Tblaqblog:
Hello,

Can you contact me on WhatsApp 08090642385 let’s work?

Hello Tblagblog,

Just seeing you comment after several months. I'll buzz you.

Stay blessed!

[quote author=Ogamysamo post=121057113][/quote]

Thank you so much, Ogamysamo.

Kudos to you too.

Stay blessed!

EkopSparoAyara:
In all this travails, I was more concerned about Ambitah.. The boy had gone through too much, it's a miracle that he survived it.. The worst would have been for him to lose his mother, that would have shattered his confidence..

Lilian survived, she was already face-to-face with death, she was about to be signed off to death without her consent, but in the last minute, she was rescued in a really strange way.. I guess it wasn't her time..

Fiona, Oh dear Fiona, she had shook hands with death, kissed mother earth goodbye but she was miraculously saved..

Akin, the hero, the one believed to be the messenger of the gods, his emergence will definitely change the way the Hayak's perceive things.. Ignorance is bliss..

Not forgetting the Chief Driver of the bus, Jameskudooski.. It was a bumpy but interesting ride, encapsulated with so much uncertainties,but in the end, we all didn't suffer heart attack..

Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece with us..

BRAVO JAMESKUDOOSKI..

Wow EkopSparoAyara! Longest time. Magnificent write-up and summary as usually!
Thank you for this lovely piece and the compliments too.

I have really missed you guys!

Stay blessed!

Phew! The Last Bus has finally gotten to its destination. Thanks to Jehovah that we could see the completion of the story.

What a long bumpy ride it was riding The Last Bus!

Like I said before, most of us have been following this story for some time now and I know a majority of us enjoyed it. Some might have while some might have had their hearts in their mouths for the most part

Well, I think we can now breathe well and bask in the joy that our little Amitabh and our beloved Akin and Fiona survived.

Guys, I really appreciate you all for sticking around to the end of the story and for tolerating me toiling with your heartbeats and my shenanigans as well

Thank you all for the wonderful comments too.

Though, the story has ended but discussions around doesn't have to.

Please, kindly share with us what you enjoyed about the story. Your favorite character(s) and what you like or dislike about them.

For those who are coming across my work for the first time, you may also want to read my other stories here:

Jewel from the Ghetto:
https://www.nairaland.com/4425189/jewel-ghetto-new-novel-release

Jewel from the Ghetto 2: The Return of Shakirah:
https://www.nairaland.com/5058481/jewel-ghetto-2-return-shakirah

Prisoner of Love:
https://www.nairaland.com/4665150/prisoner-love-story

Thank y'all and stay safe.

Your budding author,

Qudus.

About the Author

Qudus Adeyemi Oko-Osi Is a public speaker, writer, poet, artist, and a financial and management consultant. He worked in the banking industry for eleven years with experience spanning three different banks before he resigned to join a financial and management consulting firm. Qudus brings into his stories his knowledge of banking and consulting as much as possible.

Over the years, he has written several articles and poems, some of which were published on Hubpages.com. In the past, he also designed textbook covers and did cartoons for magazines amongst others.

He hails, from Lagos-Island in Lagos State, Nigeria where he was born into a family with five brothers, four half-brothers and a half-sister. He spent his childhood growing up on Lagos-Island with his affectionate and caring siblings and parents.

He enjoys reading, playing scrabble, and spending time with his family.

He is blessed with a lovely wife, Glory and two wonderful kids, Jason and Janice. They presently live in Lagos, Nigeria.

This is his fourth novel. You can check the stores for his other titles.

You can read his interview with Smashwords here:
https://www.smashwords.com/interview/Jameskudooski

Connect with Qudus Oko-Osi:

Follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/Kudooski

Friend me on Facebook: http://facebook.com/qudus.okoosi

My Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/qudusokoosi/

Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qudus-oko-osi-a79b9a146/

Favourite me at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Jameskudooski

Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/adukestories/

Chapter Ten
The Betrayal
(Episode 26)

“Oh, not again,” I whispered. This time, I was sure none of us would survive this setback! We all turned around and lo and behold, Hayakharet was laughing.

“Just kidding,” she shouted and waved at us still laughing.

Our temperature came down. We laughed and waved back. Then we turned around and continued our journey. Fiona and I held each other's hands as we walked along.

She looked up at me and asked, “What about the job now?”

“Job?” I frowned. “The only thing on my mind now is that I didn't die in this mess.”

“Thank God, we didn't.”

As we moved closer to the expressway, I looked at these warriors that were with me—Fiona, Sister Elizabeth, Lilian, and Amitabh—and I shook my head. We had gone through a lot in the last few days. Indeed, we had spent three nights and three days in the claws of death!

We were about fifty-six that started the journey together and eleven that ran into the forest, but only five of us made it out alive. What happened to the rest? We did not know. They might have lost their lives in the shoot out. The soldier might have rescued them. Only the news would tell.



Definition of Terms

In Nigeria, just like with natural resources, we are blessed with hundreds of languages that are rich. And over the years, we have coined words, phrases, and expressions that add spice to how we communicate. These coinages and our local expressions have over time blended into how we use the English language in the forms of slangs and colloquial speeches. Below are some used in this novella in order of their appearance:

1. Tesko: A nerd.

2. Lepa Shandi: A Yoruba colloquial expression for an extremely slim lady.

3. Gbera: A street slang used to mean 'move on'. It is coined from the Yoruba word gbera which literally means stand up.

4. Chinko: A word coined from Chinese usually used to refer to low-quality merchandise/goods.

5. Mother-in-the-Lord: A deeply pious woman; sanctimonious.

7. Oyinbo: A white person.

8. Tey tey: A long time ago.

8. Koboko: A whip made from dried animal skin. Some are forked and can be very painful.

9. Ajebutter: Coined from the Yoruba phrase that literally means butter eater, ajebutter is used to describe the feeble, over-pampered children of the rich.

10. Bends-down-select: Usually used to refer to second-hand items, especially clothes, imported from abroad.

Chapter Ten
The Betrayal
(Episode 25)

The chief priest raised the dagger high above Lillian's head. Lilian closed her eyes and held her breath. She did not want to see the dagger sink into her chest. The drummers beat harder until the sound reached a crescendo. The drums only added to the trepidation that hung in the air. But before the dagger could come down, an owl flew into the temple and perched on Hayak's head. It hooted three times, and the chief priest's hand froze in mid-air. He turned around. The crowd hooted and immediately became apprehensive.

“This is a bad omen,” the chief priest's voice shook.

“Do it!” Hayakramah yelled, baring his brownish teeth.

The chief priest hesitated, and Hayakramah grew angry. He threatened the revered older man.

“But, Hayakramah, you know it is not a good sign for an owl to hoot three times during the HAYAKUNNAH let alone perching on Hayak's head. What are you trying to do? You want us to incur the wrath of Hayak?” Hayakharet's father shouted at the supreme commander.

Hayakramah grew red hot with anger and slapped the dethroned king with the back of his hand. The crowd became repulsed by his action, and they began to murmur.

The drama bought me some time. I intensified my effort, and before long, the rope snapped. I slid my hand into my pocket and brought out the pistol. I had not held a gun in my life, but at least I had seen people use it in movies. I broke loose and yelled to catch their attention. I fired two shots right above the head of Hayakramah. The blast flashed across the temple, and the noise thundered and echoed several times as it ricocheted about the temple. The crowd screamed and ducked to the ground trembling.

“He has lightning and thunder in his hands. He is a god!” someone shouted from the crowd.

The people went hysterical.

Hayakramah ordered guards to seize me. The fools charged forward, and I taught them a small lesson. I shot them on their ankles. They both fell to the ground and held their legs, crying like babies. Blood did not waste time to flow out. Their clubs flew in the air and bounced off on hitting the ground.

“Awwwwww! He is a messenger of Hayak!” the crowd roared.

The disoriented usurper ordered two more guards to take me down, but they hesitated. Annoyed, he pushed them away and picked his spear. He came for me. Idiot! I spoke to my pistol again, and the obedient gun answered immediately. I buried a bullet into each of his thighs. Ew! One almost tore through his thing.

“WA-YOOO!!!” he screamed and jumped about like a chicken with no head.

The chief priest walked up to him and whopped his head with his staff. Hayakramah cried more and fell to the ground, and the people grew more terrified. He dragged himself to Hammerhead of Horror. Do you remember him? The big-headed traitor. The usurper held the traitor's leg and begged him to help him. Headward hissed and kicked him hard in the face. “I don't know you,” he told him.

Just then, Hayakharet's band of warriors—the ones that went for Annaukun—arrived. They presented to the people the gorilla's head. Shouts of joy burst forth from the people. The drummers increased the tempo, and the crowd went berserk.

“Behold, our saviours!” The general who had Annaukun's head in his hand announced, pointing at us. He explained how we told them we had killed the beast and how they found our words to be true.

The moon fully shone on my chiselled body, and the white paintings on my body began to glow. All the people hooted in awe and fell on their knees to bow down to me. “Bless us, messenger of the gods.”

I motioned to the priests to cut loose my friends and Hayakharet, and they did that immediately. Fiona ran to me and hugged me. Sister Elizabeth, Amitabh, and Lilian hugged like one family. The warrior princess ordered her warriors to round up the traitors and Hayakramah. She marched up to Headward. The traitor began to whimper and tremble the moment Hayakharet stood in front of him. His big head shook as if it had gone out of control. She sent a combo of blows and kicks into his stomach. He doubled over, coughed, and vomited blood and all the contents of his stomach. “Seize him!” she commanded.

The king and the queen both hugged and kissed Hayakharet. After that, the king, the queen, and the chief priest came to thank us, expressing their profound appreciation in no small measure. Hayakharet also walked up to my four surviving friends and me, and all of us embraced in one big hug. The people kept doing obeisance to us.

The king gave orders, and a huge party was thrown for us. The whole people gathered at the centre of the village and sat in circles around burning fire, eating and drinking. I must say that these people knew how to enjoy life. There were roasted boars and goats with enough sweetened drink to go along with them. We watched them dance. Though their dance steps were strange to us, they were fascinating to watch. They invited us to the dance floor. We loosened up and allowed the spirit of dance flow through us. We danced together—with ourselves and with the locals. Even the king and his queen took to the dance floor. We enjoyed ourselves throughout the night until our bodies ached.

The following morning after we had rested well, the king sent us forth with a royal parade. He volunteered his royal carriage to convey us. Princess Hayakharet insisted that she and her regiment would escort us. The king gave us many gifts, but their usefulness in our world was what we were not sure. However, if there was one gift I cherished most, it was the Ntunja seeds.

We eventually arrived at the point where the entourage had to return. The sounds of moving vehicles were not far ahead. Princess Hayakharet gave us one last hug and removed her royal necklace and wore it around my neck. We all said our final goodbyes and each party went its way.

We had not taken many steps when an arrow flew past my ear. We all froze.

To be continued ... Watch Out for the Next Episode!

NB: The book is NOW AVAILABLE on online stores. For those who may choose to add the book to their library, get the book here:


1. BAMBOOKS: https://bambooks.io/Book/BookDetail/The-Last-Bus/12725

2. OKADABOOKS: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_bus/33597

3. LITIRESO: https://litireso.com/library/B-530ykalgylh2

4. SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1024020


Àdùkẹ́!
...My Story, My World.

Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/adukestories/

yungbanks:
Chai op u never finish? Thought u said update soon nah

Khriztarl:
We r waiting o.

Oh, sorry guys. I actually wanted to drop the updates last night oooo only for sleep to drug me early.

Don't worry, I will drop them today.

Cheers.

Hello Guys,

Like play, like play, the long holiday has ended ooo.

But lemme ask: hope you folks enjoyed it?

No doubt, most of you have been following this story for some time now and I know a majority of us have been enjoying it. Some might have while some might have had their hearts in their mouths for the most part

Well, the The Last Bus is almost getting to its destination. We have just two or so episodes more!

But, what do you think? Are there going to be more deaths? I'm particularly concerned about Amitabh. Would he survive? What about Lilian? Fiona or Mother-in-the-Lord, oh sorry, Sister Elizabeth?

If you asked me, I would tell you I don't know too But what I do know is that we will get answers to those questions before today ends.

When exactly? I may not know

What I can tell you is to brace up for the scintillating climax that follows.

Peace. Stay safe.

Your budding author,

Qudus.

EkopSparoAyara:
I just discovered that am part of the awards,for best commenter/reader, including Ann2012..
This is the link..
http://writertainpublishers.com/?p=2429

Woooow!!!!

It's well deserved actually.

Just voted for both of you.

Nice one bro.

skubido:
Boss thanks for the update

Skuuuuuubidoooo! Wasere, baba!

You were off the radar for a while. Hope you're good?

Ann2012:


My kunu aya (tigernut) is top notch

Tominix:
Her kunnu retail business is more thriving than the wine own, and jameskudooski loves kunnu

OMAIGOT!!!!

EkopSparoAyara:
.. and he still managed to tangle us in the web of suspense and uncertainties.. Jameskudooski should be arrested for any possible heart attack my fellow readers may suffer..

The owl arrived, a bird superstitiously believed to be of evil, what dreadful message does it carry this time, why did it choose to perch on Hayak's head..

Too many questions, too many answers could be conjured in our different minds but only one person has the right answers,the man with the ink,Jameskudooski.. Like everyone, I await they answers..


BRAVO JAMESKUDOOSKI
Good to have you back..

EkopSparoAyara, the king commentator himself!

What more can I say than you burst my head as usual.

Keep it up.

Tominix:
let it be Me oh, i will buy you puff puff and kunnu from ann2012 if you do

Lobatan!

Khriztarl:
welcome op. Give us bonus update na?

Khriztal, bonus on the way...

Tominix:
Wow a nice piece.
"Seem the gods have not left us,
To stumble in pain.
To be a sport in the eyes of the enemies.
To falter in pain and anguish. Tears of sorrow falling from our eyes.
even with our last breath we can boldly say we tried.
We can warn the generations ahead not to trust anyone.
No one is innocent we are being punished by mother nature, but the innocent get punished too".
(I can't even think straight after reading this episode).

I love this, Tominix!!! What a poetic commentary. I've always known you've got it in you.

Keep it up, bro.

doctorbrainy:
Thanks for the update

You are welcome to My Story... My World, doc.

yungbanks:
Wow nice one more please

Thanks, yungbanks.

Don't worry, update is on the way.

Kaycee9242:



James it has to be me na, remember am ur man.

Welcome back bro and thanks for this wonderful update, i think i like what is about to happen.

Lol! You are my man sha.

But you dey fight me nau!

bukatyne:


Yeah!

If I get Prisoner of Love, then I have all your works.

@the discount, just kidding.

Let us all move the ministry forward.

Seriously, You are getting my next book FREE OF CHARGE!

In fact, you will be the first person to have it even before it hits the market.

I've noted it in my dairy already.

You are a super fan.

bukatyne:


You should give us discount. Buy 3 get one free or whatever

I sure would; I like the way you write and the characteristics of Yemi; he is my type of man.. Warm, a leader, thoughtful, emotionally intelligent and of course handsome Simi too; didn't just like her too weak emotional composition.

The Last Bus...

Seriously, you deserve it!

How many of my books have you bought already?

EkopSparoAyara:



Welcome back bro..

Thanks, bro.

Honestly, it feels great to be back.

EkopSparoAyara:



That's what it is oh..

Very interesting! Now I know.

I think I should give someone here such a gift too. Definitely in my next book (I have started writing it already.)

Hmmmm... Who would that be ooooo?

Hmmmm..........

bukatyne:


I have this too.

Would also read.

Wooooow! You are such a big fan, bukatyne.

Thanks for your patronage.

bukatyne:




Finished part two same day.

Is there going to be a part three?

Let me read Prisoner of Love.

Woooow!!! You are a voracious reader! Sure you enjoyed it.

Yes Part 3. Everything about it is set and I know it will be explosive too. But I want to do one other story before writing JFTG 3 (Jewel from the Ghetto 3)

Enjoy Prisoner of Love, too dear.

tomic1:
Good to have you back and thank God you are fine as well. Match d throttle well abeg

Tomic1, thanks bro. Good to be back too. Enjoy the long break too and stay safe.

becca2017:
Welcome back, Pa James!!!

Personally, I missed you and your updates. Hope you're doing fine??

Thank you, Becca. I missed you and others too.

And I'm doing fine dear.

Enjoy the long break.

Chapter Ten
The Betrayal
(Episode 24)

Hayakharet swung around. However, before her warriors could do anything, spears ran through them, and they crashed to the ground beside her. I looked at the direction the arrows came from, and my heart ran to my mouth when I saw warriors surrounding us—supreme commander's army no doubt!

Hayakharet turned back to look at me. I saw disbelief written all over her face. How on earth did they find us? She must have been wondering. We didn't have to wait for long to find the answer. The fierce-looking warriors parted, and Headward—the big-headed general—came forward.

Holy God in Heaven! One of Hayakharet's trusted generals just betrayed us. I had always known that idiot was up to no good the moment I first saw his big head. Hayakharet could not believe her eyes.

“Bind them up!” The bastard ordered in their language.

I turned back towards the bush that separated us and our freedom. The honking noise now sounded like refreshing music in my ears. It seemed like ages since I had heard or seen any semblance of the real world—our world.

* * *

Our captors bound us and led us back, leaving Ubong's body for the vultures to feast on. After we crossed the tortuous path, they transported us back to the settlement in the cattle-driven wagon. When they dumped us into the cage, I found myself next to Michael's bag. With my bound hands, I discreetly searched the bag for anything that might be useful in this situation. I found his pistol, and I slid it into my pocket.

When we arrived at the village, it was dark. There were burning torches everywhere. The people jubilated at our return. Apparently, Hayakramah had made the people believe that great calamity awaited them if the sacrifices were not carried out. They now saw him as the saviour but saw their rightful king as one who had betrayed the gods and his people. When our captors presented us to the supreme commander who had now pronounced himself king, he ordered that preparations for the HAYAKUNNAH began immediately. The longer they waited, the angrier Hayak would be.

The chief priest and the priests, now dressed in their full priestly regalia, were forced to conduct the ceremony against their wish. Because there was little time before the full moon, they hastily prepared us for the sacrifice. They painted our faces and drew patterns on our bodies with a white substance. After that, they led us to the Temple of Hayak. There were drummers in two rows at the front of the procession followed by ten warriors in two rows of five each carrying torches. After them was the chief priest and the priests, chanting ritual songs, while we—the sacrifices—came next. Several other warriors were behind us and at the tail of the procession were the people in their numbers singing and dancing.

The temple was built inside a cave that was far more massive than it looked from the outside. The temple was enormous and scary too. Several drawings detailing the history and victories of the Hayakites were engraved on the walls and massive sacred pillars made from stones towered intimidatingly above us. There were giant sculptures of their gods, past kings and warriors arranged in a particular pattern. The most impressive of them was the one at the middle and towered high above every other one. It carried a bow and a quiver full of arrows. No doubt that was Hayak the Great Hunter.

I turned my head in different directions, and the more I looked, the scarier I became. There was a big hole high up through which the moonlight entered into the temple and from where the full moon would be visible. There were five sacrificial slabs arranged in an arc form at the centre of the temple.

Each of us was tied to a pole erected on each slab. Laying before us, on each slab, were a dagger and a calabash meant to collect our blood and the organs harvested from us. I had an idea of how this would go because I had seen it on the drawings on the wall. The chief priest would rip our hearts from our chests while we watched and present them and our blood to Hayak the Great. Princess Hayakharet, not part of the sacrifice, was tied to one of the sacred pillars instead.

Hayakramah, the self-proclaimed king sat on the throne meant for the king. The rightful king, Hayakharet's father, and the queen were in fetters and made to watch the ceremony as prisoners. Guards were everywhere. And the people gathered to see the most significant celebration in fifty years. The king pleaded for the life of his daughter, but the maniac only responded with a burst of sinister laughter.

The chief priest danced and chanted as if he were in a trance. As he moved his theatrics towards Lilian, I began to grind the rope around my wrists against the edge of the pole they tied me. I wasn't going to allow these savages to feed my heart to one lifeless stone of a god. I trained my gaze on the chief priest as he picked up the dagger before Lilian.

He raised his head upwards, and the full moon became visible in the hole above. The light shone on the sacrificial slabs and illuminated the fear on everyone's face but the determination on mine.

“Hayak has arrived to claim his sacrifices,” the chief priest announced in their language.
“HAYAKUNNAH!” he then yelled.

“HAYAKUNNAH! HAYAKUNNAH!! HAYAKUNNAH!!!” The ecstatic crowd responded.

The chief priest raised the dagger high above Lillian's head. Lilian closed her eyes and held her breath. She did not want to see the dagger sink into her chest. The drummers beat harder until the sound reached a crescendo. The drums only added to the trepidation that hung in the air. But before the dagger could come down, an owl flew into the temple and perched on Hayak's head. It hooted three times, and the chief priest's hand froze in mid-air. He turned around. The crowd hooted and immediately became apprehensive.


To be continued ... Watch Out for the Next Episode!

NB: The book is NOW AVAILABLE on online stores. For those who can't hold the suspense, get the book here:


1. BAMBOOKS: https://bambooks.io/Book/BookDetail/The-Last-Bus/12725

2. OKADABOOKS: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_bus/33597

3. LITIRESO: https://litireso.com/library/B-530ykalgylh2

4. SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1024020


Àdùkẹ́!
...My Story, My World.

Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/adukestories/

Guys, we are gradually getting to the end of this adventure.

Hope you have enjoyed it so far?

But before The Last Bus hits its final destination...

Let Fresh Episodes roll...

hotswagg12:
same here sir and thanks for this master piece.

You are always welcome, bruv.