₦airaland Forum

Xavier5:
Interesting story frankwriter 🙃😎.



#Xavier

Thanks, boss

Happy Birthday in arrears.
😎

Dangerrard:
Aahhhh just 1 more... no 200 level to final year life. Na u dey make me come nairaland on a daily. Anyways great piece... really enjoyed every bit of it

Lol.. It will make the story boring

Dangerrard:
Frank we still need one more update today if you can pls... we dint get update yesterday. I knw it's not easy putting this together... it's just a nice story

Na one more episode to go

vicbros75:
Baba you too much.i dey hail ur government.nice work u re doing here.keep up the good work brother

Thank you, chief.

crystalmoon:
This update dey make me emotional
Dj play me speechless

Lol..
Searching for Speechless

"Speechless" by who?

Episode 19

I got back to my lodge towards evening. Everyone was minding their business. Besides, I didn’t have many people I relate with in that lodge. So I went straight to my room. I still had my keys, so I unlocked the door and entered.
The bathroom was the first place I rushed in and scrubbed my body. I couldn’t be happier that I left that ugly place. It’s a place I would never wish anyone, not even my enemy.

After having a long bath with water mixed with detol, I soaked my clothes inside a bucket, including my boxers that I had worn for two days.
When I came out of the bathroom, I felt so famished. I hadn’t eaten for almost two days and I couldn’t believe nothing entered my mouth for those long hours. My belly kept rumbling and making loud noises. I felt sick too.

I really felt too tired to cook anything. Going outside to buy food wasn’t even an option because I had just 400 naira left with with me. I also felt too tired to even stand up and do anything. So I lay tiredly on my bed as images of those cell scenes kept reoccurring in my head.

Moments later, I heard a knock on my door, but I felt too weak to even speak or check who was there. My stomach was biting me seriously.

"Yes, come in," I managed to speak. I couldn’t think of who was at the door.
The door finally opened. When I raised my head, it was our lodge president.

"Frank, how far, are you Okay?" He asked, having noticed the way I lay on the bed.

"Yeah, I’m good. Just tired."

"Okay, it seems you traveled or something because we haven’t seen you for two days now."

"Um, not really. I went somewhere," I said trying to cover up.

"It’s okay. While you were away, we paid the Nepa bill. Each room was expected to pay the sum of 1500 naira," he said and paused.

"Oh, okay, no problem. I will do that later," I said, even when I didn’t have hope of getting the money to pay.

"Alright, please pay up on time. I used my money to settle them. If not, they would have disconnected our lights," he added.

"Okay, I will try," I told him.

"Erm, your friend checked on you twice and he said you should call him when you come back."

"Which of them?" I asked him.

"He said his name is Chido, the guy that normally visits you."

"Okay, no problem. Thanks. I will call him."

"Alright," he said and left. And then jammed the door."

I slumped back on the bed, tiredly and hungrily until I eventually slept off.

*

I was woken up by hunger. And this time I was desperate to eat something or else I might just collapse. My eyes were beginning to turn. So I left my room with the remaining 400 naira with me. I went straight to Mama B's shop. There, I bought a sachet tomato, onion, and sachet groundnut oil too. I wanted to prepare jellof rice because that was one of the easiest foods I prepare in school. I had other ingredients in my room, so I went back to parboil rice, fried my tomato and onions, and added water when it got dry. After which I added my spices, crayfish, and salt. When it boiled for a few minutes, I poured back the parboiled rice and waited for it to dry.

After about 35 minutes, my food was ready. Hungrily, I served myself on a plate. I couldn’t wait for it to cool down, so I was blowing and eating it like a madman.

The time round 7:45 PM when I looked at the clock on the wall. I missed my phone already and I wasn’t sure if Benita was back from the hospital. Going to see her at the hospital was something I didn’t think of because of her father. That man might strangle me to death if he ever set his eye on me. So I concluded that I would just wait till I’m sure she’s back and her father has gone back too.

I was halfway devouring my rice when I heard a knock at the door. I didn’t say anything, I just stopped eating. Hope this guy is not here to disturb me again for the money. I don’t have money now to give him, I said to myself.

The knock came the second and the third time before my door finally opened. Lo and behold, Chido was standing there staring at me in shock.

"Oh boy. Where have you been? I’ve been calling your line. I came here twice and your door has been locked."

I didn’t say anything as he approached and then sat down on the bed.

"I think I’m always lucky." He stood up immediately and headed straight to the kitchen and dished a plate of rice for himself. Chido and food are like 5 and 6, so I wasn’t surprised.

"You are not saying anything," he added.

"Dude, life happened." I finally broke the short silence.

"What happened? I called and called, but you weren’t picking up."

I then began to narrate my ordeals to Chido. I told him every damn thing that happened. Even during the two days, he didn’t see me. I told him how it all started at Benita's lodge and how I ended up at the police cell.

"Hmm bro, I’m speechless. Honestly, life can be unpredictable, and this is how innocent people end up serving punishment for things they knew nothing about," Chido said and paused.

"So does it mean you also lost the phone Benita gave to you to those guys?"

"No, I didn’t. When I heard them banging at the door that night. I hid my phone in the toilet. And I think Benita also hid hers somewhere, too.

"Sharp guy, you followed my footsteps," he said jokingly.

"Yeah, it’s safe. I just have to keep checking when Benita will be back."

"Please, you need to be extremely careful. Don’t ever go there alone. For now, try and find out from her lodge mates if she is back and if her father has gone back as well," Chido advised.

"Sure. I can’t risk going to her apartment just like that."

"Mehnn, these two days really showed on your body," he said.

"How?" I asked him.

"Your eyes, even your face alone tell a thousand stories," he said jokingly.

"You are not serious. It’s your face that tells a thousand stories." We both laughed over it.

Chido and I went on to talk about our upcoming exams; our first exam in FUTO. A computer-based exam. He said he doesn’t even know where to start reading from. And I told him to start from anywhere he could.

PAUSE!⚠ (If you haven't been reading this story on my Facebook page: Frank The Writer or on Nairaland, kindly note the poster has been copying and pasting to you without credit)⚠

Later that night, I saw him off when he was leaving. He told me I should always come to his lodge if I have nothing to eat. I earlier told him I was broke while he was in my lodge.

*
Fast forwarding. A few days later, I was in my room preparing ahead of my forthcoming exam. It was barely one week before the exam kicked off.
It was on a Friday evening when Benita visited me. She came and apologized for what her father did to me. According to her, her father was so disappointed that she stooped so low for someone like me. Benita felt bad for the two days I spent in the police cell. And right there in my room, she promised me she would make it up for me. And that was when I boldly told her my mind.

"Benita, you see, things like this happen for a reason, but I may not be able to pinpoint the exact reason. But all I can say now is that we should just go our separate ways to avoid putting each other into more problems. Your father doesn’t seem to like me at all, and that’s enough reason to call off what we have."

"Frank, can you just stop? Why are you saying all this? Don’t worry about my father. He did what every father would do. At least he is away I haven’t slept with you. I told him everything that happened. I even told him that you are very religious and can’t do any silly thing with me," she said, locking eyes with me.

"I understand you and thank you for standing by me mostly when I was in the cell. I do appreciate all that, Benita. But you see, I have recounted the times I’ve visited your lodge and in those two visits it didn’t end well at all."

"Wait, what are you trying to say? Tell me. Are you trying to insinuate I have bad luck or something?" She said, like one sobbing.

"No, I never said so. Don’t get me wrong, it could be from me. Think about it; the first time, I lost my phone, and the second time this happened."

"Frank, just stop. You are just overthinking. Things like this are merely coincidences. Stop what you are thinking, please." She busted out crying.

Damn, I felt so emotional. I stood up and held her in a warm hug, consoling her.

"Please stop crying. It hasn't gotten to that."

She continued to sob, breathing heavily.

"Benita, it’s okay, we are cool. Don’t get it twisted."

"Fraankkkkk," she stammered.

"Yes," I answered.

"Frank, I love you. Please don’t stay away from me," Benita confessed, leaving me in awe. I was speechless for a few seconds.

"You heard me right, I do," She tightened the hug, making me taste her salty tears.

Could this be love?

To be continued...
© Frank The Writer




Tell me what you think.

Dangerrard:
Frank drop this update naaa... been refreshing this page all day. We go re arrest you ooo

Lol... No yawa.

No re-arrest me oo

crystalmoon:
I don refresh taya
Boss make this update drop

I'm dropping it now.

Shomek:
Nice pls next

Coming soon

slimsophiediva:
Awwn
Love sweet sha ☺️☺️

Yeahhh... Very sweet.

But we never see am.

We still dey search 😂

Pinkdimples:
Let me also go and look for who to surrender to 🤔🙄

Happy looking.
I hope you find o😂😎

Graminyte9:
Ada don finally surrender to love oooo

Yeahhh 😃

Episode 23

~ Adannaya's POV ~

When Ckay slowly turned his body away from me, I turned on the lamp beside the side of the bed. I took my iPad from the table and started to continue to write my book.

Break up.

What if…. maybe in the future we break up? Will I be okay? Will he be okay? Will everything be the same or will I have the same breakdown?

I h@te to think about it but it’s something that I have to risk in the future. Saying yes to date him was a really big deal to me. I kept writing and writing my book when suddenly Ckay turned his body to face me. I smiled looking at him.

He surprised me by coming early and he even came to the set to be with me. I caressed his head and kissed his forehead.

How can I not open up to this person?

Ckay was such a good guy that I always think that I don’t deserve him. He deserves more than just a girl with a rough past. My heart started to surrender to him a little bit and it was a really big deal for me.

Surrendering my heart to him means I’m 1000% ready for everything. I knew he won’t be like other guys who will just play me and throw me away. I knew that he was genuine. Just that I was the problem. I couldn't even tell him that I’m Ifenkili yet… why am I so afraid?
Deep down inside, I still wanted to keep the line between me and Ckay even though I was starting to step up on it a little bit knowing that being with him will always be safe.

Suddenly, I had an idea for my book and it was about my story and Ckay. I smiled as I started writing the ideas on my notes when suddenly Ckay grabbed my hand. I was shocked and he pulled me closer. I put my iPad back on the table and he pulled me closer.

“Why are you not sleeping?” he mumbled.

“A little bit of work,” I said.

“Sleep…you are tired,” he said and I found myself turning off the lamp. He pulled me into his arm and I could feel his breath on my skin.

“Don’t even try to wiggle out from me,” he said and he got back to snoring. I chuckled and closed my eyes. I fell asleep after that.

“Ada…babe.” I slowly opened my eyes and found Ckay already dressed nicely in his suit.

“Where?”

“I have an emergency meeting. I will be back in two hours,” he said and I nodded.

“Okay. I have a meeting too,” I said as I turned to reach for my phone. Ckay helped me with it. And when I checked, it was 8:00 AM already.

“Okay. I have to go now. I’m sorry,” he said and I smiled nodding.

“Okay,” he gave me a peck on my lips and he walked out of the room. I quickly got up and made the bed really quick before going out.

I’d be having a meeting at my house in an hour, so I have to get ready quickly. I walked downstairs to my apartment and quickly took a shower. I waited for my team to come. I sat in my meeting room writing some ideas on my notes. I looked out the window and found a reflection there. I found myself looking more alive and happier.

Ckay changed me a lot, and I just can’t…. I don’t know how to thank him for this.
My doorbell rang and I quickly walked out from my meeting room to open the door for my team. They walked inside to the meeting room and I brought all of them some snacks and bottled water.

“Miss Ada, we have the final editing and some cover designs for the new book, maybe you can choose again. We tried to follow your order last time for the cover so…,” Phoebe said and I tried to check on the designs.

I nodded looking at all of it, and I ended up picking the dark blue cover because I think that color suits the most with the book.

“After you read the final editing let us know so we can start to produce the book,” she said and we started to talk about other things such as translating the book into other languages.

Then suddenly an idea popped out of my mind. I was so nervous to say this but I thought about the book that I was currently writing and paused.

“I have an announcement to make,” I said and they all looked at me waiting for me to tell them what was on my mind. I looked at them nervously and I took a really deep breath and let it out.

“I’m currently writing a book right now and if this book is going to be published later on, I’ve decided to show myself publicly,” I said and they all looked at me with their eyes popping out from their skull. Some of them blinked a few times making sure that they were not dreaming.

“Miss Ada, are you sure?” they asked Nazzy was one of the people who kept giving me this idea.

“Please, don’t take those words back Flora said and I looked at them both.

“Seriously?”

“When will the book be ready? Phoebe asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe four months or more. It's new,” I said and they looked at me sadly.

“Why can't we just do this batch?” they asked as he pointed out the book that we were going to publish in a month or less.

“No.”

“Oh, come on. One of your books is currently in the process of shooting so it's…,”

“The movie will come out next year and if my next book is finished, it will be less than a year,” I said looking at Phoebe completely annoyed.

“Okay, then,” she said as she let out a small cough.

“Why did you change your mind? Flora asked in a careful tone.

“Ask that once again and I will take back my words,” I said coldly and they shut their mouths immediately.

***
After I packed my small bag for extra clothes to go to the beach, Ckay called me telling me to come to his apartment. I dropped everything and went down right away. I pressed his doorbell and he opened the door for me.

“Is everything okay?” I asked and he nodded. He gestured to me to go inside. He got the dogs back and the dogs ran towards me. I was so excited to see them. I couldn’t believe he kept his dog at his parent's house because he was he wasn't finished moving in fully, but then, he was.

“Oh my God,” I turned to Ckay and he smiled.

“For you,” he suddenly gave me a bouquet of flowers. I got up and took the flower.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Ready to go to the beach?” He asked and I nodded.

“Of course,” I said as I turned to the door.

“Don’t tell me you want to bring the dogs,” he asked in a really suspicious tone. I laughed and nodded as I patted Milo's head.

“You cute little fluff,” I said as I knelt seeing them.

“Fine…have you packed your stuff?”

“Yes, I have…. Milo don’t even try to bite it,” I said when I saw him going to eat my flowers.

“Me too, let's go.”

“But should we go to the pet store first?” I asked. I got up hugging the flowers. Ckay raised his eyebrows and I looked at him confused too.

“We need to bring things for the dogs like… dog foods, umm, bed and a bowl for them to eat,” I said and he looked at me flatly.

“Babe….. I’m touched,” he said sarcastically.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

“You literally worry more about the dog than me?”

“Ckay, it’s a one-day trip. You and I can survive. Besides, there are a lot of shops beside the beach. But it’s hard to find a pet shop nearby,” I said and Ckay just rolled his eyes. I ignored him and Ckay gave me their leash. I put it on them and I walked towards the door.

“Wait,” Ckay said and I stopped immediately.

“What? What?”

“Where is your luggage?”

“Upstairs.”

“Okay, let’s go,” he said and I nodded.

I walked out bringing the dogs and held the door open for Ckay to come out. He brought a small piece of luggage, and I closed the door. He pressed the left button and went up to my apartment again. We walk to my apartment just to get my luggage and finally walked down to the parking lot.

“How was your meeting?” I asked.

“It was okay. Are you going to bring the flowers around?” He asked and I nodded.
When we arrived at the parking lot, Ckay led me toward his car. And when I opened the back seat to put the dogs, Ckay already set everything up. I was so shocked. He already prepared everything.

He brought the dog's bed and some food. He brought a big mattress and picnic baskets. I froze standing there completely amazed. It was something that I’d always wanted to have when I eventually had a boyfriend. A picnic somewhere, just the two of us enjoying the view from the back of the car.

“Ada, aren’t you going to let the dogs in?” Ckay asked after putting our luggage into the trunk, and that busted my bubbles. I helped the dogs to get inside and closed the door. I got into the passenger seat still speechless.
“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said and he started to drive away from the building. I found myself looking at the back again and then at Ckay. My heart shrunk immediately and it made me want to cry.

I kept looking outside the window and trying to hide my tears. I kept silent all the time too, even though Ckay tried to ask me a couple of questions along the way.
I tried to keep myself together because I didn’t want to cry in front of Ckay. I tried to think about my books so I won’t be emotional, but I couldn’t help it.

The beach wasn’t too far from our place, so we got there faster. After he fully packed his car, he got out immediately and I followed him. The dogs were excited. They were barking seeing other dogs visible. Ckay let the dogs out to play with other dogs and he opened the trunk.

I got out and walked back to the trunk. Ckay put down the back seat and put the mattresses to create a bed. He added the pillows and took the picnic baskets out. He took my flowers and put them in the middle. He returned to the driver's seat again taking something out. I was speechless and I found myself sitting on the trunk looking down to the ground. I found myself tearing up.

“Babe do you… Hey! why are you crying?” he panicked as he held onto my shoulders. I cried more because of that and he hugged me.

“Babe, did I say something wrong? I’m sorry if I did. Are you okay?” he asked and I nodded answering the last question.

“Come on…you can tell me. Did someone bully you? Did the meeting not go well? Did something happen when I was away? Ada talk to me?” He asked and I cried more.

Damn! Ckay patted my back trying to calm me down

“Why do you have to be this good? I don’t deserve you. You prepared all of these? Comforting me when I needed you the most. You’re always there for me, kiss me when I’m asleep, giving me the biggest hug. Why?” I busted and Ckay chuckled.

“Don’t laugh,” I hissed and he pushed my chin making me look at him.

“So you are crying because I’m being sweet to you?” he asked and I sighed. I looked down and wiped my tears I looked at him observing him he smiled at me and my eyes filled with tears again

“Ckay…. I surrender. I give up.”


To be continued…
Frank The Writer

Please, Like, Comment, and Share!!
Don’t be a ghost reader

A new update loading....


Are you guys ready?

YoungBruzzy:
Wow! It's a relief that the special child is out of cell already. Dude needs to stay far away from Benita or else..
Thanks for the update man

Lol...
Not easy as you think.

Let's see how it goes.

Thank you

YoungTobi:
Chai.
you suffer for that cell o,u must have learnt your leason in a hard way
Anyway sha,we are enjoying your work op

Lol..

Lessons learned.


Thank you

crystalmoon:
Life
Will sons of men not relate with the daughters of men again

Well will but always thread with caution 😃

Pinkdimples:
Go and sin no more 💁

Lol... Sure.

He learnt his lessons already.

Graminyte9:
The power of genuine love, just imagine if it was Cynthia
This guy go rot in there...

Lol... No be lie.

Benita is a rare gem 😃

slimsophiediva:
Back to back
Bumper to Bumper

Na your update we Dey wait for 😁

Okay.

As I no see comment, I come chill

Pinkdimples:
I personally sleep and Wake up here 🙄

Okay.. Few more updates coming

Are you guys still following this story?

Episode 18

The woman told me to go back to the cell and just pray that nothing happened to Benita. He emphasized that it was the only way I could be set free or granted bail. I asked the woman if I could at least stay at the counter till daybreak and hopefully before then I’ll receive a good news. Sadly, she said I could only do that if I settled those policemen, and the money she mentioned was too much.

I realized some people also were at that counter and I believed they must have paid or settled the policemen. I didn’t have much money with me and I detested going back inside the cell because of the smell that oozed from it. It’s already made me sick.
The toilet there was the worst latrine I had ever seen in my life. When I tried to pee there last night, my urine went back to my bladder. It was when I was called out to write statements that I used the opportunity to pee outside. But do I have options?

I got back in there, sat at my spot, and bent my head. I thought about my phone I hid at Benita's Lodge. I thought about Chido. He must have called me severally, and likewise, other messages must have piled up on my WhatsApp. My exams were knocking and Benita’s health bothered me, too.

Deep down I was praying, asking God to show me mercy and heal Benita because that was the only way I could be set free. If not, my first exam in school would be missed and by then my parents would get to hear about this whole thing.

They would be disappointed in me because nobody knew me as somebody who could do such a thing or even sleep in a girl's lodge. I have really not talked much about my family but the truth is I came from a home where you can’t go out without stating where you are going. Would I say my parent were strict? Well, they do lock us inside anytime they are going out. That was part of my upbringing until I got into school and started exploring life.

My head was filled that I swore to myself that if in the end, I escaped this pain and shame, I would stay on my lane and stay out of trouble. The little moments I stayed there, I learned so many things already. Things I never knew all my life, and until you have been to a Nigerian police cell, you will never know about these few things I would like to mention.

Number one, they always expect you to come in with money because their survival is what they are after. They need money daily because most of them have been abandoned there with nobody coming to bail them out. So if you are coming in there, you will have to pay dues.

Number two, your status doesn’t matter inside the Nigerian police cell. Those hungry-looking guys don’t care if you have a mansion or have the latest car in town. They literally need you to maintain their rules. There is no big man in a cell. And worst is if you look weak, they would manipulate and beat you up. So, you have to act like a street guy to survive.

The third one is, that it doesn’t matter who came first, but who is perceived as the strongest. Meanwhile, the person who has been there for a week has a higher advantage than someone who just came in and paid his dues. The stronger you are, the more chances you have to be respected.

The fourth thing I learned was that ‘your food is our food.’ If peradventure your bail gets delayed and your people happen to bring food for you, the best thing to do is share with them. Don’t ever try to eat alone because the outcome won’t be funny later on.

The 5th thing I learned was that bail is never free. Even though there is a popular saying in Nigeria that bail is free. It is never free. Whoever told you bail is free lied to you. Maybe in other parts of the world, but not here in Naija. They rather leave you to d!e than grant a free bail unless you’re very influential.

The last but not the least is devotion. There is also devotion inside a cell. Every morning, they coordinate themselves, sing, praises and give thanks to God for life. I never knew such a thing existed in a police cell.

That's the few things I learned.

So, I sat there battling with thoughts in my head. Sleep was still very far from my eyes. Have you noticed that if you visit people, and you have to sleep over, you will still find it hard to quickly settle in? Now imagine a police cell in Nigeria.

Damn! I couldn’t sleep.

*
Well, Long story short, the following morning, one of the officers came to the cell after our morning devotion led by the GOC.

The officer asked me to come out after he unlocked the cell, and for the second time, I heaved a big sigh of relief, hoping to hear good news this time around. He said the DPO wanted to see me.

“Ah, DPO ke, hope I’m safe?” I muttered to myself. My heart started beating. Please, let it be good news, I said to myself.

He directed me to his office and as well went with me.

“You are the lover boy, right?” That was the first thing he greeted us with before the officer left.

It was at that point I knew my freedom was near. Tears trickled down my eyes. I couldn’t say anything as I kept staring at him with a teary face.

“First, a cult!st, now a different story. Hope you are learning your lessons?” he queried, looking into my eyes.

“Yes, sir,” I said lamely.

“So, your parents sent you to school and all you could do was follow women up and down and sleep in their apartments,” He continued to my discomforts.

“I’m sorry, sir, we only had a group reading,” I answered.

“Sorry for yourself. You should be very sorry for yourself. Look at what you brought upon yourself just because you slept in a woman’s lodge. And now the poor girl has been crying at the hospital. His father is very unhappy about the whole incident. He kept insisting you have a hand in what happened.”

“Oh, thank God she’s alive,” I stuttered. “I don’t have a hand in it, sir,” I added.

“Yes, she is alive, but that’s not all. The damages cannot be undone. The poor girl was even a virgin until that night. You could imagine how devastated the father had been,” The DPO continued, making it look like I masterminded the operation.
Besides, her room wasn’t the only room those hooligans visited.

“I’m sure your parents are not aware of this. Can you give me their contacts? I will have to call them,” he threatened.

“Please sir, don’t involve them. They have blood pressure issues. My mum might d!e if she gets to know I’m in a police cell. Please, please,” I begged him, crying like a fool.

“Thank your stars the poor girl cares about you. His father had wanted you to stay here for longer days so you could learn your lessons,” he confessed.

According to the DPO, it was Benita who begged his father to let me go since we had an exam to write and I was innocent of the claims as well.

In the end, he gave me a series of advice and cautioned me to stay away from trouble and focus on the reason I came to school. It was more like a father and son conversation and I was wowed he had time to advise me. He then told me to meet the officer who had taken me out of the cell to get my clothes and leave.
My joy knew no bounds. I was so excited. Words can’t describe how I felt at that moment. There is nothing freedom. Oh, thank you, Jesus, I had said in my heart.

The officer was even waiting at the door. I saw him soon as I stepped out of the DPO’s office and when he saw me, he said. “Your bail is 20k.” I was puzzled.

“I thought bail was free,” I replied to him.

“It seems you want to go back on your boxers,” he said, making jest of me.

“Please, I don’t have such amounts.”

I followed him to the counter where he was looking for my clothes and other things I registered in the entry book.

“So, how much do you have?” asked one of the policemen who stood there.

“Sir, I’m just a student. I don’t have much money. This is a very difficult period for me. We are in an exam period and money is very far from me. I’ve spent almost all the money in my possession.” I insisted on not giving in, but this men persisted that I settle them.

They said I must drop something before I leave. Typical of a Nigerian police.

Well, in the end, I told them that I only had my ATM card, so by the time I was dressed back in my clothes. I went out with one of them. I withdrew the last five thousand naira from my account through a POS terminal. I gave the policeman 4k and told him I would use the remaining one to transport myself back to school.

My account was emptied, f*ck!

All through the time I was on the public bus, I noticed people sitting beside me covering their noses and mouths. I was smelling and I knew it.

To be continued..
© Frank The Writer



How long will be a ghost reader?

Like, Comment and Share. 🙏❤❤

Candid2022:
This twist Sha! No one was expecting it.
But I love the way the story is going now, we got some real lessons to learn from here

Sure, big lessons.

Dangerrard:
Frank no let me see you near Bonita again ever when you come out of this. Dey ur lane. Infact no teach anybody papa anything again. I don warn you

Yes, sir. 😎

Episode 17

All my efforts and pleading to the same man who gave me two thousand naira on the day of matriculation failed as he made a call and two policemen arrived at the hospital about an hour later.

Gosh, I was so shattered. What would I tell my people? They will even get disappointed that I slept in a girl’s lodge. At that time, I didn’t think about my exams. My major fear and worry suddenly became what my parents would think or say.

Benita's father told the policemen I was a cultist and should be detained. He went further to paint the story in a way that suits me as a bad fellow. Despite that I narrated the story just the way it happened. He felt all was a lie and cooked up a story, and there was no evidence to back up my claims since Benita was yet to speak. He even slapped me for passing the night at Benita's Lodge.

“Why must you do such a thing in the first place? Don’t you have a place to stay?” He thundered. The man was restless as I was dragged out of the hospital by the two policemen on multi. They weren’t in uniform and I just couldn’t hold my tears when we got outside and I was ordered to enter their van.

Severally, I have heard stories of how people ended up in police custody for an offense or things they never did. Barely did I know that someday it would be my turn. Catarrh was dripping from my nose as I cried inside the van.

Moments later, they got a call to report to the station. I think Benita’s father was a very influential man, judging from the way he spoke to the officers. Benita once told me her father had wanted her to attend a private university, but she insisted on attending a public one.

*
When we arrived at the station, the DPO was seated outside, just in front of the station.

“Here is the boy,” said one of the officers who had picked me up from the hospital.
“So, you are the cultist,” said the DPO, who looked like a man in his late 50s. He looked like a Yoruba man too.

“No, sir. I’m not a cultist.” I busted into tears. I knew all of my crying wouldn’t save me. Even if I cry from then till forever, they wouldn’t believe me. My only prayer was that nothing should happen to Benita.

“Where are your colleagues? What really happened?” asked the DPO. I was still crying, but I had to put myself together after some seconds. Then I began to narrate my ordeal amidst tears.

“So, how come all this happened just the night you slept in her place?” He asked.
I opened my mouth to talk but couldn’t say anything.

“I don’t know, sir. It’s just a coincidence. I’m not a cultist, my lodge mates can testify. Benita is just a friend of mine. A very close friend indeed.”

His phone rang and he quickly picked it up. It was Benita’s father. I could hear his voice because the phone was on loudspeaker. He said they should make sure they put me inside the cell.

Damn, it triggered me and I started crying again. Then the DPO stood up, entered his car, and zoomed off. He had ordered the two policemen to take me inside, which they did. And there I saw two other policemen. I was handed over to them. The two policemen who brought me left.

One of the policemen I was handed over to asked me to go over to the counter. It was there that l looked to my left and saw the Cell with hungry-looking souls standing behind the bars. They look like hungry wolves. Or would I say caged lions? I took a glance and averted my eyes. They were mumbling words that I didn’t hear exactly what they were saying, but I knew they were talking about me. My heart kept beating faster and faster. I have never been to a police Cell before all my life.

“Take off your clothes and join them,” shouted one of the policemen.

My body shivered, and sweat started forming gradually. I pulled my shirt. I was about to pull my trousers when one of the policemen said to me; “You better enter there with money or else they will finish you.” I didn’t understand what he meant, but I held some money with me while I registered the rest in the entry book.
Then, one of the policemen came, unlocked the Cell, and threatened to inflict them with tear gas because the inmates called him names. They didn’t even stop after he had threatened them.

They kept insulting him. “See your head like mango, mumu man,” said one of the inmates.
He pushed me inside and locked the Cell.
F*ck! my first time inside this Cell for a crime I didn’t commit. I already knew I wasn’t going to get a blissful reception as I stepped in there. My mind was made up for the worst. They rushed me like a bee would rush a honey.

“Haba! What’s this?” That was what I kept saying, drawing myself away from them until I heard a deep and commanding voice from inside the cell that yelled at them to stop hurting me. There were about 20 of them and They all stopped at once as I stood in the middle of the Cell. The dude with a thick voice showed me a written word on the wall. I looked and saw “Due fees = 200.” It was boldly written with charcoal.
I gave him the money even when I didn’t understand what all of that meant. He told me he was the one in charge of any monetary funds concerning inmates. His face had scars and bruises that I couldn’t keep an eye for an eye. He then gave me a spot in the Cell and asked what brought me.

I followed the instructions and sat at the spot he showed me. I wasn’t crying again. I started narrating my story to them and they all paid rapt attention.

“Yours is just Akamu case.” Said the dude. He meant mine was a cheap case and went further to say that my only savior was Benita, that I should just pray nothing happened to her, and that I would get released as soon as possible.

He went further to narrate his story and what actually brought him to the Cell. According to him, he was involved in an unsuccessful robbery attack. His colleagues escaped, but he ended up being a scapegoat that very night. They have told him to pay 250K to bail himself or face the court anytime soon.
Another person told me his case was a case of murder, which wasn’t an intentional act. He had killed his neighbor, out of annoyance during a fight in their compound.

I sat there quietly but damn, that place was stinking like a dead rat. There was a small bucket inside there with a pit hole for defecating by the side. The smell oozing from there was already swelling my belly.

The guy with the thick voice seemed to be their leader, as I noticed he was the only one who had a cartoon as a mat for sleeping, and he would command other inmates to fan him when he felt hot. He literally occupied the best spot.

The place was actually hot when I entered, but not until later in the night when it became so cold that I started freezing. Throughout that night, sleep was very far from me. I kept thinking about my entire life. I thought that the man of God said I was a potential child. Is this how I would become potential in life? A pyramid of thoughts kept on ringing in my head with voices saying this and that.
Arguably one of the worst moments in my life.

*

The following morning we were woken up by the voice of a woman who sold her akara balls and bread. The head of the intimate, they called him GOC. He bought some bread and akara and shared them with us. I still had no appetite to eat. I shoved mine by a corner.

I lay there thinking about my life, wearing just my boxers. The other inmates kept approaching me one after the other, asking if I didn’t intend to eat. They pleaded I give them if I wasn’t hungry. I eventually gave it out to one of them.

Moments later, one of the officers came and opened the Cell. He instructed me to follow him. I heaved a big sigh of relief with hope that Benita had recovered, but I was heartbroken when the officer asked me to write a statement stating myself as a cultist who got arrested while my colleagues escaped.

I was like, what the f**k! What sort of manipulation is this?

“Sir, I’m not a cultist and I can’t write what I’m not,” I insisted, but only to get a resounding slap from him.

“Come on, will you write what I said you should write? Are you challenging me?” he queried with his fierce-looking face.

Then came another policeman who said I was proving stubborn. “We are going to teach you a lesson of your life if you don’t write down the statement,” said the second officer.

Tears from my eyes already soaked the white paper presented to me to write. They kept shouting at me, beating me to write what they intended me to write until one elderly policewoman walked in and stopped them. She asked what my offense was.

“He’s one of those hoodlums disturbing students in school,” said one of the policemen.

“How old are you?” She asked.

“I’m 21,” I answered with a teary face.

“Oh my God, my second son's mate.”

She turned and asked the police officers why they were beating me, but they had no response. She asked them about the team or squad that got me arrested and they told her.

The woman instructed me to follow her to her office. I think she’s superior than those hungry men in uniform. When we got to her office, she asked me what really happened, demanding nothing but the truth.

I coughed, cleared my throat, and then narrated everything as it happened without adding or subtracting.

“You young boys of this generation, you don’t sit your ass in one place anymore. Now look what you brought upon yourself,” she said.

“Please help me, ma. I’m innocent. We are just friends,” I pleaded.

“My hands are really tight, Just keep praying and hope the girl recovers quickly and tells her father the truth, if not I don’t think there is enough evidence before the court of law if they decide to escalate this issue.” She said and paused.

She went on to say that Benita’s father and the DPO are close friends.

“Just pray, my dear. Her daughter’s life is at stake and he won’t take it lightly if things go South.” She added to my discomfort.

God, I muttered, my heart racing faster, sweat forming all over my body. What kind of thing is this?

To be continued...
© Frank The Writer



_ Based on a true life story.

Like, Comment and Share. ❤❤

YoungTobi:
Rock on boss

Yes, sir.

crystalmoon:
Hmm
It is well
Life is suffering
No matter how smart ,logical you are
Things will still go wrong

Exactly.
That's life

pjsmart:
Why is man's association with women the most complicated thing in a man's life. Somehow somehow complications must come out; if it's not unwanted pregnancy it's infection or threat or arrest, heartbreak, depression or forced crime. Am curious

It's just like that.
I can't tell why

Pinkdimples:
Hmm... So he is now a suspect 🤔

Aside that. Those that do sleep over at a friend's house (male or female) really tried,I no fit do am. Lailai

Lol..Never say never
Life happens so fast.

Pinkdimples:
Well done. Frank

Thank you