₦airaland Forum

Fazemood:
Centino, pls do tell us about yourself, things that would make us know you better. Things like your age, and any other info you'd feel its convenient by you to share. You speak like a person who has spent a lot of time on this Earth, words of wisdom and insight. This only comes from the elderly, even then only a few expresses this high level of mysteriousness.

I admire you, so let us know you

Thanks for the kind words man. On page 46 of this thread, I said the much about myself that is necessary for this project to go on. Anything additional will likely derail the thread. Not necessary at this point.

nnachuks and Zenzu01. That answers your questions too

eyesofpearls:
A prayer for Centino
May your life be filled with no worries
May your hustle be blessed
May all you lay hands on prosper
May you be blessed with abundance of data
May you know no lack
May you receive much more Joy than you give your fans
May your sleep be peaceful
May your desires be granted according to God’s purpose for your life.
May you receive fresh and abundance of inspiration daily
Thank you for all you do
Thank you for bringing smiles our way
Thank you for katakata street.
You are the real MVP !!!

Amen dear

LOVE


Ndifreke sat still and watched the door when Maya left. She had been a model for only one week and she was already unrecognizable. She even smelled of a different perfume. What a career she had ahead of her. They took the light and he found it a relief, as it was a good reason to go back outside. Fresh air to clear his head was just what he needed.

As he perched on the soak away he heard the buzz of Mr Cosmas’ shortwave radio and went in that direction.

“It’s a mystery sir, that in these days of the internet, radio apps, and whatnot you still listen to this Hausa radio as Papa Efe calls it.”

Mr Cosmas chuckled and said, “If these stations are still on the airwaves, it means someone has to listen to them.” They both laughed and then Mr Cosma said: “I see you are not going to bed any soon.”

“No I’m not sir. Sleep is very far from me.”

“Then I’ll get you a seat.” He went inside and returned with a stool for Ndifreke.

“So tell me. How has the keke business been?”

“So so sir. I don’t see myself prospering like this. It only makes enough for me to get by. And the new tricycle is already giving me problems. If I didn’t know better I’d say I was cursed.”

“Don’t say that. Words are powerful.”

“I know. But I am frustrated.”

Mr Cosmas nodded but did not say anything.

“Anyway, something else bothers me.”

“Tell me.”

“It’s my girlfriend Maya again sir.”

“What about her?”

“The other day you were talking about the implication of women being looked at lustfully.”

“I remember that.”

“My question is… what happens to women in jobs and professions where they are out there to be looked at? Models, flight attendants those types of women?”

“How does this concern Maya if I may ask?”

“She is now a model sir. She came back today and was telling me stories. All I saw was my Maya up there for all sorts of men to ogle. It’s disconcerting.”

“Hmmm.”

“They must have gang-raped her in their minds. She came back walking like an empty shell. Tell me, sir. Does it mean that there is no help for these girls?”

“There is my friend. A person who stands right; who does not have dark tendencies is always able to repel negative vibes. Such vibes look for homogeneity in a person as grounds to cling. When there is none, the negative vibes bounce off and the person is unaffected. That is why it is important to pray and ask the Lord’s protection every day as you go about your life.”

“Just that?”

“The Lord will never leave his children without protection. Ask and it shall be given. And also stand right.”

“I will make sure she does not only ask but covers herself with the blood of Jesus every day before going to that place.”

“Blood of Jesus. Topic for another day.”

“Topic for another day. The same thing you said when they spoke about Jesus sleeping with Mary Magdalene. Come on Mr Cosmas, Don’t tell me that that was even remotely possible.”

“And why not?”

“Why not? I’m mortified sir. The son of God having sex? Is it not blasphemy to even think about it?"

“The son of God came in the flesh. Like you and me, he felt hunger, pain, and every natural impulse. Think about it. Do you think that if he felt the urge to eat, to urinate, to cry, to laugh, that he did not feel the urge to relieve himself in this most natural way as well? The son of God knew the Laws. He would have known also that suppression goes against the laws of nature. Some people think that abstinence can cause them to rise higher spiritually. It may well happen that they achieve just the opposite because there will be a constant struggle which will weigh one down and deplete spiritual energy. It is not likely that Christ would have put himself through that. I cannot say for the Mary Magdalene story even though it is documented in some ancient books as such. But it is not beyond reason. And he would not have been any less divine for doing so.

“I’m sorry sir but this is a bit too much for me.”

“Man has made an unnecessary cult of the Christ persona and completely missed the point. That is the problem with religion. I’m sure if they had their way people would tell us that Christ was an entity that appeared from heaven every day and got fed spiritual food by angels and such fantastic tales. Some cannot even live with documented facts that he was poor and illiterate. You must have heard prosperity pastors sell us the balderdash that he was rich by twisting his life experiences so as to justify their own flamboyance. But I have news for you. While he was here, he was no different from you and me. Only he was on a high mission, which he was conscious of and he knew his origin, such that if he were to indulge his flesh he would do it within the laws and not in a manner that would bring harm to himself or anyone else. Believing otherwise in the hope that that makes us good believers is nonsense. The obsession with his person will only drive many to doom.

"He tried to deflect attention from himself by warning that not all who called him lord lord would be saved. Rather he said if we loved him, we should keep his commandments. That is all he demands. Not killing yourself about whether he ate, drank or knew a woman. Keep my commandments! Commandments of which the greatest is Love."


Up on the roof, as soon as she recognized the head of the canaries she said:

“You!”

“Yes,” He said.

“This is my territory.” She said.

“You have been a disgrace to this territory. That is why we came,” He said.

“How dare you?” She said.

Then the chief white canary opened its mouth and a blaze of fire emerged and engulfed the two red kites that had just arrived. In ten seconds the hairs on the kites were completely charred and they stood like chickens ready for the stew pot.

“What have you done?” She said.

“I’ve just told you politely to shut up.”

“You burnt our hairs. That is not supposed to be possible. We are not real birds.”

“Now that I have proved to you that you know nothing, I want you to pay attention and speak only when I ask you to.”

The mother kite’s head dropped and it said “Okay.”

“What do you think you are doing tying down Ndifreke?”

“It isn’t me tying him down. I only joined his people to do as they wish.”

“Release him. Tonight.”

“Why?”

“You are playing with fire.”

“How?”

“He is in love with Maya. Do you know how potent true love is?”

“I know, but he is too broke to realize.”

“They don’t need to realize anything. They only need to join hands together and call their God and fire will consume you. They have flowing through them the greatest power in the universe. You cannot say the same of many sexual relationships but these two are different. You leave them alone if you want to remain.”

“As I already said, His people hold the key.”

“I will summon them here tonight. I want him free at once.”

“What manner of witches are you?”

“We are smarter than you that’s all. We know our world and choose our battles wisely. You, on the other hand, are a laughing stock. Everyone knows you are a witch, and you have to pretend to be what you are not so that they don’t lynch you. We will live all our lives here and no one will know who we really are.”

“So you are good witches?”

“There is no such thing. Good entities do not dwell on this plane. Like I said, we are wiser than you.”

“And you say you came because of me?”

“There is a void here that needs to be filled. You are already finished.”

“Akunna my son wants to kill me.”

“We know that.”

“Will you help me?”

“It may be too late already.”

“Surely there is something you can do.”

“It is hard to believe how useless you really are.”

“I know. Please help me.”

“Release Nidifreke tonight.”

“Yes, I will.”

“And don’t stand in our way. We have a different mission, and we don’t need any stupid old witch exciting people and distracting us.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“Good.”

“But can I ask one thing?”

“What may that be?”

“Irikefe. I need to deal with him.”

“He is mine now,” the smallest canary spoke.

“What do you mean?”

“You heard my daughter. She has Irikefe now and will do to him as she pleases. You have been trying all this while and cannot touch him. So stand down.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?"

“Okay, master.”



Maya knocked and let herself in. She had just seen Mkpoikanna leaving so she knew it was all clear. Ndifreke sat still with his chin in his hand and with a fixed gaze at the window.

“Good morning Ndi. Is everything alright?”

“Yes dear. Everything is fine. I had a dream.”

“A dream? You hardly dream.”

“Yes dear. That is why I am contemplative.”

“I hope it was good.”

“Yes, I should say. In the last dream I remember, three people tied me to a stake. I remember waking up and feeling very weak. Today was the opposite. The same three people untied me and then I ran. I just kept running until I found myself in a garden of roses. I just spread my arms and closed my eyes and savoured the sweet smell of the roses. Then I woke up beside Mkpoikanna.”

“Awww baby. That sounds like a good dream.” She said and hugged him.

“Well, I guess so. For one, I feel invigorated. Nothing like I felt after the last dream.”

“That’s wonderful. Then you should be off for business. It’s rush hour.”

“I’m not going today. I’m going with you.”

“You don’t mean that do you?”

“You think I’m joking?”

“For one, I am on my way out and secondly, why would you be going with me?” Just then, Maya’s phone rang. Ndifreke listened as her tone softened as she spoke to the man who was no doubt ‘the client’.

“Okay, I will be expecting the call. That is so kind of you sir. See you later. Bye.”

“What call will you be expecting?”

“The Uber driver will call. He is on his way already.”

“You are not taking any nonsense Uber.”

“What do you mean Ndi?”

“We will go by bus.”

“He said…”

“I don’t care what he said!” Ndifreke thundered. “Just wait here let me go and have my bath. I will be ready in ten minutes even if it I have to use the bathroom only Mr Kingsley uses.”

Twenty minutes later, they sat side by side on a stuffy bus going to the national stadium. Each facing a different direction.



They got to the location and Ndifreke tagged behind Maya. They had still not said anything to each other since the argument before the Uber driver was asked to leave. Maya’s cousin and agent was already standing outside waiting for Maya along with the photographer who was also the producer. They were all over her as soon as she was in sight. Ndifreke lagged behind and watched. Maya did her best to explain away her refusal to use the Uber and the photographer went on a rant about her physical condition. She did not look well rested and she was wearing tight jeans which she shouldn’t have because it woul leave lines on her legs as the clothes she was modeling today were a bit more revealing. He asked about her body hair and also went into another tantrum when she said she didn’t do anything about it.

“I told you you won’t be modeling jeans and jackets every day. Today you are doing a range of high waist shorts and sleeveless gowns and you are in no shape for it!”

The agent began to speak to the photographer cum producer to calm down as there was a way out, and as they argued, a man in his mid-thirties dressed in a patterned t-shirt and chinos shorts and slip-on loafers emerged. He was tall and slim and oozed sophistication. He walked up to Maya and pulled her in an embrace and kissed her on both cheeks. “Now that’s enough guys. She’ll do the same kind of thihgs as yesterday. So let’s get cracking.” It was then that Ndifreke stepped up. He walked up to them and took Maya’s hand and freed her from the man he later got to know was the famous ‘client.’

“What is it Ndi?”

“You came to model. You are not an escort!”

“what are you saying Ndi?”

“Why is he holding you like that? Why did he kiss you like that?”

“Ndi, they are watching us and you are embarrassing me.”

“I have not even started embarrassing you. So this is what you do here?”

“Ndi. Oh Lord. You are hurting me. Please stop.”

The client then walked up to them.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes everything is alright,” Maya said and held Ndifreke’s gaze in a plea.”

“And you, gentlemen, which agency are you singned on?’

“Em, he is my boyfriend, sir.”

“Yes I figured but who represents him.”

“No one sir. He is not a model.”

The client studied Ndifreke and then stretched out his hand and said, “I’m Jonjo.”

Ndifreke reluctantly took his hand and said “Ndifreke.”

“Ndifreke. I have some clothes I want you to go in there and wear and come out for me. Please.”

Ndifreke, still seething turned to Maya for approval and she nodded and nudged him.

Jonjo gave instructions and young boys and girls started running in all directions in the warehouse turned studio. One grabbed Ndifreke by the elbow and took him away.

Forty-five minutes later, he reemerged and no one, not even Maya recognized him . They put on him a navy blue blazer over a horizontally striped tshirt on a chinos and sneakers. They even managed to give him a new haircut as well. He looked like something straight from a Men’s lifestyle magazine.

“Maya. Please go in and wear something from yesterday.”

Maya did as she was told and emerged forty minutes later in a replica of the clothes she wore home the previous evening that had set off Ndifreke’s jealousy. As they stood side by side Jonjo said “The world thought Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were the most beautiful couple ever. Everyone here gathered hear me. Right before us, is a couple that has debunked that lie. Turning to Maya’s cousin/agent he said “Cancel whatever deal you have with Maya. I am signing these two on to be the face of my outfits for the next two years. Maya and Ndifreke, welcome to a new life.”



Over at Katakata street, the men were talking about Jubrin Al Sudani, the alleged double of President Buhari. Irikefe was there too.

“Gentlemen, this talk about Jubrin is now getting out of hand. There is now a chronology of events leading to his emergence. They are saying Buhari collapsed on the 17th of Jan 2017. The following day he was flown to the UK. He underwent brain surgery and came out brain dead and in a coma. He was left in oxygen for a week and then the oxygen was switched off on the 27th of January. On the 28th he was flown to Saudi Arabia and buried. And then they took four months to recruit and train a double. Can we still call this a joke?”

“Governors Rochas and Amosun who are unhappy with the ruling party are already threatening to spill. In their words, Nigerians will burn down Aso Rock when they do.”

“Holy Ghost!”

Just then Evae walked into the group and knelt down and handed a glass of water to her father. He asked her what she was up to and she said she was going to have her bath. As she walked away, she took all the eyes with her save for her father’s. It was then, as he looked at her that Irikefe knew it was love.

It was the time of afternoon when there were fewer people at the backyard. So he stole away and did what he had promised himself he was not going to do again. He looked through the keyhole of the bathroom when there was no one about and first froze in shock. Evae, completely n*ked was looking at him through the same keyhole. She quickly turned and bent forward and her round buttocks and pudenda were all in his face. He managed to keep his heart from stopping and went to his room to look for his father.

Papa Efe was just rising from his siesta when his son walked in panting.

“What is it?”

“Papa I don’t want to continue with this carpentry work.”

“Eh hen? So what do you want to do?”

“I want to go and learn how to take care of animals.”



TO BE CONTINUED.

eyesofpearls:
Lmao! No worry we are beyond your looks now na ... we will love you regardless

For all we know sef over fine fit dey worry you. You no want make we dey stalk you abi?!

I'm not falling for this

TheStarsAlign:
I just finished 'The First Time' episode. Centino, I tuale for you. Much respect. By the way, hope the story is now in book form? Baba suppose make major paper from this gift o. Kindle, B&N and Kobo stores dey wait for the title.

On page 20 now, started about 3 days ago, I dey feel every episode. More grease... baba.

Ride on man. No worry you go catch up before you know.

The story is only the way it is here on NL. Not thinking of monetizing yet. Yes, YET.

EKLE:
centino pls share a picture of urself. I want to see your face it doesn't matter if u look like wasiu.

Chai my guy

You want make all my crushes see my face pick race abi?

EKLE:
wow! I stopped reading for about 2 months just so the update from centino would be much... this piece of art got me glued to my phone all day long... centino your versatility is something else... I have read countless stories on this platform but none is suspense filled as this, for real. do u make money from this story? am just curious. there is no sane person that would read this story and regret.

Nice to have you back man and thanks for the kind words.

No money yet but I enjoy doing it. Only I want folks to be more understanding as it's tasking and I can't do it as often as they want. If it brought money then maybe. Then I know I don't have to hit the streets the rest of the week for daily bread.

bimberry1307:
Hmm! Good to be back. Oh m g! So another set of winchi winchi don enter katakata. But come o, as ndifreke was follow Maya for photo shoot now, hope client no go vex. I'm crossing my legs. Thanks centino for the National update, u see, all those politicians matter don tire me.

Good to have you back bimberry1307.

eyesofpearls:
And the story just took another twist! Centino you too much abeg! I’m officially in awe of you! How your mind works!
Oh lawd! One whole week!
Thank you so much for all your efforts. We appreciate you.
May your labour of love be rewarded greatly with all your heart desires.
God bless you man.

The pearls in my eyes!

Everly welcome dear.

Amen.

viciati:
obong centino.. you burst my brain and scatter my balls. This your story is the real deal. Been following from day one. YAK ITONG UWEM UDOT FI.

AMEN, EYEN EKA MMI

Need to especially welcome the following to the thread. Did all the mentioning on Sunday but my system come do somehow so I posted without mentioning:

ucilious, dimelo, DanDeeBoss, riqmarol, Anijay1212, TheStarsAlign, maputohq, Justseyii, creamyanne, tolufase, Ginx, enoqueen, evold. I see you guys!

seunadeolu I still no go mention you

Opeoluwa99:
Centino - "jack of all trade master of all"
I "hardly" read the news but I'm less bothered because i have the council of elders to update me
Thank you Centino

Good to know sis.

Kaycee9242:
Centino pls don't neglect d plea from many of us begging u for a mid week update. We av not begged u like dis b4 abeg

Chai bros no be lie. I never see this kind beg before. usually, when una beg like dis I go come squeeze out time and e dey disorganize me. Not promising but if it doesn't happen, will make next Sunday's worth it in every sense. No one complained about length this time as I deliberately shot for 3000 words. Make we dey watch.

JimMumin:
We do. Even those written before e.g Irikefe's recovery by Centino.

Nice to know

seun0225:
Oga centino can u allow me to post your story on my facebook page.

Expecting Sunday update.

No problem my man. Just credit me

JimMumin:
Who else noticed the excellent description of that photo shoot by, not Maya o, Centino. ?

I always like the different styles yo've used for different persons.

Thumbs up

Thank you jare. Was wondering if no one noticed anything other than the witches for all that thing wey I write

jagugu88li:
Centino come here......come finish this update. Jesus.....you can't just leave us like this. Chai!! When will Sunday come..

After abandoning us for the food section

Payback time

jagugu88li:
How possible is it that the wife and daughter are not aware of their nocturnal activities? Hypnosis

Don't quite get. But tune in on Sunday

Thanks for the mention man and congrats on your strides. Frankly remarkable. Well done.

Essyprity:
Centino abeg show

I don show already babe

Check last page.

tuwayz:
Boss centino....happy sunday to you sir, still following up much much.... But please do all witches truly fly at night ?

Bros how I go take know na...shooo!

EVICTED


“She really said that?”

“Bros Freke, I still dey weak.”

“Maybe it was to dissuade you.”

“No I don’t think so bros. I saw how disappointed she was when I did not immediately agree that sex was my intention. She even turned to walk away.”

“So was sex your intention?”

“No and yes. No because I wasn’t expecting the conversation to steer in that direction so quickly. A man must chase a woman na, even if just a little. If you just ask and woman gree, my brother, pick race. If she no be ashewo, she wan give you HIV. Not to talk of the one wey I no even ask she just open her mouth talk that kind thing.”

“So you are going to pick race?”

“Bros the babe set. Kai.”

“So you are not picking race.”

“Why? Maybe it is their culture I don’t know. You saw how they bent and kissed the man’s toes. So maybe all these hide and seek na Naija girls style. For Togo, they understand say man and woman must participate. So instead of long tory, just go tell my papa and then carry go.”
“Eh hen? Good luck with that.”

Irikefe thought about it and then said “But bros e get as this thing be o. Does it mean I will go and knock on the door and ask to speak with her father? Then I will say “good morning Mr Agbonyibo, I wan fvck your pikin.”

“That sounds good enough to me.”

“Bros you no like me.”

“What do you want me to say Irikefe? A new family just moved in. You did not even wait for them to know their way to their room and you went and propositioned their daughter. You got the best answer. Whatever she means by it, whether it is their culture or whatever, I wish you luck having that conversation with the father of a love interest.”

“It is not love interest God forbid. Who will love a daughter of a crocodile peddler?”

“My grandmother used to say, if you do not eat dog meat, do not use your teeth to cut it for those who will eat. In this context it means never have sex with a woman you cannot love.”

“I knew you would not remain the same since you started driving The Undertaker and Mr Cosmas. Now you are talking like them.”

“Worry about your Eva and Mr Agbonyibo.”

“Bros the thing get as e be. Her papa! Which kind yeye culture be dat? How can you have a youth without sneaking around, hiding behind fences, enjoying a quickie under the staircase, those sort of things. You cannot enjoy life if you have to involve your parents in everything!"

“Not every child is reprobate and anti-parental authority like you. Good you have met this one so you see that there cannot be a limit to regard for your parents.”

“Papa Efe will never tell me and my lover to consult him before we fvck.”

“The small things he asks you to do you will not do. When last did you wash plates in this compound? We all see that old man going to the backyard to wash plates and you are out there wearing ripped jeans with a comb in your back pocket and looking for sex. You think he is happy about your reputation in this compound?”

“Yesterday I washed plates.”

“You know why you did it.”

“But bros whose side are you on?”

“I’m not on anyone’s side. If you want Agbonyibo’s daughter go and do as she has said.”

“She has been avoiding me like a plague since then. She wouldn’t even glance at me, and when I made sure we bumped into each other this morning she went back inside and wore a tshirt and then walked back past me like I was breeze.”

“That is what I call a good girl. Go and speak with her dad. Nothing till you do.”

“How am I going to do that?”

“That, my friend, is your problem.”

“Do you know he has started his business?”

“The animal business?”

“Aswear! I had been looking out for when he would bring the creatures to the store. Apart from at night, that is from midnight, I have kept my eyes on the road and his shop for every waking minute from 6 am since he moved in but I saw nothing. Then early this morning at six when I came to brush, I saw him outside stroking two puppies. I went close and heard a bit of noise inside the shop, which he kept the doors close. I greeted him and he flashed those unreal white teeth. There is something about that man bros.”

“And you want his daughter.”

“Bros a pussy is always without blame.”

“Good luck to you.”

“Thanks bros.”



Ndifreke checked his watch. It was 10:23 pm. Maya’s phone still reported switched off. She had been gone all day for yet another photo shoot. Then at 10:51 a Toyota Corolla pulled up and she alighted from the back seat. An Uber. He was on his feet as soon as he recognized her. Instead of the clothes she wore when she left the house in the morning, she had on a pair of jeans and a crisp white shirt under a red blazer. Her movement was tentative, which was because she also wore a stiletto. He noticed that she did not pay the Uber driver. She only said something and he nodded and then she started for the compound.

“Welcome back honey,” Ndifreke said.

“Oh, Ndi. I’m so tired!”

“Of course you must be tired.” He said with a mild scoff. “I tried to reach you all day.”

“Oh. My battery went flat and I did not bother to charge. The production manager does not like phones on set.”

“Oh I see. You are wearing very nice clothes Maya.”

“Oh thanks dear. At the end of the shoot, the client said the clothes were too good on me for me to take them off. He said I could have them.”
“Does he do that for all his models?”

“I don’t know dear. I’m new on the set.”

“And the Uber. You didn’t pay.”

“The client got it for me. He said it’s charged to his card that I should just ensure the driver ended the trip when I arrived.”

“Oh I see.”

“Are you alright Ndi?”

“Yes I’m fine Maya” he said and looked away. It was one of the rare occasions when they had power. When that happened, neighbors seized the opportunity to stay in their rooms and watch TV. So they were fewer people outside than usual and the security lights all beamed on her.

Maya did not like the way Ndifreke sounded so she said, “Come, let’s go inside. I will plug my phone and show you my pictures and tell you how it went.

“There the photographer kept saying follow the nose, bounce the shoulders, chin out and down,” she said and chuckled as she flipped through her picture gallery. See this one; notice that my mouth is slightly opened. The client suggested it. He said with the mouth closed, the jawline clenches and adds extra weight to the sides of the face. It can also give negative energy to an image, a bored neutral look. With the mouth slightly open, the jawline is elongated and gives a subtle intimate invite to the viewer. He said I looked gorgeous like that.”

“The same client ehn?”

“Yes Ndi.”

“Do clients stay for photo shoots or the leave it for the photographers or producers or whoever to do?”

“I don’t know Ndi. I’m new. This guy stayed and they said he was the client. He has the biggest retail store on the Island and these items just arrived.”

“He stayed all through and gave you the clothes and called an Uber for you and told you how to open your mouth for the shots?”

“What are you saying Ndi?”

“What is his name?”

She fiddled with her purse and gave him a business card. “That’s his card.”

Ndifreke took it and pocketed it without even looking at it.

“So is the photo shoot over now?"

“No. We are going back tomorrow.”

“All right. I’ll come with you.”



Mama Willy-willy observed how excitable the baby had become as soon as its grandmother picked it up. Mama Willy –willy knew about infants who would make long guttural sounds that made you think they were in a hurry to start talking. This was not like that. The baby seemed to be having a decipherable conversation with the old woman with precise arm gestures; not the aimless swinging you saw with babies. The pitch of its sounds went up and down and matched the gestures and Mama Akunna kept nodding matter-of-factly. Castro’s words returned to her now. “Irikefe said the baby is a witch and is in a serious relationship with Mama Akunna.” Mama Willy-willy had brushed it aside but continued to observe the baby who really did not behave like any ones she knew or had nursed. Today she was going to discuss the future of the baby with Mama Akunna. The goosebumps she was having watching them now was the tipping point. Mama Akunna would return to Esther’s with the baby today.

“Mama your grandson has really missed you. I don’t think he will let you go without him today.”

“Na true. E don miss me. But I no go carry am yet. Me and Esther never talk reach there.”

“Eh hen?”

“I will take him. He is my son.” They turned and saw Akunna standing there. Mama Akunna shuffled behind Mama Willy-willy and held tight to the baby.

“I want to take my son,” he repeated.

“Bro Akunna” Mama Willy-willy began. “You are in no condition to take care of an infant.”

“And why is that?”

Mama Willy-willy hesitated and then said, “It is not a man’s job.”

“You also think I’m crazy right?”

“I did not say that.”

“You think I’m crazy enough to harm my only remaining child?”

“Bro Akunna. Your mother is the rightful person to take care of the baby as things are.”

“Well, I have news for you. I also can take care of my baby.”

“All right. Speak to the council of elders. It was they who gave the baby to me when your mother was not well.”

“What nonsense council of elders is that? Who gave them the right to adjudicate over my family?”

“They were only being of help. We were all helping.”

“Okay thank you very much for your help. Can I have my son now?”

“Please I want to go out,” Mama Willy-willy said and gathered buckets, pans and shoes into her veranda. When she finished she said, “If this baby leaves here, he is going with Mama to Sister Esther’s.”

“Well, Sister Esther has thrown her out.”

“What do you mean?”

“As I was coming, I saw Sister Esther putting her things out in the corridor.”

“For what?”

“Wetin I do?”

“She did not look pleased. She may even have been crying. But not to worry, I gathered the things and took them back into our room. Tonight, you and my son will be spending the night with me.”

“Jisos!” Mama Akunna cried.



The council of elders sat to welcome Agbonyibo into the fold. Mr Zubi wasted no time.
“Agbonyibo, once again I will formally welcome you to number 225 Katakata Street. This is the council of elders of this compound of which you qualify to be a part of as a husband and father. We have had difficult times in this compound. I don’t want to bore you with the details but it was such that it became necessary for us to meet like this and look at things and find solutions. We have accepted that we are all in the same boat, there are no secrets here. So instead of pretending that this is Lekki or VGC, we accept who we are and live like a community. These are the faces you will see here every time. Sometimes some of the grown-up boys join us especially when we read our newspapers and discuss our country. It is an important aspect of our lives here on Katakata Street as it keeps us going."

“Speaking of which” Josiah began “You saw how El Rufai wants to end Peter Obi’s vice presidency before it even begins? He called Obi a bigot for restricting his movement in 2010 when he was in Anambra to monitor elections.”

“That really happened?”

“Yes, it did. Obi said that El Rufai had no business being in Anambra because Anambra was not Katsina.”

“But was that not wrong?”

“Yes, it was. As El Rufai himself said, “Freedom of movement is enshrined in our constitution and if foreigners could be allowed to monitor elections in Nigeria, why wouldn’t another Nigerian.”

“And all Obi can say now is that he is praying for El Rufai. That El Rufai should not be heating up the polity. That El Rufai should be conscious of Nigerians being killed everywhere including in Kaduna state where El Rufai presides.”

“He is being sentimental joor. Did he or did he not say it? See how it has come back to bite him?”

“Luckily for him, Reno Omokri, the defender of the PDP from the diaspora jumped to Obi’s defense. He said El Rufai was the original bigot. He reminded the world of El Rufai’s statement that anyone that killed a herdsman owes a debt. He also slammed El Rufai for choosing a Muslim as running mate in a highly religiously divisive state like Kaduna. He even accused El Rufai of insulting our Lord Jesus. El Rufai once said that Jesus slept with Mary Magdalene.”

“Holy Father! He said that?”

“Yes he did.”

“Mr Cosmas is that true? Could Jesus have done such a thing?”

“That is a discussion for another day.”

“What do you mean by that is a discussion for another day.”

“This is the council of elders and we are welcoming Agbonyibo. You don’t want to listen to my thoughts now.”

“This your response get as e be.”

“Meanwhile the court stopped the Kano assembly from investigating Governor Ganduje. Is the judiciary now in support of corruption?”

“The State assembly is having none of it. They are going ahead all the same.”

“You see why people disobey court orders? Some of them are stupid and you can see that some of those dollars have reached the men in the wig.”

“That man should have just resigned. Instead, he is carrying on like business as usual.”

“What is Buhari doing about it?"

“That one is only concerned with his own problems. He even wants this to rumble on so that no one will ask him questions about his certificate. Do you know that WAEC is threatening to throw Nigeria out of the regional body because of the certificate they gave him? Apparently, the body did not sanction it.”

“I am not surprised. That he couldn’t get it in 2015 when he did not have power shows that something untoward has happened this time.”

“And someone came and told us that WAEC did not offer Hausa until 1974, but Buhari’s certificate says he took Hausa in 1961.”

“I said it! What is INEC waiting for to disqualify him?”

“He is still causing distractions so that they will not think about it. Can you imagine that he came out and denied agreeing to 30k minimum wage with Labour? He said he did not mention any figure.”

“Mehn, see scam!”

“And while we are trying to digest that, Liar Mohammed came and said they feed El Zakzaki with 3.5 million every month. The minister of Interior came and said every prisoner in Nigeria is fed with 14,000 daily. 10 billion naira annually?”

“Holy Ghost! Nigeria!”

“No wonder Akunna was so fresh when he came back.”

“Akunna was not in prison. He was in the hospital.”

“So you believe that nonsense? Even in Sheraton, you will spend less on food per day. They are padding the budget and stealing the money!”

Mama Willy-willi walked in then and said “Council! I have come to officially inform you that I have handed Akunna’s baby back to his mother. I have tried. I cannot do any more than that.”

“Well true, Mrs Zubi. You are a good woman.”

“I should also let you know that Akunna is interested in having both of them back in his room.”

“So that he can kill her?”

“That is not my problem.”

“I heard Esther threw her out and refused to give reasons. We cannot force her. She too has tried.”

“You people should allow her to go back to her son. If he kills her, he faces the full wrath of the law. As much as we want to help, there is a limit to what we can do.”

“That is true.”

“Agbonyibo welcome. You see, this is what a typical sitting looks like.”

“E good sir. Make we live like family.”



Mama Akunna lingered in front of Mama Cowbell’s shop until late in the night before she ventured back into the room she shared with Akunna. He was already asleep or pretending to be. She knew this was possibly her last night on earth so she did not want to waste it. So as soon as she arranged herself and her grandson on the mat on the floor they both left their bodies and flew to the roof. When they got there, they met three white canaries already perched there and having a meeting. Mama Akunna recognized them at once.

It was the new tenant, his wife and their daughter.


TO BE CONTINUED.

tsharp:
Mr Cosmas. Centino's alter ego as someone said.




Boss! Since you are here, give us one surprise update to celebrate na

My man! Sunday almost here bro. Na front page drag me out today

NiggasInParis:
Lol, so you even have it profiled! Well, It only shows the story is exceptional, and ofcourse it is. "You cannot hide a lit Candle."

Yeah, someone makes sure I take note. Thanks for the interest

NiggasInParis:
You dont mean it, This is the fifth time this story is making front page.

9th actually . You like?

kokosin:
centibaba where r u

I dey here my guy

eyesofpearls, nnachuks, obong003, dannybomb, Smazlexander, Culin, Ytea, MAXIKENNEX08, Haruspicy96, Lastpharoah33, Asek1, LightQueen, WHOcarex, SunFlow, Abayomi7, Dav8king, bakeuhappy, gaventa, olutomijos, eyezik3, cerowo, Iamjaxx, Kaycee9242, Pinkberry5, 3phase, EmjayCaleb, Fazemood, tsharp, Kirgiakos, christheair, everyone...its Sunday




KABA-KOBO-KABA-KOBO


“You should stop staring gentlemen,” Mr Cosmas said.

“Mr Cosmas. So we cannot even look?”

“It is your choice if you want to look, but it is not good. You are defiling a man’s wife and child.”

“Defile ke Mr Cosmas. By looking?”

“But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28” Mr Kingsley said.

“Spiritually, thought is deed” Mr Cosmas said. “The moment you think it, it is already accomplished. Restraint is possible only on the earth plane because of the density of our physical bodies and material substance. When you look at a woman like that, you put a stain on her ethereally. This stain then attracts similar currents to her and over time she begins to unwittingly affect people in a sexual way. You would have heard frequently molested women lament how they are at a loss as to why everybody they come in contact with want to sleep with them. You too would know a woman or two, beautiful or not so beautiful who have the most compelling sexual aura; such that even if you are not so inclined, you find yourself drawn to them and you will need extraordinary self control to not err. It is because men defile these women continuously in their thoughts, and the effects follow them wherever they go. If such a woman gets attacked or raped in the physical, every man who has cast a lustful eye on her takes part of the blame.”

“Ehn? Even when I did not shine the congo?”

“As Kingsley reminded us from the scriptures, in your heart, you have already done it. And I have explained to you how this takes place spiritually. There is a consequence for every little action, every straying of the eyes, every idle thought. Why you must always keep the hearth of your thoughts pure.”

“Ehm, I have heard,” Achike said. “But then I cannot help but wonder why life is this unfair.”

“How do you mean Achike?”

“How can Agbonyibo, ugly like the devil be climbing such a beautiful woman Cosmas. Please, what is the spiritual explanation for that? And she even bent down and kissed his toes right before us!” Achike contorted his face as if the woman had swallowed a reptile.

“Life is unfair to many, but life’s unfairness does not give you the license to be immoral – Abhisht Pandey” Mr Kingsley said.

Gentlemen, I beg to take my leave,” Mr Cosmas said and strode away.

“Bia Kingsley, follow your brother Cosmas and go. Thank you.” Achike said.

“Life is not fair. Get used to it – Bill Gates,” Mr Kingsley said, and left the gathering.

“Achike, the two gentlemen are right, mind yourself.” Mr Zubi said.

“And you should worry about your brother Chisco and the nurse you have been pursuing since. They have been together in the room since she came back. She wants to pay him with congo for risking his life for her,” Josiah said.

Achike’s ears stood and his eyes bulged out. But he collected himself and kept his eyes on the men who were moving Agbonyibo’s things. They were falling over themselves to ensure that Agbonyibo’s wife and daughter did not touch anything.

“He said her name is Enyonyam. Is that not a Calabar name? He even came to Nigeria, crossed River Niger and went and took our woman.”

“Enyonyam no be Calabar name o! Unless na the one dem carry go slave for Cotonou.” Mkpoikanna said.

“Enough” Mr Zubi said. “Your president now has a WAEC certificate. Certificate he could not procure in 2015 when he did not have power. Nigeria we hail thee.”

“WAEC never used to issue attestation certificate or whatever they called it. If you lost your certificate, they only gave a statement of result.”

“And his passport photograph is even on the certificate. What kind of shameless country is this biko?”

“Can’t it be challenged in court? He first said it was with the military and the military denied it. That means it was a lie all along. A man who tells one lie will tell another. Therefore this certificate is a lie.”

“And they arraigned Senator Adeleke in court for exam malpractice just to make sure he does not win at the Osun election tribunal, and then a person who did not even go to school is being given a certificate.”

“He went to school. As he and even his enemy Obasanjo argued, you cannot have risen in the military as he did without passing through education with qualifications the equivalent of a master’s degree. Frankly, the whole school certificate thing is laughable looked at from that perspective.”

“Then why can he not speak English well? Or is it Hausa they used in his own education?”

“I heard Abuja has been experiencing earth tremors that is indicative of an earthquake. I told you my God is not sleeping.”

“Meaning?”

“We will wake up one day and the place has gone under the earth. Let it just start from Aso Rock.”

“You better watch your tongue.”



Sister Esther was determined to prove beyond reasonable doubt what her intuition had been telling her. So over the past week, as they prayed, she opened one eye to see what Mama Akunna was up to. Even though she still heard her doing the kaba-kobo-kaba-kobo style of speaking he tongues she had settled for, she always felt something was not right.

Mama Akunna always waited for when Sister Esther engaged the fourth gear and went bunkers shaking her head and stamping her feet and commanding the host of heaven before she stood on her toes and hop on one spot and hoot like an owl under her breath. She was methodical with it, such that even if you listened, you will continue to hear the kaba-kobo-kaba-kobo she continually spewed. She liked the speaking in tongues business. Before she learnt it, words always failed her because she did not quite understand saying all those many words in the air and hoping someone in the skies was listening. She was used to thinking a thing and seeing it manifest, intercepting auras and moulding them the way she pleased. If only these people knew how much time they wasted with all the speaking, they would look for a more prudent way to approach their God, which mama Akunna knew was more effective. In any case, it was not her intention to change Esther’s ways. Those prayer episodes and the kaba-kobo-kaba-kobo she had learnt gave her the chance to also pray in her own way and tap into her source of power without anyone noticing.

When they finished Mama Akunna told Sister Esther she wanted to go and see Mama Willy-willy and her grandson. Sister Esther nodded acquiescence, avoiding Mama Akunna’s eyes as much as she could.

As soon as Mama Akunna stepped out sister Esther reached under the bed and brought out the small rafia bag that contained Mama Akunna’s things and rummaged through them. Sure enough, she found the bottle of ogogoro she had suspected Mama Akunna kept. The ogogoro was half drunk as well as wraps of marijuana which Esther suspected Mama Akunna put in her food. So in addition to manifesting witchcraft in the middle of prayers, Mama Akunna was also still drinking and ingested Indian hemp.

Sister Esther slumped into a corner of the room and began to cry.



Akunna walked into the midst of the young men and as they were about to scamper away he said “Wait. Wait my boys. If I had a quarrel with Irikefe it doesn’t mean I am fighting all of you.”

Irikefe had already jumped the gutter to the other side and said “You guys sit there and listen to him. You did not see what he did to me?”

“My men. I only had a fight with Irikefe because of a breach of contract. He took money from me to get me something and he did not deliver and I taught him a lesson. Anyone in my shoes would do the same.”

“Which money? Which money," Irkefe screamed?

“You are asking me which money?”

“Money did not come into our conversation, you madman.”

“Oh, so you have accepted we had a conversation. Guys, did I not tell you? Do you want me to tell them what our conversation was about? What you were going to get me?”

“You better shut up your mad mouth.”

“Good. I thought you'd say so. You wouldn’t want anyone to know what you were going to get for me, you who is not mad.”

Irikefe opened his mouth to speak but closed it again and clenched his teeth in anger.

“Guys. Did you see my dear Arsenal yesterday?” Akunna began. I just don’t know why the coach did not start Iwobi. He made the difference when he came on. The boy is becoming a proper baller.”

“I agree Mr Akunna” Tobi said. “In just a few months see how them dey play.”

“Oh yes. Impressive. While we were winning all our matches, people were saying we had not played any strong team. Liverpool was lucky to leave with a draw yesterday.”

“All that progress in four months! Look at Chelsea and Sarri. Even Frank Lampard of yesterday with Derby County. These teams are playing football with identity. But Mourinho, after three and a half years is still playing a midfielder in the defense and putting ten men behind the ball against West Ham. No style, no identity.”

“He should just be sacked.”

“They won’t now that he has started winning games. I will do anything to see Zidane and silky football back at the Theatre of Dreams.”

“Meanwhile Thierry Henry has not won any match since taking over Monaco and they are bottom of the league. Karma really is a bitch. That guy sat in the studio as a pundit and slated Arsene Wenger every week. That he should do it this way and that way. Now they have given him a team to coach in little France and everybody is beating him. Serves him right.”

“The same thing happened to the big mouthed Gary Neville. Until he too coached a team and was being beaten 7 nil every week.”

“Valencia of Spain. Empty vessels make the loudest noise. I have seen it now. Sports studios should just save all the money they spend on those pundits. Really they know nothing.”

As they spoke, Akunna saw his mother steal by and hobble towards Mr Zubi’s self-contained.

“Excuse me fellas,” he said and went back into the house.



Irikefe found his way to the backyard. Agbonyibo’s wife and daughter were busy setting up their space in the kitchen and washing and arranging their plates and cooking utensils in their cupboard. As soon as he saw that, Irikefe went into his room and brought out a week old dirty dishes his father had been begging him to wash and hurried to the backyard. He found space beside Agbonyibo’s daughter and then proceeded to fetch water from the well. He filled two big basins and brought them close so that the girl would not need to go to the well. She and her mother were topless with only wrappers over their breasts, which covered to just above their knees. Their hips and buttocks lifted their wrappers at the back such that each time they bent forward it was possible to see far along the back of their thighs. And so Irikefe collected ashes from Mama Tobi’s fufu stove and went on his knees and scrubbed his pots for one hour, making sure not to miss any movement the women made. Then at some point, the girl came and stayed where he wanted her to be.

“Your mama don finish for kitchen?” Irikefe said.

She flashed her white teeth and continued what she was doing.

“Why una dey keep una plates for kitchen? Na inside house we dey put our own.”

She only smiled and paid him no more attention.

“Evae. Me I go dey call you Eva. Na the same thing. Evae na French, Eva na English. It is a beautiful name. Eva means life. To give life. Na the name of my mama. Do you know?”

Evae again smiled and looked away as Irikefe rattled on. While they worked, he made sure he was on hand to provide water each time he sensed she was about to fetch some.

“Eva. You for no bother to wash these plates. Next time if your plates dirty, just call me I go wash everything for you. Plate and pot.”

Evae again only smiled and when she finished and stood Irikefe stood too. Then she said with the softest voice “Why you disturb me?”

“Erm, I no disturb you Eva, dear Eva. I just…”

“You want fvck me?”

The pots he held fell from his hand and he scrambled to pick them up and then stood looking at the girl nonplussed.

“Tell me, you wan fvck me?”

“Oh no, my God Evae, I mean Eva, what are you saying?”

“So you no wan fvck me? Okay, bye bye.”

She turned to go and Irikefe dropped the pots and held her hand. She freed herself and smiled and held his gaze.

“I see for your eye say you wan fvck me.”

“Listen, I mean emm, I like you and everything is possible.”

“Okay. Go ask my papa.”



TO BE CONTINUED.

eyesofpearls:
This STEW Hot! Over sweet dey worry am!
Thanks Centino! You too much!
What a way to unwind!! Thanks man! You’re the best!

God bless you with more inspiration. Bless the works of your hands. And grant you the desires of your heart according to His purpose for your life. Thank you for all the smiles and Joy you bring to all your fans! We love you dearly.

Amen dearest

debbycreamy:
Centino, i travelled all the way from south south to the south west, when i got to lagos, i asked the driver to take me to katakata street because i wanted to see things for myself, lo and behold d driver didn't know d place, we searched and searched and search, bia! Centino right now eh, return all my transport fee and my time i wasted.


D story is too interesting to wait so i went, abeg u too much!

Haa!

nnachukz:
Finally it landed. I felt very depressed today. I thought of something that will bring vitality back to me then I remembered our dear katakata street. I visited severally, no new person in town until now. Thank you Centino.

You're welcome man. Do hope you are doing well now. Cheers brother.

THE AGBONYIBOS


Word spread quickly on Katakata Street that there was a new tenant at number 225 that reared and sold dangerous animals. So on the day Agbonyibo moved in, you would have thought that there was a carnival in the compound and the whole street was invited. Firstly, Mama Cowbell sold more rice than she had done in any single day that year. Lukman gave more haircuts, Josiah made more pitches on forgotten furniture items he had for sale. Even Mama Akunna’s forgotten ogogoro customers were complete in the compound that day. That was the day they came for an explanation to why Mama Akunna took away their joy. Everyone who knew someone at Number 225 paid the person a visit that day. Compound members themselves did not want to be told how it went. Everyone wanted to see the animal man for themselves. People broke into groups and chattered away so that when a taxi pulled up and the occupant turned out to be Josephine, it was met with little interest and a few groans of disappointment.

Chisco was quick to her side much to her surprise. He reached for her bag and held her hand as she jumped the gutter into the compound. Josephine held her head high and swung her famous hips as she walked through the catcalls, and disappeared down the corridor. Chisco followed behind and handed her her bag at the foot of the stairs.

“Come upstairs Chisco.”

He hesitated.

“Please,” she added.

He took the bag from her and followed behind.

Her room was as she last remembered. There was a hint of dust and stuffiness so she opened the window but left the door shut. Chisco was watching her. She then faced him and said “Thank you for that night Chisco.”

“No problem nurse.”

“Can I see your eye?”

Chisco hesitated then he removed his sunshade. Josephine went closer to him and touched his wounded eye. Chisco stood stiff as a statue and then felt his chest constrict when Josephine embraced him and held him tight.

“Thank you” she said again.

“Erm, no problem, nurse.”

“I’m sorry about your eye.”

“Issokay, nurse. The wound don almost go. I dey see small small.”

She pulled away, went over to her bag, brought out a tshirt and a packet of boxers, and handed them to Chisco.

“Thank you nurse.”

“I like you Chisco. If you ever need anything, I mean anything, don’t hesitate to ask me.”

“Okay nurse.”

“Do you know why there are so many people outside today?”

“Yes, nurse. We dey get new tenant. Dem say de man dey sell snake. Everybody come to see him.”

“Snake?”

“Yes nurse.”

“Is that possible?”

“Na so dem say.”

“Alright. We will see how that goes.”

“Nurse make I help you to sweep this room. Give me broom.”

“Don’t worry Chisco, I will do it.”

But Chisco already guessed that a broom would be behind the cupboard and reached for it. Josephine knew she would not stop him, so she stood to one side and watched him work. He was a strong boy in body and mind. She fought an urge to give him another hug.



Ndifreke’s phone beeped and he looked. Whatsapp message from Maya. “I’m coming to your room.” Ndifreke stole away and no one even noticed. He opened the door and let her in. They rushed into each other’s arms. It was the kind of hug that led to other things. Maya stopped him before he got too excited.

“So you too want to be there to welcome the animal man.”

“What can I do? It’s actually fun out there.”

“Alhaji Sirika is making a big mistake.”

“It is his house. Nothing we can do.”

“Is it true he has seventeen different types of reptiles?”

“What will people not say?”

“Is it true?”

“No one knows what is true until we see it. What I understand is that the man rears dogs basically. Then from time to time, other kinds of animals become available and he trades in them. He looks a careful man who knows what he is doing and is respectful. It is normal for people to exaggerate.”

“Well, stay away from him I beg you.”

“I will, you too do the same.”

Maya shifted slightly on the edge of the bed where they sat and began to twirl the edge of her skirt. Ndifreke recognized that as a sign of uneasiness.

“What is it Maya?”

She turned to him and took both his hands in hers.

“You are making me worried Maya.”

“Do you love me Ndi?”

“Of course I do Maya.”

“Do you wish the best for me?”

“What is the meaning of this Maya.”

“Answer my question please, Ndi.”

“I wish the world and more for you Maya.”

“Then promise me you will not be angry or disappointed or uneasy with what I am about to tell you.”

“How can I promise you that Maya?”

“Just promise me.”

“The last time you spoke like this you were going to get married.”

“I am not getting married. It is something good.”

“Tell me what it is.”

“Promise me first.”

“I am not enjoying this Maya.”

“Promise.”

“If you are sounding like this, then it means it is something I should be worried about. I’m sorry but I cannot promise anything until I hear what it is about.”

“You know that cousin of my mother’s who lives in Surulere?”

“The one that works in entertainment?”

“Yes. He is a modeling agent.”

“Yes? What about him?”

“I am moving in with him.”

Ndifreke rose like a launched missile. Maya stood too.

“He has modeling jobs for me. He also said he will get me into music videos as a vixen.”

“Over my dead body.”

“Haa! Ndi!”

“Video vixen? Dancing half naked? Doing what Tiwa was doing to Wizkid the other day to those promiscuous Indian hemp smokers? Are you out of your mind?”

“Calm down Ndi. I won’t do that.”

“Have you watched any music video lately? Have you seen any that they wear clothes? Have you seen any that they are not putting their asses all over the men and in the camera?”

“Alright, I won't do that. I will do only modeling.”

“What will you be modeling?”

“I don’t know Ndi. I will take whatever comes up.”

“Whatever comes up you say?”

“Whatever comes up that I can do.”

“They will make you do anything they want Maya.”

“I will do only what I want to do Ndi.”

“Why Maya. Why?”

“Ndi, I am left with no choice. My mother cannot put me in school. The cake and confectionery I went to learn, I cannot practice. No money to start anything.”

“I have started something and I have money for both of us.”

“You don’t make enough yet Ndi. You need to save. You need a place of your own. I cannot come and burden you as well.”

“You are not a burden. I will take care of you.”

“I know Ndi. But let me go and work too. If I earn, you earn, together we will get the life of our dreams.”

“That is not work Maya. They will turn you into a prostitute.”

“Don’t say that Ndi.”

“Why do they want you to go and live there with them? Is it not this same Lagos?”

“Mummy thinks I need a change of scene after the pregnancy and everything.”

“Your mother wants you to move away from me.”

“Stop Ndi.”

“I am not stopping Maya.”

She pushed him to one side and made for the door. Ndifreke grabbed her elbow and forced her into an embrace. She struggled and pounded his chest with weak fists and then collapsed into him and began to sob.

“I’m sorry Maya. I’m sorry honey. I just don’t feel good about this. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You are not losing me. I am poor and miserable. There is hope for me out there. If you love me you will let me go.”

“Okay Maya I will but can I ask for something?”

“What?”

“Go from here Maya. It is not a nine to five job. If there is anything you can go from here.”

“Where will I get the transport money from every day.”

“I will give you transport fare any time you have to go out. But please don’t leave me and move in with any modeling agent who wants you to be a video vixen. They will destroy you. They will destroy us.”

Maya looked into his eyes and saw his hurt. It shocked her to see that tears were running down his face.

“Don’t cry Ndi. I will go from here.”

“What of your mother?”

“Let her chase me out if she can.”

They giggled tearfully and he kissed her.

“I don’t want to lose you Maya.”

“You will not lose me Ndi.”

He scooped her and put her on the bed and they struggled out of each other's clothes.

They made love like it was their last time.



Outside, the wait for Agbonyibo was still on.

Someone mentioned Buhari’s certificate.

“INEC said seventy presidential aspirants had submitted their certificates apart from the President.”

“He doesn’t have. We’ve always known that.”

“He said it is with the military.”

“People are saying, as commander in chief of this military, can’t he just command them to produce the certificate already?”

“Apparently things are not done that way in his military.”

“How did he contest in 2015?”

“In 2015 Nigerians turned a blind eye because the Change mantra was music in our ears and we wanted it so badly. Now, our eye don clear. Baba must show him certificate.”

“We wanted the integrity and everything he preached. Surely one yeye certificate was not a good enough reason for us to let this Messiah pass us by.”

“INEC should disqualify him, simple.”

“Who born them?”

“The INEC chairman said anybody that is not happy with it should go to court.”

“I can see them queuing up already.”

“It has emerged that he entered the military without any certificate. The Emir of Katsina wrote a note to someone that he was good and they took him.”

“Is that not corruption?”

“Ask me”

“I sha know that this time around this certificate matter will not die. With the kind of change our eyes are seeing now, he needs to show us that certificate.”

“Meanwhile, Atiku claims to have earned a paltry N60 million in three years and paid taxes of N10million. Small boys running online businesses have been screaming blue murder on Twitter. How can an acclaimed billionaire employer of fifty thousand people have only paid N10million in taxes in three years while some of them have paid up to N100million in the same period?”

“He has obviously falsified his earnings so as to pay less in taxes.”

“And he spent N50billion to win the Presidential primaries of his party and owns a private jet.”

“It takes more than N60 million to maintain an aircraft in three years. Verifiable fact.”

“You see your new Messiah?”

“What have we done in this country to deserve this?”

As they spoke, the hour they had all been waiting for arrived. A DYNA truck with chairs, tables, and mattresses jutting out of the back pulled up in front of the compound. Sure enough, Agbonyibo jumped down from the cab and went over to the back where the truck driver’s assistant was already bringing down his belongings.

Everything changed when the two other occupants of the cab jumped down. Two women, one in her late thirties and the other in her late teens. They were both tall, had shiny dark skin with figures straight from an exotic dance class. When they moved, it was as if their waists controlled their legs. They first took a sweeping look at the compound, spoke to each other in their tongue and then proceeded to the back of the truck to help offload their things.

Irikefe moved closer to Castro and said: “guy, see better stew!”

“Who are they?”

“I don’t know. I want to know.”

They stood and watched them offload their things onto the ground. Agonyibo then paid the driver and he and his assistant hopped into their truck and drove away. Agbonyibo looked at the bubbling compound and wondered if it was always like that. Why were they all looking at him? He recognized a group of men from two days before and walked towards them. He let the two women walk ahead of him.

The council of elders was complete. They also allowed into their midst some other men from the neighborhood. Castro, Irikefe and the joining Ndifreke stood nearby. The men readjusted themselves on the benches and stools they sat as the new family approached them.

“Bros stand well,” Irikefe whispered and assumed his best fine boy pose.

Agbonyibo took two big steps and was in front of the two women.

“Good evening sirs.”

“Good evening Mr Agbonyibo.”

“Erm, only Agbonyibo is okay sir. Abeg, this na my wife Enyonyam, and my daughter Evae.” As he said their names, they each knelt and kissed his feet and stood again in turns.

“This cannot be possible,” Achike said, unaware that he spoke out loud.

“I swear sir, na my wife and pikin,” Agbonyibo said.

Up close, the men could better appreciate the beauty of both women. They both wore small white t-shirts on one-piece wrappers that rested on colourfully beaded waists. When they smiled, their teeth were as white as their husband and father’s.

“Welcome to your new home.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“We are sure you will be happy in this compound.”

“I know sir. But people plenty here too much,” Agbonyibo said.

“They don’t all live here. They came to visit us.”

“Okay sir.”

“You have a beautiful family.”

“Thank you sir.”

They all bowed and walked back to continue moving their things. Achike stood and scratched his head and sat again.

“You know, this Agbonyibo is not a bad man as Mr Cosmas was saying the other day.”

They all looked at Achike who had not taken his eyes off Agbonyibo’s women.

“I agree with Mr Achike. I am going to go and help him pack his things inside.”

As soon as Irikefe said that, six men took off in the direction of Agbonyibo to go and help him move his things into the house.

No one said anything about the dangerous animals Agbonyibo was bringing.


TO BE CONTINUED.