Femi left the hospital few minutes later, heading back home. He sat at the back of commercial bus staring out through the window. He had not been to his apartment for some days and he knew how messed up he left his apartment.

He'd thought of changing his apartment for a while, or maybe leaving Lagos to his home town will be a good idea of keeping away from Mike. He knew he could do well in his home town. He thought of buying a small car to start a transportation business; maybe loading goods from the village to the city would be a good trade.

Femi alighted from the bus and walked through a crowd of people. The smell of fried akara that invaded the air made Femi realized he had not eaten, may because he wasn't hungry. He approached a restaurant along the road. He walked in and settled with a plate of Eba and a vegetable soup.

After he had finished his meal, he leaned his back against the chair with his gaze fixed on the restaurant TV. He brought out his ringing phone out of his pocket and stared at the small screen that displayed a strange number.

"Hello?" he said into the phone.

"11:45pm tonight." Came the husky voice from the other end of the cell phone.

"Who is this?" Femi asked with a frown. "Hello, hello?"

The caller ended the call while Femi stared at his phone fearfully. He slowly pulled himself up. The caller wasn't Mike. Who could that be? He thought for a very long moment.

11:45pm? What is going on?

Femi made the rest of the journey home silently, wondering if the phone call he just received has any connection to his bargain with Mike or something else. He admitted he has never heard that kind of voice in his entire life, and the voice echoed in him.

He pushed open the small gate into his compound, walking toward his front door. To his surprise, the front door was slightly opened. Did he forget to lock his door? He pushed the door opened silently and walked slowly inside the house.

He narrowed his eyes as he heard sounds from his bedroom. Femi walked slowly into the kitchen and grabbed a big wood. Everyday for the thief, one day for the owner, he thought and advanced slowly toward his bedroom.

As he got closer, he slowly opened the bedroom door to see Ajoke with a big bag in her right hand.

Femi widened his eyes in disbelief. "Ajoke? What are you doing here?"

Ajoke stared in dull shock. She was not expecting to see Femi in the few minutes she'd planned in coming to the house. She stared at Femi silently, not trusting herself to speak.

"I said what are you doing here?" Femi's words came with annoyance.

"I came to get my belongings." Ajoke pulled her gaze away.

"Your what?" Femi yelled. "After all you've done, you still have the mind to come into this house?"

Ajoke met his gaze with a frown. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it and resumed walking out of the house.

Anger consumed Femi, he hurried toward him and drew her back forcefully while she fell into the chair. "Where do you think you're going?" Femi said with his eyes so red.

"Don't dare me.'' Ajoke's voice was harsh. "What do you expect? To stay here and die silently with you this lazy man? I....''

Before she could finish her words, Femi landed a heavy slap on her face. "Keep quite, you idiot."

"Aaaah!" Ajoke held her face, and jumped on Femi like a cat on a mouse then held his cloth so tight. "Kill meee!"

Without thinking twice, Femi poured all his annoyance on her and beat her seriously while Ajoke struggled. The fight continued for some minutes before the noise drew in the attentions of their neighbours.

A young man and a woman hurried into the house and the man held Femi while the other woman struggled Ajoke out of him. "Baba David, leave her alone." The young man said.

"Let me kill this good for nothing prostitute." Femi yelled in anger.

"leave me alone," Ajoke struggled herself from the other woman. She grabbed a stood and threw it at Femi "You this shameless man."

Femi struggled to hit her but the young man held him tight. "Baba David, it's okay."

"Leave me alone let me deal with this idiot." Femi struggled.

The other woman forced Ajoke out of the house into the compound. "Mama David, please leave for now." The woman pleased with her.

"No," Ajoke was struggling from the woman's grips. "He will kill me today."

"Mama David.."

"Leave me alone."

Femi walked out of the house. "Don't ever dare come to this house again," he yelled and threw her bag on the ground in front of her.

"Baba Junior?"

Ajoke struggled. "You will regret this, I promise you that."

"Regret what?" Femi took a step forward but the man held him.

Ajoke grabbed her bag from the ground. "We shall see." Ajoke said and walked out of the compound.

"Go to hell." Femi yelled. "You can't do anything."

"It's Okay," the woman Said.

"Fight is not the solution," the young man added.

"Thank you.'' Femi said and walked into his room without anymore words.

He pulled out an explosive breath and slammed his hand on the wall. How dare she come into this house? He paced the sitting room for a very long moment and finally settled in a chair. He tried to focus on keeping his breathing slow and easy.

Justice310:
Wow.

You're good at it. I wish to work you in the near future.

Really, that's great.

Thanks

Chapter Four


Femi got outside of Mike's compound and opened the big brown envelope which Mike gave to him after he agreed to do the wishes of Lucifer. It was the biggest decision he had ever took in his lifetime.

He smiled softly as he stared into the envelope. He put his hand into it and pulled out five bunches of one thousand naira notes. Mike had given him five hundred thousand.

Femi felt sad staring at the money in his arm. How could life be so hard in such a way that made one make a deal with the devil? The money is not more then what he used in clubbing during his happy days. The thought made him sad.

Heading back to the mainland wasn't an easy task for Femi due to a heavy traffic, caused by the morning rain. Femi was so worried staring out through the taxi window. He'd been checking is wrist watch every now and then, hoping to get out of the traffic. He needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible. He checked his watch again, it was few minutes to 2pm.

"I can't stand this traffic," he said to the taxi driver. "I want to drop. Take this." He handed the driver a reasonable amount of money while the driver collected the money with a sweet smile, and alighted from the car.

He stayed a few seconds at the bus-stop before getting a bike. Though the bike may not take him to his destination but it can at least beat the traffic to where he can get another taxi.

It was nearly 3pm when Femi got to the hospital. The sight of his cousin's wife walking out of the hospital caught his movement as he got into the compound.

"Baba David," Joy said. "Where have you been?"

Femi stared at her. "Joy, I was not expecting to meet you here."

"I had been here since morning, it was your neighbour who directed me here when I couldn't reach you. And why didn't you pick when I called you on phone."

"Called me?" Femi brought out his phone from his pocket, the screen of his cell phone displayed seven missed calls. He didn't notice because he had put his phone on silence during the robbery incident. "Oh I'm really sorry, my phone was on silent."

"I wonder," Joy said.

"I was busy looking for money, thank God I was able to get it," he said. "I need go see the doctor right now to pay the money."

"Your son had been operated." Joy said with a smile. "I've paid the bill."

"You paid what?" Femi took a step forward with a frown.

Joy was surprised by the action he displayed. Was he not supposed to be happy? "I had paid the money. I was able to make your brother see reasons. So, this morning he gave me the money to give to you. When I came this morning, I couldn't bear seeing David in pain." She said. "There was no time, so the operation was carried out emergently."

Why would she paid? Femi wasn't at all happy with that. After all he had been through? "Look Joy, I really appreciate your concern about me and my son, but I want you to go back in there and collect back the money while I make a new payment."

Joy stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean? Why?"

"Because right now I have the money to pay for my son's operation." Annoyance rang in Femi's words.

"Baba David? I should go and collect back the money I already paid?"

"Yes please." Femi pulled his gaze away. "I don't want to have anything to do with my brother anymore, not in this life, never."

Joy stared at him silently. How could he be so ungrateful. It took her so many hours to convinced her husband before getting the money from him. How will she go back and tell her husband that the one she begged her husband to help had refused to collect the money. "Uncle Femi, I know you're angry about the way your brother treated you when came asking him for help, but that's not enough reason to reject the money."

"It's more than enough reason," Femi raised his voice so high that drew the attentions of the people around the premises. "Do you have any ideal of what I'd been through? Why would my brother had to made me go through hell before helping me? Why?" He took a step closer. "It's too late. Go and tell him I don't want his help anymore."

Joy breath out a long breath and met his eyes. He knew why he was upset. She had to find a way to calm him down rather than getting angry with him. Femi had been good to her right from the first day she knew him. When things were bad in her relationship with her husband during their boyfriend and girlfriend's days, Femi had stood by her. Femi was the reason her husband married her. He deserve her respect. "Baba David," she said. "You have every right to be angry, but I beg you to forgive your brother, please, for my sake."

Femi shook his slowly. "I'm really sorry for raising my voice at you. You won't understand my pains. I don't hold anything against you, this fight is between me and my brother."

"How will I open my eyes and watch you and your brother living like enemies? I just can't stand it, and I will never take back the money I had paid for David's operation, never. You must accept it."

Femi let out an explosive breath and met her eyes. What's the use of the money after he had made a bargain with the devil? "I can't accept it, Joy I'm sorry. It's of no use now, I'm sorry. Maybe someday you would understand my reasons."

Joy stared at him silently for few seconds."I think I'll take my leave now. I will come to see David tomorrow morning." She turned and began to walk away.

"Wait, Joy come back here."

Joy ignored him and walked into her car.

Femi slammed his arm on his forehead, and pulled out an explosive breath.

He sat patiently in the waiting room to see the doctor. He closed his eyes gently and pulled out a long breath. He thought about Mike for many minutes. There was no need returning Mike's money because he still had a lot to put in place. He thought of starting a new life with the half a million, and it's a good thing Mike knows nothing about him, not even his apartment. Femi smiled softly. Thinking his bargain with Mike was nothing but a scam.

He became sad as he remembered his lost friend, Ugo. He felt the Pain deep down in his heart.

"Mr Femi."

A deep voice brought him back to reality. "Oh, doctor."

"We've been expecting you," the doctor said, offering him a hand shake.

"I'm sorry," Femi voice sounded weak. "How is my son?"

"The appendix is out and all is well in the state of your son." The doctor said with a soft smile. "Come with me."

"Thank you," Femi said and followed him down a very bright hallway.

"A woman came in this morning..."

"My brother's wife," Femi said. "I met her on my way in."

The doctor smiled. "That's good. She had paid the bill, I believe she told you."

"Yes."

David's space was walled off with hanging blue curtains. He blinked his eyes open as he heard his father's voice and managed a weak smile in response to his name. "Da..d..dy."

Femi hurried toward him and sat on the edge of the bed beside him. "My son..so sorry dear."

"My stomach is," David sound so low and sleepy that Femi had trouble catching his words. "paining me."

"Don't worry dear, you will get better." Femi said with a soft smile, then kissed him on his forehead.

"He needs a perfect rest," the doctor said while Femi nodded. "Let's go to my office."

"I want to see my mummy." David's voice was not more than a whisper.

The words caught Femi's attention as he was about to leave. He had been avoiding not to think of his runaway wife in other for him to concentrates and move on with his life. But now all the memory flooded his mind. He stared at his son for a long moment. How could a woman be so heartless.

Chapter Four


All that happened to Femi seemed like a dream as he blinked his eyes opened to a bright new day. Still in bed with his gaze fixed on the ceiling, the mental pictures of the robbery scene flashed through his memory.

He shifted from his side and leaned against the pillows. After a long thought, he pulled the bedsheet away from him, he got up slowly from the bed and sat on the edge of it. He let out a deep breath and slid his gaze toward the wall clock that was hung on the wall, it was a few minutes pass 7am. He pulled himself up slowly and walked toward the window. He held the curtain in one hand and was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes with the other, staring at the hotel staffs that were busy cleaning up the compound. He was happy to be alive, but sad for his lost.

If only they had succeeded in their mission, it would have been a different story. He thought of his son for a long moment, then his parents. What would they have said? That their only son, whom they had trained through education with their hard earned money, is an armed robber. The thought made Femi drew in a long breath and walked away from the window.

He was scared of not be recognised by any police officer. What if the white substance Ugo gave him to rub on his face failed, and the jewelry store camera caught his real face? He was filled with fear of what might be the consequence if he was recognised.

He walked out of the hotel room into the bar and met one of the hotel receptionist. He couldn't afford wearing the same cloths out the hotel, so he asked one of the receptionist to help him get a new cloths.

A low voice from the bar Television caught his attention as he was about walking back into his room.

"Two notorious armed robbers attacked a jewelry store last night along Western avenue," the news reporter announced. "Lots of money and jewelries worth of millions were reportedly stolen by the robbers."

Femi stood still with his gaze fixed on the Tv, listening to the morning news. He watched as Ugo dead body was been pulled out from the car by some police officials.

"One of the robbers was been shot dead by the police men while the other escaped." The reporter continued. "And about five police officers were reportedly killed by the robbers during the incident. This is Adewumi Bolaji, reporting live from our studio."

Femi pulled in a long breath, and walked back into his hotel room. He thought about the incident for a very long moment, feeling very happy for his escape, and it seemed no one will recognise him since his face was not shown on the news. Maybe the white substance Ugo gave him had worked. He wished Ugo had survived.

He pushed the thought away from his mind, thinking about his next move. He need to meet Mike and discourse with him. It was his only hope left of getting the needed amount of money. He knew without doubt Mike will help, but hoping it won't come with a price.

He picked his phone and made a call. "Hello."

"Mr Femi," came the voice from the other end of the cell Phone. "We've been expecting you since yesterday, you need to come right away."

"I'm sorry doctor, I will be there very soon. How is my son?" Femi asked.

"His condition has got worse and we need to commence the operation right away, we need you here to sign some papers before we start. Anymore delay will be very ugly."

Femi let out an explosive breath. "I will be there very soon." He ended the call and dropped the phone on the small table beside the bed. He was left with no choice than to go to Mike for assistance.

A knock on his door brought him out of his thought. He got to his full and walked towards the door. "Here is it sir," a young male receptionist said as the door was opened, handling a small polythene bag to Femi. "Hope you will like it."

Femi offered him a weak smile. "Thanks."

"Here is your change sir."

"Don't worry, keep the change." Femi said and closed the door gently. He pulled out a blue jean and a white t-shirt from the polythene bag and placed them on the bed, ready to take a shower.



The rain came heavily that morning after Femi had left the hotel. Still, the majority of Lagosian tried to go about their businesses, ignoring the heavy rain. The rain brought a terrible traffic as every road leading was at stand still, the steady downpour that kept roadways dangerous and put drivers into semi hypnotic.

It had taken Femi several hours to get to Mike's house for, a trip that should have taken less than an hour. The driver pulled the car to a stop while Femi stepped out of the taxi.

He stared the gate of the duplex that he had vowed never to enter there again. He wanted to call Mike before comings , but he had deleted his number from his phone, hoping he will never see or come to Mike again. Letting out a soft breath he advanced toward the gate.

The gate was opened by the same handsome young man he met the last time he came visiting. Only the colour of his suit has changed,it was a navy blue. "How may I help you?" He asked, his face held no emotion.

"I'm here to see Mr Mike."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Not really, but he asked to come in see him at anytime." Femi said with a soft smile.

"Just a minute please," the man closed the gate and left him to wait outside.

Few minutes later he was back. He let Femi in and led him into the house. Femi sat down in the chair silently as he waited for Mike to appear.

"Brother Femi," Mike said with a bright smile, walking down the stairs into the sitting room. He wore a red long red garment. "Good to see you again."

Femi pulled himself up and took his hand shake. "Good day sir." He said with a lazy smile.

Mike dropped into the chair and met his gaze. He was really happy to see Femi, he knew he would come back. "Hope all is well, brother Femi."

Femi shook his head. Should he tell him the hell he had been through? That didn't matter now, what matters is that he's alive and he's there. "I've be going through hard times," he shook his head slowly. "I need your assistant."

Mike smiled. It was an opportunity he had been waiting for. "How may I assist you, brother Femi?"

"My son is at the hospital, suffering from appendix."

"You never told me you had a son." Mike asked with so much concern.

"We never really time to talk about it, besides, you never asked." Femi said.

"How old is your son?"

"About 5 years old."

"Oh poor boy," Mike pulled himself up and walked toward the sitting room bar and back with a bottle of wine and two glass cup. He set the bottle on the small table by his side and filled the two glass cups. He Handled one to Femi and settled with the other. "So what do you really want me to do, brother Femi?" He asked, taking a sip.

Femi met his eyes. "I need 350 thousand for my son's operation."

Mike smiled. "That's much." he lifted his glass to his lips. "I will be very happy to assist you, but what would you give me back in return?"

Femi smiled. He had thought about it. He knew what would come out of it, but he has his plan. "What do you want in return?"

Mike smiled sweetly. "It's very simple. If you can believe in lucifer and help spread his gospel, only will I be willing help save your son."

Femi stared at him thoughtfully for few seconds and said, "I will."

Mike took a sip from his glass with a soft smile. "Are you willing to follow lucifer? To do all that he asked of you?"

Femi nodded.

Mike pulled himself up happily. "Then, we have a bargain.

The world slowed to the speed of a dream as Femi stared at Ugo in disbelief. Terror coloured his face, even the sounds of bullets coming from the police men couldn't bring him back to reality.

Ugo's head rested on the steering, blood gushing out of it, all he could do, was jerking.

"Ugoooo!!" Femi screamed. He held him shaking his body, but no life was left in him. "Ugo!!!"

Femi stared out quickly through the car widow, the police men were advancing towards the car. He stared at Ugo with his eyes full of tears. There was no time for that now, the only thing on his mind, was escape.

He summoned a courage and breath in deeply. He held his pistol up in his right hand and took Ugo's gun in his left hand. He pulled the door opened, came out of it and fired heavily at the police with his two arms, running for escape.

Seconds stretched to minutes and the minutes stretched endlessly as they fired continually. Femi made it into a street, he disappeared into the darkness and hide beside a car that was parked along the street. He watched the police men searching for him in every corner of the street, they were more in numbers. If they get to him they will find him. He picked up a stone from the ground, and threw it to the next street. The stone aimed a gate of a house loudly, while the police team hurried out of the street towards the direction of the sound.

Femi let out a sign of relief and got to his feet silently. He looked around to notice a tall fence at the opposite side of the road, it was a school fence. He crossed the street towards the fence. He climbed it, then jumped into the compound.

The sounds of his footsteps Caught the school security guard attention. Femi quickly hid himself as he noticed the security man pointing his very bright touch towards the direction.

Femi couldn't see properly in the dark. He tiptoe towards a classroom window and gently climbed into the classroom, watching through the window in fear with guns in his arms, breathing heavily.

The security man stared around with his touch, and returned to his post after finding nothing. Femi breath a sigh of relief and leaned his head against the wall and listened to the police siren that was screaming from a far distance, he couldn't believe he escaped the angry policemen. He closed his eyes and wept, as the thought of Ugo flashed through his mind.


After staying silently for a very long moment, he pulled in a deep breath, thinking of how to get out of the school premises without alerting the security guard. He placed the two pistols on the floor and brought out his phone to know what the time is, he realized he had spent hours in there, it was 11:02pm. He pulled himself up and climbed out of the class room through the window.

He walked quietly, caution in every steps. He noticed the security man had fell asleep, he was sitting by the gate many foots away from the school building. Femi advanced towards the fence at the back of the school building. He found a small desk and used it to support himself in climbing. He jump down the fence into a different street, and walked slowly through a narrow part, leading to the main road.

The road was quite. Only few motorcycles were seen carrying passengers. He kept walking very fast as he need to get himself to a save place. His house was no where close to where he was, no taxi were seen on the road and he was very scared.

He turned to see a commercial bus driving towards him. He quickly waved his hand while the bus got to a stop in front of him.

"Yaba," the conductor said. "Enter with your change o."

Without a word, Femi got into the bus and settled at the back seat beside a young lady, watching out through the window.

The bus got to a stop some minutes later and Femi alighted from the bus. He checked his watch, it was few minutes away to midnight. If only he could get a taxi to take him home. He stayed at the road side for few minutes without success. Only few people were seen walking on the road, and the market women along the road were busy closing for the night.

A motorcycle drove to a stop, dropping a passenger. Femi walked towards the bike man. "Is there any hotel around here?" he asked the bike man.

"Yes, one dey Otaokun," the bike man answered.

"Otaokun? Is it far?"

"No, nah for the third street for back of Zik. The place dey ok well."

Femi nodded and climbed the motorcycle. "Take me there," he said while the bike man nodded and drove off.

Femi stared at the hotel building and back to the bike man as he got down from the bike. He paid the bike man and walked into the reception of the Hotel.
He was greeted by a young lady. "Good evening sir."

"Evening," Femi forced a smile that the lady couldn't see. "Give me a very nice room."

The lady smiled, she pulled a key from many keys that was hung on the wall behind her. "Alright sir."

Femi stood beside his hotel room window, staring at the darken sky. He couldn't believe he made it alive, he closed his eyes with so much pain as the thought of Ugo flashed through his mind, and he cried silently like a baby. "Why? Ugo I'm sorry." He said soberly, he couldn't stop the tears streaming down his cheeks. "I brought th..is on you..I killed you Ugo, I..killed you.." He went down to the floor slowly, closing his eyes tightly and cried, blaming himself for his friend's death.

"Why have you brought this on me?'' he cried, directing his words to God. "Why do you have make me go through all this, God why?"

The fact that nothing good came out of the mission made Femi very sad. He couldn't carry the bag of money they stole when escaping. Was he even thinking about the money? No, all he thought about was nothing but escape. He wept bitterly as the thought filled his mind.

He kept crying for many hours, blaming God for his challenges. He was filled with so much pain and sorrow. If only he had knew, he wouldn't have involved Ugo in his challenges. Ugo wouldn't have die. Now he has lost his childhood friend, not just a friend, he was like a brother.

Will he ever be able to face Ugo's parents and tell them that he's the reason behind their son's death? Will he ever be able to live with the guilt in his mind? He let his tears flow for a long moment, as minutes floods into hours.....

The jewelry store occupied the ground floor of a very tall building. Two security guards stood at the entrance while few customers were seen walking in and out of the place.

Ugo and Femi stayed in a Toyota camry at the opposite side of the road, surveying the environment. "Use this." Ugo said, handing a white powder to Femi. "Rob it on ur face."

Femi stared at the powder thoughtfully. "What's this for?''

"It's a magic powder. No one will able to recognize you after the operation. It's better than using a face mask."

"That's cool." Femi nodded and applied the powder on his face.

Ugo checked his watch. "We only have five minutes," he said. "I want you to go in there and do as planned. Remember we don't have much time."

One of the two securities opened the door with a soft smile as Femi approached the entrance of store. The only customer inside was a couple, admiring a necklace that was made of diamond. They Stared at the necklace with there faces so bright and glanced at Femi as he made it inside.

Femi stared around to notice two beautiful young sales ladies, and a cashier. The cashier gaze was fixed on the computer monitor that sat on the table in front of her.

"Good evening sir." One of the sales ladies approached Femi, She was in her early twenties and her voice was very soft. "Is there any particular product..."

"Where is the manage of this place?" Femi cut her off with a frown. He couldn't believe his own voice.

"Is there any problem sir?" The lady asked politely.

"Just call me the manage." Femi yelled at her.

The lady was surprised at his reaction, wondering who he was. She turned and walked into a small office while Femi stood with his arms in his pockets. The memories of his runaway wife flooded his mind as the beautiful couple walked out of the store. He remember the day he slowly put ring into Ajoke's finger, it was the happiest day of his life and his parents were very happy after waiting patiently for a long time for their son to get married and give them a grandchild. Femi remained single for many years after his ex-girlfriend broke his heart. His friend and relatives were after him to get married, but that didn't change until he met Ajoke at a fast food restaurant on one of his lunch break. He fell in love at first sight and couldn't take his mind of her. Ajoke proved very hard on him, but after many weeks of disturbing her, she finally gave in to his wishes.

After two months of dating, Ajoke took in and Femi was very happy to hear the news. He decided to take Ajoke for a wife because he loved her, and quickly introduced her to his parents. The wedding took place two months later in a baptist church, in which Femi spent almost all his savings on the wedding ceremony.

A young man walked towards Femi. He wore a grey suit. "Good evening sir."

"Are you the manager of this place?" Femi asked in a harsh voice.

"Calm down sir," the manager said. "Yes I am and how may I help you?"

Femi deep his arm into his pocket and pulled out a gold necklace. "I bought this necklace here a month ago only to discovered its nothing but fake."

The manager narrowed his eyes in disbelief and collected the necklace from him. He studied it for a moment and met his eyes. "Sir, may I see the receipt given to you the day you bought it?" He asked.

''Receipt? Do I need to be keeping that as a treasure?" Femi said angryly.

"Sir, it's the only way to confirm it, and besides we don't sell fake products here."

"Are you saying that I'm lying?" Femi took a step closer and held his suit. "How dare you?" He yelled.

The two security guards outside the store hurried in and struggled the manager out of Femi's arms while the two sales girls and the cashier stood there with surprise watching the drama. The plan was set. Femi's mission was to gathered everyone in the store in one place.

Ugo walked in and fired a shot upward. "Everybody get down." He fired again while they all lay with their face down, shivering.

Femi quickly pulled out a pistol and advanced toward the entrance, ready to take down any opponents. Ugo collected all their cell phones into his back bag. "If anyone of you misbehave eh, I go blow ya head." He drew the manager up and pointed his gun at him. "I want you to be a good boy, put all the money you have in this bag."

The manager slowly advance toward the cashier table and pour out all the money inside of it. But Ugo wasn't pleased. He landed a heavy blow on the face of the young man. "You think I come play for here."

Femi was a bit scared, wanting Ugo to make it fast before they get caught. He had never robbed anyone with a gun in his life, but he couldn't remember how many times he had robbed his former company with a pen. He watched as the young manager took Ugo into an office where the big save was kept. A lot of money were loaded into the bag. Ugo held the bag and walked back into the store with the manager. "Everybody up." Ugo said while they all got up in fear. Ugo commanded them into the office and locked them in, throwing the key on the floor.

"Let's get out of here, fast." Ugo said to Femi while they quickly hurried out of the store.

Before they could make it to where their car was packed, two police patrol van pulled to a stop. "Shit." Ugo said. "Run! Go go go!!"

Femi eyes widened in fear. Gunshot behind them as they ran. They quickly ran for cover between two parked cars. Ugo fired from between the cars, one of the police men went down, his face full of blood. Ugo hit one of the vehicle window, the glass powdered and clanged on the ground.

Femi was filled with fear, managing to shot his pistol to keep the cops from getting close. "Get in, fast." Ugo said to him while they quickly got into the car.

Ugo drove the car out in a reverse with a speed and stopped. The whine of the screaming tires filled the air as the car skidded turned in a complete circle and moved at the same time in a full speed.

One of the police men followed the move and fired a shot. The bullet got to Ugo at the side of his head. The car side wiped a line of cars across the road and came to a stop against them.

Ann2012:
Thanks for the update

izaray:
Hmm, Femi you have to be very careful

Thanks for the update

maleeknasri:
touching story....following

Thanks dear.

Chapter Three


Femi sat at the front a commercial bus hoping and praying to God to touch his cousin's heart who had vowed never to give him any money due to the last money he borrowed from him that he could not pay back. He claimed he took him for a fool and played him, but it wasn't true.

Dele borrowed him the some of 1.5 million when he lost his job. He was so happy when Ajoke introduced him to one Mr, judge, who claimed to be a major distributor at dangote company. Femi decided to go into cement business, and the man was supposed to supply him a trailer load of cement on a very good discount that worth the stress of going directly to the company. And since it was Ajoke that introduced him to the man, made him had no doubt about him. Even Ajoke never knew he was a fraud.

"Mami junction?" The conductor called out.

"Yes, please drop me." He alighted from the bus, and took another 15 minutes trek to his brother's house.

His brother lived in a big duplex which he had built after selling his four bedroom bungalow. The building was painted white and it was decorated with beautiful flowers.

Femi knocked at the gate three times, increasing the volume each time, until the gate was opened by the security man. His expression changed from frown to a weak smile as he saw him. He wore a brown khaki and a black pullover. "Ah, Oga na you?'' he said and let him into the compound.

"Is my brother at home?" He asked, staring at the many cars that was parked in the compound.

"Oga I dey inside," the man said in hausa accent.

The front door was opened by Dele's wife after he rang the door bell for the second time. "Baba David," she said with a lazy smile. "Long time. Come inside."

"How are you Joy?" He asked with no emotion as he walked into house.

"I'm fine o," she closed the door and met his gaze. Hope all is well? You look sad." She walked up the stairs to call her husband.

Femi was amused by the new look of the richly furnished sitting room. Everything in the sitting room had been replaced with new ones, and they all matched the magic paint that was used on the walls. It was like sitting in paradise. He leaned his head against the chair as the memories of the past flashed through his mind. The day Dele entered Lagos one Sunday afternoon with a polythene bag that contained two shirts and a pair of jean. Femi wasn't all that happy when he arrived due to the fact that he did not informed him before coming, leaving him with no choice than to accept him.

The determination he saw in him made Femi took him to a friend, where he was thought how to trade in building materials. After gaining his freedom, he supported him with a large sum of money, and he was very happy.

"Bros," Dele said as he walked down from the stairs into the sitting room. "It's been a while. Hope you've come to pay back my money?" He settled down and picked a Tv remote to reduce the volume of the Tv.

He shook his head slowly and met his eyes. "I'm suffering, Dele."

"Don't tell me that." He said with a frown. "If you're not here to pay my money, please leave my house."

"Dele?"

"Please. Do you think I'm a fool? Or you want me to be happy that you played me?'' He said with annoyance.

He sucked in a deep breath. "Dele please. It's not what you think. Please I beg you in the name of God. My son is at the hospital."

"So?"

"He had an appendix. The doctor is asking for 350 thousand for his operation."

"That's your business." he said without pity. "What goes around comes around. You're reaping the works of your hand."

"Dele?" He said angrily. "I'm not what you think I am. I did not played you."

He pulled himself up. "I don't have time for this. The only Way I can be happy with you is if you return my money." He said, and turned to walk away but his wife stopped him.

"Honey please." His wife said at once. "Your brother son's life is at risk. Show some mercy please."

"Stay out of this." His voice was harsh. "Do you understand." He said to his wife, and walked up through the stairs.

Femi pulled himself up silently and sadly walked out of the house. He held his tears before it could fall, pulled out a deep breath and closed his eyes. If Dele could not help him then who will help him? Where will he get the money? He was lost in his thought. As he was about to get out of the compound, Joy hurried out of the house.

"Baba David." She walked toward him. "I'm really sorry about your son. Please take this, and find to it. I will talk to your brother to reason with you."

She gave him some money that he didn't bother to count. "Thank you. God will bless you.''

"It's ok, I will call you on phone later to come and see David at the hospital. Just try your best to raise some money, I will see what I can do to help."

"Alright. Thank you very much Joy."

"And tell your wife to call me. She should have something doing to support the family. She can't just fold her hands and be watching you going through hand times like this."

Femi shook his head slowly. "She left me."

"What?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Ajoke left you ke?"

"She did. Leaving our son behind."

"You don't mean it." Joy folded her hands over her chest in disbelief. "Did she know about your David's illness?"

He shook his head.

She let out a long hard breath. "It is well. don't worry, I will call you later. Don't think about her, just concentrate on how your son will get better. So sorry, ekpele."

"Thank you. I really appreciate your concern." He told her goodbye and walked out of the compound. When he got outside, he counted the money she gave to .him, it was 85 thousand naira.

The pain Femi felt after leaving his cousin's house was one of a hell. He stood silently at the bus-stop for a very long moment. He was his hurt, sad, and depleted. Who say men dont cry? For the first time in many years, Femi let the tears flow, streaming down his cheeks.

He wiped the tears off with an handkerchief as he slowly walked along the road, with so much thought going through his mind. He pulled in a deep breath and stood for a moment. This isn't the time to cry, but the times to be Strong and faced the challenges that surrounded him, he thought.

His thought kept him at the same spot for a very long moment. There was an advantage and a disadvantage to what he had thought. But was his son's life not worth taking the risk for? He sucked in a deep breath and waved his hand. "Taxi."

He got into the taxi as it pulled to a stop. "Take me to Ikotun."

"Oga na #2500," the driver said, staring at him through the review mirror.

"I'll pay you 2000." He said while the driver nodded in agreement.

The trip took two times longer than it should have been between the heavy traffic. Femi alighted from the taxi after paying the driver, and walked into a dusty Street filled with uncompleted buildings. He was there to see a friend whom he had never seen for a very long time, but feared if he still lives at the same place. Ugo isn't a man to find easily due to the nature of his job, and he always change his phone number at all time.

He was Femi childhood friend. their parents were very closed. They were like one family. Femi and Ugo attended the same primary to secondary school. And luckily for them, they both gained admissions into the same university, but Ugo was expelled during his second year at the university, due to secret cult activities.

His parent were very sad about the news. Even Femi parents were not happy about it. Because his parents were rich, they sent him abroad to further his education, but Ugo was deported three years later after he was caught dealing in hard drugs. He became frustrated, doing things Femi never expected of him. Femi became scared of him, and stayed very faraway from him in other not to get himself into trouble.

Ugo lived in a three bedroom bungalow at the end of the street. Femi surveyed the environment as he approached the gate. The gate was covered with so much dust that made him think if anyone still lives there. He knocked at the gate for so many times, but there was no response. He became sad and stood for few minutes before turning to leave.

He remembered something and stopped, it was a signal. Ugo and Femi had a sign they used in calling each other out of the house whenever they don't want their parents to know about their affairs. Femi turned towards the gate, he whistle three times, and waited to see if he would get any reply.

Few minutes later he heard footsteps from inside the Compound, and a voice followed. "Who Knows him?"

He smiled happily as the words were spoken. It's been long since he heard it. Those were the words Ugo used in identifying him whenever he's in a hideout. "The one you hold dearly." He replied him.

The gate was opened to show Ugo in a very bright smile. He wore a play pant and a white t-shirt. His bushy mustache match his last skin cut, that made him look like Rick Ross. He had put on weight from the way he was many months back. "I can't believe it, Femi," he pulled him into a friendly hug.

"Ugo mighty." Femi smiled happily.

"How far na?''

"I dey my broda, how hustling?"

He closed the gate as Femi got into the compound and padlock it. "Hustling dey......I'm surprise to see you, Femi. You just abandon me like that."

"Not really," Femi said as Ugo lead him to the back of the house.

"You're very lucky, I was about to go out.''

"Thank God you haven't," Femi said as they approached two plastic chair under a mango tree. "It's important I see you."

"Really? Sit down let me get us something to drink." He said while Femi settled down on one the two white plastic chair that were together. Ugo walked into the house and back a few minutes later with two bottle of beer. "Here you go.'' He handed Femi a bottle of cold Star.

"Thanks," Femi collected the offer with a soft smile. He opened the cover with his teeth, and swallowed a few content. He couldn't even remember the last time he held a bottle of beer.

"What's so important that brought you here?" Ugo asked, rolling a big size of marijuana.

Femi swallowed a few more content from his beer and met his eyes. "Ugo, I'm going through the most difficult moment of my life."

"That's sad," Ugo light his weed and inhaled deeply, then aimed the tin smoke upward. "How?"

"My son is at the hospital suffering from appendix, and my wife had left me."

"Your wife left you? Why would she do that?"

Femi shook his head slowly. "She got tired of the hardship." He lifted the bottle of beer to his lips and swallowed more content.

"That's very bad of her." He inhaled his weed and tapped a length of ash to the ground. "I'm really sorry about your son's health. How is he now?"

"He's at the hospital. I need 350 thousand for his operation."

"That's a big amount of money." He inhaled again and lifted his bottle of beer from the ground, a different brand from the one Femi held. "What happened to your job? I remember you were doing well those days."

"I got sacked."

"Sacked? How come?"

Femi shook his head slowly. "It's a long story."

Ugo let out a deep breath and took another drag from his marijuana. "I'm so sorry about your challenges. It really sad." He perused his beer and placed the bottle on the ground. "How far have you gone in raising the money for your son's operation."

"That's why I came to see you.'' Femi said, looking more serious. "I need your help."

Ugo took a deep drag from his marijuana and blew out the smoke thoughtfully. "I will be happy to help if I have the money. But right now, I'm seriously broke." He said with sincerity.

"I want you to help me find a way to raise the money. I can't afford to let my son die. You have to help me.'' He lifted the bottle of beer to his lips.

Ugo smoked his marijuana silently for few seconds and met his eyes. "Will you be able to come with me tonight?" He said. "I believe you know what I do?"
Femi nodded and lifted his bottle of beer to his lips. He know how hard the job is, but it was the only way of getting the money, and he promised himself never to go back into it after getting what he want.

"Good," Ugo smiled. "We're robbing a jewelry store along western avenue tonight. If we're lucky, we can make away with millions of money."

Femi stared at him thoughtfully and swallowed the last content from his bottle.

Ann2012 Izaray harunablezin pweetygiftofgod greatlinda just2day Okuchris
I'm back

"Ajoke." Femi widened his eyes in a big surprice. He almost got hit by a coming vehicle as he was about to cross the road, not minding the insult of a bike man who almost knocked him off.

Ajoke hurried toward the car the moment she set her eyes on Femi. She hurried into the vehicle, and told the driver to move.

"Ajoke!" Femi ran after the car. "Ajoke stop. Ajoke!"

Femi stopped and stood speechless for a very long moment, ignoring the rain that had begun to fall heavily. He closed his eyes with so much pain and hold back the tears. He blamed himself for everything. If he had been able to perform his right as a man, all of those wouldn't have happened. Ajoke would have stayed.

Femi got home few hours later in the heavy rain that has took over the day. He was wet all over as he walked toward his nerbour apartment. The was opened by a little girl of about ten years after he rang the doorbell.

"Welcome, daddy David."

"How are you princess, where is David? Is your mummy home?"

" My mummy has taken David to the hospital," the little girl said.

"Hospital?" Femi felt his eyes narrowed. "What happened to him?"

"He was feeling sick and my mummy na took him to the hospital."

"But your mummy didn't call me on phone, since when."

"Since..this afternoon, when the rain started falling." The girl said.

"Okay, I will call your mummy on phone." Femi left the doorway. He brought out is phone and noticed his cellphone had been off. He quickly switched it on and dialed his nerbour number.

"Papa David, I've been trying to reach you." The woman said from the other end of the cellphone.

"Where are you, what happened to David?"

"I'm at the general hospital in Ikeja, your attention is needed."

"Okay, I will be there right away." He ended the call, moved into his apartment, changed his dress and hurried out with an umbrella.

Few hours later he was at the general hospital. He meet a nurse who directed him to a ward where David was. He hurried toward the hallway and pushed the door opened.

"Thank God you're here," his nerbour got to her feet the moment Femi stepped in. "Doctor, here is the father."

A very young doctor in his late twenties, met Femi's gaze and offered him a handshake. "I'm doctor John Adesanya."

"What happened to my son?" Femi quickly sat beside David.

"Your son has acute appendicitis." The doctor said. "It's going to have to come out."

Appendix? He was silent for few seconds staring at the doctor. "When will you be scheduling this for?" His words tumbled out.

"I'm sorry I didn't make it clear, Mr Femi. Your son appendix has to come out right now. I know we'd prefer to wait at least tomorrow morning, but even that would be a great risk. No, we'll start as he's pre-op. Don't worry." He said. "I've done this at least eleven times and I'd never had a problem. When did he last eat?"

"He ate a little bit of slice bread and a glass of tea this morning, but only few sip." He said, while the doctor made a note.

"The nurse will take him to pre-op, and will show you where to wait. Mr Femi." He said.

Femi pulled out a deep breath and met the doctor's eyes. "How much will it cost?

"#350 thousand." He said. "You have to pay the money before the operation."

Where will he get that amount of money? "Please doctor I want you to help me. I don't have the amount of money you just mentioned. I don't have a job."

The doctor stared at him silently for few seconds. "Mr Femi if you want your son to live, you will have to go and look for the money." He said and walked away.

Femi sat down gently at the edge of the bed, watching David turning in pain. Where am is him going to get the money from? His brother came to his mind. He har vowed never to go to him for help again. But now he didn't have anyone else to turn to. I have no choice.

"Baba David," his nerbour said in a soft voice. "There's no time to waist, you will have to rally round to gather money for this operation before it's too late."

Femi met her gaze. "Mama princess, where will I get money from? You know my condition na, eh."

"I know, but you will have to try. Sitting here will not help." The woman got to her feet. "Let me ruch home, I left my children alone at home since afternoon. I will also help in my own little way."

Femi stood up slowly. "Thank you madam, I really appreciate your concern."

"It's okay, just try your best to save this little boy."

"I will."

"Okay, see you later." The woman said and left.



God why is all this? Why do I have to go through this? I need your help Lord. Please help me. Femi was so worried. What will happen to his son if he's not able to raise the money? He stood at the bus stop for a very long moment thinking of how to raise the money.


©Harry Enomamien..2019

All rights reserved.

Chapter Two

Femi walked toward the gate of a very neat duplex and rang the bell three times. The gate was opened to reveal a tall man with perfect black skin and a perfect black suit. The word smooth had been invented for this man.

"Good morning. I'm here to see Mr Mike." He said.

"Do you have an appointment?" The man asked.

"Yes. I have his card." He brought out the card from his pocket and showed him.

The mam shut the gate silently and left him to wait outside like a delivery boy, which didn't bother Femi at all. Few minutes later the man let Femi into the compound. Femi looked around the beautiful compound as the tall man lead him into a room off the main building. The dark colours, the row of books and a bowl on the edge of a mahogany desk all befits the house of a very rich man.

Mike lounged in a graceful wing chair beside a small highly polished table. He was wearing a black garment. "Brother Femi." He leaned forward in his chair with a soft smile and gave him a hand shake. "Please do sit down."

"Thank you sir." Femi settled in a chair that matched his own

"Care for wine?" He held his glass up. "It's a lovely little pourlly fume.You will like it."

"No sir, I'm okay."

"Come on feel at home." He held the bottle of wine and poured the golden liquid into an empty glass cup. "It's quiet refreshing. It's from a charming little vineyard in the Loire valley that has been owned by the same family since the first vine was planted." He held the glass up and gave it to him.

"Thanks." Femi collected it with a smile and took a sip, then set it back on the table.

Mike lowered his glass. "So. What type of job would you want me to offer you?"

"Sir, I will take any job, as long as I'm getting paid."

Mike leaned back in his chair with a pretty smile. "Are saying you would do any job I offer you?"

He nodded. "Yes sir."

Mike held his glass up and took a sip. "Well, if you say so." He set his glass back on the table. "But what if I show you a way of making millions." He learned forward and stared straight into his eyes. "And a little secret to make you have dominion over all things on earth."

Femi smile widened. "I will be very happy sir."

"It's very simple." Mike leaned forward. "Only if you're willing to accept the truth, Only then will I show you to a world of freedom." He took another sip from his glass and learned back in his chair. "Are you ready to accept the truth?"

Femi stared at him in mid confusion. The truth? Secret? What is he talking about? He thought. "I don't understand sir."

Mike smiled. "I suspect you're a Christian. Right?"

"Yes sir."

"Have you not been praying to your God to give you a job?" He learned forward. "Have you?"

Femi signed. He can't even remember how many times he had fast and pray. "Yes sir. I use to pray." He held my glass up and perused the golden liquid."

"If you have been praying to your God and you still haven't get a job, that means your prayer is worthless before your God."

Femi stared at Mike silently as he moved closer to the open window, staring outside. "Do you know why the rich get richer," he turned to face him. "And the poor getting poorer?"

"No sir."

Mike smiled. "It is because the rich knows the secret of life. It's because they accept the true God." He walked back to his chair. "My dear young man, your religion has done a lot of damages to your life. Your prayer was not answered because the God you're serving is a selfish God. Who deprived you of all the good things on earth." He lifted his glass and took a sip. "The God I serve care and love all his followers. My God deprives you of nothing. He will give you the key to freedom and everlasting happiness."

Femi leaned forward.

"You Christians are blind serving a god who dose not care. A God that you can not please." Mike leaned back. "It was written in your bible in Genesis 3 vs 9. Your God said that in sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground."

This is getting interesting, Femi thought and lifted his glass and took a sip.

"What would you call God who condemned man to death. Who could not forgive Adam and Eve that he made in his own image for eating the fruit of knowledge and wisdom?" Mike continued. "You Christians had been deceived. You think Jehovah will save you at the end, but Jehovah was not able to save his son when the children of israel nailed him to the cross. He forsake his only begotten son."

Femi heaved a sigh. "But we all knows that Jesus died for the sins of mankind. It was his destiny." He said.

"His destiny? Haven't you read the book of Mathew chapter 15 vs 34? Jesus cried out in a loud voice saying, Eloi Eloi lama sa-bachtha ni. My God my God, why have thou forsaken me. In verse 37 Jesus cried in a loud voice and gave up the ghost." Mike laughed softly and became serious."You Christians believed in a God that do not care about his children, and serving his dead son."

All Femi could do, was stare.

Mike got up from his chair. "Jesus is dead. There is no Christ to save the world. If you accept the true God, who fought for the freedom of mankind, he will give you freedom, wealth, fame and you will be free from the curse that your God placed on you through the first man Adam." He lifted the bottle of wine and filled his glass. He leaned forward and also filled Femi's glass. "Enjoy yourself my friend. It's a free world for those that knows the truth." He set the bottle back on the table and held his glass up, taking a sip.

Femi was speechless, not knowing what to say. He lifted up his glass and took a sip.

"How would you describe a God who made all those that believes in him to go through hardship? Who couldn't forgive Adam for eating the fruit of knowledge. Who enslave all his faithful to abide to his personal interest. Your God is so wicked, greedy and self centered." He learned back and took a sip from his glass of sweet wine. "All of you had been deceived my friend. There is no hope for you in your God because you can't please him."

Femi held my glass up and sipped the wine thoughtfully. Even if Mike was saying those words out of his believe, he was quite entertaining. He learned back in his chair and took another sip.

Mike met his eyes. "If you would accept the true God, you will live a life of happiness. You will be given the power to rule the earth." He leaned forward. "You will be given the key to freedom and everlasting life with him in his beautiful kingdom. Are you ready to accept the loving God who cares for you? To live a life that you desire? Are you ready?"

Femi pulled in a long breath and leaned forward. "I understand all you've been saying. But which God are we taking about?"

Mike smiled and pulled himself up. "The true God who cares about your well being. He is a mighty God who believes in freewill." He met his eyes. "His name is lucifer."

Femi was shocked. "Are you telling me to give my life to the devil?"

"It's a choice, my friend." He held his glass up and took a sip.

Femi got to his full. "Thank you so much , Mr Mike." He pushed his arms into his pocket. "I will hold on to Jehovah. He's the true God who made heaven and the earth. Who made you and I." He said.

Mike laughed, a full deep sound and became serious. "The end will tell. Only the wise ones will inherit the earth, and enjoy an everlasting life of freedom."

"I really appreciate your  concern," Femi said. "But I believed so much in my God. I will take my leave now Mr Mike." He walked to the door and pulled it opened.

"Think about it." Mike said. "At least about being rich. There are few things you should know about Jehovah before your decision."

Femi met his eyes with a weak smile. "Thanks." He stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Femi pulled out a deep breath as he safely stepped out of Mike's Compound. He walked faster as his legs would take him, looking back every minutes just to make sure no one was following him. "Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" He said out loud. "Me to save the devil? Over my dead body." He stared back again and walked faster until he got out of the street through a small part that lead to the main road.

A gloomy weather walled off the sun behind heavy clouds as he crossed the road to the other side, while a strong wind kept particles aloft, leading them on an endless flight. Without further waning, the rain started heavily, and made everyone ran for cover.

Femi stood under a crowded tent, watching the rain fall steadily in front of him. He thought about what Mike had said over and over again. He was born into this world to believe in one religion or the other. Who really knows the truth about the unseen? Was it not what the bible told us we believed? He thought. What is my profit of gaining the whole world and lose my soul? Do I really lose my soul? He was filled with total confusion.

He walked out of the tent as the rain turned lazy, and hurried toward the bus-stop, hoping to get a bus quickly before he get socked. After few minutes of waiting, a black Range Rover jeep pulled to a stop in front him. The tinted glass prevented him from seeing the driver. He watched as the glass of the front door came down slowly. It was Mike. "Brother Femi," he said with a smile. "Why are you standing in the rain?"

Not again. "I'm..I'm waiting for a bus to take me my destination." He said without looking at him.

"If you don't mind getting inside the car, I can drop you home."

If that is your plan, it won't work. "No thanks." He said with weak smile.

Mike smiled. "Alright. You have my card," he said while Femi didn't bother to look at him. "You can call in for assistance at anytime."

"Thank you sir." He watched him drove away and let out a heavy breath. He quickly waved his hand at the bus that was coming toward the bus-stop, shouting 'Ojodu'. Before the bus could get to where he was, his eyes met a lady coming out of a white BMW car that pulled to a stop at the other side of the road.

A bus got a stop, blocking his view. "Ojodu enter with your #100." The bus conductor said.

"Sorry." He told the conductor, and walked forward to have a full view of what he saw. The lady at the other side of the road withdrew some money from an ATM machine that stood at the front of a supermarket, and turned walking back into the car.

Femi eyes widened. "Ajoke."

©Harry Enomamien.. 2018

All rights reserved.

izaray:
Yes boss, i'm here already, just keep the update coming as e dey hot

We miss you sha

I'm glad to be back, and as the thing dey hot, na so we go shop am rush rush. Laffss..

Thanks dearie.

Njoy!

Ann2012:
Present Sir Harry stories
Ajoke shouldn't have left her son alone, some women sha......
Keep the updates coming biko

Thanks for coming....
Cheers!

Femi pulled the door opened to see pastor Daniel standing with a smile and a bible in his right hand. "Mr Femi."

"Good afternoon pastor," Femi said and left the door way for him to enter his apartment.

"I've not been seeing you in Church," Daniel settled beside David and carried him on his laps. "Hope all is well."

Femi went down slowly into the chair and met his eyes. "Nothing is well o, pastor."

"What's the problem? You should know God is capable of solving every problem. Have you not be talking to God about it?"

"God?" Femi signed. "Did God knows if I'm alive or not."

Pastor Daniel felt surprised. "Why would you say that? God knows everything about you and he cares."

"I don't think so," Femi leaned back in his chair. "I've been jobless for over a year which you knows, are you telling me I've not been praying and fasting? Still I've not been able to get a job. I've turned a beggar, begging friends and relatives for money to feed my family, are you telling me he cares?"

"Mr Femi, God knows why you're passing through this challenges."

"If he knows how I had suffered for the past few months, he should have at least provide me a job, but instead he clothed me with shame and disgrace."

Daniel signed. He carried David from his lap and sat him down in the chair, then opened his bible. "In the book of Matthew..."

"Please," Femi leaned forward. "I've heard enough of bible teachings and none has done me any good. Do you think I've not been applying those teachings? Didn't Matthew 7:7 says that we should ask that it shall be given unto us? That seek and we shall find? But I've been asking God for a job for over a year, still here I am, jobless." He shook his head. "This is really making me to doubt God if he's truly up there or not."

"Be patients with God, Mr Femi. Remember the story of Job, how he lost all that he had and how Satan attacked him with  different kind of diseases, but yet he didn't give up on God. The book of Job chapter 1:22 says, In all that, Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. And in chapter 42:10 And the lord turned the captivity of Job when he pray for his friends; Also God blessed him twice as much as he had before. Verse twelve tells us that God blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. So Mr Femi, don't give on God yet. Trust him and have faith in him."

Femi leaned back in his chair and drew in a long breath. "Thank you."

"Let us pray."

After the prayer Daniel pulled himself up. "I will have to be going, and I hope you will be coming to today's evening service?"

"I will try to," Femi said as they got out of his apartment.

"How is your wife?" Daniel asked.

"She left me," Femi said. "She left home angrily few minutes before you came. She threatened to divorce me."

Daniel stopped and stared at him. "Why would she do that?"

"You knows we've been roughing it together all those while. She told me she's tired of everything, that she needs a better life."

"That's wrong," Daniel said. "Marriage is for better for worse."

"Say that to our mothers, not to those women of this generation."

Daniel shook his head. "Don't worry yourself, I will call her on phone and talk to her, but try to be in church in the evening so we can settle some issues."

"No problem, pastor." Femi said and wished him goodbye before he returned into his apartment.

Few minutes later, he left David with a friend and walked many miles away from home, in search of a job. After a long search, he got tired, hungry, with no strength to carry on and it was getting late. He sat down beside a woman that was roasting plantains along road, and begged her for water. Without a word the woman gave him a sachet water.

"Thank you madam," he drank the it quickly.

Some minutes later he pulled himself up, thanked the woman again and walked down to the bus-stop. He was having no money with him, and he was not ready to walk back the many miles he came from. He needed to eat and take something home. He couldn't stand the heart of seeing his son go hungry. He was having no choice, but to beg people for money.

He walked toward a man that came out of a supermarket. He was about to enter his car when he stopped him. "Sorry sir. Please don't be annoyed I just need your assistance."

The man stared at him silently for few seconds and dipped his arm into his pocket. He brought out one thousand naira note and gave it to him. "You're not a beggar.?"

"Thank you sir." He met his gaze. "No, I was stranded."

The man nodded. "I suspect. You don't have a job, I guess."

"No sir." Femi replied sharply.

The man nodded again and smiled. "I can help you."

Help me! Femi was so excited. He didn't doubt him because his Rolls Royce tells it all. "I will be very happy sir."

"It's okay. I knows how you feel. I was once in your shoe." He said and put his hand around his shoulder. "But now I knows it all. It wasn't your fault my friend. It has been so since the beginning." He removed his arm from his shoulder, opened his car door and brought out a business card. "Here is my card. See me at anytime you wish, I will give you a job."

Femi went down quickly to his kneels. "Thank you sir. God will bless you sir. Thank you very much."

"It's okay." He drew him up to his feet. "You don't have to do that."

He gave him another five thousand naira and told him to make sure he see him. Femi walked away happily, thanking God for sending him an helper.

Chapter One

The sun was shinning very bright by the time Femi alighted from the bus at the junction of his street. He wore a faded jean and a sky blue t-shirt and looked very tired as he settled on a wooden chair at the front of man selling cigarette at the bus stop. "Aboki give me ciga." He said.

The tall Hausa man got up from his chair with a frown. "I dey hold me money for two ciga, I neba pay."

"Haba, I go pay for this one na." Femi said and handed him twenty naira note.

The man gave him a stick of cigarette. "Na when I go pay my money?"

"Don't worry, I will pay you whenever I have money with me." He lighted the cigarette, inhaled deeply and blew the stream of smoke upward.

Femi was worried about his wife and his three years old son he had left at home with nothing to eat. He didn't want to return home empty handed because his wife, Ajoke would not be happy with him. He had searched for a job all day without success. He let out a slow breath, inhaled his cigarette, and thought of how he would raise money for his family.

He glanced up as a shadow fell between him and the sun, and lifted his right hand to his forehead to protect against the glare. His gaze travelled up to the fat, no-nonsense body of mama Debo who stood beside him with a frown.

"My god don catch you today," the woman said. "You think you can run away with my money."

Femi let out an explosive breath and pulled himself up. He had been hiding for the woman for months because he hadn't been able to pay her for the garri he bought from her. "It isn't what you think, madam."

"Abegi, pay me my money." The woman held his shirt. "Today today I will collect my money from you, shameless man."

"Madam please be patients with me I will pay you your money," Femi felt embarrassed. "I don't have money with me now. Please."

"Since how many months?" She yelled. "You won't leave this place until you pay me my money."

The hausa man walked out of his shop. "Madam, make I no bex, the man I no get money, walahi."

"Aboki, just mind your business." She attacked him with anger. "This man go pay me my money today, today."

Shame flushed over Femi's face as people gathered around them. "Madam take it easy na." One of them said. "This man has been begging you since and you refuses to let him go. How much is the money self." The woman hissed.

"What is your business?" Mama Debo yelled at her. "Do you want to pay for him?"

Annoyance swept through the woman. "How much is the money?"

"Eight hundred."

"Is it because of eight hundred naira you're disgracing this man like this?"

"Ask him since how many months," mama Debo yelled at the woman.

Ajoke got down from a black Toyota Camry that dropped her at the road side. She walked passed the crowd and saw her husband, then narrowed her eyes in surprise. She moved closer. "What happened?" She directed her words to mama Debo. "What has my husband done to you?"

"Ask your husband," she said and pulled her face away.

Ajoke stared at Femi. "What's the meaning of all this?"

Femi met her gaze and told her what happened. "I promised to give her the money but I haven't been able to do so."

"But you never told me you bought it on credit," his wife said. "How much is the money?"

"Eight hundred."

Ajoke shook her head, opened her handbag and brought out out the money. "Madam, take your money."

The woman collected the money and walked away without a word while Ajoke stared at Femi for few seconds, then turned and began to walk away.

Femi hurried after her. "Why are angry with me? You know I would have paid if I had the money."

Ajoke ignored him and walked into the compound toward her neighbour's apartment where she had kept their son before going out. Femi took a long breath and crossed his arm over his chest.

Ajoke came out with their son, David and walked toward the front door of their apartment. She unlock the door and walked into the house while Femi followed. Ajoke sat David on the chair and brought out a meat pie wrapped in a small white nylon from her bag and handed it to David.

Femi stared at her silently. "Where are you coming from?"

Ajoke didn't reply, instead, she turned and started walking out of the sitting room.

"Don't you hear me?" Femi got to his feet.

Ajoke stopped and turned to face him. "I have no answers to your question." She said in anger. "Do you expect me to remain here and die in hunger? For three days now you've not been able to drop a single money in this house, and you're here asking me where I'm coming from."

"Ajoke? Are you talking to me like that?" He followed her into the bedroom. "Have I not been doing my best?"

"Your best is not enough," her cold eyes met his. "And I cannot continue to be living like this with you."

Femi felt his eyes narrowed. "Ajoke?"

"Yes, I cannot continue this hardship. You're just being lazy, how long will it take you to get a job? We've been living from hand to mouth for the past one year and you're telling all will be well."

"Ajoke, are you the one to be saying all this? But you never met me like this when you married me."

"And I wasn't living like this before you married me. You made my business crumbled with the family responsibility you put on me." She said. "To be honest with you, I've made up my mind to leave your home and face my life, because I don't see anything good coming your way with this lazy habit of yours."

Femi widened his in disbelief and stared silently. Ajoke picked her bag from the bed and walked out of the room. "Where are you going?" He asked.

She ignored and walked toward the front door, pulled opened and walked out of the house.

"Ajoke? Ajoke come back here." He hurried after her.

She turned and met his gaze. "Just leave me alone, it's over between us. Don't you understand? I'm done with you."

"You can't do this to me, Ajoke. What about our little son? How do you want him to feel?"

"I don't care. I didn't came to your house with a child, so David is your son and you should take care of him." She turned and left the compound.

"Ajoke? Ajoke?" Femi stood unmoved for a very long moment. How could Ajoke do this to him? Living him all alone with his little boy. He blew out a long hard breath and returned into his apartment. Sadness came over him as he gently sat down in the chair beside his son.

Things were beautiful when he first met Ajoke. They dated over a year before he proposed to her and his mother was never in support of his marriage but he waved away his mother's advise and married Ajoke.

Life became unfair after they had their first child when Femi lost his job. Ajoke was the one feeding the family with the little money she was making from her little business. Little by little, her business crumbled. Things became very rough and tough. What was he going to do now? He was filled with total confusion. He managed to pull himself up from the chair as he heard a knock on his front door. He walked toward the door and pulled it open.

To my mother, who
always believe in me
and my father who
thought me to
believe in myself.

©Harry Enomamien... 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this story should be used or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including copying without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incident are the product of the author's imagination, used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Prologue

Four pillars of fire stood tall at the four corners of the kingdom of hell. Four beast, having three heads, six hands and a long tail, stood on each pillar with very big trumpets in their hands. At the center of the place seated a very wide altar of fire that was burning very bright in a circle, and about fourteen beast, having two heads, three horns and a single eye on their forehead goes roundabout the altar every night and day without rest.

The dark kingdom was crowded with people from the four corners of the earth, each having two horns on their heads, waiting for their master who was the devil, and the four beast standing on the pillars blew their trumpets for the coming of Lucifer.

A red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, seven crowns on his head emerged from the air and every beast bowed as he landed at the middle of the altar, his breaths were breaths of fire.

"Gabi! Gabi! Gabi!" The crowd chorused.

Another beast emerged from the ground at the front of the altar, having four heads and three crowns. The beast was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of bear and his mouth like the mouth of a lion and in his hand was the book of Death. He opened the book and read out loud to the dragon, called Lucifer, the names of the those they had succeeded in killing.

Lucifer breathed out fire after he had heard the numbers of the dead, and the crowd rejoiced, saying. "There's none like you, oh mighty one."

Lucifer spread his wings joyfully. "Oh great people of hell," his voice was like many trumpets. "I've come to bless you all with more power to make war with the saint, and to overcome them."

"Gabi! Gabi! Gabi!"

"Go into the four corners of the world, bring both small, great, rich, poor, free and bond, that our kingdom may be filled. I've given you power to perform great wonders. Let fire comes down from the sky in the sight of men. Deceive them with great miracles that they may come to me in multitude, and anyone that didn't believe in us, their blood we shall drink."

"Gabi! Gabi! Gabi!"

"Let your churches be multiply. Bless them with great wealth that would blind their eyes from seeing the light. This a war we must win. No man on earth shall see God, for I am the king of the earth and everything belongs to me." Lucifer ended with more confidence in his voice.

"Gabi! Gabi! Gabi!"

DEVIL'S BAGAIN

cocoboss:
this is beautiful, i love this, kudos to the writter.

Thanks for the sweet appreciation

Kaycee9242:
Wow wat a nice story, Harry u are too much, I pray for more wisdom upon u

Amen... Thanks dearie....