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"Chinyere, is the food ready?" She said in false cheerfulness as she yanked the door wide open, the door making a creak as it did.

"yesss!" She said throwing her hands up, as she waggled her hips, "All is set!"

"You look nice in that night gown of yours" Chinyere said, as she grabbed a plate and ladle.

"Thank you" She said with a sad grimace, turning her face away, as a thought of the monster ran across her mind of a sudden, telling of her hair smelling nice.

"So is this enough for you?" Chinyere said, snapping her out of her reverie, after serving her 3 spoons of food.

"Yes, but please reduce it" Tolani said.

"You that would finish 5 servings of beans in a sitting normally" Chinyere chuckled as she mouched a spoon out of her plate into the pot. "What happened today now?"

"So, yeah, this is yours" She said as she handed her plate to her after serving the dodo, she collected it and made her way to the dining.

***

"Thank you Mabel" Kayode said to her in a cheerful manner, after the closing remarks "I would be off now"

"No, I should do thanking!" She said "Let myself and Lois see you off."

"Alright" He said as they strolled out of the theatre, the noise made by the music blarring the speakers reducing as they left.

"Where is your car?"

"Little issues with it." He said smiling. "I would call down an Uber now"

"Why an Uber, when either myself or Lois could take you home?" She asked.

Laughing slightly, he said, "You shouldn't bother"

"C'mon!"

"I should have taken you home myself, but I need to settle things now" She said, "So Lois would take you down home"

"Thank you, but you guys really don't have to make a fuss about it, the Uber would be around soon"

"If you have called him, better tell him to go back" She chuckled, "Lois, go and pick your things inside, so you can take Kayode home"

"Mabel, you haven't changed" He laughed. "Thank you sha"

Lois picking her stuffs, marched down to her car, opened the door, kicked started the engine into life, then swerved in front of Mabel and Kayode.

"Bye! "


***

After driving the streets of Ikeja for few minutes, in silence, Lois soon broke the silence, "Sir, I've been wondering why you haven't published a book yet with all the publicity you have already"

He laughed, then started, "Well, I'd just started on last week"

"Osheyy!" She blurted out.

Soon, they were in front of his home at the Victoria Island, he came out of the vehicle, and thanked her.

Drained and distressed, he waved her goodbye, as she made a U-turn, her car making a screeching sound, as sped down to her apartment in Lekki.
Then he opened the gate as he checked the time on his wrist watch. Wheww! It was 9:15pm.

"Oga welcome ooh" The gate man yulped out

"Thank you" Kayode replied as he strolled up the house entrance. The sound coming from the Generator's house deafening.

"Oga wetin you bring come naa"

"John, abeg free me."

Opening the door to the house open, he lurched up toward his bedroom only to hear his dad, howling his name, "Oluwa-Kayode"

"Where are you coming from?" Mr Randy said gruffly as he stood up from his seat.

"From a friends book launching ceremony" He said in a perpetually tired voice.

"You see" He said. "It's all these connecting with your fellow poor writers you are keep wasting your time doing"

"Daddy please!" He told off then walked off.

"So, I am the one you are talking to like that right?"

"Mummy Kayode, do you see what you have caused?" He cringed at his mum.

"You spoilt this boy."

"Anyways, you can go to sleep, it's never your fault. I expect my feedback on you join Barrister Adedayo's Chambers latest on Monday." He bellowed, not caring if he heard.

As he entered his room, a thought of calling Tolani soon ran through his mind. Shoving his hand into his pocket, he brought out his phone and dialed her number.

***

"So, my Kayode gists ooh" Chinyere said as Tolani's phone rang repeatedly while she sat down aloof, without picking the call.

"Tolani, why are you not picking your calls now?" Chinyere asked as she stretched to check out who called.

"Kayode?!" She blurted out. "Osheyy! You are already giving your selves goodnight calls."

Tolani glaring at her, scoffed "See, please, just leave me alone with your Kayode talks."

"You have started again" Chinyere said with gentle remonstrance, "Gist me joor"

***

Sadness tearing at her chest, with tears spilling down her cheeks, as the alarm clock rung repeatedly while she tossed frantically on her bed. It was Monday again!

Finally rising up from her bed, she held her head in hands, shuddered a scream as her shoulders trembled. Despair dragged her down.

Soon tired from crying, she raised her head to check the time on the clock. Behold it was 7:04am. Man! Well, whatever that wants to happen should happen. She swore under her breath, as she rose up from the bed, pulled off her night gown as it fell down to her feet, while she wound a towel round her.

Then she lumbered up to the bathroom, yanked the door open wide, turned on the claw head bath tub, as the water cascaded down, as she felt floating.

Soon she turned off the bath tub, dried, her body with a towel, strolled up into her room, wore her clothes, shook out her hair, then twirled it into a pony tail,and gave herself a look on her mirror.

Quickly, she picked up her bag, and sauntered out of the room.

***

She was soon at the publishing house as she walked up to the reception. Signed in. She resumed by 9:00am.

As she made her way to her office, she suddenly heard her name; turning her neck to see who it was she realised it to be Kayode: Standing tall in the hallway, her vision blurring with images of her abuser.

"Good morning sir"

"Good morning" He said, as plucked at the cuff of his shirt, "You arrived really late today"

"I'm sorry sir, I woke up a bit late" She said in a level way.

"Owk, it's no problem" He said. "Do make sure to come earlier"

Just then his phone rang, and on checking the caller ID, he realised it to be his Dad; Mr Randy.

"A minute please" He said to Tolani, as he slid up the receive call option.

crossfm:
you are really doing a great job.I'm the president of ghost readers association but,just renounced my position now.
Your diction is what glued me to the story. Patiently waiting for the next update.
More ink to your pen.

Osheyyy!!
Thank you Boss. *Winks*

crossfm:
we all view things from different pespectives,if that is the way you understood my write up then no wahala.All I was trying to depict was that we need to take rape serious and look beyond gender.Both male and female can be rapped.
It's also ironical for you to say am apologetic to rape where I stated it boldly that death sentence should be the punishment for rape if proven guilty.perhaps,my statement 'if proven guilty ' is why you could make a despicable assumption of me.my motive for making such sentence is to protect poeple who are being accused wrongly.

Oh...I understand you, I think there's a current push for an equal term for a wrong rape accusation now.

Also, I think the lady to whose comment you replied was coming from a lady's perspective, so I felt there was no need for you to bring up the "guys get raped too" thing.

But then, no wahala, I understand you and thank you for reading my story! *Hugs*

crossfm:
lol.I agree with you on the death sentence that is if proven guilty.But the way you specified the cutting off made me wonder if its only guys that are guilty of rape.

But then, do you know you sound rape apologetic right now?

Adeola25:
Rapists are animals I swear. Sorry Tolani. What a painful incident. There should be a death sentence for all rapists if caught, and the useless thing between their legs should be cut off before they die a painful death. Well-done OP.

Thank you,
I share the same rage!, *Hugs*

becca2017:
Awwww dear Tolani.. This is so painful!!!!

Thanks for the update..

You are welcome *Hugs*

Trembling in the stark dark, she screaamed, "Who is that?", as she struggled to get loose off his grip, the eerie darkness of the night masking his face. But no!, she was overpowered.
The more she tried, the tighter his grip became, her wrist bruising as he dragged her closer. Ooh Loooord! He smelt of beer and cigar, a scent that turns her stomach, making her want to puke.

Then, he hoarsed, "Hmm, you smell nice", as he dragged her to an uncompleted building, leaving her to shudder screams into his cold-hand closed hard round her mouth.

There he abused her, leaving her to stare at the twinkling stars, shame spiraling through her as she wondered why and how it happened.

After what seemed like forever, she struggled to her feet, she felt blood dripping down her legs, but she limped on, in worsening pain.

***

"...Thank you!" Kayode took a bow as he finished the speech, thundering claps filled the air, as he swaggered back to his seat.

"You see, I told yaa" Mabel winked at him as he sat down. "You can do it!"

"Hun, I practiced repeatedly though" He said, smiling as his eyes caught Lois' eyes, his smile suddenly vanished.

"We all do" Mabel said, her mouth curving into a smile as she picked the lint from her sleeve.

"But seriously, you did pretty well." She added.

"Thank you" He said with a little sense of pride as he tugged at his collar.

"So, how is Bimbo?" She asked.

"Ooh Bimbo" He sighed. "It all ended in UNILAG"

"Really? ".

"Abeggi, things happened sha, then we parted ways after Service year." He said. "It just didn't go well"

"Ehyaa..."

"And Kemi too?"

"My Sister?" He asked. "She is fine"

While they discussed, Lois was busy reading tweets on her phone, as she propped her chin on her palm.

"And how is my Lois doing in office too?" Mabel asked, tapping her as she brought her out of her reverie.

"She's doing well"

"Good to hear, she should follow your footsteps and win prizes too ooh. Please, I would be back soon" She said as she rose up, "I need to settle some stuffs before the book signing"

"Mama the mama" He hollered, as he leaned back into his chair, watching her mincing off, memories of them studying for exams back in UNILAG running through his mind. Soon he heard someone call him. Turning his neck, he beheld the guy in blue cap with the other guy who discussed few munites ago about people in Nigeria not reading anymore.

"Hello" Kayode greeted.

"Good evening" They said in unison.

"So, you are Kayode Randy " The guy in blue cap yawped out, drumming his fingers on the table, "and Congratulations!"

"Yeah, Thank you" He said as a wave of pride enveloped him as Lois stared at them.

"I'm Fakunle Adeola" The blue capped guy stretched his hand for an handshake, as Kayode accepted it.

"I'm Kingsley Nworie" The other introduced himself.

"Nice, to meet you both sirs"

"Nice to meet you too. You write pretty well!" The guy in blue cap said.

"Your short story, "Lagos-Aboki" on Ibadan Heritage is really nicee" The other guy added

"And we hope your book is on the way too." He said.

"No problem. And thank you for the supports!"

"And also, there's no justification for plagiarism!..." He explained "It's more like rendering the efforts of the author useless."

"Hmm, yeah" The guy conferred not wanting to put up an argument. But an argument?

"Nice meeting you again" Kayode said as they shook hands again.

As soon as they stopped talking; the guys resuming back to their table; Kayode's eyes and Lois' met.

"Hey!" Lois started.

"Hi"

"You planned this?"

"C'mon, I had no idea, you knew Mabel" She said, "Also, Congratulations on your shortlist"

"Thanks!"

"You are welcome" Lois said as she held her cup of wine feeling a bit nervous.

"And I am also sorry about the other day." She added.

***

As guilt consumed her from within, she lumbered into the house, as the blood continued dripping; The pain from the bruises tingling!

How would she explain to the Police? Say they decide to take her case serious. How would they track down the monster? Finger prints? DNA Sampling? Pain gripped her chest as she yanked the door open.

Perhaps, she should be glad she wasn't killed for rituals. Who would have known? She snapped her fingers to shake off the thoughts off her head as a mix of anger, despair and sorrow shredded her inside.

"Tolani is that you?" Chinyere asked as soon as she heard footsteps; the plantain slices sizzling in the frying pan.

"Yes dear" Tolani said with a sad grimace as she clumped up to the visitor's room.

"So, did you get your credit"

"No, they did not have" She said, "I'm going to take a shower"

"Alright" She said, then added, smiling, "Your beans is ready ooh"

"Owk ooh" Tolani replied, letting out a harsh breathe, as she made her way to the bathroom.

Opening the door of the bathroom, she entered, tore her clothes off, threw them into a bucket, then ran the shower on as the water cascaded down, the sense of guilt washing down with the water.

But it soon returned, as she felt a tingling pain of her bruised walls, while dried herself with a towel.

She blew out her cheeks, shook off her hair, then wore her night gown in a moment, placing her hand on her chest, in a way to chill out her spirits, then sauntered out of the room to meet Chinyere, forcing out a smile.

I can soooo relate!!!

Adeola25:
Wahala de oo, I pray make dem no rape Tolani. Thanks for the update.

Abii, make we gather pray for am?
You are welcome! *Hugs*

becca2017:
Thanks for the update �

You are welcome *Hugs*

"Wow." He exclaimed, forcing out a smile.

"Hii" Lois said faintly, her breathe hitched.

"Kayode help yourself here, you would be sharing a table with myself and Lois." The book launch begins in a giffy!

"Your speech would be after the opening remarks, and Congratulations on shortlist" She added.

"Thank you" He said.

"Owk, I need to get all things set, would be back in a moment. Do enjoy yourself" She said smiling

He sat down, while they both hurried to welcome other guests, his palm on his cheek as he watched two guys having a loud and thrilling discourse on the reading culture in Nigeria.

"People don't read anymore" The guy in blue cap started.

"No, Nigerians don't read" The other guy retorted back.

"Because they don't have the funds to buy"

"Screw that!, they are lazy too"

"You think so?"

"Yes, I know so."

"Aren't you Nigerian?" The other guy chuckled.

"Few who do read our plagiarized copies."

"At least they do. Their faults? I doubt but the government"

They went on and on with Kayode fully engrossed in their watched them forgetting his speech.

"Mr Kayode Randyyy" He heard the MC bellow. Startled, he rose up as he swaggered up the stage.

***

"It's almost readyyy" Chinyere said in excitement, as she tasted the beans, then got ready to cut the plantain.

"Yum yum" Tolani giggled, as she pressed her palm to her heart. Her love for beans was way beyond the ordinary.

"Oh my God! My data got exhausted this evening ooh and I'm to send a mail tonight" She said, throwing her hand up.

"Please I need to go and get recharge card in the shop opposite your house" She added.

"Okay, be careful ooh. Please don't go far" She said sounding like a real mum.

"Abegggi joor" She gave a half shrug. "Just opposite your house now"

"I am just saying ooh, some gang boys roam the streets at night"

"I have heard you. It's just from the next house now. I bought from them the last time I came now."

"Okay ooh, don't stay up late" Chinyere said as she cut the plantain into slices while Tolani made her way to the house entrance.

Closing the gate behind her as she stepped out in the dark blue night married to a poetry of stars twinkling in rhythm to the glow of the moon hanging over them. Old men were outside their houses chattering and discussing politics and children making animated sounds under the glowing street lights. The Dangerous streets Chi spoke about.


She strolled up the shop opposite her, a 15 year old girl with her elbow propped on the desk, sat by the counter, expecting customers.

"Ekale ooh" Tolani greeted in Yoruba as she gripped the barricade bars.

"Ekale ma" The girl greeted back in Yoruba

"Mo fe ra card".

"O ti tan ooh" The girl said, gesticulating it's-finished.

"Oh God! I should have bought it long since ooh" She thought to herself "and purchasing online was out of her options"

Then she asked the girl for another store where could purchase, which she described.

She darted out to the shop in haste, which was on the next turn, a stark dark corner, and suddenly, as she made a turn, she felt a firm grip on her hands.
As fear splintered her heart, on top of her lungs, she screamed, "HELP"!

dammyd46:
wahala is coming o, @hizeeksheun weldone

Thank you! *Winks*

Dybala11:
Thanks for the update OP, more wisdom.

Amen. You are welcome! *Hugs*

***

"Daddy, I am going out" Kayode said out to his dad as he strolled up the door.

"Where are you going? " Mr Randy asked, his glasses resting on his nose ridge, as he slipped him a curious glance.

"I said, I am going out!" He said. The unending arguments of the week had him all worn out.

"OoOoh" His dad exclaimed. "The name of a place?"

"Daddy, please can you just let me be?" He said, as he yanked the door open, jamming it behind him.

His dad stomped out and scoffed, "HAND OVER MY CAR KEYS"

As rage poisioned his veins, he threw the keys up the veranda, adjusted his face cap, and swaggered out.

He can go to hell if he chooses to. He swore under his breathe, as he waved down an okada The rider came to a halt in front of him, raising a lot of dust .
"You wan hit me? You dey mad?" Kayode carped.

"Oga abeg no vex." The Bikeman said in a soothing tone, gripping the handles of his scooter.

"No wahala, i dey go Junction"

"Naah #150 ooh"

"Okay" Kayode said as he climbed up his motorbike.

Soon they were at the junction as the bikeman brought the bike to a halt, Kayode he paid him, then dialed the number of the Uber driver he always chartered whenever his car was faulty.


***

"Let me get you something ooh" She said as she walked up towards the fridge. "You must be tired" She said as she opened it, it's light glowing as she picked a canned fruit juice and chin chin, and placed it on a tray.

While she brought it, her phone buzzed again - the same unknown number. Huffing, she swiped up the receive call option.

"Hello" She said into the phone.

"Hello"

"Please who is this?" She asked in a curious tone.

"Hello Tolani, I'm sorry for troubling you, this' Femi, Chinyere's finance, please ---"

"What do you want?" She snapped at him. "Get off my phone you idiot!" She said as she ended the call.

"Tolani, is anything the problem?" Chinyere asked in a voice soft with affection.

"It's nothing, just one of those boys." She said.

"You know, you are not hiding this from me right?" She said, as she dropped the tray. "We would talk it after dinner"

"Okay, after dinner" Tolani grinned.

***

A Danladi Industries' truck driver almost losing control, swerved into a wrong lane, missing the Uber, by a flint!, as the driver, lurched out of the road into the parking space of a nearby restaurant, as the Truck suddenly came to a halt; Kayode's head rocking to and forth, as the Uber driver tried to bring the vehicle to a halt.
Fear suddenly clawed through him as death-thoughts rushed through his mind.

He had heard of people die in accidents. Had written stories of people experiencing accidents, describing the jerks and skids, but he had never experienced one. The real one didn't feel nice anyways.

"Oga na God save us" The Driver said; his breath fastened as he brought him out of his reverie.

"Honestly!" Kayode said as fear crossed his face.

"Oga, please do jeje ooh" Kayode said, as the driver kicked started the vehicle, as it sprang into life, as they zoomed en-route the National theatre. A friend had invited him to her book lunch at the theatre. And man! He would be giving a speech. Finally....an open show of his stage fright. He had confessed his stage fright to her but no; She was strong willed!
"Kayode, you can do it!" She said to him last time they met.


The Uber giving a screeching sound as it rounded the corner, came to a halt in front of the Theatre as he suddenly snapped out of his reverie.

"Thank you!" He said, paying him his money.


***

Green and white lights sparkled, as Wizkid's Pakurumo blasted the speakers. People sat threes, as they conversed in low hush tones, some in loud ridiculous accents. Raising his chin, as his eyes widened, he looked out for Mabel - the lady of honour. They've been good friends since Unilag days, such terrific writer. It was her debut book launch.

"Kayode!" He heard someone call. Turning his neck, he looked out for who called him. Lo and behold, he saw her, her face beaming with smiles, standing next to Lois.

Seriously?

She stalked him or --? What the heck was she doing here? Different thoughts ran through his mind.

"Hey! Mabel. Here I am" He said, as he gave a mocking bow.

"The Lord Kay!" Mabel blurted out, as she returned the bow, then started, "I hope you are prepared for the speech" to which Kayode responded with a broad smile, then she held Lois shoulder playfully, "I learnt you guys work at the same Publishing house. Lois is my cousin."

Electricboy:
nice update

Thank youu!

Adeola25:
Thanks for the update Op. More pleaseee

You are welcome.

- Next Tuesday *Winks*

Dybala11:
Thanks for the update OP.

You are welcome

Since then he'd tried all he could to avoid Lois, asking her to work on the editing in her office while she sends the edits via mail.

A more lustful smile tugged at her lips as she entered his office, to which he responded with a frown asking her to sit on the long family chair, and work on the stool attached to it.

"So, how far with the entries? He asked as a line etched on his forehead.

"Yess. I have gone over 100 out of the 120 you allocated to me sir." She replied in a level tone realising he wasn't in for her gimmicks.

"Okay, so how many do you find worthy of publication?"

"Yesss, I found 10 of them really intriguing with a real depth of the African heritage sir" she said, with a bit of excitement, as she drummed her fingers on the table.

"Okay, just send them to my email" Kayode replied her simply.

As they did their final editing silently, someone knocked on the door .

"You can come in" Kayode said raising his chin as the door creaked open with Tolani sashaying into his office. They'd been having regular conversations on WhatsApp on her writings now.

"Hello, Ms Tolani?" He raised his chin as his frowned face slowly transformed into a slight smile.

"Hello sir"

"Ms Lois how are you?"

"I am fine, Thank you." She replied

"Yessir...I see you are busy now, I would check back later, It's about the editing...and yesss, On Naija Streets agreed to review my book" She said

"Congratulations!...and it doesn't matter, I can check it out now, just send it to my mail." He said smiling, as Lois wondered what the relationship between Kayode and Tolani was. Budding Love? Definitely not!

***

Feeling empty inside, Chinyere tried to get over Femi as she blocked him off her social media accounts. Blocked him from calling her too as she sat down with her diary and Lee Ann Womack to company,
Soon her phone buzzed. Her bone aching she reached out to grab it and in checking the caller ID she realised it to be an unknown number. Huh? Who is it?

She slid up the receive call option as she said into the phone, "He-llo"

It was deep baritone voice. Pretty familiar too. "Good morning"

"Sorry, please who's this?" She asked in a curious tone.

"I am sorry Chinyere. I didn't mean to ---"

Swearing under her breathe, she flipped her phone across the bed, as she rose up from her bed - tears forming on her eyes.

***

She trudged into the sitting room, her eyes brimming with tears.
She gripped the arm of a chair, as she weightily sat down, crossed her ankles in front of her; sighed, as blurred memories of herself and him sitting to watch "Beauty and the beast" taunted her.

But was he truly sorry? He couldn't have meant cheating on her? She loved him and he loved her too.

She gave a steeple of her fingers as she tried shake her head off the thoughts.
Picking up the Television remote control on a stool beside her, she switched on the TV, the no-signal notice popping up the screen.

Running her fingers through her hair, as a thought of speaking out to Tolani soon crossed her mind, she rose to go pick up her phone in the bedroom.

***

Grief hollowed her out, as she tried to force a calm "Hello" into the phone.

"Hello Chi, you don't sound good"

Silence.

"Hello?"

Another silence, as Chinyere tried to hold up from crying over the phone, finally blurting out in a shaky voice "Tolaniii, I am sick of everything!"

"I miss him" She added, wiping a tear off her eyes.

Tolani not sure of what to say, paused, then said in most affectionate way, "Chinyere, don't bother about him. I would be coming over to your place now"

"Okay." She said, her heart feeling light, as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah" Tolani said in a friendly fashion. "See you soon"

***

Ending the call she toggled to her music playlist, and click-played "I Don't Care"; shook out her hair, and gave a half smile, waggling her hips, as she raised her face to admiring the Dolly Parton portrait hanging off her wall. Yo! That's the spirit.


It just been sleep-sob-sleep-wake-sob-sleep since morning and now it's 4:00pm. Tossing her hair, she swaggered into the bathroom, yanking it's door open.

She pulled of her clothes, turned on the claw head bath tub as she felt some sort of peace as the water cascaded down.

She wore her clothes, got into the kitchen, picked, washed bean pods, and placed it on the cooker, while the I-Dont-Care song seemed to blast out louder.

Just then she heard a faint knocking of her gate.
"I'm coming ooh" She hollered, as she strode up to the gate.

"Who is there ooh?" She asked

"Human being. Abeg open joorrr" Tolani said excitedly as Chinyere turned the key through the lock in opening the gate.

"Hian, my babyyy" Chinyere said happily, as she hugged Tolani.

"Wait ooh. Did you trick me into coming over?" Tolani chuckled as she slid her a guarded look.

"Aha aha" Chinyere laughed, as she held her hands playfully.

"It's some self coping mechanism, I got since I called you. I was dead depressed moments ago."

"Ehen ehen, it is well ooh" Tolani said as they walked into the sitting room.

"Sha don't forget my regular Kayode gists" She said grinning.

"Comot here joor" She said "Kayode koor, Kayowa nii"

"Abegggiii" She tapped her playfully. "Don't whine me joor"

Giving her a puppy-dog look, she said, "Owk, I have heard you", to which Chinyere responded with a wink of her eyes.
Just then her phone buzzed, checking out for the caller ID, It was unknown.

Swiping down the reject call option, she thought, "I would call back later".

Dybala11:
Thanks OP, more wisdom.

Amen Bro...You are welcome.

oyinella:
oh my Musa is fine, how refreshing. Thanks for the update ore

*Hugs*

Ride on OP!

Dybala11:
We are anticipating the next update o, Mr OP.

Updated already Bro.

"Here we go again..!" Kayode's lips drew in a snarl as he fought the urge to throw up, as he walked out.

Letting out a disturbing laughter, Mr Randy said in Yoruba as he left, "Do you think this is like the other times?"

"Young man, I give you till next week Monday to give me a feedback"

Huffing, Kayode punched the door to his room open leaving his dad to continue ranting.

He removed his laptop from his bag, and flung the bag across his bed, then dragged out the chair to his table as his brain exploded with fury.
There definitely was no need for a play-around discourse with his dad.
He had always been against his writing since high school. From seizing his laptop to seizing his phone. The writing competitions he won made no meaning. "Face your studies and leave writing stories for English people" He would scold.

Opening his laptop he admired the whole roll of triangle shaped writing awards he'd won all his life. Hmmm, but unfortunately his ingrate dad wouldn't get it.

From the Literary and Debate Club high school awards to the University Of Lagos Writer's award for Creativity he'd won in his penultimate year at the university.
He remembered how the camera lights flashed as he posed with Shola Kings - a manbookerl prize winner and alumni of the University Of Lagos who'd come visiting. A smile slowly tugged at his lips as he recalled how he met his first true love - Bimbo at the event too.

"Kpom Kpom Kpom" A knock went on his door as he snapped out of his reverie.

"Come in" He said.

The door to his room creaking open with Kemi entering, her eye lids sagged, as Kayode turned his neck to see who it was.

"What do you want?" He asked as his brows drew together.

"Ehen, so why don't you wan't to try combining?" She said in Yoruba, shrugging her shoulder, as she sat at the edge of his bed.

"You people don't understand.
I have plans too. I need to work on my writing now -
A full time lawyer later..." He replied her in Yoruba.

"Oh, you should explain to Daddy now"

"Daddy?" He hissed as he opened a draft of a short story he was working on his laptop.

"Yes now, tell him."

"See, Kemi tell him if you want to."

Just then his phone beeped. Grabbing his phone, he checked for the caller ID - Tolani. But Tolani? This would be the first time she would be calling him.
Some official assignment perhaps.

Sliding up the receive call option, he said into the phone, "Hello".

"Hello sir" She said.

"Please sir, on the editing you talked about, I'd just sent you a short story I wrote on WhatsApp,...

"Okay, no problem, I would check it out."

"And have you checked out On Naija's Streets?" He said as he gave a half smile.

"Actually, no" She replied in a friendly fashion as the corner of her mouth quirked up.

***

Immediately she ended the call, her phone vibrated - it was a mail from Jimi Solade.

It read:
"Hello,
Thank you for helping.

Attached to this mail is another draft I'd just scribbled. I have worked my suspense and all as you said.
And yeahhh, the last episode of your "Who I Used To Be" is a block busterrrr!.
Keep it cominggg!

Best Regards,
Jimi Solade"

Her mouth curving into a smile as she finished reading, she replied with a "Thank you. Would check it out."
And immediately a text from Amina buzzed in. She told her of an emergency abdominal surgery Musa had to undergo immediately a senior doctor arrived.

Exhaling heavily, she silently prayed for his quick recovery, then opened her laptop to continue work on her book series.

***

"Musa, how are you feeling now? Prof Chime asked, his voice soft with affection, as he bent down, placing two fingers on his neck. A faint pulse throbbing beneath his fingers.
The square faced Doctor standing besides him.

"I feel better now" He replied groaning, giving a half smile, as he stretched his bandaged leg in front of him.
Prof Chime happened to have taught him back at the Medical School too.

"So doctor, I hope he would be able to walk again." Amina said in a panicky voice.

He chuckled, "Sure. He can choose to leave Medical Practice for football if he wishes to." He said as they all laughed.

"Thank you Doctor" Amina said

"Ooh, it's nothing."

"When will he be discharged too Sir?"

"Let's say 8 weeks. The accident wasn't so terrible. He didn't present with a brain injury...

While he talked, the square faced Doctor just stared, watching his mouth move.

***

"2-7-4-9-4" Kayode dialed Lois' Office telephone, as he held the phone to his ears, awaiting a response.

"Hello Sir"

"Hello, this' Mr Kayode, see me in my office now, so we can put up finishing touches to the online magazine. Come with your laptop too." He said in a level way into the phone.

"Okay sir, I would be there in a minute" She said in the phone as she rose from her seat, picked up her laptop, and left her office, smiling lustfully.

Just three days ago, while they worked on the editing of the online magazine in Kayode's office, they had accidentally locked up in a kiss with Lois initiating it.

Kayode slowly withdrawing from her embrace had left the office unsure of what had just ensued.

KISSED?

oyinella:
Baba Kayode is like most African fathers, always trying to influence the choices their children make, especially when it has to do with the career path

I know right *Sighs*

Missmossy:
It’s alright, sorry about your phone issues. Glad it’s okay now. Welldone also.

Thank you *Winks*

See you on Tuesday...

Missmossy:
Your updates are not regular anymore

They still are. Had phone issues last week so I missed last Tuesday's. (I'm really sorry about that)

Also Next Update Drops this Tuesday. *Hugs*

Adekunlated:
I've been a bit busy lately, but know I'm always with you.

Nice work

*Winks*

oyinella:
present sir, I say make I hold my mouth till our boo wake up from coma

Abiiii....our Doctor Musa *Hugs, sighing*

Dybala11:
Thanks for the update OP.

You are welcome Boss! *Winks*

Electricboy:
i day ur back

Paddii mi *Hugs*