₦airaland Forum

duni04: Could have started the story with a short prologue detailing what d play is about. Its hard to just start reading a story like that without any knowledge bout it.

Its a continuation of my earlier story. You can check it out here
https://www.nairaland.com/1503988/see-things-others-not-see#19294106

Ddonoflife: *grabs a chilled bottle of coke*. . . .reali onto dis one

Thanks

Obinnau: I don laannd!

*shouting* usher! Usher!!

Pls follow this sexy lady to your seat sir.

doyouknowjohnny: nice one bro..i will most definitely follow this one

Welcome

Ishilove: I completely disagree because of the context in which it is used in the story. However, I will not argue because I don't want to derail the thread, and it is your story, after all.

No wahala. You be my person. And compliments of the season oh!

adegwurulez: Definitely following

Welcome sir. Concerning what we discussed, av not forgotten oh. Just been super busy.

[quote author=miss.terious]Can I use "sweet" to describe a story? That's the only word in my head now. You write with a saccharine pen, don't you? [/quote]Lol. I try to. Not too sweet, not too sour.

Ishilove: Great job Roy, as usual .

Note that 'cute' is an improper adjective for the sound of a voice. Cute can describe a person's physical feature or an object, but not the way a voice sounds. Rather, you can use 'sweet', 'singsong', 'melodious' etc

cute [kjuːt]
adj
1. appealing or attractive.
I think it can be used here in terms of when a person is said to have an appealing or attractive voice as opposed to someone who is cute physically i.e having features that are "pleasing" or "charming" or "physically endearing". Thanks all the same for the heads-up.
And you are highly welcome to the thread!

Leemen's Consulting is an establishment that helps clients create new ventures including subsidiaries, coalitions and business products. Currently I had helped them close a 12million naira deal with a developing oil company coming in from the states and the management wanted my say in thier business plan development. I say 'my' because jenny said so. I had tried to correct her by saying that it was the input of the firm I worked for that they wanted but she was quite specific. The management wanted me.
"That was why we asked for you to come and not any of your bosses. You personally followed the case relentlessly; You did all the hard work and brought about adequate exposure for us. They were highly impressed and wanted to see you live."

i closed my mouth and tried not to feel too proud of myself.

The building itself was a makeshift from a duplex apartment. The entire front side of the compound was tarred with some imported trees, about the height of a human being, growing in two rows down to the main entrance of the house. The building itself was painted white with a singular brown stripe across the ground and first floor. Two other official cars were in the copound and there was some bustle of activity as employees moved in and out, engrossed in their daily chores.

I was ushered into the building and upstairs where i met with the managing director and some foriegn partners from the english-french district. They were all very pleased to see me and Jenny did a good job in making me feel comfortable.
the meeting lasted till 5pm and a working plan was laid to bring in the new company gradually into the country. Afterwards i was escorted downstairs and asked to wait for my designated driver who would return me back to my hotel. i decided to use the opportunity to walk around and explore the compound. As i had said earlier most of the front was tarred, but as I moved round to the back of the building, i came across a miniature garden. The place was beautiful. Elaborately hidden by a high fence and an even higher gate, i doubted if any of the people living in the vicinity knew there was a place like this in the town. The garden was outlined by granite stones and the grass that bedded the soil within was luscious and well cultivated giving the backyard a wonderful lemon-green texture. Two rose bushes, obviously imported, were to be seen in full bloom. I touched one but dared not pluck it for fear of annoying my hosts. Maybe i could ask jenny if i could collect a specimen for Nina when going back to Lagos.

And then i saw the leopard.

At first i thought it was a painted statue, part of the decoration for the garden, one of those live size animal mannikins. It was sitting on its haunches at the far end of the garden, almost hidden behind one of the rose bushes. It had a beautiful spotted yellow and black fur coat that shone like it had just been groomed. i was looking at it and wondering how it could look so life-like when it suddenly turned its head to look at me.
A chill ran down my spine as I watched it quickly get up on all fours. My eyes scanned its neck for some sort of chain or restraint but found none. it remained deathly still, watching me, and then i reasoned that there was no way they would leave a leopard roaming freely in the compound. This was obviously a manifestation. i relaxed and stared hard, looking to see if i would be privy to any more revealing manifestations, but the leopard remained still. i knelt on one knee and whistled gently to it, to see if it would approach. it tilted its head to the side in curiosity and i couldn't help but admire the creature. It continued to watch me with interest, then suddenly gave a low growl and ambled towards me. Before i knew it, it was beneath my hand and i was petting its large orange-yellow head. it purred like a kitten and i laughed as i gained the courage to tickle it further. it felt so real.

that's because it is real

The thought floated through my head. It was true that since the awakening of Chukwudi the stronger, I could make contact with manifestations but this...this was looking too real. On impulse I looked down at the green grass where the leopard had been standing and the one it stood on now as it pawed the ground with its claws.

The grass was indented where it had lay previously. The blades of grass moved as the leopard raised its foot.

this creature was making contact with the ground.

This wasn't a manifestation.

The chill on my spine came back full force and my heart skipped several beats.



I was petting a real life leopard.

Obinnau: ok. Seat nø what?

Any seat of your choice. Just let me know when u come in and I'll take care of you.

Obinnau: Just passing. Anyway, nice story plot.

Will keep a seat for you in case u pass this way again.

davedave1: Look Mr Roy, i am sort of a person that hardly comment on NL, more of a silent reader, but i enjoyed the first 'Chuks' story, and i am going to say this that you have made me one of your greatest fan that i even bookmarked ur NL profile to know wen you start anoda story. Even the start of this story had knock me off mt feet already, the point in this comment is to let you know am with you all the way, i understand the pain and the pleasure in writing, so take your time bro,and i hope and pray that someday, we will meet at the top....**spread mat, took a few out of the 25ltr palm wine, and looking anxiously for the next update**. YOU ROCK !!!

Thanks! Hope you enjoy the show!

I have a little confession to make. I hate flying. There is something about my feet leaving the ground that agitates me greatly. That coupled with the fact that the plane I entered was proudly but quietly stated by one of the staff to be quite old and so couldn't fly long distances did not do much to ease my already tensed mind. Suffice to say the short flight to Asaba was filled with trepidation on my part although since I didn't see any manifestation of impending doom I actually ought to have been a little more relaxed.

Asaba is a fast growing town situated along the banks of the great River Niger, just before the bridge to the Eastern part of the country. It is essentially a town for civil service workers although the hustle and bustle business of nearby Onitsha rubs off on it a bit. Added to the fact that it is a state capital and that a lot of the infrastructure looked new and very modern, I was quite impressed.

The airport was located a little bit outside the town. I alighted from the plane by 1pm to a vast and tarred field occupied by taxis for hire looking out for prospective passengers. I took one and called out the name of the hotel I would be staying in during the period. The driver nodded and soon I was being driven into the main town itself. The whole place appeared less calm than Lagos and for a moment I fantasized about coming over to settle down.

The driver took me through a few streets and soon we were at the hotel. I checked in and the hotel manager came to welcome me personally and show me to my room. I checked the number on the door. D19.

"Please feel free to let me know if you need anything," the manager said politely. I thanked him and he left me alone. I sighed and took off the chequered grey sweater I had put on. The drive down had been a little hot and the room obviously hadn't been aired in some time. The room itself was a simple one with a single large bed with bedpost lamps, a table and sofa for reading or working, a single wardrobe filled with plastic hangers and a very elaborate restroom. I promptly turned on the air conditioning and ordered for lunch. Then I made a call to Jenny, the representative of Leemen's Consulting that I had been in contact with.

"Welcome to Asaba, Mr chukudi, I trust you had a pleasant flight."

I lied the second time that day, "Yes I did, Jenny. Are we seeing today?"

"Sure," she replied. "My boss has scheduled a meeting for 3pm and we are expecting that you'll be there. I'll come over to pick you up."

"Thanks Jenny." I said. I could almost feel her smile at the other end of the phone.

"So how are you finding our little town na?" Not as busy as Lagos, I know but we move things when we want to."

"I believe you." I said.

"Maybe I can show you around when the meeting is over?" She asked coyly.

I paused. Over the past few weeks our calls had become slightly less than professional. I shamefully admit I had enjoyed the sound of her cool voice as it wafted through the speakers of my phone and Nina had occasionally admonished me for having an online girlfriend albeit playfully, but now I was about to meet her in the flesh I decided it was time to be more formal. I didn't want to start giving her ideas.

"Erm, jenny...what say we discuss it after the meeting? For all we know it could last for the rest of the day." I hoped I didn't sound too condescending.

I heard her sigh. "No problem. You are going to be here for two weeks anyway. There's no rush. See you by 3pm." And she hung up.

A knock on my door a few minutes later heralded my lunch; fried rice and chicken with a serving of coleslaw. I ate ravenously after which I had my bath and changed to something more formal, a red shirt and black trousers. I found a suit I had hurriedly packed and pondered whether I should wear it or not. Then I made a quick call to Nina.

"Hey baby," her cute voice came on almost as soon as the phone began to ring.

"Hey baby." I replied. "That was fast, you didn't even let the phone ring."

"Well, you know I miss you dear" she said. "How was your flight?"

"Horrible," I said with a groan and she laughed. She knew how I hated to fly. We talked about her parents and how she was enjoying her visit. I was glad to know that she was happy.

"I do miss you, you know," I said after a while. "And staying in this town for two weeks is going to be kind of lonely."

"Don't worry, you have your girlfriend jenny to keep you company don't you?" She asked mischievously.

"Yeah, she can keep me company since you plan on abandoning me here." I said laughing. Then, "You are not worried are you? You know I won't ..."

"I trust you Chuks." She said in an even voice. "I can't keep hovering over you like a hawk. All I can do is trust that you'll be the gentleman I know you to be and you won't do anything to hurt me."

"Darn it." I said. "And here I was thinking of all the deliciously sinful things I could do with my online girlfriend."

She laughed again, that laugh I loved so much. I was so lucky Nina wasn't the jealous type which was the reason I could joke and discuss freely with her and she knew it.

"I love you babe." I said.

"I love you too." She said. "Besides, you haven't met Jenny before. For all you know she could be an obese, short elderly woman with a face like pa jimoh."

"Well, I'm about to find out," I said as I looked out my window and saw a Honda, 2010 model with the imprint 'Leemen consulting' pull up in the parking lot. "Talk to you later babe."

"Okay dear." She said and hung up.

I took one last look in the mirror and went outside, coming across the manager again in the lobby.

"Hope you enjoyed your meal sir?" He asked jovially. I nodded and smiled and headed out the hotel door into the warm afternoon sun, just as the occupants of the car came out. There was a man in a suit who had driven the car and a woman behind him. I'm not even going to pretend to describe the man because I honestly don't remember. I was too busy looking at his exceedingly beautiful partner.

Long braided black hair complemented an almost obscenely beautiful face with piercing light brown eyes and pouting red lips. Her fair skin was so smooth it seemed to have been sculpted from milk. Her smile radiated so much warmth and her teeth were pearly white. She didn't have a single straight line on her, there were curves everywhere. She had put on a simple body hugging yellow top with frilled collars and sleeves and matched it with an orange pencil skirt. Her long elegant legs were magnificently sculpted and ended in feet articulately encased in matching orange and black high heeled shoes. I gauged that with the shoes off, she would be slightly below my height. When she started walking towards me I actually took a step back to appreciate her movements. I was still looking at this ravishing beauty when she held out her hand in friendship.

"You must be Mr Chukwudi?" She said in that voice I had come to know so well. I thought I had answered but apparently I didn't because she repeated the question.

"Sir? Are you Mr Chukwudi?"

I smiled at her and wondered what she was talking about. Then my brain started functioning again.

"Yes I am!" I almost shouted. "Please call me Chuks. All my friends do."

She looked at me for a few seconds and her face registered some puzzlement, like she was realizing something. Then she smiled again and I lost consciousness for a nano-second.

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Jenny. Please join us in the car, let's take you to our firm." And she turned and walked elegantly back to the car.


Oh dear, I thought. I definitely wasn't going to describe her to Nina.

You are all welcome! I'm currently at work and will update in the evening. Thanks!

Layiwoo: Am definately subscribing to dis,roy my main man...more engine oil to ur pen..*grabs chair and crosses leg*...errm qweenaxx, hope u dont mind if I sit beside U sha...:-D..

You are welcome.

mZ sleeq: One word .........
I Dont know the adjective to use
Well done royver!

Thanks!

I woke up suddenly, with sweat glistening over my half naked torso. The sweating wasn't because of the bad dream I had just had, but rather due to the fact that the weather was hot and PHCN was once again exhibiting its significance by not providing power. My air conditioning maintained its statutory silence and I stared at it wistfully in the dim light. My mind was still on my dream, the clarity of which had been not a little unnerving. I could still see the woman's face, contorted in terror, the animal that had attacked her, the wicked sneer of the driver in the blue Camry. I knew it was only a dream and yet there was a certain dread I felt, like I had been made to watch a murder. I got up from the bed and went to the kitchen to get something cold to drink, using my rechargeable lantern which had been at the edge of the bed and which currently supplied the only source of illumination as I walked groggily to the kitchen. On getting back I happened to take a quick glance at the wall clock. The time was 2.20am. I went back to bed, read a verse from my bible and closed my eyes.

I woke up later that morning around 7am. This time my sleep was interrupted by a more welcome source, the electronic buzzing of my alarm clock. I stretched a bit and went to brush my teeth, have my bath, get a quick breakfast of bread and tea with onion omelette going before venturing out to work. Hopefully it was going to be a busy day.

I had chosen to put on a blue black plain trousers atop a light blue long sleeved shirt with diamond engravings decorating its entire surface. I had just bought the shirt yesterday and it fit my robust build very well. My tie was a Putman, a gift from my girlfriend who was now currently visiting her parents in the eastern part of the country. She had asked me to come along but I wasn't able to make out extra time from work. I sighed happily as I thought of my sweet Nina, the girl I had decidedly given my heart to. She was, as far as I was concerned, the belle of the ball, my princess and precious one. And right now I was missing her like crazy.

I took a cab down to work, hadn't gotten around to buying a car yet even though i had the need and the money for one. My workplace wasn't so close to my house and Lagos was still crowded with enough early risers to make late coming an easy habit to acquire. I got to my firm just as the time struck 8am and quickly clocked in. Going up the stairs I went to the second floor where I had recently been promoted to a private office, complete with all the perks. My personal secretary, Mrs Adekoya stood up as I came in.

"Good morning sir." She announced.

"Good morning ma," I replied good naturedly.

"Leeman consulting have agreed to the terms sir. We have the contract." She said smiling. She was a Kind looking woman, in her middle 40s and I had chosen her because of her courteous demeanour and impeccable efficiency. I returned the smile.

"Thanks for being the bearer of good news. Does the boss know?"

"Yes sir, he received a call from them this morning so I believe they told him. " she searched the drawer beside her desk and pulled out a file. On handing the file to me she quickly left to order coffee.

I walked around my posh office a little bit, taking in and enjoying the view. the large mahogany desk was the main attraction and easily the largest element in my office. I took a seat at settled into it, waiting for my morning coffee when the phone rang. It was my boss.

"Good morning sir," I said.

"Whatever," he replied brusquely. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

"Thanks sir," I replied.

"Leeman consulting called me this morning. They said they want you to personally oversee the project in Asaba. I told them you'll be there later this evening."

"Sir?" I said, letting out an audible gasp.

"Your flight ticket has already been paid, be rest assured it will be deducted from your salary. We cannot afford to lose this contract so head back home and pack your things. Your flight leaves in 2hours. We have to get you to the airport before then.

"But, but sir, what about my other assignments? I have..."

"I don't care what you have chuks! Just get yourself to Asaba immediately! And stop pretending you are not happy they chose you instead of me! Call me as soon as you land!" And he hung up. But not before I heard the greed demon that usually sat on his head growling menacingly.

I sat down at my desk pondering what had just happened. Its true the representative of leeman's consulting had developed a liking for me over the phone and its true they had been interested in my resume...but I was only an assistant manager to my firm for now. Surely they would require one of the many managers we had in the firm to go instead of me. But my boss had called and confirmed it was me they wanted. And this asaba job had even more perks than the managers'. It was a great opportunity...

But then again, there was my dream. Things had a way of happening around me for a reason. Maybe the call to Asaba was a call of destiny as much as it was a call of providence. I sighed, got up and headed out the door just as Mrs Adekoya was returning with the coffee. Right above her, a small dark cloud had formed, formidable looking and gloomy. Every once in a while the cloud took the shape of a stern looking middle aged man. I saw silver drops of rain begin to fall from the cloud into Mrs Adekoya's head. To be honest this wasn't the first time I was seeing this manifestation, but this was the first the the face had appeared. She saw me looking above her head and her eyes looked upward, trying to decipher what I was looking at.

"Did you know I was going to Asaba?" I asked her.

"What? No sir!" She replied, astonished. "Isn't that our Oga's job?"

"Yes, but for some reason, they want me. So I want you to tidy up my appointments. Cancel those that are not so important. Restructure the urgent ones for two weeks."

"Ok sir," she said and started to bustle away when I called her back.

"Ma'm do you know I really like your smile?"

She smiled again. "You do Sir? Why?"

"Its because it is so perfect it hides even your greatest worries." I replied. "Your husband isn't going to leave you. You are going through a rough patch right now and it seems like he is the enemy but really he isn't. He's just going through a kind of mid-life crisis. So please be patient with him. I want to see this your kind smile when I get back!"

The look on her face...for a moment I thought she was about to faint. But then she steadied herself and whispered

"How do you know?"

"Heard you arguing with him on the phone when you went to get coffee." I lied.

She looked sad for a moment but regained her composure and smiled.

"Thanks for the encouragement Mr Chukwudi. You are nice."

I smiled and walked out the office back to my apartment. No point telling her about the manifestation. She probably would think I was crazy if I had opened my mouth and said I see things others do not see.

coonax: 1word
Captivating

Thanks.

qweenaxx: Lyk seriously,this is my kinda story @ Royver, u don become my person properly. ama follow u till it ends. Was just an observer in d previous story. KIU

You are welcome.
Em...what does KIU mean?

It's past 2am in the night and very quiet, the only sound being made is the soft dull pattering thud of her flat and naked feet as she tries to run as fast as her legs can carry her. The streets are empty, not surprisingly as the small but fast growing town of asaba has gone to sleep. She would give anything now to see a sign of human life; vigilantes, men of the underworld even, any human being would be far better than the thing that is chasing her down the street.

She turns around and panicks when she sees it is catching up. Its movement is absurd, seemingly clumsy as it hobbles on all fours, and yet it has already shortened the distance between them since the chase began a few moments ago. She opens her mouth to scream but the substance she unknowingly drank is still in full effect. All she can do now is sob as she increases her speed, adrenaline coursing through her veins, the short shiny green dress she wore aiding her in leg movement, her matching high heels having being kicked off many yards away.

The young man in the blue Camry watches the race with cruel pleasure. It is always a welcome scene when they run. He knows this part of town very well and is quite sure the vigilante group on duty won't be anywhere here for another hour or two. He grins as he watches the prostitute's futile attempts at escape and hope the chase doesn't end too soon. The drink she foolishly accepted from him when she entered his car will prevent her from using her voice for only a few minutes but he knows a few minutes is all she has.
The lady trips and falls on the tarred road. He watches as the beast pounces on top of her, grasps her in its jaws and shakes her from side to side like a rag doll. He gets aroused as he sees her raise up her hand in a feeble attempt at defense as the creature tears at her innards. Somewhere in his sick mind he regrets giving her the drink. It would have been erotic to hear her screams, but the only sound to be heard at this distance is the faint "thump" as the creature throws the prostitute's lifeless body on the hard tarred road. He sighs, a little disappointed that the show is over already. The creature lumbers back to the car and he stretches backwards to open the rear door.
"You could have at least played with her a little bit more you know..."
The creature growls unintelligibly and jumps into the back seat.
"No blood on the seats, please!" He yells, though he makes no physical attempt to prevent the creature from staining the upholstery. He doesnt want to get his arm bitten off.
The creature ignores him and settles down in the backseat of the Camry, twitching its two tails under its sleek, muscular body. It begins to give off a sickly howl and the man quickly winds up the windows, puts on the air conditioning and some music. He hates this part.

The creature howls louder and fidgets, turning around on the seat and then, despite the noise of the air conditioning and the loud music, he hears bone cracking. He does not turn around but watches, a little sickened, through the rear-view mirror at what is going on in the back seat. The creature's spine visibly shifts and elongates. The skull bone breaks and reforms, the knobbly limbs crack and enlarges and the two tails fuse and become one long tail, now one short tail, now a stub of flesh, and then finally disappears. The face of the beast exhibits excruciating pain and fear and its mouth is open in a wide pitiful snarl. He can still make out pieces of flesh between its teeth and he remembers the corpse outside. He starts the car and drives the car a few meters forward. Quickly he opens the door, armed with a large plastic bag, black leather gloves and a short shovel. He puts on the gloves and proceeds to gather up the remains of the young girl. They'll be good for a snack later. He puts the remains in the boot and brings out the carcass of the young goat they had killed earlier and places it carefully in the pool of blood on the road. He goes back into the car, pulls off his gloves and drops them carefully in a clean black polythene bag. He'll dispose of those later.

"Idi0t!" He hears a gutteral whisper from the back. "This is the third time you are letting me chase down a meal!"

He turns around, a smile on his face to look at the naked man now seated in the back seat. His face is still contorted from the receding pain.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't enjoy it." He says, still smiling.

The man at the back lets out a dangerous growl. "Its not safe! What if somebody saw us?"

"They would be too frightened to say anything. Relax man." He says as he turns on the ignition and puts the car into gear.

The naked man becomes silent. He seems to ponder something.
"I still haven't completely transformed. I don't know what I am not doing right. My ancestors would call me a disgrace..."

"Your ancestors had wise old people who worshipped them and took care of them and taught them what they needed to know. Be patient."

"Yes...but still," the mam at the back groans as the last bone in his spine snaps back into place.

'Let's discuss this at home, alright?" The other man says as he shifts the car into gear. The vehicle jumps forward, crushing the carcass of the goat and mixing its blood with that of the girl. Anyone now that looked at the scene would regard it as nothing more than roadkill.

And the blue Camry drove silently into the night.

This work is copyright protected©2013 by royveruniverse productions.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval systems- without the prior written permission of the author.

You can reach the author at www.royveruniverse.. or pm email on royver's nairaland account.

janetDurling: Hopefully?can't wait to read another series of urs........May God bless u

Thanks. And a merry Xmas to one and all.

Food eaten
Sanity partially restored.