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Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah - Literature (14) - Nairaland

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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by Horyeh(m): 5:00pm On May 01, 2019
Wow
what a wonderful piece of work we have here. Started from book 1 yesterday here I am now

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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 8:25pm On May 01, 2019
Horyeh:
Wow
what a wonderful piece of work we have here. Started from book 1 yesterday here I am now


Thanks, Horyeh. Appreciate the compliment and glad you are enjoying the story.

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 8:26pm On May 01, 2019
FRESH EPISODES LOADING...

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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by Ann2012(f): 8:36pm On May 01, 2019
Well done OP

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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 8:48pm On May 01, 2019
EPISODE 30
(CHAPTER EIGHTEEN)



“YEMI!” SHARON YELLED.

Yemi forced a smile. His hand was behind his back and the drawer was still opened. Sharon looked all over Yemi with a furrowed expression.

“Yemi, what are you doing with that drawer? By the way, what do you have behind your back?”

Yemi’s head pounded as if a sledgehammer just landed on it. He stuttered, “You ... you ... mean behind my back?” He carefully slid the phone into his back pocket and pulled down his shirt to cover it. “It’s ... It’s ...” His fingers quickly searched the drawer. His hand touched it and felt the coarse surface. “It’s our family picture. The painting you did!” He brought out the folded canvas from behind his back and showed it to her.

Sharon relaxed. “And why didn’t you tell me you wanted it? I would have gladly given it to you instead of you burgling my room.”

“I ... I ... wanted to frame it. I wanted it to be a surprise gift for our wedding. I didn’t want you to know about it until it’s done. I guess you’ve ruined the surprise now.”

“Oh-oh! Really?”

“Since the day you showed it to me, I have always dreamt about it. My intention was to have it in a diamond-crusted frame so that it could have the value it truly deserves.”

“That’s my baby.” Sharon walked up to him and hugged and kissed him. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

“You are welcome, darling. All the same, I will still have it framed as planned. Only that it won’t be a surprise anymore.” Yemi held her hand and caressed it gently. “So, where do you think we should put it when it’s framed?”

“I think the living room downstairs will be fine.”

“Exactly, what I have in mind.” Yemi yawned. “Oh, darling, I’m tired. I want to get to my room and rest a bit.”

“Can’t you rest here?” She pulled him close, trying to unbutton his shirt. “You know how much I have been longing for you.”

Yemi gently pulled himself away. “Not yet, darling. Why the rush? You know I am yours forever. Let’s wait till after the wedding. Fortunately, we have fixed the date already and it’s only two weeks from now. I’m sure my baby girl can hold on for another two weeks, can’t she?”

“Hmmm ... I guess she can wait.” She let go reluctantly. The yearning in her soul was still strong though.

“That’s my darling,” Yemi kissed her forehead and walked briskly out of the room.

Sharon watched him leave and a slow smile crept onto her lips.


* * *


Yemi rushed into his room and quickly locked the door behind him. He rested his back on the door and panted heavily. That was close! He waited for five whole minutes for his breathing to normalise and his shaking body to calm down.

After he regained his composure, he brought out the phone and switched it on, praying that the battery had not been completely drained. To his joy, the phone came alive. He quickly punched Yinka’s number on the keypad and dialled it. He looked over his shoulder at the door. Though he had locked it, he didn’t feel safe enough. He hurried into the bathroom. He fixed his gaze on the screen and each second it took the call to connect his heartbeat soared. But the stupid phone refused to connect. Rather, the network signal kept rolling endlessly.

His heart now throbbed heavily against his chest. “Please, connect, connect, connect ...” he mumbled.

He frantically ended the call and punched Simisola’s number and again, that one too refused to connect. He looked at the phone. A lone vein throbbed on his forehead. He felt like smashing the phone to pieces. While he struggled with the phone, the unexpected happened! A whoosh of air rushed at his face as the bathroom door flung open and standing right in front of him was Sharon with Gee standing behind her!

The phone fell to the floor and his mouth refused to close. The question his mouth could not ask, his eyes did.

“Wondering how I got in?” Sharon spun a spare key around her finger. It made a whooshing sound as it sliced through the air. “Well, all the rooms have spare keys.”

“Damn!”

Sharon stretched her hand and Yemi picked up the phone and gave it to her, jittering. So many things ran loose in his mind. He did not know what fate awaited him. He prayed for the ground to open up and swallow him but this time it seemed God was not listening. Sharon walked back into the centre of the room, waving the phone to and fro.

“So you think this was going to save you?” She sniggered. “You thought I was a fool when you lied about what you took from my drawer? What you don’t know is that this room is all wired and there are hidden cameras everywhere. Everything you do is open before me, sweetheart.”

Yemi’s eyes grew bigger and bigger until he feared they would drop onto the ground. He looked around as if trying to spot the hidden bugs and cameras. His reaction only made Sharon laugh more. “Do not bother, sweetheart. You won’t see a thing. But if you are so keen on seeing something, take a look at this.” She handed him her tablet. Yemi almost fainted when he saw what was playing on the screen. It was a recording of him searching through her room!

“You now see that nothing escapes my notice in this house? And this?” She waved the phone again. “Have you ever wondered why people around here carry walkie-talkies about? Or do you think they don’t favour stylish phones? It is because GSM networks are jammed on this property. The only phones that work here are mine and mine alone! So, all the stress you went through to steal the phone was meaningless after all.”

Yemi gasped for air. He now expected the worse.

“You did this when I actually thought you had come to your senses. So, you mean that all those lovey-dovey of recent times were only a ruse? Anyways, you just lost that freedom you had.” She turned to Gee. “Gee, please ensure that two guards are posted to guard this room at all times. On no account should my sweetheart ever leave this room.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She turned back to Yemi. “Well, sweetheart, the wedding still holds as scheduled only that you will be confined to this room thereafter until I’m convinced you have learned your lesson.”

She turned around and marched out of the room. Gee followed, leaving Yemi petrified.

Less than twenty minutes later, Yemi heard heavy footsteps at his door. He knew right away that Gee had implemented the new instruction. He walked to the door and peeped from the peephole. True to what he thought, he saw two heavily built men standing guard at the door. One of them was very dark and he wondered if the man had ever been offered as a burnt offering. He had tribal marks that resembled lion claw marks on his cheek. Even though Yemi could only see one cheek from this position he knew the man had the marks on both cheeks.

The failure of his well-thought-out plan brought him pain. He fell to his knees and rammed his fist on the floor until his knuckles began to bleed.

All the while, he kept screaming, “Scorpion, where are you? Alpha of the Hoods ... Nemesis of Molesters ... I need you!”

At the mention of Scorpion, Fatai, the dark guard with tribal marks, jerked. Did Yemi just mention Scorpion? Did he really know The Breaker of Bones? Fatai tried to process all these in his head.




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

NB: The book is NOW AVAILABLE on online stores. For those who don't want to wait for each episode to be released, get the book here:

1. OKADABOOKS: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/jewel_from_the_ghetto_2_the_return_of_shakirah/26442

2. SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/930731



Àdùkẹ́!
...My Story, My World.


Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/adukestories/
Website: https://okoosiqudus.wixsite.com/author

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 9:11pm On May 01, 2019
EPISODE 31
(CHAPTER EIGHTEEN)



Banana Island, Yemi’s Residence.

Nicole distributed a six-page dossier on Sharon to everyone at the dining table. Her investigative journalist friends had been able to dig up amble information on Sharon. The rustling sound of paper filled the air as they flipped through the pages with concentrated looks.

Yinka looked up after a while. He had a stern look. “But it is said here that Sharon has a shy and amiable personality and shes highly religious too. How could she be responsible for all this?” Yinka asked, finding it difficult to believe what he was reading in the dossier.

“Perfect question. Exactly what I was thinking,” Ngozi added.

“Check out what it says on page three.” Nicole waited for the others to turn the pages. “She lost her family in a plane crash when she was only sixteen and lived a troubled life thereafter. She must have gone through a lot. Such an experience could change people, you know,” Nicole pointed out.

“One thing is certain. She doesn’t want Yemi dead. The way Yemi spoke the last time he called, I think she rather wants him for herself,” Simisola aired her view. “If this report says she had few friends and Yemi was one of them, then I strongly believe we are dealing with a case of obsession here. And if she had inherited her father’s fortune and vast estates as the only surviving child, then she has a lot of cash at her disposal to execute any plans she must have hatched.”

“But going by this dossier, Sharon has a promising future. She’s very brilliant and intelligent; she graduated with first-class honours in the States and finished her Master's programme in Psychology as the best student. She inherited vast wealth and real estates, she’s beautiful and well endowed. So, why would she want to throw all that away? It still beats my imagination.” Ngozi had a puzzled expression.

“Well, Ngozi, obsession is like hard drugs. It can make you brave and strong, but foolish and insane at the same time. It can embolden you to do things you ordinarily wouldn’t do and make you vulnerable at the same time,” Yinka explained.

Scorpion dropped his copy of the dossier on the table. “I don’t actually understand most of what is written here.” He cleared his throat. “But if I understand what you have been saying, I think she should be holding Mr Yemi on one of her father’s properties.”

“Gbam! Na wetin me be dey think sef be that. E just be like say Scorpion be read my mind,” Shakirah said in Pidgin English. “But the thing is that he could be on any of her numerous properties. How do we know which one?”

“Both Scorpion and Shakirah have a very intelligent point.” Yinka turned to Nicole, “Nicole, can your friends help us dig up a list of all her father’s real estates?”

“That should be what they can do. I will see to that,” Nicole responded.

“Good. Thank you, everyone. We are actually making progress. So, while we wait for the list may I suggest that we study this profile individually. Let’s read between the lines. There may be a clue hidden somewhere.” Yinka concluded the session and each one went in different directions.

Later, Scorpion was all by himself in the veranda. His eyes spoke of worries deep within. He needed to clear his head. Gbemisola had still not called neither had her number gone through. Added to that was the issue of Yemi’s disappearance. He felt for Simisola and baby Kayla. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he did not hear the door creak when Shakirah opened it and stood behind him until she touched him.

“Hey Scorpion.” The touch felt warm and comforting. Scorpion turned his head and smiled. Shakirah handed him a drink and walked to his side.

“Thank you, Shaki.” He uncorked the bottle with his teeth. It popped open and the gas rushed out with a whoosh. The crown cork felt cold in his mouth and the bottle chilled his hands. His throat immediately longed for the refreshing taste of the content.

Shakirah feigned a frown. “You know you are the only one who can call me Shaki and go unscathed. You know how much I detest being called that.”

“Sorry, I forgot you preferred Shakirah,” Scorpion apologized.

“So, what are you doing here all by yourself?” She leaned on the railing.

“Clearing my head.”

“I guess it is necessary. We all need to. There is a lot happening these days.”

Scorpion rubbed the scar on his neck without realising it. It had become a habit over time. Shakirah noticed it.

“Scorpion, can I ask you a question?”

The remorse in her voice caught Scorpion’s attention. He turned to face her, giving her all his attention. “Go on, feel free.”

“How ... how did you survive that night?”

“Hmmm!” Scorpion let out a long sigh. He didn’t respond instantly. He took a few seconds to gather himself. He breathed slowly. Realising how much effort it took him to prepare himself to talk about the incident, Shakirah’s eyes fell to her hands that were now fiddling with the hem of her blouse. Scorpion took a sip of his drink and responded, “After you, Tiger, and the other guys left me for dead in my own blood, I soon passed out. I don’t really know how much time passed since you left me there when I started hearing my name. I forced myself to open my eyes but all I saw was a blurry shape of a lady trying to lift me up. Everything was red. Then I blacked out again. The next time I opened my eyes, it was in the hospital two weeks later.”

“Oh my God! I can imagine how painful it must have been.”

“At that time, I knew no pain any longer. My whole body was numb!”

“God! I’m so sorry... What about the lady. I guess she must have known you for her to mention your name. Who was she?”

“That was the mysterious part. I never met her. She charged the doctors and nurses not to disclose her identity. All they told me was that she carried out some crucial first aid stuff on me that was critical to my survival. I was told if not for those things she did I would have been B.I.D.”

“What is B.I.D?”

“Brought in dead!”

“Thank God she was the one that found you and not just anybody.”

“Exactly what the doctors said. They wondered how someone without any medical background could do such a good job. They said she must be an expert in survival skills or must have a military background. What’s more, she footed all the bills. But for her to have mentioned my name, it meant she wasn’t any random person—she knew me. Why she didn’t want to reveal her identity still baffles me. I still wish I could meet her someday, at least, to say thank you.”

Scorpion realised that the more he talked about it with Shakirah, the lighter his heart became.

“Scorpion, if there’s one thing I regret most in life, it is that action. I don’t know if you can ever forgive me.”

“But I already told you I had.”

“Thank you. It’s so unburdening to hear this.”

Shakirah brought out a cigarette and lighter from her pocket. She tucked the cigarette between her lips and raised the lighter to its tip but Scorpion prevented her from lighting it.

“Why are you doing this ... I mean to yourself? Look at you. You don’t need this. Even I, I’m trying to clean up my life. I don’t smoke anymore. I still use the gym though ... you know, just to keep fit.” He flexed his muscles and smiled. “I think it’s high time you stopped this.”

Shakirah looked at the cigarette thoughtfully and crushed it. “When I got to prison I needed to be strong to protect myself, Nicole, and Risi.” An overwhelming flush of emotion gripped her at the mention of Risi’s name. Scorpion could feel it. “I lost it all when Risi died. The loss, the frustration, and the pain pushed me over the edge! All these—the madness, smoking, and aggression—are my way of dealing with the pain and frustration. I guess I was a coward, too scared to face it like a human and too proud to ask for help. If Risi was alive, maybe things would have been different. She was my checks and balances.”

Scorpion looked at her, his eyes full of pity. She was definitely a strong lady. Even at the height of her emotion, she still managed to cork up the tears.

“Maybe it’s not too late to ask for help. When all this is over, we can ask Simisola for help. I’m sure she will be glad to help. She has helped a lot of people. Look at Omo Ibo, Lolade, Taiwo and Kenny, you name it. They are doing very fine, thanks to Simi. I know if we talk to her she can help set you up. Being a hairdresser fits you more than all this. It is more dignifying. And more so, you are good at it. But this?” he shook his head. “Nah, nah.”

Shakirah looked up at him. She held his gaze. “You know what, Scorpion?”

“What?” Scorpion saw something deep in her eyes but he could not place it. All he knew was that whatever it was made him feel strange inside.

“You are a darling! I have really missed this part of you.” She flushed. Her voice was as soft as wool and as soothing as midnight breeze. It increased whatever it was that he was feeling inside him.

Whatever was going on inside both of them felt good. They did not even realise they were now holding hands until it was time for Shakirah to go back inside. Scorpion reluctantly let go of her hand. She smiled as she approached the door. She felt bubbles of joy in her belly. Scorpion, on the other hand, licked his lips gently and bit his lips.



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

NB: The book is NOW AVAILABLE on online stores. For those who don't want to wait for each episode to be released, get the book here:

1. OKADABOOKS: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/jewel_from_the_ghetto_2_the_return_of_shakirah/26442

2. SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/930731



Àdùkẹ́!
...My Story, My World.


Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/adukestories/
Website: https://okoosiqudus.wixsite.com/author

2 Likes

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by moseph(f): 9:15pm On May 01, 2019
thanks for the update

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by toyhin123(f): 9:27pm On May 01, 2019
I am really loving this
I just hope Fatai can help in this situation
Thanks for the update sir

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by skubido(m): 11:09pm On May 01, 2019
Tanks for the update

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by Lilly4endu(f): 11:36pm On May 01, 2019
After reading this chapter eighteen, I closed my eyes and started imagining things. Oooh not what you are thinking oooh.

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by sooperrescue(m): 12:29am On May 02, 2019
JamesKudooski:


Thanks sooperrescue for the patronage. And I am so delighted you enjoyed it.

This is the second time you are comparing my work to pacesetters! Wow! I'm touched! Thanks,
bro.

What problem are you having with downloading it?
I am reading the novel from the page and I did not find where to download it to my computer

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 12:33am On May 02, 2019
sooperrescue:

I am reading the novel from the page and I did not find where to download it to my computer

Oh, I see.

With Okadabooks, you can only download onto your Okadabooks app.
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by rukidanty: 8:35am On May 02, 2019
nice update.. we need the real action o

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by becca2017(f): 1:31pm On May 02, 2019
Awwwwwn love wantintin!! Thanks for the update

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 4:51pm On May 02, 2019
moseph:
thanks for the update

You are welcome, dear
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 4:52pm On May 02, 2019
toyhin123:
I am really loving this
I just hope Fatai can help in this situation
Thanks for the update sir


I pray Fatai can help too oooo.
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 4:53pm On May 02, 2019
skubido:
Tanks for the update


Skubido, wa sere.
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 4:54pm On May 02, 2019
Lilly4endu:
After reading this chapter eighteen, I closed my eyes and started imagining things. Oooh not what you are thinking oooh.


Hmmmmmm....
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 4:58pm On May 02, 2019
rukidanty:
nice update.. we need the real action o

Hmmmmm...
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 5:13pm On May 02, 2019
becca2017:
Awwwwwn love wantintin!!
Thanks for the update

Abi oooo, you can say that again.
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 5:15pm On May 02, 2019
FRESH EPISODES LOADING...
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 5:27pm On May 02, 2019
EPISODE 32
(CHAPTER NINETEEN)



Sharon’s Garden of Eden.

FATAI’S SHIFT ENDED A couple of hours ago. It was past bedtime but sleep refused to pay him a visit. He rolled up and down his three-foot bed. What he heard from Yemi during his shift in the afternoon had driven sleep out of his eyes. Yemi had called out Scorpion’s name in despair. It meant he must have known Scorpion well to have had so much trust in him.

The pieces started fitting together. Scorpion was his close friend and had told him several times before he got this job about one Mr Yemi. That Mr Yemi and his girlfriend who later became his wife had been God sent to him. They were so dear to him that he could enter a duel with death to save them if it came to that. Scorpion had jokingly called him Bros Oyinbo. He was now sure the Yemi his boss held here was the same Yemi Scorpion was fond of, for this one spoke with a foreign accent too.

If that was the case, he resolved in his mind to help Yemi in whatever way he could. He knew it was a dangerous venture but he made up his mind to it anywayat least, for Scorpion. He sat up and drew up a mental plan of how he would go about it.

The following day, he took his position at Yemi’s door and waited for the right time to execute his plan. Soon, one of the maids brought Yemi’s food. Fatai collected the tray and offered to take in. When he entered, he saw Yemi seated at a table reading a book. He knew all the spots the cameras where hidden. So, he positioned himself at an angle that obscured the view of his face and hands. He placed the tray on the table and carefully slid a small strip of paper under the plate. Yemi, surprised, looked at his face. Fatai winked at him and he got the message.

Yemi carefully kept the strip inside his book. When he finished eating, he pushed the tray aside and pick up the book. He opened to where he kept the strip and pretended to be reading the book. He read the tiny letters on the paper. The handwriting was too beautiful for someone as rough looking as Fatai.

My name is Fatai. I wish to help you but first, I need to know: do people sometimes call you Bros Oyinbo? Blink twice if yes and once if no when I come back for the tray. Scorpion is my friend.

Abundant joy filled Yemi’s belly and a new ray of hope shone on his face. Soon, Fatai came back for the tray. He looked straight into Yemi’s eyes and Yemi blinked twice. Fatai winked, carried the tray and left the room.

The communication between Fatai and Yemi continued this way for another four days. During the period, Yemi came to learn many things about the Garden of Eden. He learnt that the bathroom had no cameras and a manhole in its ceiling led to where the water tanks were placed on the roof. He also learnt that a phone could only get network reception close to the main gate of the estate. He learnt that a hidden path behind the rear fence of Sharon’s Garden of Eden led to the estate main gate. Fatai shared an escape plan with him.

Sharon had arranged for the water tanks to be cleaned on the fifth day. Fatai would be one of those to supervise the exercise. He would seize the opportunity to leave a rope and a cell phone on the water tank platform for him. He would also be the one to switch to the second generator that night. He would purposely delay switching on the generator to give Yemi a five to seven-minute window to escape through the rear fence during the blackout.

The day of the escape eventually arrived. Everything happened as Fatai had told Yemi. In the afternoon, Yemi saw from his window the men that came to wash the tanks and it filled him with confidence. Thereafter, Yemi relaxed in his bed and mentally prepared himself for the escape. The blackout would happen by 10 p.m. But by 9.55 p.m., he was to make his way to the roof and wait for the blackout. He checked the time from time to time and as the hour got closer, his heart raced faster. By 9.30 p.m., goose pumps took over all his body and his palms began to sweat. What he was about to do was dangerous. He knew he might not live to execute another one if he failed tonight.

By 9.40, he changed into his pyjamas. He knew Sharon might be watching him so he needed things to appear normal. He sat on his bed and pretended to be reading his book. But in reality, he was counting the minutes in his head. At 9.45 p.m., he heard footsteps at his door. He jerked. His heart skipped a few beats. The door opened and Sharon and Gee entered. He looked at the time and he almost had a heart attack. What a bad time for Sharon and the deadly Gee to call!




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

NB: The book is NOW AVAILABLE on online stores. For those who don't want to wait for each episode to be released, get the book here:

1. OKADABOOKS: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/jewel_from_the_ghetto_2_the_return_of_shakirah/26442

2. SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/930731



Àdùkẹ́!
...My Story, My World.


Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/adukestories/
Website: https://okoosiqudus.wixsite.com/author

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by skubido(m): 5:37pm On May 02, 2019
Carry go boss
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by Ann2012(f): 5:38pm On May 02, 2019
Nawa oooo

Well done OP
Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 5:55pm On May 02, 2019
EPISODE 33
(CHAPTER NINETEEN)


Yemi’s Residence, Banana Island.


Nicole had supplied the list of estates Sharon inherited from her father. There were fifty-two of them scattered within and outside the country. After eliminating the ones outside the country, they were still left with forty-one in prime areas of the country. Yemi could be on any one of them! Understandably, they had a hard time figuring out which it could be. They had been on it for three days with no conclusive result.

And today, they had been on it for hours, each one with his or her own copy. Suddenly, Ngozi found an item on the list that looked funny to her. She made a jest of it.

“See me see trouble o, how could a wealthy man with properties in Lekki, Ikoyi, Abuja, Dubai, UK, USA, Netherlands and the likes acquire land in Papalanto?” She laughed. “Nicole, are you sure this list is correct?”

All the others too were surprised.

“Omo Ibo! Where did you see Papalanto? Now is not the time for silly jokes,” Simisola responded.

“I’m serious, Simisola. Check the last page. It is the second to the last one on the list.”

All hands turned to the last page with speed.

“Wow! Ngozi is right,” Nicole said. “Ten hectares of land at Berryville Estate, Papalanto Road, Ogun State!”

“Come to think of it, that may be where we have been looking for all this while,” Shakirah said with some level of confidence.

“Shakirah, who would want to go and live in that kind of bush when she has houses in prime areas?” Ngozi responded.

“Shakirah might be right, you know,” Yinka said. He got up and walked across the room ponderously, holding his chin. He turned to Simisola. “Simi, didn’t you say Yemi mentioned paradise when last he spoke to you?”

“Yes, he did.”

“That looks like a place to create a paradise to me. Moreover, it is hidden from public eyes. I think we should look into that property.”

Nicole had a different view. “I don’t think we should waste our time on this one. Why would she want to create a paradise in one God knows where bush when she has a thousand and one luxury houses that are paradises in themselves all over?” Nicole looked at their faces. They seemed to be following her line of reasoning. “Come to think of it, Sharon was schooled in the USA. She even had her masters there and had lived all her life in affluent, well-organised societies before then. I don’t see someone like that going to that bush. How do you think she would cope in a place like that? If you asked me, I’d say we should spend our energy on somewhere else.”

“I think I agree with Nicole,” Simisola said.

Nicole’s explanation was persuasive enough. Without wasting any time, they crossed out the Papalanto property from the list and concentrated their efforts on the other luxury properties in other prime locations. And so Papalanto was completely forgotten!

However, Shakirah, deep inside of her, still felt the Papalanto property shouldn’t have been overlooked.



9.46 p.m. Sharon’s Garden of Eden, Yemi’s Room.

Sharon walked in. After taking five steps, she stopped and looked around as if she suspected something was going on. Yemi held his breath. He feared Sharon might hear the throbbing sound of his heart. Perspiration ran loose on his forehead and down into his eyes. It stung like salt. Sharon settled her gaze on him. It was a concentrated look and the furrow of her brows unsettled him.

“Sweetheart, you are sweating!” Sharon noted. “Are you alright?” She walked up to him.

“I ... I ... I’m okay,” he forced out with a deliberate effort to hide the shakiness in his voice.

“But you look pale.” She felt his forehead with the back of her palm. “I think you need a doctor.” She turned to Gee. “Gee, please call the doc.”

Yemi stole a sidelong glance at the clock. It was 9.50 p.m. The apprehension in his eyes almost betrayed him but somehow he managed to hide it. He stood up and forced a smile. “Darling, no need for the doctor. I am cool. I think it’s because I’m still getting used to being locked up in the room. It’s nothing. I will be fine.”

Sharon looked at him thoughtfully for some seconds. “Okay. If you say so.” She ordered her bodyguard, “Gee, don’t bother. Let’s not disturb the doctor.”

“Okay, ma’am.”

It was now 9.51 p.m., Yemi needed to think of something fast otherwise, he might as well forget about ever escaping. All of a sudden, he held his stomach and squinched.

“What is it?” Sharon asked.

“I have to use the loo.” He turned back and shambled off towards the bathroom like someone who had something stuck in his anus.

Sharon and Gee exchanged looks and laughed. But the laughter was short-lived. A puff sound left Yemi’s bum and a whiff of ‘dangerous’ gas was let loose. It smelled like rotten eggs and spread fast.

“Sorrrrrrry,” he grunted and continued his funny steps to the bathroom.

“Ewwwww!” Sharon covered her nose and puckered. Gee waved her hand in front of her nose vigorously.

“Ma’am, I think we should leave him to do his business,” Gee suggested. The voice forced its way through the hand covering her nose and mouth and came out muffled.

Sharon didn’t wait to respond. The next thing Gee saw was Sharon running to the door. She too took to her heels after her.

Yemi locked himself inside the bathroom. What happened back there almost forced laughter out of him but there was no time for that now. He, however, thanked God that the silly ‘bomb’ came out when he needed it most. He checked his watch and it was now 9.53 p.m. He waited for some time and took several short deep breaths. At exactly 9.56 p.m., he turned on the shower, stood on the water closet, pushed the manhole open, and climbed into the ceiling.

The place was dark. He brought out a small torch and put it on. He was careful not to make any sound as he navigated his way to the concrete slab on the roof where the water tanks were. He checked his time and it was 9.59 p.m. He was right on time. He saw the rope and a small cell phone at the base of one of the tanks exactly as Fatai had told him. He switched off the torch and waited for the blackout.

Right on schedule, all lights went out by 10 p.m. Yemi sprang to action without delay. He tucked the phone into his pocket and climbed down the roof with the rope. On the ground, he ducked to the rear wall. Scaling the high wall wasn’t easy but his life depended on it. He dared not attempt this when the power was on, even if no guard was on the ground; the electrified wires on top of the fence would electrocute him without warning.

He landed on the other side of the fence and found the hidden path exactly as Fatai had told him. He ran like a mad man. It was dark but the crescent moon dimly lit his path. He could only see a few inches ahead of him at a time but it was better than total darkness. After running for two minutes, he looked back and saw the flashlights around the fence shine into the sky. He knew that Fatai had switched on the power. And that also meant that his disappearance would soon be discovered. There was not a single second to waste.

As he dashed through the bush, tall elephant grasses parted with rustling sounds, dried twigs snapped under his feet, and his heart drummed in commotion. The croaking of frogs, the chirping of crickets, the hissing of snakes, and the flapping wings of bats combined together to produce an eerie sound, frightful enough to make an able-bodied man poo on himself. But for Yemi, there wasn’t even a second to consider his fears! He continued running non-stop even as the harsh leaves scuffed his face and swinging twigs slapped his cheeks. He followed a sharp bend in the path but was too slow to see a small ditch in his path. The poor visibility also contributed to it. He stepped into the ditch and heard a snapping sound. He groaned in pain. He fell to the ground and held his ankle. He squeezed his eyes tightly and pressed his lips together in an effort to cork up the scream that threatened to burst through his lips. The pain from the sprain was excruciating. He got up and continued, limping. The path soon ran parallel to the paved road from the main gate.



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

NB: The book is NOW AVAILABLE on online stores. For those who don't want to wait for each episode to be released, get the book here:

1. OKADABOOKS: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/jewel_from_the_ghetto_2_the_return_of_shakirah/26442

2. SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/930731



Àdùkẹ́!
...My Story, My World.


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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 7:13pm On May 02, 2019
EPISODE 34
(CHAPTER NINETEEN)



10.30 p.m., Sharon’s Room.

Sharon sat down on her bed and bent over to remove her cowboy boots. She was getting ready to have her shower and go to bed. Gee stood close by with her hands behind her back like a statue. She waited for her boss to dismiss her. Instinctively, Sharon left the boots and raised her head. She turned to Gee.

“Please pass me that tab.” She pointed to her tablet lying on a table close to Gee.

Gee picked it up and passed it to her. She opened the console of the cameras in Yemi’s room. She was surprised that Yemi had not come out of the bathroom. “Gee, what’s the time?”

“10.30, ma’am.”

“SH*T!!!” Sharon sprang up and dashed out of the room.

Gee ran after her immediately preparing herself for the worst. They got to Yemi’s door and Sharon pushed the guards at the door away, turned the key and pushed the door open. The door swung open with a whooshing sound and slammed on the wall. Sharon ran in and headed straight for the bathroom. Gee came in behind her with her 9mm semi-automatic pistol drawn out. The two puzzled guards also ran in at the ready. Sharon sent a kick to the bathroom door and it flung open with so much force that it hit the wall hard and bounced back.

“WHAT?!” Sharon squealed. “Yemi has escaped!” She turned around and shoved everyone away and ran towards the door.

Gee peeped into the bathroom and saw the opening in the ceiling. She began barking orders. “You,” She pointed to one of the guards. “Go through that hole and see whatever you can find! GO NOW!” She turned to the other one. “You, follow me!” She ran out and as she did, she removed her walkie-talkie from the strap on her waist and screamed into it, “Gee to all units: Sound the alarm, lock all the gates, and release the dogs! Yemi has escaped! Get the Hilux trucks ready and meet me at the convergence point now! Over and out!”


* * *


Yemi kept limping. From his calculation and what Fatai told him, he knew the main gate was not far ahead. Once he made it out of the gate he might be fortunate to see night travellers who could pick him. Or he could disappear into any of the many bushes along the road and find somewhere to hide till the next morning. He suddenly realised that it would not be long before the guards discovered the path and it would be foolish of him to continue on this side of the road. Crossing the paved estate road to the bush on the other side sounded smart.

Just then, he started hearing dogs barking in the distance. He was right after all—they were on his trail already. With his limping pace, he knew he would not make it to the gate before they caught up with him. He needed a decoy. He remembered one of his favourite TV shows— Survival Techniques. Now was the time to put all he had learnt over time to use. He tore tiny strips of his pyjamas and hung them on spiky twigs, some distance apart, in the opposite direction. When done, he limped back to the spot he began from. He got ready to cross the road to the other side but stepped into a marshy substance; his leg sunk into it. He looked down. It was animal dung.

An idea lit up in his head. He quickly bent low and smeared the dung all over his body to mask his scent from the sniffing dogs. Thereafter, he crossed to the other side and hid behind the tall grasses and watched. Not long after that, he saw a group of guards with torches, rifles, and dogs got to the spot he just left. The dogs went in circles sniffing as if confused before heading in the opposite direction. At that instant, the leader of the team spotted a strip of Yemi’s cloth. He pointed in the direction the dogs already headed and shouted, “Over there. Hurry!” In response, several legs charged in the direction, causing the ground to quake. The one at the front charged on rather carelessly and stepped into a marsh and began to sink. The others braked at once. The sinking man screamed like a baby, flailing his arms.

The team leader marched to the front, shoving his way through. He was an action man. His men usually called him Suppo, a slang for supervisor. ,“Would you grab this and stop screaming like a child!” He threw a long stick to him. “Nonsense! Even a goat being dragged to the slaughter doesn’t scream like that!” he shouted.

The others grabbed the other end of the stick and dragged out the sinking man. He panted like he just came out of hell. Suppo looked at the marsh sternly. He purred. He shook his head slowly. “There was no way he could have survived this. Madam will not like this. Her sweetheart has perished.” He turned to his men and barked, “Guys, back to base!”

Yemi watched from his hideout as the men returned from the marsh. Almost at the same time, two Hilux trucks, full of guards, sped down the paved road and screeched to a stop in front of them. The guards jumped down even before the trucks halted. A more senior guard came down from the front seat of the truck. Immediately Suppo saw him, he stood to attention and saluted, his hand slicing through the air with force. His men did the same.

The fierce-looking man chewed the cud and saluted back. “At ease. Suppo, what have you got?”

Suppo was about to respond when the superior officer spotted a slight movement in Yemi’s direction. He took deliberate steps towards Yemi with a stern look. Yemi froze, too afraid to breathe lest the grim-faced man heard his heartbeat. The hairs on his skin stood like spikes. His already sweat-soaked pyjamas gummed to his body. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer.

Senior Officer Chika was getting close when Suppo spoke, “Sir, I have every reason to believe that Yemi drowned in the marsh down there.”

Chika turned sharply. “You said what?!” The force of his voice shook Suppo’s legs.

“Affirmative, sir! You can come and see for yourself, sir!”

The senior officer fixed his eyes on the mud-covered man that was rescued from the marsh a while ago. He looked at him from head to toe. The man had still not recovered from the effect of his near-death experience. Senior Officer Chika chewed the cud again.

“Boss Lady won’t be happy about this! Everyone back to base!”

Yemi opened his eyes and saw the guards jumped into the trucks and drove off. He let out a loud sigh. He waited till the dust settled and he hit the road. He could make out the shape of the gate two hundred metres ahead albeit not clearly. A glint of hope shone in his eyes. He began to hop as fast as his limping legs could carry him. Ten metres to the gate, he saw that the pedestrian gate was opened. He thanked his God. Then he started hearing the purring of a truck some distance away on the main road outside the gate. He suspected it was one of those cement trucks. If he could move fast enough before the truck passed by he stood a chance of flagging it down. He increased his pace.

As he almost got to the gate, he heard the explosive sound of a power bike. He turned his head sharply. And before he knew what was happening, the bike burst out of the bush as though from a telepathic portal. He watched wide-eyed as it lept in the air and landed a few metres from him. Gee jumped off before the bike halted and skidded off into the bush on the other side. She rolled on the ground three times and by the time she halted on a knee and a foot, her pistol was already drawn out aiming at Yemi. “Freeze!” she shouted.

Yemi turned back to the gate, then back to Gee, and back to the gate as if weighing his options. The urge for the gate was strong. He took one more step towards it.

“I said don’t move!” Gee cocked the gun. “One more step and I will blow your skull off.”

The voice didn’t sound like she was joking. Immediately, Yemi stopped. He carefully slid his hand into his pocket and brought out the phone. While he was hiding in the bush a while ago, he had typed a message and saved it, to be sent to Yinka and Simisola as a plan B. The message read:

S.O.S: I am in Berryville Estate, Papalanto Road. Yemi.

The signal strength was strong but something else made his blood pressure to increase exponentially. The battery icon was empty with 1% showing next to it. He knew the phone was going to go off soon! He hit the send button. A message icon appeared on the screen with a circle revolving around it and the phrase, Sending Message, was scrolling below it. They rolled and scrolled for one second and the empty battery icon started blinking. “Oh! No, no, no! Don’t do this, please,” Yemi mumbled to himself as his heart began to race almost too fast. The next second, the phone shut down and so was any hope of survival left in him. He just bagged his funeral!

“Turn around and place your hands where I can see them.” Gee steadied her aim on his forehead. Her voice was icy.

Yemi raised his hands in the air and slowly turned around. He dropped the phone and it shattered into pieces on hitting the ground. He crushed what remained of the circuit board under his foot. He regretted doing that; the flood of pain the sprained leg flushed into his system was paralysing. Gee walked up to him and cuffed his hands behind his back. She radioed for a Hilux truck to be brought to them. Yemi looked at the gate one last time and saw the cement truck drove by. He shook his head while tears formed in his eyes.



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

Phew!

Guy, this is where the posting of the story on Nairaland ends.

What would happen to Yemi? He just bagged his funeral and he knew it!

What would the eccentric Sharon do to him? Could he survive the next minute in her presence?

Could Scorpion and others save him before it's too late?

If anyone told you they saw Simisola dressed as a Secret Agent, fully armed and determined to save her husband, would you believe it?

Whatever your answers are, what I can CATEGORICALLY tell you is that what happened from here up to the end of the book is NON-STOP, HEAD-BURSTING ACTION that you will dare not put the book down for a minute!

Click on any of the links below to read the full story:

1. BAMBOOKS:
https://bambooks.io/Book/FilterBook?query=Qudus

2. OKADABOOKS: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/jewel_from_the_ghetto_2_the_return_of_shakirah/26442

3. SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/930731



Warning!!!

If you decide to read the book on a commercial bus, then you risk the danger of missing your bus stop!!!

Comment below attests to that!


ewawumi:
The complete book has left me speechless. I was reading inside danfo n I never knew when I almost reach Ikorodu while my stop was at Ketu. I so much love this. Hope there is going to be a sequel?

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by oluwaemmanuel: 7:27pm On May 02, 2019
Good job, though I was invited but here anyway

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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by toyhin123(f): 7:41pm On May 02, 2019
Thank u so much sir
God will bless u abundantly

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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by Dammygold1990(f): 8:48pm On May 02, 2019
Mehn u d best thanks � so much

1 Like

Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by Dammygold1990(f): 8:51pm On May 02, 2019
How do I get the book plssss

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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by becca2017(f): 9:33pm On May 02, 2019
Mehn!! these updates are mind-blowing.. btw are u stopping the story here??

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Re: Jewel From The Ghetto 2: Return Of Shakirah by JamesKudooski(m): 10:44pm On May 02, 2019
Dammygold1990:
How do I get the book plssss


Dammygold1990, you can get the book here:

https://okadabooks.com/book/about/jewel_from_the_ghetto_2_the_return_of_shakirah/26442

Thank you.

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