard way that slum dwellers dont like strangers.

Especially, strangers who carry guns trying to arrest one of them.

Since they didnt know exactly where Michael lived they had to ask the locals and their responses were nothing when it was even understandable.

They asked and asked and most just ignore them others outright lied.

They asked one woman selling food;

"Please I am not Michael and i dont know any Michael." and she went back to sellingher wares as she it was not soldiers that she just dissed. The camouflaged boys had never seen such fearless if not mad indifference at their presence when most people would cower in awe or fear of them.

They asked an elderly man;

"Michael? I have said it! I knew it! Michael is not a good person! Anybody named Michael is never a good person!" the old man exclaimed and the uniformed men were happy to have found someone who didnt support Michael to help them.

"Good! Thank you very much sir. Now please, where is he?"

"Who?" the old man asked them puzzled.

"Michael sir."

"Michael?" he asked again puzzled.

"Yes sir. WHere is Michael, WHere does he live?"

And the old man glared at them fiercely before blurting out;

"HE IS DEAD! Michael died in 1897." and the men looked at eachother quizzically.

"Yes, Michael is dead. And may his soul not rest in perfect peace. In fact, may his soul not rest at! Do you know what he did? After I saw her, my one and only Chioma, I told Michael that is the girl that i am going to marry. Please go and talk to her for me. Do you know what he did? He went to talk to her and came back to tell me that both of them were getting married in ten days. HE STOLE HER FROM ME!!"

The soldiers tried to call the old mans attention to the present.

"No sir, that is not the man that we are..."

"NO! HES THE ONE! HES THE ONE! He is a bad person, a thief! A crook a criminal he should be arrested. I will take you to his grave..."

Eventually they had to give up on the old man who was still rambling on and ask some other people who were directing them back and forth until they came across some guys that were smoking on a bench.

"Michael? Wait here let me call him for you." one of them said and whistled. Only for a dog to come running towards them.

"This is Michael. Anything you want to ask him, ask him now." and the rest guys on the bench burst into laughter as the men became furious. One of them cocked his gun and shouted.

"ARE YOU CRAZY? Don't you know who you are talking to?"

"Bros take it easy, wetin happen? Wetin e do? YOu want Michael and e give you Michael, why you dey vex now?"

"We are not looking for a dog. We are looking for a man." Officer Martins said.

"Ehn you know talk that one before now. Na dog Michael dey here."

"YOU MUST BE MAD!" one of the soldiers blurted out.

"Hey hey take it easy dont shout here. Wetin happen?" the guys shouted right back at the soldiers and Martins became exhausted. He knew why the soldiers were not feared in the environment. There was heavy mafia presence in the area and there has been a lot of clashes before between cultists, gangs and mafia bosses making the locals used to gunfire and death.

"Hey hey, if you no go shoot your gun, put am down because na bullet we dey take paint house for here, we no dey fear bullets." any of the guys was still shouting.

Martins didnt want to provoke an ultercation. He didnt care about the boys, he cared about Michael and his friends and decided to move the soldiers along if they were ever going to catch Michael and report back to his superior on time.

"Lets go please, leave them lets go."
Michael, Dayo and Johnny were still packing a few things when one of the neighbourhood guys came to whistle something into Johnnys ear.

"WE HAVE TO HURRY!" he shrieked.

"huh?"
"what?"

"The soldiers are here. They must be looking for Dayo
Michael said "But not to worry, they dont actually know that you are here and they will leave empty handed once we hid you."

"Thats not going to work, brother." Johnny said.

"Why not?"

"BECAUSE INSPECTOR MARTINS IS LEADING THEM!" Johnny shrieked.

Michael take a second to process this before panicking.

"OH MY GOD! WHERE ARE THEY! ARE THEY OUTSIDE?"

"Not yet. I heard that one of our neighbours directed them away from here."

....

"Michael? Michael is at that bear parlour on the next street. He is always there. Go there. He never leaves there." another fat woman was telling the soldiers who once again looked at eachother puzzled.

...

"But we have to leave here right now." Johnny said frantically through all of his brothers remaing clothes into a Ghana-Must-Go bag without checking if it was complete or not.

Michael tried to take one of the bags from his brother to help him with it but he refused.

"No, dont worry brother." he said and threw the two bags out of the room to someone downstairs to the surprise of the others.

"There will be a car waiting for us by the gate but we need to get you two out of here fast without raising suspicion and he darted out to get different clothes for his brother and Dayo. Leaving Michael to wonder where his little was going to get all these resources from.

Officer Martins was waiting by the gate. He knew he was already in big trouble. His DPO had specifically warned not to leave his desk under any circumstances but he just couldnt pass up the opportunity to catch Michael and the rest and besides that desk was suffocating him. He wasnt going to last behind it for much longer. But he had hoped to change his boss's mind about his appointment by catching Micheal and now from the looks of things he was going to get back empty handed and face the wrath of his DPO.

He was pondering all these when something strange caught his eye. Two beggers were walking together. One was leading the other who was blind and walking with a cane. They somehow didnt look like the regular Hausa beggers in Lagos but still they were dressed in their usual ragged clothes consisting of their long Arabian Jalamia and head and face covering turbans. Martins was about to dismiss them when they both did something strange. They got into a car that seemed parked right outside the gate for them. Even the blind one got into the car easily as if he wasnt even blind in the first place.

Then the blind one got out a mobile phone and said something into it. Next minute, he saw him running swiftly from a corner and he got into the drivers seat. Martins was alarmed by the whole scenario but he still didnt get what it meant. But when the two beggars took off their turbans; he became very alarmed.

"MICHAEL!"

"MICHAEL!" he yelled and Michael suddenly turned around in the car to see him. And so did the rest thats when it dawned on Martins that Micheal and DAyo had both pretended to be beggers to elude himself and the soldiers but luckily he, Martins had separated himself from the rest to think up a different approach when they stumbled upon him. But before he could do more that stand up he heard.

"GO! GO! GO! ITS MAD MAN MARTINS!" Dayo said and Johnny jammed his foot on to the gas pedal and the car sped off with Martins in pursuit on foot.

Thank you for thanking me and for enjoying it.

You are most welcome!