Timpaker, Lol. No suspense then.
Stuff46, I've not encountered them. Welcome and keep it locked here

Good story. but you really need to go through and edit. The noise in communication aint so good.
I enjoy reading your works.
You're good at short stories

kingphilip:

And she's back

Slides in

Lemme go n read jor becoming ftc these days in juicy tales like this is hard to come by

Lol, Glad to see you, honestly.

#2

I followed the soldiers quietly to see their ‘infamous’ captain while my mind kept rolling over, trying to remember how or why I had attracted their attention, but couldn’t fathom any reason. The trek down took longer than I expected, I had thought that with the way they urged me back at the bus stop, we would have arrived and I would be facing a mean and desperate looking soldier who would roll out my offence.

I was getting rather uncomfortable and wanted to speak out when we took a turn off the highway into a busy street. There I saw an army blockade and a number of soldiers standing around. Two pairs of them stood beside two cars checking out a man and his driving papers.

Another group clustered around a tree shade beside some bags of sand which formed a heap. Two of the soldiers were sitting down while the rest stood around, chatting animatedly while they shared a glass of liquor. It was to this group that my escort led me.

I didn’t remember seeing this army block when I passed by earlier on. But It was actually not my route, I defended. And the earlier they stated their reason for accosting me, the earlier I went on with my own business.

When we reached, both soldiers left my side, the aggressive one went on to take a sip from the communal bottle while the other simple joined the rest. I was not in their middle, all attention diverted to me even no one said anything yet. Instead their eyes cast at me with different expressions –disinterest, excitement, nonchalance and even amorous.

It wasn’t in my mind to greet any of them, so instead of the fear that a normal Nigerian would feel in the midst of these lots, I felt irritation.

“Na true Musa talk be that then” one of the solders finally said, puffing out a thick smoke from his cigarette while he stared menacingly at me.

“See as she dey look like say she want beat us” another quipped in

“All this butter girls, dem no dey wan fear person!” another exclaimed

“na today she go learn the respect na” yet another voice said

On and on, the soildiers kept throwing tantrums at me in pidgin. I didn’t look at their faces, nor cared who said what, nor even tried to cower before them, as far as I was concerned, I had done nothing to spite them.

“Just see her face sef! No fear, no respect! Oya kneel down there before I whooze you one slap!” I heard a voice shout from behind me. It was the aggressive soldier from before who was obviously eager on ‘whoozing me a slap’

“I don’t understand what is going on here please” I finally found my voice to speak, directing my attention at him.

“Shut up and kneel down there!” another soldier commanded.

But as I turned to see who had spoken, two hands descended on my shoulders and I felt myself being forced into a kneeling position, I tried to struggle free and rise up when a slap landed on my back. I couldn’t muster the strength to stand up thereafter; the slap had weakened me more than I had expected, fear and confusion started creeping in on me then.

“What is my crime?” I asked in a bit of a shaky voice

“So you don dey throw rank with the Nigerian army now abi?” one of them asked.

“What…I don’t understand” I let out in what sounded like a whisper.

“oya show us your badge”

“what badge?” I asked looking at the towering men from one to the other.

“you dey ask what badge abi? Oya why you con wear army uniform for that your lekpa body if you no get the Nigerian Army badge?” he said the ‘badge’ part with a sense of pride.

That was when my crime slowly dawned on me as I saw then the similarity between my outfit and that of the men; the patterned colours on mine even looked brighter and sharper than their partially faded ones.

“Your sense don complete abi? He said to me with a mocking grin.

I tried to say something else when I felt my face cap pulled out from my head and the braids I had painstakingly tried to hide under them inorder to complete the Tomboy image I had set out to achieve come loose. But that was hardly my problem

“she even con wear the cap join” the soldier who had pulled it out said as he stared at it, then at me as if I had commited a deadly crime by putting on the cap.

“see as her eyes dey shine like witch own. If to say you no be woman, we for don beat you black and blue for here” The aggressive one cursed sternly, pointing at me.

I guess there was something to thank God about finally for making me a woman, I thought drily as I stared numbly at them, not daring to say a word or move an inch.

Nobody spoke a thing for another strained minute and Seeing that I had finally come to terms with ‘my sin’, the soldier who had seem to me as the leader of the ‘pack’ left to go sit at a long bench directly facing me, while the others instinctively withdrew some steps away and I was left kneeling down in their midst like a lamb to the slaughter, though their cold stare never left me. The intensity of made it seem hard to imagine that a wardrobe function was the only crime I had committed and not murder!

Jeez! I thought enraged. I needed to do something.

“Can I speak to the captain please” I spoke out after another strained and silent minute passed. Some of the men had gone back to their drinking while the rest were puffing out smoke from their cigarettes and chatting away like they wasn’t a human kneeling down there.

“Wetin you talk?” the aggressive soildier was obviously the one who had heard, who had my time.

“your Captain, or the leader here so I can explain myself” I replied.

“you dey craze!” he shouted and lurched towards me, instinctively I rose up ready to dodge his assault.

“come on kneel down there, which captain you wan see? Wetin the captain go do for you…” as he continued his tirades, I went back to my kneeling position. The coldness in his eyes spoke volumes and his raised voice had attracted the other soldiers’ attention and they turned back at me, each one tracing his steps back to where I knelt. Now they were speaking continuously in raised voices that I couldn’t make out what each said. It felt to me then that they would finally end up beating me black and blue because I had asked to see their captain, and I just knelt there, my hands raised above my head as a final act of self defense in case the blows started coming. My thoughts were hazy and disconcerted when I heard a voice from behind; it was bolder, authoritative and indeed halted the men as they all turned around then to see who had spoke.

Immediately they saw him, they all stood at attention in salute to him.

Finally the Captain, I thought with a ray of hope.
***

Paradigm shift #1

I love Saturdays! They are guaranteed drama-free days at the office; days where I don’t get to cross part with the reporters from the entertainment department, them and their love for frivolities and hearsays. I mean, how could people go to college, get a communication degree and come back only to stalk celebrities in their ludicrous pattern of life? Putting a tag on them like they make the world go round? I don’t get it, never did and never would. Females, who major the entertainment beat, to me, are just the worst of it – the very betrayers of female fight for independence.

I mean, if they don’t take themselves serious by going into careers that show the male counterpart that they are ready for equality and independence, then who will?

Now don’t get me wrong, I do not secretly envy my colleagues nor strongly champion the cause of the radical feminist, far from it. I am way contented working in the political beat where I double as a reporter and an assistant editor, chasing political sources and investigating stories that touch the polity and affect people’s lives, gives me the thrill. I don’t dwell in make believe nor do I disguise the reality at hand with flimsy soft sell.

And as for my feminist view, let’s just say I am conservatively liberal, whatever that means. I believe that women should be given equality as the men in every way – career, politics, business, marriage, finance and what have you. Yet I still feel the female should make an effort to show the world that they are ready for such responsibility, problem is, most of us females want to eat their cake and still have it and there I do not fault the men.

Now, although I never get tired of telling Lola, Esther and their ‘gangs’ why they need to find something more dignifying to do with their lives aside from making babies, catering for husbands and playing fashion police to fellow celebrity air-heads as themselves, I don’t feel like it today. I have quite a lot of pressing work on my hand.

The exclusive feature on the recent surge of terrorism and militancy in Nigeria needs to be fine tuned and sent to the chief-editor for final appraisal before it is published on Monday, I have two interviews I just conducted to transcribe but most importantly is the cover story I’m working on for BBC Africa which would be due on Wednesday.

I am looking forward to the next level in my career and BBC pose as my utmost target, something is definitely in the pipeline and that’s the more reason I need to focus. No distractions.

I had decided against driving my car, didn’t feel like getting caught up in the Lagos traffic, plus I needed to concentrate My chosen outfit mirrored the state of my preparedness- depending on your perspective though – I am wearing a slim-fit black top perfectly tucked into an army patterned khaki trousers and an army face cap to match. I have a one handed back pack casually slung on my back, it contains my mini-laptop, a jotter and my tape recorder.

I have a few steps to reach the bus stop when I heard someone shout behind me. I turn around to see two soildiers walking towards me, their faces looked anything but familiar or friendly and they seem to have their focus set on me.

‘hey you! Stop there!’ one of them shouted angrily while pointing at me.

I subconsciously looked around to see if there was someone close by me they were referring to.

‘where she dey look! Common come here’ the other shouted angrily. They were already by my side and one of them reached out to grab my hand, immediately I stepped back.

‘what kind of embarrassment is this?’ I exclaimed, half surprised, half panicked and half indignant.

“you still dey talk abi?” the first soldier said again.

‘I don’t get it. Is there any way I can help both of you?” I tried again, already feeling irritation creep up my skin. I cant imagine how I had attracted the attention of the Nigerian on this beautiful Saturday.

‘just follow us go see captain” the first soldier said and reached to grab my hands again. I instinctively pulled away.

‘Don’t make this any harder. Just come with us peacefully to avoid any force” the second soldier spoke with unexpected calm.

But I still had to make one more effort at trying to salvage the situation. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go anywhere if I don’t know what…”

“you still dey sharp your mouth there abi! If I whooze you one slap enh, that your sharp mouth go shut up once” the first soldier, who obviously is the aggressive one, angrily cut me short. Surprisingly, He was actually planning on carrying out his threat if not for the other soldier that made an attempt to restrain him.

That moment was when I knew not to argue anymore. I mean this was the Nigerian solider we were talking about here; they were a set that didn’t respect class, office or gender. It was time to apply diplomacy.

‘okay let’s go see your Captain”. I said.

The calmer soldier led the way while the aggressive one went behind me as I walked alongside. It was obviously to fore-stall any attempt I had of escaping.

‘The fool” I thought bitterly but didn’t dare vocalize my thoughts.

***

Hello Everyone!


This is to introduce my blog and New series to the esteemed reading community of Nairaland literature section.
I know I have an completed work here (Fast Lane), and i am not thinking of ruling it out totally, No, just writing a new story idea.
So I will definitely get back to it as soon as I can. Toykathy, Kingphilip, Nitlad and others, please take note

And as always, I enjoy the comments and encouragement of the nairaland community and felt my blog to be a little quiet and so I've decided to invite you all to my blog, the story and its character Efe/Ese (I'm actually deciding the better name)

All rights reserved
(c) Cynthia U.
Please don't plagiarize.
Just read and encourage a sister, Thank you.

Blog URL is: [url]sunsetexpressng.[/url]

They are more updates and other posts (which will be added soon enough) there for your reading pleasure.

Thank you.

Realtol:

Wow! Nice African Collection you've there! Anyway don't you cry when you watch your fave team (Arsenal) plays?

Lol, no I dont. I dont care if they lose or win cos i am not a fan. I only just help them fly their Jersey

HARDDON:

Would u rather we dance? To some distant drum Rhythm of the night Or rhythim of some rhymes Let the music play N long into this lane Until all on d altar we lay lose
Immortals Only d drums of angels The tone from d rocks The wealthy Wells of words Therein only lies the move to roll The will to way
Shall we really dance?

yeah, lets dance

Review... Can I?

Poem Diction: simple and easy to understand. Its theme is not far fetched. It borders on the political scene in Nigeria.

Its a free verse no doubt, and has element of repetition. This gives it a rhythm of some sort.

You portrayed your emotional state lucidly that leaves no one in doubt of how truly you feel.

Its a good poem. Is it your first?

Well, I told the sponsor to check this thread and come up with his own decision, this is what he replied me with and asked me to paste as it is on this thread. I should be back to reply all.

Hello Cynthia,
I just read through the thread and trust me, I find it funny.
I recall when we started, and like I said, funds for winners will increase as well as other platforms for different winners gradually as we proceed which we've talked about very well.
I had hopes of starting same on the programming section which ran for few month(s) before I couldn't communicate effectively with who was handling it, and then paused.
I'm still working on how to go back to that.
My decision right now is to pause this project from this moment till when we come up with a possible solution on how best to work.
Right now I'll focus on my other lil Charity projects and see how far it goes. I just made plans to purchase several thousand notebooks as well as Mathematical Sets and other materials for some schools in my LGA and Kids on my small scholarship.
I'll remain anonymous for as long as ever cos it was never a project for profit or other gains, and like I say to you most times, I'm just a very regular guy you'll pass on the streets.
I thank you for continuous encouragements, calls, emails, sms especially on when cases where I delay for a day or two in funding recipients accounts. You're such a wonderful person to work with and I hope to meet you someday.
God bless you in your strives and endeavors.
Pls, no need to reach out to other persons we intended to. I think its not necessary, except you advice otherwise.
Cheers always

@ d9ty7
You've spoken all of my mind. Every and every month, this award keeps on dwindling. For the fact that It is already a year plus should mean that it should have garnered enough popularity to followers to keep it floating, but obviously not!

Some Writers feel too big to ask their readers to vote them or even come here to vote themselves. Maybe 5,000 is chicken change to them, I just don't understand.

And for no reason, A Mod unsticked the thread like having it put up there was earning me extra money and popularity...

Well what can I say, some people don't even know what they should place priority on.

I tried my best to keep this thing going, even after the data loss, I was on the sponsor's neck to revive the thread, and have kept on urging him monthly to pay up outstanding debts... But I guess it wasn't good enough.

If suspension of this thread is what we all crave, then I'll get back to him and come out with the final decision.

But best know that the death of this thread isn't a death of his philanthropy. We'll find a way to reward other deserving writers.

Tag: everybody!

Standard truth:

Sex Sells
Violence arouse empathy
Romance entices...
you get the picture.

Everyone cant and wont write the same, our breadth of imagination is relative to past experiences and exposure. So thou shouldn't judge or feel there's a written code of what should go and what shouldn't go.

aboyaji:
These are pointers for WRITERS generally. Expensive one too.


I understand him completely.

Just like ravishing an action movie with too many actions ,

Another is over feeding a romantic movie with too much of romance scenes. I'd be like 'when do the characters get to live a normal life '?

now that got me

On the 29th May, that is next week Friday, the award for this month ends.

my votes,
best new comer
oyinprince

writer of the month
Diamondwriter
Thronekid

And maybe after this month, we would be taking a break and re-strategise on the awards

joseph1832:
Nice. I like it when people speak about the necropolis. It reminds me every human will visit there one day.

Nice poem Timpaker.

Princesa take style talk say you like the IndecentStar portrait joor...

Answered the call. Be quick with the analysis so I can better understand the poem. Big big grammar too much

And err ''The P0rn5tar portrait' is err...

Are we already tired? we've got a week more to go.

sweetjenny305:

Job well done, keep it up@princesa

Thank you Jenny.

kitnah:

Princesa, is it celia or Ciela??
If the writer is not aware,I think thatz a big problem

whichever one oh, Miss Ciela, you've been nominated for Upcoming writers category. All the best

flow1759:


As i don get alert!! Na Godwin!!!

This is to say a big thank you to the Sponsor, i just received the reward for the best writer of the month.

And to you princesa, i say a big thank you to you. No vex oh! You don marry?

And to my fans. Mehn una too much. I will not fail to bring smiles on your beautiful and Handsome faces.

Congratulations Mister, keep giving ur best.

And for your question, please refer to my lawyer

For everyone voting in one category only, it won't be counted. The rules are the rules. To make your votes count please vote one person from the Upcoming writer category and a maximum of three persons on the Writer of the month category.

@Oyinprince, please call the attention of ur voters or their effort will be futile.

kitnah:

Aunty Princesa, I'm sorry,but I don't think this is right (my opinion)
There are many new talented writers that hasn't been given this chance,don't get me wrong,I do appreciate this,infact very much,but nominating me twice simultaneously is somehow bias.
I do agree that I can be re-nominated,but not immediately,shey you get my drift??
I can get you the list of atleast five upcoming talented writer that hasn't been nominated,if we want this to be fair,it shouldn't be this way.
Let's this circulate first among other writers before re-nominating.

My2cents

Its okay. I will effect the change. You were actually nominated again by one of the assistants, but I like your Spirit and sure, in the spirit of fairness, I will modify.

The names of the nominees for best newcomers category are:
Africanchoice
Celia and
Oyinprince

all the best, let all votes begin

This is to announce the commencement of the writer of the month awards for the month of May.
readers can start voting now. Apologies that this is coming late.

Also, the upcoming writers nominees would be announced later in the day unfailing.
Thanks and spread the word around.

and the awards for this month of May will begin on monday
keep a date with us

Mr. flow1759
will you please contact me? or reply my mail and stop dragging me back!