₦airaland Forum

CHAPTER FOUR

“Somebody die?” He asked as he drew a chair and sat down at the table, “why the two of una con dey look morose like this.”

“Nobody die bro,” Silas said as he shook hands with Ayobanji. “Na Emeka dey mourn say dem no promote am.”

“Eeyah, Emekus, why na? You thief your oga babe?” Ayobanji teased as he shook Emeka’s hand.

“The man don say as long as he be my oga, I no go take eye see promotion,” explained Emeka, and took a sip of his beer.

The three of them had met at this same bar about 6 months earlier. They usually came to the bar after work hours to drink a bottle of beer or two, while they waited for the hold-up, caused by the high number of vehicles, on 3rd mainland bridge to subside. They also watched champions league matches and any other match that was played during weekdays. The fact that they were the only Liverpool fans that was usually at the bar was what drew them to each other. Thus, they started sitting together during matches to banter with each other and against fans of opposing teams. They became good friends when they got to know they all worked at the same bank, and that they had also lived and schooled at one time or the other in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“Na wa o. it is well. All these ogas sha. Na so so work my own just dey pack gimme. I don try talk to am about converting me to a full staff. But the man just dey post me. He will just be saying, later later, each and every time,” Ayobanji stated and added, “and I need money bad bad.”

Silas laughed, “you no need money pass me. I suppose marry this year, and my wife na from the East. So you can imagine the kain financial load wey dey my head.”

Ayobanji and Emeka laughed.

“O boy, na money you wan spend o,” Emeka exclaimed.

“I get choice? Na person wey my heart choose be that,” Silas stated.

“So how do you plan to raise the money?” Ayobanjo asked.

“In all honesty, I no know. But if I see any runs wey I fit do. I’m all for it,” Silas answered.

“Runs?” asked Emeka and added, “even fraud?”

The other two turned to look at him and then at each other.

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‘Hello Morenike.”

“Hello Sir.”

“Bawo ni”

“Fine sir.”

“Your children nko?”

“They are fine sir.”

“That’s good.”

“Madam nko sir? And my aburos?”

“Won wa dada. O se.”

“Yes sir.”

“Is your husband back?”

“No sir.”

Ok, once he is back, flash me so I can call him.”

“Hope no problem Brother Ola.”

“No problem dear. I don’t want to call him in the office or while he is driving.”

“Oh, ok sir. I will let you know once I hear his car horn.”

“Ok dear, o se gan.”

“Ok sir.”

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“Have you called your brother?”

“No sir.”

What are you waiting for?”

“I don’t want to call him while he is still on the road.”

“Hmm. Ok. But how would you know when he is back home?”

“I will have sent a whatsapp message to him. When he replies, I will be able to ascertain where he is and then I will call him.”

“Ok. Let me know when you call him.”

“OK sir.”

“I’m going to my room.”

“Daddy.”

“Yes?”

“Will she be okay?”

“We can only pray and hope God visit us with his mercy.”

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“That’s crazy,” Silas said.

“Wetin make you think that kain thing?” Ayobanji asked.

“Are you guys not tired of this suffer head lifestyle?” Emeka countered.

“But fraud no be am,” Ayobanji answered, shaking his head, “I be worker for church o.”

“What if we get caught?” Silas asked.

Emeka looked at Ayobanji, “you are the I.T expert, how many of the fraud that happens in the bank ends up with the culprit getting caught?”

“I don’t have the stats. But I know some people get away with it,” he answered.

“Exactly, we can be the people that gets away with it,” Emeka stated.

They were all silent for a minute or two. Each of them looking at each other.

“Abeg, I no do,” Ayobanji stated flatly and got up. “I go see una later.”

“Wait for me,” Silas called after him as he also got up.

To be continued

Signed

King Olulu

Twitter @olulu4ever, Instagram @olulutheking,

CHAPTER THREE

“Hello, my name is Emeka, I’m your new boyfriend.”

She looked up from her food and smiled. “What happened to the old boyfriend?”

“It was about time you got an upgrade.”

“Ok, boyfriend, do you come customized?”

“Yes, to every need.”

“And what do I need right now.”

“TLC aka Tender Loving Care”

“She smiled brightly. “I like you already.”

He smiled back. “But there was a little information that was not loaded into my software.”

“Which is?”

“The name that matches your beautiful self.”

“Well, boyfriend…your upgrade might not be an upgrade after all.”

“It is just a tiny bug, I’m sure you can easily help de-bug.”

“Why should I?”

“Well, I could use many words to tell you why. Or we could seal it with a kiss. Be it French kiss, German, Nigerian, Chinese, Black or White. Just seal with a kiss and you will have your why. Just lips on lips, enjoying the taste, the feel, the moves, the flicks, the sensation…”

“Haa bros. Is it only kisses you are programmed for?”

“It is written in Songs of Solomon Chapter one verse 2, let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for my love for you is better than wine. And in Proverbs 5, verses 18 and 19 says, …rejoice with the wife of your youth. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times.”

“Hmm.”

“Should I go on?”

“You are indeed well programmed.”

“So now, can I know your name my fair lady?”

“I will tell you after the first kiss.”

“Ok.”

He bent at the waist towards her, as if to kiss her. She left her food and fled from the bank’s cafeteria.

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She smiled as she remembered why she had quickly left the cafeteria.

She had seen her Unit Head watching her, as well as, 3 of her colleagues in the department. Her Unit head, who was married with children, had been trying to have an affair with her. She had always tactfully refused his advances.

Despite the fact that the kiss did not happen there, her Unit Head had used it against her. At 8am the next day, he had sent a mail to everyone in the unit except her. At 4pn in the evening, he approached her demanding am update on the assignment he sent out. She had stared at him blankly, with no idea of what he was talking about. He had then go on a tirade on why young ladies ought to pay more attention to their jobs and be more serious with their life. He concluded his rant that such ladies usually end up unhappy as guys would only use and dump them.

Her Unit Head did this same move for two consecutive week. By the 3rd week, she was ready for him. One of her colleagues had forwarded the Unit Head’s mail to her and she had worked on it all day. She sat calmly at her desk, smiling at him, as she waited for him to finish his now usually rant. After he was done, she stood up, walked to him and said, “ sir, here is the report you asked for.”

He looked at her surprised, took the report and slowly read through. It was detailed. He looked at her smiling face. He then walked slowly back to his office.

He stopped his rants and advances at her.

She smiled wider as she remembered the first kiss with Emeka. She had gone to his place a week after they met. “He is indeed a good kisser and lover,” she said aloud, “and I could do with some TLC right now.”

“Huh?” said her Cousin, looking up from the book she was reading. “Were you talking to me?”

“No. Just thinking aloud dear.”

“Emeka, abi?”

She smiled. “How I for do na?”

“Kai, I just hope say the guy no go break your heart o. You don fall yakata for him.”

“Me? Fall ke?”

“Will you keep quiet. Or you wan make I stone you my book?”

“I no fall na.”

“How long have you even known him?”

“A month.”

“Hmm.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Talk na.”

“Just be careful.”

“Always na. You know me.”

“Yeah yeah. You wey like to dey code things.”

“I was going to tell you about him na. I just wanted to be sure of things between me and him.”

“No issues dear. Just be careful.”

“I no be small girl na. You forget say I go university and I dated guys there.”

“But this is the first time you don fall yakata for man.”

“Well, love happens to us all.”

“I know love. I know it well enough. But the heart of man is desperately wicked. So again, I say, be careful.”

“Yes ma.” She stood up and headed for the bathroom.

“This one wey you wan go bath, are you going to his place?”

“I just want to check up on him.”

“Madam checker.”

“No na. He was sounding down because he was not promoted at the office.”

“Oh ok. Eeyah.”

“So lemme go cheer him up.”

“Sha don’t stay long in the bathroom. Me sef wan go look for my own Emeka.”

They laughed.

To be continued

CHAPTER TWO

Ayobanj’s football age was 25. Officially, he was 24 when he started working in the department of Information Technology Services.

And if you are wondering what is a football age? Well, football age is the age you declare on a sworn affidavit. Most times, your real age is 5 years (or more) plus X. In this instance, you don’t need to find X. Your football age is the X.

At 32 years old, Ayobanji was married with two children. He had finished his HND 7 years earlier. And after serving for one year in the National Youth Service Corps, he started working with his father. His father owned a bakery and a poultry farm. He had joined his father’s business because he felt obligated to. After all, it was the business that paid for his schooling and been the only son of three boys that was resident in Lagos and unmarried at that time, he had no good excuse to hide behind.

He got married 2 years after graduation and his father died 6 months after his marriage. For the next two years, Ayobanji struggled to keep the business going.

He had graduated with an HND in Computer Science and had obtained several certifications from online courses. His plan after graduation was to work for some years and further his education before setting up his own business. But life had other plans. He was stuck with a business he had no interest in.

After his father’s business closed down. Ayobanji went job hunting. But without the requisite experience in his course of study, many were the rejections he got. The only jobs he was able to apply for were for contract employees with lower educational qualifications than he had. Thus, he had gotten his current job at the bank using his OND certificate.

It was the use of his OND certificate to secure the bank job that necessitated using a sworn affidavit to affirm his football age.

Within 3 months of resuming at the bank job, it was pretty obvious to his supervisor and colleagues that he was over-qualified. And given his natural diligence, he got more work and responsibilities than other contract employees in the department. Also, he was often sent to other departments to resolve IT related issues. He loved the work, but the pay was not commensurate to his workload.

“I can’t continue like this,” he thought to himself as he drove to the office. “This every Saturday work no be am at all. I need an upgrade in pay and status.”

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He had hoped and prayed that he won’t fall in love with a lady who was the first born of her family. He was the first born of his own family. He knew, felt, experienced and did not enjoy the burdens, financial and otherwise, that came with being the first born in a middle class family.

However, we often never choose the one we fall in love with. Love just happens.

When love happened to him, his wish was partly fulfilled. He fell in love with a lady who was the 2nd born child of her family. But the first born of her family had died at a very early age, so she had naturally assumed the position of the first born.

After three years if courtship, they had had to shift their family introduction ceremony twice in order to raise enough money for the wedding proper. But there was always something that came up, either in terms of school fees for their siblings, sickness of parent or some other unexpected expenses that ate into their savings.

But this year Silas was determined to get married no matter what. He was not getting younger and unlike his father, he didn’t want to use his pension to pay for his children’s school fees.

He had rented a two bedroom apartment and moved out of the family house. He had also taken a car loan from the bank where he worked at a marketing executive. It was the money left after purchasing his car that made up the N500,000 he had saved.

He looked lovingly at his fiancee, Chinwe, as she slept naked beside him. They had met up at his office for their usual “Thank God Its Friday” hangout and then ended up at his place in the early hours of Saturday morning. She worked as an administrative officer in a private secondary school. Her work hours were flexible but the pay was small. Her father had died 10 years ago when she was about entering the university. He left behind her mother, Chinwe and her younger siblings, a sister and a brother. Upon graduation, she had joined her mother in financing the education of her siblings. Her mother was a trader in Balogun market.

In his own case, both parents were still alive and both were retired. Thus , he was officially responsible for them and his 6 younger siblings of 3 sets of twins, 2 sets of male and a set of female.

He glanced at the wall clock and saw it was 15 minutes past 8am. He contemplated whether to wake her up so he could drop her off at her place. so he can go on his usual weekend marketing runs at the Gym. She adjusted her sleeping position from laying her side to lay on her back. The duvet shifted down and exposed her right breast. He stared at the naked rounded mound of flesh for a minute. Then he placed his hand on her exposed right breast and gently massaged the nipple into the ample flesh. She stirred a little, adjusted her body and moved her arms, so that the duvet slipped away, which exposed both boobs.

He glanced at the wall clock again. “Marketing will have to wait, I need to feast on this beautiful body,” he said to himself. He moved his body closer to her, circled one of the boobs with his lips and softly nibbled the nipple. He then grabbed and gently kneaded the other breast.

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Emeka woke up abruptly. He stared around the room wondering what woke him up.

Then his phone rang and he picked it up.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hi love.”

“Hey, whats up?” He replied and bit his tongue before calling out a name. He was unsure of which one of his many lady friends was calling him.

“I’m fine. And you?”

“I’m doing well. It was your call that woke me up.”

“You went clubbing without me, abi?”

“No. I was too tired to go anywhere. Besides, I had nothing to celebrate. The bank did not promote me again.”

“Eeeyah, so sorry love. Do you want me to come over and cheer you up?”

“Maybe later. Just want to be alone for now.”

“Ok love. I will call you later to let you know I’m on my way.”

“Ok, no problem.”

“See you then. Don’t think to much about it, ok? I love you,” she said gently.

“Same here. Bye,” he muttered and cut the line.

He laid back on the bed.

“I need to do something. I can’t continue to be treated like shit by people who don’t appreciate my value.” he thought to himself. Then he said aloud, “ If only there was a way I could get back at them.”

To be continued

CHAPTER ONE - How to rob a Bank

“If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is weak.”

“But for how long do I have to stay strong.”

“Until you find the loop.”

“Loop? Which loop?”

“Everything in this world is on a loop. Day and Night, Life and Death, the seasons of life and so on. They are all in a loop. The journey to success and prosperity is also a loop. Loops are usually clearly seen but not always easy to define or decipher.”

“So how do I find the loop? What do I need to know?”

“It is not just knowledge. It is who you become.”

“Hmm.”

“It is the honour of God to hide a matter. It is the glory of man to search it out.”

“But if knowledge won’t do it, what would?”

“Wisdom and understanding. Wisdom is the principal thing, get wisdom and in all your getting get understanding. For good understanding produces favour.”

“Hmm.”

“Have I helped you?”

“I think so.”

“Find the loop. Once you find it, everything becomes relatively easy.”

“Ok sir. Thank you sir.”

“In the past two years that you have become a worker in this church, I have seen your diligence and devotion. It is an honour for me to be your mentor. And I know things will soon turn around for your good very soon by God’s grace.”

“Amen in Jesus name.” he responded fervently.

“Kneel Brother Ayobanji. Let me pray for you before you go,” said his pastor and mentor.

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Ayobanji sighed as he remembered the “Loop” conversation with his pastor and mentor. The discussion was over a year now. His pastor had relocated to Canada shortly after, and within a month, Ayobanji’s bakery and poultry had closed down permanently. He had inherited the businesses from his late father.

“Hey Ayobanji, hope you know you are on duty tomorrow,” the Unit Head called out to him.

He snapped out of his reverie. “Oh! Ok sir,” he responded soberly.

“Eeyah pele, I don spoil your Saturday for you.”

“No issues sir, I’m good.”

Don’t worry, you have the whole of Sunday to rest.”

“Thank you.”

“And you really need the rest o.. You look tired.”

“Ok sir.”

“Ok then. I will see all of you on Monday,” their Unit Head announced.

“Bye bye sir,” chorused the 7 guys and 2 ladies in the room.

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“Did you get?”

“I never check.”

“The promotion list is now na. Log on and check for your name.”

“I will do that later.”

“You no need promotion? Abi dem give you last year.”

“I’m overdue sef. I’ve not been promoted in the last 4 years.” Emeka replied with anger in his voice.

“Haba, kilode,” said Dele, who was his colleague.

“The HOD said that as long as he was here, he won’t recommend me for promotion.”

“Na wa o. Wetin you do the man.”

“He asked me to recommend a particular loan request for approval. But I tell am say I no fit.”

“Haa, you sef.”

“Guy, how I go put head for kasala wey I no go benefit from.”

“Hmm, na true sha.”

“So I no dey bother myself dey check for promotion. If it comes, all good. If not, life goes on.”

“Hope you don dey apply to other banks.”

Emeka smiled ruefully, “Dem no gree give me the next grade. They will only take me if I agree to move on the same grade level that I’m on here.”

“Why?” Dele asked.

“This year I have gone to 4 different bank interviews. They have all asked me why I have not been promoted. How do I explain that my HOD is the one doing me?”

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“How much do you have saved?” Chinwe asked.

“About 500k,” Silas replied.

“That should cover for the hall, food, drinks, your clothes and your groomsmen.”

“I guessed as much. You know I just paid close to a million as rent for this place.”

“I know. But we need to figure out how to fund the wedding. We have less than 6 months to it.”

“Don’t worry. Something good will come up one way or the other.”

“Should we shift the date of the introduction?”

“No. We’ve done that before. We are not shifting the date. We’re getting married this year, one way or the other.”

“I’m scared that there won’t be enough for the wedding. Especially when my father’s family members make their demands.”

“Relax babe. I’ve got this under control.”

To be continued

Signed

King Olulu

Smoking Guns and Bleeding Streets is a gritty, gripping, and gravely real crime story.

The story is set in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa.

It brings together an investigative journalist, an assassin, law enforcement agents and some shady characters. They are all in a race to obtain an incriminating piece of evidence.

To download your copy as an E-book, please click on any of the links below:

Flutterwave: https://flutterwave.com/pay/smokinggunsandbleedingstreets

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Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FZVKLXB/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_QFHoFbJE4XHDA

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FZVKLXB/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_TFHoFb8KTHXEN

CHAPTER FIVE

“I don call,” Okuta said, “they wan confirm where the things dey. So them go bring am.”
“Ok, I dey wait,” Lado said and sat down crossing his legs. “You no go offer me something to drink?
“Wetin you want? I no get anything wey you go like,” Okuta retorted.
Lado chuckled. “Ok, ba yawa.”
Okuta stared at him with animosity and went to sit down beside the girl.
Okuta had been the right-hand man of AlawoDre until Lado showed up. Lado was a graduate and he was not.

About 2 years ago, Lado had tried to sell insurance to AlawoDre at a social function and AlawoDre had taken a liking to him. So he invited Lado for a second meeting at his office.
At the second meeting, AlawoDre had convinced Lado to come work for him, because he wanted to launder his image from a henchman to a possible political appointee. So he, AlawoDre, needed someone who was educated and could guide him on social issues, as well as, represent him at public functions.
The two had clicked and Lado had gradually emerged as AlwaoDre's right-hand man.

Thus, Okuta began to report to Lado instead of AlawoDre and he resented that.
Okuta used to be the go-to-guy to lead gang wars in the early days of his thug life. AlawoDre had quickly spotted his devilish nature and promoted him ahead of his contemporaries.
He had been born on the streets and grew up not knowing his father or mother. As an infant, he had been taken in and catered for in an orphanage, where he got some basic primary school education. But at age 10, the lady in charge of the orphanage was killed during a gang war. Thus, all the 11 children that were in the orphanage ended up on the street. Of the 11 children, he was the youngest, and 25 years later, he was the only one still alive.

Everything he had gotten in life had been paid for by his tears, sweat, and blood. Violence was not a way of life for him, violence was his life. It was what he grew up on, it was the language he was taught, and it was the only leadership principle he understood.

He was in charge of the Ojuwoye region of Mushin, and he wanted more power to himself. But with Lado now ahead of him, he might not get it.
“Unless something happen wey go kill am sharp sharp,” Okuta thought and smiled devilishly.
Lado watched Okuta from the corner of his eyes. The feeling of distrust was mutual. He saw Okuta smile and he smiled inwardly to himself.
Unknown to most people except AlawoDre, Lado had been the hitman of the Dark Cats Confraternity till he graduated from the University. The Dark Cats were a notorious and violent cult group that operated in many University campuses in the country. As their top assassin, he was never apprehended by the authorities and he never missed a target.

“Well, except one,” he thought to himself. But nobody except himself and the “supposed victim” knew about it.
His father who at that time, was a Major in the Army, ensured he attended a military secondary school and then Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA). But after his first year, he was dismissed from NDA for his penchant for recklessness. And when he later gained admission into the University, after leaving NDA, it did not take much convincing for him to become a cult member. This allowed him to continue to exercise his reckless streak without restraint. With his daredevil nature, he had quickly risen through the ranks. However, while his nickname, Lado, was known and feared, his real identity was shrouded in mystery all throughout his days in the University.

As AlawoDre's right-hand man, he was tagged as Mr. Nice Guy by those who met and spoke with him. This was because he now had better control of his emotions, looked, and sounded polished.

However, he did not earn AlawoDre’s trust by mere talk. He had had to shed blood more than once to prove his loyalty.
Lado knew there was no love lost between him and Okuta. He realized, sooner than later, one of them would send the other on a one way trip to the grave.

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From the very first time she had stepped into Lagos, she had loved the vibes of the city. She knew she would ensure she did her National Youth Service year in Lagos and after NYSC she was not returning to Abuja.
Her parents had settled in Abuja after the family had relocated from the USA when she was age 10. She had done her secondary school in Abuja and returned to the USA for her 1st degree in Communication and Media Studies and then her Masters in Investigative Journalism.
She came back to Nigeria and got her Dad to influence her posting to Lagos State. It was not really hard to persuade her Dad. They usually spent Christmas in Lagos in Grandpa's house. Though Grandpa was late now Grandma was still very much alive and well, and she doted on the grandchildren.

She also knew her way around Lagos as her cousins, who were based in Lagos, ensured they took her and her younger brother to the fun spots and concerts each and every time they had the chance.
Thus, during NYSC she moved in with Grandma and stayed on after NYSC.
She was posted to a school as an English teacher during NYSC. So her first real job was as an intern with a TV station. She functioned more as a research assistant and never got to present any show before she left there after a year. Her second job was at a Radio Station, where she also functioned as a research assistant, She left after just 6 months.
Her heart desire was to become a top investigative journalist like Barbara Laker, who won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting. She got her current job by showing up there for 2 consecutive weeks, asking to work for free. It was a foremost Newsagency, who had a strong emphasis on investigative journalism. When she started the job, her superiors were impressed by her diligence and passion, that they agreed to pay her salary from the 2nd month and even paid the 1st month in arrears. She loved her job and everything was perfect. Well, except for her direct superior, who got on her case once she began to receive the monthly salary.
Money was never a motivation for her because with her parent's wealth and the trust fund they set up for her and her brother, she could afford not to work. But the quest to be recognized and appreciated in her field was her sole motivation.

She worked on her boss's suggestion to investigate financial fraud and insider abuse in banks. But it was hard getting anyone to agree to spill the beans on the atrocities that go on in the banks where they work. All feared the repercussion of being found out. However, she got lucky when she complained to her cousin, who knew someone who was planning to relocate to Canada and needed money. So it was not if the information will be provided, it was for how much. The source named a price and she matched it. The amount was the equivalent of the source's annual salary in US dollars.

CHAPTER FOUR

At the Force Headquarters

“How could you guys have fumbled such a simple assignment?” asked their boss angrily.
“Sorry sir,” the guy and the lady chorused.
“Don’t fucking sorry me,” he shouted.
“Ok sir.”
“What the Bleep happened?”
"We got to the place around 9pm and waited in the compound for a neighbor or someone to come back so he or she can lead us to his apartment. This was to allow us to access his apartment without fuss or struggle," said Samuel.

“Ok, go on.”
The lady, Patricia, continued, "A neighbor came in and at gunpoint led us to the apartment of the guy we were after. The guy opened the door when he heard the voice of the neighbor. We immediately pushed the neighbor in and rushed in as well."

“I’m listening,” said their boss.
"We got his iPhone and Mac notebook. But the guy tried to grab Patricia's gun and her mask removed in the scuffle. So we shot him and the neighbor," Samuel said.

“Hmm.”
“But we left the baby untouched,” Patricia added.
Their boss frowned and said, “baby?”
“Yes sir. A toddler actually.
“No wife?”
“There was no one else in the apartment. We checked it twice before we left.”
“Ok. So how did you lose the items?” asked their boss.
"We were coming from Ire Akari Estate in Isolo, and there was heavy traffic on the way to Oshodi, probably because the 3rd mainland bridge was closed for repairs. So we decided to drive through Mushin and come out at Ojuelegba en-route Lagos Island.”
“Ok.”
“We were negotiating a bad portion of the road when the rear windshield was shattered by a large stone. And then almost immediately, a 2nd stone shattered the windshield. With glass flying everywhere, we were disoriented and before we could get our guns out, the boy attacked us. They must have been 10 to 15 of them. They took everything in the car and on us. Even our guns.”
“Hmm, you guys bleeped up.”
“Sorry sir.”
“How did you get a phone to call me at that time?” he asked them.
Patricia replied, “I use two phones. I always hide one under the seat when I am in the car.”
“You should also have had two guns, don’t you think so?”
“Sorry sir,” they chorused.
“Ok, go home. Clean yourself up, and come back to the office.”
When they left his office, their boss picked up the phone on his table and said, “did you get all that sir?”
“Yes, I did,” said the Bank Chairman.
“Do you want us to storm Mushin?”
“No, I have someone handling that.”
“You sure sir?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I will let you know if I need you.”
“Ok sir. Sorry for the issues caused by my guys.”
The line went dead.

Pimpstar:
Ride on OP

✌✌

Duly noted, now riding like a ruff rider

CHAPTER THREE

AlawoDre sat on the balcony looking at the quiet street below. In another 30 minutes, the street will come alive with people and activities. He had been woken early in the morning by a phone call. It was his political God-Father.
His mind went over the conversation again.
“Aburo, bawo ni. I trust you are doing great.”
“I am fine sir.”
“Good. Iyawo ati awon omo nko? I’m sure you are taking good care of them.”
“Won wa dada, thank you sir.”
"Jor aburo, your boys attacked two of my people late last night in Mushin. They took away an iPhone and Mac notebook. I need it back today."

“Ok sir.”
“O se aburo, we will talk later.”
“Yes sir.”
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Grandma watched as Erowo hurried around the apartment getting ready for work.
She wished she could stop her from going out today. She had had a bad dream. So she had stayed awake and prayed till dawn.
Though she could not recognize the faces of the people in the dream or even recollect actual events. But the sight of a bird, a dog, and a young lady on her knees with blood spurting from her belly through her hands, was terrifying for her.

She had called the two Pastors she knows and they had prayed with her.
As Grandma continued to watch Erowo silently, she hoped her prayers would be enough.
___________________________________________________________________________
*************************************************************************
She rubbed her protruding tummy as she watched her husband sit in the car.
She knew he was putting on his app and setting his destination before heading out. She was proud of him. He was never one to be knocked out by life no matter the situation.
Though she didn't tell him, she was happy he left the bank job. "Or rather the bank job left him," she said aloud with a smile.

She had hated the fact that the bank job made him leave early in the morning and come back late in the night every weekday including Saturdays. Their sex life was affected by it. Because on days when he was willing and able to have sex with her, he never did more than 5 thrusts before falling asleep.

Now he usually came in for quickies in the afternoons and their lovemaking at night was now as awesome as ever. She loved the way he usually comes to stand behind her in the kitchen and rub his hardness against her buttocks. And when she leans into him, he will gather her breasts in his hands, gently squeeze them and tweak the nipples. Then he will turn her around, lift her up her onto the kitchen table, and plunge into her. And as he is thrusting into her, he will also be squeezing and sucking on her breasts. She loved it that he usually tries to ensure she cums before he ejaculates.

Her body shivered at the memory and she smiled.
“Maybe I should go get him for a quick one,” she thought to herself.
She snapped out of her reverie when she heard the car start and he drove off.

CHAPTER TWO

"...may we not walk when the ground is seeking blood to drink in Jesus's name. May bullets not be shot at us and may knives not be thrown at us in Jesus's name. May axe not be used to remove our head and may hammer not be used to smash our skull in Jesus's name. May birds not eat our flesh and may dogs not lick our blood… "

She chuckled. “This old woman sha, why all these funny funny prayers this morning,” she thought to herself. “Time dey go and I’ve plenty things to do today o. Kai, I need to even iron my skirt before dem take light. I need to call my source for the scoop he promised me. I hope my psycho boss won’t give me stress today. I fit vex yab am o.”
Her mind flashed back to the conversation with her boss over 3 weeks ago.
“You know Fisayo Soyombo went undercover to get into Pedro police cell and Kirikiri prison. He gained international recognition cos of that and also won awards. You should do something like that too,” her boss had stated.
“But oga, I be woman o, what if they rape me?” She had protested.
“Won’t that be the highlight of the story? And will you be the first to be raped?”
“Haa.”
“Look, we are an investigative media organization. I need scandal, I need controversy, I need conflict. Get me these or get out!”
“But oga, I am handling financial news and stuff.”
“Young lady, all financial institutions especially banks, have skeletons in their cupboard. You have friends working in banks. Get them to show you where the skeleton is hidden. We will do the rest.”
“Hmm.”
“Let’s ruffle some feathers and be seen by power blocs as someone to be taken serious. We can even spur EFCC into doing their job or a media trial or both sef.”
“Ok sir.”
“We will also get international recognition and collaboration, and with that comes funding. Do you understand? “
“I do sir.”
“Now get to work and earn your pay.”
“Ok sir.”
She noticed everywhere was silent. She opened her eyes and saw her grandma staring at her.
“You are not saying amen,” stated her grandmother, who stopped praying to look at her.
“Sorry grandma, amen ma,” Erowo replied.
Her grandmother continued the early morning prayer, and Erowo responded loudly and intermittently with amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________
****************************************************************************
"God bless you and be with you darling," his wife called after him as he hugged and kissed her on his way out of the apartment.

“Amen,” Lotanna said and closed the door behind him.
He got into the SUV and put on the Uber app to set his destination to V.I. He decided to wait a little while before driving off in his car.

He had lost his banking job about 7 months ago. And after 4 months of applying for jobs and not getting one, as well as, seeing his wife’s pregnancy steadily progress, he knew he needed to start earning fast.
The need to do something was also heightened by the fact that most of his severance pay was used to offset his outstanding car loan. He had bought an SUV a year before he lost his job. Thus, he had had to dip into his savings and liquidate most of his investments to supplement his cashflow.
Prior to his 7 years stint at the bank, he had worked as a bouncer, security guard, bullion van driver, and mechanic. Given his assorted working experience, he realized that the car can be an asset if used rightly. So he decided to become an Uber driver.

He had also reasoned with his wife that becoming an Uber driver was a way to play it safe. And God willing, he might meet a passenger that can help him get a well-paying job.

This was his 3rd month as an Uber driver and he can only be grateful to God that things had not turned out as bad as he had feared. He knew some of his colleagues, who also lost their jobs, were working on traveling out to Canada. While some had invested in a business and lost it all.

His phone beeped and flashed. He looked and saw there was a request for his service. He dialed the number.

CHAPTER ONE

“Who be rat?”
There was another knock on the door.
“Who is shit?”
Still no answer. But the person knocked again.
“Who dey knock my door?”
“Na me Lado.”
"Why you no come answer before?" Okuta asked as he opened the door. He was bare-chested and wearing shorts.

“I no be rat and I no be shit,” Lado answered and pushed past him into the room.
The room smelt of smoke, sweat, and sex.

“Wetin you want this early momo?” Okuta asked as he closed the door.
“Na AlawoDre send me.”
“Wetin he talk?”
Lado looked around and saw a teenage girl seated on one of the settees in the room. She had a wrapper around her chest that barely covered her breasts and thighs. The way her elbows held the wrapper in place and her unprotected, showed she was naked under. She locked eyes with him, smiled, and looked away to continue wrapping her joint.

“Wetin he talk?” Okuta asked and moved from the door to stand in front of Lado.
"He say make I collect back the iPhone and Mac notebook your boys snatch yesterday night."

Okuta grunts, "who get the iPhone and the mac?

“Nothing concern you with that one. Just get it back from your boys.”
“Una no dey even allow person enjoy him stash in peace.”
“The person wey get the things dey under AlawoDre protection. Your boys should never have attacked the car.”
“How dem wan take know na? You know say dem get daily target and if dem no meet am, no food be that.”
“I hear you. Sha gimme the things. I dey wait.”
“I dey come. Make I call them. I sha hope dem never sell am.”
“If they don sell am, dem go buy am back.”
Okuta looked at him with disgust. He walks away to pick his phone and starts to bark out instructions.
Lado looked at the girl.
She was smoking and staring at him. When their eyes met, she smiled and winked at him. The wrapper on her chest slipped down an inch or two, hiding only the summit of her bosom. His eyes followed the drop and then returned to her face. She smiled and winked again.
He looked away.

The Way of the Lion is an epic tale of blood, lust, and loss. It’s a fictional story about what happens to Lions and members of their pride when there is a takeover of their territory.

To download your copy, click on any of the links below:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F381G59/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_DkYjFbKMKT9TJ

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08F381G59/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_DkYjFbK48SHJT

PAYSTACK: https://paystack.com/pay/thewayofthelion

FLUTTERWAVE: https://flutterwave.com/pay/thewayofthelion

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kaka continued to do scenario analysis as they walked.

He knew it was important they got the matured male alone without backup. It would make the job of killing him easy.

The question of ‘what if’ kept popping up in his mind: what if the Lionesses joined in? What if the young Lion joined in the fracas? What if the matured male had a long lost brother that suddenly appeared?

In his analysis, the matured male might be able to handle two of them, but three of them would be a handful for him. However, at 4 to 1, they will kill him easily. Thus, the preferred setting still remained getting the matured male alone.

“You are quiet,” said Keke as he matched strides with Kaka.

Kaka smiled and replied, “Says the quiet one.”

“A penny for your thoughts?” Keke asked.

“Nothing major, I was just considering the different situations that could manifest and the contingency plan for any unexpected happenings.”

“Don’t worry yourself too much bro, between the 4 of us, that male Lion dies.”

“I know, but what if the Lion has a backup team we don’t know of?” Kaka asked.

“Remember, we stalked and surveyed the pride for more than a month. I’m sure we will come out successful and with our brides,” Keke replied.

“OK, if the Lionesses come for him, I will go and engage them.”

“Agreed.”

“None of us must die today.”

“We won’t bro, we’ve got the victory. Let’s go manifest it.”

“I sure hope so,” Kaka replied.

“I know so,” affirmed Keke.



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



They froze and listened carefully.

It came again, louder and closer this time.

There was a Lion or worse still, Lions approaching. And it was no friendly roar. The Lions were here for business, not pleasure.

Daka got up to move towards the sound.

“I will come with you,” said Cece the Lioness, Tete’s mother.

“And I also,” said another Lioness.

“No. You will do no such thing,” Daka snapped and added, “I’m the head of this pride. It’s my duty to protect you. Watch the cubs, prepare for the hunt, I will be back soon.”

CHAPTER SIX

Daka got to Didi and nudged Didi’s left cheeks with his head to show he came in peace. Then he moved and sat down 10 feet away from Didi.

Didi then went to meet him and rubbed his left cheek against Daka’s cheek and they rubbed heads together.

The rubbing of heads together is a show of affection, commitment, loyalty and respect.

After some minutes of rubbing heads together, Didi sat down beside Daka. His heart was pounding in excitement as he waited in silence. He was no longer scared. He was happy that Daka came in peace and that he, Didi, was able to show respect to him.

“How have you been?” Daka asked.

“Fine sir.”

“Hope you have not been naughty.”

“No sir, I have been good.”

“You sure?”

“Yes sir.”

“Hmm.”

Didi waited in silence. He was not sure why Daka approached him but he believed it had to be important for Daka to have approached him.

“We will be hunting soon, and I want you to play an active role,” Daka said.

Didi kept quiet.

Daka continued, “I want to show you strategies and techniques on how to take down giants. This will help you fend for yourself when you eventually have your own Pride. So I want you to be serious about it. Watch closely, learn quickly and act decisively.”

“Ok sir.”

“If you perform well, it won’t be for the Pride, it would be for you. You will be way ahead of your mates in terms of skills, experience and expertise.”

“That would be great. But which of the giants are we taking down?”

“Worry not your head about that. You will find out soon enough.”

“Ok sir.”

“Just follow me closely and mirror what I do.”

“I will do that sir.”

Daka stood up and as he walked away, he said, “we leave within an hour, be ready.”

“I am ready sir.”

“Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t sir.”




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj3StdK-lC0

DDexter99:
Nice one...

Thanks

silverlinen:
These one go mad oo.. following to the end

CHAPTER FIVE

“What do we know about this pride?” Kaka asked.

“They are led by one matured male,” Keke replied.

“There are 4 matured Lionesses and 7 younger ones just about matured,” Koko said.

“There is also a young lion there. He appears to be on the verge of being chased out of the pride,” Kuku added.

Kaka nodded in satisfaction. They had been stalking and surveying the pride for over a month. They had most of the information they needed. The rest will be discovered at the point of life or death.

“Good one guys, you have done your homework well,” Kaka said.

“There are enough Lionesses to go round us all. That is sweet music to my ears,” said Keke.

“Yesso,” chorused Koko and Kuku.

“Guys, calm down. Don’t count your chicks before they are hatched. We still have the Lion of the pride to contend with,” Kaka replied.

“He is no match for the four of us,” stated Keke, “abi I lie?”

“Yesso,” chorused Koko and Kuku, “if he stands in our way, he dies.”

Kaka, Keke, Koko and Kuku were 4 brothers from the same Lioness.

About 4 years earlier, when they were just a year old, their mother had ran off with them when her pride was attacked.

Two rogue Lions had attacked and killed her husband. They also killed two Lionesses who had tried to defend their cubs. She had escaped during the melee.

One of the rogue Lion had tried to track her down, but she managed to stay hidden with the 4 cubs.

For the next two years after they had left the pride, their mother taught them everything she knew about hunting and fighting. Unfortunately, she was killed in the 3rd year after she accidentally stepped on a Black Mamba.

The four Lions had spent the 4th year stalking and surveying various prides to determine which one was ripe for a takeover. And it seemed they have now found the perfect one.

“What’s the plan?” Keke asked looking at Kaka.

Kaka was regarded as the leader of the pack. He was not the strongest, but he was their chief strategist. Keke, the quiet one, was considered the strongest of the pack, while Koko and Kuku were carefree, troublesome and aggressive.

“Any suggestions?” Kaka asked.

“Me and Kuku will go for the Lion of the pride, Kaka goes for the cubs and Keke goes for the young Lion,” Koko said.

“Can two of you handle the Lion?” Kaka asked and added. “He is a beast with plenty of experience. We all saw how he chased off the two Lions that tried to take over his Pride.”

“Lions are not Tigers. A Lion is more of a wrestler while a Tiger is more of a boxer. He can’t successfully wrestle two of us at the same time,” Koko explained.

“I will rather three of us go for the male Lion, while Kuku handles the young Lion and cubs,” Kaka stated.

“So na only the three of you sabi fight, abi? Na me no like fight?” questioned Kuku.

“You this overgrown house cat, who teach you how to fight?” Koko teased.

“I go slap that your stupid mouth if you talk nonsense again,” Kuku replied.

“Hey, will you guys cut it off,” Keke snapped. ”This is serious business, get serious for once. Please Kaka continue.”

“To ensure we don’t mess things up, and reduce margin for errors, we will all attack the male Lion,” Kaka said.

“What about the young Lion and the Lionesses?” Keke asked.

“One at a time, we divide and conquer,” Kaka answered, “is that clear?”

“Ok boss, I’m with you,” Kuku replied.

“Koko?” questioned Kaka.

“You are the brain, just point the way,” Koko responded.

“Keke?”

“You know I’m not one for much talk, let’s get this fight started,” Keke said. “When do we attack?”

“Now,” Kaka said and turned to walk into the pride’s territory.

His brothers followed him.

Signed
King Olulu

CHAPTER FOUR

Daka approached his Pride silently.

He had gone round to mark his territory with urine, spraying bushes and other obvious objects. He also defecated conspicuously and scraped his feet on the ground where he had urinated, transferring the scent to his feet to pass on while he patrolled his boundary.

He always liked to listen in on the gossips of his 4 wives. Their gossips were usually on the pregnant Lionesses, the young cubs, the next hunt or which of the Lionesses was on heat.

Speaking of being on heat, he could smell the scent of a Lioness that was fast coming into heat. Daka knew he was not the only one who could smell the scent. There was another matured male in the Pride, his son Didi.

He liked Didi. But he knew he could not allow his son stay much longer with the Pride. His son was now at the age of sexual maturity and the possibility of wanting to mate one of his half-sisters or even step mother was very high.

Daka stopped and looked around to see where Didi was. It was almost time to send him packing. He was not ready to kill his son. But if he had to, this won’t be the first time.

For now, his son might still yet be useful for one last major heist before his time in the Pride expired.

The rains had stopped for days now and the drought season was now in full force. Thus, the issue of feeding his growing family outweighed the necessity to chase off Didi.

Today made it the 3rd day the Pride had gone without food. It was time to hunt again.

The key issue for the Pride was that most of the Zebras, Buffaloes and other grazers had left Daka’s territory in search of greener pastures.

Daka knew they had only two options: follow the animals into the territory of other Lions and risk an all-out war if discovered, or go for an animal that didn’t usually migrate but was bigger than anything the Pride had ever attacked.

Given the risks involved in the two options, Daka rationalized that option two was less risky for his pride.

If he was to go with option two, Daka had to decide between two giants. Either of them would guarantee food that would last for 5 days or more for the Pride.

Daka knew the lionesses were better hunters. However, in this high stake heist, it was not speed that mattered but weight.

This was why he needed Didi. Though Didi was not yet a fully grown male Lion, still he outweighed a full grown Lioness. Thus, if the Pride was to successfully take down a giant, Daka knew they needed the complementary weight of Didi.

Daka watched Didi for some minutes. He knew the young Lion would be wary of him. He had, twice within a week, chased Didi away from eating the animals killed by the Lionesses. If this planned hunt was to be successful, he needed Didi on his side.

Daka moved and stopped at a position that allowed Didi see him. Once he was sure he had the attention of the young Lion, he walked slowly towards him.

Signed
King Olulu

CHAPTER THREE

“Mum?”

“Yes?”

“You said Father is your 3rd husband.” Tete said.

“Yes, he is,” answered her mother.

“What happened to the other two?

“The first one ran off to avoid been killed by my 2nd husband. Your father killed the second one.”

“Father killed your husband?”

“Yes he did. He also killed all the cubs I and your step mothers had at that time.”

“Haa, why?”

“The life of a Lion is a short and brutal one. A young Lion is customarily chased out of his Pride once he reaches the sexual maturity age. This is usually from age 2. Thus, he has to fend for himself as well as avoid being killed by other Lions and Lion haters such as the Hyenas.

“Okay.”

“After two or three years of killing to survive, the young Lion is now ready to start a family. So he needs a Lioness or more to father his cubs. However, a single and unattached Lioness is an uncommon sight in our jungle.”

“So how does he start a family?” Tete asked.

“The young Lion has to take over an existing Pride. And to successfully take over a Pride means death or banishment of the reigning Lion of the Pride and death to all cubs. The new Lion won’t allow any seed except his own to dwell in his territory.”

“What happens to Lionesses who put up a fight?"

“He will kill Lionesses who refuse to cooperate.”

“Wow.”

“Your father has so far won all attempts by invading Lions to take over his Pride. But as I said before, the life of a Lion is a short and brutal one. Sooner or later, he will meet his match.”

“And what happens to us?”

“We become widows and then wives to the new ruler or rulers.”

“Rulers?”

“Sometimes, more than one young Lion is sent out of the Pride at the same time. If the Lions are two or three, they gradually become aware that though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Thus, they become a force to reckon as they grow older and bigger.”

“I won’t allow my cubs to be killed.”

“Then you will need to flee with your cubs and risk being attacked by other Lions or haters.”

“Are there other options mother?”

“My child, you might need to discover that by yourself.”

“Mum?”

“Yes?”

”Is father going to kill Didi?” Tete suddenly asked.

“Why do you ask?”

“Father is heading towards him right now.”

CHAPTER TWO

Didi walked away from the Lionesses. He knew when the time comes; they will join his father to attack him. The thought of being an outcast made him shiver.

“How will I survive?” Didi asked aloud, “what if I decide to stay?”
He had two options, leave gently or fight his father for the right to stay. His mind flashed back to a year earlier.

He had had two older half-brothers, Kini and Niki. He was quite close to them and loved to always hang out with them.

However, Kini had tried to mate with one of the Lionesses and their father, Daka, had seen him.

Thus, their father had demanded that Kini and Niki left the pride. But Kini stood his ground and Niki backed him up. He had watched as their father took the two of them on and in minutes the fight was over.

Kini lost an eye and Niki ended up with a broken spine. Niki died within 2 days and Kini died 2 days later from hunger or an infection or maybe both.

“I can’t fight Father,” Didi said to himself, “I will be dead in seconds.”

He watched as his 3 younger half-brothers played with their mother. He was older than them. And at just a year old, it would be another 12 months before they also became outcasts. His own eviction was just a matter of days or maybe hours.

Twice, his father had chased him when he tried to feed on the animals hunted and killed by the Lionesses. So he had had to wait for his father, the Lionesses and other cubs to finish eating before he could eat.

“They are lucky to have each other,” Didi whispered as he remembered his siblings and mother.

About 18 months earlier, his siblings, a brother and two sisters, as well as, his mother had been killed in a hunt gone wrong. The Pride had ambushed a herd of Buffalo that were grazing close to the den. The cries of the Buffalo they caught in the stampede had attracted the other Buffaloes to come back. The herd, led by adult male Buffaloes, had attacked the Lions and chased them right into the den. His siblings were trampled to death while his mother bled to death from being gored. Didi grew up being cared for by the other Lionesses.

“Maybe I should leave before they chase me away,” Didi deliberated, “at least it will be on my terms.”

Suddenly, he felt chills that made the hair stand up on his neck. Didi looked up and saw his father, Daka, staring at him about 100 meters away.
He stood up looking at his father for what seems like an hour, but actually was just a minute. As he watched, his father started to move slowly towards him.

Didi looked at his right and saw the Lionesses were now paying close attention to the scene.

“Has my time come?” Didi thought in terror, “fight or flight?”

Slowly, the distance between him and his father disappeared.

CHAPTER ONE

“Oga tenant, your days are numbered. Hope you have packed your load” Tete said mockingly as she passed by his side and patted his rump with her paw.

“Get off me,” he snarled.

He leaped up to lunge at her. But out of the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of her mother and his other three step mothers watching them keenly.
His anger rapidly subsided and he walked away from his half-sister.

“Hey Didi, where are you running to? You scared of your own tail?” Tete called out.

“Enough Tete,” her mother snapped.

“I was just joking with him.”

“Enough I said.”

“But Didi is still going to leave, right?”

”Yes, our custom demands we send him away from the Pride. But, don’t make an enemy of him, for your paths might still cross.”

“He won’t last a day on his own,” Tete replied.

“Never say never,” said her mother quietly.

“He is a wimp.”

“Your father was once like him.”

“My father is a warrior,” Tete said.

“Yes, he is. But he was not born one. He became one.”

“Didi does not have the balls.”

“He will grow it.”

“How?”

“Lack of options often makes a hero of the weakest of us.”

"He can’t even hunt on his own.”

“He will learn.”

“Who will teach him when he leaves the Pride?”

“Time and chance happens to us all. Life will teach him using hunger and loneliness.”

“I still don’t agree with you mum. You don’t know Didi.”

“I have been a Lion longer than you have been my child. I know Lions and I know a warrior when I see one.”

“Hmm.”

“My child, your father is my 3rd husband. I have seen many things that your mind is yet to understand. So be careful not to make an enemy of your brother.”

“Even if he comes back, I will be ready for him.”

“No my child, if he comes back, he will be too much for you.”

Uriah the Hittite

The Untold Story of Uriah the Hittie by Olumide Holloway (King Olulu)

This is an exciting and captivating fictional account of the events leading to the death of Uriah the Hittie on the battle field.

This book also provides an interesting account of his past, especially his relationship with Bathsheba, and his friendship with Joab.

This book is based on 2 Samuel 11.

You can get yours as an E-book via the following links:

(USA) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRFHYDT/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_m6fcFbS5YZHZ2

(UK)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08CRFHYDT/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_3egcFb6AQPVBF

(Nigeria)
https://paystack.com/pay/uriahthehittie

The Untold Story of Uriah the Hittie is now ready, 15 Chapters duly completed. It just remains the unsexy work of editing.

But, why Uriah the Hittie

Let's start by comparing two verses in Matthew Chapter 1.

Matthew 1:5
Salmon begat Boaz by Rahab, Boaz beget Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,

Matthew 1:6
And Jesse begot David the King. David the King begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

Chapter 1 of Matthew was all about the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

About 5 females were specifically referenced, but only 4 were named.

They are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Mary.

Bathsheba was referenced but never named. It was her husband, Uriah that was named.

So if a man that is not directly related to (the genealogy of) Christ, is specifically named, surely he is worth knowing.

After all, the genealogy of Christ is like the who is who in the history of the Israelites.

Back to the book. I made the last 9 chapters extra special.

Though you are aware that it's a tragic end for Uriah, but I still hope I would be able to make you cry as you get to the end of it.

Are you ready?

Wait first, lemme finish editing it.

But you can pre-order o.

Cheers.

(About three years earlier)

“What is thy name me fair lady?”

“Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam,” she replied.

“Thou art indeed beautiful to behold.”

“You flatter me my Lord.”

“Call me Uriah.”

They were at a party that was held in King David’s palace. The party was usually held after a great victory against an enemy of Israel.

So it was a party that had high ranking military officers, their wives and children, as well as, merchants and VIPs of the country.

Uriah’s eyes had stayed on her all night and she noticed and liked the attention. So when the singing and dancing started, she had stepped outside for fresh air. As expected, he had followed her.

“No my Lord, I have heard and fed on stories of your great exploits with my father and King David from when I was little. You are indeed a great man,” Bathsheba said.

“Now you flatter me,” Uriah said with a smile.

“No my Lord, you are indeed a great man.”

“Then if I may be so bold to ask. Would you like to be closely associated with me?”

“How do you mean my Lord?”

“Like 5 and 6, you will be the yin to my yang.”

“My Lord, I seems not to understand you.”

“You will be the Jada to my Will, so I can be your baby boy like Jay Z is to Beyoncé.”

“You amuse me my Lord, with your words and flows. Many ladies would love to hear this.”

“But not many ladies get to hear this. Only one has heard it and the one is you.”

“But of all the lovely ladies living in this territory, why me my Lord?”

“We love who we love, but we often don’t get to decide who we fall in love with.”

“You speak with honey on your tongue my Lord. How can I refuse you?” Bathsheba asked with a smile.

“To refuse is to stab me through the heart with a sword.”

“I wish to do no such thing my Lord.”

“You are my left ventricle; I cannot live life without you.”

“You leave me with little choice my Lord.”

“So what says thee my Lady?”

“Perhaps my Lord will exercise a little patience for me to think about it.”

“Is there another in thy heart my Lady?”

“No my Lord, none so far have asked me to be the yin to his yang.”

“So when should I expect an answer?”

“Tomorrow by this time, you will have my answer.”

“The King’s man, you are doing well. Na only you waka go see King, I want to be like you when I grow up,” hailed Eliam.

After the early morning strategy meeting, Eliam dressed up for battle and mounted his horse to join the march to the battlefield. When he saw Uriah was riding alone, he brought his horse to move side by side with Uriah’s horse.

Uriah turned and smiled at Eliam. “My father in law, no be God,” replied Uriah.

“Why call me father in law? You want people to think I’m an old man? You wey old pass Methuselah,” joked Eliam.

They laughed.

“Today will surely be a great day and a great victory for us,” stated Eliam.

“If God be for us, none can stand against us,” said Uriah.

“May God be for us and fight for us like He has done in past victories.”

“Amen and amen.”

They rode in silence for a while. Then Eliam said, “I noticed you have been unusually quiet since your return from the city. I hope all is well,” said Eliam.

“All is well my father in law, all is well,” replied Uriah.

“But really, what’s on your mind? How is my daughter your wife?”

“She is fine, I did not go to see her when I went to see King David.”

“I understand that. But is she with child or what else has got you quiet like this.”

“I know not if she is yet with Child. But if she was, she would have sent word to me earlier.”

“True.”

“Eliam.”

“Yes.”

“If I die… .”

“You will not die.”

“I know, but if I die.”

“I will hear no such talk from you. You will fight, survive and live to go back to your wife and be a father to your children. Do you understand me soldier? Eliam said harshly.

“I do,” replied Uriah quietly.

“Good, I will entertain no such talk from my son in law, ” said Eliam and lightly punched Uriah’s ribs.

Uriah smiled at him.

Eliam added, “let me share a joke.”

“I’m all ears.”

“What do you call a flower that your son gives to you?”

“Pray tell.”

“A Son Flower.”

Uriah laughed out loud.

“If the King’s bodyguard saves a Lion cub from death, what does that make him?” Eliam asked.
“A hero,” replied Uriah.

“No, a Lion Guard.”

Uriah laughed again and said, “you are Josh too funny, please don’t leave me.”

As Eliam continued his jokes, Uriah’s mind wandered to the first day he had seen Bathsheba.


To be continued...