FORBIDDEN LOVE - EPISODE 1

© Francis Agamah




**THE AWARD**




(Narration from Abena’s Point of View)




Have you ever heard of the expression, "Love makes the world go round? “I remembered Jennifer Lopez's musical lyrics :




"Love makes the world go round

La-la-la-la-la-la-la

Love makes the world go round

La-la-la-la-la-la-la

Love makes the world go round-ound-ound-ound

Love makes the world go round

La-la-la-la-la-la-la

We...we'll be alright

Living our lives

Finding some satisfaction

No, we're goanna hide

No fear from our eyes

Love is a call to action"




Call me Abena Yeboah. I am a fante. My father was a retired military officer and my mother was a Secretary. She worked at the Regional Office of Ghana Education Service. I had a brother and a sister, Kweku and Yaba respectively.




I was admitted into the University of Cape Coast in 2015. Been a very emotional person, I tried as much as possible to disassociate myself from the issues of love because I knew my heart was a delicate one and once I gave it out to someone, the person could take control of my entire life. I was therefore careful not to put the key to the door of my heart at a place where it could easily be stolen by maladjusted university boys.




I managed to keep this routine for three years in the university despite incessant romantic advances from some of my male colleagues on the university campus. I was an icon of beauty, endowed with a huge backside, voluptuous shape, and thick legs. I hardly passed by a male without him turning his head to take a second look at my naturally endowed backside and gargantuan front elevation which formed itself into my breast.  Even blind men knew when I passed by them. Beauty seemed to be my bragging right.




When I reached level 400, Fafa Amenyo, one of the coolest guys in the Science Department won the best -student- of -the- year award for his outstanding academic prowess and discipline. Fafa was a quiet, handsome guy, very reserved, humble, polite and surprisingly had a strange sense of humour, a direct contradiction to his rather MelPhleg temperament. He was a guy of very few words.




The award made Fafa famous on campus and it wasn't long before he rose into celebrity status, with media houses chasing him to grant them interviews. He was often seen on several TV stations.  Fafa was also a mathematician. He calculated figures like child's Play. It was even rumoured that he even computed Maths faster than a calculator.




When the name "Fafa" was mentioned, every student in the university turned his head just to see him . He was an "ACADEMIC GOD getting a cumulative GPA of 4.0 almost every semester. Despite Fafa’s impressive academic record, he was very naïve when it came to women affairs. Though most University girls crushed on him, he had no time for these "daughters of Eve."




-

*MEETING FAFA*




One hot night, I decided to take a stroll with my friends, Afua and Ama. On our way, we bumped into three guys whom I guessed were also taking a stroll. They decided to join us because we were all moving in the same direction. I realized two of the boys were really loquacious which was typical of most Ghanaian men.




They talked about cars they never touch before, countries they have not set their feet in before, monies that did not exist in their pockets or bank accounts, all in a bid to woo my friends. I realized one of the three boys was not talking. He stood unique and was quieter than the other two boys.




I had an intuition that the quieter boy was staring at me. I turned well to see who the person was and there he stood,….Fafa , the most intelligent, cute and humble student on campus. The hotcake guy most ladies were dying to date or at least have a one-night- stand with on campus. I smiled seductively at him but he seemed disenchanted.

The other boys in Fafa's company intensified their loquaciousness in their bid to impress either Afua or Ama but still, Fafa didn't utter a single word. I kept looking at him, my incessant looks betraying my hidden admiration for him.




I moved to his side and asked him if we could segregate from the group. Luckily, he complied with my request. I began talking, "Fafa, I'm one of your favorite fans in the university. You are such a genius. Congrats for winning such an enviable award. He couldn't look me in the eyes directly but he said," thanks for the compliment. I really appreciate it.




"Welcome dear, "I said, rather involuntarily. Suddenly, he turned and looked at me curiously without saying anything. I decided to take the initiative once again and started a much longer conversation with Fafa.  I knew every accomplishment began with a decision to try. I surely needed to accomplish my mission.

"Can we be friends, Fafa?" I asked, without mincing words.

"Which type of friends?" he asked curiously.

That was the question I anticipated he would ask me. I said, "Normal Friends, Errr.mmmmmm. I mean ...Boy...I mean Platonic friends, for now, I struggled over the words.




You might be wondering why I couldn’t simply tell Fafa that I love him and would like him to be my boyfriend. The fact was, culturally, a lady was not supposed to propose love to a boy. Off-Course, this was an obnoxious culture in this rapidly evolving century of globalization. Sadly, cultural versatility was a luxury we don't have in abundance in our part of the world, a world stemmed in the thick waters of a fixed, antiquated culture.




I decided to break that culture and made my feelings known to the guy that had unknowingly stolen my heart.

I asked him, "Can I have your contact number?"

"No," he said.




I felt a little bit embarrassed by his response but decided to hide it. At first, I decided to excuse him and leave but the pull of love made my feet unmovable.

"Why can't you give me your phone number?" I asked.

“Sorry, Abena, I don't use a mobile phone. I believe Mobile phone is a distraction to my studies for now,” he justified himself.




I was dumbfounded. How could a 21st-Century University undergraduate not have a mobile phone which was even ubiquitous in primary schools, not to talk about Senior High School?




I didn't believe it but decided not to prop it further but I have other ideas in my game plan.

"Can I pay you a visit anytime?" I asked him.

He looked into my eyes for the first time and smiled,

Then he said, "No, I'm always busy.




Is Fafa flexing on me? I doubted it. He didn’t look like that type of guy.

As I was contemplating on what to do next, "Fafa's masculine voice broke through my thoughts like a sharp knife through a bread, "Okay, Abena, you can visit me on weekends. I'm happy chatting and familiarising myself with you tonight. Honestly, I have never had a female friend before."




“Like seriously?” I asked, visibly mesmerized.

“Yes, it’s the gospel truth. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not Gynophobic but I don’t want to be gynephilic either. It’s a personal decision. My study is my priority, “ Fafa explained.

He looked at his watch and said, ”Gosh, it’s getting late, I have to go home.




"Ok, Fafa, see you soon,” I said.

I am sure by now you could see that Fafa was a strict and principled guy. I loved him for that.




I told him, “Expect me on Saturday. “

He responded, “Ok, Abena, I will be looking forward to seeing you.

"Which time will you be coming, please?" he asked?




"10.30 a.m.,” I responded, "If it's OK by you."

It’s OK. Fafa Responded.


We returned to our various hostels. Unfortunately, Fafa's friends could not niche their presence in the hearts of my two Friends Afua and Ama who saw them as a bunch of talkative boys.




https://youngicee.com/2020/04/forbidden-love-episode-2.html

Is anyone reading this story here?

FORBIDDEN LOVE

By Francis Agamah


PROLOGUE

Love is a wonderful and an exciting experience. It summarizes the sweet sensation a person feels for another person they are emotionally and physically attracted to.

Among all human emotions, none sparks so much controversy and interest than love. Until you meet that special person you may never know the extent to which love could have a tremendous effect on your life. Cupid the god of love does not discriminate in shooting his arrows of love.

When the heart is captured in the web of love, it has no respect for age, social status or boundaries, or tribe because it has its own rules and regulations which most often contravene societal norms and culture.

The arrows could hit the right person from a tribe hated by others on the basis of stereotypes. This prejudice often leads to conflict between the lover and the hater who FORBIDS such LOVE

***

Abena fell in love with Fafa, an academic genius in the university, though she was aware of her Father's strong hatred for Ewe men. Her friend's betrayal of her trust led to series of events that have mortal consequences. In any case, these mortal consequences were not limited to only the perpetrators. It extended even to the victims. Why not read the story and find out what really happened to Fafa and Abena’s Love?

Start reading the story here - https://youngicee.com/stories/forbidden-love

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 9

© Miriam Edem

Fummi got home and settled down on the sofa but Nonso was all she saw. She heaved at that and decided to change up but her phone began to ring, she picked it up and it was Nonso calling.

"Wow just when I wanted getting you off my mind," she whispered and picked the call.

"Hello sir, she said.

"Hello ma, I am so sorry for leaving quite early," Nonso said.

"I told you it was fine, I handled the student well you don't need to worry," Fummi said.

"That was so sweet of you. Ermmm have you eaten?" Nonso asked.

"I just got home so I haven't, I was with my friend," she replied.

"Okay I think I have to hang up now so you'll concentrate right?" Nonso asked and she laughed.

"Concentrate with what? I don't feel like cooking, besides who am I going to eat with?" Fummi asked and her countenance changed.

"Its just me now, she continued with a low tone and Nonso felt she was down.

"Can we sit out please? I'll get something for you to eat," Nonso said.

"Nah don't worry, I gat snacks and I am okay with it. okay bye," Fummi said and dropped the call.

She slowly leaned on the wall as her father enlargement photograph was just looking at her.

"How are you daddy? Is brother okay? I hope there's food there to eat? Fummi talked to the photograph in tears and ran to the room..

___

Nonso kept calling Chioma number but she wasn't picking up.

"You need to go now, Chioma said to Festus on bed.

"Too soon? I want to be with you baby," Festus said and cuddled her but she pushed him off.

"I don't want Nonso to suspect anything, he has been calling and he may want to visit me to ask why I am ignoring his calls. You've gotten what you want right? Now leave!" Chioma shouted and Festus sat up looking at her.

"What? You think what you gat is so rare that I can't get it any where if I want to huh? Is that what you think of me that I only came here to sleep with you? Fine suit yourself," Festus angrily said getting up and got dressed while she sat silently looking at him.

"Nonso's love, do you know her? Chioma asked when he was done dressing.

"Why asking?" He asked not looking at her.

"Because its difficult to believe what you told me, i want prove and I want to see it for myself so I'll get over it,"Chioma said and he looked at her.

"Are you sure about that? Because I doubt it," Festus said.

"I want something to hold on, I want to see it in Nonso eyes that he really loves that girl," Chioma said.

"Then what? You'll clap for him and walk out of his life?" Festus asked.

"Do I have a choice? Now where is she?" Chioma asked and he heaved.

"You know I can't tell you that now, I'll be betraying him,"Festus replied and she scoffed.

"Are you kidding me? Will you just be betraying him or you've long betrayed Nonso?" Chioma asked.

"Fine you win, the girl works with him in the same school," Festus said.

"What's her name?" She asked.

"How am I suppose to know? I haven't met her before, Festus said and she nodded.

"so is she a teacher there or something? She asked and he rolled his eyes.

"Look miss, I don't know how the gate of the school looks like, I have no idea okay. I have to go now, take care," Festus said, pecked her and left.

Chioma stood up and locked the door after he left but couldn't stop pacing around,

"Do you really think I will let you go Nonso after all this years then you must be joking. You can't dump Chioma this way for a low class Yoruba girl Never! Watch me fight back cause you started this," Chioma said in anger.

Her phone began to ring and it was her mom calling, "hello mom, she said.

"Sweetheart why is your voice that way? Did you have a fight with Nonso again?" Ifeoma asked.

"Looks like mom, can I trust you and promise you won't tell dad this, Chioma said.

"What is it? Anything darling, Ifeoma replied.

"Nonso is cheating on me mom, he doesn't want to marry me," Chioma said and burst out crying.

"What! What rubbish is that after all this years! Ifeoma shouted.

"Mom it hurts but i won't let him do this to me, I will fight back," Chioma said.

"No no no dear don't do that. You gat men waiting and wishing you will just say yes to him, forget about that idiot please don't do anything funny," Ifeoma said.

"But I love him mom, mom I know Nonso loves me but something went wrong somewhere. I won't throw those years away I will fight back," Chioma said.

"Chioma my daughter don't do that I beg you, he doesn't deserve you to begin with. Please come dear i miss you," Ifeoma said.

"I am so sorry mom but I have to do this, don't worry everything will be fine and please don't tell anyone about this," Chioma said.

"Chioma my dear please come back, you're schooling remember," Ifeoma said.

"Mom I still have 2 weeks left, don't worry mom I'll be fine and greet dad for me, bye mom," Chioma said and took a breathe in.

"If you're not gonna love me Nonso, then who? She asked herself smiling.

Festus arrived and met Nonso with Frank talking, "where have you been man? Nonso asked.

"Chilling somewhere," Festus replied.

"That you didn't pick any of our calls because you were chilling? Frank asked.

"What's the big deal huh? I am back right? And that matters now, I am going to bed, Festus said.

"This early? Frank asked.

"I just want to rest my head, Festus said tapping Frank and left.

Read Episode 10 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/04/unbreak-my-heart-episode-10.html

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 8

© Miriam Edem

In the middle of their ecstasy Nonso stopped Chioma,

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"I can't do this, I'm sorry," he said going down from the bed.

"What! What's wrong with you!" She shouted.

"Nothing is wrong with me, I just said I can't do this," Nonso said putting on his clothes while Chioma sat looking at him with her mouth open.

"You're leaving?" She asked.

"I have to, I'll see you tomorrow, Nonso said and left.

"Shit!" Chioma shouted throwing the pillows in anger.

____

"Hey, what's that face for?" Frank asked when he met with them.

"Seriously I don't know what's happening to me, I feel like....... Oh no I can't explain," Nonso replied.

"Is it about Chioma again?" Frank asked.

"No, someone else. Few minutes ago I was about making love with Chioma, but then she came into my head and I felt like I was about cheating on her," Nonso said.

"Who?" The guys asked at once.

'Fummi, the girl Chioma acted rudely there at the eatery, remember?" Nonso asked and the guys looked at themselves.

"You must be joking right? That's a lowly and a poor Yoruba girl you are talking about here," Frank said.

"So what? She's the one I love and I can't help it," Nonso said.

"You are a prince Nonso and it is not expected you..."

"I don't need this prince title! Can someone just rip it off from me? Do you know how I feel now? First time in my life I've get to meet someone I feel so relaxed and happy with. She doesn't nag and we can talk for hours without getting tired. There's this bond between us that I feel we have met somewhere before, she's the one I want and I don't bloody care the tribe she hails from," Nonso said.

"What about Chioma? You told me she broke up with you but then you spent the night texting and calling her. You almost made love to her today and now you're talking about another girl? Are you okay?" Festus asked.

"We are not married dude are we? Chioma is who our family wants but Fummi is who Nonso needs, and I am tired of pleasing my family!" Nonso shouted.

"Then let her go, set her free!" Festus shouted and stormed out of the place.

"What's wrong with him?" Nonso asked.

"He's just angry while I am just surprised at you. Seriously guy is this you? You gat 2 ladies already and that makes you a cheat dude," Frank said while Nonso was just speechless looking at him.

Festus arrived at the Hotel where Chioma lodged and met her sitting on the floor drinking, 'didnt I tell you to stay clear from me? Chioma asked getting up when he entered.

"Please stop I can help you out of this, Festus said coming near.

"Stop there and get out of here! What happened between us that night was a total and big mistake. i was drunk but then you came around and I thought it was Nonso, how dare you do that to me! Chioma shouted.

"You needed it, Nonso doesn't care about you," Festus said.

"Get out from here, you feel my heart with guilt now knowing that I've cheated on my Nonso!" Chioma shouted.

"Your Nonso? Is that why you wanted leaving the next morning? Well here is what you want to hear, Your Nonso couldn't make love to you just because there's a another girl in his heart. He loves her so much and he feels sleeping with his engaged babe will be cheating to the girl he loves dearly," Festus dropped and Chioma scoffed.

"Wow, what a perfect framed lie to get into my legs again, you really think I will believe this crap!" Chioma shouted.

"You think this is a lie? Get over it girl that guy doesn't love you. You were only a friend to him and he didn't want anything more than that, this is just a family arrangement right? How did i get to know about this?" Festus asked and tears already gathered in Chioma eyes.

"Its a lie, a very big lie," Chioma said and Festus held her.

"You need me Chioma, that guy doesn't deserve you," Festus said and kissed her immediately....

...................

"Hi what's up," Jumoke asked as Fummi dropped by after work to say hello.

"Is that how to welcome a customer? What do you have here?" Fummi asked sitting down.

"If I launch you slap eh, Jumoke said and they burst out laughing.

"How is work jare? Any annoying customer?" Fummi asked.

"Annoying kwa? I will just annoy back too o I don't have such time," Jumoke replied.

"Madam abeg help me with cold sprite," Fummi said.

"Okay your money," Jumoke said stretching her palm.

"Bring 2 big plastic," Fummi added.

"Okay na your money," Jumoke said.

"Bring it first na haba I dey run? Where's your oga sef let me report you, Fummi said looking around.

"You're mad," Jumoke said and left to bring the drink.

"Oya sit down let's drink," Fummi said giving her one of it when Jumoke brought it.

"Thats my baby! Work wait first jare," Jumoke said sitting down smiling.

"Hey i know that smile, just say what you want to say else I'll collect my drink from you," Fummi said.

"How is he? Come on gist me nau, Jumoke said and Fummi smiled.

"You are a very nonsense girl," Fummi replied.

"Yes I know, so how are you both coping?" Jumoke asked.

"Cool, we get to talk about so many things and its fun to be with him," Fummi said.

"Tell me something baby!" Jumoke shouted.

"Ah keep your voice low na, Fummi pleaded.

"Leave me abeg, so what do you think of him? Jumoke asked and winked.

"I know where you are going to madam so stop it. In fact i came to say hello, bye bye," Fummi said getting up.

"For your mind you don escape o, we will continue at home, Jumoke said.

"I will travel," Fummi said.

"Fummi my money, i will kill you today!" Jumoke shouted and Fummi ran away.


Read Episode 9 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/04/unbreak-my-heart-episode-9.html

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 7

© Miriam Edem

Nonso went back and his friends noticed his mood wasn't good at all, "what's wrong? Festus asked.

"Chioma has broken up with me," Nonso heaved and replied.

"I thought you don't love her, or do you?" Frank asked.

"Chioma and I has been friends from childhood, and there's no how I won't love her. But when she got engaged to me, everything changed. I felt like our friendship shouldn't get to that point, and I've tried putting her in that space of my heart but something keeps pushing it away. But I can't let her go, because her parents are so close to mine.

If they will get to find out everything that has happened, I don't know what is going to happen," said rubbing his head.

"What are you going to do now? Are you feeling guilty that you've wasted her time for years?" Frank asked.

"I never wasted her time, yes she loves me and has rejected many proposals but I never wasted her time. Her attitude and continuous nagging keeps pissing me off," Nonso said.

"Is it really her attitude or because you don't want to marry her? Anyway its your life and if you've been friends since childhood, I think you two can still sort out your differences," Frank said tapping his back and they left him to ponder about it.

That night Nonso spent it calling and texting Chioma which she kept ignoring.

The next morning he arrived at the hotel and met Chioma with her bag about to leave, "what do you want?" She asked.

"Is this really what you want? Nonso asked.

"I won't waste a second to talk about this okay, bye," she said and wanted to leave but he held her back.

"Is there another? Come on, tell me! Nonso shouted.

"Is there another too Nonso Igwe!" Chioma shouted back.

"Then I won't waste my time to beg you, but if this is what you won't, then fine, Nonso said and let her go while she stood looking at him.

"Make sure you tell them the truth when you get back there. Tell them you called it off yourself because you don't love me, don't drag me or my family into this okay," Nonso said.

"Will you blame me? Is this really my fault? Nonso look at the way you do treat me, does it show that you love me?" Chioma asked.

"Yea I know, but I don't really know how to express it but I am not ready to throw our friendship either," Nonso said.

"Me too, I don't know if I'll live with it, Chioma said and hugged him.

"I'm sorry, Nonso said to her after they disengaged from the hug.

"Its okay," Chioma said.

"So ma are you still leaving?" Nonso asked.

"No sir," she said smiling.

"OK ma, can you please wait for me here. I'll rush down to work and quickly come back to be with you okay, Nonso said.

"I'll be waiting then, Chioma said and pecked him while he took her bag inside the room and they hugged again before Nonso left.

____

He arrived and saw Fummi already in the class, "you arrived late sir, Fummi said.

"Thanks ma for covering up for me, he said.

"You're welcome, there's a lipstick stain on your polo, Fummi said.

"Lipstick? Huh from where? Nonso said and saw it while Fummi just stood smiling at him..

"Oh yea I remember. A lady wanted crossing the road without looking and she was almost hit, so I dragged her and she fell on me. You know she was heavily painted," Nonso said.

"Too bad, maybe she was in a Hurry. Okay back to work," Fummi said and he looked at the students.

"What are they doing?" He asked.

"I gave them classwork, and they have 5 minutes left to submit," Fummi said and he rolled his eyes.

"Hmm teacher suits you best you know," he said smiling.

"Oh please, get ready to submit!" Fummi shouted on the student.

Its 1pm and Nonso picked his phone to see a lot of missed calls from Chioma.

"Oh my God! When did i put my phone on silent? Nonso asked.

"I don't know, Fummi replied.

"uhm please can you take Care of things here? I have to attend to something now, Nonso said.

"No problem, see you tomorrow then and don't come late, Fummi said.

"Yes ma, take care Fummi! Nonso shouted as he rushed out.

He arrived at the hotel and met Chioma cuddled on the bed with Alcohol, "you're back? She said in a drunken state and he got the bottle from her.

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked.

"Having fun, what do you expect? She asked.

"Having fun being drunk? Look I am so sorry for not picking your calls I just saw it and rushed down here, Nonso said and she gave a smirking look.

"Baby give back my drink, she said and attempted to get it but he shifted it more far.

"No more drink, I am here now so let the fun be between us, Nonso said.

"Really? So will you make love with now? that will be more fun you know," Chioma said seductively going to Nonso.

"Stop it you're not in your right senses now," Nonso held her.

"What do you mean? I want you Nonso, common have me," Chioma said and kissed him deeply.

Read Episode 8 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/04/unbreak-my-heart-episode-8.html

78 contd

"I need to see Ovil Matuse," Henry went straight to the point, hoping they would be able to know what he wanted on hearing the name.

As expected, the expression on their faces changed when they heard the name and they paid more attention to him.

"Ini ndinofunga vanhu ava vari kutsvaga Ovil Matuse," One of the men said to the others sitting behind him. In English, he said "I think these people are looking for Ovil Matuse".

"Handifunge kuti ivo vane pfungwa yezviri kuitika nhasi," another man replied him meaning "I don't think they have an idea what's happening today."

After that, the men continued with their work quietly as if no one was standing before them.

"Sirs, I'll like to see Ovil Matuse," Henry repeated after watching them silently for close to a minute.

The man in front stopped his weaving and looked up again, directly at Henry's face. He turned back to the other men.

"Aya vanhu vanozoita nezuva rakaipa kana vasingabve," he said in a sad tone and shook his head. He looked at Henry's face again and continued with his work silently.

"Unotaura chokwadi," two men behind voiced out in unison, stating that they agreed with what the man told them. He had said in his language that the day was going to be bad for the visitors if they do not leave.

"Does anyone speak English?" Henry asked in a frustrated tone after a moment of silence but they continued to ignore him. He turned back to his team and shook his head, his eyes scanned around for some minutes and he located a brick building close to them. It looked like a residential building and he could see a man and a woman standing outside, dressed in the same type of clothing and speaking to each other. "Let's go to that house," Henry said, pointing to the place. "This people seem too busy for us."

They proceeded together to the brick house and met the man about to enter the house while the woman turned to sit on a bench under the shade outside the building.

"Good morning here," Henry greeted in a loud voice, wanting to call the attention of the man who was about stepping in. The man turned back and squinted at him.

He took some steps back and glanced at his wife who was also looking at him.

"Do you understand English?" Henry proceeded to ask. The couple remained silent, staring at them. "English! I mean can you speak it?"

They stared back like morons in response and Henry slightly shook his head in frustration. He placed his hands on his waist tiredly and turned to his team, looking at their faces to see if they had any suggestion for him but they looked as frustrated as he was.

"Let's ask these men," Samantha suggested, turning back towards the road path. Some mature looking men, five in number, all looking neatly and expensively dressed were walking in their direction.

Henry turned quickly and walked with his men to the road side.

"Good morning!" He greeted the men in a loud voice even before they got close. The men noticed them and reduced their walking pace.

"Good morning!" Henry greeted again when he got closer but they all stared at him without responding. Henry decided to proceed with his enquiry since they were giving him attention. "I'm here looking for Ovil Matuse."

The expression on the men's faces deepened on hearing the name and they stared at each other wondering who understood what the stranger had said. After glancing at each other, they all glanced at the man standing behind as if they expected him to interpret the language.

The man stepped forward. He was of a fair complexion and a slightly round face. His nose was flat, his eyes were a bit bulgy and lips were darker than his skin. He had a white keffiye on his black garment. His belly protruded unattractively behind the garment.

"Unotaura chokwadi," the man turned to his men and told them. They turned back to him and fastened their eyes on him.

Henry felt a bit relieved that the men seemed to be ready to listen to him.

"Chii chaari kuda?" another man spoke, asking the one in front what the stranger wanted.

"He's here to see Ovil Matuse," the man in front replied in the Kebban language.

"You here to see Matuse?" The man asked Henry to confirm.

Henry and his team were finally able to breathe after hearing the man speak. Even though it was bad English, they had hopes of being able to communicate.

"Yes, Ovil Matuse." Henry affirmed.

"Vari pano kuti vaone Ovil Matuse," The man turned to speak to his friends, confirming that the strangers were really there to see Ovil.

"You know what happen today?" The man turned and asked Henry.

"Uhn?" Henry found it difficult to understand the question.

"Today, something happen, you know it?" The man repeated again in a more aggressive tone.

"Ermm... Festival!" Henry answered with a lit smile. "Week of consecration festival."

"Oh ho!" The man smiled and turned to his friends. "Vanoziva isu tine mutambo unoera nhasi," he spoke in his language, telling them the strangers knew the event happening.

Another man turned to the interpreter with a frowned face. "Saka, ivo vari pano kungokonzera dambudziko," he said in a serious tone.

The men glanced at each other's faces. The last man who spoke had said "They know it's a week of consecration and they still came to spoil it."

"Follow us," the interpreter said to the strangers and turned, he signaled to another man who turned with them while the other three continued in the direction.

Henry and Samantha had noticed the frown on the face of the man who spoke the Kebban language last and had exchanged glances. They knew he didn't say something pleasant. As they followed the interpreter, they readied their minds for anything that could happen.

After five minutes walk down the path, they got a very large building, very large compared to the other buildings seen in the Home Of Sacrifice.

Many young men could be seen around, dressed in a different way from the normal pattern of dressing. They were without Keffiyes, all of them with smooth shaven heads. They had white clothes tied round their bodies and hanging perpendicularly from their shoulders.

Henry looked around as the men led them through a corridor in. They passed through a room where they saw ten middle aged men sitting on a mat in a circular pattern, all dressed like the young men they saw on their way in. A circle drawn with substances like white powder was at the center and a white pot filled with water at the center of the circle.

The men were holding hands and their lips could be seen moving but nothing could be heard. None of them seemed to notice the people passing by.

The men led Henry and his team further into the house until they got to a very large room where some men were sitting and discussing.

"Tine vashanyi pano," the interpreter said as he led the strangers towards the men.

"Varipi pano?" The oldest men among them replied.

"Vari pano kuti vaone Ovi Matuse," the interpreter said back.

The men stared at the strangers' faces for a while before the oldest man spoke again.

"Vanoziva here mutambo wedu?" he asked looking at the interpreter's face.

The interpreter gave him a response and the old man stared at the strangers' faces again before saying something else to the interpreter.

"Ndichaita sezvawataura," the interpreter bowed slightly and turned. "Follow me, he says I take you in."

Henry also bowed to the men in the same manner the interpreter did before he turned, Samantha and Wilson followed his example.

The interpreter led them out of the room through another door and they proceeded through a corridor into another section.

"Tora zvombo zvako uye gadzirira kuendesa murume uyu kujeri," the interpreter said in a loud voice and all the men sitting around got up quickly and began to move. "Come," he said and led the strangers through another door into another room.

He stopped at the center of the room and turned to the strangers. "Wait," he said.

Henry frowned and glanced at Samantha's face, their eyes met.

"Why? Are you taking us to Ovil?" Henry questioned the man.

"Wait!" The man repeated in a harsh tone.

Before Henry could speak again, the door opened from the back and men when weapons like swords and spears began to step in. They formed a circle around them as the interpreter stepped away.

"They taking you to the prison, enjoy very well," the interpreter said in an evil grin and then proceeded to the door.

"What?" Henry exclaimed loudly. "We've not done anything wrong, we are only here to see Ovil Matuse, we have come in peace and mean no harm for anybody here..."

The interpreter shut the door after stepping out without waiting to listen to Henry.

Henry heaved a sigh and looked around. The men surrounding them were about eleven and they are closing in slowly. There was nothing he could do at that moment, the weapons were raised and the sharp edges were pointed towards them.

He looked at Samantha's face and could see a worried look. Wilson standing beside her was already trembling visibly.

The men grabbed them from behind, placing the sharp edge of the weapons behind them. A door at the front was opened and the men pushed them towards the door.

Henry wondered what they had done wrong and what it was that Ern had not told them.

Indeed Ern had missed out something, not because he wanted to but because he himself did not know. Ovil Matuse was one of the ten men supposed to be ordained as new priests that day and until the ordination, they were not supposed to have anything to do with anyone and anything that was unclean or that did not participate in the week of consecration for it would be regarded as a sacrilege. That was what the strangers had insisted on doing, they had insisted on seeing the son of the high priest and make him commit the sacrilege. It was considered a crime.

Read episode 79 here - https://youngicee.com/2019/08/restless-episode-79.html

Restless - Episode 78

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

April 2, 2016
08:05AM

Highways Hospital,
El Deols, Anthanna.

"Hey Sheila, you're here again!"Adrian widened his eyes as she walked into the ward. His friend who was sitting on the chair beside the bed also turned back to look at her.

Adrian was sitting with his back resting against the headboard. He had plate of food in front of him and a spoon in his hand. He was bare chested, the bandage around his chest had been taken off but a spot was still covered with a plaster.

"Good morning Adrian," She smiled at him and also waved at the guy sitting on the chair. "Hello James."

Sheila was dressed in a black trouser suit a sky blue inner shirt. She held a blue coloured handbag in her hand.

"Good morning Sheila," Adrian replied and he took in a deep breath, the scent of the perfume from her body filling his nostrils. She looked stunningly beautiful as usual that morning and also smart in her suit. "You look stunning as ever this morning," he managed to say.

"Thank you," she smiled and put a hand on his shoulder as she leaned closer to him. "So, I see you're doing better this morning."

"Sure, I am better." Adrian smiled. "Thank you so much Sheila, the doctor said you paid the bill."

'Yeah, I had to do that. He said we had to pay something for your treatment to continue."

"Thank you so much for doing that," Adrian smiled. "Please let me get your account details for me to return the money."

Sheila raised her brows at him. "Why do you need to do that?"

He frowned back at her. "Of course, I need to do it. You paid when I was unavailable but now I can pay back, you shouldn't be paying my bills."

"I won't accept it, you don't need top return it."

"But Sheila..."

"Shh..." Sheila hushed him and held his lips lightly with her thumb and index finger. "I'm not here to discuss, I'm just came to check that you're okay this morning, I'll see you later in the day."

She turned back and proceeded to the door after that.

"Hey Sheila!" Adrian suddenly called back.

She turned and stared at him.

"Ermm...The doctor says I can leave today," he said quickly.

"Oh!' she took some steps back towards him. "What time is he allowing you leave?"

"He says after the evening check up," Adrian answered.

"I'll close early enough to take you home," Sheila offered.

"You don't need to bother," Adrian objected quickly. "James here would take me home."

Sheila squinted and slowly moved her gaze to James' face. She turned it back to Adrian again and put on a mischievous smile. "No Adrian, I'll take you home this evening. James can come along with us if he wants."

With that, she turned and walked out of the ward. Adrian watched her speechlessly until she walked out of the room.

"Sheila likes you already," James said as soon as Sheila was out and he returned his gaze to his friend.

Adrian shrugged. He didn't know what to believe, she was acting the exact opposite of her words.

__

Fox Corporation Headquarters,
EPA Hill, Bexford
Bethanna.

"So, you won't need me to do this again?" Lydia asked.

They were in Steve team's investigation room. This day, there were long stools around the table and they were sitting on them, five agents in the room. They had been sitting together and discussing for over ten minutes.

"For now, we have to face searching for the culprit's possible locations first, after that we can come back to the next step you're expected to take." Steve replied.

"So, that means I'm free to go back to work?" Lydia asked.

"Yes, you are free. Thank you Agent Lydia," Steve appreciated with a gentle nod and a smile.

Lydia got up calmly from the stool. She tapped Dan on the shoulder and Sandra on the back on her way out of the room.

"Hey guys," Steve called the attention of the other three after they watched Lydia stepped out. "We've got to solve this quick and make things easy for ourselves," he paused and directed his gaze to Evelyn. "You've got to continue your trail on Daysman, we've given him enough space and he should have started making other moves already."

"I suggest you permit me to find a way to get into his farm and work from inside," Evelyn said.

Steve heaved a sigh, it wasn't the first time she was making the request but he was yet to agree with her because he had thought over it and was not sure if it was the right step to take at that moment.

"I've been doubtful about that because getting involved through the Suntan farm would consume your whole time and it might be difficult to get you to sit with us like this," Steve voiced his fears.

"But if we want to get quick results, we may need to divide our focus that way." Evelyn replied him. "The five of us here may need to focus on investigating the different personalities involved separately."

"I think I agree with her," Dan put in. "If we let her focus on Daysman and forget about the others, she would come out with better results quicker."

"And Dan could also focus on investigating Agent Elkim's death while I focus on Richard Brad's and you boss focus on getting Stanley back," Sandra contributed.

Steve remained silent, squinting at the table. Their suggestion made perfect sense but was risky. He did not want to take any step that would get him into another trouble with Paul Edwards or the executives.

"Well, I'm focusing on Daysman. He's been walking around the streets free for so long and we've got to nab him," Evelyn said in a stubborn tone, after waiting for Steve's response for more than a minute without getting it.

Steve glanced at her and tried his best to conceal a chuckle, the look on her face somehow gave him the confidence that the proposed plan was going to work. He remembered the last time she had stubbornly led the others to do something without his consent, it had gotten all of them into trouble with the executives but had yielded maximum results ultimately.

"We're good to go, we'd take the individuals individually for seven days, " Steve finally said. "After seven days, we must converge back here with results."

"We need to break into separate teams..." Dan put in but got interrupted by Steve.

"I'll make a provision of a four man team for all of us, each of the four men would consist of two each from our remaining six men," Steve said. "The most important thing is that we come back here after seven days with results and no stories."

____

08:02AM

Kebba, South Husan

Much more than they expected, the people were so busy making arrangements for the festival. Apart from the initial attention they got when they stepped in first, they barely got any attention as they moved in further. The place was so large and crowded with people hurrying to get things done that no one had time to check another.

Far away at the left side, they could see people arranging chairs around a large field. At the center of the field was a structure which looked like a stage, clean and well decorated. Little children could be seen running round happily and pursuing each other on the structure.

After walking for about five minutes, Henry stopped and looked around quickly. The place was so busy that he found it difficult to decide which direction to go or whom to ask questions from.

"What way do we go boss?" Samantha stopped beside him and asked, as if she could read his mind. She also looked around but had to put her palm above her eyes to shield them from the sun which was already out and scorching. Henry was putting on his face cap and that made it easier for him to look around in the sun without difficulty.

"Let's talk to those guys," Henry answered, pointing in the right direction where some men were under a tent, they seemed to be doing some handwork there.

Henry and the other two proceeded to meet the men under the tent. The men already spotted them coming and kept their eyes on them.

"Good morning guys!" Henry greeted with a smile.

They stared back at him unsmiling, as expected by Henry. He managed to keep the smile on his face.

"Ermm... English, does any of you understand English?" Henry asked, just to be sure.

None of them answered, instead they glanced at each other's faces and stared again at him.

"I need to see Ovil Matuse," Henry went straight to the point, hoping they would be able to know what he wanted on hearing the name.

Read Episode 79 here - https://youngicee.com/2019/08/restless-episode-79.html

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 6

© Miriam Edem

That night Nonso didn't care to hear from Chioma.

The next day he resumed at his primary post, Frank and Festus post was in a hospital and he was sad about that.

He wasn't steady in school but then he needed to use the toilet, "excuse me please, where can I use the convenience? He stopped a teacher there.

"That way, he pointed and he thanked him and left.

Entering the building he met with Fummi coming out with a mop and bucket, "oh you again? Nonso said stretching his hand for a shake.

"Sorry I can't shake you as you can see, Fummi said and he saw she had a hand gloves on.

"i can see that, you work here?" He asked.

"Yea, as a cleaner. Don't tell me you'll be teaching here?" Fummi said and he laughed out loud.

"Yea I will. I am so happy I'll have someone to be talking with. Oh please I need to use it very fast I don't know what I ate, Nonso said holding his buttocks.

"OK hurry up," Fummi said smiling at the way Nonso acted as he got in.


Two days has passed, Nonso didn't call up to see Chioma and she didn't do same either.

His mom call came on phone and he heaved knowing there will be a problem.

"Nonso Igwe when will you ever call someone in your life? His mom voice came on phone immediately he picked up.

"I am sorry. God I don't know how to deal with this attitude, but i am so sorry," Nonso said.

"How are you? She asked.

"I am good mom, I've been talking with Big bro and I know everyone is good too right?" He asked.

"Yes and how is Chioma? I hope you two are having fun?" Chinyere asked and he scratched his head.

"Yes we are, you know what mom, im in school, we'll talk later okay," Nonso said.

"Tell that to a blind and dumb man, bye and take good care of yourself," Chinyere said and he smiled to himself.

"Hi," he heard a voice by the door and turned to see Fummi.

"Hi come in," I'll get a seat for you, He said getting up and got a spare seat keeping it beside him.

"Thank you," Fummi said sitting down.

"You're welcome. Yea I needed your help, sorry I'm stressing you," Nonso said.

"Its okay," Fummi said.

"Mhen you need to see your children write ups, gosh I am just laughing my ass here hard," Nonso said keeping a huge pile of books on the desk.

"Oh my God! All of this?" Fummi asked.

"Yea, thats why I need your help. I asked them to submit their note books because I saw a boy in class copying rubbish. And I am seeing a lot of rubbish here which is making me laugh, I think its fun," Nonso said giving her a book to check it out which she did and saw what Nonso was talking about.

"I can't believe this, but... But.... Oh my God this is the result of poor adminstration. Its even affecting the student," Fummi said flipping the pages.

"I don't really know what to do with them right now, I don't know where to start," Nonso said.

"Come on, don't say that, I think you were sent to make a change there. I believe so, Fummi said.

"You think so? He asked and Fummi nodded.

"Can you help me in this? I see you as a very intelligent lady, I think you can do better in the classroom than scrubbing people faeces and urine," Nonso said.

"I applied for that, fummi said.

"It doesn't suit you, so what do you think? Are you going to help me?" Nonso asked and she shook her head.

'Its gonna be too much on me, I equally do farming," Fummi said.

"I can talk with the principal to make you my assistant, maybe till I leave you won't scrub the toilet floors but be by my side," Nonso said and Fummi looked at him.

"Are you serious?" She asked him.

"And I mean it, Nonso said and got up, held her hands and left the staff room.

He got to the administrative block and reported the students to the principal, "I don't believe that's true, I have qualified teachers here and they are paid well," the principal said.

"Yea I know you think its all about the teacher having a big certificate or maybe studied Education makes him or her qualified to teach.

I studied Genetics and I can say I teach more better than most teachers here. Here is Fummi, I am asking for your permission, cause I'll love to lend her as my assistant till my stay here is over so we will impact more into this students," Nonso said and she looked at them for a while.

"So she won't be a cleaner for months right but your assistant?" The principal asked.

"Exactly ma, I promise you'll see a positive turn up,"Nonso said.

"Alright then, and thanks for bringing this to my notice. I didn't notice the teachers here were reluctant in their teaching, I will look into that, The principal said.

"Thank you ma," Nonso said.

"You're welcome and Fummi, don't worry your salary will still be paid. Enjoy your new position," The principal said to her.

"Thank you so much ma, Fummi said and they left her office.

"I told you didn't I? Now you're officially my assistant," Nonso happily said when they walked back to the staff room.

"So does this make you my boss?" Fummi asked.

"Uhmmm kind of,"he said winking at her and she smiled.

"With all pleasure sir," Fummi said.

"Nah I was joking so no sire here please," Nonso said.




That evening Festus asked about Chioma and he pretended like everything was cool. With the little chance he got, he left to the hotel where Chioma lodged and she hissed when she saw him and left the door open.

"Did you forget anything here? She asked when he slowly walked into the room.

"So, why didn't you call for days now? I am very sure you were enjoying the space," Nonso said to her.

"Indeed i was, and you can see my bags are packed and I'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning. Should I say you are lucky for still meeting me and sure, mom will know just how you treated me here," Chioma said and Nonso eyes bulged out.

"Come on don't take it that way, its not what you think okay," Nonso said and wanted to touch her but she gave a stop sign.

"One more step from you and I'll scream my head off!" Chioma shouted and he sighed.

"Yea i know i did bad but thats why I'm here right? I came to apologize please don't do this," Nonso calmly said.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I am tired, and I think its time we go our separate ways now," Chioma said and he went nearer and held her which she struggled with him.

"I mean it Nonso so please go, leave now!" Chioma shouted as tears piled in her eyes.

"I am sorry, please don't do this," Nonso said.

"You think i didn't know you don't love me? She asked.

"No don't say that, I love...."

"Thats enough! Now just go, she said and pushed him out closing the door behind her in tears...

To be continued

https://youngicee.com/2020/03/unbreak-my-heart-episode-7.html

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 5

© Miriam Edem

The next day which was a Sunday, Nonso and Chioma decided to chill out on a cool evening.

Jumoke wasn't feeling too well and Fummi decided to help her out at one of the famous eatery there where she works.

"Fummi, a lady is seated waiting for you," Jumoke said to her and Fummi walked up to her.

"Hi ma good evening and welcome," Fummi said.

"Thank you, so what do you guys have here?" Chioma asked.

"Uhmm ma we have everything... If not all but please what do you care for?" Fummi asked.

"Nah don't worry I am waiting for someone. When he comes I'll call you," Chioma said.

"Okay," Fummi said and left.

Nonso entered with his two friends and Chioma eyes Bulged out when they approached.

"Hi baby, meet my friends, Festus and Frank, we attended the same university and here we are. Guys meet my love Chioma, Nonso did the introduction while they shook hands.

"You really gat taste guy," Frank said.

"Oh please, Nonso said ushering them to have a seat but Chioma texted him..

"This sitting out was just for us right?" Send them away, Nonso read and couldn't believe his eyes as he looked at her while she removed her eyes from him concentrating on her phone.

"You ain't serious right? This guys are fun to be with so what's the problem with that?" Nonso texted back.

"Its either they leave, or I will," Chioma replied back and Fummi approached them.

"Hi good evening all and..."
"I thought I said I will call you, Chioma interrupted her.

"Sorry ma I thought..."

"We are not running away okay, we will call you when we need you, Chioma cuts in again and Fummi nodded and left.

"Was that necessary? That was rude," Nonso said.

"Excuse me? I simply told her to come back and why is she acting like we are sitting here for fancy? Chioma asked.

"She is only doing her job which gives you no right to be that rude," Nonso said.

"Ermm Nonso we have to go now, we actually wanted seeing someone before we met with you. Beauty we'll meet next time okay," The guys said.

"Oh yeah thanks and bye," Chioma said smiling at them and they left while Chioma gave a scornful look at Nonso.

"You're so unbelievable," Nonso said irritated.

"Oh yeah I am, and now I can breathe well. Can't I just have a peaceful and happy time with you?" Chioma asked.

"Peaceful? Why are you expecting something you can't give out yourself?" Nonso asked.

"anyway I'll let that slide. So what are you taking so I'll order?" Chioma asked.

"So you'll order? After what you did to her?" Nonso asked.

"Well you earlier said she's doing her job so that wont be a problem right? Common don't make this outing boring. OK what do you want me to do?" Chioma asked rubbing his hand.

"Just leave me alone, I've lost my appetite," Nonso said taking his hand off from her and she heaved throwing her hair backwards.

"Gosh Chioma what have you gotten yourself into? Nonso do you really want us? Common just spit it out and stop punishing me okay," she said.

'You really want to know? I'll advise you don't. Order what you want cause I want to leave this place as soon as possible," Nonso said but she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the place leaving Nonso still sitting.

He sighed and got up, but saw Fummi and approached her.

"Hi," he said to her.

"Hi sir do you need anything?" Fummi asked.

"Ermm yea what do you have? He asked.

"Uhmm many but first is it Drinks or food?" Fummi asked.

"Ermm drinks," he replied.

"Okay, alcohol or non alcoholic?" Fummi asked and he smiled at that.

"Sorry sir I don't work here so I might not know your choice," Fummi said confused why he's smiling that way.

"OK, what do you think I do take? Just guess," Nonso said.

"Sorry I am not good at guessing, last time I tried it, it didn't go good," Fummi replied.

"Really? You may get it right with me. So what do you think?" He asked and she looked at him.

"Ermmm I guess wine, but will be alcoholic, right?" Fummi asked and he smiled nodding.

"Wow, so what's your type of wine because I have no idea of wines," Fummi said.

"Will you drink with me?" Nonso asked.

"Oh no I don't take such, she said.

"What if I get the non alcoholic?" He asked.

"I am working," Fummi said.

"But you don't work here,"Nonso said.

"Yea I know but covering for my friend, she's not feeling too well," she replied.

"Can I fix it next time then? He asked and she smiled.

"I fear there won't be next time because I am so so busy. I think you won't have a drink anymore right?" Fummi asked.

"That's just what it is now because I can't have it alone. By the way, I am Nonso by name," he said giving his hand for a shake and she slowly took it.

"Fummi. And sorry you couldn't drink today, now I have to get back to work, Fummi said and walked away

Closing from work, they strolled home but Jumoke couldn't stop smiling.

"What's pinching you and why all those smiles on your face? Fummi asked.

"You want to know huh?" Jumoke asked.

"Of course why not because nothing is funny here," Fummi replied.

"Its about the young cute corper baby, you guys were so sweet," Jumoke said winking and hitting Fummi playfully.

"I can't believe a small malaria is making you crazy already, just get out, Fummi said with a frown.

"Are you sure? We will see nau because I am perceiving something," Jumoke said sniffing.

"Yea I know what's smelling, and that is your malaria drugs!" Fummi said hitting Jumoke nose hard which she shouted..

Read Episode 6 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/unbreak-my-heart-episode-6.html

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 4

© Miriam Edem

Its 3 weeks gone already and the burial of Mr Adeyemi. Everything moved swiftly well and in the evening, the uncles of Fummi suggested she should choose any of them she will love to stay with.

"Can I think about this sir?" Fummi asked.

"No problem, you can let us know okay when you've agreed on something," her eldest uncle said.

"Thank you so much sir, nothing is so fulfilling to me like seeing my dad peacefully buried. I am so grateful," Fummi said going on her knees.

"Stop it and get up. He is our brother and if we don't bury him well the whole shame will go to us. So don't thank us for anything," one of them said.

"And yes your brother is lucky to have a daughter like you, I admire the boldness in you and it was as if its a male child standing up for his father," another said.

"Just don't cry or worry too much, if you have any problems you know where you can reach any of us and we'll see to it," another added.

"Thank you so much sir, thank you," Fummi said sniffing and got up.

"OK we will take our leave now and please always go out, stop locking yourself at home," her eldest uncle said.

'Sir I am working, I started 2 weeks ago sorry I didn't inform you," Fummi replied.

"Working? Thats good to know," another said.

"Yes sir so I won't have the chance to think too much," she replied.

"OK then take care of yourself," her uncle said they left the compound.

Jumoke decided to sleep over at her place that night, "you have good uncles, you are lucky but why were you acting as if your uncles were bad?" Jumoke asked when Fummi met her inside.

"I don't know, they acted as bad people when my dad died, I don't know if its because I challenged them or something, Fummi replied.

"Yea I think so, but will you love to stay with any of them?" Jumoke asked.

"No way, then what about this house? Who will sweep and tidy the compound? I have to stay here o Jumoke," she replied.

"I know why, because you feel you should keep your brother and father company because you believe they can visit home anytime right? You know Fummi you won't stay in this house for ever, you must surely leave," Jumoke said.

"I know but I am not ready to leave so soon. I know if I leave this house it will be sold too I know that," Fummi said.

"Okay fine, I won't force you anyway," Jumoke said and yawned.

"You can go to bed, I don't feel sleepy yet," Fummi said.

"What are you still worried about? Your father is buried now so all worries must stop! Now you must sleep," Jumoke said dragging her up.

"Please I don't want to oo," Fummi said.

"Okay then I won't sleep either," Jumoke said sitting back with a frown and Fummi smiled at that.

"Don't be stubborn like me o, okay let's go to bed," Fummi said getting up.

"Better," Jumoke said dragging her to the room.

Earlier that Saturday, Chioma surprised Nonso by visiting, "hi, you didn't tell me you're coming," Nonso said surprised.

"Why are you startled like you just saw a ghost? Baby not even a hug? She asked and he hugged her.

"Sorry for that, I wasn't expecting such surprise," Nonso said.

"Yea I know, this place doesn't look bad," she said looking around.

"Yea so what next? When are you going back?" Nonso asked and she scoffed.

"Me going back? Not too soon, I'll stay for a week with you, She replied.

"A week? Where will you stay?" Nonso asked.

"Oh please don't tell me there are no hotels or guest house around?" Chioma asked.

"Oh i forgot, if so let's go lodge in one," Nonso said taking her travel bag.

"You'll spend time with me right? She asked.

"Not today, I'll be resuming for my primary assignment by next week which I have to get some things cleared today so I'll know my post of duty, Nonso replied while she rolled her eyes.

"Have you ever lacked excuse to give to me? Gosh so frustrating," Chioma said.

"Tomorrow I'll spend time with you okay I promise, so just take your rest today. By the way how was the flight?" He asked trying to change the topic.

"It was cool and okay, maybe because i was so happy knowing I'll be seeing you. Though you looked as if you saw a ghost," she said.

"Sorry I should have screamed and hugged you but you should know me when I get surprised I look stupid right?" He asked and Chioma laughed.

"Yes very stupid indeed. You're not looking bad either," she said rubbing his stomach and he smiled.

"You too, looks like you're increasing in beauty every passing day," Nonso said.

"Awwnn first time you're acting so sweet, I'm impressed, Chioma said.

"Seriously? The first time?" Nonso asked.

"Yea the very first time, so don't argue, Chioma said.

"Okay, when we get to the hotel you are going to list all those guys that has been bothering you," said and Chioma laughed.

"I am very sure you won't have the patience to hear it all, so just forget about it," she said.

"Really, are they that numerous?" He asked.

"You can say that again," she replied winking at him and he Nonso swallowed.

"Hey don't tell me someone is jealous," she said hitting him.

"Why will I be? I have you already and that's what matters okay except you will choose another," Nonso replied.

"Which you know I won't choose another but you," Chioma said and kissed him.


Read Episode 5 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/unbreak-my-heart-episode-5.html

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 3

© Miriam Edem

Fummi dressed up and visited Jumoke at her place of work. Jumoke seeing her was so elated, "hi, I am so happy you finally left that house. You sure would have killed yourself with boredom," Jumoke said ushering her a seat.

"Yeah my uncle just left the house, so I thought it wise that I needed someone to talk to," Fummi replied.

"So what had they say about your the burial, i mean your fathers burial? Because i personally think he should be buried quickly," Jumoke added.

"Yes thats right, my brother car has been sold so the money raised from the sale can go a long way in upsetting that," Fummi replied.

"They had sold the car? Oh no, where will i stand to be taking pictures now? But why the car nau?" Jumoke said with a frown.

"I can't believe you're thinking of pictures now when they are pressing needs to take care of. At least its better if the car get sold than it remaining there with no one using it. But I'm kind of sad because it was sold so cheaply," Fummi said.

"At what cost?" Jumoke asked.

"N250,000 naira only. Gosh that's a year house rent for a new and expensive car, Fummi said and Jumoke sighed.

"You're right, but if its to lay Baba to rest quickly then i think it worth it," Jumoke replied and Fummi nodded.

"Sorry i am distracting you from work. I think i need a job, what do you think?" Fummi asked.

"Good idea because now you do have to take care of yourself which i know your uncles may not take care of you as they should because they have their own problems. Another thing is, the job will keep you company so you won't feel too bored and lonely, don't you think so? Jumoke chipped in.

"Yes i thought about that too, but what kind of job will i get with a just SSCE?" Fummi asked.

"They are many, but it sure will be minor jobs. And oh i just remembered, i over-heard my madam here talking about hiring cleaners for her school, "Maryland Grammar School" (Maygram), you remember that school along Oshogbo/Isokon road ba? Will you apply for it?" Jumoke asked.

"That will be stressful," Fummi said.

"You definitely won't be the only one there and the pay is N20,000 a month isn't that a mouth watering offer for an School Certificate holder where most schools here pay degree holders N15,000 as monthly salary, that's like N5,000 more to your pocket with an SSCE," Jumoke replied.

"The pay sounds real good, i can use that to train myself and also add with my farming. I was thinking of cultivating a particular crop on my fathers land, what do you think?" Fummi asked.

"Well good idea, but why not do it a mixed farming were it will gain you more and the soil will be replenished in a way because of the mixed cropping you will practice?" Jumoke asked.

"That will just be for me, i just want to cultivate a particular crop and make the sales big, by that way it will bring more gain. Girl i need to go to school, i want to be a graduate oh," Fummi said.

"I admire that and i wish you good luck. So do you have any crop in mind now?" Jumoke asked.

"Thank you, but i'll think about it," Fummi replied.

"Alright ma, i need to get back to work. By the way what should I get for you?" asked.

"Nothing, i'll be going home now, Fummi said.

"That quick?" Jumoke asked and she nodded.

"Okay should I tell my madam you are interested in the job?" She asked.

"Yes yes, any need for application?" Fummi asked.

"I don't know, but i'll hear from her when she comes this evening. Please take good care of yourself," Jumoke said.

"Of course i will, see you later bye," Fummi said leaving.

"Bye," Jumoke replied waving.

___
Nonso phone began to ring and it was his mom calling,

"hi Mom," he said as he picked the call after 3 rings.

"What's wrong with you? You hardly pick up calls nor even bother to call back," Chinyere said.

"Mom i am always busy here and i had to run to a place that is less noisy that the Military men nor camp officials wouldn't see me," Nonso said.

"This is why i didn't want you to go in the first place, anyway have you heard from Chioma, your Chioma? She told me you don't pick nor return her calls either," Chinyere said.

"Mom i have tried to make her understand that............"
Chinyere cut in," You have no choice okay, she's just worried and concerned about your well-being. If she cared less won't you think she's seeing another man? is it now a crime that she's missing you already?" Chinyere asked.

"I know i understand, but she has to."
"I need you to call her now and apologize to her. I hope you're not doing anything funny over there? Remember you have a girl here and don't you dare disappoint her inugo!"Chinyere shouted and ended the call while Nonso heaved and immediately dialled Chioma's number.

"Yes," Chioma said when she picked up.

"Love I am sorry okay its just that you don't understand me. Don't worry when you will get here you will understand better and there will be a return match," Nonso said laughing and apologizing at the same time.

"Nonso no matter how busy you claim you are, my friend's boyfriend is equally serving at Kogi state, guess what, they talk very well and its like he's just near. But you, you don't call nor pick up my calls all in the name of "I AM SO BUSY", how is that fair! Chioma shouted.

"I am sorry okay, i was tied up with some things that i had to do here in camp, the early morning drills, the lectures, games and everything all happening almost simultaneously following one another. But I promise it won't happen again, how can i make it up to you?" Nonso asked.

"By coming back home," she said.

"You know thats not possible love," Nonso said.

"That's the point because you've hurt me deeply and there's nothing you can do about it," Chioma said and Nonso smiled.

"I am sorry okay, don't worry my calls will be the first thing you will see in the morning when Nigeria wakes up, afternoon and night after Nigeria has gone to sleep before you go to bed. Please just understand with me baby," Nonso said.

"Which one is when Nigeria wakes up abi Nigeria goes to sleep again?" She asked and Nonso burst Out laughing as he explains to her that Nigeria wakes up by 6am with a beacon sound and sleeps with same at 6am by a way of hoisting the Nigeria flag as well as lowering it.

" Fine, okay fine, let's just see how you're going to keep up with your promise. I sent you something on Whatsapp but you haven't seen it yet why?" Chioma asked.

"No time for that baby, if i had such time i should have called you with it right? Nonso asked.

"OK baby but i want you to check it out and please do me a favour," she said.

"Okay what's that? He asked.

"I want you to use it as your wallpaper, can you do that for me please? Chioma asked and Nonso rolled his eyes.

"Alright, alright fine if thats what you want and if that's what will please you," he replied.

"Thank you love and i love you so so much, Chioma said throwing kisses on phone to him.

"Alright babe i need to go now and i promise to call you later okay," Nonso said.

"I'll be waiting, bye, she said and the line went dead," Nonso heaved deeply as his friends approached him.

"What's wrong?" Frank asked.

"I feel like i'm stuck or in one kind of bondage or something," Nonso said.

"That was your babe right?" Festus asked and he nodded.

"Don't you love her?"Frank asked.

"Do I have a choice? Please let's go," Nonso said.

Read Episode 4 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/unbreak-my-heart-episode-4.html

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 2

© Miriam Edem

The next day Fummi woke up with a loud knock on the door. She sluggishly opened the door hearing the voice of who knocked but she rather got hugged instead, "I am so sorry girlfriend. Why is this always happening to you? Jumoke asked almost crying on her.

"Oh please, I have no tears left. God has just forsaken me totally," Fummi said but Jumoke placed her finger on her Lip.

"Don't say that, what will you say if you opened your eyes to be an orphan?" Jumoke asked.

"Well won't that be better? Now what am I? I am not different from a hopeless and helpless orphan so damn it!" Fummi angrily said and threw herself on the sofa with her eyes closed.

"I understand but God knows best. I returned from work late and got the shocking news. I wanted reaching here last night but my mom stopped me, how are you feeling? Though I know I don't need to ask," Jumoke said.

'Right now I don't know what to feel anymore, this is just my life Now. Once upon a time I had parents and a brother. Then death came and snatched my mom 2 years after I was born which I barely knew her. Then my brother, now my father, then I will be next," Fummi dropped.

"God forbid! Fummi what's wrong with you? Will you reject what you just said now, Jumoke shouted.

"Reject what? Won't I still die or am I immortal? This is just the truth please," Fummi said.

"Hey! please na don't say that you are making me scared already," Jumoke said. Fummi wanted saying something but burst out crying instead.

"It will be better that way, I'll have my family complete in the other side where we will part no more," Fummi said in tears while Jumoke hugged her tight.

"No no, not yet. There's still a lot for you to achieve, and I am very sure your family won't like it if you will join them soon. Please take away that evil thought from you its from the devil," Jumoke said to her.

_______

"Prince prince! Guy I am so happy to see you. Just look at you," Frank said to Nonso.

"Prince? I thought I told you to stop calling me that na," Nonso said.

"Your father is a King dude and that makes you a prince," Festus said.

"A prince is a worthless title if you have no right to the throne. I gat 2 senior brothers okay and this prince title befits them best and besides I am not interested. Can you imagine, my mom didn't agree I should go for this service, this tradition and their everything is just crazy to me," Nonso said.

"Really, I thought to be prince means a free and enjoyable life but looks like yours is the reverse," Festus said.

"I am telling you, they will be the one to choose everything for you, the wife you will marry, the food you will take, the wine you will drink and I mean everything," Frank said that got Festus laughing.

"Seriously? Ahh thats so unbearable if so. But I know they will choose pretty girls right?" Festus asked winking at Nonso and his phone began to ring.

"Excuse me please," Nonso said and picked the call.

"What's going on babe? Are you avoiding me or something?" Chioma immediately asked when he picked the call.

"I don't understand, is that suppose to be your greeting or what? Nonso asked.

"Oh please spare me that! Its just 1 day Nonso, just 1 day of you leaving and you're already ignoring my calls without returning them back or my messages. What is that suppose to mean Nonso?" Chioma shouted and Nonso heaved and dropped the call.

"What's the problem?" Frank asked.

"Its nothing, hey our attention is needed," Nonso said and they quickly got up from the grass they sat together.
____
Fummi who was inside the house that afternoon heard voices in the compound and came out to see who it was, only to see her uncle and a strange man standing at the packed car.

"Uncle I hope there is no problem?" She asked going closer.

"No, just that i was so lucky to see a man who is ready to buy this car," he replied and Fummi jaw dropped.

"You meant what you said yesterday?" She asked.

"Just forget about this girl. Look this is a new car as you can see and the engine is good. I'll let it go in 400,000," her uncle said concentrating on the strange man.

"The car is good quite alright but I can only give 200,000 last," the strange man said.

"What! Do you know how my brother suffered to buy this car? Are you pricing tricycle here?" Fummi shouted.

"My friend will you get inside now! Who gave you the permission to talk and have you ever priced a tricycle before? Get inside now!" Her uncle shouted and she ran inside the house.

Her head was spinning as she peeped outside and heard them agreeing on 250,000 last.

"God, that clean Camry my brother jubilated when he saved a lot of money and finally bought it, is what is sold for a chicken change that will be spent on nothing. God why?" Fummi cried holding the door blind standing outside and they finally approached her.

"Where are the car particulars with the keys?" Her uncle asked.

"How will I know, shouldn't you have asked for that first before bringing a buyer?" Fummi asked.

"Please i don't want complications getting this car, if there is no agreement for me to get this car then I better leave now," the buyer said.

"You don't need to listen to this girl, the car will be sold don't worry okay, in fact i will see you tomorrow," her uncle said to him and he left while Fummi looked at him angrily.

"Do you want your father to be buried or not? You know very well your father can't stay long in that mortuary because of how deteriorated his health was before he died. And don't forget the mortuary bills will be high too, will you pay that? Or should we hand over everything to you?" Her uncle asked.

"Uncle, I want my father Buried but I won't stand by and watch you sell everything. My dad was no chief, elder or even a King and I see no reason why he should be buried as one when he is already resting in peace . Please I beg you, don't lavish everything he has worked hard for just for nothing," Fummi said going on her knees while he just looked at her.

"OK fine I've heard you. We will only sell the car and add with what we can to make it successful," he said.

"Thank you uncle, I'll bring the car particulars then," Fummi said going inside and came out with a brown envelope and gave it to him.

"Hmmmm my brother indeed has a brave and wise daughter. And please don't fight anybody who will come here to carry the car," he said.

"No i won't," she said.

"Don't worry, we will take care of the rest. Have you eaten?" He asked and she nodded.

"Don't lock yourself up at home, go out and free yourself or Better still go to any of our houses and interact with your cousins okay," he said.

"I will sir thank you," Fummi said.

"OK bye and you'll hear from us soon," he said and left.

Read Episode 3 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/unbreak-my-heart-episode-3.html

Episode 77 continued

Ern smiled.

"Well, we came here for a purpose. We are looking for someone, our friend." Henry continued. "But our friend lives with someone who is a native of this town, his name is Ovil Matuse."

The smile on Ern's face totally disappeared as he heard the name, his eyes widened in shock and he rose up slowly to his feet. He hit his palms together severally as if dusting dirts off.

"I will have nothing to do with Ovil Matuse, never."

Henry grabbed him by the hand as he tried to drift away.

"Why?" Henry raised a brow. "We really need to find Ovil Matuse, our friend stays with him."

"No!" Ern shouted and tried to snatch his hand off Henry's hold but Henry's grip was firm and strong. "Allow me go!"

"Relax Ern, you gotta help us." Henry pleaded. "Just tell me what the challenge is."

Ern struggled to free himself for some more time but gave up when he saw that his struggles weren't yielding results. He took in a breath and sat as Henry dragged him down.

"Now, tell me, why don't you want to have anything to do with Ovil Matuse?"

"Ovil Matuse, evil man. Hate every stranger and say they enemies of the gods of Kebban land." Ern began to explain in a frustrated tone. "Ovil killed my Pa, and Ma broke her left leg when he and the boys attacked our settlement."

"Oh!" Henry exclaimed with his eyes wide open. He realized that Ern had every reason not to want anything to do with Ovil. He let go of Ern's wrist and turned to face the front.

They sat quietly. Samantha had also come closer to them after making the call to Dave.

More questions began to rise in Henry's heart. Was Ovil Matuse really evil as Ern had put it? It was difficult to judge from the report of only one person, he thought. And why would Rex have chosen an "evil" person to help him?

Henry spoke again after two minutes of silence. "Ern, you see." He turned to Ern again. "I understand you perfectly, we're not going to let you get involved in this, all you need is to just tell me how to find Ovil, I'll go there myself."

"Ovil stay close to rocks, a very big compound where the Priests stay." Ern replied.

"Ovil is a Priest?" Henry asked.

"No, Ovil father is a high priest."

"I see," Henry replied. "So, how do I get to this rocks?"

"You ask, Imba yezvibayiro " Ern replied.

"What's that?" Henry asked, trying to pronounce it in failure.

"The name of the place, Imba yezvibayiro mean Home Of Sacrifice, but in Kebba " Ern explained. "Say like that, people direct you there, whether them understand English or No."

"Oh! You called it right," Henry asked, trying to get the pronunciation.

"No, " Ern corrected again.

It took about three minutes before Henry was able to learn the pronunciation correctly from Ern. He kept muttering under his breath and even recorded it on his phone to keep in case he forgot.

"Go now?" Ern asked, gesturing with his hand that he was ready to leave.

"Ermm... How can I reach you again?" Henry asked.

Ern frowned. He thought he was done with them and wondered why Henry was thinking of reaching him again.

Henry could read from the expression on his face what he had in his mind.

"Hey relax man, I promise I ain't gonna get you into any trouble."

"Ask me at the place we sell, I go there now." Ern finally replied after some seconds of thoughtfulness.

"Oh! Thanks, take care."

Ern forced a smile on. He bowed slightly and then turned to leave.

"Till tomorrow right?" Samantha asked as soon as Ern was out.

"Yes, but we can continue studying the map of this area for now." Henry said as he got up to his feet with several thoughts passing through his mind. He stopped at the window and rolled the curtain to look outside.

"Why don't we go out to make enquires this evening?"

"We might not get to make so much progress if we go out to make enquires now, I can envisage that they'll be busy preparing for their festival."

"Then we've got to start early tomorrow if we want to get the maximum results," Samantha suggested.

"I agree but we've got to think about some of the things involved before proceeding," Henry replied after turning back. "We don't have someone to interpret our language to them and we also have to be ready for anything we are welcomed with."

"So, what do we do?"

"We need to find a way to take in weapons with us," Henry said.

____

The Wolves Strategy House,
Newland Estate, Bexford.

In the same conference room they had been earlier, Florence was sitting at the center of the short side of the table while five men including Stanley and Aaron were sitting around the table. She was the center of the discussion and all the men at the table except for Stan were asking her questions which she gave answers to.

After a long session of questions and answers, she was able to convince the four executives of the Wolves that she would be an asset to their organization.

"Florence, we have the first job for you," Aaron said after a silent deliberation among the executives.

She looked up, ready to listen to what her first task was.

"You trust her Stanley?" Aaron turned to Stan.

Stanley nodded affirmatively and turned his face to Florence. He had only known her for a day and had seen how intelligent and skillful she was, he was sure she was efficient and would be able to carry out tasks given to her by the executives.

"Florence," Aaron called again. "Your first job would be taking Stanley out of the country successfully tomorrow. You have from now till 12am to communicate your plan with us."

Florence took in a breath and folded her arms as her back leaned against the backrest, her eyes staring down thoughtfully. She looked up briefly and noticed that Stanley's eyes were on her, he seemed to have some look of doubt on his face.

"Why her?" Stanley questioned. It was obvious from his tone that he wasn't too confident that she could help him get out of the country uncaught.

'Why not?" Aaron replied him. "You trust her right?"

"Yes, but don't you think she's still too new to be handed that responsibility as her first task?"

"Her credential says otherwise, with her past experience we should be sure that it would be a very easy task for her." one of the other executives put in.

"I'll take it," Florence said before any Stanley could speak again. He stared at her face. "I'll help him get out of the country safely," she added confidently.

___

Kebba, South Husan

The festival day came. As early as six o'clock, sounds of drums and music in the Kebban language could be heard from every corner. Samantha woke up with an angry growl as the music sounded annoying to her.

She picked her phone and turned on the torchlight. She laid still in the bed for a minute more, yawning and stretching. The night had been the most terrible one, from the annoying food served them as dinner to the terrible darkness throughout the night due to lack of electricity and the annoying sounds and bites of mosquitoes in the room.

She managed to sit up on the bed and turned her phone's screen to check the time. It was already past six. She drifted close to the edge of the bed and placed her feet on the floor. She dialed Henry's number.

"Hey boss!"

"Hey Sam!" Henry replied even before she finished talking. "Hope you are dressing already?"

"Ermm...I'm about to start dressing up," She replied with a yawn and got up immediately. She had called to wake Henry up but was surprised to find out he was awake already.

07:52AM

It took them much more time than they expected to find the Home Of Sacrifice. They had found it less easier than they thought it would be. Ern had told them people could speak other languages on the day of the festival but they were shocked to confirm that only one out of hundred of the Kebban people could speak English. It was no different from their experience the day before and they now believed Ern who said only about five people in the whole town understood English language.

The Home Of Sacrifice was a big place like Ern had described, an area of land covering several hectares. The fence around the land which was made of bricks and mud demarcated the land.

The place was very busy as expected, people could be seen trooping in and out through the entrance gate. Very few were on horses while most of them were in feet dressed in their casual way. Those on horses were expensively dressed compared to the others and one needed no explanation to know that they were the rich people in the society.

The sound Samantha heard early in the morning was child's play compared to the sound coming from the House Of Sacrifice. The drums and voices were so loud, the chants of excitement that filled the air were electrifying.

Henry and his team parked their vehicle at a place far from the place and proceeded there on feet. Henry had his usual disguise on and a face cap, Samantha also had some makeups on and a new wig while Wilson only had a facecap and little beards attached to his chin.

There was no one at the gate to stop them as they proceeded in. The only thing they noticed were the eyes of everyone around them. Henry checked the time again. They had gone beyond the time they planned to get there but he was still sure they could do something since the festival proper was to begin anytime after nine o'clock.

_

Morris eyes popped open again. He took in a gentle breath through his nostrils. It wasn't his first time of having the same dream in that week of consecration. He felt it strange but there was nothing he could do about it. Maybe it had to do with the week of consecration that was happening, he thought, but all he prayed for was that the dream not to come to pass. He was willing to put the past behind him, but if his dreams were signs forwhat was coming, it was something to dread for him. He didn't want to meet Louis again.


Read Episode 78 here - https://youngicee.com/2019/08/restless-episode-78.html

Restless - Episode 77

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

Kebba, South Husan

For almost an hour, Henry and his team continued to drive around seeking for direction but unable to communicate to anyone. They had gone far into the community already and were yet to stop when they saw a group of newspaper vendors by the road side at a junction. Henry felt some relief after seeing the vendors, he believed that the one of the newspapers at least should be written in English since English was still the official language of South Husan, and that there should be at least one of the vendors who could read and understand English.

He slowed down as he approached he junction. He turned his car to the shoulder of the road and parked. He opened the door and was about to step out to walk to them when they suddenly rushed him on seeing them. He stepped back into the car and closed the door to wait for them. About five of them stopped beside the window, displaying their items.

"Good evening guys, is there a newspaper written in English language?" he asked and watched as the men begin to step back one after the other. "Is there any paper written in English?" he asked again. They exchanged glances and slowly began to return to their stands. Henry was about to give up and drive away when he saw another man who had initially remained at the stand now coming closer.

"Hello," Henry greeted as their eyes met.

"Hi," the young man replied in a funny accent.

"Do you have a newspaper written in English?"

"Oh no, not such newspaper here," the young man replied answered the best way he could.

Henry heaved a sigh of relief. It was obvious the young man wasn't fluent in English language but meeting someone who at least understood was a great relief.

"Okay, do you know any good hotel around here?" Henry asked.

'Hotel?" the young man stood straight and looked around briefly. He bent again to look into the car. "Hotel, far place here." he replied, snapping his fingers towards the left direction.

"Can you lead us there?" Henry asked, knowing it would be difficult for the young man to make a description of the way in English Language.

The young man looked around for a moment. He obviously wasn't ready to go and it showed in the expression on his face.

"Selling all these before I go from here," the young man replied, shaking the papers in his hands.

"I'll give you the money for all that, just lead us to a hotel." Henry offered.

The young man squinted for a moment, then he stretched out his palm wide mentioning the amount to be paid in the local currency.

Henry took out some notes from the money he converted and the gate and offered it to him without counting it. The young man's face lit up brightly as he stretched out his hand to receive it. He flipped it without counting, he was sure with the denomination of each note in the bundle that it far exceeded the amount he requested for.

"I get my bike now and take you to Hotel," the young man said and quickly walked away. He could be seen packing the rest of his things at the stand. He walked to the back of the stand and came out a minute later with a motorcycle, his things had been carefully tied to the back of the motorcycle. He sat on it and turned on the engine, he then beckoned on Henry with a wave of the hand to follow him.

Henry followed at the speed of the motorcycle. After five minutes of driving, the young man stopped at the front of a building. Henry parked right beside him and stepped out of the car to listen to him.

"Here, hotel," the young man said, flashing his full set of teeth.

It was a bungalow and it looked more like a residential building. The walls were painted and neat compared to the other buildings that could be seen around. A big sign board hung at the front of the roof at the entrance, the notice on it was written in the Kebban language. Henry assumed that it was the name of the hotel.

"What's your name?" Henry asked the young man.

"Ern," the young man replied, pronouncing it with the "r" sound present.

"Hen?" Henry frowned, wondering if the guy understood his question.

"My name Ern," Ern corrected, stressing the "r" sound in the name.

"Oh Ern!" Henry pronounced the best way he could. "You still have to help us, we don't understand the language here and we need someone to help us speak."

"Okay," Ern nodded with a smile. He turned off his motorcycle and stepped down, standing it properly.

"Is this where we park?" Henry asked with a frown, staring back at the car.

"Yes, safe. Nobody steal, no one." Ern answered, shaking a finger in the air to emphasize his point.

"Okay." Henry stepped back and instructed Wilson and Samantha to come in with the few bags with them while he walked into the place with Ern.

The place was neater than what Henry expected and the people at the desk were neatly dressed even though still in the native wears.

"We need to book two rooms," Henry said to Ern as they approached the desk.

"Makamuri maviri anodikanwa," Ern relayed Henry's words in the Kebban language.

"Chiuru," the receptionist replied with the cost of the two rooms.

Ern interpreted her message to Henry.

Henry took out some money from his wallet and counted the amount requested for, he handed it over to the receptionist.

She collected and counted to confirm. She kept the money under the desk and opened a drawer by the left side. She picked out two different bunch of keys and placed it on the table.

"Chikamu C uye Kamuri J," she explained in the Kebban language, handing the keys to Ern.

Ern picked the keys and in turn explained to Henry. "Room C," Ern said, showing Henry the label on the first key. "Room J, facing each other." he said showing him the second key.

Samantha and Wilson appeared behind them with the bags.

Henry turned and handed a key to Samantha. "You'd stay in a room while I stay in another room with Wilson."

Ern stood there staring at Henry with a bright smile on his face.

"Can you come with us Ern, I still need your help." Henry requested.

Ern nodded with a smile and led the way towards the hallway. Henry followed beside him while Samantha and Wilson followed behind.

"Ern, how come you understand English and others do not understand?" Henry asked a question that has been troubling him.

"Not everyone speak English, very few." Ern replied.

"Very few indeed, we've been driving for almost one hour before we met you, no one could help us with directions."

"Some understand but can't answer today," Ern replied.

"I don't get you," Henry raised a brow.

"They speak not English today," Ern repeated.

"They don't speak English today?" Henry asked to clarify. Ern nodded. "Why? But you are speaking."

"I not from here, stay here with parents here when I small." Ern explained. "This is week of consecration, no Kebban man or woman speak another language."

"Oh! Week of consecration," Henry exclaimed. He had come across that term before while reading about the Kebban tribe. The week of consecration was 7 long days before a festival, the people were expected to keep themselves holy during that week. Maybe not speaking other languages was part of keeping themselves holy, Henry shrugged.

"Not many understand English, people who speak well not more than five in Kebba." Ern said as they proceeded further in the hallway. He began to help them check the label at the top of the room doors.

"First room here," Ern finally said. He turned about and faced the opposite door. "Second room."

"Please, come in with us," Henry said as he opened the door to the room. He pushed it in after unlocking and gave way for Ern and Wilson to enter first.

The room was a moderate sized one. It wasn't too beautiful but it was neat. The couple sized bed was covered with white sheets. A ceiling fan hung at the centre of the ceiling and a white bulb hung beside it. A plastic chair and table were positioned at a corner of the room where the window was.

Wilson walked straight to the wardrobe and dropped the bag while Henry proceeded to the restroom to check it. He opened and took a step in, it was a combined toilet and bathroom. There was a tap and two water buckets in it. He closed the door and stepped back outside.

"Ern, since when did this week of consecration begin?" Henry asked.

"It start every first day week of Kebban, that is on Saturday for you." Ern answered.

"It means that this particular week of consecration will end tomorrow?"

"Yes," Ern nodded. "The big Festival is tomorrow and one can speak any language," Ern added, stressing the word "big" to buttress the importance of the festival.

Henry heaved a sigh. It would mean they could not do anything much for that day, they had to wait until the next day.

Henry closed his eyes briefly as he thought of what next to do. Wilson was already sitting at the edge of the bed and trying to dial a number on his phone.

There was a knock at the door and before any one could answer, it opened and Samantha walked in.

"Any progress yet boss?" She asked, his eyes scanning around the room. It was exactly the same as hers.

"We might not be able to do much until tomorrow," Henry replied. "The natives of these town are on a week of consecration and tomorrow is their big festival," he explained, emphasizing on the word "big" like Ern had done.

"So, we should just rest today and continue tomorrow?"

"We can start making enquires today," Henry replied her. He noticed her eyes were fixed on something behind him and he looked back to find Wilson making a call.

"Hey dear, it's been a long day. I hope you are safe at home," they could hear Wilson talking into the phone's mouthpiece.

"Wilson!" Henry called.

Wilson stared at them and raised his brows. "I'll call you later baby," he said before dropping the call. He stared widely at Henry. "Can't I call Sophia also?" he asked with a shrug. "I left my little sister all alone in the house and you don't want me to keep watch on her?"

"I instructed someone to watch over her already, don't you get it?" Henry frowned.

Wilson was there when Henry had given Dave instructions to look after the girl but he still couldn't keep his mind at rest.

"How can he watch her well? He is not staying in the same house with her."

"Shut up Wilson!" Henry marched towards him and snatched the phone from him. He turned it off and put it into his pocket. Wilson heaved a sigh of frustration.

"Call Dave and ask him to check what Sophia is up to at the moment," Henry said to Samantha as he returned to his previous position. Samantha moved closer to the corner where the seat was and sat there.

"Ern, let's take a seat." Henry said and pulled Ern gently by the arm to the bed. They sat close to each other at the edge.

Henry got up again briefly to take the wallet out of his back pocket. He also took out Wilson's phone from the front pocket. He pulled the back cover and took out to battery to access the sim cards, he took out the two sim cards and put them in a small space in his wallet.

"Sorry Ern," Henry smiled at Ern as he dropped the phone and waller beside him. "Thanks for helping us get here, we probably would still be on the road if we had not met you."

do4luv14:





Lolzzz it cant be locked down

but pls do something about RESTLESS,

i score 4m in the 4th aniversary quiz and answer, gift no go reach me kwa?

Lol, there were many others who scored higher

Unbreak My Heart - Episode 1

© Miriam Edem (Miriam Eyen Efik)

"Are you sure you're okay? Is everything packed and put in the car?" Chinyere asked in a busy mood that got her son smiling.

"Mom everything is set and I have to go now, Nonso said.

"Call me when you get to the airport and when you arrive there don't forget to call me. Please don't eat any rubbish they will serve there, I don't want you to purge, Chinyere said.

"Ahh is it not people eating that food and have they died? Okoye asked.

"Our son is different, and if I have a way I won't let him go for any service whatever, Chinyere said with a frown.

"Let him have this experience mom, that place is fun and he'll learn a lot, Peter said.

"Yes and he'll get to know more about the Yoruba tribe, there's much to enjoy out there so just let him go, Uchenna added."

And I'll miss him so much, Chioma said entering the house and hugged Nonso tight.

"Is it now you're coming? Chinyere asked her.

"Mom I.. I was..."

"Making up and making over at the same time! Nonso is leaving, and you're just coming when he's just about entering the car!" Chinyere shouted.

"That's enough, please let's go else you'll be late for the flight Nonso, Okoye said and they all left the house.

Nonso hugged his Mom, Dad and Brothers who cheered him telling him to be careful and have fun while serving his fatherland.

He got into the car with Chioma and the driver drove off.

"I'm sorry babe, I woke up quite late and I had to look beautiful just for you before you leave," Chioma said in the car.

"Really, so without makeup you won't look beautiful right? Nonso asked.

"Babe what do you want me to do? I can't stand another girl out there to snatch you away from me so I have to look this sexy and beautiful for you always, especially in that camp where you'll meet a lot of them and that's so heart breaking," Chioma added.

"Are you really thinking about that right now?" Nonso asked.

"Babe I'll miss you, please tell me you'll miss me too and be visiting else I'll storm into Osun state," Chioma said and Nonso burst out laughing.

"Don't even think about it okay," Nonso said and pecked her."

"But thats not assuring enough that you won't do anything funny out there considering how life in camp is," Chioma said and Nonso sighed.

"Babe you can think whatever you want to please, if you don't trust me then that's your own problem," He said.

"Now he's angry huh?" Chioma asked.

"Do I have such time? By the way why are you following me to the airport? please its too early to get me upset," Nonso blurred out and she scoffed.

"You haven't left yet and you are already putting up attitude, thats interesting," Chioma said nodding.

"Please switch on the A.C," Nonso told the driver.

"Sir, the it's on," the driver replied.

"Increase it then," he added.

"But that is the maximum," the driver said.

"Gosh its so hot here," Nonso said while Chioma looked at him surprised.




Nonso arrived the NYSC Camp at Ede, in Osun state and in the process of his registration two guys tapped him from behind.

"Christ! What are you guys doing here?" Nonso asked when he turned to see who tapped him.

'We should ask you the same man, what's up?" Frank asked shaking hands with him.

"I'm cool, you guys are looking good. Is this where you'll be serving?" Nonso asked.

"Yap, guy carry on with your registration we'll talk later okay," Festus said.

"Let me have your number please," Nonso said bringing out his phone and Frank typed in his digits.

'I'll call you," Nonso said.

"We'll be expecting, bye." they chorused, cheering him and left while Nonso smiled to himself, "at least this place won't be boring anymore, he smiled saying to himself.

___

"Dad, Dad sit up I've brought your medication," Fummi entered the house keeping the basket on her head down.

She fetched water, took out the tablets and went close to her father who was laid in the bed, "Dad get up its time for your medication," she said but got no response from him.

"Dad! shouted again, and this time shaking him vigorously without any response either. Then, everything became clear to her.

"Dad! Mr Adeyemi!!" She shouted shaking him violently and rushed out crying for help.

Neighbours came and confirmed him dead. Fummi couldn't help but cry her eyes out.

The pain was too unbearable for her, she lost her only brother a month ago who was involved in an autocrash. He was the family's bread winner, his death caused Mr Adeyemi sudden ill health deteriorating.

All efforts were put in place to bring him back on his feet but finally he passed on, leaving Fummi to the mercy of his brothers, her uncles.

That evening Mr Adeyemi brothers gathered in his house while she sat quietly with her swollen eyes.

"Ermm once again I am sorry for your loss and our loss, we lost him too but right now there's no need to cry too much because he has gone to rest. We should think of how we are going to lay him to rest peacefully," the eldest uncle said.

"Ese sir, I agree with you sir," Fummi replied and sniffed.

"Good, how much had he left with you?" Her uncle asked and she looked at him.

"Who?" She asked.

"Who means what? How much did my brother leave in his account so we'll begin from there," her uncle said.

"Uncle I don't understand, we all know how much was spent when my brother died in giving him a befitting burial, a lot of money has been spent on Dad's treatment too so nothing is left now," Fummi replied.

"Oh but I can see his land, house and car packed outside, isn't that something? Your brother was a rich man and he died without getting married nor having a child, so where are the wealth he has amassed?" Your father took all of it didn't he? One of her uncles said.

"My brother was a rich man? Was he richer than Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Otedola or Ogbeni Senator Adeleke? He was just managing a private firm just for a year which they only supported in his burial with 300,000 naira. Didn't you people emptied his account saying he's a rich and as such, his burial should be befitting his status because my Dad was sick and he cared less about what was going on. I only got his car from all he'd owned, so is that what you people want?" Fummi asked in awe.

"Young woman you better watch and caution your tongue before I cut it off from you!" Her eldest uncle angrily said.

"Just leave her, she's still a child. You see that car parked outside, we are going to sell, it after all i don't know what young girl like you will use it for. Our brother must be Buried well and there's nothing you can do about it," another of her uncle said and got up looking at her.

"Ahhhh. How much will you contribute? But you know this is not fair, this is not fair at all," Fummi said with tears streaming out of her teary eyes.

"You are still a small girl and I don't know what you need all these things for as a female child. Don't you want your father to be buried respectfully?" Her eldest uncle asked.

"My father is not that kind of man and i think he should be lowly buried rather than wasting money leaving his daughter with nothing," Fummi said and her uncle laughed.

"Soon you will get married so don't worry too much. You are a very beautiful girl and soon men will start trooping in to ask us for your hand in marriage," another of her uncle said.

"Is that it? So you'll suck him dry when you've done nothing for me nor assisted me with anything. The man that has suffered so much for me has not collected a kobo or drank anything on my head but he is lying straight there lifeless, don't worry you will drink and get money on that day okay," Fummi said and they burst out laughing at her.

"We will visit you tomorrow, don't cry too much okay," one of them said and they slowly left talking with themselves while Fummi bit her lips in anger.

Read Episode 2 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/unbreak-my-heart-episode-2.html

BELIEVE - Episode 7

A story by Miriam Edem

Peter was already nervously seated where they agreed to meet checking the time almost every seconds.

Every minute that passed was like hours in his eyes and he didn't want to call her either.

The door opened and as usual he turned to see who it was and behold it was Rachel.

He got up seeing the one he has missed so much but she wasn't looking like the Rachel he used to know.

Rachel walked up to him while he drew the seat backwards for her, "thank you, she said to him and sat down.

"Sorry I arrived late, there was......... "Its no problem. Thank you so much for agreeing to see me, Peter cut in and she faced down.

"What can I offer you please? Peter asked.

"No nothing please, I'm here Peter, I hope there's no problem? Rachel asked but Peter ignored her and called the waiter.

"Please get her whatever she wants, Peter told him and Rachel heaved.

"Just give me Ice, She said.

"No I won't let that, Peter said.

"But thats what I want, I just need ice, Rachel said.

"Just ice? You won't eat anything with it? He asked.

"No please I am fine thank you, Rachel said and Peter made his order too.

"Rachel thanks for seeing me once again, and I hope your husband won't be upset, Peter said and Rachel looked at him.

"Did you call me here just to insult me? Rachel asked.

"I don't understand, your mom told me you are married, Peter said.

"She said that? Please why am I here? Rachel asked.

"I want to know the truth, I want you to tell it to my face finally what exactly made you leave me when I needed you the most Rachel? Peter asked.

"Peter its been months now, why are you bringing this up now? You should move on by now, Rachel said.

"Move on with what like it was that easy! Rachel did you ever love me? Because I do wonder if you ever had me at heart or had a little pity for me when you let go of me in my trying times. What wrong did I ever do to you Rachel? Peter shouted.

"Peter please I beg you, we should not be talking about this, and you asking if I ever loved you, you know the answer to that, Rachel replied.

"Do I? I can't believe you could do this to me Rachel, you were the only person who gave me hope and a reason to move on and when you left it was like God already gave up on me. Sometimes when I want to hate you, I get overpowered by love and I see myself yearning for you, thats just how much I love you Rachel, Peter said while Rachel was already in tears.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Peter because its all my fault. I won't say I was forced to break up with you because I will sound stupid but I'm so sorry. I went away so I'll leave you for good because I don't expect you'll take me back after what I did, please forgive me, Rachel said in tears while Peter covered his face thinking.

"You know something Rachel, I'm hooked up here because I built my whole world around you. Even if I get to have everything I've dreamed of and you're not included, I feel incomplete. Please Rachel do we still have a chance? Peter asked while Rachel looked in shock.

"No no Peter no you can't do this, please let me go, Rachel said shaking her head.

"Is still another? Because right now I have laid down my pride and everything for God knows I want you back in my life Rachel. If you say no to me now, then I know its for real, Peter said going on his knees bringing out a ring and Rachel got up surprised.

"What are you doing? She whispered.

"I once gave you this, but it was removed by someone else. Now I want you to prove it to me that you indeed love me Rachel. Please be my wife and make me complete, Peter said in tears as Rachel stood with her lips shaking.

"Once I thought that dream was shattered, nothing else will make me happy than being your wife Peter, Rachel said and hugged him crying.

"Thank you, thank you, Peter whispered in her ears as the people there clapped for them.

Mary couldn't help but follow Peter, and seeing the Drama he performed her heart melted and she saw herself smiling with tears coming out of her eyes.

She ran out of the place when Peter was about leaving with Rachel.

"What are we going to do with my parents? Rachel asked him on the way home.

"Thats where we are going to now, your parents thinks I'm a failure and not capable of taking care of you. You know sweetheart God has visited me and I got a job 2 months ago with a good pay, Something that can take good care of us with our kids, Peter said.

"You have a job? Was it among the applications we wrote together? She asked.

"No, I settled for that secondary school you first told me about and God used a student there to favour me. His father gave me a job in a oil company and guess what, Peter said.

"You know I'm not good at that nau, Rachel said.

"I got a land with just a month salary and I'll start building. But first we have to get married soon, Peter said and Rachel hugged him.....

They arrived at Rachel place and her parents were so surprised and happy to see her, "honey what happened to you? Are you not feeding over there and why is he with you? Her mom asked referring to Peter.

"I came back to what I ran away from and yes I have been eating over there but I lacked happiness. Seriously mom was I married? Rachel asked her mom.

"Peter what exactly is your problem? Why won't you just let us be! Her mom shouted on peter.

"Enough mom! Why not let us be mom and stop detecting my life for me. I'm sorry its too late because its Peter i want and we are getting married this time around for real, Rachel said.

"You are not serious Rachel, you fell for his lies again! Her mom shouted.

"I never lied to Rachel, I know your fears ma and that is I won't take care of your daughter which i understand. But you don't have to worry because I have a more better job and yes, I am a man now once again. Please ma I am begging you, don't deny us this chance again because we won't carry on with this without your consent, Peter pleaded.

"Peter my dear you have my consent if this is what my daughter wants, Rachel dad came in immediately.

"What are you saying? Rachel mom shouted.

"Please Antonia this is enough, your daughter happiness should be more important to you please let them be, Rachel dad said

"Mom please just look at me, do I look like the Rachel you know? No matter how aunty tried to make me happy I can't be because my heart, soul and body is with someone. Please don't say no to me i am begging you, Rachel said going on her knees but her mom stopped her.

"I want you to be happy baby girl like your friends are. I wanted you to get married, have a home like your friends with a responsible and rich man, but if he's the one you want then i won't stop you. I love you my child, her mom said and hugged her.

"Thank you mom, Rachel said while her dad stood smiling at them.

"So peter when is the wedding? Rachel dad asked..............

Mary had to accept the fact they weren't meant to be as she confessed her feelings for Peter to Rachel. "Thank you so much for making him happy when I was away, but i believe your man will come, Rachel said holding her hand.

"Sure, of course seeing what you went through with him, it will be so stupid of me to fix myself where i didn't sow, Mary said.

"Can you please do me a favor? Rachel asked.

"Anything dear, Mary replied.

"Will you please be my chief bride maid? Please do this for me, Rachel said and Mary smiled.

"I'll happily do that dearie, after all you both are my friends, Mary said and Rachel hugged her happily.......................

1 month later Peter and Rachel happily got married.

On their wedding day Samuel noticed Mary and got interested in her,

"I have My eyes on your friend, can you help me talk to her? Samuel asked.

"You mean Mary? Is it because you're my best man and she is my wife chief bride maid? Peter asked.

"Not that, i see her different and I want to give love a chance again, Samuel replied and Peter was so happy to hear that.

"You just made the best choice ever and I'll talk to her, Rachel came in.

"Really? Thank you so much, Samuel said to her........

1 month later Peter and Mary were already engaged and they lived happily after.

# Having a partner who believes in you and encourages you in your trying times is the best feeling ever.

Some people said Peter shouldn't have accepted Rachel back but take Mary instead, but most times in relationship, its not really about the presence but the impact that lady or guy has done in your life.

It wasn't just about Rachel staying with Peter for so many years, but was she an impact that even in her absence Peter could feel still feel her presence.

Now that's true love!

THE END.

UNBREAK MY HEART

A story by Miriam Edem




How easy and possible is it to mend a broken heart? Can one who struggled to love ever love again after facing disappointment?

This is the story of Nonso, A Prince from Eastern Nigeria who is sent to serve in the southwest. Before he leaves, a wife had been chosen for him by his parents just like they did for his older brothers.

However, he falls in love with Funmi, a young lady whose heart has just been broken by the death of father years after she lost her mother and brother. She falls in love with him too but he doesn’t come out plainly to her. He cannot leave Chioma, the chosen wife for him.

Will he leave Funmi to get married to Chioma in obedience to his family? A terrible heartbreak is coming for someone, but can it be undone? Can a broken heart be unbroken?




Find out in this new interesting series by Miriam Edem. Click here to follow the story - www.youngicee.com/stories/unbreak-my-heart

BELIEVE - Episode 6

A story by Miriam Edem

The next day Peter arrived at Rachel's parents house, and as usual her mom came out to scare him away.

"What do you want here? Didn't I tell you to stay clear from this house and my daughter? She shouted.

"Else you'll do what? Lock me up? Looks like you've not realized the Peter you knew is not the one standing before you now. Where can I find Rachel? He boldly asked and she couldn't believe her eyes.

"Rachel isn't here anymore, her husband replied.

"I know about that sir, but I want to speak to her, Peter replied.

"Get out of here now! Her mom shouted.

"Ma today you will do your worst, but I won't leave this place without me speaking to Rachel. I'll advise you to safe your strength, Peter said to her.

"Peter look we don't want any trouble here. Rachel stays in Abuja now and she's not making any arrangement to return any time soon, Her dad said.

"That's because she's married over there. If you want to speak with Rachel, first ask permission from her husband, her mom came in and that almost threw Peter off ground.

"I won't believe that, he said.

"Who cares if you do. You've wasted My child time for so long and you should be very happy for her that she's finally settled. Now get out! Her mom shouted.

"I won't believe that, Rachel is not married, Peter said.

"Ahmed! Her mom shouted and the gate man rushed down to them.

"I want to see this man thrown out of this compound! She commanded.

"Don't even think of touching me else you'll loose all your teeth! Peter told the gateman who got scared to touch him.

"You may give your daughter physically away, but she left her heart with someone else, something her so called husband will never enjoy. I don't care if she's married or not, I just want to know if she's happy, Peter faced them.

"And who says she's not happy? She called me herself today and she's very happy now get out! She shouted again and Peter looked at them for a while and left.

"It seems to me that guy is changed, can't you see it? Rachel dad asked his wife.

"You're not seeing clearly, that being is nothing but a failure and I want him far from my daughter, his wife angrily replied........................

Peter head was pounding badly and he thought he saw someone in a parked car there on the road.

He went nearer and she saw him, "hi, good morning, Hilda said forcing a smile and he bent over the car looking at her.

"Are you happy? He asked and she looked confused.

"Is there any problem? She asked.

"Of course not. Where is Rachel? He asked and she heaved.

"I am not with Rachel and I don't have time for this. As you can see............ "You're on the way going to church, its written all over you after you helped breaking a friend you still have the guts to go to church! Look here I saw when you removed the ring from Rachel's finger and if you don't want me to expose you to your husband who just left to get something, you will tell me now how I can reach Rachel, Peter sternly said.

"What kind of problem is this na this morning, Rachel has gone na and i have nothing to do with her decision to break up with you, Hilda said so tense.

"Don't play with My intelligence, i am waiting Hilda, Peter said looking at her.

"I don't know where she stays in Abuja, she replied and he pointed his phone to her.

She slowly took it, got Rachel new line and typed it down for him.

"Please can you leave now before my husband sees you, he doesn't like it when I talk with men, Hilda said.

"And who cares, you better pray this number is reachable else you won't like my action, peter said and left.................

Peter got home looking at the number on his phone too nervous to call.

Most times he is always filled with anger when he thinks about Rachel, but then another feeling will come quenching it when he get to remember the times they have spend together.

He called the number finally with a strange number also and it rang twice without anyone picking.

"Peter she's in church just wait till she returns, he said to himself and released himself freely on the sofa with his hand covering his face thinking hard.

His phone began to ring and he took it to see a strange number calling, he got nervous and slowly picked it

"hello, he said.

"Its Emeka sir, the Architect, a voice came on phone.

"Oh are you around? Can you Just come home please I'm not feeling too well, Peter replied.

"No problem sir, Emeka said and dropped the call.

Peter checked the time and saw its Past 10a.m and he heaved knowing he hads't taken his breakfast yet and he remembered he has a work he hadn't done yet for tomorrow.

He sighed getting up and got his laptop to begin work first before the architect arrives, his phone began to ring and it was Rachel number.

___

"Hello good morning, sorry I missed your call, the voice he has missed for months came on phone when he picked up.

"Rachel its me, please don't hang up, Peter calmly said and her eyes bulged out.

"Peter? But.. But how........ "I got your number because I want to see you, please make it possible because it's important, Peter cut in.

"Peter pleaseeee, Rachel said with tears piling up in her eyes already.

"Rachel I am begging you more, I want to talk to you if possible tomorrow, Peter said.

"Its not possible, I'm in Abuja, she replied.

"Can you take flight? I'll pay for everything, he said.

"What flight? No you don't have to, she said.

"Believe me when I say its important. I need to see you tomorrow before noon, if you want I'll send the money for the flight this minute, Peter said and Rachel stood speechless.

"I..I don't know what to say, but don't worry I'll be there tomorrow, she said.

"Thank you, how have you been Rachel? Peter asked and the tears rolled freely on Rachel face hearing that.

"Peter bye, Rachel said and ended the call while Rachel aunt looked at her with her hand akimbo.

"I told you didn't I? Peter was longing all this while to talk to you, her aunt quickly said.

"Aunty after what I did? Rachel asked

"What did you do? You did nothing dear and you would have just told him the truth, her aunt said.

"Aunty there's nothing you'll say that can justify my act, I'm a grown up lady and whatever happened was because I agreed to it, Rachel said.

"You were forced to! Her aunt shouted.

"Still I would have said no aunt, I was just a fool! Rachel shouted and her aunt hugged her while Rachel cried on her...............

Peter didn't know how to feel when he heard Rachel voice, he felt like bursting out in tears but he had to be a man.

He took his laptop to continue with his work but he heard a knock on his door instead.

"Who's there? He asked.

"Emeka sir, the voice replied and he opened up letting him in.

"Sorry I couldn't meet up with you where we planned earlier, Peter said giving him a seat.

"Its no worry sir, Emeka replied and Peter brought out a wine while Emeka kept his laptop ready for work.

"So what do you have for me? Peter asked sitting beside him.

"Many things sir just ready for you to make your choice, he said waiting for the device to boot.

"Let's help ourselves with the drink then while we wait, Peter giving pouring it for him and the door open.

"Hi, I hope I'm not disturbing, Mary said standing by the door.

"Please come in, you just came right on time, Peter said.

"The Architect right? She asked as she went nearer and he nodded....................

"With the size of the land it will be a perfect building on it, Emeka said after Peter choice was made.

"OK I trust you'll do a good job, Peter said.

"Ah I have to do the best I can to satisfy my client, Emeka replied.

"I'll be glad if you do so, Peter said shaking hands with him and Emeka took his leave.

"I haven't seen you since morning, Peter said to Mary and yawned.

"You haven't eaten yet? She asked.

"Don't worry, I have to finish this work else it won't be ready for tomorrow, Peter said taking his laptop back.

"Did you thought about what I told you yesterday? Mary asked and he heaved.

"Please I need to concentrate, not now I beg you, he replied.

"OK fine I'll let you be, Mary said and slowly left..................

That night he couldn't sleep as he kept thinking of how tomorrow will be, "if Rachel is already married will I be able to take it? He kept asking himself till he slept off.

The next morning he called up Rachel without hesitation, "good morning Peter, Rachel voice came on phone.

"Good morning Sun.... Sorry Rachel. I called to confirm if you'll still make it today, Peter said.

"Uhmm yes, I'll be there before 12 noon, where are we meeting? She asked..

"Choose a place convenient for you, he said.

"I.. I really don't know, she said.

"Ermm, looks like i am going to find out and let you know before then, Peter said.

"OK I'll be expecting, bye, Rachel said.

"bye, Peter replied and the line went dead.

Rachel looked at her aunt weak who just cuddled her, "its going to be alright okay, Her aunt said.

"I'm scared, I don't just know what to feel anymore, Rachel said.

"Dear say the truth. Tell him just how much you still love him and want him back, and that everything that happened was all a lie. Please don't be like me I beg you, her aunt said to her.......................

Peter hurried to work and quickly asked permission from his boss to briefly breeze in somewhere.

"It no problem, as long as my work is ready, his boss said.

"Sure its done, Peter said presenting it to him while he looked at it.

"Okay this is okay, his boss said satisfied with the job.

"Thanks sir, Peter said and left his office.


Read Episode 7 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/believe-episode-7.html

do4luv14:

For this lockdown, you still dey busy, oga oooo

I work as a content writer/marketer. You sure know contents on the web haven't been locked down

do4luv14:
Same here @ Oyinprince what happen

Work no dey give me time jare

76 contd

"Aaron should be inside," the security man said after looking around without seeing signs that anybody was in. "You guys should wait here while I go get him."

The security man proceeded to the other door while Stanley and the lady stood waiting for him to return.

Florence stared around the room. It looked so simple but she knew it was a place that was used for very important things. Stanley had told her he worked for a dangerous organization, she did not know how dangerous it was or what danger they cause but from the look of things, they seemed like a serious organization.

The security guard returned a minute after and following behind him was a man dressed casually in a white shirt tucked into black trousers. He was of a light complexion and slightly pointed nose. He walked calmly and confidently. He held a tablet device in his right hand and a wallet in his left.

"Good afternoon sir," Stanley greeted as the man came closer.

"It is indeed you Stanley," the man said in a gruff baritone voice. He rubbed his noise gently with a finger and moved the device to his left hand where the earphone was. He stretched out his hand to offer Stanley a handshake. "Welcome back."

"Thank you sir," Stanley replied as he took the handshake.

"This is your friend, I believe, who helped you get away from the police." Aaron said, fixing his eyes on the lady.

"Yes, her name is Florence." Stanley answered him.

"Florence," Aaron muttered under his breath. He stretched out a hand to her. "Nice to meet you Florence," he said as she took his hands warmly and with a smile. "Let's take out seats, " he pointed in the right hand direction and they moved there to sit. The security man excused himself.

"First of all, have you informed Kahn of your presence here?" Aaron asked as they got close to the sofas. He took out the phone from his pocket before sitting down.

"No, I've not been able to reach him." Stanley replied.

"I'll call him right away," Stanley said as he settled down. Florence sat on the third seat.

They watched as Aaron dialed and put the phone close to his ear.

"We have Stanley Wiz right here," Aaron said into the phone, his eyes peering at Stanley.

Stanley kept his gaze on the man's face and watched as he nodded and gave only one word responses to the queries from the other end. He couldn't imagine the kind of questions and instructions Kahn would be giving from the other side.

Aaron placed his phone, the tablet device and the earphone on the table at the center after ending the call.

"Kahn got information of your arrival immediately you got to the gate," Aaron said to Stanley.

Stanley was not surprised, he knew Kahn was always aware of anything that happened around the Strategy House.

"Does he have instructions for me?" he asked Aaron.

"None yet, he just wanted me to make some findings from you," Aaron said and took in a breath calmly. He rested his back against the backrest and crossed his legs over each other. "How sure are you that you weren't followed to this place?"

"A hundred percent sure," Stanley sounded so sure. "We changed cars three times, we changed clothes and she made no phone calls or reached anybody."

"Who is she?" Aaron asked now moving his gaze from Stanley's face to Florence's face.

"I met her when I ran into the bush, she was picking seeds." Stanley's mind flashed back to the event as he began to narrate. "We bumped into each other and she got up fighting me for injuring her, I tried to beg her to let me go but she refused until the police officers came closer, then I found out that she was wanted by the police."

Aaron moved his gaze back to Florence after listening to Stanley.

"Tell me who you are young lady?"

"I'm Florence Brown, a native of Anthanna. I worked with the Ilios Organization in Anthanna six years ago, I moved to Bethanna last year and worked as a hacker for the Cupe Bandits, they were caught December last year by the FOX and I've been on the run since then."

"Hmm... Sounds interesting," Aaron said as he rested his chin on his palm, his elbow resting on the armrest of the chair. He knew about the organization she mentioned and the bandits also, all he needed was to confirm if she was saying the truth. If it was the truth, then she was going to be a great asset to them.

Read Episode 77 here - https://youngicee.com/2019/08/restless-episode-77.html

Restless - Episode 76

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

Unedited Update

13:35PM
Highways Hospital, Anthanna

Adrian was still fast asleep when he began to feel fingers gently caressing his forehead. It continued for some few seconds before he opened his eyes.

"Sheila," he called under his breath. She was smiling down at him. He hadn't seen her that morning as expected but she had sent someone to bring his breakfast.

"Good afternoon Adrian, how are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm doing better today," he replied, smiling back at her.

"Sorry I couldn't come here this morning, I woke up late and I had appointments to catch at the office."

"I understand," he replied. "You're a very busy woman, thanks for coming to check on me."

She smiled and dragged the plastic chair closer to sit.

"Hello," Adrian managed to raise his hand and wave at the Bodyguard standing close to the door.

"Good afternoon," he smiled and replied with a nod.

"So, you've been lonely through out the day." Sheila said as she took out her phone and placed it at the side of the bed.

"No, two of my friends were here to see me earlier and police officers were also here very early to ask questions." He replied.

"They should have arrested him by now," Sheila said with a brief frown appearing on her face.

"Who?" Adrian asked.

"Stanley, the guy at the eatery."

"Do you think he could have done that? I was actually thinking it was a case of mistaken identity."

"Stanley and his friends are drug addicts, they always take stupid and dangerous steps."

Adrian sighed without saying anything. There was silence for close to a minute.

"So, I sent the driver to get your lunch already, he should be here in five minutes time." Sheila said to him.

"Oh! Thanks, but I actually made arrangements with my friends for lunch."

"You would eat the one from me, he's getting the same thing for the both of us."

"What time is it? Ain't you going back to work?"

"I closed from work already," she replied.

"You closed? Is it evening already?"

"No, it's only some minutes to two o'clock."

"Why did you close so early today?"

"What else could be the reason? To spend sometime with you of course," she shrugged.

Adrian smiled. "You see, Sheila, my friends are around and you don't need to bother yourself about me, you don't have to disturb your work for me."

"Well, I'm not disturbing anything," she frowned at him. He was somewhat sounding like he didn't want her around him. "Or you don't..."

The door flung open before she could complete her sentence. Sheila's driver walked in with two nylon bags, one in each hand and each containing the food she had sent him.

___

The FOX Corporation Headquarters,

EPA Hill, Bexford.

"Have you profiled the woman who helped Stanley Wiz escape?" Paul Edwards asked from the seat in his office. Two other FOX executives were sitting in the visitors' seat behind the table and facing backwards while Steve, Evelyn and Daniel were standing behind.

Paul's face was stern and strict, his eyes fixed on Steve's not-too-confident face.

"We haven't gotten a clear description of who the woman is," Steve replied. "The people of the community said she was a visitor lodged in a hotel, they barely know her name. She only stayed there for three days."

"This doesn't make sense," Paul chuckled angrily, looking at the faces of the two other executives sitting before him. "A visitor arrives three days ago in a community and helps a culprit escape the police on the third day."

Steve and his colleagues had nothing to say. They could literarily feel the heat of the burning anger in the eyes of the executives staring at them.

"If these FOX officials arranged for Stanley to be moved to the police office, they must have also arranged his escape." the grey haired FOX official put in, staring directly at Steve.

The junior officials remained quiet.

"I warned you before you took the step and you told me you would be monitoring personally," Paul Edwards leaned closer to his table, his head slightly bowed but his eyes raised to Steve's face.

"Sir, the process itself was yet to begin." Steve said in explanation. "Moving Stanley to the police office wasn't a part of the process, it was only something to be done to begin the process."

Paul shook his head angrily, Steve was sounding so stupid to him.

"Now that it has happened, what are you doing about it?"

"We have sent men to arrest the lawyer this morning, he is the only one who knew the suspect was about to be moved to a police office." Steve replied.

"Is that all you've done?" Paul raised his brows. Steve was silent. "You've virtually taken no step to ensure that the culprit is found and returned. What about the police office you contacted? What if someone got the information from them?"

Steve tried to speak but no words came out.

"I'll give you three days to bring Stanley back to the FOX headquarters," Paul said in a strict tone.

"Sir..."

Paul raised a hand to stop him. "Just get out!" He said and turned to face the wall in his swivel. Steve and his team filed out hesitatingly.

__

The Wolves Strategy House

Newland Estate, Bexford.

The Nissan car honked for the third time in two minutes and there were still no signs of anybody coming to open the gate for them. Two people - a man and a woman - were sitting in the car both dressed in Arab wears, the woman was at the driver's side while the man was sitting in the passenger's side.

They honked for the fourth time before they noticed signs of movement at the gate. The smaller entrance of the gate was opened and two security men stepped out, they walked towards the car slowly to check the people in it.

"Hey man! This is Stanley," the man in the passenger's side took off his turban quickly.

"Oh! Stanley," the security guard exclaimed and looked around quickly, hoping that no one else was looking in their direction and had seen Stanley. He signalled to his partner to proceed with opening the gate while he continued talking with Stanley. "Who is she?"

"She is my friend," Stanley replied. "She helped me get away."

The gate was opened just after Stanley replied the question and the security man talking with him directed them to drive in.

Florence drove into the compound and followed Stanley's direction to the car park. The security guard who spoke to them outside the gate joined them there.

"Hey Stan! Please wait," the security man stopped Stanley who was about to proceed into the building. "I have to perform the security checks on you, you've been away with an enemy group for sometime."

Stanley smiled and stopped for the security guard to get to him. The lady stopped beside him. Other security men from around the building appeared from the corners where they were.

"Two of you, put your hands in the air." the security guard instructed before he began to check Stanley's body. It took him a minute to complete the check. By the time he was through, a female security guard had come closer and was already checking the lady's body.

"There's nothing on her," the female security guard said after completing the check.

"Okay, lets go in." the man said and led the way towards the entrance of the building. "No one knows where you are, have you contacted any of the executives yet?" the guard asked Stanley as they began to climb up the stairs of the corridor.

"No, I have not been able to reach anyone yet. That's why I'm here," Stanley replied him.

"We've been on the lookout for you since we got the information that you escaped while being transfered from the FOX to the police yesterday," the security guard continued. "Elvis Kahn gave the directive for every unit to expect you."

"I have not been able to reach Kahn or anyone else, all my devices have been seized and I can't go home to take anything."

"I know."

They continued in silence after turning into a long fairly lit hallway until they got to the center where there was an entrance into another hallway.

"The news says a woman helped you escaped," the security guard said in low tones as they turned. He moved closer to Stanley, conscious of the lady walking at Stanley's other side and continued in whispers. "Is she the one?"

"Yes, she is." Stanley affirmed.

"Do you trust her enough?" he asked.

"I just met her," Stanley replied, giving him a look that suggested he was asking too much of questions. "Who's around? Is Kahn in?"

"No, Kahn isn't in. He's not been here since their last meeting. We have only Aaron around."

They got to the door at the center of the hallway and stopped. The door had no visible lock or knob to open it with, except a small card like screen by the side. The security guard took out an access card from his pocket and placed it close to the reader. A green light showed at the top of the door and it opened for them to step in.

Stanley was allowed to step in first and the security guard allowed the lady to follow before entering after them. The door closed by itself after they had all stepped in.

The large room was painted all white, from the walls to the ceilings and window frames. A ten-inch flat screen hung on one of the walls which was close to another door at the other side. There was a large table at the center and about twenty chairs in total around it. At both left and right sides of the door, there were comfortable three one-seater sofas neatly arranged and facing each other with a small table at the centre. It made each corner look like a living room on it's own. The atmosphere in the room made it look like they were in a totally different building from the one which they had been passing through the hallway. It was fully airconditioned and smelling so cool. There was no one in the room but the large screen on the wall was on with a screen saver displaying on it. The room was one of the conference rooms used by the Wolves for meetings, but was a different one from the one used by the executives for their meeting.





Read Episode 77 here - https://youngicee.com/2019/08/restless-episode-77.html

Read Episode 5 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/believe-episode-5.html

BELIEVE - Episode 4

A story by Miriam Edem

"Are you sure we are doing the right thing? Rachel dad asked seeing her reaction.

"Will the right thing be Rachel staying with failure? No way I won't let that happen not until Peter becomes a man. I won't let my daughter suffer, Her mom said and stormed into her room too.

Hilda dropped by later to ask if Rachel is home.

"What happened to her over there? Rachel mom asked and Hilda narrated everything to her.

"That's Better, with time She'll understand we want the best for her, her mom replied.

_____________________________________________

The next day Rachel was already set for Abuja, "are you sure about this? We didn't inform your aunt of your coming, her mom said.

"She won't say no to me mom, take care, Rachel said taking her bag while her dad offered to drop her at the park.

Few minutes after she left Peter arrived.

Rachel mom seeing him was so mad at him and blamed him for everything, "you failure! You wasted my daughter time for years whole she kept enduring with your nonsense.

She's gone! And don't dare trace or go near her else I'll get you arrested, thats a promise! Her mom shouted pushing him away.

Peter got home frustrated as he poured cold water on his head and sat on the floor.

His worst fear came through and he felt his heart burning as he begged for tears to flow out but it wasn't coming.

"I must survive this and I think its time I believe in myself, was all he could mutter in pains.

_______________________________________________

Days passed and he began to receive text messages of interviews where he applied for.

He attended them one by one and settled for the one that got the higher pay.

It was one of the biggest secondary schools in Port where he taught Geography.

1 month of his teaching there he was going back home when a nice jeep stopped, "hello Sir Peter heading back home? Dad thats my geography master, the one I told you about, the boy said to his dad and he shook hands with Peter.

"My son said you're good with what you teach, the man said.

"What will I do sir? I have to put my best in what I see, Peter replied.

"Graduate? The man asked and he nodded.

"Job in Nigeria is a hot cake and waiting for it is like waiting for Christ return, Peter replied.

"Uhmmm where did I keep it, the man muttered looking for something in his car. He found it and gave it to Peter,

"send your CV to the email address there, when you're done give a call to the number there and tell him you have sent a CV to the email and Mr Charles says he should do something about it. Good luck, the man said winding his glass and drove off while Peter still stood looking at the card not believing his eyes.

He rushed to a computer center, got his CV done and sent it to the Email. When he got home he prayed all kinds of prayer first before calling the number.

After 3 rings, a man voice was heard, "erm he..hello hello.. Mr Charles said I should tell you there's a CV in your mail and you should do something about it, Peter stammered with his lips shaking.

"Okay I'll check it out, the man said and dropped the call.

Peter fell on his knees sweating profusely as he smelt something good was coming his way, but he prayed it should not be diverted.

_____________________________________________

Rachel was not planing of returning back to Port despite her parents pleadings.

Her aunt knowing about what happened wasn't happy with her parents either and accepted Rachel should settle in Abuja with her.

"Have you heard from Peter? Her aunt asked one evening.

"Aunt please I don't even want to try it, Peter can accept anything that comes to him but you see what I told him was unforgivable. He will never forgive me for breaking him that way, calling him is not a good idea at all, Rachel replied.

"But you should try, he may want to talk with you too, her aunt said.

"Aunt, I will hurt him more. Its 1 month already and I think he should be healing by now. Aunt please I need to sleep now, good night, Rachel said going to her room....

____

Days has passed already and Peter was busy checking his phone expecting a call that will change his life but it wasn't coming.

The school was about to embark on a mid term break and he was so excited about it.

One cool evening he dozed off on the sofa when a message got into his phone, he got up immediately and checked it out, behold it was an interview scheduled for him tomorrow.

He threw the phone screaming his head off and a knock came on the door disrupting him.

"Who's there? He asked.

"Its me, a lady voice was heard and he rolled his eyes.

He opened up and she walked in, "its late, he said.

"Late? Its just past 8, but why were you shouting? She asked and he sat on the sofa smiling looking at his phone.

"Nothing, I just got a sweet message don't worry, peter said and she nodded.

"I just retuned from work, Mary said.

"Now? He asked.

"Yea there was an accident on the road and that gave a terrible hold up, she said stretching tiredly.

"Oh sorry, you've not eaten then? He asked.

"No, I just bought erm a little fried yam on the road, but I gave it out to the children with me in the taxi, she said.

"Oh thats bad and you can't cook anything now, Peter said.

"I'll just soak cassava for the night, good night, she said and turned to leave.

"Mary wait, I prepared something to eat but I eventually slept off. Will you join me? Peter asked stopping her.

"Oh alright I'll go change up then. I'll be back, Mary said and left and he heaved pacing around.

2 weeks after the breakup, Mary packed into the compound.

With all the neighbors there, she choose to be close to Peter which he didn't like at all but he couldn't push her away.

She got to know about Peter breakup and she somehow began making him smile again, still Peter was afraid of falling for her because of the closeness.

Minutes later she knocked and walked in to see Peter setting the table.

"I should be the one to do that, she said and rushed to get the plate from him but he stopped her.

"What's that for? I can do this okay just start eating, Peter said going to get water from the refrigerator.

"Uhmm smells delicious, Mary said inhaling the food.

"You need to hurry and eat fast, its late already, Peter said bringing the water and her countenance changed.

"What is it? Peter noticed it.

"Tell me something Peter? I'm I bothering you? Why does it look like you're pushing me away? Mary asked.

"Why are you saying this? Look, Rachel is the only lady that has been with me in this house, people are watching and that will give a wrong impression about us, Peter said.

"What wrong are we doing here and what wrong impression are you talking about? Mary asked.

"Oh please don't start, Whatever happened between i and Rachel, no one knows about it and I told them she traveled. This closeness between you and I is not got at all because I can't tell what they think of me now, Peter said and she scoffed.

"You lied Peter admit it. Rachel left your life why can't you just accept that? How long will you live in this lie? Mary asked.

"Mary left me yes she did, but I can't replace her thats just it. She was the only lady who loved me for who I am, Peter said.

"Now where is she? She got tired loving you for who you are right? Peter she's gone and life must go on, Mary said.

"With who? You? Peter asked in a tone that got Mary embarrassed.

"Excuse me, did you just say that to me? Oh I get it, because I liked you and became close to you as a friend, you're already thinking I am throwing myself on you right? Wow! that was so thoughtful of you, have a good night, Mary said and turned to leave.

"No no wait that was not what I meant, you got it wrong there, Peter said and tried to stop her but she slammed the door behind her.

Peter heaved and leaned the wall, looked at the food waiting for him and shook his head, "I think I need to eat that so I'll have enough strength for my interview tomorrow. Thats what matters now to me, Peter said..

Read Episode 5 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/believe-episode-5.html

BELIEVE - Episode 3
A story by Miriam Edem
Rachel pleaded with her parents but it was to no avail and they strictly warned her not to visit his house anymore else they'll call the police for him.
She locked herself in the room as her mom got her phone From her already.
A knock was heard on her door but she was quiet, then it came again followed with a voice.
"Rachel its me, open the door, a lady voice was heard.
She came down from the bed and let her childhood friend in who got married last year, "baby I heard what happened. Don't you think your parents wants the best for you? Hilda asked.
"What do you think is the best for me? Money or love? Rachel asked.
"Both are necessary and Donald gat them both. Peter gat love but he's not financially stable that's just the difference, Hilda said.
"Babe you won't understand, this break up will break peter in pieces, that's just how much he loves me, Rachel said and Hilda shook her head.
"I can attest to that but you can't endure with him forever. Okay he got a job, why didn't he get married to you? Whatever happened the 5 years he was working is what I don't understand, or does he have savings? Hilda asked and Rachel stood up pacing round.
"It doesn't matter anymore, we are done and they are so serious about this. Right now I don't know how to break the news to him, Rachel said and her mom entered.
"This guy has been calling endlessly, look here, if you don't break up with him he will find himself rotting in jail. Whatever you can do to stop him from calling you, do that fast, Her mom said throwing the phone on her and left the room.
Rachel looked at her friend surprised, "has it gone that far? Hilda asked.
"Seriously I am so scared, Rachel replied.
"If peter finds out you are forced to do this, he won't stop fighting and that will put him in trouble, you have to act like you want this so he'll give up, Hilda said.
"But is this really what I want? Peter can read me and there's no way I can hide my feelings from him, Rachel said.
"You have to put it up else this won't work, Hilda said and Rachel sat on the bed shedding tears.
"Sorry friend this is happening to you, you may be surprised you'll be so happy with Donald, you can never tell if you've not given it a try, Hilda said cuddling her.
"I feel so frustrated now, Rachel said.
"No don't be, everything is going to be alright. Now guess what, Hilda said smiling.
"What please? Rachel asked.
"I am pregnant! 3 months gone already, Hilda shouted and Rachel hugged her tight.
"I am so happy for you, Rachel said.
"Baby I want to share in your happiness too, I want to join you dance happily to the altar and hold your beautiful baby too, Hilda said but Rachel only nodded in tears while Hilda hugged her again..........................................
That evening Rachel came out from her room with Hilda and met her parents at the sitting room.
"I'll be going out, Rachel said to them.
"You are not leaving this house to anywhere, her mom replied.
"I am going to see Peter so I'll tell him its over. Isn't that what you want? Rachel asked.
"Ma I am going with her, I know Peter won't stop fighting but Rachel need to face him so he'll give up, Hilda came in.
"I am letting her go out of this house because of you, make sure she comes back home with you, her mom said.
"Yes ma, I'll bring her back, Hilda said and they left the house together.
They arrived at Peter house and Rachel was feeling reluctant to go in.
"Common let's go in, Hilda said but Peter came outside already.
"Rachel! He shouted and hugged her before they could say anything.
"Hi Hilda, what's the problem? Please come in, Peter said taking them in.
"I have been calling since morning Rachel, what's the problem? You got me so worried, Peter said and Rachel looked at Hilda.
"There something you need to know Peter, Rachel said and swallowed.
"Okay, but you're getting me nervous with your look, I hope all is fine? Peter asked again.
"Yes, just that... Just that I don't think I can continue with this relationship again, Rachel dropped and he smiled.
"You're joking right? Common what kind of costly joke is that? Peter asked.
"I am serious about this and I can't take it anymore. I've been with you for years and it like nothing is ever going to happen. I won't let good opportunities pass me by again, I think you were one mistake I did. Its over Peter, Rachel said with her heart beating as Peter sat looking at her not believing his eyes and ears.
He slowly saw himself going on his knees and Rachel stood up, "you were the only person who never stopped believing in me and i am trying my best trust me, Peter said and Hilda touched Rachel when she was tempted to hold him up.
"We are so sorry Peter, but if you really love my friend then you'll let her go. She'll be 28 in the next 2 month peter, its enough you stop wasting her time and stand upright as a man first. We have to go, Hilda said holding Rachel hands.
"Rachel you know i wanted kicking off with our wedding, you know it was never my intention to keep you waiting and you know my greatest desire is to have you as my wife. please a little more time i beg you, Peter pleaded.
"Here is your ring, Hilda removed the ring from Rachel finger and kept it on the centre table.
"You promised to wait for me Rachel! Peter shouted.
"I am so sorry, Rachel said in tears and ran out of the house and Hilda followed behind.
She stopped on the road breathing hard as tears couldn't stop pouring from her eyes.
"Why did you take the ring off? She shouted on Hilda.
"I had to, so you'll easily get him off from your mind, Hilda said.
"What do you know about love anyway that you think I can just take him off my mind that easily, Rachel said.
"Girl friend, it will be best for you. You don't need that ring anymore, that's an hindrance, Hilda said.
"Goodbye, Rachel said and stopped a cab immediately, got in and left her friend standing.
She arrived home with full rage and her parents were surprised with such mood on her face.
"I am leaving for Abuja tomorrow, I need to calm my head, Rachel said.
"Fine if that's what you want, her dad said immediately.
"You're leaving? When will you meet with............. "Mom please I am begging you in the name of God, don't even go there! Rachel shouted and stormed into her room.

To be continued

Read Episode 4 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/believe-episode-4.html

episode 75


"No, he's been revived but has been given some sedatives to allow him feel less of the pain from treating his wounds."

Sheila closed her eyes as she took in a deep breath she rested her back.

The Doctor picked a phone to make a call. He was heard telling the call receiver to bring something to his office.

"He's being treated already but you would need to pay some money for us to continue the treatment," the doctor said after some seconds.

"That's no problem, how much do we have to pay?"

The doctor was yet to reply when his door opened and a nurse walked in with a file. She dropped it on his table and said some words to him before walking back out.

'Here's the bill,' the doctor said, handing a short piece of paper he took from the file to her.

She scanned through it quickly. "I'll like to pay to the account," she said and took out her phone quickly.

"It's no problem," the doctor said and rested his back, waiting for her.

It took her two minutes to complete the transfer and she leaned forward turning the phone's screen to him for him to confirm the payment.

"No, you should..." He tried to look away but looked again at the screen as his eyes caught something, he scanned through quickly for a second. "You should show them this at the counter in the reception, they are the ones to confirm your payment and issue the receipts."

"Oh! Okay," she replied and kept the phone back on the table. "When would I be able to see Adrian?"

"I'll let you know when the nurses are through with him, it should take about fifteen to twenty minutes more." the doctor answered her.

"Okay , thanks." Sheila said and got up to her feet. "I'll go show them this at the reception now, so that the treatment can continue uninterrupted."

The doctor was quiet and watched as she walked to the door with her bodyguard.

"Miss Sheila Jack," he called as her bodyguard opened the door for her to step out. Sheila turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow, wondering why he had called her back and why he called her full name. He had a smile on his face. "Nice to meet you, I have a son who is studying to be just like you."

"Oh! My pleasure, I'll wish to know more about your son later." she said and bowed out of the office. She concluded that he must have seen her full name when she showed him the evidence of payment.

*25 Minutes Later*

Sheila stood beside the bed in the hospital ward watching while the doctor did his final check on the patient for the night. Adrian was in the bed, a bandage around his head and a wider one around his belly, he also had a plaster on his right knee.

"That would be all for the night," the doctor said as he turned to Sheila. "Goodnight ma'am," He smiled at her before walking past, taking off the gloves on his palms as he did. The two nurses also followed him out, leaving Sheila and her bodyguard with the patient.

Sheila pulled the plastic chair closer to the bed and sat on it, resting her elbows on the side of the bed. Adrian turned his head to face her. They both stared into each other's eyes for moment.

"I'm sorry Adrian," she said, looking into his eyes with so much compassion.

"I'll be okay," he said and managed to put a smile on. "Thanks for coming."

Sheila stood up from the seat as her eyes moved from his face and to his whole body, checking all the places he was injured. She noticed her bodyguard had come close and was standing beside as she sat back on the seat.

"Do you know the men who did this to you?" Sheila asked.

"No, they had masks on." Adrian replied.

"And you couldn't recognize the voice of any of them?"

"Yes, I couldn't."

"Are you suspecting anyone?" She squinted her eyes at him.

"No," he answered in a surprised tone, wondering why she was asking him questions like a detective.

She took in a breath as she stared thoughtfully. It seemed as the same situation to her like the one that had happened with Henry months ago when they were lured somewhere and he was beaten up. She suspected that Stanley could be behind the attack.

"Miss, it's almost twelve o'clock." her bodyguard bent beside her and whispered to her ears. She stared at his face. "We might find it difficult to get home because of the police road blocks," he added to explain his point.

"We can leave tomorrow morning," Sheila replied him.

"No Sheila, you have to go home please." Adrian cut in. "You can't stay here."

"We would stay here Adrian, it's late already." Sheila replied.

The bodyguard stepped back to give them space to take the decision.

"No, you have to leave please. You can't sleep well here, I won't let you stay here." Adrian insisted.

"But you need someone to stay with you Adrian."

"No, I can talk and call the nurses when I need someone or help, you don't have to stay here. Besides, I wouldn't be needing anything for the night again," Adrian said in a pleading tone.

"Calling them will be a lot of stress for you, I'll stay here in case you need help."

"It won't be stress, a nurse station would be close to this ward and I'll definitely get them whenever I need them. Please go home Sheila, I beg you." Adrian replied.

"Please, listen to him ma'am." the bodyguard joined in a firm tone before she could reply him. "I can get you back here very early tomorrow morning."

She looked at him and he withdrew his gaze on her. He knew he had no business in their discussion as a bodyguard but he had to speak up because he was scared of what Sheila's father would say to him if he found out she spent her night there.

"Please go home Sheila," Adrian pleaded again. "Come back to check me before going to work tomorrow, please consider him at least, I'll be fine."

She drew in a breath and finally got up from the seat. She held his palm in hers for a while as she stared at his face.

"I'll be here tomorrow morning," she said and caressed his face gently for some seconds before planting a peck on his cheek. "Goodnight Adrian."

With that she turned and walked out of the ward with her bodyguard, leaving Adrian with mixed feelings.

___

The Next Day - April 1, 2016.
13:15AM

Location: Bethanna - South Husan Boundary.

"Kebba is the way straight after the roundabout," Samantha said to Henry as they approached the rotary intersection. She was looking into a map on the tablet device with her.

"Thanks for confirming, I studied the map for some minutes before we left." Henry replied.

Henry was driving the car with Wilson beside him at the front and Samantha as the backseat. They had left Dave and the Doctor with Tanko, their new hostage. Dave and Samantha had joined Henry at the uncompleted building the previous night and helped in moving Tanko from there without suspicions.

"It took us more than five hours to get here," Wilson said after looking at the time on his Android phone. They had taken off from Vincil around seven o'clock.

Henry drove past the roundabout and continued in the straight direction. He drove for five more minutes when he saw the big signboard reading "Welcome to Kebba".

They continued driving until they got to the main gate of the city. They stopped briefly to change their Bethanna Dollar notes to the currency used in South Husan.

"Where do we go?" Samantha asked Henry as they proceeded further into the city. Henry had given them a brief of his discovery and had picked her to follow him there.

The whole place looked so different. The people's dressing looked ancient and somehow uncivilized. Most of the men tied wrappers and wore knee lengths garments, they had something tied like a keffiye around their foreheads. A lot of them especially the young men had earrings on and different types of rings on other parts of their bodies. The women were dressed differently. They also wore wrappers but something like an veil covering their bodies from their heads down to their waist below, only showing their faces. Only about one or two ladies out of fifty seen were on short blouses and wrappers without their heads covered. According to what Henry had previously heard about them, the ladies without their heads covered were the prostitutes and the call girls in the land. The place seemed somewhat overcrowded with the number of people walking and working around the road.

"Ermm...I'm thinking we can lodge in a hotel first," Henry suggested, looking around even as he drove slowly.

"But how do we locate a hotel?" Wilson asked with a confused look on his face. All signboards and notices which they could see around were written in the Kebban language which they couldn't interpret.

Henry pulled over beside a man selling fried meats by the road side.

"Good afternoon Mister, please we need to find a hotel around this area." he said to the man.

"Ini handinzwisise zvauri kutaura," the man replied him in the Kebban language meaning he couldn't understand what he was saying.

"Can you speak English?" Henry asked but the man replied again in the language. He drove forward and stopped again beside a group of three men walking beside the road. He honked to get their attention. They placed their eyes on him but did not stop walking.

"Hello please, I need direction from you." Henry shouted.

They continued staring at him as they walked away without answering.

Henry followed them slowly with the car. "Please, can we speak to you for a moment?"

The men kept on walking and staring at the car without answering.

"Please, wait and let's talk to you."

One of the men finally stopped and bent over to stare into the car.

"Chii chaunoda kubva kwatiri?" he said something to Henry in the Kebban language meaning. "What do you want from us?"

Henry heaved a sigh of frustration, not knowing what to reply until the man turned and walked away with his friends.

Henry continued driving until he found a group of ladies by a large pipe-borne facility with buckets, queuing to fetch water.

'Good afternoon young ladies, we are new here and we need direction to get to a hotel." Henry said to them after parking.

The ladies stared at the car for a while and then stared at themselves and mumbled words to each other.

"Does anybody understand English amongst you? Please we need help," Henry shouted again.

The ladies looked at themselves again but laughed this time.

Henry heaved a sigh of frustration. He glanced back at Samantha and saw that she was frustrated also.

He had read about the people of Kebba rejecting Western education in their city but he never thought it to be serious to the point that they could not understand or speak English at all.

He understood that Morris could have chosen Kebba because it was a very good place for him to hide but how Morris could cope with their lack of knowledge of English language was what he couldn't understand.

Their mission of finding Ovil Matuse or even Rex was going to be difficult!



Read other episodes of restless here - www.youngicee.com/stories/restless

Restless - Episode 75

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

19:36PM
Piel City Outskirts

Henry was sitting on a six-inches cement block in an abandoned uncompleted building with bushes surrounding. Wilson had both arms leaning on the window from outside the room while their hostage was on the floor, lost in his state of unconsciousness.

"Have you tried to find the particular location in Anthanna?" Henry said into the phone.

"No, there's no company code or registration number found on it, we can only identify the country's code." Cole replied from the other end.

"Did you find other codes except for the country's code?" Henry asked.

"Yes, there are other codes which we've not been able to decode or identify their package source. And even if we do identify the package force, it could be difficult locating the source of production because Anthanna is a large country." Cole replied.

"What of labels or signatures? Do we have none?"

"None yet sir, the devices are in the beta mode and haven't been fully packaged."

"Okay, please continue your work and do your best to reveal more."

Henry was still talking when he saw Tanko moving his body on the ground where he was laid.

"Yes boss, we'd continue."

"Okay, I'll call you later Cole," he said as he ended the call quickly.

Tanko's vision was still blurry as he stretched his hands and legs. He opened his eyes fully as he managed to sit up, he realized he was on the floor of an uncompleted building. He suddenly remembered how he got abducted and how Henry was forcing him to get into the boot of the car until he blacked out. He turned around to search for Henry and Wilson who he didn't see at first because he faced the wrong direction.

He held a breath as he turned and his eyes met with theirs. He fixed his gaze on Wilson's face in particular. He now realized that Wilson had only been acting victim at the Nanl Territory, it had been a planned work all along with Henry.

"Would you let me tell you where Morris is, I need to return home." he said after a while of being quiet.

Henry chuckled. "Who says we are letting you return home?"

"You have to let me go," Tanko replied. "All the men in the Nanl Territory would be out now looking for me, they would discover you and I'm very sure you can't take down all of them like the few you took down this afternoon."

Henry smiled at him. "I'm sorry but I'll have to keep you with me until I find Morris," he said and bent to repair the lace of his shoes which had gone loose.

"That was not our agreement!" Tanko blared.

"We had no agreement," Henry retorted. He sat up again and stared at Tanko in the eyes. "You said you knew where he was and I told you I would take you to lead me there."

"I can't lead you there, I've not been there before." Tanko shook his head in negative. "I can only give you the details."

"You may have to lead us there physically if it's necessary, but I truly do hope it isn't necessary." Henry replied. "So, tell me where he is."

Tanko was about to reply when Henry's phone rang out loud. Henry took a glance at him before taking out his phone.

"Hey Dave! Where have you guys gotten to?" he said into the mouthpiece.

"I'm not sure how to pronounce the name of this location, but the map says we have an hour to get to you," Dave replied from the other end. "We are in the store now and we have gotten the waste bin and bags, is there any other thing we need to get before leaving the store?"

"No, there's nothing else required for now." Henry answered. "I'll be waiting in this same location for you."

"Okay boss," Dave replied and the call ended.

Henry returned the phone into his pocket. He met a questioning look on Tanko's face and he knew that the guy would be inquisitive about the person he got the call from.

"So Tanko, where is Morris?"

"Morris is at Kebba, he went therewith Ovil - a native of Kebba, the next day after I picked him from the house." Tanko replied and flashed a look at Wilson. They understood he was referring to the house at Vincil. "I haven't seen the both of them since I dropped them off."

There was confusion on Henry's face. Kebba! Why would Morris go to Kebba?

Kebba was a town in the neighbouring country, South Husan. Located close to the boundary between Bethanna and South Husan, it was well known for their practice of sorcery and magic. The town existed like a different colony on it's own even though it was classified under South Husan. The people of the Kebba tribe were also rumored to have strong rejection of western education in their land, their children who grew up in the town passed through their location education and some were identified through special means to go through the sorcery and magical training.

"Morris cannot go to Kebba," Henry said with a baffled look on his face. "There's just nothing relating with him there, there's no way Morris he would have chosen to relocate there."

"He is at Kebba," Tanko insisted. "Ovil made arrangements for him to relocate there."

"I don't get it," Henry got up and began to pace about. "What's Morris looking for there?" He asked himself, getting so confused about the whole issue. He looked at Tanko again. "Tell me exactly what he's gone to do in Kebba?"

"To live there, I believe for better treatment. Kebba has large numbers of herbal doctors and the death rate of people through sickness there is virtually zero, no one dies there from illnesses."

Henry heaved a sigh, Tanko had made a point. He had heard rumours about the quality of herbal medicines in Kebba but he had never gotten a opportunity to confirm how true it was. Wilson had also told him that Morris had a serious illness and if it was indeed serious as Wilson made it appear, Kebba could be a good hiding spot for Rex to spend time to treat himself.

"So, how do we reach him in Kebba?" Henry asked as he returned to the block he was sitting on.

"We have to reach Ovil first," Tanko answered.

"How do we reach Ovil, do you have his telephone number?" Henry asked.

"No, Ovil doesn't use a phone, I asked him. You have to get into Kebba to ask after him. His name is Ovil Matuse," Tanko said.

"In this age? How can someone not use a phone?" Henry asked in a surprised tone.

"He's from Kebba and he lives there, you know those people are strange, I hear they see some electronic devices as evil tools." Tanko explained.

Henry sighed.

"How do we find him?" He asked in low tones, more to himself than to the other two. He raised his head and stared at Tanko again. "So, if he doesn't have a phone, how do you reach him when you want to?"

"I don't reach him, he contacts me when he wants and he has only done so twice." Tanko replied.

"How then was he linked up to Morris?"

Tanko frowned. "I don't know," he replied, pushing up his shoulders. "I just received a call from him on a certain day, he introduced himself and told me he got my contact from Morris Caleb. Then he said he needed to me to meet and pick him up at the boundary. Immediately after his call, I got a call from him," Tanko paused and pointed a finger to Wilson.

Henry turned and squinted at Wilson, Wilson stared back at him and made no effort to deny.

"I thought you guys barely knew each other?" Henry questioned Wilson.

"We've spoken on phone on several occasions but only seen twice." Wilson replied.

Henry turned back and shrugged for Tanko to continue.

"He called me with Morris' line and told me he called to confirm if I had gotten the call from Morris' contact, I answered him accurately because it wasn't his first time of delivering messages from Morris to me."

Henry turned again and stared at Wilson's face.

Wilson raised his brows and stepped back from the window. "I only follow Morris' instruction, he told me to call Tanko and ask him to follow the instructions of the man who called him. I never knew what they planned to do," Wilson explained, spreading his palms and shoulders to emphasize that he did nothing bad.

Henry turned his face back to Tanko. "And you picked Ovil from the boundary and drove him to Vincil?"

"Yes, Ovil and another man he called his brother. I drove both of them to Vincil in my car. After some discussions that evening. I drove them out of Morris' house, we stopped to lodge in a hotel and continued our journey to the boundary the next morning."

"So you didn't go into Kebba?"

"Yes, and I've never been to Kebba. I only dropped them at the boundary, they had someone waiting to pick them there." Tanko replied.

Henry glanced and Wilson and then turned again. He picked his phone out of his pocket and dialed. "Dave, are you back on the road?"

He had new instructions to give.
___

22:03PM
El Deols, Anthanna.

Sheila was already fast asleep in her bed when her ringing phone disturbed her sleep. Her hand reached for the phone but the call went off before she could answer.

She yawned and stretched with the phone in her hand. It began to ring a second time. She turned the screen to herself, the caller was Adrian. She wondered why he was just calling back after she had called him several times to confirm if he had gotten home safely without him answering the calls. She knew she could have hurt him by affirming she was really in love with Henry but she couldn't bring herself low to lie to him. He had always been suspecting that she had something to do with Henry when she always found herself mentioning him in their conversations and expressly saying she missed him. He had actually asked her once if they had anything together and she had said they had none but that evening's question had been different, he had asked if she was in love with him.

She finally answered the call and placed it close to her ear after so much hesitation.

"Hello," she said in low tones. The expression on her face changed as she heard a different voice, a lady's.

"Hello Madam, we're reaching you from Highways Hospital. This man was rushed to the hospital after being attacked by some unknown men, he's currently receiving treatment. Your number was the last one he dialed and we believe you might be a member of his family or you may be able to reach any of them for us quickly. Please, we need someone here for him now."

"Oh! Thanks, I'll be on my way there now." Sheila said as she quickly rolled out of the bed in panic. She began to take off her nightwear hurriedly.

*28 Minutes Later*

Highways Hospital, El Deols.

"Good evening Nurses," Sheila greeted impatiently as she got to the reception of the hospital.

"Good evening Madam, how may we help you?" the nurse on duty asked her.

"I was called some minutes ago that My friend was rushed down to this hospital, I'm here to see him." Sheila replied.

"What's your name please?"

"I'm Sheila," she answered.

"Okay madam, please come with me." the nurse said as she turned out from behind the desk and turned towards a hallway.

Sheila followed immediately with the bodyguard behind her. The nurse led them past few wards but stopped as a doctor stepped out from one of the wards in front and turned towards them.

"Doctor, we have the woman we called here." the nurse said to the doctor.

"Oh! Good evening Ma'am," he said as he stopped briefly in front of them. "Please come with me to my office," he said and made way to proceed further.

"Please Doc, where is Adrian?" she asked, not willing to turn back with him without seeing Adrian.

"He's fine," the doctor replied, turning back briefly. "The nurses are dressing his wounds now."

"Can I see him now?"

"No please, you have to give the nurses time and space to work." the doctor insisted.

Sheila turned reluctantly and followed the doctor. Her bodyguard turned with her while the nurse who was with them continued towards the ward the doctor had stepped out from.

"What happened to him Doctor?" Sheila asked as they entered into the doctor's office.

"Please, have your seats." the doctor replied calmly, taking off his white coat and hanging it before going to his seat.

He got to his seat and sat before Sheila could sit on the visitor's seat. Sheila signaled for her bodyguard who was standing behind to sit next to her.

"Is it just the two of you here?" the doctor asked.

"Yes for now, he has none of his family members in this state and his only friend I know isn't in town right now."

"Have you called any of his family members?"

"No, I don't have their numbers but I should be able to reach them by morning tomorrow."

"Who are you to him?"

"I'm his close friend, he left my place around past eight." she answered.

"Okay, he was brought in here unconscious. People around said he was stopped by the road and attacked by a group of unknown men, they beat him up within minutes and escaped leaving him by the road side." The Doctor explained.

"Oh My God!" Sheila exclaimed breathlessly. "Would he be fine?"

"Yes, he would. Luckily, he sustained no severe or internal injuries. Just some wounds on his body, that's all."

Sheila sighed deeply. "Is he still unconscious?"

BELIEVE - Episode 2

A story by Miriam Edem

Strolling back home from where Peter sat with his colleague, a jeep drove pass him and stopped, giving a loud honk behind him.

Peter wasn't interested but continued going not until he heard his name, he turned and saw someone he couldn't recognize at first. He had to stop while the man approached.

"Its me man Timothy, how you doing?" He asked laughing broadly giving his hand for a shake.

"I'm good, I didn't know it was you," Peter said.

"Yea looks like you were lost in thought, is everything okay?" Timothy asked.

"Yea sure, I was just having a little stroll so I can head back home, Peter replied.

"You mean you're trekking or strolling? You don't have a car yet?" Timothy asked looking round him.

"What makes you think I don't have a car? Its parked in my house, once in a while I look simple like this and take a walk," Peter replied and Timothy nodded.

"That's impressive, at least you're better than Chris. I saw him last week with his pregnant wife, he has no car or houses, how pathetic, Timothy said.

"Really? Chris is in Port?" Peter asked.

"I am surprised myself. Look at me I just returned from the states, my family is over there living happily. You're not married yet? Timothy asked looking at his finger and Peter forced a smile.

"I am, sorry I am not a fan for jewelries you know. My wife is at home with my two kids, its nice to see again," Peter said and they shook hands again laughing.

"Sure, I have to run off now, take care of your family dude!" Timothy shouted.

"Sure I will bye," Peter said as he left while he took a deep breathe.

He looked at the costly jeep Timothy drove and shook his head at his situation. They all attended the same university and graduated together, but Timothy has already made it and he wants to know if Peter has made it too.

They are all married with kids but he was about to do same when such tragedy hit him. The thought of it and the words of his colleague didn't make matters good to him at all as he slowly walked back home.

He got home and saw Rachel waiting for him but his mood was just like yesterday, "what is it again? She asked.

"Nothing, I just met my course mate who has already made it, you know that's how life is," Peter replied and sat down while she sat down with him.

"There's vacancy in one of the secondary schools I asked, you can teach Geography right?" She asked and he nodded. "Good, I'll draft an application now for you," she said.

"Like I can't write?" He asked.

"I never said so, you're not in your right senses now, so let me do it," She replied him and he watched her as she wrote an application for him.

"What if we do it together? I need more of it to submit it in everywhere I can," He said and she nodded.

_____________________________________

That night he looked at Rachel peacefully sleeping with fears, she wasn't his first love and just like his colleague, he had a bad experience with his ex.

But will Rachel be different? He kept asking himself and got angry seeing himself foolish after thinking of what Rachel has done for him.

It's not the first time she has seen him in his trying times yet she still stayed around, what makes it different now? He asked himself and sat up.

"Maybe I should start believing in my self that I'll get through this, and i wish you'll be by my side," Peter whispered still looking at Rachel.

The next morning he got prepared and took the applications he and Rachel wrote the day before and began to submit it in different locations.

He returned home famished and met with Rachel who welcomed him with smiles, "don't worry darling, you'll be called in one I am very sure, Rachel said to him and he nodded.

"I believe that too, he replied.

"Good now let's eat, I was waiting for you, she said.

"You didn't ask me to shower today first? He asked.

" I decided to change pattern today, she replied and Peter mind began to get troubled.

"Did she just say she changed pattern? That means she can change anything including her decision of waiting for Me, Peter thought in his heart.

"What are you thinking of? Pray nau so we'll eat, Rachel told him and he forced a smile and said a short prayer.

_________________________________

The next day was a weekend and Rachel decided to visit her family.

Her parents hearing Peter lost his job was so angry, "What will happen now Rachel? Don't tell me you'll still wait for him!" Her mom asked.

"Mom don't start please, I've gone too far to go back and I am engaged to him," Rachel replied.

"You're crazy, engagement my foot! How many years Rachel have you stayed with that failure? He tried business and failed, he got employed and was kicked out, is that not enough?" Her Mom shouted.

"Mom please don't do this, he will come over this, I know he will," Rachel said scared already with tears in her eyes.

"I wont watch you waste your life with that scum, you shouldn't feel sorry because you've tried for him. You will get married to Donald," her mom dropped and her eyes bulged out.

"No mom, please don't do this. Dad please say something," Rachel turned to her dad who was quiet all along.

"I am very sorry, there's nothing i can do about this. Donald is prepared and ready to settle down, what is it you see in Peter that you will throw such rare opportunity away? We love you child and we want the best for you, Donald is just the best for you," her dad dropped while she stood with tears streaming freely in her eyes.



Read Episode 3 here - https://youngicee.com/2020/03/believe-episode-3.html

BELIEVE - Episode 1

Removed


Read all the episodes here - www.youngicee.com/stories/believe

BELIEVE - A Romance Story

It’s a dilemma!

Just when Peter is about to start his wedding plans, he lost his job. He basically has no other means to fund his wedding or even maintain a family.

He’s scared that his fiancee, Rachel, will leave him for greener pastures, even though she reassures him of her love for him.


The drama gets hotter. Rachel is been pressured by a parents to go for a better option. Will she give in or will she believe in Peter and help him through this trial?

Even Peter is about to lose faith in himself. Is it possible to believe?

Find out in this beautiful story.

Follow the story here - https://youngicee.com/stories/believe