Prologue

Madam Nkoma sluggishly rolled her heavy weight off the bed to her children’s room, they all needed to gather at the parlour for prayer as it was the usual practice at dawn. Few minutes later, she and her two teenage daughters had already began with the praise worship hoping for the man of the house Mr. Vincent Nkoma would soon be out of his room to come join like he would always do most mornings. After a while of not seeing her husband come out, Madam Nkoma signaled to her eldest daughter to go call her father, and as soon as the daughter was off to the room, her scream rented the air which prompted madam Nkoma and her younger daughter to go see what had happened. As both stepped into the room, they appeared petrified by the horror in their sight, the younger daughter found her voice to join her sister in the scream while their mother fainted.
*


CHAPTER ONE
Murder in Karanga

___________
“Report just reaching us of another mystery that had struck here in the eastern part of Karanga municipal council” Said a male correspondent who held firm to a microphone “The victim Mr. Nkoma Vincent a coach of the community football club was found dead this early hour in a most bizarre manner as his heart missing from his opened chest. It is no surprise that same tragedy had struck many a time within the spade of two years with no clue of the perpetrator. Citizens now live in fear as no one could tell who’s next on the list of the perpetrator who is still at large; we hope to give you more on this breaking news by noon. Benson Tsada reporting from Impact Television”.

Mrs. Alice Zantiba expelled deep breath as she turned off the television; she hadn’t been able to believe how a psychotic murderer roams the small town of Karanga for over two years without the law enforcement agencies getting hold of whoever it is. She feared for her family, she feared for her bed-ridden husband Gabriel Zantiba, she feared for her eighteen year old daughter Sarah and her twin brother Jacob who had both concluded their secondary school education two years ago but had been unable to further due to the lack of money. If only Mrs. Zantiba had her way with finances she would have relocated from the community just like most rich neighbors till the culprit is found and preferably killed. She resumed with cleaning the room half-heartedly when Sarah rushed in from her room looking troubled.

“Mother did you just hear the news?” asked Sarah.

“The Lord is our shepherd” she clutched to her breast intensely like a catholic that she is “I am sure He will see us through till this evil is curbed” she said more in reply knowing where her daughter’s fear could lead.

“Mother, for how long? It could probably be any of us on the news tomorrow”

“Shut-up!” Mrs. Zantiba snapped making the cross sign “the Lord I worship will never allow it; our family is covered with the blood of Jesus. This test will soon pass” she added with much faith she could muster.

Sarah gave-up knowing her mother would never allow her travel outside of town to go stay with her aunt who had requested her abroad. She had been aware of the long stand fuse between her aunty who is single but makes it up in wealth and fashion unlike her mother. She was about to say something when Jacob strolled in from his room stretching his body as he yawn, he nonchalantly acknowledged his mother with a “Good morning” as he walked pass to the fridge, he opened it, searched and frowned.

“You have to wait for me to cook” Said Mrs. Zantiba to her son.

“Where is the food I brought from work last night?” he asked with a frown.

“I warmed it up for your father” she looked away and added “he had to eat something so he could use his medicine”.

“But mother, I bought the food solely for myself” he lashed out “Father should go fend for himself if he needs to eat”

“How dare you talk about father like that knowing his condition?” said Sarah furiously.

Jacob hissed and dashed back into his room, he came out moments later in a casual outfit.

“Where are you going to?” Mrs. Zantiba question him.

“Going to get something to eat” Jacob answered as he dashed towards the door.

“Becareful, the psychopath still roam the city” She yelled the warning to her son who had already dashed out the door angrily.

“Mother, you need to talk sense to your son” Sarah said to her mother who appeared disturbed already.

“I have handed him over to the Lord and I know for certain He will take control of his life on my behalf” she said with her eyes still on the door.

*
By evening, the full update on the Nkoma’s tragedy was revealed by many other media houses just as the similar cases before it, there had been no sign of forceful entry, no property missing, no sign of struggle from victim, it was just pure murder traced to no one. It was as well reported that Mr. Pious Oshulolo the business tycoon, multimillionaire and philanthropist had visited and donated huge amount of money to the Nkoma’s family like he had always done to other victims of the mysterious attack. He also urged the various security agencies within the province to do all in their power to put an end to the bloody menace. While Mrs. Zantiba and her daughter converse about the main event of the evening news, Jacob walked into the house looking exhausted, he sank himself into one of the sofa.

“Jacob, I hope you heard the news?” asked Mrs.Zantiba.

“Yes Mother” Jacob grumbled “Relax, the killer isn’t after me” he added understanding his mother’s fear.

“Nnatas ntaa madue namaa Jacub?…I’m serious about it, tell your boss to readjust your period of work, I don’t want you out there late at night, it’s a dangerous time…”.

Jacob walked out of the house before his mother could complete her statement.

“Your son has got a coconut head” said Sarah, she wasn’t surprise at her brother’s action, she had grown to see him act rudely to members of the family, caring less about situations around him, she realizes her brother was becoming too ambitious for his age doing all sought of odd jobs both by day and night only to fend for himself. “I hope he learns his lessons someday” added Sarah.

“Stop it” Mrs. Zantiba frowned “He is your brother for Christ sake; you should rather wish his well and include him in your prayers”.

“Yes mother” Sarah said before returning her attention to the television.

**
Five days passed, Mr. Pious Oshulolo was still lying on his large luxurious bed, his heart heavy with thought and his head filled with flashing images. He restlessly crawled out of bed and walked towards a large mirror in the corner of the room like he does every morning. Unclad and so was his reflection, he sighed deeply. His eyes caught the two black dots on his arm and it caused his heart to race. He stood there for a while gazing at the reflection intensely, he worriedly expelled a deep long sigh again before walking away from it depressingly.

That night, Mr. Pious made an abrupt stop by a random bar along the road side; his attention had been caught by the dancing colorful lights at the entrance. He stepped out of his fancy car and made way in through the door that had ‘Buzz Rendezvous’ largely designed on it. He was relief as he stepped in to see it was a nice cozy place, dimed colorful lights, soft music of the local jazz playing in the background, few customers scattered around the bar discussing and drinking with no bad smoke in the air and no eyes preying on his existence. The serene was exactly what he needed; he found an empty seat by a shadowy secluded corner and quickly made himself comfortable enough to resume reminiscing. Shortly, a waiter walked up to him hoping to take his order but was awestruck when he recognized who the new customer was even in the shadows.

“Wow!” the young waiter exclaimed “I am honored to meet you sir, my name is Jacob…Jacob Zantiba and I am your biggest fan” he added unable to contain the excitement.

Mr. Pious lashed him a careless look and attempted concealing his face afterwards, he was no new to complements and unwelcoming accolades but needed none of such at the moment, and all he desperately craved was some lone time with his mountains of thoughts.

“I am sure you are Mr. Pious Oshulolo, the multi-millionaire?” Jacob pushed further curiously.

“Yes” he answered coldly as he looks away, wishing he could snub him.

Jacob smile brightened “You are highly welcome to Buzz rendezvous, what can I get you sir as we’ve got all brands of liqueur such as [i]Sambuca, St. Germain, Frangelico, Campari [/i]and many more ready to be served chilled” he said enthusiastically.

“I need none of it” Mr. Pious said quietly.

“Sir, are you sure you need nothing?”

“Go away! I need nothing from you” he calmly retorted in intense tone.

Jacob was puzzled at why a man of such status would come into a place like this and takes nothing, then why is he here? He thought curiously. He felt disappointed as he walked away to go attend to other customers, he wouldn’t have imagined a rich, young and handsome man such as Mr. Pious be so worried.


The next night in Buzz rendezvous, Jacob was surprised to see Mr. Pious seated alone in the same dimmed corner, he walked up him and requested what he would love to have but the worried looking customer replied he would rather have a lone time.

Jacob left to attend to other customers and came back moments later “Are you alright sir” he asked skeptical.

Mr. Pious turned a murderous look upon the young man and as well sized him up carefully, without a reply he resumed his solitary mood. But Jacob appeared not bothered about the man’s attitude, he was sure beyond doubt that something was eating up the young fine millionaire, he was so curious to know what it could be.

“A problem shared is a problem half solved, you can talk to me sir” Jacob masked himself with a dry smile after his words to the man.
Mr. Pious looked up at the young waiter, he could see a young, innocent but yet stubborn and persuasive creature who is genuinely concerned about his feelings but he wasn’t ready to drag the lad into his affair, he dare not “Get out of my sight and never you come near me again!” he was stern, he was mean with his every word.

Jacob sprang back in fright like a cat on hot coal, he never saw that coming, he walked away swearing in his head never to say a word to Mr. Pious ever again.


*
Two days later, another death struck by the outskirt of the city, every media house had it that the victim was a young fisherman, he had caught plenty fishes a day before and ate from it before retiring into his hut for the night but was found dead by his friends, they said his heart was missing through his opened chest. Everyone lived in fear of the unidentified ‘psychopath serial killer’ as most news correspondents would say. Various investigations had led nowhere leaving security agents frustrated even with the help of foreign security experts heavily sponsored by Mr. Pious Oshulolo who had shown his determination to put a stop to the mysterious killings.

_________
The next morning, Mr. Pious was up in front of the mirror as usual, staring intensely at his reflection with nothing on. He looked at his arm through the mirror to see seven black dots lined down; he sighed in relief but yet frowned to the man in the mirror.

**
Jacob had woken up feeling disgusted about his low life caused by how Mr. Pious had treated him like he amounts to nothing, like he wasn’t worth spoken to, he stood up from his small bed to face the cracked mirror that was held upon a wall within his small stuffy room.

“Jacob” he called out to his reflection “You should be ashamed of yourself. How do you expect a man like Pious Oshulolo relate with a low-life creature as you? You are poor while he is rich, you are a fool and he is smart, you are ugly as hell and he is damn handsome, you’ve got your world far above your head while he got the world under him. Jacob you are such a fool to had thought for ones he would relate with you, you are a looser!” he furiously punched the mirror and it cracked the more leaving his hand bleeding.

“Jacob is everything alright?” his mother’s voice called out from outside on hearing sound of broken glasses.

“I am fine mother” he lied.

After a while, someone knocked on his door, Jacob opened it enough to see his mother disturbed “Trust me, I am fine”.

“It’s your father, he wants to see you” Mrs. Zantiba said gently as she jabbed her head towards her husband’s room.

Jacob was curious of what to expect, he had never set eyes on his sick father for a week even as they dwell under same roof. He thought of explaining to him how busy he had been lately going from one job to another just to fend for himself. He toyed with the idea of telling his father about his plans of moving out soon to a new place where he would be free from everyone but he quickly dismissed the idea knowing how heart breaking his father could get. “Good morning father” Jacob greeted as he walked into the room that smelt so odd, one that brings memories of drug stores and hospital wards. He could tell that his mother and Sarah had done a fine job seeing the man alive through such state.

“Jacob!” Gabriel Zantiba tiredly called out to his son while he lay within the dull lighted room.

Jacob walked up to him, stood by the bedside, “Yes father”. He could see how much the illness had eaten him up within a week of no medical attention that had in the years consumed the family’s time and savings. He tried not to figure how many months…or days his father had left to live.
“I hear you acting up like a man now” Said Mr. Zantiba in a flat tone.

Jacob wasn’t sure what to say, not certain if that was a compliment or his father’s way of being sarcastic of his late hustles.

“It’s good, very good” Mr. Zantiba pointed out and continued “But you have to be very careful and most of all I want you to get much close to God”

“I am always close to God father…I go to church on Sundays” The last phrase almost stuck in his throat.

Mr. Zantiba paused, breathing heavily “I had a dream this morning, a terrible one” he said slowly before he coughed. Much emphasis on ‘terrible’
Jacob stepped closer, curious, eyes lightened up, he hate dreams “What was it about?”

The sick man hesitate for a while like he wasn’t sure if to reveal “I saw you chased by dogs, strange dogs like I had never seen before” his eyes portrayed his fear.

“And did they caught me?” Jaboc wasn’t sure if that was appropriate to ask but he was curious.

Mr. Zantiba swallowed add “Jacob…they almost”.

Jacob could see the fear in his father’s eyes and thought it was unnecessary as he had narrowly escaped the bite of an Anatolian Shepherd dog two days ago; he walked out of the room but not after promising his father to be as close as possible to God. Stepping out of his father’s room into the waiting hands Mrs. Zantiba who was there waiting by the door, staring incredulously at him like he had blood on his hands. He wasn’t surprise at his mother’s old habit and her level of spirituality coined with superstitions.

“Tonight you must drop everything you intent to do, there will be an all-night prayer vigil in this house” She meant it going by her tone.

“But I’ve got Buzz to report to tonight, my shift is for minutes away, Boss don’t like excuses”

“And so does God” it was final from her before walking away to go get her bible.


**
****

akasueba:
hello bro you are weldone, pls are you gonna drop this Jacob curse today?

My brother, in all honesty I am not sure. It all depends on the readiness of my alter-ego , but i can assure you that it will worth the wait.

Vulcanheph:
Yea i Forgot About the other story "Corridors of hell" .......the story about the girl with spiritual powers right?

Yes o, had to go through those stories all over again on my PC and i couldn't belief how wack my works appeared then, I really need time to upgrade the words and few plot for a mature read. The plot (Corridor of Hell) is just too interwoven that i pray you guys would be able to catch along when I start dropping and LUCIFER'S KEY is appearing more spiritual that i now fear for the sanity of those ready to embark on the journey to it end. But as for now you can stay glue with JACOB'S CURSE.

Vulcanheph:
Dear Ghost
As much as i love your stories, your inability to complete your stories and not letting your fans know how to read them up is What always puts me off ......

N.b.
I'll never Forgive You For not completing "LUCIFER'S KEY"

I promise you sir as well as every follower that I will drop the complete version of LUCIFER'S KEY and THE CORRIDOR OF HELL when I'm done with this by God's grace.

From the Stables of GHOST PRODUCTION in conjunction with FOUR-ONE-NINE EXPRESSIONS and NAIRALAND STUDIOS presents:

JACOB'S CURSE


All rights reserved. No part of this write-up may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transported in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, re-cording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the writer.
ISBN: 978-978-975-567-7

Disclaimers : This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

©copyright 2019.
OMOTAYO TAOFIQ SULEMAN
osuleman11@gmail.com

Writer's personal note : I owe no one on this forum my time, energy, dedication and a beautiful story. I write stories because I have been blissfully cursed to do so.

Appreciation to the followers who saw it through. Watch out for another story coming up next JACOB'S CURSE

"GUILTY OR NOT..."



One thing was sure about the ‘Black room’, no prisoner who’s led into it comes back alive. The warden and another strong-faced officer walked Jida out of his cell into a long corridor. When they got to the front of a room with a black colored door, the two uniform men stopped.

“Jida” the warden called as he looked into Jida’s eyes, he continued persuasively “Are you guilty or not guilty of the charges committed in your name?”

Jida sure was displaced on his belief; he couldn’t see the significance of the question at this point. He would die any ways, what was he to say? “I don’t know”

(Oooops too late!)



***
*******

THE END

A MAN CALLED FATE



“His he still alive?” a voice asked worrisomely.

“Yes, at least he breathes” an entirely different voice replied.

“Good. I can’t stand another petition from the DSP…or is it food poisoning again?”

“Not at all, I think it’s more of dehydration, I will suggest you start to give this prisoner more water to drink especially with the severe heat nowadays”

“There is no need for that; we are surely giving him his last walk tonight, Oga has signed his papers”

“Oh my goodness, so you mean despite going through all these pains, he will still…”

(Oooops too late!)
***
*******

Devilpen:
Alright, this is weird, JIDA literally put JIDA in prison... But How

Guy I swear I don't know, I am suprise as well. perhaps my Alter-ego would be kind enough to do justice to that in the next chapter...i'm just a messenger.

JIDA Vs JIDA




Everything around seemed bizarre, he felt dreamy but the rain pouring on him was real. Jida looked around struggling to make sense of his environment but he couldn’t. Chains of questions twinning in his mind as he stood transfixed in the heavy rain.

“What is wrong with me?” Jida questioned as he saw himself clad inside long leather jacket, a hat resting on his head and a dark shade like he had been styled for a villain. Confusion sets in as he looked down the long lonely street with no creature plying but muddy flood sweeping it. Not a memory of what so ever. Instinctively, he knew he ought to be on a mission but what could it be? He thought aloud. He searched himself and found a silver coin in one of the pockets of his coat; it looked so familiar…it then struck him, the rules struck him. Jida smiled realizing Death had granted him his wish; it perhaps had brought him back in time. At last!

(Tooooo late)
***
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DEATH AND THE PRISONER




Eleven years passed on slowly, regrettably. Jida had been condemned to death by the city court based on concrete fact that he had all reasons to have gruesomely murdered his wife Ramata and a prominent philanthropist Chief Edwin Okoro. Each day, he expects the hang man but each day gave him life. Jida confined in his small cell, fighting hard to maintain his sanity within the harsh heat, hunger and foul smell oozing around the prison yard, he had always wondered how no one seem to belief he was innocent, not one, not even his relatives or even the lawyer who had somehow managed to represent him in court twice. The judge condemned him the murderer with good points to prove; even the media nailed him to his cross with captions: ‘Jealous husband kills wife…in cold blood’ ‘Killer Jida: Tale of a murderer’. How could they not see he had no heart to hurt anyone, how had no one thought he could had been framed by the mysterious man on that fateful day. Jida badly wish he could get hold of that man that had implicated him, if only he could turn back the hands of time, he would do anything to go back and have a good look at the mystery man who he was the true killer of his wife and Chief Edwin.


(Sorry you came too late as this work had been brought down)
***
******

THE MAN IN BLACK



Shortly afterwards, the mystery man hurriedly walked out from the building into the waiting taxi looking distorted.
“Oga, na wetin do you?” Jida asked as he watched the man heaving heavily through the rear mirror, Jida was petrified by what he saw. The man’s eyes as well caught Jida’s through it; he frowned, quickly hid his face closely under the hat and covered his eyes with the shade. For the slit seconds, Jida had caught glimpse of his face, he almost couldn’t believe what he saw, maybe it was just his imagination, the man’s face wasn’t just too familiar to let go, he had a strong conviction he had seen those burning eyes, wide nose and thick lips too many times.

“Go!” the passenger ordered in a tone of urgency.

Jida quickly ignited the engine, pushed the accelerator with the car zoomed madly, surprise to know the mystery man wasn’t dumb after all. The car speed through the lonely street ahead amidst the heavy rain as he cared less for it safety, his head filled with thoughts, horror, uncertainty, confusion, he was sure there was more to this man than what the eyes could see, he was curious to find out.

(Sorry you came too late as this work had been brought down)



***
******

In all honesty, I love the story line. Wehdon sir!

THE BUTTERFLY AND THE BEE


Jida looked up at the sky through the window, he could easily tell it would rain heavily at any moment on seeing the dark ash cloud clothing the city far from the horizon. He expelled a long sigh in his state of confusion knowing he could go crazy anytime soon if Ramata wouldn’t stop yelling and nagging at him. Ever since he had woke up that morning, Ramata had successfully made his life living hell as she wouldn’t stop complaining of his inability to be ‘man enough’ to provide for her excessive needs.

“Jida, you be shameless man!” Ramata yelled at her husband as he locked his cloth, she was ready to make it tough...even tougher for him that morning knowing he wouldn’t be able to go out in the rain.

“I regret sey I marry person like you…oloshi ni e” she yelled again.

(Sorry, you came too late as this work had been brought down)

**
****

slimthugchimee2:
He will start this one again only to abandon it midway

Mtchwwww

Sir, like I had said earlier, I don't care anymore, I just do my thing. So if don't mind, we can have fun.

Pls wait, before you start to say that i haf come again with my unfinished story, i beg who ever you are...I DON'T OWE YOU ANYTHING ON THIS FORUM AND I AM NOT PROMISING YOU A FANTASTIC READ EITHER, I AM HIGHLY UNAPOLOGETIC NOWADAYS BECAUSE I HAVE GROWN TO SEE THAT STORY TELLING IS NOTHING BUT A CURSE SPLASHED UPON MY SOUL, MORE OF A TORMENT WITHIN ME FORCED TO LET OUT THAN A BLESSING. (that is to say, I don't care for your LIKES or COMMENTS like the newbies , I just want to do what i have been cursed to do. Beware, I might end this story abruptly like I most times do due to plagiarists lurking the cyberspace or for no tangible reason...or You could be lucky I end it like few works in the past. Some might ask: "Why then post it?" I just want to escape the reality of life by cloaking myself with the illusion within my head and hopefully might be helping weirdos like my kinds scattered around the world. Blame me not, for I am cursed with a beautiful world in my head.

Please don't read pass this place if you don't trust me to end it (I won't blame you and I don't care)...BUT If you are as crazy as I am 'Literarily ' going, then you can risk following me.


FROM THE STABLES OF GHOST PRODUCTION IN CONJUCTION WITH WESTWIND ENTERTAINMENT AND NAIRALAND STUDIO presents:


THE HANDS OF TIME.

© copyright 2019.
OMOTAYO TAOFIQ SULEMAN
osuleman11@gmail.com


(This would be a free style, so I don't know where it heads, I can only feel it will be a short one but as usually captivating enough to have you wishing it longer).

Very soon, literature section will go dry of its bright writers if the owner of this forum continues to pretend not to care for their great contributions and protect their works.
If u know...then u know.
GHOSTWRITTER passing-by.

Devilpen:
First of all... Our undiluted appreciation goes to Divepen, for granting our request.
Then to everyone that participated so far.... Thanks for not considering this as a mere participation....
.
.
.
.
.
.
POLLING COUNT FOR THE POST OF A GRAND WRITER

1. LARRYSUN --- 2 votes
2. KINGOKOH --- NIL
3. OYINPRINCE --- 5
4. GHOSTWRITER --- NIL
5. TOPHER052 --- 36VOTES.
.
.

Lol.
Nairaland will not kill person with award.
Wait o! so you mean there wasn't a vote for GHOSTWRITTER? Kilode... is he that bad?
Anyways, Devilpen I am really honoured to be on this category. it's like a win for me.
Congratulations to the winner...I would say 'Enjoy your victory while it last'

******
***

Three months before Shida’s death


Shida had drove down to Jay-boy’s apartment and was shocked to see him making out with another lady in his bedroom. She struggled to make her way out of his apartment with her body severely trembling. She cried all through her drive home that sunny afternoon, she missed classes and also her studio sessions for days, locked herself in her apartment with no one to reach her on phone or in person while she soaked herself in her soberness. She texted Jay-boy telling him she would never have anything to do with him ever again and that their two years romantic relationship was over and that he can go to hell and as well kiss her ass goodbye and swore never to cry because of that. And then she cried.

A week later, someone came knocking at Shida’s door persistently. She was forced by the noise to go open. It was Henry looking very excited to see her but as well shocked to see her looking so destabilized and unappealing, her body and room were unkempt and very untidy. When he inquired about what had happened to her, she rushed to hug him and broke down in tears. After a while, she was able to tell him all of Jay-boy’s episode. Henry was genuinely sympathetic to her tale even though he never liked Jay-boy, he gently cuddled her and then slowly went for her lips like it merely slipped, for about few seconds, they were both lost in the moment as their lips were locked to one another but Shida was quick to withdraw. She felt awkward and so was Henry who felt more embarrassed and out of place for going so far with a colleague. He quickly dashed out of her apartment without a goodbye.

The next day, Henry stumbled across Shida on his way into the studio, he felt so uneasy with himself and tried to apologize for what transpired the previous day but Shida was quick to apologize instead, she made him realize it was her fault and not his and besides, it made her felt wanted and alive again. With a cheerful smile, she gave him a box of chocolate she had brought along and also wished him the best of luck in his studio session. From there on, Shida and Henry had a strong bond beyond just colleagues, they talked more, frequented each other’s apartment, shared harmless secrets and soon she felt herself rapidly healing from the breakup and drifting far from the thought of Jay-boy.

One Friday afternoon, Shida visited Henry in his apartment, hoping to spend the weekend with him, they both did the cooking, washing and the entire house chores together, he brought her food in bed, sang her poems and treated her like a queen and all that and many more that got Shida wishing those moments never passed as she loved her every seconds with Henry who acted so understanding and caring and so loving. By night, on the Sunday evening while she was in the bathroom having her shower, she was shocked when she saw Henry flung open the door, walked in looking tensed and slowly shut back the door behind him. Wondering what had gotten over Henry, Shida felt uncomfortable with his presence, she quickly shielded her breasts with her arm across and between her thighs with the other.

“What are you doing here? Please leave, I need my privacy!” she said looking uneasy.

Henry smiled broadly, delighted with what he was staring at. He expelled deep satisfactory sigh as he took a step forward, “Wow! You’ve got a body of a goddess” he said admiringly.

Shida looked puzzled not knowing what to make of his statement; she slowly pushed back within the bathtub. “Henry please you need to leave right now” she struggled to look and sound stern.

“Hey relax, there is nothing to be uncomfortable about, it’s just you and I in here. Besides, I thought you love me” he said while he pulled-off his shirt.

Shida appeared terrified on seeing Henry unzipping his trousers “Henry please don’t do it, whatever you are about to do, I beg you to stop it. “She made a quick glance around for an escape but there was none, she was trapped in the bath room with Henry who had then fully gone unclad. On realizing what fate might soon befall her, she screamed for help hoping someone in the vicinity hears her distress call but it was cut short when Henry roughly pounced on her in the bathtub, he forcefully and roughly had carnal knowledge of her for quiet some minutes. When he was done, he felt remorseful and ashamed of himself. Shida was broken, she sat up in the bathtub crying quietly. Henry tried to apologize but the words never formed, he shamefully walked out of the bathroom wishing he could turn back the hands of time but it was too late.

*

In the middle of that night at 11:23, Shida packed her few belongings and walked out of Henry’s apartment, she cried while she drove through the lonely road that night to her father’s official residence. On getting there, she was informed that her father was out of town for an emergency meeting, she then remembered her father had earlier called to inform her of him travelling that morning.She felt so disappointed.
“And where is Flora?” she inquired from one of the stewards around.

The steward looked a bit confused, “You mean the madam?”

“Yes. Where is she?”

“She is upstairs in her room”

Shida felt a bit relieved knowing she had got Flora her thirty-one year old step-mother to confide in for the night about what had happened.
She climbed up the stair-case and as she flung open the door to Flora’s room, she was shocked by what she saw. Flora and one of the security guard were in the middle of a sex romp, they both fled up on seeing who was standing awe-stricken at the door way. Shida quietly turned away to rush down the stair and was heading for the main door when Flora caught up with her while she hadthe bed sheet carelessly wrapped around her body.

“Shida, it’s not what you think” Flora said restraining her by the arm. “I can explain”.

Shida angrily yanked off her arm from Flora’s grip “Get your filthy hands off me you bitch” She yelled “And here I am thinking I could trust you but here you are cheating on my dad with your bodyguard. She paused a while to stare at her disgustingly “All of you are the same, cheats and liars, never to be trusted” she yelled before storming out through the door.

Flora rushed upstairs to her room, there she saw Bobby calmly cladding himself with his uniform.

“We are in big trouble!” She said alarmingly.


***
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******
***

Seven months before Shida’s death


“It’s been wonderful hanging out with you guys this afternoon on the program Campus Gist with Shida. It’s me your radio sweetheart S.H.I.D.A…A.k.A, Ashely Shida your radio goddess wishing you all the very best of the week as I sign out with one of the maddest jams from my home-girl Tiwa Savage featuring Star-boy wizkid and she titled this ‘Ma Lo’, enjoy it and catch you tomorrow same time same station” Ashley Shida said in a soothing voice, one that had mesmerized the heart of anyone that ever tuned to listen to her on radio. She turned up the tune of the music button before switching off the transmitting microphone in front of her and then pulled-off the head-set. While she scrolled through her phone to read the messages scooping into her twitter handle about her just concluded program, Henry walked into the studio commending her for a wonderful job, she had lately been one of the hottest On-air personalities with one of the most rated campus program in the country. Shida stood up for Henry to begin his own session. Her hair was Khole-black and it plunged over her shoulders, she had this bubbly personality that attracted people whoever came in contact with her, she had light chocolate colored glossy skin with a slender eyebrow well shaped below her velvety eyelashes. Her dainty nose and the shiny halo-white teeth makes her look outstandingly beautiful.
“Oops! Before I forget” Henry turned to face her “There is a woman out there in the reception waiting to see you”

“Who is she?” She paused by the door to ask.

Henry slowly shook his head “I don’t know”

Shida walked out to the reception and soon saw a woman truly awaiting her.

“It is nice to finally meet you in person” a stout looking woman greeted as soon as Shida introduced herself. “And my name is Mrs. Bridget Okon, a very good friend to your late mother, I hope you don’t mind but I’ve got something very important to tell you”.

Within an hour, they found a secluded place around the campus where they sat to talk, there Mrs. Bridget revealed to Shida all she had witnessed the night of Dupe’s death.

“That’s a lie, my father can never do such a thing” Shida revolted “And besides, the police reported with evidence that someone else was my mum’s killer”.

“The report was not true, I was there that night, I saw how it all happened and so were you”

Shida turned to look at her surprisingly “What do you mean by I saw how it all happened?”

“I saw you staring at him ignorantly while he strangled life out of your mother” Mrs. Bridget recollected with her eyes lingering of tears.

“That is it, I’ve had enough” Shida fled up, she stood to leave as she couldn’t take it anymore “I need to leave, I’ve got a class to catch-up with”

Mrs. Bridget quickly scrambled through her bag and brought out her business card, she handed it over to Shida. “Over the years, I have been hunted by dreams of that night and felt guilty for not exposing the evil perpetrator. Now that you are aware, my conscience will be at rest and I hope you do the right thing”. She stood up and gently held to Shida’s palm “If you ever need to talk to someone about that night as well, you know where to find me” Mrs. Bridget said shortly before she walked away.

*

All through that night, Shida found it hard to sleep, she was restless as her mind kept replaying the event she had through the years thought was just her own irrelevant childhood imagination. She tried to fix the puzzle but something was missing as she couldn’t make a vivid picture of what had happened. All that her mind could come up with was a woman in red and white outfit strangled by someone and that was all.
“Could that had been my dad strangling my mum?” she paused and thought it over for a while. “No” She shook her head “That’s impossible” she was quick to dismiss the thought off her head shortly before drifting to sleep.

*

By morning, Shida drove straight to her father’s official residence. She needed to go tell him her mind as she couldn’t take it anymore, she needed to be open to her father like she had always been, he had been her best friend and as well her advisory all through the years. On seeing her father, Shida was quick to inquire from him what had happened the night her mother died. Chief Moshood Koker gave her the usual line of how one Mr. Ederson Brown had killed and left her mother to rotten in an uncompleted building, but surprisingly to Chief Moshood, Shida obviously seemed not to believe as she kept on persuading him into telling her the truth.

“Rashidat, where is this coming from?” he keenly asked as he stared penetratingly into his daughter’s eyes. “Now I see someone is telling you something else so as to tannish my political image. They know they could only get to me through you”.

Shida instantly felt foolish, she felt she had betrayed her father’s trust in her. She felt remorseful and apologetic. And on the request of her father about the source of information on her mother’s death, Shida handed over the Mrs. Bridget’s business card to him.

“Thank you sweet heart, let me keep this” he said to her before looking into the card “I would someday love to pay this Mrs. Bridget a friendly visit” he added with a mischievous grin.


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