₦airaland Forum

Kaycee9242:
Chai nawaooooo! These guys shouldn't hurt this girl ooooooo! Shewrites nice one from u

*winks*

YoungBruzzy:
Eh I hope nothing will happen to Rukevwe ooo God help her hmm.. Thanks for the update ma'am. More ink to your pen.

*winks*

Adeola25:
Hmmm, I hope nothing happens to Rukevwe. Thanks for the update ma'am

You're welcome

CHAPTER 7

Rukevwe sat outside her off-campus apartment. She was the only one at home. Her sister called earlier that she would be sleeping at the school library that day. She had no idea where Senami was and Gbemisola said something about having a late lecture that day. The cool evening breeze felt like a balm on her heated body. There had been no electricity for several days and coming home to meet darkness was something she didn’t look forward to. She smoothened the wrinkled red short-sleeved blouse that was a size bigger and pulled out a thread from her skinny jean trousers.

One of her neighbors came out of her apartment, clad in a pink mini-skirt and a marching silver sequins sleeveless blouse. She placed her purse under her armpit and adjusted the straps of her high heeled sandals.

“Good evening.”

The girl turned her head and smiled when she saw her. “Hey Rukky, how now?”

“Am good. Going out?”

“Yes,” she grinned from ear to ear. “My new boyfriend is taking me out,” she giggled like a little girl.

Rukevwe brightened. “Oh…” she pointed a finger at her, “Don’t come home empty-handed.”

The girl chuckled. “Don’t worry. I will bring you take-away.”

“Perfect.”

“See you later,” the brown skinned girl headed towards the gate, swirling her hips from side to side.

Like a flash of light, Rukevwe saw the image of a man attacking her neighbour! The girl’s blouse was torn in two and her mini skirt looked like rags. A group of guys appeared from nowhere, despite her screams, they pinned her to the ground and had their way with her, one after the other.

She gasped and blinked several times. The images cleared in an instant. She stood up immediately and looked around. Her neighbor was gone!

Rukevwe ran outside the compound and saw her approaching a black Toyota Camry. The vehicle was parked two houses away. “Ebere! Ebere! Wait!”

The girl halted at the sound of her name and glanced back. She raised an eyebrow when she saw her neighbor running towards her.

“Wait…” she held up a hand, “Don’t go…” Rukevwe panted.

Ebere eyed the girl. “What is it?”

She stopped a feet away and held her waist. She was completely out of breath.

Ebere turned to look at the vehicle, then back at her neighbour. “Rukky, talk now. You are delaying me.”

She took a deep breathe in, then exhaled loudly. “How… how long have you known him?”

Ebere sized her up, from hair to Dunlop slippers. “What sort of question is that?”

She looked straight at her. “If you go out with him, he is going to rape you.”

Ebere’s brows came together in a frown.

“Not just him…” Rukevwe looked towards the car. “His friends are also waiting for you in his house.”

Ebere followed her gaze, opened her mouth, then closed it. She started to shake her head, “You don’t know what you are talking about.”

Rukevwe observed her neighbour. She could sense that the girl was trying so hard not to believe what she was saying. “Your new boyfriend is a bit taller than you are, he is fair skinned, in his thirties…”

Ebere dropped her jaw. No one in their compound has seen the guy before.

“And you met him at a friend’s birthday party,” the information poured out of her.

Ebere took a step back. “How… how did you know that?” she looked at Rukevwe in awe, then fear washed over her. “Are you… are you a kind of witch or something?”

She blinked and shook her head. “No! No, God forbid!”

Ebere gave her a long berth. “Then how did you know what he looks like and… and how I met him?”

Rukevwe shrugged. “I believe God provided the information, so that you will believe me.”

They both turned at the sound of the door of the vehicle. A tall, fair-skinned man waved at her.

“Please don’t go with him,” Rukevwe grabbed her by the elbow.

Her neighbour’s pleading eyes bore into her confused ones. “Okay… okay.”

She heaved a sigh of relief.

“All dressed up and going nowhere…” Ebere took a good look at herself.

Rukevwe chuckled. “Don’t worry, there are plenty places to go to in the near future.”

She rolled her eyes. “If you say so,” she started to walk back home.

Rukevwe fell into steps with her. “You just wait and see.”

“Ebere, Ebere!”

She glanced back and waved at him. “I am no longer interested.”

“What the hell!” he cursed out loud. “Get back here, girl!”

They ignored the man and went into the building.

“Ebere! Ebere!” the man followed them.

“Don’t look back, he is following us…” Rukevwe whispered.

Ebere ran all the way to her apartment and locked herself inside, while Rukevwe stood guard by the doorway.

The man came into their compound and approached her. “Where is Ebere?”

She looked him up and down. “Go home, Mr. Man. She is no longer interested,” she placed both hands on her hips and glared at him.

The man eyed her, “Who are you?”

“Today, I am Ebere’s bodyguard.”

He sized her up and started to laugh. “Get out of my way. I want to see my girlfriend.”

She hissed and hissed again. “What part of ‘she is no longer interested’ don’t you understand?”

The fair skinned man pushed Rukevwe out of the way. “Ebere! Ebere! Open this door!” he hit the wooden door with his fist and kicked it with his shoes.

She started to clap her hands. “If you don’t leave here, I will shout ‘Thief! Thief!’ The security guards will bind you and the students in this area will mob and lynch you!”

He left the door and faced her. “I double dare you.”

“Thief! Thief! Thief oooh!” she started running to and fro, attracting attention.

“You are going to regret this, I promise you,” he spat on the ground and ran out of the compound.

“Come back now. Shebi you have power. Come and stay. We will roast you like a rabbit!”

Ebere opened her door and peeped. She breathed out loudly when she didn’t see the man again.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” she stepped out.

Rukevwe started to laugh. “He ran away like a thief.”

“Miserable entity.”

“Scallywag.”

“slowpoke.”

They both kept making fun of the man and laughed till their tummy ached.

****

Ejiro and some of her course mates gathered outside their departmental hall after their last paper, celebrating the end of their second semester examination. They congratulated themselves and started to dance around the hall, attracting the attention of other students and some of their lecturers.

“Ejiro! Ejiro!”

She heard her name and glanced around, till her eyes fell on her younger sister.

“The newest graduate in town…” Rukevwe approached her sister.

Ejiro smiled. “It is God o.”

“Are you ready to go home?”

She looked back at her course mates and bit at her bottom lip.

“Or you want to stay with these crazy lot?” Rukevwe followed her gaze.

She shook her head and grabbed her sister by the hand. “Let’s go.”

They started towards the exit.

“Mum called.”

“Hmmm…” Ejiro adjusted the handle of her bag on her shoulder.

“She asked when we are coming home.”

Ejiro narrowed her gaze. “If you want to go home, you are free. I am staying in school until I have attended all the parties organized by the final year students in all the departments.”

She looked up at her sister. “Haba!”

“Stay there, you hear?”

She gave a shake of head. “Suit yourself.”

“When you graduate, you will understand.”

Rukevwe rolled her eyes. “I hear.”

Ejiro and her sister ran into Senami and Gbemisola at the school gate. They all took a cab back to their off-campus apartment.

“You must wash this your last paper something for us o,” Senami playfully pushed Ejiro into the house.

She started to laugh. “Abeg, you people should wait for my convocation day. I trust Mumsie, she will throw a party.”

Senami and Gbemisola shared a knowing glance.

“Convocation ko, graduation party ni,” Gbemisola hissed. “Abeg, we want to start the celebration now, now.”

“Seconded,” Senami joined Ejiro on the bed.

She placed both hands on the head. “This is harassment o.”

“Call it whatever you want,” Gbemisola kicked off her shoes and joined them on the bed.

Rukevwe settled on the leather chair. She decided to stay out of the conversation. She thought of what she should eat for lunch. The beans in the pot was the last thing she wanted to eat that afternoon.

“This girl, oya now,” Senami pulled at Ejiro’s braids.

Ejiro turned on her tummy, “Oooooh. Leave me be. I don’t have money.”

“Oya, just buy us malt. Then we will wait for the party on your convocation day,” Gbemisola lay beside her.

She sat up and looked from one to the other. “Fine, malt it is,” she directed her gaze at her sister. “Please, come and buy us malt.”

Senami jumped down from the bed and she started to dance. “We are celebrating ooooo.”

“Yes, ooooo,” Gbemisola clapped her hands and laughed.

“Oya, now…” Ejiro eyed her sister.

“I am coming, biko,” Rukevwe got up from the chair and searched for her Dunlop slippers. She thought of changing into something else, then decided against it. She left the apartment in a jean and a blue long sleeve blouse.

“Hey, Rukky,” Ebere was seated outside her apartment.

“Hi,” Rukevwe walked up to her.

“Can you believe that, that nincompoop has been calling me all week long?”

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yes, o. The Mofo has been pleading and trying to convince me to give him a trial.”

Rukevwe gave a shake of head. “Hmmm… all these crazy men.”

“Anyhow, I ain’t falling for that kind of crap.”

“That’s the spirit, girlfriend,” she gave her a high five.

“You dey commot?”

She scratched an itchy spot on her arm. “Not really. I want to get something at the provision store.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Later now,” she strode off.

“Sure,” Ebere watched her walk out of the compound.

A few houses away from the building, a black van veered off the road and stopped right by her side. The windows were tinted and she couldn’t see the occupants of the vehicle. Unexpectedly, four men jumped out, grabbed her and threw her into the van. Before she could scream and call for help, one of them stuffed a piece of cloth in her mouth and tied her hands and legs with ropes.

****

Ejiro and her roommates came out of their apartment and headed for the provision store two hours later. They had no idea where Rukevwe was and her number was not going through.

“Where did Rukevwe go?” Senami hissed and hissed.

“My food is cold. I was really looking forward to drinking the malt while I ate my rice,” Gbemisola complained.

Ejiro kept quiet. She was too angry to say a word. She thought of what she would do to her sister when they finally found her.

They got to the store and asked the salesgirl if she had seen Rukevwe. She told them that the last time she saw the girl was two days ago.

“So, where is your sister?” Senami eyed Ejiro.

Ejiro hissed and stepped out of the store.

“And I was hoping to eat my food with the malt,” Gbemisola hissed.

Senami eyed her. “You better buy yourself a drink.”

“Why? Rukevwe is with the money.”

Senami hissed again, “Is it your money? Do you know where the girl is?”

“Why are you taking Panadol for another person’s headache?” Gbemisola hissed and walked out.

“You are not well o,” Senami followed her outside.

“Ejiro where is your sister?” Gbemisola called out to her.

Ejiro kept quiet and walked back to the house.

“What kind of celebration is this sef?” Senami ran after her friend.

Ebere came out of her apartment when she heard Ejiro and her roommates arguing.

“Are you looking for Rukevwe?”

The trio turned towards their neighbour.

“Yes, have you seen my sister?” Ejiro asked her.

Ebere sat at her doorway. “I saw her a while ago. She said she wanted to get something at the provision store.”

“That is where we are coming from,” Gbemisola came to sit beside her.

Senami hissed. “She didn’t go there at all.”

Ebere folded her arms across her chest.

“Where did this girl go now?” Ejiro looked towards the gate.

Ebere cleared her throat. “Em… some days ago, your sister helped me.”

Ejiro glanced back at her. “What happened?”

Ebere told them how Rukevwe saved her from the evil plans of her new boyfriend and his friends.

Gbemisola jumped to her feet, “This sounds like trouble. What if the guy came back to carry out his threat?”

“It is true o,” Senami grabbed Ejiro by the hand.

“But, that is impossible. Is he that stupid?” Ebere looked from one girl to the other.

“Some men have fish brain,” Ejiro scratched a spot on her scalp. The thought that a strange man had harmed her sister consumed her.

“Let’s wait and see. Maybe Rukevwe went elsewhere…” Ebere suggested.

“My sister is not like that. If she told you that she was going to the store, that is exactly where she was headed,” Ejiro frowned.

“Biko, let’s not panic. She will surely return,” Ebere got up and approached her.

“If she doesn’t come home by nightfall, I might have to call my dad,” Ejiro turned away from her neighbour and went into her apartment.

“Ejiro wait…” Senami followed her into the house.

“Eeh… Rukevwe the dreamer. What did you see now?” Gbemisola placed her hands on her head.

Ebere tapped her on the shoulder. “Rukevwe the dreamer? What do you mean?”

Gbemisola hissed and hurried into the apartment.

“What’s with all these small, small girls?” Ebere hissed and returned to her doorway. She hissed again and sat down. Then hissed again as she thought of her new boyfriend and his threats the last time he visited her.

That same day, at midnight, Ejiro called her father and explained to him that Rukevwe didn’t return to their off-campus apartment. He instructed her to come home once the day broke.

“What did your dad say?” Senami adjusted her pillow.

“He wants me to come home,” she lay back on the bed.

“God help us o,” Gbemisola looked up at the ceiling.

Ejiro and her roommates could hardly sleep that night. They all feared that something might have happened to Rukevwe.

****

Rukevwe opened her eyes and found herself in a room, on a bed, stared at by ten pairs of eyes.

“The princess is awake,” a fair skinned man came forward.

They all began to laugh. She looked from one man to the other. She didn’t recognize anyone of them except the fair skinned man in his thirties. Her heart missed a beat. It was Ebere’s new boyfriend!

“I told you that you were going to regret what you did that day. Today is your day of reckoning.”

The men roared with laughter as they watched the frightened girl.

“By the time we are all done with you, I doubt if you will be able to walk for weeks,” the fair skinned man licked his lips.

“I cannot wait, my appetite is a hundred percent,” one of them said.

Rukevwe tried to sit up, but her head started to ache. She realized that she couldn’t move any part of her body. She felt paralyzed!

“We are going to film everything and upload it on the internet. We will block our faces, but yours is going to be seen by the whole wide world. You will be tagged a common slut!” the fair man glared at her.

Her heart beat accelerated. The thought of what they wanted to do to her made her really afraid.

The man waved a syringe and climbed the bed. “This is going to get the party started.”

She tried to speak, but felt something over her mouth. She was still gagged! Tears streamed down her oval face. She closed her eyes and cried out to God to deliver her from the strange men that were planning to molest her.

The fair man grabbed her by the arm and injected her. It was painful at first, then she began to feel funny. In less than sixty seconds, a certain kind of intoxication took over her system. Her nerve cells became heightened, till every cell in her body was tingling with desire!

aprilwise:
Set apart . Hope something won't happen that would set the family apart. Thanks for the update.

Hmmmm...

You're welcome

YoungBruzzy:
To be forewarned is to be forearmed..she told them, didnt she but they choose to please themselves, now see the repercussion..

Thanks a lot OP

You're welcome

Ann2012:
Thanks for the update ma’am

*winks*

CHAPTER 6

Oghenekaro and his son, Ochuko, took a bike to the church where the wedding was supposed to take place that morning. They met a crowd outside the white painted building. People were gathered in the not too large compound, in clusters of six, ten, twos and threes. They were all wailing!

When they approached the church front doors, they noticed the broken windows, bullet holes spread across the length of the walls, and the policemen who were discouraging anyone from gaining entry into the building.

Oghenekaro identified himself and he was allowed to go in alone, while his son waited for him outside. He had not taken up to ten steps when he saw them. Blood stained bodies were littered around the pews. They were people who came to rejoice with his family and in-laws, unfortunately, none of them was going home. He stilled his emotions and approached the altar. He found the Priest, the bride’s parents, the bride and her bridesmaid. They all lay dead behind the large altar.

He dropped on his knees and began to weep. He placed his hands on his head and cried bitterly. It was hard to believe that his in-laws had been wiped off the face of the earth by stray bullets. While people were safely seated in the church, a gun battle between members of the Nigerian Police Force and a gang of robbers turned deadly and ended their lives!

“Oh God ooooo! Who did we offend? Who hates us so much?” tears rolled down his dark face.

What if Eru had not gone missing that morning? He bit at his lower lip. Eru’s journey to the supermarket was the only reason why they were not able to come early to church that day. What if they had also arrived on time? They would surely have been hit by the stray bullets too! These thoughts made him shiver with dread and fear.

****

Rukevwe stood at the opened window watching her neighbors who were gathered in the compound, discussing the gun battle between the policemen and the armed robbers. Everyone seemed to have a different version of how the robbery went down and ended.

“I saw the thieves. The kind of guns they were using was sophisticated,” one of them said.

“The guns the policemen were holding were machine guns,” another added.

“No wonder they sprayed us with stray bullets,” a woman lamented.

“You need to see the way dead bodies were piled up life refuse,” an elderly woman placed both hands on her head.

Her sad eyes drifted to her brother’s groomsmen. They kept telling anyone who cared to listen, how they ran into the house when they heard the gunshots. One of them claimed that he had been shot twice by the police and his experience was a horrific one.

“Where is your father? Is he going to sleep in that church?”

Hearing her mother’s voice made her search for the woman. She saw her standing by the gate with Ejiro and her friends. She could sense the woman’s agitation from where she stood.

“Is that not him?” Itoro ran outside when she saw her husband and Ochuko climbing down from a bike.

Ejiro and her friends followed her like baby chicks. They were also eager for news.

“I thought I told you to stay inside the house,” Oghenekaro eyed his wife and headed for their apartment.

“What happened?” Itoro fell into steps with her husband.

Ejiro tapped her brother on the shoulder. “How far?”

Ochuko shook his head. The sad look in his eyes made her anxiety to multiply.

“Isn’t their son supposed to be getting married today?” one of their neighbours said.

Everyone turned to look at the Etadafes family. Oghenekaro ignored them and went into his house.

“What happened? I have been hearing different things since morning,” Itoro frowned when her husband collapsed on the settee.

Ochuko and his brother’s groomsmen came into the house and stood by the doorway because the remaining seats in the sitting room were taken by Ejiro and her friends.

“Oghenekaro, talk to me now,” Itoro sat beside him.

He met her concerned stare and opened his mouth. His lips quivered as he spoke. “Adaeze… Adaeze and her parents…” the anguish in his eyes made her heart to jump.

“What happened to them?” her voice dropped a notch.

His eyes began to glitter with unshed tears. “They… they were hit by stray bullets.”

Her jaw dropped in shock.

Ejiro gasped and turned to her friends. They were equally shaken by the news.

Itoro grabbed her husband by the hand. “Are they all right?”

He closed his eyes and opened them. Teardrops rolled down his face. “They are dead.”

“Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” Itoro started to shout.

“The pews were filled with dead bodies…” Oghenekaro continued. “I heard some people survived and they have been taken to the hospital, but, seventy percent of the people in the church got hit by stray bullets. The Priest, Ada and her parents… they are all dead.”

“Jesus ooooh! Eeeh! Jesus! Where is my son? Where is my son oooh! Who knows where Eru is?” She jumped to her feet and ran towards the door.

“Mummy, mummy…” Rukevwe walked into the sitting room, “Eru is safe. I locked him up inside your shop.”

All eyes flew in her direction. They were dumbfounded.

****

The Etadafes and the surviving members of Adaeze’s family were gathered at the graveyard. They were surrounded by friends, relatives, well-wishers and people who had nothing else to do that day. While the pastor said the last set of prayers, the undertakers carried the coffins and placed them into the graves, one after the other. Eru threw sand on Adaeze’s coffin and walked away. Members of his family did the same and followed him back to the vehicle that would convey them homewards.

He sat in the front seat of the car and broke down crying. Charles, the owner of the vehicle, pulled him close and consoled him.

“It is all right, man. It is only God that understands why everything turned out this way."

Oghenekaro, his wife and daughters climbed into the backseat of the vehicle, while Ochuko joined Eru at the front.

“God understands…” Eru repeated amidst sobs.

“Yes, he does,” Charles turned the key on the ignition.

“Fine!” Eru sighed heavily. “Then let me die with her. I want to die with Adaeze!” he climbed out of the car and ran towards the graveyard.

“What the hell!” Charles watched his friend as he ran like a crazy person.

“Eru! Eru come back!” Ochuko got down from the vehicle and pursued his brother.

Itoro began to cry. She could feel her son’s pain. The boy had been devastated since the death of his fiancée.

“I am not ready to sleep here today,” Charles grumbled. He turned off the engine and got down from the car.

Oghenekaro also alighted from the vehicle and looked in different directions. He hoped his son was all right. The boy had not been himself for several days since the ugly incident.

“It is going to be all right. Just take each day at a time.”

When he looked in the direction of the voice, he breathed out in relief when he saw Ochuko and Eru heading towards them.

****

“The first semester examination is in two weeks’ time, both of you have to pull yourselves together and get your heads in your books,” Gbemisola looked from one sister to the other.

Ejiro and Rukevwe exchanged glances. They were both aware of their forthcoming examinations.

“Especially you, Ejiro. You are in your finals. Getting carryovers now will dent your records and it can lead to an extra year,” Senami advised her friend.

“That is true,” Gbemisola added.

Ejiro leaned against the pillows. She had not really been able to focus on her studies for the past few weeks. But, she was grateful to God that she had been able to defend her project.

“Regardless of the number of people that died that day, let’s just thank God that your brother is alive,” Senami came to sit beside her.

Ejiro closed her eyes. She didn’t really want to think about her brother’s wedding day.

“Has Eru resumed work?” Gbemisola directed her gaze at Rukevwe.

She lifted her head and met her friend’s concerned stare. “Yes, he has.”

“You see. The poor man has moved on. It is your turn, the both of you,” Gbemisola pointed at Rukevwe, then at Ejiro.

Rukevwe wanted to say, ‘It’s easier said than done’, but she decided to hold her tongue. She was in no mood for an argument.

“Thank God that he gave your sister such a powerful gift,” Semani glanced at her friend’s younger sister.

Gbemisola brightened. “Abi… just imagine if she had kept quiet.”

Ejiro opened her eyes and turned to look at her sister who was seated by the window. Her friend was right. If not for Rukevwe’s gift, they would probably be dead too.

“Just imagine if she had not taken steps to delay our arrival at church that morning,” Senami shivered at the thought. She had not been able to stop thinking about it.

Gbemisola paled. “I don’t even what to imagine what would have happened.”

Rukevwe remained quiet. She could feel their eyes on her. She didn’t regret what she did that morning. Locking Eru in her mother’s shop was the only way she could stop him from attending his own wedding.

“Have they eaten lunch?” Senami turned to her other roommate.

Gbemisola shook her head. “No, they said something about losing their appetite or something.”

Senami hissed. “Go and bring their food. They must eat, even if I have to spoon-feed them simultaneously.”

Gbemisola got up and chuckled. She was happy that Senami was going to make the girls to eat that evening. They didn’t listen to her when she finished making lunch. And even when she begged them, they gave excuses.

“Both of you need to eat well. You cannot read and study on empty stomach,” Senami addressed the sisters.

Ejiro groaned and rolled her eyes. Even though her friend could turn into a trouble maker at the flip of a coin, she was also very kindhearted. That was why she liked her in the first place.

****

Oghenekaro and his wife sat on a bench outside his shop. They watched as a group of children played football on the not too busy street. The children were screaming at one another and cursing their generations unborn. Yet, they all seemed to be having a lot of fun.

“Good afternoon, Oga Chemist,” someone walked past them and waved.

“Ah Oga Tailor, how far?” Oghenekaro waved back at the man.

“We dey push am, small, small,” the man responded.

The smile on his face faded. “I wished we had listened to her.”

She glanced at her husband and bit at her lower lip. What he said had been playing on her mind for several days.

“Maybe… just maybe we would have been able to warn the bride and her family.”

“Or better still, postpone the wedding,” they locked gazes.

Oghenekaro tore his eyes away and raised his head. “What kind of gift did God give our daughter? All she sees is… is bad, bad omen.”

She sighed heavily. She was equally distraught.

“How long? How long before people begin to notice her unique gift?”

Itoro creased her brows. She knew how people could make a mountain out of a mole hill. “The God that opened her eyes to see these things will protect her.”

“Amen!” his eyes remained on the clear blue sky.

She folded her arms across her chest. “I just pity Eru. He told me that he regretted maltreating her.”

Oghenekaro hissed. “Can you blame him?”

She shook her head and breathed out loudly.

“Don’t worry. They will reconcile,” he placed a hand around her shoulder. “She did all she did out of love and he on the other hand reacted out of anger.”

“He has been avoiding her.”

He blinked several times. He wasn’t aware that his first son was keeping his sister at arms’ length. “Don’t worry. He is her big brother. He knows how to bring her close.”

“Hmmm… I hope so.” She relaxed and leaned against his firm chest.

Oghenekaro looked heavenwards again and he said a silent prayer.

animides:
Wow!!!! Thank God, ma please one more update today na

On it *winks*

Adeola25:
Thanks to Rukevwe. Well-done ma'am.

Thanks

Ann2012:
Rukevwe saves the day again
Thanks for the update ma’am

*winks*

crislyn:
SheWrites is back!! Happy new year dear.

Happy New Year my Darling *hugs*

YoungBruzzy:
You are doing well SheWrites.. What a fantabulous story you've got here..

Thank you.

aprilwise:
The family were lucky . thanks for the update and I appreciate

*winks*

CHAPTER 5

Rukevwe stood in the hallway leading to the sitting room. She watched as Adaeze put on the blouse and skirt her mother sew for her introduction ceremony. The fair lady looked beautiful in the stunning outfit.

“I am almost done with the one you are going to wear on your traditional ceremony day,” Itoro made the girl to turn in circles, so she could see the beauty of the attire.

“Thanks, mumsie. I am sure it will be finer than this one,” Adaeze grinned from ear to ear.

“Yes o. By the time Eru sees you, he will ask us to pay your bride price two times,” Itoro teased.

Adaeze and Ejiro started to laugh.

Rukevwe backed away from the entrance and walked back to the room she shared with her sister. Her heart ached because she didn’t know how to stop the impending doom. She sat on the large bed and prayed for wisdom and strength. She didn’t want her brother to die or anyone else.

Unexpectedly, Adaeze came into the room. She looked up at the fair lady in surprise.

“You don’t like me,” her hazel eyes shone with pain.

The younger girl began to shake her head.

“You don’t want your brother to get married to me,” a teardrop rolled down her soft smooth round face.

“No… no, that’s not true,” Rukevwe got up slowly.

“I want to know why you are against us!” Adaeze’s voice filled the room.

She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

“Tell me, tell me why dammit!”

She swallowed spittle. “Ada… I like you…”

The lady hissed and looked her up and down.

“I… I truly do. And… and I am indeed happy that you and my brother are getting married.”

Adaeze folded her arms against her chest. Her look seemed to say ‘I don’t believe you’.

“You see…” Rukevwe licked her dry lips. She wasn’t sure how much Eru had told his fiancée. “I was thinking, why don’t you postpone your wedding date? Why marry now?”

Adaeze started to laugh and cry at the same time. “We’ve been dating for the past seven months. We want to marry on or before February. We can’t wait. What are you even saying?”

She sighed heavily. “Can’t you shift the date? Why don’t you marry at Easter or Summer?”

“Easter gini, Summer kwa?” Adaeze shook her head. “Your brother cannot hold himself any longer. Do you want him to tear me apart?”

A smile spread on her face, “I… I understand. But…”

“See, my sister. Your brother and I are going to get married in February. And nothing in this whole world, except a volcanic eruption or earthquake, is going to stop it. The sooner you come to terms with this, the better for us all.”

“Ada…”

“Can’t you be happy for your brother?” her hazel eyes turned red.

Rukevwe pressed her lips together.

“I am going to be your sister-in-law and you are already antagonizing me,” her glare sized up the younger girl.

“I am not…”

“Please, please…” she raised a hand, silencing the girl. “Save your pathetic excuses.”

“Ada, things are not black and white…”

She hissed. “Eru told me about your dream. You can go to all the mountains in the east, west and northern part of this country for all I care. You cannot stop this wedding. I am well prepared for battle!” she turned on her heels and left the room.

Rukevwe fell back on the bed and held her head in her palms.

“Have you heard from your roommate?” Ejiro stepped into the room.

She lifted up her head and stared at her sister who was standing at the doorway. She wiped her wet face with the back of her hand and shook her head.

“I will call Gbemisola later today.”

“Senami has sent her own money to my account.”

Rukevwe cleared her throat. “Don’t worry, Gbemisola won’t change her mind. She is interested in living with us outside the campus.”

“The landlord of the building has threatened to give out the apartment if we don’t come up with the full amount by next week.”

The younger girl looked up at the ceiling and slumped on the bed. “I know, I know.”

“That is the cheapest apartment so far. Even if it is the same size with the rooms in our hostels, at least, we have our own bathroom and kitchen. We won’t be sharing with dozens and dozens of other students.”

Rukevwe dragged a pillow to her side and covered her head with it.

“Don’t you like the place?” Ejiro came to sit beside her.

“I do…” came the muffled sound.

She lay on her back beside the younger girl. “I am done with my project.”

“Thank God,” Rukevwe threw away the pillow.

“Come Summer, I will be a graduate!”

Her excitement was infectious. Rukevwe smiled a bit. “I am happy for you.”

She turned on her side. “You don’t look happy.”

Rukevwe breathed out loudly. “Eru hates me. Now, Adaeze does to.”

“What did you expect?”

She met her sister’s stare.

“You declared their sudden deaths on their wedding day for that matter.”

She placed the pillow on her head again.

“Dad and mum have started fasting.”

She groaned. “I don’t know if that will help.”

“It better, or else…”

She threw away the pillow again. “Why me? Why me of all people?”

Ejiro shrugged and lay on her back. “Go and ask God.”

They both fell silent.

“Josephine the dreamer.”

“You are not well.”

Ejiro giggled. “Rukevwe the seer.”

“Stop it, biko.”

“Oh, I have a better one, ‘Rukevwe the Dibia of the Etadafe family’.”

“Now, I know you have gone completely mad.”
Both girls burst into laughter.

***

Rukevwe, Ejiro, Senami and Gbemisola were seated outside their off-campus apartment, watching people as they come and go. Noise coming from multiple generators rented the air.

“If we save, maybe we can also buy a small generator,” Senami suggested.

Gbemisola looked at her, smiled and remained quiet. She doubted if they would be able to raise such amount of money needed to buy a generator.

Ejiro slapped the mosquitoes perching on her laps. “Maybe…”

“How much is the smallest generator?” Rukevwe asked no one in particular.

One of the security guards opened the gate, allowing a car to pass through. The vehicle was a flashy one, a red Benz that glittered in the night light. In the next second, three girls came running to meet the driver. They were scantily dressed in clinging sleeveless tops and bum shorts, with colourful hair extensions that reached their hips. The driver got down from the car, kissed one of the girls and ushered them into the car.

“I know those girls…” Senami folded her arms across her chest. “They will be back by dawn or noon tomorrow.”

“Their life, their business,” Ejiro yawned loudly. She glanced at her sister and noticed that the girl was dozing. “Rukevwe…” she tapped her on the shoulder.

The girl opened her eyes and stretched out her arms. “Hmmm…”

“Go inside and sleep.”

“Why?”

Ejiro hissed and eyed her. “Do you want to sleep out here?”

Rukevwe yawned and got to her feet. She staggered a bit and went in.

“They are leaving,” Senami pointed at the red Benz.

Ejiro hissed. “Who cares,” she slapped some mosquitoes hovering above her head.

Several hours later, Rukevwe woke up in cold sweats. She blinked several times, quivered a bit and pushed herself to a sitting position. She narrowed her gaze and tried to adjust to the slightly lit room. The cool breeze flowing in from the opened window made her shiver again. She looked around her. Her sister was fast asleep, so was Senami and Gbemisola.

She placed a hand on her pillow and frowned when she realized that it was soaked and the bed sheet was also damp. She wondered when electricity would return. She climbed down from the bed, tiptoed into the kitchenette and sat down on the stool beside the kerosene stove. She sighed heavily and rested her head against the wall.

‘God please save my brother.’ She breathed a prayer.

She bit at her lower lip. The church wedding was that weekend. If she could stop the wedding, she might be able to save her brother and the rest of her family. The last time she dreamt about the wedding, she saw every member of her family among the pile of dead bodies. She didn’t want to lose anyone, but how was she going to stop something that was bound to happen?

Tears streamed down from her face. She was at a loss on how to go about rescuing them all. If God could show her what would happen on her brother’s wedding day, then there was definitely a way out. All she needed to do was to think deeply and keep praying.

***

Eru and Ochuko checked out their reflections in the mirror. Eru’s friends, Edet and Charles, who were also his groomsmen came to stand beside them. They were all looking really good.

“What time are we supposed to be in church?” one of Eru’s friends asked.

“The service is starting at exactly 10am. I think we should be there before the bride arrives,” Ochuko glanced at his silver-plated Police wrist-watch.

Eru’s friend adjusted his tie. “Thank God the church is about a ten-minute drive.”

“Seriously man, I am completely exhausted,” Eru stepped away from the mirror.

“Exhausted ke? See this man,” Edet eyed him.

“What happens after the reception? Won’t you sleep with your wife?” Charles placed both hands on his hips.

“Don’t mind him, the sight of Adaeze will fire up his libido,” Ochuko patted his brother on his shoulder.

They all started to laugh. Someone knocked and opened the door.

“Eru…”

He turned and frowned when he saw Rukevwe. “What is it?” He eyed his younger sister.

She scratched a spot on her arm. “Mum said you should help her get something in the shop.”

He blinked several times. “Can’t she send someone else?”

She winked at him. “It is for Adaeze’s eyes only.”

He brightened. “Ehn-ehn…okay, let’s go.”

Eru followed his sister out of the house and waited for her to unlocked the shop before stepping in.

“Where is it?” he looked around the disorganized the space.

Rukevwe cleared her throat. “She said it is inside one red bag.”

He hissed when he saw ten red bags scattered left and right. “Can’t she give it to her after the wedding?”

She started to back away. “I love you very much, that is why I am doing this,” she dashed out and locked the door behind her.

He opened his mouth in shock. What was going on? Fear gripped him when he realized that his sister lured him into the shop in order to stop him from attending his own wedding.

“Rukevwe!” he charged at the door, but it remained unmovable.

She leaned against the door. “Switch on the light and the fan. You are going to be here for a while.”

“You are crazy! This is my wedding day for heaven’s sake. Open the damn door!”

“Save your energy. I need my brother alive,” she said and walked away.

“Rukevwe! Rukevwe!” his eyes turned red.

She returned to the house and met her father at the door. “Where is the groom?”

“Emm… emm…” her eyes darted left, then right. “He said he wants to buy a present for Adaeze, at the supermarket down the street.”

“At this time?” He frowned. “We need to leave for the wedding now!”

“Leave him, he is in love,” her mother came to stand beside her husband.

Rukevwe left them and went into her room. She met Ejiro and her friends taking selfies and group pictures. She sat by the window and watched them.

“Hello pretty ladies,” Ochuko came in.

“Hi,” they chorused and giggled.

“Rukevwe, where is Eru?”

She cleared her throat. “He… he… he went to the supermarket.”

Ochuko raised an eyebrow. “Is it that big one down the street?”

“Ehn, yes... yes,” she nodded.

“I will catch up with him. We need to leave for church now,” he winked at the girls and hurried out.

“Your brother is soooo cute,” Senami turned to Ejiro.

“Don’t mind him,” she hissed. “He is always forming ‘Fine boy’.”

Rukevwe looked out of the window and saw her parents and relatives, standing by the vehicle that was taking them to the church. The groomsmen were also waiting by the sport car they were going to drive to church.

“Is everyone ready to leave?” Ejiro joined her by the window.

“I think so…”

Ejiro clapped her hands. “Girls, let’s go, everyone is outside.”

“Superb!” Senami cheered.

Ejiro and her friends hurried out of the room in a frenzy. Rukevwe remained where she was. She looked heavenward and said a quick prayer. She pulled herself away from the window and left the room. When she got outside, she saw Ochuko walking into the compound.

“I can’t find Eru,” he turned to their father.

“Oh-ooh! What sort of nonsense is this? Where is Rukevwe?” Oghenekaro looked around and saw her standing by the door. He beckoned at her. “Come… come.”

She took a deep breath and sauntered towards her father.

“Hey! Adaeze’s father is calling me,” he looked at his phone and shook his head.

Itoro adjusted her head-gear. “Have they gotten to the church?”

He raised a hand and picked the call. “Hello,” he listened for a while and shook his head. “Okay, don’t worry. I said you shouldn’t worry. We will be there in a jiffy.”

Rukevwe folded her arms across her chest and from the corner of her eyes, she looked towards her mother’s shop.

“Adaeze and her family are already in church,” he ended the call.

“God! What sort of embarrassment is this?” Itoro looked around.

Ochuko tapped her on the shoulder. “Where did he tell you that he was going?”

“The… the supermarket…”

Ejiro approached her parents. “What’s going on?"

“We can’t find your brother,” Itoro leaned against the van.

“Ah-han…where is he? We are late already,” she looked around and noticed that some of their relatives were already grumbling.

Oghenekaro looked at his youngest daughter intently. “Are you sure that he went to the supermarket or elsewhere?”

Rukevwe refused to meet her father’s stare. She wasn’t ready to tell anyone where Eru was.

Suddenly, they heard gunshots. Everyone ran!

“Get inside! Everyone get inside!” Oghenekaro shouted.

Many of their relatives fled. While his wife, children and their friends dashed into the house. The gunshots continued for the next fifteen minutes, until they didn’t hear it anymore.

Oghenekaro peeped out of the window and saw people in the neighbourhood. Many of them were gathered around and they were pointing in the direction of the church. He hurried out of the flat and approached them.

“It is the police. The police officers came with their trucks…” a danfo driver narrated his ordeal to the gathering crowd.

Oghenekaro moved closer so he could hear what the man was saying.

“They were chasing some robbers that stole a jeep from a man down the road. They gunned the man down and collected his vehicle…” the danfo driver continued.

Oghenekaro listened with rapt attention. He was aware of the way some set of robbers had been harassing people in the area.

“The police trucks cornered the jeep outside that church at the junction. Ah! You need to see how they design the jeep with bullets o! Ah! But, it is so unfortunate, stray bullets also hit several people on the road and in the church. Ah! Come and see dead bodies like sand oooo!” the driver lamented.

Oghenekaro returned to the house panting.

“What is it? What is going on?” His wife came out of her hiding place. “Where was the gunshots coming from?”

He ignored her and started dialing some numbers on his phone. No one responded to the calls. He placed his hand on his head and gnashed his teeth.

“My husband talk to me, now,” Itoro became worried.

“Ochuko!” Oghenekaro ran a hand over his bald head.

“Sir…” he approached his father.

“We need to go to the wedding venue now. There is trouble…”

The younger man began to shiver and sweat at the same time.

“Oghenekaro!”

“Itoro!” he eyed his wife. “Locked the doors. We are coming.”

Ochuko followed his father out of the apartment.

“What is the meaning of all this now?” Itoro rushed to the window.

Ejiro, Senami, Gbemisola and the groomsmen joined her at the window.

Rukevwe remained where she was, in the room she shared with her sister. She knew exactly what was going on.

Rasmodox101:
Three words " you are wonderful"...
Following Mrs. Shewrites
breathtaking piece as always.
You rock!!

Awwww... I appreciate you *hugs*

classicladyk:
I've been a silent reader of your works but I must confess, this is terrific. Please feed us more.

Thank you. More coming this weekend...

Good evening everyone.
Just recovering from Malaria.
Will update this weekend.
Pls accept my sincere apologies.
*hugs*

Kaycee9242:
Nice one Shewrites dis story is really captivating

*winks*

gstelly:
Still waiting for update

Will upload before midnight. Being a little under the weather.

Hello everyone!
Hope your weekend started out great.
The story continues this weekend.
Get your popcorn and drinks ready *winks*

PrudySara:
I pray this dream of hers doesn't come to pass... Thanks for the update SheWrites

*winks*

Ann2012:
I pray nothing bad happens to Eru
Thanks for the update ma’am

*winks*

Adeola25:
Nice story, thanks for the update ma'am

You're welcome

VincenzoZhuxu:
Always capture me unaware sis...... More grease to your pen.......kudos

*winks*

CHAPTER 4

The phone kept ringing and ringing. The screeching sound pierced into his ears, making him groan inwardly. He wished he could fling it. He didn’t care if it crashed against the wall or somewhere far, far away. All he wanted to do that morning was to sleep.

“Honey, please pick your call…” she turned on her tummy and placed a pillow against her ears.

He hissed twice and pulled himself to a sitting position. Where was the noise maker? He looked around the bed and the bedside table. He didn’t see it. He couldn’t recollect the last time he used it or where he placed it. The cursed phone kept on ringing and ringing.

“Oh God! This is so unfair. Please pick the miserable call!”

He eyed his wife. “Where is my phone?”

“Like seriously?” she turned on her side and faced him.

“I don’t… where did I put it?”

Itoro sat up, grabbed a pillow and headed out.

“Where are you going?” his eyes followed her.
She murmured something inaudible and slammed the door behind her.

He hissed again. The phone stopped ringing. When it started again, he felt like screaming. It rang over and over again. He followed the sound and found the phone under his pillow.

“Hello…”

“Hello, am I speaking to Ejiro and Rukevwe’s father?”

He didn’t recognize the voice. “Who am I speaking to?”

“I am the head security officer of your daughters’ hostel.”

“Okay…”

“I am Officer Chukwueze Obi.”

Oghenekaro slapped an itch on his right thigh. “Good morning, Mr. Obi. You are indeed speaking to Ejiro and Rukevwe’s father.”

“Good morning, sir. Your attention is needed at the hostel. Your daughters are being held for questioning…”

Sleep cleared from his eyes. “Excuse me! Held for what?! Why?”

“There was a fire incident earlier today, at the female hostel your daughters reside…”

“Whaaaaaat!” he jumped down from the bed. “What happened to my children? I want to speak with them this minute!”

Itoro returned to the master bedroom when she heard her husband shouting.

“Sir, your daughters are fine. But, we believe that they knew about the fire before it happened.”

“What nonsense are you vomiting this early morning, Mr. Obi?”

“Sir, sir… sir, please, please, respect yourself.”

“Respect who? When do people start manufacturing fire? How can you hold two girls against their rights and believe that they have information about a fire break out?”

Itoro approached her husband. “What fire? What happened? Where is Ejiro and Rukevwe?”

He ignored his wife. “This is unconstitutional.”

“We are expecting you, sir.”

“Hello… helloo…”

“Oghenekaro! What is going on?” she stood toe to toe with her husband.

He eyed her and backed away. “Mr. Obi? Officer?” he realized that the man had cut the call.

“Oghenekaro!”

“Itoro!” he shouted back at her and threw the phone on the bed.

“What’s going on?”

He paced the room for a few seconds then marched out of the room.

She followed him. “My husband what is going on?”

***

Oghenekaro and his wife arrived at the Lagos State University in a cab. They approached the Queen Latifah hostel and were shocked at the horrific look of the building.

“Jesus!” Itoro placed her hands on her head.

Oghenekaro noticed that there were a lot of parents and guardians moving around, obviously searching for their children. He also saw a few female students crying at a corner. They seemed to be mourning the death of some of their friends. It was a pathetic sight to watch.

“Where are my children?” she faced her husband.

He dialed the number of the security officer that called him some hours ago. The man didn’t pick the call until the fourth ring.

“Hello…”

“I am standing outside Queen Latifah hostel. Where are my children?”

“Please come to the school’s security office. Your daughters are here.”

Oghenekaro hissed and ended the call. He looked around, called a male student and asked him for directions.

About twenty minutes later, they arrived at the school’s security office. Officer Obi was waiting for them at the entrance. He was a very large man, about six feet, broad shouldered and nursing a pot belly that resembled that of a pregnant woman with triplets.

“Where are my children?”

“Please, come inside.”

They followed him into the office and met about six other officers. They were all wearing the same uniforms.

“Around midnight…” Officer Obi cleared his throat. “… your daughters raised an alarm about a fire that has not started yet.”

Oghenekaro and his wife exchanged glances.

“Not too long, after they were able to gain the attention of a few other female students, an explosion shook the foundations of the hostel.”

He folded his arms against his chest and stared back at the security officers that were glaring at him as if he was responsible for the fire outbreak.

“We have reasons to believe that your daughters have a hand in starting the fire,” Officer Obi faced Oghenekaro.

He laughed. “You must be very dumb and stupid too.”

“Excuse me. Please, do not insult us,” another officer got up. “Your daughters are going to face jail time. I am sure they started the fire as some sort of prank or something.”

“No!” Itoro screamed at the man. “I did not raise such children.”

Oghenekaro closed the gap between himself and the officer. “You are all deluded. Do you have evidence against my girls?”

The officers exchanged glances.

“Please, release them to us this minute!”

Officer Obi shook his head. “They are not going anywhere. Evidence or no evidence!”

“Exactly!” the second officer added.

Itoro dropped her jaw as she stared at the unreasonable security officers.

“Oh ooooh. Fine! Give me twenty minutes then,” Oghenekaro dashed out.

The officers hissed and growled.

“You cannot do anything, Mr. Man! Your daughters will sleep in our cell until they confess. Useless children from useless parents!” Officer Obi glared at Itoro.

She hissed and hurried after her husband. She found him making calls outside the building. He informed her that a lawyer friend was on his way. She sighed in relief. She couldn’t think of what her children had been through for the last six, seven hours. She began to pray for God’s intervention.

About an hour later, Oghenekaro’s lawyer friend arrived. The lawyer bamboozled the security officers with a lot of legal jargons until they had no other choice than to release Ejiro and Rukevwe. They threatened that if the detectives handling the case find anything incriminating against the girls, they would come after them with the full force of the law. The lawyer asked them to call him and also give his numbers to the detectives. He was confident that the girls were innocent.

“Mummy! Daddy!” The girls were so happy when they saw their parents outside the security office building.

“How are you?” Itoro embraced her daughters.

“I am grateful,” Oghenekaro thanked his lawyer friend.

“What are friends for?”

They shook hands.

“Don’t worry. They won’t bother your girls again. They don’t have a case against them.”

“All right,” he was happy that the whole charade was over.

“I have to go. Take care man.”

“No wahala. Thanks once again,” Oghenekaro saw him off to his car.

“Our roommates said some boys were able to get some of our things out of the collapsed hostel building,” Ejiro spoke to her father.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” Itoro frowned.

“Let’s go and get your stuff. I want to leave this place,” Oghenekaro placed a hand around Rukevwe's shoulder.

“Let me call my roommate,” Ejiro walked away.

Oghenekaro and Itoro stared at Rukevwe, then shared a knowing glance. They were sure that she dreamt about the fire before she raised the alarm.

***

Rukevwe and her siblings sat outside their father’s chemist shop. They watched as a set of children played with lighted sticks of fireworks.

“These children are going to lose their fingers,” Eru complained.

His father eyed him. “Is that not how you and Ochuko ran around the whole neighbourhood, playing ‘Police and Thief’?”

Ejiro and Rukevwe burst into laughter.

Eru got to his feet when he saw Adaeze on a motor bike.

The biker stopped in front of the shop, allowed her to alight, then he zoomed off after she paid him.

“Hi…” she beamed at him.

“Come here,” he pulled her into a warm embrace.

“Nawa o bros, see enjoyment,” Ochuko winked at his brother.

“I go marry o,” Ejiro giggled.

Eru and his fiancée couldn’t help but laugh.

“Good evening sir,” she knelt down before Oghenekaro.

“Evening, our wife. How are you doing?” he patted her on the shoulder.

“Very fine, sir,” she got to her feet. “Is Mumsie in her shop?” she turned to her fiancé.

“Yes.”

“Let me say hello,” she headed towards Itoro’s shop.

Eru scratched his itchy arm. “The sooner we marry, the better o.”

His father and siblings began to laugh.

He eyed them and settled back on the bench. “Una no go understand…”

“I swear-rit!” Ochuko got up and started to clap and laugh at the same time.

“Have you furnished your apartment?”

Eru turned to his father. “Yes, the place is ready.”

Rukevwe sensed her brother’s impatience. His introduction had been shifted to Boxing Day and his traditional and church wedding was slated for the Saint Valentine’s Day. She remembered the last relationship she was involved in. She dated someone while she was preparing for her JAMB examination. But it ended when she caught him in the arms of another girl.

Adaeze returned and sat on Eru’s laps. “Mumsie said my clothes are ready,” she grinned from ear to ear.

“I told you my mum is a professional.”

She chuckled. “I believe you now.”

Unexpectedly, the environment began to fade away. A picture-like video flashed through her mind’s eye. She found herself in a church. It was filled up with people dressed in the same attire. Then she saw Eru and Adaeze at the altar. Suddenly, they heard a noise outside the building. People were running helter and skelter. Someone pushed her and it made her stagger. In the twinkle of an eye, she found herself in the midst of blood- stained bodies. They were lying everywhere! All over the church hall! When she looked closely, she recognized her eldest brother. Eru was lying amongst the dead bodies!

Rukevwe gasped and broke out in cold sweat. When she blinked, everything faded. She leapt to her feet the moment she realized that she could see her surroundings clearly. What was happening to her? Why was she seeing things? Were they even real? Her heart beat raced erratically against her chest and from nowhere, her head began to ache. She placed a hand on her forehead and winced.

“Are you right?” Ejiro looked up at her.

She turned to look at her sister. She opened her mouth but she couldn’t utter a word. Her throat went dry with fear and confusion.

“Rukevwe…” Ejiro became worried.

Her eyes became blurred with unshed tears. She shook her head and sat back on the bench.
Her father and brothers watched her. They were equally worried.

“Abi she don start to dey dream for broad day light?” Ochuko made light of the situation.

Eru started to laugh. Oghenekaro hissed and shook his head at his younger son.

Ejiro got up, pulled her sister to her feet and led her to their mother’s shop.

Itoro noticed the tears in her daughter’s eyes the moment she came into her shop with her sister. She set aside what she was doing and told her apprentices to go home and resume early the next day. The girls thanked her, picked up their bags and left.

Rukevwe and Ejiro sat on the chair beside their mother’s electric sewing machine.

“What is the matter?” Itoro moved close to her younger daughter and wiped her tears with the tip of her wrapper.

“Mummy…” more tear drops rolled down her face.

Itoro sat beside her. “Talk to me.”

Rukevwe breathed out loudly. “I saw… I saw them.”

“Who?” Both women chorused.

“I saw Eru and Adaeze. They were in a church and they were getting married.”

Itoro sighed in relief. “Ehn…that is good news. Why are you crying?”

She started to shake her head. “People were running everywhere.”

Ejiro frowned and folded her arms against her chest.

“Which people?” Itoro asked.

“Everybody… then, I saw… I saw dead bodies everywhere…” she whispered.

Ejiro opened her mouth wide.

“What!” Itoro’s eyes grew wide in fear.

Rukevwe grabbed hold of her mother’s arm. “I saw Eru amongst them…”

“God forbid!” Her mother jumped up. “I cancel! I bind! The devil is a liar!” she screamed.

Ejiro stared at her sister in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that Rukevwe’s nightmares had expanded into day light visions.

“It is not my portion! I will see my children’s children! That is what God said. Whatever you saw is from the pit of hell! You better erase it from your mind,” she glared at her daughter as if she was the devil himself.

Rukevwe avoided her mother’s gaze and pressed her lips together.

Ochuko walked into the shop. “What’s the noise about?” he looked around and saw his mother staring at Rukevwe as if she committed a grave offence.

“Where is Eru?” Itoro scowled at her second son.

“He has just seen his fiancée off,” Ochuko replied.

“You better warn your sister,” Itoro stepped away from the girl. She picked up her scissors, then dropped it on the table again.

Rukevwe wiped her wet face with the back of her hand and cleaned her dripping nose.

“What is it now?” Ochuko eyed his sister.

Ejiro leaned against the chair, feeling scared and depressed at the same time. “She saw something.”

“Ehn hen! I said it! She has started dreaming in full broad daylight.”

Ejiro continued, “She saw Eru and Ada getting married, but the wedding ceremony turned into a horror movie. Dead bodies everywhere, and Eru was one of them.”

“Heavens forbid!” Ochuko frowned at her.

Itoro got up and marched out. “Where is your father?”

Ochuko and Ejiro watched their younger sister. They didn’t like her daylight dream or whatever it was one bit.

Rukevwe bowed her head. She began to pray against what she had seen concerning her brother and his fiancée.

“Where is she?” They heard their father’s voice outside. “What sort of a devilish dream from the pit of hell is that?”

Her heart skipped a beat when her father came in, followed by her mother.

“What did you see? It is one thing to dream in the night. It is another thing to start seeing things in broad daylight!”

“Exactly!” Ochuko added.

Oghenekaro turned to his older daughter. “When did she start seeing things during the day?”

Ejiro shrugged. “I… I don’t know o.”

Ochuko hissed. “You are supposed to know. You both attend the same school.”

“Oh really? When did I turn into her shadow?” She glowered at her brother.

Rukevwe remained silent and closed her eyes. She wished it would all go away.

“Where is everybody?” Eru walked into the shop. “What is going on?” He could sense the discord in the air.

They all looked at him, then back at Rukevwe.

“Your sister has started again,” Itoro approached her first son.

“What now?” Eru looked up at the ceiling, then down at his sister.

Rukevwe raised her head and met his concerned stare. “If you get married to Adaeze, you will both die on your wedding day.”

His concern faded, replaced by shock. “Are you God?! Who made you God?!”

Ochuko nodded and leaned against the door. “Exactly.”

Tears gathered in her eyes again. “I saw…”

“You saw what?! God punish whatever you thought you saw. Enemy of progress,” he marched towards the girl. “Assuming you are not my sister, I would have dealt with you…”

Ejiro got up quickly and leapt in between them. “Take it easy. Remain calm. Please.”

Eru stepped away and faced their parents. “Dad, mum, did you hear her? Can you imagine?”

Itoro hissed and folded her arms across her chest.

“It is okay,” Oghenekaro patted him on the shoulder.

“Please… please listen to me,” Rukevwe begged.

“She is still talking!” he pushed Ejiro out of his way and hit Rukevwe across the face twice.

The girl yelled and started to cry.

Ochuko took charge of the situation and pulled his brother towards the door. “Come, let’s go.”

“No! Let me deal with her. Let me teach the witch a lesson or two.”

Ochuko and Oghenekaro pulled him out of the shop and led him into their apartment.

“You see your life? Josephine the dreamer,” Itoro hissed again and walked out.

Ejiro sat beside her. “You too sef. What sort of things are you seeing? Ehn? What kind of problem is this now?” She placed her hands on her head.

Rukevwe held her hurting face and wept. She prayed within herself, asking God why she kept dreaming about things she couldn’t do anything about. Now, her dreams has escalated to daylight pictures or images in the form of videos. Or was there a way out of everything God was showing her? Will the visions stop?

Then she realized that God used her to save so many girls in her hostel several weeks back. Even though she couldn’t avert the fire outbreak. And once, her own sister had been saved from going to a party where she might have been raped. Indeed, her God given gifts had a purpose, but at what cost? Now her family hated her.

She covered her face with her palms. Maybe there was something she could do to save her brother from death. He was still a young man and he had a destiny to fulfill. It wasn’t his time to die. She decided not to give up. Even if he ended up beating her in the process, she would endure the pain and the hatred until his life was longer in danger.

If this was the way God wanted to use her in the world, she had no other choice but to surrender. Afterall, it was all for His glory. She didn’t like the aspect of sounding like the ‘Prophet of Doom’. But maybe in time, God would also reveal good and praise worthy things to her, not just the bad and horrific ones.

Osgee:
Wow! I love this story. It's long since I was last in nairaland and the one writer I have never forgotten still surprised me.
God bless @shewrites for for us.

I appreciate you.

*hugs*

Morning peeps...
The story continues today *winks*

Zara20:
hmm,i no go miss dis one oo...front seat booked

You're welcome.

VincenzoZhuxu:
And you shall surely get it my dear...... Bar man.... Bar man where is this stupid boy....self..... OK come here with the best chill bottle of Hollandia yoghurt you have it is for someone important....... Be fast about Kia kia

Now I don focus jare

Aaaah! My teeth oooo... this is very chilled. You have done well. Aaaah... let me relax.

PrudySara:
Yay!! *Dancing** Thanks SheWrites Wish you a blessed week ahead!

*hugs*

Ann2012:
Thanks for the update ma’am

You're welcome