Lawal was dressed in a brown brocade with a very expensive design. He had just seen the barber, and he knew he was looking his best. He sat in his Lexus SUV, listening to John Legend when he saw her come out through the gate .

Kut!
Was this the girl he let out of his life? The sweet Nadia, a wife who knew how best to treat him. She never slept from dusk to dawn, or have a cough and swallow a whole bottle of Tutolin with codeine. This was Nadia, a friend and listener, one who was there to talk to and not one who all matters ended in bed.
All those tasty miyan kubewa and tuwo she made, fried rice and porridge, she even dabbled into Igbo soup with leaves, stock fish, crayfish, those pastries at weekends; homemade ice-cream, meat-pie, burgers and sausages.
Nadia, never waiting until 8:30 am before she woke up to pray. His sweet Nadia.

She saw him and he studied her face. She looked calm. She came out and walked towards him. He opened the passenger's side door in anticipation but she came to his side instead.

"Assalamu alaikum." She said and her voice hit him with the strength of a tsunami. He was swept off his feet, as if the force raised him and his car into the air. Okay, he had to confess she looked more beautiful than ever.

"Ameen wa alikum salam." He replied in a cool voice. " how are you Nadia?"

"Alhamdulillah." She replied.

He could see that the love was still there. She was not wearing a stern face.

" Please come inside the car." He said. "It is sunny."

"Thank you but I am good." She replied. " How are you?"

" Well, we thank God."

"How is your wife?"

He almost said she was sleeping then refrained.

"Alhamdulillah." He said. He did not want her to talk about that part.

There was a brief silence.

" How have you been?"

"You asked me that already and I said I am good."

'Yes, I did. I- I just want to apologise for the things that happened. I know I erred. I made a lot of mistakes which I realized. Please forgive me."

" Hmmm...it's okay, Lawal. It is a thing of the past."

Oh, she no nice.

" You have about two weeks to go right?"

"Go where?"

"I mean to round up your iddah."

"I never knew they counted days ,or weeks for iddah."

"Three months ."

"It is taqaba they count days or months for but iddah ,you count menstrual circles which is three and not months. Why are you asking me something so private?"

"Private? It may be a thing of privacy but you and I share that."

" Awwwnnn...so we share a thing. I am so glad to hear that."

" Nadia, I thought there will be no need to have a new wedding. I want you to go back to your house."

"I will go back to my house when I feel like. I came to see my friend and my parents know I will come back home."

"Not your parent's house. Your house?"

"Which house Lawal?"

"Your marital home. The house you and I shared. I want you back in my life. I still love you and will always love you. I know I made a great mistake and I promise to make it up to you."

" Ohhh, Sa'ima's home?"

"Let us not bring her into this..."

"Why? She rules the house. Tells who should be here and there. She pushed me to a room she wanted me to be, got me a kitchen outside, ordered you ......."

"Please let us not go back to those details. They are all part of the mistakes I made. If you want Sa'ima out of the house, I will get her another place...today if you wish. You are my first wife...."

"I am not your first wife. I was your first wife."

"I just asked you back. I have returned you."

"Which brand am I?"

"Brand?" He frowned. "Please come in, for the sake of Allah."

" Lawal I need to go back in. I was talking to someone before you came."

" I guess it is Naairah, she would understand if she knows it is me. What do you mean by brand?"

He said and lowered the volume of the music.

" Of course I want to know the brand of your designer wears I am. Is it not your wears you remove and wear at your will? You sent me out at your will, and just wake up and decide to bring me back at your will. So easy."

"Nadia...I asked you to forgive me."

"Forgiving you is one thing, taking me back is another thing."

"Do you want Sa'ima out?"

"Am I her husband? That is your personal issue. I don't know what is going on between you and your wife and it is not my business. I am a Muslim and would not ask you to divorce you wife. The wife you have known since secondary school days. If you are seeking for my advice, stick with your wife. Lawal, do you have anything else to say? The sun is scotching."

Lawal took in a deep breath. Things were not as cushy as he had anticipated. No. He wanted her more than ever. He wished they could be back together, and he would show her all the love she never dreamt of.

" Please forgive me. Come back to me, please."

"Okay, Lawal. I will think about it. Good bye and say hello to your wife." She said and turned to leave. He looked at her back and bit his lip. Never lose what you have before you know it's value.

"Nadia. Nadia."

She did not stop. She kept going.

He alighted, and followed her.

"Nadia, please, for the sake of Allah. If you want me to call Sa'ima now and divorce her, I would do that."

"We don't have to make a scene here. You are embarrassing me."

" Please." He was almost in tears, looking so sulky, chastened, confused, desperate and agitated. " What do you want me to do with my life?
Where do I head to if you leave me? Nadia!"

She paused, studied him and remembered the first time they met, how caring and loving he was, how she had anticipated a lovely life with him. She had never dreamt of becoming a divorcee at such an age. It was not her wish to be going into the hands of different men. He looked sorry, and she pitied him.

" Let us talk about this some other time." She said. Then Jamil fell on her mind. This was a dilemma. It was not just going to work out with Jamil. There was that thing forming a wall. She was confused. " Just leave now, please."

She left him standing and watching her. After she had gone in, he went back to his car, got inside, laid his head on the steering wheel and cried. What did he do to himself?

Meanwhile, Nadia was going back inside. She had to wipe tears off her face. She knew why she was crying. She was scared of what was about to happen. But it was better it happened now. It was hurting her.

Jamil was smugly jittery. He knew it was a man who called her and probably her boyfriend. He was scared. His heart was beating rapidly. He felt he was about to receive a bad news:
Sorry, but there is someone in my life and has been there before you came around. You are nice, only if I met you earlier.

She came back and he felt his heart beating rapidly. He had never felt like this over a woman. He had never wanted a woman like he wanted her.
She smiled but he was quick to detect the change in her. She was just forcing the smile. Wait! Did she cry? Who came to see her? What did he tell her.

"I am sorry for keeping you waiting." She apologised.

" It is okay. I was enjoying the movie."

"Movie? But it is boxing you are watching."

Damn! How could she know that since the X-man called her, he had not being himself. It was a mixed feelings of fear, jealousy, agitation and expectation.

" Don't mind me." He said and chuckled.

"Please can you excuse me, I just need to see Naairah."

"Okay."

"I hope you don't mind?"

"I don't."

She noticed a change in him too. He was looking kind of flummoxed. This added to her confusion. She had to see Naairah.
She climbed up the stairs, and knocked at the front door to her boudoir. She waited after Naairah answered . "Come in."Naairah said.
Nadia opened the door and went in.

"What do you think? A.....Hayati in his study."

She nearly called him Adnan.

"What would I think? Don't spoil me."

They chuckled.

"What is wrong with you?" Naairah asked.

" I am confused. Lawal was here."

'Who? How? Come and sit down."

Nadia told her everything that transpired between them. Naairah was confused herself.

"I know what you are scared of." Naairah said.

" Yes. I am scared and I want to settle it with him now. It has been hurting me. It won't work out."

Naairah took in a deep breath.

"I will not be in a hurry to judge now. It all depends on the outcome. May Allah choose what is best. Even if you will go back to Lawal, he has to know your worth, pay for his sins and make sure the nonsense does not happen again.
I guess he must have learnt his lesson. Some men do not know what a woman means until she is out of their reach. I can't believe he said he wanted to divorce her."

"He was ready to do it in my presence. I refused. I would never be a part of that."

"So what do you plan to do now?"

Nadia got up.

"I am going to settle it with Jamil once and for all."

Jamil came out of his mini gym, rushed into the bathroom and had a hot shower. He came out, dried his body, used body jelly, hair cream, deodorant and put on blue-white shirt over white slim slacks, put on stockings and wore white sneakers.
Picked up his sunshades, wore his wristwatch, spray perfume, put some cash in his pocket, carried his car keys and went out. He locked the door to his room, walked hurriedly past the main building in front of the boys quarters he occupied when he met his mother just by the side door.

“ What a world !” His mother exclaimed, looking at his trousers. She was standing with Nafeesa, his younger sister who was married. “ Jamilu, how on Earth do you pull off this trouser?”

“Mama, they use nylon.” Nafeesa said at once.

“ Nafeesah shut up. We are not age mates."

“You are not but remember that she is a married woman.”Said his mother .

“ Mama, you have started again. I will vex and marry two at once.”

“I dare you.” She said. “ The trousers boys were these days! When Fulanis used to wear this, you used to laugh at them.”

“That was before Lil Wayne ‘Wizzified’ it and blessed it for the niggis.” Nafeesa said.

Jamil playfully chased her and she ran behind their mother.

“I saw one boy,” Mama started, “ He wore plenty hair, and his head was big, then wore a very thick jacket, with a big earpiece on the ears, big eye glasses, then trousers was so slim, then wore big boots…kaman cartoon (like cartoon). He was walking like this…”and she began to demonstrate.

Her children began to laugh.

“ That is what is trending.” Nafeesa said.

“ Toh, my boy is thirty and says he still has time.”

“ Mama, I still have two months before I am thirty and guess what?”

“ What?”

“ I found her.”

“ Who got lost?”

“ She did not get lost. I just found her. The lady I don’t want to deny you of having as a daughter cum daughter-in-law, and give this lousy sister of mine a sweet sister-in-law.”

“Are you serious?”

“Wallah.”

Nafeesa was all ears.

“ I met her some months back, and we lost contact then fate brought us together.”

“ So you have proposed?” Mama asked.

“ No. I have not even made my intentions known to her. She only sees me as an acquaintance.”

Mama hissed.

“Sakare ( idiot). You have not made your intentions known and you are telling me that you found her. Do you know if she is betrothed already, or is not interested in you, or do not like your trousers?”

“Tab! She is a babe, and knows what is in vogue.” He said. “ I am going out. I believe she was made for me and has been waiting for me all her life.”

“Good luck, Yaya. Tell her you have a sweet sister in case she refuses, she might accept for my sake.” Nafeesa said.

“One of these days, I will come and flog you and your husband in your house.”

“ Haba Big Bro. You and I …..”

“ And don’t even think I am buying the i-phone I promised you again.” He said as he walked away.

“I am sorry, let me come and help you clean your car.”

He laughed.

He went into his car, and drove out. What his mother said downed on him. He noticed that Nadia had a protean character. One minute, she was happy, another minute friendly and another she was taciturn. He felt there was something that was holding her back.
He did a quick flashback of their relationship. After she discovered he was the man who saved her, she became nicer to him and he felt it was just gratitude. But he found himself falling in love with her. They exchanged numbers, and would chat sometimes, though the chats were just normal talks and platonic.

But he loved been with her, talking to her, seeing her. Sometimes, she would not pick his calls or reply to his messages. He had never heard her speak about a boyfriend or receive a call from one.
She had given him some subliminal messages of being just friends and he should expect nothing more but he refused to go.
He got to the street, checking the house numbers before he found it. He brought the car to a halt, alighted and dialled a number.

“Hello…..I am outside” He said.



“ Okay.” Nadia said. “ Just drive in. The gate keeper has been told about you.” She said and ended the call.

Naairah looked at her.

“ Nadia, think over it. This guy is in love with you.”

Nadia heaved a sigh.

“ He has not mentioned it and I pretend I don’t see the signs. Naairah, it is too early to think of another man. Men are scary. He is nice, or acts nice. Lawal was nice too but what happened later?”

“Let me tell you this, Lawal was not pretending from the start. He meant it but he was so weak he allowed her come and wreck him. Besides, you can’t use Lawal as a standard of judging all men. We are women. There is a word called menopause.
You are too young to take a decision of staying away from all men. You have to live on, move on, and I feel this guy is good. Look at the circumstances that led to your meeting . You hit his car, he took you to hospital, left his car there, paid for your treatment, went and picked his car and slept over and left without leaving a contact.
That is a rare virtue and you told me he makes you feel great. I think getting married on time again will heal you quicker and forget the past.”

“Ya Allah, I never wanted to marry more than one man.”

“That is your wish. Are wishes horses? What happens to qadr (destiny)? What if a husband dies, or becomes stupid like Lawal? When things like this happen, we turn to Allah for guidance. All I am saying is give him a chance. Go and bring him in. He just drove in.”

Nadia got on her feet, took some steps then turned at her.

“ There is a problem.” She said.





Jamil had barely come out the car when the front door of Adnan’s mansion opened and Nadia came out. As she stepped out, the sun reflected on her and he saw her complexion clearly. He did not know the exact word to use in describing it but it reminded him of his usual formula for making tea: two full spoons of powdered milk and one spoon of Nescafe: That light brown colour.
Her long gown gave her that majestic royal touch, with calculated even steps, the legs in a definite pattern,each leading the other and he felt like melting before evaporating to solidify right beside her.

As she tried to use her slim beautiful palm to block the sun rays that directly hit her alluring aesthetically pleasing eyes, she caught the picture of a princess searching for one of her subjects and Jamil wanted to be that subject, to have the chance of serving a royalty.
Her slim, curvy shape tried to hide but the wind gave it away, blowing and making her veil mold her body. Jamil was surer now that he wanted this girl for himself. It was a feeling that he had never felt. He just hoped she would not tell him that there was someone.

“ Assalamu alaikum.” She greeted.

“Ameen wa alaikum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuhu.”

She smiled at his full response. That smile that made his intestines dance shoki.

“I hope you did not find it hard to locate the house?”

“No. I did not use the address you gave me.” He said.

“What did you use then?”

“ My heart detect signals from your heart.” He said. “ I used my heart to locate your heart. They have a connection.”

She blushed, still feeling something holding her back. It was just there, telling her it was not going to work.

“ And your heart never fails me.” He said looking directly into her eyes , “the network never fails, never out of service, and so accurate. I am stuck to this network, no turning off but flowing on a direct line…..a life line. You are a paragon of unadulterated beauty, damn inequities cause impeccability is divine and your imperfection is negligible. I am sinking, drowning, and I see just one life line, Nadia. I extend my hand, save a life and drag me out with your love, smile, cause I trust you with my soul.“

Nadia was lost for a few seconds, confused and not knowing how to react. This guy was punishing her, oppressing her resistance power, telling her that he was powerful. His eyes did some of that, the buccaneering radiation, the swaggering beards and low moustache, his brio, his personality. But where was this leading to?

Nadia, do not let yourself get hurt again. He might not mean to hurt you, but the hurt might be there, lurking, waiting and hitting where it hurt. Nadia, not again. Save the broken parts of what is left as a heart.

“Come inside,” was all she could say.

She led him into the palatial living room. Adnan was there to welcome him.
Jamil extended his hand but Adnan declined. There was a second of panic and embarrassment. What was that? Adnan frowned.

“Youngman” Adnan said, “ I am of the older generation and it is unethical for you to come and seek for the hands of my daughter in marriage and offer a handshake first. I did not do that to her father, look her mother here.” He pointed at Naairah. “Then there was no Izala so I knelt down, ko Mamman Nadia?”

They all laughed and the tension was eased. Adnan shook the hand.

“ Ya Adnan, who said he came to seek for my hands in marriage?” Nadia said.

“I am a guy joh.” He said. “ which contract have you guys been signing all these while? You will say there are errors to be corrected, I will say okay. He will say there was a place with no capital letter. Na English class?”

They laughed again but Jamil was feeling slightly shy.

“This is the guy who saved me from the accident scene.”

“You guys are blessed with tangible, substantial excuses. From proposal to hospital. I met the gentleman. That was the day I blessed the union. I left Wasiya (a will) that even if I am no more, the wedding should go on.”

“Ya Adnan? Which wedding? Ha’an! “

“I think I have a great father-in-law .” Jamil said. “ And a great mother-in-law too.”

Naairah posed.

“Thank you my son.” She said.

“Tab! Naairah harda ke( including you)?” Nadia said with a pout jokingly. “ You know me ai.”

Adnan created the air of jokes, fun and freedom. But Jamil was shocked when Nadia said, “Jamil, this is our chairman.”

“You mean Mr Hayat?” He said, guessing he may be two years older than Adnan. No. He was six years older but he did not know that. “It is a privilege sir.”

“If you call me sir again, I will return your dowry.”

"I am sorry sir”

“He said it again.”

“ I was confused my guy.”

“Better.”

“Which dowry?” Nadia asked.

“Wait, which money did you think we have been using to eat chicken pepper soup and ice-cream these days?” Adnan said and they laughed.

Naairah liked Jamil and saw that Adnan liked him too. They saw that chemistry between them, and somehow, they matched as a couple.
They had a lunch, prepared by Nadia and Naairah. While they ate, Jamil fell in love with them. He hoped he could get married to Nadia and be with them.
After the meal, they shared some jokes before Adnan went upstairs. Naairah excused herself and followed. Nadia knew it was a set-up. They were giving them space. Jamil and Nadia were now left alone in the living room, except the house help who was going in and out of the kitchen. She wanted to know if Aunty Nadia was going for a second marriage. She would go in, peek, pick a cup, come out, peek, drop the cup, go back, open the tap…..the life of a gossip was hectic.

“I love this couple and the guy impressed me.” He said. “ The chairman?”

“Yes. He also own Naanan.”

“Damn! Masha Allah. He is humble. The love between you and Naairah is marvellous.”

“She is more than just a friend.” She said. “More than a sister. No words.”

“ I understand. Nadia….”

“Na’am.”

“I think it is high time I told you this…….”

Her phone rang and he was interrupted. She did not recognise the number.

“Hello.” She said.

“ Nadia…..I was told you were here. I am outside.”

She heard Lawal’s voice for the first time since they divorced.





Outside where?" Nadia asked.

"Hayat's house. I went to your house and was told you were here." He sounded so cool and apologetic.

Nadia looked at Jamil.

"Excuse me please. I think there is someone here to see me. I will be back soon insha Allah."

Jamil nodded, wondering who the spoiler was. He was almost there.

"Okay, ma'am."

"I told you."

"I am sorry."

"Better."

She got on her feet, he gawked at her as she walked out. Oh no! He wanted her. He was going to fight to have her.

NINETEEN

Halima stood up from the praying mat, walked to the bed and flung herself on it. She could imagine his jovial face, hear his deep voice, see his smile, his beards which which loved to play with.
The man who beared with her for weeks. She ignored him but he still stuck by her. The billionaire who turned a cattle rearer for her love. The man who loved her for who she was. He did not care about her educational background, or status.
The man who was there for her, the one she got married to and turned her into a woman. He gave her a lift, turned her life around and was building her, transforming her into a sophisticated lady. She now knew designers, drove cars, provided for her family and knew what it felt to be loved.
God forbid but if something happened to him, would she ever love another man? Where was he? What happened? It was about ten days, no sign of him, nothing was heard, his phone that used to ring had stopped.
If it was a kidnap, let there be a demand for ransom. If they want his life, let them do her a favour and take her along.
She broke into uncontrollable tears. He was her husband, friend, playmate, soul mate, parents, everything. He was her life.

" Halima." Hajiya, his mother came in. Halima had been moved to the family house since he went missing.

" Enough of the crying, what we need is prayers"

As Halima turned to look at her, her eyes were red and immediately their eyes met, Hajiya also broke into tears.








Fahad closed his eyes as he felt the heat of boiling water, hoping someone would shoot him so he could die before being thrown in.
This was not just a good way to go.
He waited to feel the burn, the peeling of skin, the scream from his dying voice, the fading picture of Halima and his mum which were the images he had saved to be the last.

But the images were still there, refusing to fade, and the only pain he felt was that of the heat of the steam. Then he felt a fresher air before he saw himself being brought down. What happened?
Was it the faint shout he heard?
He saw everywhere go calm, the crowd went mute and there was absolute silence. What was going on?

Then he saw all of them kneel down, their heads bowed as a hunk of beef walked majestically, followed by about twelve fierce looking warriors, holding spears, bows and arrows and swords. The cock of the walk should be some inches above seven foot tall, taller than Shaquille O'Neal and bigger.
His skirt was made of white wool which looked immaculately clean and expensive, from their standard.
He wore a white woollen cap with golden buttons adorning the front side. His beads were sparkling and his strap sandals was made of crocodile hide.

The way his hair was plaited showed his elegance. Corn rows, travelling in different directions and adorned with pearls.
His eyes were like the painting of a dragon Fahad had. His nose was bulbous, thick dark lips and aggressive wide jaw. His skin was dark and shiny, his body rippled with muscles with biceps that was bigger than six of Fahad’s combined.

This was the most intimidating person he ever saw. His size alone was enough to send him fainting.

" Tuhm baha!" The leader of the soldiers shouted.

" Tuhm! Tuhm!!" The crowd chorused.

" Tuhm baha!" He shouted again.

" Tuhm! Tuhm!!"

He was obviously the king. Two hefty men brought a wooden well carved chair and placed it in the middle of the space. As he sat down, the crowd shouted, " Tuhm uhum!"
He said nothing. He just sat majestically while two women fanned him. The warriors around him kept glaring at people and it was obvious that the slightest wrong move was tantamount to been torn alive.

" Baram hum" He said and the leader came and dragged Fahad before him, forcing him to his knees. He looked at Fahad who felt like melting in fear.

He then looked at the leader and said " Gya vundu?" It sounded like a question.

The leader who now looked soft shook his head. That meant 'no' to whatever the king asked.

" Wunduhu?" He asked Fahad.

" I don't know what you say, sir.”

" Sahu faru hinta." He ordered. A man ran and climbed a horse and sped off.

A few minutes later, the horse man came back with another man. The crowd began to cheer as the man was brought.
The man was big which was very normal here. He wore the ordinary skirt and looked every inch like the rest but he wore an old worn out beret, and a pen was carefully placed behind his ear.
He came and knelt before the king then the king said something to him. He nodded then stood up, stared at Fahad for a few seconds then said,

" wetin is you?( who are you)?"

Just at these words, the crowd cheered. They were so proud of him. It took an affort to get the crowd quiet.

" My helicopter crashed." Fahad said.

" Jenlikwafta?"

" No, helicopter." Fahad said. " helicopter.” Fahad spread his arms and gesticulated, then pointed upwards, " Puku puku pukupuku." He made a circles with his hands to show the movements of the fan blades."

" Ahaa! Jelopilane."He said excitedly.

" Yes, Jelopilane(aeroplane)." Fahad concurred.

" Which today ( what day)?"

" Eight todays( Eight days ago)." Fahad replied trying to descend to his level.

" Hmm.." He turned to the king and said something to him. The king nodded and said something back.

" Is him...." He pointed at the leader, " tell you is is a king( did he tell you about the existence of our king)?"

Fahad shook his head.

" No. I thought he was the king."

He told the king that and Fahad saw anger on his face, his nostrils seemed to expand and contrast. He felt it was condescending that the leader could discover a stranger and decide to execute him without authority and was not even told about his existence.

" Ri hutua tumtum zifa!" He barked.

Two of the warriors switched into action. They went to the leader and one of them untied his red rope.

" Aaaaahhhhhh!" The crowd exclaimed. It seemed the red rope was important. Removing it was like an American police being deprived of his badge.
He was made to kneel down. The others now looked jittery, secretly untying the pieces of clothes they had shared.

" Uyu wahumpti. Tin sa kuiju,vahimus!" Ordered the king. A verdict perhaps.

Five warriors came and lifted the leader, he tried to struggle, shouting but he was overpowered. What were they doing to him? Then Fahad felt his bile rise. No!
He was forced to the cauldron, like he made them do to Fahad. They held him by his legs....oh no!
They immersed him, head first into the boiled water then removed him and flung him on the ground.
He screamed, wriggling in pains and the crowd laughed. It was funny...to them. His reaction must have made them laugh. No one showed any sign of irritation.

The king looked at him and smiled for the first time. He had been amused and entertained. What kind of people were these? They seemed not to be connected to the outside world. He saw not even a sachet, can, or anything that was from the outside world thrown on the ground.
They lived in their world. He was not sure they knew the existence of President Muhammadu Buhari, or the senate or their governor.

He flicked a finger and the leader was dragged away. How could he have known that he was setting up boiled water that he would end up being immersed in? At least he knew what it felt like to be immersed in boiled water .

The king got on his feet, studied Fahad and then walked towards him. He then raised him up like a child carrying her teddy bear, studied him, with his dragon-eyes then gently dropped him.

" Wuti fugaa humbum." He said and the English -man began to translate what the king said.

" He is is weak person(he is a weak being)" Said the translator. " I is is honourable him ( I will honour him). He is take am go up into become a up up person in becoming a citizenship of our kingdom( He has been dignified with the privilege of becoming a citizen of our kingdom."

The crowd cheered, and the drummers gave a one minute performance to celebrate with Fahad. They felt it was the greatest honour to be given the chance to become part of them.
At least, it was an honour to be given the chance to live again, even when the means of escaping looked impossible. And thank God, they were not the cannibals he thought they were. Who knew, just maybe he would get the chance to see his wife and family again?

The king made them give him a gift of a skirt and beads. The way the natives reacted, it was a big deal to wear clothes given by the king.
Fahad was given a new skirt, and a servant wore the beads round his neck, wrists and ankles. The crowd cheered. he was made to sit down while three women came and plaited his hair and adorned it with white and black beads. Ya Salam!
He did not need to stand before the mirror to see how awkward he looked. Whatever, it was a blessing to be alive. He should have been long gone in that cauldron.

He was given a hut. It was built like a dome with no roof. The bed was made of bamboo and covered with treated grass. A local lamp hung on the wall, then two extra skirts on the bed. This was his new home.

He had barely settled when English-man came. He told Fahad his name was Gwinbu. He was the son of Rabunza, the only man who ever left Dabuhu kingdom, went and came back with a foreign language, a shirt, trousers and the beret he was wearing.
Rabunza thought them English and they became the most educated in the kingdom. This made them well respected and got a lot out of national ( national in their context) wealth.

His father wore the shirt, which he had been wearing for thirty years. The trouser was given to the king as a gift from another world, and the king only wore it during very special celebrations. Then the beret was given to Gwimbu because he was the most learned among Rabunza's children.
Gwimbu could count one to fifty in English. He knew all the alphabets and had seen a textbook with pictures cars, trains, and many other things. They had a school and he was the head teacher. But as a rule, some knowledge were kept hidden from the others.

For instance, they only taught how to count from one to twenty. Only he and his father could count to fifty. There had to be that element of respect and if they disgorged the whole knowledge, the family might lose its relevance.

He took Fahad to the school. It was built with bamboo and thatched roofs. The students sat on the ground while the teachers, comprising of only Rabunza's children stood in front of the class.
The students were over five hundred, arranged in classes. Gwimbu proudly took him round the school while he saw a world he never imagined existed.

" Shabunda hunda dumdurum." A teacher said and the students said after him.

" The boy is is raning in the legs( The boy is running)" He translated, and they said after him'

What the heck!

" A is appurr ( A is for apple) " He went on wile the class repeated after him.

" B is bonks ( b is for box), C is cas (C is for cat).”

They left there while a part of Fahad’s heart cried while another part laughed.
It was at that moment he saw some warriors coming, with stern faces that sent fear into hearts. They walked to them and said something to Gwimbu.

Gwimbu looked at Fahad excitedly.

" You is is want (you are wanted)......by the king pikin woman ( by the princess)." He said. " I think is is lacking you ( I think she likes you)"

What?

Fahad turned to see her standing with about ten fierce looking warriors standing behind her. She was staring at him with a smile.

Trouble!

excelmerry:
The way these insurgents think is really baffling. Their brain is completely warped. Imagine ordering murder and still praying for God to punish one and grant mercy to the other..really?

Although the story is fiction, but the fact I you raised is unfortunately a reality.

Pinkberry5:
I love Sokodobo's efforts but honestly, i wish i could get an extra update this afternoon :-(

Worry not. you will get it tonight

It had been hectic and dangerous but Fahad succeeded in evacuating Baffa, the workers and a lot more. But when he was up in the sky, he saw something. It was a very large compound with a lot of industrial buildings in the hummocks.
He saw a lot of trucks too and the earthquake seemed not to threaten the place. After extricating people, he decided to fly over there.

Then he felt something narrowly missed him.
He was been targeted. What? He tried to escape. He was shocked as he saw two military helicopters coming after him.
Ya Salam!

He started running for his life. The only thing he had was a pistol which was completely useless now. They had a military helicopter.
Was this the clandestine camp? The place where those trucks went? Whatever it was , they made it an out of bound vicinity.
They started firing shot at him. He kept running , trying to give more space.

After about thirty minutes of running, he felt an impact, then the roar of my engine changed. He lost control and the chopper began to descend unwillingly, not by the power of engine, but acceleration due to gravity. He was crashing.






Halima felt a knock in her heart! Fahad, what was wrong? She tried his number but he did not pick.
Ya Allah, keep Fahad safe for me.
She began to cry. She missed him, his smile, his touch, his……everything.







Fahad opened his eyes and found himself been carried by two strange looking people. Who were they, where was he?
It took a few seconds to recall what had happened before he got here. After the crash he had lay there breathing slowly, feeling the excruciating pain in his head, legs and back. He could see part of his crashed helicopter still hanging on the big tree while the rest of the parts were scattered on the ground.
Thank God for the tree which reduced the impact. If he had crashed directly onto the ground, from such an altitude, he should have been part of the debris.

His attackers had gone back, mission accomplished and happy he was destroyed. Where was he? This was a great distance from Mambilla. The tall, big trees, and thick bush told him he was deep in a jungle. He put his hand in his pocket and brought out his phone.
He tried to dial a number. It was not astonishing to find no network. With no phone, no plane, nothing, then he was seriously stranded.
Halima! She had been calling him, but he could not pick the calls because he was trying to escape from the killers. He could even remember hearing the phone ringing.

He hoped she would be alright. He hoped someone would pacify her and calm her down. He was alive, still breathing ....for now.
He had been lying there for over two hours so he made an effort to sit up. Miraculously, he had no broken bone or serious injury. The pains must have been from falling down. The seatbelt had also helped tremendously.

He was famished, fagged out, and felt miserable. He did not know where to go, what to do or what would happen next.
Who were those people? What were they doing there that made the place out of bounds? And why were they not perturbed about the earthquake?

What happened to Damon and his wife? Were they caught and killed? God forbid! But it was almost ten months since they lost contact. What was going on ?
Using parts of his crashed chopper, he made a small room, barely big enough to give space to stretch his body but anything was better letting a snake bite him. He hated those reptiles. No, he was damn scared of them.

He had slept that night without food or water. The next morning, he kept scavenging until he saw a rabbit. He tried to hunt it but it escaped. He spent that day without water and food.
He was getting weaker, feeling sick yet he was thinking of Halima. He hoped she wasn't going to get sick from worries. He wanted her to know he was alive but would he ever see her again? He was in the middle of a jungle, not having the slightest idea of the geographical location.

He had arrived here in a state of agitation, been chased so he just moved randomly.
No food, no water and wondered how long he was going to last.
The third day, he saw a big rabbit and shot it. He had no fire so he went to the debris of the chopper, got some fuel and made sparks to ignite flame.
He roasted it, no seasoning, spice and he did not even think of it. It was the best thing he ever tasted. It was while he was eating he saw a big hyena sneaking towards him. What? Wild animals!
He raised his gun and shot at it. It scampered. But he knew his bullets would not last forever. It rained that night and he collected water in a hollow debris. Damn hygiene. He didn't know how safe it was, he drank water after three days.

It was on the tenth day, as he went hunting he felt something hit his head. Before he passed out, he saw a strange looking man.
Now he remembered. It was them who had hit him. They were about seven of them. What kind of people were these?
Immediately they got to where seemed to be their village, he wondered what kind of people they were. He saw men, women, and children.

Firstly, they were big. Like finding an adult who was less than six foot tall was scarce.
Most of the men were brawny, wearing plenty hair which they plait with black and white beads.
Secondly, nobody wore clothes. The men only had short skirts made of hides round their waist, then beads round their necks, ankles and wrists.
The ladies wore what looked like pants. The breasts were bare, then they wore multi-coloured beads on round their waists, necks, wrist and ankles. They were mostly tall and statuesque.

The buildings were made of mud and nothing showed a sign of living in the 21st century. Everything he saw was locally made.
Immediately he was led into the remote village, an alarm was raised and they went frenzied, running to see the strange being, some held dangerous weapons, children shouting, women trying to catch a glimpse of him, while some youths wanted to be given the chance to shred him to pieces.

Trouble!

Some men had to restrain them, trying to keep order and he was carried to a large square where the natives kept trooping until they formed a big circle. They spoke a very strange language .

What were they going to do to him? Were they cannibals? Barbarians? What? The last of people living out of civilization he knew about were the Koma people that were discovered in 1986.
He was then brought down, then tied to a stake while some of them began to make fire. What? Were they going to roast him? He could not shout. What was the point? Who was going to save him? He only prayed, if this was going to be his end, then he prayed he left with the kaleemah (the last words expected of a dying Muslim). He could not help thinking about his family, friends and ....Halima. They just got married, still in honeymoon, just starting their lives, opening the vista to bliss land, trying to explore the bliss of marital life, then it would be cut short, leaving her in grief, melancholy, tears and pain, then forced into mourning period, then labelled a widow.

Would he die and end up in the bellies of these brutal looking cannibals, and finally in their pits. Ya Salam!

They were excited and curious. He was tied so tightly he could barely move. Only a few of the men, who looked like their police, soldiers or whatever were allowed to come into the space. They had a red rope tied round their heads.
One of them, who looked like a leader came and stood before him, stared at him curiously then touched his shirt. He felt the texture then gave him a sharp glance.

" Boom! Baru hum chu hum?" It sounded like a question.

" I don't know what you are talking about." Fahad said.

" Hehehehe!! Hum sububtu!!!"He said and tore off his shirt. This man was strong. The crowed cheered. He could not tear all of it off because he was tied. He then tore it into pieces and he shared it among his men. They were so excited, each man looked at his piece with amusement while some of those in the crowd seemed to envy them.

Each man adorned himself with his. Some tied it round their arm, some legs and one whose piece was too small tied it to his neck beads.
Then the leader saw Fahad’s belt and went shocked. What was this? He must have wondered. He touched the buckle, opened his mouth and looked round proudly.
He then held a part, a strong leather belt and cut it with one tug. Damn! He raised the belt up while they cheered. It was like Messi raising a trophy. This time, he could not afford to share. He tied the belt round his waist. Then the next thing to rip off was his trousers. They shared it, given those who did not get a part of the shirt. The leader had a cut and he was the only one who had a piece from the shirt and trouser.
One of them moved to the crowd with a swagger, then a girl rushed to him. It seemed she was his girlfriend. He proudly tied it round her neck. She almost cried in joy. Other girls seemed to envy her, wished they had a boyfriend who would be so caring, giving and made them proud.
As the girl went back to the crowd, other girls hailed her, and she beamed with smiles. Then what? The boxers !

The leader ripped it off and Fahad was left naked. Humiliation of the first order! They shared it and he saw some men bringing a cauldron and put it on the fire. Then some ladies brought water and almost filled the cauldron.
Did they want to cook him alive? While the water was left to boil, he saw about ten men come with musical instruments, drums, local flutes and some of which he could not identify.

They began to beat the drums, and the soldiers gave space to dancers. Were they celebrating his death?
They lined-up in rows. About twelve men at one part and equal numbers of girls on the other side. Each man had a female partner.
Dance was begun.

The girls were first to start. They moved uniformly. Shaking their chests, their bosoms moving up and down, they danced towards the men and as they came closer, they would turn and push out their buttocks.
Then the men will dance forward and spank them on the buttocks and the crowd would cheer.

What the heck!

Then the ladies would dance back to their position.

Now it was the men's turn.

They moved uniformly, wriggling their stiff bodies, their stout chests shaking, eyes stern and show of strength in motion.
They will go close to the girls and push out their waist, while their head is moved back. The ladies would dance forward and spank them on their manhood. The crowd loved this part.

They cheered. You could see joy on their faces, amusement all for his death.

The water was now boiling while they kept dancing. The leader shouted and the dancing was stopped. Fahad was covered with a skirt like theirs. It seemed it was the last honor.
They untied him, he was shivering and jittery. They untied him and dragged him to the cauldron.

As he said the kaleemah in his mind, he could see the picture of Halima, her smiles, her beautiful face as she served him fura da nono, her long silky hair, her voluptuous body.

He remembered the first day he saw her, the innocence, the look of pity, the beauty and her taciturnity. He could picture all those days in the jungle, the rain falling on them, the times they shared, and their love making.
Getting married to her was his dream. He achieved that but it that was now being cut short. How was she going to feel? Ya Allah, give her the fortitude to bear the loss, and make her next husband treat her better than I did.

She was a princess and deserved nothing but a royal treatment. She was a baby, she deserved to be pampered. She was an egg, so delicate and must be handled with uttermost care. She was a queen, she deserved to be served. She was Halima, she deserved nothing but the best.
He felt tears in his eyes, first he tried to stop it but it was too much to be stopped. He allowed it cascade down his cheeks as he was lifted to be thrown into the boiling water alive. Ash hadu'a lailaha ilallah, Wa ash'aduanna Muhammada Rasulillah (the kaleemah).

Adam stood in a katzenjammer, subconsciously squeezing the phone he held, trying to convince himself he was not hallucinating. The phone call he just received was one of the most shocking and annihilating conversation he had ever had.
He could feel every word spoken resonating with him, padded with sputtering sounds and magnified echoes that threatened his ear drum. He knew this was not in a nightmare. He should have seen it coming. The quiddity was not so esoteric but he was blinded. Now, he began to add things up. He had been a fool not have detected the quirks and subliminals.

Now everything made sense to him. He felt niggling, and a part of his head ached.
He stood still, trying to calm his nerves, and tumultuous brain.
He walked groggily to the bed, dropped his balk and closed his eyes. He had to talk to someone. The police needed to know this, and that should extend to her family members. This was a secret too hot to handle.
What was the use? There was no evidence, or clue to exact location.

He hesitated. He could not make a decision now. He was flummoxed, dejected and mentally lassitude. He switched off the light, and closed his eyes again but he knew he was not going to sleep. He remembered the first time he met Leena three years ago but the shocking phone call would not let him think straight.
He picked his phone, checked the time and hesitated. It was a few minutes after 11:00 PM. He scrolled down the call log then dialled a number.

“ Hello, Adam.” A ladies voice emerged.

“ Haneefa.”

“ I am surprised you are calling me this late.”

“ I am sorry about that. I could not wait till morning.”

“ What is it?’

“ I just received a phone call. It is about Leena. I got a very bad news.”

“ Oh my God! I hope she is not dead? I was told there has not been any demand for a ransom.”

Adam took in a deep breath.

“No. It is not what we think.”

“What are you talking about?”

He hesitated.

“I don’t think Leena still loves me.”

“What are you talking about?

“She called me to tell me that she has escaped.”

“That is a good news. What is the bad news? You should think about her safety first.”

“She is safe now. She told me something else. It seems she has fallen in love with another person.”

“Adam just relax and sleep. We will talk about this tomorrow.”

“Do you think I am worked up?

“You have gone through a lot. Leena has always being for you….”

“Before now.”

“Are you sure she called you? Because I would have expected you guys to talk about her safety and arrival and not this. It is strange Adam. Is there something you are hiding from me?”

“Everything is hidden from me.” He said. “I am confused but I promise myself to get to the root of it all.”

“Now I feel there is something more to it. Can you come and see me tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Please do. Just take it easy. I know everything will be alright.”

“I hope so.”

“Good night dear.”

“Goodnight Haneefa.”

Jahl rested his big hands on a table inside his palace. He had been thinking for a while. He raised his face and then used his hand to pull his beard slowly.

“I think the video should have gone viral now.” He said. “And the name Sadiq Jahl is now a household name. I am not scared of anything, or anyone when it comes to the work of God. But I have been thinking seriously about Mufty.”

“What about him, Sir?”

“I am very uncomfortable with him. A moment ago, as he struck that boy, I saw the fire in his eyes and I was glad, but since he saw that girl, it became more of love for her. I think she has to die now…..”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And with a heart deep in sorrow, I regret to order the execution of Mufty. He should go with her. We will give him a befitting burial with twenty three gunshot salute. Mufty is a force to reckon with but a girl destroyed him in the end. May his souls rest in peace.”

“Amen.”

“May Allah forgive him his sins.”

“Ameen”

“Forgive him for failing in the end to serve God. May Allah punish the girl for diverting his attention from serving God. May she rot in hellfire.”

“Ameen.”

“She should be beheaded but Mufty should just be shot. Please just five bullets but make sure he is dead.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Three of the armed insurgents went out.

“The day I have been waiting for has finally come.” The leader said. “ He just stuck Barde this evening. Barde passed out. So full of himself.”

“I hope you will become the next Mufty.” Another man said.

“No! I want to become myself and not him. Never say that again!”

Twenty Three

Lawal sat in his office quietly. He was confused. He was not sure of what he was feeling. He had to admit that he was missing some aspects of Nadia.
The other day he had gone home and met Sa'ima sleeping. He left her sleeping, came back to meet her sleeping. From morning till evening. She said she was weak. He got her a job, she said she just got married and may soon get pregnant. So she suggested to be given a monthly allowance instead. She said she wanted to have time to take care of him.

“Are you getting me a job so we can share responsibilities? Like I earn ,you earn, we take care of the home together?” She had said.

“No. I just want you to have something doing. You went to school for a reason. You should build yourself.”

“Who said I am not built?” The matter ended on bed.


The other day, he had been telling her about his plights in the office. She did not seem interested . If it was Nadia, she would have listened showed concern and advised him. He and Nadia used to share, plan and talk about the future.
Sa'ima only pulled him to her body after he finished talking and the matter ended in bed.
Another day, he got angry with her. She slept too much. He had no problem with her sleeping but for seven hours, doing nothing? And she would sleep at night, pray only when the sun was out.

"I know you are a ahli sunnah”she told him, “and cooking, and house choirs is not our responsibility. You ought to give me cooked food. They said feed her not buy and she cooks. I want us to follow strict Islamic rules. I won’t be cooking for you. But I will give you food…” The matter ended on bed.

He decided to take a decisive action. He returned home with a stern face. He was going to deal with her. He refused to eat what the house help cooked. He did not talk to her.

“ I have had enough. If you don’t want to change, then I am going to report you Mama…..”

She began to tickle him.

"Haba sweety.”

“Do you think I am a fool? Stop it”

Her hands went on his chest and the fingers went on him.

“I said…said…stop it.”

“Honeyyyyy, You know how much I love you. Please smile. If you don’t smile, the world would crash on me.”

“I won’t……..ke…ke…..”

Her hands was going below

“Honey……”

“ I said- said-said said….you ,you….”His lips widened and from a big smile he began laughing.The matter ended in bed.
Now as he sat in his office, he realized that he was missing Nadia. What got into him? Nadia was still in iddah. All he needed was to take her back. He was going to do that then get Saima another house.

Oh Nadia. I love you.

That day he went home to meet her sleeping. Then he saw a bottle of Codeine close to her. What?
When she woke up, he confronted her. She said she had a cough. The matter ended in bed.

It was a few minutes to four o’clock when Nadia packed up her files, arranged them on the table, carried her bag and walked out of her office.
It has been two months since she separated with Lawal and was now working with Adnan’s construction firm. She felt free off Lawal but the pains of what she went through, and psychological trauma of being divorced just a few months after her wedding was painful.
Naairah was there for her. She made sure she tried to make her happy, and kept telling her to let go. Lawal had not called her for once. She guessed he must be enjoying his married life with his wife. Good for them.
She was about leaving the office when her secretary knocked and came in.

“ I am sorry, ma’am ,the representative of Batool Engineering firm is around.”

Nadia grimaced.

“Like right now. We have a lot to cover and I was about to leave. They are not serious. I can’t see the person.”

“ He was expecting this and kept begging me. I am sorry, ma’am can you just explain this to him yourself. I feel uncomfortable the way he was begging me.”

Nadia studied her. The man must have laid on the floor for her.

“Okay, shoot him in.”

“Thank you ma’am.” She said and went out.

Nadia did not bother to go back to her seat. She wanted him to know that she was about leaving.
There was a knock before he came in.
Nadia immediately felt a jolt as their eyes met. His black eyes was buccaneering with a wave of authority which still had that brio and mildness that was appealing. His face was clean shaven except a goatee and low moustache which gave him a swanky look.
He wore a skin cut, giving him a bossy look but his smile made it paradoxical as it sent her judgement into conflicts.
He was corporately dressed in white blazers over black trousers. He looked corporate, matured, handsome and appealing. These she noticed but with the phobia of men she had now, the feelings just went down the drain and she felt almost contemptuous towards him.

“ I am truly sorry, ma’am.” He said after dropping his folder on the floor, then joined his palms and raised them to his chest. “ I know I deserve to be flogged for this. I am sorry. But I have the whip with me, should I give it to you?”

Nadia was forced to smile.

“ I am not trained to lash old men.”

“ I am old really. Counting thirty is no small do.”

“Okay, come and sit down. As you can see, I was on my way home.” she said. “ We can’t go through those files today.”

“Yes, I will be glad if we can file in at least. My boss is not always in a good mood.”

She went back to her seat, sat down and wove him to a chair.

“ So, thank you ma’am…”

“Please call me Nadia. I don’t feel comfortable with this ma’am of a thing.”

“Okay, Miss Nadia.”

Miss Nadia! She was back to that!

“So, let me see the proposal.”

He opened the folder, rummaged through and brought out a file.

"Actually I am not the officer you were talking to so I was just put on this.” He said . “ I noticed some things that needed to be changed. I had just a few hours to get an approval and then start from zilch.
The proposal is based on supplying you raw materials at a more affordable price. We do not import them. Our chemical engineers have improved the materials, and they are so environmental friendly. The irony of it is that you import some of this raw materials while the fundamental raw materials are gotten from us.
And the PQR chemical undergoes some reactions as it is being transported through such a long distance and then processed to the raw material you use then imported . This reduces quality. We extract and produce in Zamfara and just move it down here.
I have some samples for your lab technicians for verification. I congratulate you in advance for finding the best suppliers of your CCM raw materials at a cheaper rate, faster rate, and better quality. “

“ What did you study, I am sorry for asking? You are doing marketing and talking chemicals.”

“ I talk chemicals because I market chemicals but I am a marketer. I studied Marketing and Supply in ABU Zaria.”

“ You did not introduce yourself.”

“ Ohhh, that is what happens when you are a late for a proposal and the manager is about to leave. I was flummoxed. I am Jamil Isa, Marketing manager, Batool Nigeria Limited.”

Nadia looked at the proposal.“Okay, I think I will talk to the chairman. He is a lab man himself. If your products is good, I think you will definitely get the job. We are trying to encourage local products. It is pains me personally that with all the resources we have ,we end up importing almost everything.”

“You are right. I was mad when a friend suggested importing Indian gurasa (local bread). What is kano there for?”

Nadia chuckled.

“Which one is Indian gurasa?” she looked at her wristwatch. “ I think we are done for today. I will look into the details and call you when I am done.”

“Yes, let me give you my card.” He gave her a card.

He got on his feet.

“ I called the a nurse who told me you were discharged that day. And you were back three days later and certified fully recovered.”

“ Wait! What are you talking about?”

“You ran into my car two months ago and got hurt.”

“Was it you? Oh my God!” She was now confused. “But why the mystery? Why were you hiding?”

“I recognized you immediately I came in. What a small world but I did not want to tell you about that. Did not want it to affect our business relationship.”

“It is not about now. You slept at the hospital and left in the morn without telling anyone. You did not even leave a contact. I ought to repair your car and pay you back your money.”

“That was exactly why I left .I did not want to be paid back and I have a good panel beater and painter. Though I repaired it, sold it then got another one.”

“I caused you a lot of loss. Only god knows how much you must have lost in selling it.”

“What if I lost my life? I had every reason to thank God. But I only left when I was told you were okay.”

“I am speechless. A nurse said you had to lie to your wife ..”

Jamil smiled .

“ I am not married. “ He said. “ I have never been married but I am hoping to do that soon. I was talking to my mum. If I had told her I was involved in an accident, she would not bother to hear the rest of the explanation that it was minor so I lied to her. And your phone was locked. There was no one to stay with you. They might demand for something, something the hospital will not do for you.
So I stayed back. Fortunately your sister or something called at dawn and when they came, I left to prepare for office.”

“Prepare for office?”

“You don’t know my boss.” He grinned. “ I am not going to ask you what happened that night. I am sorry for thinking you were drunk or high at first. When I saw you, I knew I was wrong about you. But I felt something must have caused it. You just ran into me. You were driving absentmindedly. Please do not drive out late alone.”

“ I don’t usually do that. I don’t know what to say to you. You are a very kind man.”

"Don’t be deceived. I am bad. A bad guy. Look at me..” He said and frowned. “Can you see the dangerous side of me?”

Nadia laughed. Wait! This was meant to be a formal meeting. Okay, the formal time was over . This was not the guy with a proposal but the guy who saved her life and slept at the hospital for her. But he was acting as if she had known him for long.

“ Bad guys would not do what you did. You had the chance to take me and my car away.”

“ I should have thought of that. Please don’t make me regret.”

She chuckled.

“ Mr Jamil, I have no words to express how appreciative I am. I have been thinking about it for long. All I wanted was to know the person who did that for me and fate brought you to my office. Thank you. Only Allah can reward you. May He reward you and make aljannah your final abode.”

“Ameen and same to you.” He said. “You were about leaving . I have taken up much of your time. I will be expecting your golden call. I hope the lab result will be good. I am confident it would be insha Allah.”

Nadia found herself getting speechless. She just met him and she was already feeling at ease with him.
No,Nadia! A voice said inside her. They are always good from the start. Lawal was good too. Do not fall into the hands of a man again. You are just been appreciative and liking his personality.

“Have a nice day.” She said. He smiled, nodded, gave her a look that pierced into her heart before he left. He closed the door gently behind him. She had been eager to leave before he came. Now, she felt too weak.

She did not know why she began to cry.

tijehi:

You are beginning to scare me...

Scare you? Why?

Toeyean1507:
Are u a scientist, sir?

Yes

Pinkberry5:
Please Mr Sokodobo, are you African at all?

From what I read I've established one fact - you're not a Nigerian

If you are then, you're just unbelievable!

LOL. Original Northern Naija boy

TWENTY-TWO

This did not come as a surprise to Addy as she pointed a gun at him. Not after what he saw her father doing.
Professor Ken stick had put on the screen, and began, “there was a lot of casualties during the world war. Millions of lives were lost, casualties and people lost their loved ones. You can see some of the videos……”

Addy could see some footages of the World War 2. He saw Adolf Hitler, speaking violently. He could see him standing, with the NAZI flag, while thousands of soldiers matched past him.

“ The war period witnessed scientific inventions boom. A few of the inventions that were brought by World war 2 are computers. It was the innovation of the government Code and Cipher School at Bletchley Park and Colossus. It was originally invented as a way to speed up the cracking of the Enigma codes.
Colossus was the first of many computers which have gradually shrunk in size and can be used in everyday life today. This also led to having our smart phones and the rest.
Luther Simjian, a man from Armenia migrated to America. He went on to have over two hundred inventions. In 1939, he started work on the first working ATM, but it wasn’t until 1960 he managed to convince a New York City bank to install several machines in one of their branches.
Other inventions include Superglue, Medical penicillin, space technologies, Nescafe , radar, ballpoint pen, jet engines, and photocopying machines. And most of the most virulent weapons of mass destruction were invented.

At 8:16 am in 1945, an American B-29 bomber, The Enola Gay ,dropped the first atom bomb, over the city of Hiroshima. So, after the war, a few men decided to put a stop to this.”

While Kenstick spoke, the videos of the things he talked about displayed in a manner that amazed Addy.

“ War is inevitable. Conflicts must happen and there must be war. What could they do to make the world a better place? These men came together to form BOE. They have been in constant researches and inventions on all fields of life; medicine, science and technology, banking, entertainment and many more.
And the idea of Evolution was born. They kept it a secret, and many scientist were given parts of the projects. Mr Mason was quick-witted enough to find a way of knowing what it was all about. He was able to extract information from the EBMs and got a 97 per cent clear idea of the project.
It was nonsense. Mr Mason made it sensible. I don’t think I can talk more about that.”

“We will show him.” Mason said. “Come with us, Sir Adnan.”

They went out of the hall, the curious eyes still on Addy as they went out.

Yes! The master was around and the project was coming to life.

“I would like to show you our little coffee and beer bar.” Mason said. “ Come in.”

They went into a bar where some men were having drinks. Addy was amazed to find that the coffee makers and waiters were all drones. No single human was there except the customers.

“This is a test of what we have in stock for the world. The most foolish idea is to think what you see in movies is just fiction. Subliminal messages boy. Science is deeper than you think. Who knew drones existed years ago? We thought it was just a science fiction world of movies. We see what drones do today, they play table tennis, bricklaying, and lot’s more.
The attendants were robots made in the form of men, dressed in waiter’s uniform.

“ The waiters have sensors that tells them when someone new comes in. And when a drone goes to serve him, the other receives a signal that the person is being attended to.
A drone came before them.

“ Three cups of coffee, please.” Mason said.

The drone bowed but did not move.
Mason smiled and removed some dollar bills and placed them on an opening. Immediately he did this, there was a display of the amount of money on a screen on the drone’s arm. It said, “thank you” and left.

Addy saw how the machines made the coffee and marveled. They were served coffee.

“This is no big deal.” Mason said. “This is not very new. Just a spot that gave us a better idea. We want more. Let us go to the next phase: The Evolution.
That was gotten from Aadila, Addy’s mother. She made a synthetic organ which has the ability allow water pass over its thin walls, dissolve the oxygen and moves into blood to the body cells.

What Addy saw almost made him scream.

He saw over twenty thousand jumbo incubators, connected to complicated machines. There was a supercomputer, about two hundred feet long, at a side.
There were over two hundred men in there, doing one thing or the other.
What was this?

Mason looked at it proudly.

"We have witnessed a lot transplants. Heart transplant, arm transplants, and now, head transplant is on its way.
I do not have to tell you what the Bastions Evolution is all about. What matters is what we have. Come in... "

They walked in to the laboratory which was almost a half a kilometre long.

"The Evolution is all about an evolution of new species of man and robots. A bio-drone."

Addy now felt sick. He could see what look like men, and women, naked inside the incubators.

"What you see are not dead men. They are undergoing a metabolic transformation which will give rise to a more improved specie of man.
They would have incredible intelligence. Their respiratory system is being worked on, to have a gill like structure so they can breath under water .
This enables breathing under water. The skin has up to seven layers of ectoderminal layers. The epidermis and dermis are enhanced by certain chemicals to make it thicker, tougher to withstand certain harsh conditions.
Something has been done about exhaustion. During vigorous exercise, the core body temperature increases and the circulatory system is unable to transport the heat away from the core at the same rate as it been generated.
There is a synthetic chemical induced that makes it possible to avoid this. They would be able to run for ten days without getting tired……” he kept on explaining the enhanced abilities of the evolutionary beings until he said, “then the big one: the brains. They have to be super intelligent. This is where you come in…… We have not been able to deduce the formula of an induced hormone to make the brains super active.
But there is an option. Come with me…..”

Addy found this so spooky and bizarre. Were these men crazy? Playing with natural laws?

He was led to a dormitory with plenty children. They were playing, some were on computer games and they all looked happy. They environment was beautiful. Addy saw over five hundred children.

“ The result of a research by Dr Quinn shows that the children’s brain when crushed and passed through a chemical process, can give the result we want. Their brains will be like yours. Do not get me wrong. These children were not kidnapped. They are our products.
We pay men and women to have sex and give birth. Each child here cost about a million dollars. We have helped a lot of street urchins with this. Pick a slot, get her pregnant, she gives birth and get seven hundred thousand dollars and the guy gets three.
And the men and women you see in the incubators are useless to the society. We pick them up from the street and now going to make them important to the world. We call it incubator because it is a new being that would emerge.”

“Why do we need them?”

“Many things are involved. We are sending a good number of them to space. We are working on Mars. They would be better than machines and they are made to withstand harsh conditions ordinary man cannot. These men would be the new generation soldiers. They are not as vulnerable as the ordinary soldiers we have. These men would be bought by nations, but the source would remain a secret. Some would be programmed computer analyst, FBI agents. They are programmed so there will no Edward Snowden, the American computer professional and CIA employee who copied and leaked classified information. These men of ours will be completely trustworthy.

With men like this, the world would witness a rapid technological transformation. This is a multi-billion dollars industry.”

"How do we extract it from the children?”

“The brains would be crushed.” He said with no scintilla of feeling. This was the most coldblooded man Addy had ever seen. “ But that won’t be necessary if you can find the substitute.”

Addy nodded.

Adnan had to come into this. These children must be saved. These men were crazy. Science freaks! Crazy!
Just looking at the children broke his heart . They looked happy, playing around, unaware that there were all made to be killed. Oh no!
Mason studied him. Hope he did not have Abba’s ideology in him. There was no space for compassion here.

“ I think I can get it.” He said praying Adnan could get in touch. He also began to think of a way of escape.


Thinking of this, Addy now saw how dangerous it was to have Lori pointing a gun at him now. He escaped miraculously from them but now, it seemed it was all in vain.

"So, your father sent you to me.”

“Yes, get out of the car with your hands in the air. I am watching you.”

Addy obeyed. She came out through the driver’s door still pointing the gun at him.

“ I know what is going through your head, Addy.” She said. “ Telling you I am Mason’s daughter must have made you aware of the danger of being with me. I am not a model. It was all a plan. My father sent me to you.

They have the policy of continuity and intermarriage. He wanted me to get married to you. He was going to use you as a stooge, being TCO. And I will be there to get all the information he wanted from the main body. But all that changed when the issue of the test came up. He was afraid you would be stripped off the position because you were not the real Adnan.

He asked me to leave you. I obeyed him but my heart disobeyed him. I fell in love with you. When we came to the states, and I saw you heading for the test, I felt something in me. I ran to tell you not to go in…..he would abduct you.”

“Why?”

“ I knew you were going to pass the test.”

“How. You knew I was not Adnan.”

“ I have bugged you, Addy. I know you were in touch with the real Adnan. I know he planned to get to you through transmitter. He made you pass the test. But went in without listening to me. I was not surprised when you were taken away. He was going to show you his crazy ideas, believing you are Adnan and Adnan was Addy.
And when he discovers that you are not Adnan….he will kill you straight. I had lost hope of seeing you again. I pointed a gun at you so I could explain. You may have been thinking otherwise, and maybe thinking of attacking me. I did not tell him the things I discovered. I know who the real Adnan is and if he finds out…phew!”

Addy was shocked.

“ There is something else.” She said.

“What?”

Lori lowered the gun.

“ Let us get a place to stay. I have a lot to tell you. We must get in touch with Adnan. Those children must be saved and this madness stopped.”

“Okay. I want to know what is the ‘something else’”

She smiled.

“ I saw the old man. He is alive.”

“Which old man?”

THIRTEEN


“I don’t understand what you are talking about. An eye witness saw it happen.” Adam said.

“I know what you are talking about. Firstly, I want you to forgive me. I really hurt you and I feel so chastened. You don’t deserve it Adam.”

“Leena you have done nothing wrong for all I know. I just want to know where you are and why you are there.”

Mufty stood up and went out. He wanted to give her room for privacy.

“I was not kidnapped. I met someone who needed help and I had to help him….”

“Him?”

“Hmmm…yes.”

“What do you mean? What kind of help?”

“It is a private issue. I just need a favour from you. Please do not tell my parents this. Just tell them I called you and told you that I have escaped….” She said this but remembered that she was not sure if they could make it out of this place alive. “But we are still finding our way out here.”

“This does not make sense to me. Are you saying you are out there with a man? A man that is your non-muharam? You have left since yesterday.”

“What are you insinuating? That I am sleeping with a man?”

“No.” He detected the note of anger in her voice. Yes, he had that feeling but he was not going to tell her that. How could a responsible girl leave her house with the pretence of being kidnapped to go and save a ‘he’?

“Wallahi it not what you think.”

“Okay, now that you have saved him, are you coming back?”

“It is a long story. I did not tell you that I have saved him. I don’t know if I can save him. I just need a favour from you. Please let us postpone the wedding…..”

“What?”

“I am confused. I know what I am doing or saying would not make sense to anyone….”

“Thank God you admit it.”

“I don’t even what is driving me to do it. I would have insulted any girl doing what I am doing. I am being foolish and annoying but I can’t help
it. Adam, please do not be angry with me…..”

“Just tell me in a single word. Are you breaking up with me? Have you fallen in love with ‘him’?”

Leena hesitated.

She was not sure if it would work out with Mufty. She did not know even he would be accepted. She hoped she was not making a mistake. The best thing for her to have done is tell Adam no and go on with the marriage plans.
This was the most difficult question she had ever being asked.

“No, Adam. I am not breaking up with you. You have been one of the nicest person I have met. I have no reason to hurt you intentionally. My heart just happens to be pulling me. I just want us to pray about it. may Allah chose what is best for us…..”

“Just a few weeks to our wedding?”

“Are you saying because it is just a few weeks left, we don’t need prayers?’

He took in a deep breath.

“No, we need prayers but……you have not answered me. are you breaking up with me?”

“No.”

“Are we going on with the wedding?”

“I don’t know. May Allah chose what is best for us.”

“Hmmmm….Leena, I am not against your tauheed today and yes, that is a general prayer but let me tell you something as a man. When a girl is not hyper or interested in marrying you, she becomes full of tauheed and you cannot challenge her because it is tauheed but deep down, you know she is no more interested. If you know you are no more interested, please tell me.”

“I did not say I am no more interested. I just need more time.”

“Hmmmm….more time? Leena. Do you love me?”

There was a pause.

“I don’t know. I don’t hate you. I like you. You are a nice person.”

“Hmmm…I do understand your answer. You are twenty-four, right? And I am thirty-one. I think we do understand each other but let me give you time to think about it. I will give you three days. Meanwhile, I have been round many police stations, written statements and looked for you all over. The ATOF Captain have been all over me. What do you want me to tell them?”

She paused, confused. She had nothing against Adam. He was a nice guy, handsome, caring and had the qualities many girls would love. He had passed the test, and her parents accepted him. They knew his family, his job and character.
Mufty was an uncertainty. She barely knew him. In fact, he was a man with a murky lifestyle. How was she going to present him? What would she say? He had not proposed or said anything about getting married to her.
What was that thing about Mufty was holding her captive? What was that thing that made her stuck to him? Something so strong that she risked her life to come back to a death camp. Something so intense that made her forget her troubles immediately she saw him again.
He had that thing that made her feel fulfilled. And the fact that she made him smile, and chuckle before he admitted falling in love with her made her felt there was that chemistry between them.
Was he lying? Why should he lie? He had no reason to that. It was a fact that he was not after her body. If he wanted that, he would have gotten it. He meant it but there was also something holding him back. Something that may have made him develop a phobia for women. He was never comfortable around women.

“Just tell them I called and told you that I just escaped and the line went dead. That would be a form of relief. About us, we will talk more when
I come back insha Allah.”

“When are you coming back?”

“I don’t know. We are trying to figure out our way.”

“are you with the ‘him?’”

“He is just a little boy.” She lied and felt guilty.

“Have you fallen in love with someone else?”

“I don’t know. Please I have to go now. Please just keep this to yourself and tell them what I told you to say. We will sort it out.”

“Have you thought of the fact that I have got a wedding plan? What do I do now that you told me this?”

“Were you planning the wedding when you thought I was kidnapped?”

“No.”

“Then let the plans stop until I arrive safely. I am not totally safe now.”

“but you were safe. You chose this upon yourself. It means our relationship was not important to you.”

“You are wrong. There was somebody’s life at stake. I could not take him off my mind and I knew no one would let me go. I risked my life for what I believed in.”

“Leena….I am broken.”

“I have not said I am no more getting married to you. I said we should pray for the best. If God says I am your wife, then nothing will stop it.”

“Hmmmm….that tauheed again.”

“What tauheed?”

“The tauheed girls use when they are not interested.”

“Do not misconceive me. You are special to me . Just pray I return safely.”

“Okay.”

“I miss you.”

“Hmmm…I miss you too.”

She ended the call before taking a deep breath.


Leena, she called herself, I hope you are not making a big goof.

EIGHTEEN

Fahad got up abruptly, rushed into the bedroom and got dressed up. Halima ran after him, she could see the expression on his face, the agitation and synergy.

" Where are you going to, darling?"

"Mambilla. Baffa lives in seclusion. I have to save him. I don't know if the emergency agency can get to him. This quake is not good."

"A'a. I can't let you do this."

" I can't stay here."

" You said we should keep praying. We can't do anything."

" I have an helicopter. I must get there punctually."

She burst into tears, blocking his way.

" No! No! It is way too dangerous. I saw it, you switched it off but I saw it."

" I'm sorry, Leema, but I just can't stay back."

She ran and picked her phone, dialled a number and reported him. She listened then went quiet. She spoke to his mother and was told she approved of it.

" But the Prophet SAW said if there is plague in a city, those outside should not go in and those inside should stay......" She began.

" Plague gimbiya. I am going to save him and it's no big deal. I won't land if it's bad. I explained everything to my mum a few minutes ago. I will be back for you insha Allah."

She was crying. She ran and hugged him, rested her head on his chest and cried softly.

"I don't feel good about this."

"It's going to be alright. I have to go. Time. "

She reluctantly released him, and followed him as he left. He got into the car, she kept looking at him until he drove out of sight. He gave her one last look, she was standing, waving with a look that he would never forget. He wove at her and pressed his leg on the pedal.






The engine of the truck roared as it obsequiously moved Damon and the load of groceries through the dust road bothered by shrubs, trees and grasses.
He had arrived in the evening, spent a lot of time getting groceries to last a long time, then waited until it was dark before he resumed the journey home.
He was eager to see his family but the discovery he just made kept resonating. He realised that the saga kept taking a twist as they proceeded. An obfuscated Gordian knot that it’s end seemed to be a mirage.

He now understood why war was prevalent. It made a lot of sense. Why wouldn’t the super powers, the western powers stop a war? Why should one big country be supporting a part of Syria while another super power supports the other? Why not stop the war?

Fahad said Both Nigeria and Biafra had super powers supporting each side during the Nigerian civil war. And this was common with all wars.
There were instigators, rabble-rousers agglomerating global upheavals via economy control, media, subliminal messages , subjecting the caboodle to moral insalubrious state, religious rhetoric, political hullaballoos, but the most annoying thing was how the people allowed themselves to be so naive, and gullible to be used?

He used to wonder why some people say western education was not allowed in Islam. He was so curious as the continued violence over it proliferated. Then he asked Fahad if really Islam was against western education. Fahad gave him a video which changed his views. So, he believed Pliers when he said religion is been used as a charade to create upheaval.

He remembered the Islamic preacher in the video say:

I was asked to talk about the importance of hajj but I beg to digress because we are faced with an issue with great pernicious influence on us. We are aware of the incipient agitation by a group of people calling for the abolition of Western Education in this country.
They claim it is Haram and anything west is forbidden. So I want to talk about education. We do not have enough time to talk about this important topic but I will try to be brief. The first thing Angel Gabriel asked the Holy Prophet SAW to do was to read.
The Holy one did not only come to teach how to worship but a complete way of life. Study the Qur’an, you find geography, economics, sociology, mathematics, history, law, etcetera.
He taught medicine, hygine, government and lots more. So where is this idea from that Islam frowns at education? They call it western education.
How dare you say education if forbidden when some of the greatest contributions to education was done by muslims.
Like I said in retrospect, we do not have much time for this but I will like to tell you or remind you of some of these contributions which I know most of you are aware of. Imagine a world without mathematics.
Imagine mathematics without algebra. Thanks to Muhammad ibn Musa al-khawarizm. The word algorithm was coined from his name. He was born in 720 and died 840. He was a great mathematics researcher whose work in algebra, algorithm, calculus, astronomy and geography cannot be forgotten.
He compiled the oldest trigonometric table. He also introduced Indian numerals which became Arabic numerals and today, the most popular number system which is the Hindu-Arabic number system is been used worldwide. Before him was Jabir ibn Hayyan, Abu Musa was known as the father of chemistry.
Did you know that shampoo was introduced to Europe by a Muslim who opened a bath house in Brighton Seafront in 1759. He was also appointed shampooing surgeon to King George IV and William. The ancient Greek thought eyes emitted rays like laser which enable us to see.
The first person to realise that light enters the eyes rather than leaving it was a tenth century Muslim mathematician,astronomer and physicist called Ibn Al-haithm. He worked on the pin hole camera after noticing the way light came in through the window shutter.
The smaller the hole, the better the picture. He worked out the first camera obscurer from the Arabic word qamara which means a dark or private room. The first person to describe how the eye works in detail was Abu al-hassan from basra. He worked out experiments with reflective materials and proved that the eye does not sense the environment with light rays as was previously believed .
He also discovered that the curved glass surface can be used for magnification. His glass ‘reading stones’ were the first magnifying glasses ever to be made. The reading glasses was developed from this.
The greatest physician until the modern era was Ibn Sina also known as Avacinna. His book, Al-qannun fi al-tibb was a standard book used in Europe for seven hundred years. After the creation of hospitals around the year 1000, a Muslim doctor known as Al-Zahrawi published a 1500 page illustrated encyclopaedia of surgery which was used in Europe as a medical reference for five hundred years.
The first detailed world map was by a Muslim. The first degree-granting university was founded in Fez, Morocco in the year 859. I wonder why some people use Islam as an excuse to cause chaos. There is no doubt that Muslims changed Europe.
Although generations of rulers have tried to expunge the era when Muslims ruled and changed Europe from historical records,recent archaeology and scholarship have shed fresh light on the Moors who flourished in Al-Andalus for more than seven hundred years. Find out and see the ingenious mathematics behind Granada’s dazzling Alhambra Palace.
Their astronomy, art, agriculture helped propel the west out of dark ag es and into renaissance.
If you want to know more about this, watch a documentary by Bettany Huphes titled ‘When The Moors Ruled in Europe’. I also urge you to watch another documentary by BBC,presented by Omar Rager titled ‘An Islamic History of Europe’. Now tell me who on Earth as any substantial reason to claim western education is bad. Islam is a religion of peace and knowledge. Do not let anyone deceive you.
Send your children to school, both boys and girls. The Prophet, peace be upon him said we should learn from the cradle to the grave….I, Jabir support girl-child education……..”

“Allahu akhbar (God is Great)!” a follower had shouted. “ You have spoken the truth, Mallam.”

“I support education,” he continued, “ but denounce any life style that comes with it that contradicts our religious beliefs . I find it highly idiosyncratic and befuddling why these agitation is on ground.
Where did these people get this idea? Are they truly bastions of Islamic ethics? No! They are an epitome of hypocrates, retrogressive and ignorant souls or……people made to cause upheaval. You claim it is haram to deal with western education, yet you use their cars, wristwatches, guns, fly their planes, and so on. I must say this today. I believe the recent bomb blasts we have been experiencing are connected to these agitations.
I have my reasons but due to lack of evidence, I will not go deep now but insha Allah, the time will come when this people will be exposed. They claim it is jihad. Lah (No)! This is not jihad. This is pure terrorism. People don’t know what jihad means. When you do anything that uplifts the word of God, it is jihad and you must start with your heart.
Fight your heart. The heart is prone to evil. Overcome your evil desires and follow the laws of God. The Prophet SAW gave commandments in wars brothers and sisters, this is how you know who is a real jihadist.
Even during a war, it is prohibited in Islam to cut down a tree, kill a child, kill old people, destroy a temple, or church, kill those who surrender, or run away, kill a woman, sick person, a priest, pastor, or monk. It is also prohibited to disfigure the dead. You are only allowed to kill an animal only for the purpose of eating and it is obligatory to treat prisoners well and feed them.
But what do we witness today? You go to a trade centre and detonate a bomb, killing innocent people, children, women, old people, civilians, and keep shouting ‘Allahu akhbar’. You will rot in hell. You detonate bombs and destroy lives and properties in the name of Islam….your Islam but not ours, the conventional and true Islam.
If you are right, bring out your proves that the prophet, peace be upon him behaved the way you do. I challenge any one to check history, all the gazwahs and tell us where the Muslims killed children, women, civilians, and so on. You are not Muslims but terrorists! There is no compulsion in religion. Unto your religion and unto mine but do not stop me from practicing mine.
You are been brainwashed to commit suicide after committing mass murder by suicide bombing, and you are told that seventy two virgins await you in heaven. No virgins in hell. Suicide is a straight ticket for eternal stay in hell fire. You will pay for killing yourself and others.
Terrorists have no religion, I once heard a white man say. Some faceless oligarchs, deep into a fustian pact are behind this rhetorical, rabble rousing, clandestine movement. But I blame us who allow ourselves to be instigated and used in this sanguinary acts. Today, Islam is seen as a religion of war.
There are gullible ones, with negative pre-conditioned mind-set gotten through subliminals, rhetorics, propaganda and vitriol who believe .
Don’t get me wrong, there are Muslims who perpetuate these acts, but they don’t represent Islam.
When it is a muslim, it is terrorism, if it is a non Muslim, it is just a crime. We must put all hands on deck and make the world a better place. We must live in peace and work together, no matter our diffrences.
We will not be honest with ourselves if we say we are one. We are different in many ways but all we need to do is understand our differences and live as one . Like I said inretrospect, we must start by fighting our hearts, pray and abide by divine laws then God will help us. I think I can use the remaining time to talk about Hajj……….

So the agitation about it was all hocus-pocus.

He arrived the hide out a few minutes to 10:00PM. Alicia was eagerly waiting for him. They embraced for a few minutes before one of the babies cried. She quickly withdrew then rushed to him.

“ So, I got a reason to be jealous too, huh?” He said as he moved in, “ You just abandoned me.”

She chucked, carried him and dabbed him.

The second one began to cry too. What! How had she been coping? Who said women were not amazons? Who dared disrespect this wonderful creatures? Where the hell were the so-called misogynists?

“ Who is this?” She asked as she passed the first one that cried.

“ Damon.” He said confidently.

“ No.”

“ I said Simon.”

She chuckled. “ Okay, it’s Damon.”

“Now you get me confused.”

“ They are both left handed like grandma.” She said , breastfeeding him. “ The doctor said breast milk has supplement but nothing can be like it.”

“ But ladies don’t like doing it.”

She gave him the second one, collected the one he was holding and started breastfeeding.

“ It sucks but I want the best for my babies. But whoa, I can’t go on breast alone. Theses kid will suckle me to death.”

“Motherhood, my darling.”

“It’s funny. I can’t imagine I am a mother .”

“ For real, honey and I am a father.”

“ Just like yesterday under the tent . Never had the faintest idea it was my baby father I was meeting.”

“ Now you want me want to get cappuccino.”

They both laughed.

“ But we have been through a lot in a short while.” She said thoughtfully .

“ That’s a story to tell while I pop beer with my grandpals.”

They laughed again.

“ But you know I miss him, don’t you?” She said.

“ Hmmm dad has always been such a devil. He keeps raising your hackles but you still like him.” He said. “Maybe that was what happened to my mum. They are not compatible.”

“ That’s called strange love.” She said and lay Simon on the cot. He went and lay Damon on his cot.

“ How was your trip? Anything?”

“ A shocker……” He told her what he learnt. She was Shocked and scared.

Then something nudged his brain.

“ Remember the first day I asked you out for dinner and you said you were going to have dinner at your grandmother’s house?”

She nodded.

“ You just said she is left handed.”

“Sure.”

“ Does she like like banana?”

“ Banana and peanut , yes.”

“ Oh my God! That is Professor Alex, your grandfather and the man who wants to rule the world using your father as a viceroy.”

She was speechless.

Kamal sat behind a desk going through some files. He was confused. He had interrogated virtually all of the girls that escaped five months ago but got a similar story. They could not locate the camp but it was in Kabari Forest.
It was one of the biggest forests in Nigeria. It would take years to explore that place. Then the man who was said to have facilitated their escape worried him. From the girls’ perspectives, he was a nice guy. .But to the law, he was a potential suspect. How did he find them? Why did he not report to the appropriate authorities? Who was he? Where was he? Why did some of the insurgents address him as ‘sir’ before he killed them? Where did he get the truck he had used? Why was he wearing a mask?

Then the latest report he just got which he none of the girls ever told him before: he made the rest escape and took two along with him. The description of one of the girls matched that of Leena.
And when Leena was found, she was with another lady, her child and an infant.
Leena had said they walked to that place. That was a junction close to the main road and the insurgents would never have a camp close to that place.
Had someone dropped them in a car? Was it the man who had saved them? Why would the girls refuse to talk about him? Did he threaten them?
Out of the girls that escaped. Leena interested him most after his latest discovery.
He picked his phone and dialled.

“Hey Derrick.”

“Captain. What’s up?”

“I think we still need to comb Leena Idris. There are developments.”

“We just got a report that she has been kidnapped again. Her fiancé made the report. They had gone to a confectionary and he went in to get some snacks. Just ten minutes and she missing. An eye witness said he saw a man pushing her into a car with a gun.”

Kamal crinkled his hard face.

“I don’t get it. I need more details. I will come over there right away.”







“What is going on here?” Mufty snarled and the astonishment turned into rage. “why is she tied up like this?”

“You have no right to question my actions or judgement.” Jahl turned at her. “You are part of the girls that escaped. Why were you found here?”

Leena was glad to see that Mufty was alive and still around. Her efforts would have being in vain if she found him absent.

“I came back.”

“Why? That means you now your way here. You must have told the law where we are.”

“If I wanted to do that, I would have done that five months ago. I guess I am the only one among the girls that can locate here.”

“That means you are the only one who deserves to die now, huh?” “Am I alive?” she said. “Why do you think I came back? Who wants to marry a girl who is HIV positive? He infected me so I want to die with him. You people took me away from my world and now I can’t live outside this place.”

Jahl kept interrogating her but she gave him very smart answers. He made them untie her and asked her to go with Mufty.

Immediately they left, he called two men.

“This camp is no more secure. We would move to Madina- Mujahid. Meanwhile, put an eye on her. I am beginning to think of executing Mufty. Since this girl came into his life, he has not being the same.
One of the men smiled. Mufty was intimidating. He would be glad if that cold bastard was killed.



“Why did you come back?” Mufty said angrily as they got to his cabin. “Do you know what you are doing? Why? I risked my life to get you back to your life and you do this?”

She had expected to see this reaction.

“I came to take you away.”

“Take me away? Are you insane? You are on a suicide mission. They will plan to kill you. Who said I want to leave? Why don’t you stay away from me? Anyone close to me is prone to death, can’t you see that?”

“I will leave but I need you to just answer one question…”

“What?”

“I understand why you are angry. I just want to know…did you forget me?”

“How can I forget you….” He paused. He did not want to admit that but it was too late. She saw it in his eyes. He was glad to see her. “Yes, I forgot about you. I don’t think of anyone.”

“I could not forget you. I risked my life because I had to see you.”

“How did you make it here?”

It was just one day she woke up and took the biggest decision in her life. She knew it was a very foolish idea, something everyone would consider a suicide mission.

Everyone? Yes, that included her.
She began to learn how to ride a bike. After one month, she became a very good rider. She made a blueprint and got her accomplices.
Five months later, just a few weeks to her wedding day, she put the plan to work.
On that fateful day, she called Adam to come and pick her from her friend’s house.

Adam had seen her elegantly dressed in a green gown. She looked so beautiful he felt so proud of himself to have her.
They were in his car when she said she needed ice-cream. When he went inside, one of her accomplice came and they walked down the street.
She did not tell him why she was doing it. She gave him ten thousand naira for the show. He was following them on a bike.
She was one who also staged the man who said he saw her being kidnapped.
That was how she started her journey to Kabari forest. She had her provisions on the bike, plus extra petrol as she embarked on the dangerous trip.

It was difficult to find the camp because there were no straight roads.
But she saw a truck pass, she his and began to follow the truck. It was at one point she was arrested by their guards. She said she was Mufty’s wife so they took her to Jahl.

Mufty was speechless. He could not talk for a while.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I know a lot of people will say that I am fool. I know but I just could not stop myself. I am sorry.”

“But you need to be happy and happiness is out there for you.”

“Happiness is not about you alone but also about those that you love. I could not find happiness out there while you are here. It is insane.”

He was silent again.

“But you are hurting those you love out there. Your parents will be worried and prone to hypertension. You can’t do this.”

“You are right. I am confused.”

“The first thing we will do is to let them know you are safe.”

“How? My phone was seized by them.”

“You came with a phone?’

“Yes but a new phone with no single contact or information about me.”

“Good. I will let you use my phone. I have a line that cannot be traced to me. do that first and then…..I will plan on your escape again.”

“I am not leaving without you.”

“What?”

“You are coming with me or else I will knock your head.”

He gave her a sharp glance and he chuckled.

Mufty chuckled!

It seemed the act was very strange to him.

“What are you?” He asked. “The other time, you made me smile and now this. What do you want from me?”

“I want you to have your life back. You are too good to be here. You do not have the bright to condemn yourself totally. Please leave.”

“I told you that I have a terrible past….”

''What past? Someone killed the Prophet’s uncle and annihilated his body but he repented. Did you do that? You are alive so you have the chance. Please.”

“What about your fiancé? I thought you would have been married by now.”

“Not yet.”

“So if I leave here, where do I go to? There is nothing for me out there. You will get married soon and that will be the end because…..I don’t
talk to married women.”

She saw an irritation as he mentioned he word married women.
She gave him a look and their eyes met. They did not speak but something happened at that moment. Mufty felt as if a strange entity just took over his body. He felt different and somehow uncomfortable. It was like trying to force the new being out of him.

“I think you have being sent to punish me.” He said.

“How?”

“To fall in love with you and you leave. I think I deserve that.”

She had not expected this. Okay, in reality she knew it was going to be a difficult one. She was betrothed and her weeding was just a few weeks away. Plus this was an insurgent who had abducted her. How was she going to present him?
No but there was a bigger problem. She was not ready to let him go.

“I am not leaving.” She said and blushed. “ Let me have the phone.”

She typed Adam’s number. He picked it.

“Adam.”

“Leena? Is that you?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you? Did you escape? Who are they? What….”

“Adam…”

“Yes.”

“I have something to tell you and I need your help.”

“Wait. Are you safe?”

“I was not kidnapped Adam.”

Boom!

“What?”

“There are things I want to tell you…….”

After a long drive down the windy road, Addy felt he had escaped from the men in black. He pulled up the car and took in a deep breath. They were close to a forest, with just a few cabins around. He could not understand this. Lori was Mason’s daughter?
Did that mean that she knew what was going on all these while? Was their meeting and marriage pre-arranged? Was she on a mission?
Mason Ford!

Addy was scared of that man. He saw what he was capable of. He was not just a schemer, a virulent science genius, but a very dangerous man. Three days after he had been abducted and locked up in a very dark cell, he was brought out, made to wash his body and led to a room where he saw a bald headed man he guessed was Mason.

“I meet the incredible Adnan at last.” He said warmly but Addy could see the obnoxiousness behind those eyes and fake smile. He was smoking a cigar, and then got up to shake hands with the young man. “I am sorry my boys had to pick you up in such a manner. The BOE will not understand what we are up to. You are welcome to The new world.”

Addy had said nothing.

“ I guess your guardian must have told you about me. I am Mason Ford. I don’t know what he made you believe but you are his son. Addy is not his real son. You are Adnan and he is Addy.”

‘I am Addy.”

“No. Addy cannot pass the test. Your father did not do what he was asked to do. But never mind, what matters most now is that you are here. How is your wife. I am told you are married.”

“She is good.” Addy said not sure about that.

“ You were born with great abilities. I made sure you got the training and you will agree that you got a swell financial motivation. It is not every child who becomes a millionaire from a few months old and become an important figure in the globe. Come with me..”
They went out of the room and Addy saw one of the most sophisticated place in his life. Everything was automated and programmed. There were drones everywhere performing different functions.

“Science and technology has gone beyond what people think exist.” Mason said. “And with the Evolution, the world would be a better place….for us, our children and the future generation. You are a key to the door of a great future.”

Addy saw men dressed in white lab coats, everyone seemed to be busy. This was a world on its own.

“I was not privileged to watch the test live but one of the men was mine ,so he recorded it and sent it to me. That place is impenetrable. I must commend you for your brilliance.”

Addy was now convinced that this man took him for Adnan. He wanted to tell him that he was not Adnan but stopped. What was this evolution all about? What was really going on?

“The original idea of the Evolution was propounded by the First generation Bastions. My father, Addy’s grandfather,and a bunch of fools……”

Addy realised that Mason was trying to make him believe that Adnan was Aminu’s son. This was to calm him and to think he was abducted from his parents. “ They splitted the processes, and gave us an EBM each. Only a few of them could collect the data. But we got in and gathered the information and modified it. Only 00030 was missing and that was Addy’s father.
But you are going to solve the problem for us. Abbas was a first class mathematical physicist and mathematician. He has a formula which is important and then you will bring the project to live . We have tried to get it for years but failed. You will get it for us.”

That was when Addy knew he was in trouble. He knew nothing about what they were talking about.

“Let me show you something.”

They walked into a large hall with a mighty screen on the wall, sophisticated electronic machines and a super computer .
Super computers!
What it would take an average computer to do in 20 years, a super computer will do it in a single day. Only a few of them existed in the world.
There was a lot of scientist around, all doing different things.

“This is Professor kenstick.” Mason introduced an elderly man. “ He is the Head of the Evolution Department.” He said to Kentstick. “This is Adnan Abbas.”

Mason had raised his voice a bit high and most of the scientists around heard him. They were forced to turn around. Adnan?

They all began to give Addy a curious look. Was this the savant, a walking science gallery, live computer and the greatest hacker?

“ I must say it is a dream come true to meet you ,sir.” Professor Kenstick said and shook hand with the ‘legend’. “ Can I have a picture with him?”

“Sure. We are going to see a lot of him. We will be on this together.” Mason said.

Professor posed with Addy, with a broad smile and they got some shots. Others wanted to have a shot with him. There had group pictures.
Addy was tired of this. He was done living as someone else. The things Naairah told him had been resonating inside of him. He was a fake. He was not Adnan and could never be Adnan. He wished Adnan could get in touch, so he could see what was going on.
They were busy taking shots of someone who barely passed his ordinary examination, taking for the savant. Addy felt like confessing but something told him to stop.

“ Can we show him a little of the future?” Mason said. Professor smiled with a nod. What they showed Addy shocked him. When the screen came on…..





“Addy!” Lori called and the sharpness in her voice brought him out of this thoughts.

He turned to see her pointing a gun at him.

“Do not try anything stupid.” She warned and he saw the way she held the gun, remembered how she had fired shots then agreed that she was not to be messed with. “ Give me your gun!”

Damn!

He was a dead man.

He remembered what they showed him and planned to do with him. Savage!

Lawal watched Sa'ima crying and arranging her clothes into her box. He stood behind her, confused and nervous.

“ Sa'ima, I have apologised. I did all I could to make sure it is over and I promise that it will never happen again.”

"I have forgiven you both.” Sa'ima said.

“Both? Me, inclusive?”

She tuned at him.

“Yes, Lawal. You know the kind of wife you have and you brought me in to be killed. What if I died? You would mourn me for days and live on. I am not ready for this. I did not bargain for this. I love you but I will not let her kill me.”

Lawal took in a deep breath. When he was called that day that Sa'ima was rushed to hospital, he had run out of his office. He had rushed to the hospital like a man chased by a raging fire. He was shocked to see Sa'ima in an agonizing state, wriggling in pains and psychologically derailed.

“What happened? What happened?” He had asked. The doctor had asked him to calm down because the patient was not in the state of explanation. The doctor explained using some medical terms Lawal did not understand.
What Lawal deduced was that she almost lost her life but she would be okay. Sa'ima stayed in hospital for three days. When he asked her what happened, she refused to talk but just kept crying. It was after she was discharged, and they got home, she talked.
Before she talked, Lawal pounced on Nadia for not visiting her at the hospital. He said she was praying for her death. It was then Sa'ima began to cry, begging Nadia to forgive her.

“Please forgive me.” Sa'ima begged Nadia. “ I am sorry for everything. If I had known, I would not have come into your lives. Please spare my life. I will leave your husband….”

"What are you talking about, Saima?” Lawal asked.

“I did not talk at the hospital because I did not want to raise a violent rift. She nearly killed me, saying I came and took over her house. I know I goofed but it was not my fault. It was the bond we shared, Lawal. Years of being together. You know my childhood, and I feel I can never love a man like I love you. I know you told me the same. You can’t love a woman like you love me. That was why I agreed to marry you just a few months after your wedding.
She just attacked me, saying I stopped her from having a job. I did not ask you to stop her from working. I only said, is it fair to let me stay at home, do all the work while she roams about in the name of work? You could have just gotten a job for me too. She beat me up! She could have killed me if not for Lami who came to my aid. I can’t do this anymore.”

Nadia was speechless. She only gawked. What was this?
It was Sa'ima who came to her and started insulting her, provoking her and she asked her to get off her way. Sa'ima had refused. Nadia pushed her and she began to scream, shouting for help, tearing off her clothes.
Nadia was shocked. Then her friend came in. It was a planned work. They started screaming for help and she was rushed to hospital. They had made their arrangement in the hospital. The man who claimed to be a doctor was actually a nurse and he was in cahoots with them. He did that for money.

Lawal had glared at Nadia.

“How dare you touch my wife?”He retorted.

“Wallahi she is lying!”

“Shut up!” He made a move to beat her up but Sa'ima jumped and came in between them.

“Please, Lawal!” she begged. “ Let her be. Beat me instead. Please forgive her. I have forgiven her with all of my soul. I don’t want anything but peace. What is life? Life is not worth all these troubles. Please my love, let her be.”

Lawal was still panting angrily so Sa'ima began to hold him, cuddling him, kissing him and he relaxed, and they began to romance.
Nadia ran back to her room and shut the door.

Sa'ima had a phase two of her sinister. She began to avoid Lawal.

“Please go and meet her. I don’t want her trouble.” She would say and be dressed provocatively, tantalizing him. Sometimes, she would pretend to be having a nightmare, begging Nadia to forgive her, and let her live.
Today, she decided to pack her things.

“I am sorry Lawal but I can’t live here any longer.”

“So?”

She turned at him again.

“ Ease my life.’

“How?”

“Please let me go.”

“What? I can build another house for you if you wish.”

“No.”

“I will build another one so she could move out. Okay, I will rent one now, before I build another one. She will be out on three days.”

Sa'ima bent down, as if arranging her clothes, showing him her back, then stood up again, "Wherever you take her to, she still remains your wife and I am her rival.” She said.” Maybe I have not found my man and home. I need you to divorce me now. I am leaving.”

No!

“ I can’t do that! I just can’t.”

“I don’t want the court to get involved. My life is at stake Lawal. I nearly got killed.”

“ I said I will handle it.”

“Yes, you will handle it by letting her kill me. I am leaving now. I can never stay in marriage with you with her as your wife. Lawal, stay with her and I pray I get a man who would appreciate me.” She coquettishly shook her body, showing him her curves and edges and he was already filled with jealousy.
Someone else? How could she take all of these to someone else. They were his and would remain so.
Without a word, he went to a shelf, got a piece of paper and scribbled something on it and then dashed out of the room angrily.
He banged at Nadia’s door violently.

“Open the door, Nadia!”

Nadia was scared. What was wrong? She refused to open the door. He kept banging at the door then threatened to break it if she refused to open it.
She opened the door reluctantly, praying underneath her breath. She did not know what Sa'ima had lit up. She saw him standing grimly before the door.

“ Nadia, I Lawal Nasir have divorced you. Take the paper.” He handed the paper to her. “ You have the privilege to do your Iddah here. If you want to do it here, I and my wife will leave the house for you, until you are done.”

Divorced after six months of marriage! Nadia felt that ringing in her head. Divorced for doing nothing but love her husband, being patient with all the inhumane treatments meted on her. What was her crime? Why did she have to get this? So he was not ready to come back to his senses.
She tried to tell herself it was a relief but which lady wanted to be divorced six months after her wedding? Which lady wanted to be called a divorcee?

“You cheated me Lawal.” She said in a little above whisper. “You don’t have to leave the house for me. That is not the reason why Allah said we can do iddah in our husband's house. It is a chance for reconciliation. It is not because we don’t have a place to go.
You took me from somewhere. I will go back to that place. If there is anything wrong I did to you while we were together, please forgive me. I am just an imperfect human being . I am sorry for coming into your lives, I never knew you had a Sa'ima, who was your childhood girl. I should not have come at all. You showed me all the love I needed, you won my trust and I anticipated a love life after marriage. I used to feel sorry for my friend Naairah, who got married to a man she did not love, feeling sad that she was not enjoying her marital life.
I thought we were a model couple. But I believe this is a test from Allah and I pray He makes me stand the test. I will leave tonight…..”

'‘It is late. It is almost 11:00pm.”

“Thank you for your concern. “She said. “ But I will not sleep in this house. I will send for my things tomorrow insha Allah. I wish you and your wife a happy life, and we all meet our deeds. Thank you, very much.” She moved in and picked her car keys, she just took two steps when she felt something in her head. She paused, then calmed down.

Sa'ima was behind Lawal.

“Thank you for the good wishes.” Saima said. “Lawal, I did not ask you to choose me over her. I said I was leaving, and asked you to stay with her. But you stubbornly divorced her, must you prove that I am the love of your life? Why do you love just me? You naughty boy…”She kissed him. “ Okay, I know I have not been nice to you for some days. Hmmmm..You are going to have it all tonight. Tonight is the night.”

Lawal chuckled, his face beaming with a loon-like grin.

Nadia passed by them and walked out.

“ Good bye ex mate.” Saima said. “ I am going to miss you. This is the result of the Ayatul Qursiyu I used to play. I am even going to learn how to recite it myself.”

Nadia did not know when she broke into a run. She could not control it anymore. She felt as if the house was an inferno. She rushed into her car, reversed and drove out. The gatekeeper wondered what was wrong? How could a married woman drive out of the house at such a time?
There is nothing you would not see in a GRA. She could not find tears. She just drove, and got on the highway just a few minutes after she left the boulevard. She pressed her legs on the gas pedal .

She was unmarried again. She had no husband. She had just been divorced. Going back to her father’s house, her former room, and help her mother in the kitchen.
A loud and sudden sound from a car horn startled her and brought her out of her thoughts. It was too late. She was going to hit a car…..

Lori felt a stream of chilly wave crawling up her spine as she heard the sound of the door . Before she could scream, she saw Addy rush inside, all looking agitated. He looks messed up, his usual air of confidence and authority vanished.
What she saw was a jittery man, befuddled and nervous.

“ Addy!” She said.

“ Hey.” He said coldly. “ I just came to say I am ready.”

“Addy, what happened? Ready for what? We have been on hell looking for you! The police….”

“ I don’t think the police can help me now.” He said. “ I am ready to let you go.”

“What?”

“That is what you wanted, right? The relationship is all about money and power and it seems I just lost them. Okay, I am not who or what you
think I am. You can’t be with me because I can't give you what you want. You can go back to your modelling, get another big guy, just live your life. I will get to my lawyer before I leave. He would help with the process.” Addy said and went to the clothe closet, opened it, picked some bundles of money and put in his pockets.

Lori just stood gaping at him without a word.

“ I have been worried all about you, and you just come back to say these?”

“Lori you were worried because we had a deal. Now the deal failed. You don’t need to give a hoot about me anymore. I don’t know if I give a hoot about myself. I have being a jerk all of my life, now I think I know better. If there is one thing I don’t need in my life right now, it is a conditional love.” He said, carried his extra phone, charger and put in the pocket of his winter jacket.

He gave her a look.

“ Besides, I am a fugitive. Not running from the conventional law but from a law underground. I don’t know if I may be useful to the world before I am killed. I gotta to face my problems. I don’t think I have much time to hang here. You saw how I was kidnapped. My life is dangerous. Lori, I loved you, I love you but the feelings was not reciprocal.
I went out of my way to keep you, worship you and just pretend it was a sizzling love affair. I gotta to face the facts. I guess you would be happier without me. Do not worry, the alimony will be swell.”He opened a drawer and removed an AMT Automag ii pistol, and packs of bullets.

“ I gotta leave, Lori.” He said.

“ Where?”

“I don’t know.” He said. “ I got no time. You can never tell with these people.”

He went out of the room, checked left, and then right before he covered his head with the hood of his jacket and walked briskly down the corridor.

“ Addy!”

Addy turned to see Lori behind him. Her eyes were sulky, and she was breathing harder.

“Just like that? That’s it?”

“ Do we have an opinion ? That’s it Lori. I explained it all.”

“You just can’t leave like that. I don’t want you to leave.”

“Lori, I am in trouble. I don’t want you to be part of this.”

“But I am part of it. I am part of your life and I love you.”

“You what?”

“ I love you Addy.” Her eyes were now wet, “ I want to be with you.”

“It is dangerous.”

“I know how dangerous it is. Why did you think I came after you before you entered for the test?”

“The test? How did you know it was a test?”

Lori’s lips twitched.

“ Addy, get down!” She screamed before she fired a shot, Addy threw himself on the floor as a bullet zipped passed his head.

There were three men all in black suits coming from behind. These men were professionals.

“Come on!” She said . Addy got up, fired two shots and they went into hiding. He held Lori’s hand and they ran down.

The men came out of hiding.

“Kimmon!” One of them said. “ Let’s go.”

Addy and Lori were down already. He opened her car door and got under the wheel while she jumped in, started the car engine by breaking the ignition and joining wires. He reversed, pulled out then asked, “What is going on Lori?”

She glanced back.

“ Mason Ford is my father!”

TWENTY-ONE

Addy kept running, putting all his effort, looking back and hoping no one was coming after him. It was late in the night. The first time he would see the outside wall of his dungeon since he was captured about a month ago.
He was terrified, jittery and shivering. What? He quickly took a cab, knowing he had no money, but was desperately trying to leave the vicinity.
As the cab moved on, he began to behave as if he wanted to puke.

“Hey, you drunk? Wanna puke? You can’t do that shit in my car. Lemme pull over and give ya the chance to do that shit.” The cabby said.
Immediately Addy alighted and moved to the roadside as if he wanted to puke, he broke into a run.

“Hey! My money!”

But Adnan was not ready to come back. He found a telephone booth. He begged a lady for some coins which he used.

“ Hello..”

“Addy!” Aminu said with excitement. “ What happened? Thank God!b There has been a serious search going on for you…”

“I was abducted by Mason. He thinks I am Adnan. God! He has most of the information about the Evolution. He just needs one or two more elements to succeed. He wanted me to find it.”

“ Did you not tell him you are not Adnan?”

“No.”

“Why? Why should you bear the cross?”

“He must not know that I am not Adnan. He must not get to Adnan, What he plans is bad. I have lived as Adnan for years, all my life, deprived him of his privilege. I got all the things I had as claiming to be Adnan. I plan to do this even when it is going to cost me my life. Mason must not get hold of him. If he gets him, it would affect humanity. I will do just this for him. I planned to kill him, yet he did this for us.’

“Not for you. He did it for his wife. His in law. Do not be soft now.”

“Softness is hiding under someone else’s shadow. Like we have done. I a not ready to go with this again. I give up on the TCO of a thing. I am just warning you, do not reveal Adnan’s identity. Mason is worse than we think.”

“What does he plan to do? What is the Evolution all about?”

“ God! It is……Oh my God! I have to go. I see his men coming.”

He left the booth and began to run.




Lawal was sitting in his office when he received the call.

“Hello.”

He listened.

“Inna lillahi wai nna ilaihi rajiun.!” He got up abruptly. “ When, how?”He said as he ran out of the office. “I am on my way!”

He ran downstairs.

Hello all. I am sorry I wasn't able to make more updates. it's just NEPA wahala. I will try make more updates today God's willing.

Hello all. I am sorry I wasn't able to make more updates. it's just NEPA wahala. I will try make more updates today God's willing.

Hello all. I am sorry I wasn't able to make more updates. it's just NEPA wahala. I will try make more updates today God's willing.

The octogenarian moved slowly to an easy arm chair and settled his small body in it. With the aid of his glasses, he searched for a number and dialled.

“Is that Pappy?” The old man said with a groggy voice.

“Yes, Grandpappe.”

“ The test has been conducted.” Ford said. “ And he passed but there is something fishy. I know his parents. You were not with us when his father, Dr Abbas was with us. His mother was an Asian and expect the boy to be a mulatto. This boy is fair complexioned but completely black.”

“ Sir, it is possible to have a mulatto look like that.”

“Yes, it is.” He old man said. “ I want you find out about his guardian. I don’t believe in my son. He handled it. I will send you links. I just received news that the boy has been kidnapped. I just hope it is not what I think. I will talk to the EBM director. I hope the EBMs have not been hacked.”

“ I am afraid they have been hacked.” Abbas said. “ Except one…00030.”

“How did you know that?”

“My daughter, Lena.”

“Hmmmmm…00030 belongs to Abbas. He left us officially after handing over his son to us. We don’t know if he is alive or not. He kept receiving contracts before he handed it over to the guardian….” Abbas knew that was a charade by Mason to make it official for Aminu to be executing the contracts. It was astonishing that the old man did not recognize Abbas. It seemed dementia was in play. “ We need to find him and know what he has. He and his wife, Aadila.We need them for the Evolution. The only way we can do this without them is having TCO. He has the ability to deduce what we need to start the Evolution.’

“ Why is he kidnapped?” Abbas asked.

“We don’t know. I have contacted the FBI chief and our private investigators are into it. This is not good. I hope Mason has no hand in this.”

“ What is the Evolution all about?”

“You should not be asking that.” Said the old man .” Just find what I asked you to do. I want to have a rest.”

“Sir, what happened to the first Grandpappe, Haliru Babangida?”

Abbas noticed a deep breath from the old man.

“ Goodbye, Pappy.” The old man said and cut the line.

Abbas knew something must have happened to his father. He had to find out. The old man did not know that he just spoke to the real Tiger 606: 00030.


“ Hello.” Naairah said, “ Amarya.”

Nadia broke into tears.

“SubanAllah! Nadia! Nadia!”

But Nadia could not speak. She let the line cut.

“What is wrong?” Addy asked. They just came back from the States.

“I don’t know. It is Nadia. She just called and broke into tears.”

“ What?’

“I have to see her.”

“It is late.”

“I don’t care. Please.”

“I will go with you then.”




“Assalamu alaikum.” Naairah said .

“Ameen wa alaikum Salam.” A female voice replied.

Naairah and her husband entered the living-room to find Sa'ima provocatively dressed in a tight white jeans and skinny T-shirt. They met her lying on Lawal in the living room and did not make an attempt to get up.
Lawal smiled, feeling a little embarrassed. He tried to lift Sa'ima off his body but she refused.

“You are welcome.” Lawal said, and then added force and gently raised her off his body before standing up to shake hands with Adnan.
Adnan and Naairah could not understand what was going on. The shock on Naairah’s face was so vivid .
What was going on here? Were they at the wrong place? Did Lawal have an identical twin?

“Thank you. “Adnan said and sat down.

“ I guess Nadia told you though it was in Kebbi.”Lawal said still smiling.

“Told us what?” Naairah asked, pressing the urge to attack him with questions.

“I got married. This is my wife Saima.”

What the heck!
Naairah could not believe she heard him right. Got married after just a few months.

“ Congratulations.” Adnan said, controlling his astonishment.

“Thank you very much.” Sa'ima said quickly with a wide smile. She knew Naairah was shocked and sad. She guessed Naairah was Nadia’s friend or something.
To hell with Nadia, her relatives, friends and well wishers. She was up to the task. To hell with them!

“Where is Nadia?” Naairah asked, feeling irritated.

“She is in her room. You are free to go in.” Lawal said.

Naairah could not even thank him. She began to walk when Sa'ima said, “ not that way.”
Naairah paused. What did she mean? She knew Nadia’s room.

“ That is my room you are heading to. She is here.” She pointed a finger.

This was too much for Naairah. She turned and was just about to go there when she saw Nadia coming out. It seemed she just heard their voices.
Ya Allah! Nadia had emaciated. She looked pale, sulky and her eyes were so red as a result of crying. What is wrong?
Naairah had to make a great effort to control herself. She did not want to make a scene or create chaos there but she felt like giving to Lawal right there. She did not know what was going on but it was obvious. This girl just got married for crying out loud. She was meant to be on honeymoon.

“ Naairah.” Nadia said with a forced smile. Naairah could not feign, she did not smile, she just wanted to be out of the living room. She walked past Nadia who followed her. Immediately they got into her room, Naairah asked, with tears in her eyes, “am I dreaming? What is going on?”
Nadia burst into tears and embraced her tightly. They were both crying. It took some minutes before they could talk.

“You never told me anything. I never had the slightest idea. How could your husband get married and you never told me?”

“ I got to know three days before the wedding. You were abroad and I did not want to spoil your trip. What would be the essence of telling you then? You won’t stop it, you won’t attend but get moody. Only Mama knows what I am going through but she does not know some details.”

“ I don’t get it. You guys were fine. Just fine. How? When did he get married?”

“Three weeks ago. I guess you guys spent one month.”

“One month and eight days.”

“ It started before you left. He started by coming back……” She told her friend how it all started and was going.

“Why did you move in here? The other room was more spacious.”

“ He called me a day before she arrived. She wanted the room and I had to move out immediately. I can't even use the kitchen now. He built another small kitchen at the back yard. She owns this one now and I only cook for myself. She cooks for him or use the cook she employed. She runs the house.”

Naairah was speechless. She could even know what she was feeling; she felt anger, pity, fear and confusion. It did not make sense to her.

“Lawal agrees to this?”

“ He does anything to please her. She said she would let him come to me and stay up till 10:00pm anytime it was my day but she does not even allow him come. The truth is I can’t even stand him. I don’t want him to come. I tried to please him, begged him.
All I need is affection and love. Let him just show me that he cares and I am human and worth something. I begged him to allow me get a job. Maybe that would get my mind busy and forget things. He said he would think about it. Now, he says I can’t do that. Sa'ima has not gotten a job and it was not going to fair…..”

“Okay, I don’t want to hear anymore. I just can’t take it anymore. Do me a favour, just keep calm. Do you think Allah is not aware of this? He is and will help us insha Allah. She is wayward from all indication…..”

They heard Ayatul-khursiyu (Qur'anic recitation) being played loudly. It was set to keep replaying.

“ That is her.” Nadia said. “ That is for you. She will say she is chasing bad spirits away. Anyone coming to me is a bad spirit. Saying Allah is with her and no devil can harm her .This is the life I find myself. I am always locked up here.

I hear them go out, spend time, come back, do their things in the living room and he would not even bother to ask after me.”

“If he is not interested anymore he…….” Naairah started but stopped. She changed her mind. She would keep such an opinion first. But it was annoying.

“ How was your trip?” Nadia asked.

“ Alhamdulillah.” Naairah said, not wanting to talk about her happy marriage. She wanted to share the mood with her. “ I know it will be alright, insha Allah. Just calm down. I need you to be happy. Did you talk to his mother?”

“ Hmmm…I did and they denied it. Sa'ima shed tears, swearing that I am only being jealous. You need to see how she behaves when his relatives are around. She calls me Aunty Dear. Some of them see me as the trouble maker. I gave up.”

“ I guess we have to leave. We just returned. Hours of flying.”

“I never expected you tonight. You just came back .I only wanted to say welcome when I got emotional. I am sorry I made you guys come out after such a long trip.”

“How dare you apologise. I just need your to be strong. Eat and be happy. Don’t let them weigh you down.”

Nadia nodded but she knew it was going to be difficult . She just hoped Lawal would wake up and have the fear of Allah in him and then come to his senses.

“I will.”

“Okay dear.” Naairah got on her feet. “ I got you some perfumes and I know you will love them.”

“Hmmm.. who would I wear the perfume for?”

“ Come on dearie, You are given up too quick. You have to fight for him. Look gorgeous, wear your sexy clothes, use perfume and fight for your man. If Allah says he would come back to his senses, he would. This is a trial from Allah.”

Nadia nodded. She did not want to argue. She had tried her best. She did all she could. Lawal had gone far .But it was only three weeks. Time shall tell.
They met Lawal, Sa'ima and Adnan in the living room. Saima was lying on his body.
Nadia felt her heart aching. Why must they do this in her presence or in the presence of her visitors?

“We are taking our leave.” Naairah said.

“So soon?” Sa'ima said, and then began lipsynching on the Quranic recitation. She was casting evil spirits away. Naairah felt like slapping her.

“ Yes, we are leaving , Amarya.”

She blushed melodramatically.“Awwwwwwwnnnnn thank you.” She said rolling her eyes.
Naairah ignored her and turned at her husband. She could not hide her contempt for Lawal.

“Shall we?” She said and Adnan who was so sick of Sa'ima’s presence sprang up.

“Good night, Lawal.” He said.

Lawal shook his hand while Sa'ima stood behind him, with her hands locked with his.
Naairah and Adnan left. Nadia felt as if she should go with them, just be away from this house and just maybe she could find some peace.
She returned to her room.
Back to melancholy.

excelmerry:
Oh my God SokoDobo, you are a frigg'n Genius!!! I am intimidated by ur brain & I can't bliv someone sat down, thought of this and wrote it all down. Your imaginative capacity is crazy. Just finished reading this book and it was mind blowing. Suspense, intrigues, humour, u got it all man. God bless u my Brother. Just had to let u know.

Guys, do try to get his books, at least the soft copies and u won't be dissappointed. Off to begin married to a fink..cheers!!!

I am really honored. I do not even know what to say.

Thank you.

TWELVE

The joy of returning home was indescribable. Leena felt as if it was a dream as she stepped into her house after so many painful days.
Days of hopelessness and slavery. Taken away from your home, family, education or career, friends and dreams was something no one would ever want to experience.
It was a miracle she was not sexually molested. Most of the girls got molested. Some had children and they were still there,
The family reunion was exhilarating. Her friends and family members kept trooping in to felicitate with her,

Among the first callers was Adam, her fiancé. He had lost a moment and shed tears of joy.
So after a while, life went on. A new date was fixed for the marriage that ought to have taken place a two days before she came back.
The wedding was postponed and a new date was fixed.
Leena had a secret. The thought of Mufty was stuck with her. She could not take him off her mind.
He was a mystery and could not understand why he had a strange phobia towards women.

That was because she did not know the reason behind his phobia for women.

It started since the Beeba saga.
He had fallen off the cliff but was lucky to have held on to a rock. He had lifted himself up and survived. It was from that day he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to God.

He left Kano and moved to Maiduguri. He began to attend Mallam Muhammadu Yunus’s lectures. Muhammad Yunus was usually harsh on the government systems and condemned them vehemently.
He talked about unemployment, corruption, debauchery and said it was all caused by the Western influence.

“The white man brought education to us just to destroy our religion. He had said. “ The worst thing that has happened to us is western education. What we need a land strictly based on the Shari ’a system. If every government thief has his hands cut off, there would be less corruption. It is the system that allows men to sleep with married women…..”

And that part had hit Mufty, who was still Mangal then, like a tornado.
He began to see truth in what the Mallam said. The Mallam was using facts to deceive people and he fell for it. It happened at a time when he was desperate to serve God, seek for forgiveness and pay for his crimes.
This was how he got closer to them and became a part of them. When the Mallam was constantly arrested, he told them that they had to fight back or the voice of truth would be buried. He said there was no revolution without bloodshed.

Mufty was part of those trained as soldiers. Unknown to him, he was being led into an insurgence that would shake the world.
The relationship with Beeba made him develop a phobia for women. He got mad whenever a girl touched him mistakenly. He never got aroused by a woman, or even had the intention of getting married.

He felt he was the worst person on Earth after destroying a home. But Leena never knew any of these.
All she knew was there was something about him that had stuck to her. There was something about him that made her want to be with him. It seemed she was in love with an insurgent.

That was crazy!

Why did she crave for him? Why did she want to see those manly eyes again? Why did she just want to hear his voice again?
She felt he was a man in need of help. He had lost his mind and soul. He had no right to write himself off. She did not know what he did in the past, but there was nothing god does not forgive if you sincerely repent while you were still alive and not at the verge of death.
He saved her live and the lives of many girls. She wanted to save his. She wanted him to come back to life.
But could she do this when she may probably never see him again?
She lived with this for three months. Even as her wedding preparation went on, she only feigned to be happy. If she had to do anything for Mufty, then it had to be before she got married.








Mufty lay in his room with his hands crossed over chest when he heard the noise. He got up abruptly and went to the door. He opened the door and saw three of their men standing.

“Amir wants you now.” One of them said.

The tone of the call did not sound good. He knew sooner or later they may find out that he was no more loyal. His saving grace was his illness. He was on bed for two months and that saved him from going for any operation. They thought it was his HIV crisis.

“What is going on?” He asked.

“Amir needs you now.”

“Just a moment.”

“He said now.”

Mufty eyed the man who was talking.

“I know you are acting on orders but be careful how you talk to me.”

The man smirked.

“I would have been scared a few months ago. You have lost it Mufty. You are no more the dangerous Mufty but a soft pillow…..”

Boob!
Mufty threw a punch straight to his eye and the man yelled. Before anyone could stop him, he grabbed a short metal pole and slammed it on his head.

“Stop it!” a thick loud voice echoed.

It was Jahl.

Mufty’s eyes had gone red and vicious. The man was rolling on the ground, screaming, “my eye, my eye, my eye, my head….”

He was bleeding profusely.

Jahl smiled. This was a good sign. The violent potential was still in him. The mercilessness could be seen in his eyes.

“Ashiru, take him to the medics.” Jahl said. “Come here Mufty.”

Mufty was still breathing hard. He walked after Jahl.
Jahl stopped before the door to a room he called Palace.

“When was the last time you saw your wife?”

Mufty frowned.

“The day I went on the failed mission.”

“Hmmmm….it was you who failed but not the mission. Allah was with us and the enemy was taken but I still gave you the credit. I can see that you have bounced back. The Nigerian government knows we are serious now and the military have become more serious. But they can never win us. In fact, the military fear us. While you were down, we attacked an area in Maiduguri and we killed twelve military men. We had a one million man march through the town and they could not do shit. Can you see that god is with us?

I want to make my first video tonight and I want you to be there. No more hiding! I only fear Allah. We have established the jihad and it is high time they knew who we are. But there is a big problem. A problem that makes me doubt your loyalty and you know what disloyalty brings, right? Beheading or slaughtering.”

Mufty said nothing. There was no scintilla of fear in him. Jahl had wondered if there was anything that ever scared him. Sometimes, he felt Mufty just wanted to be killed. That was a good quality of a jihadist.

“Come inside.”

He followed Jahl inside and got a shocker.

There was no doubt, the girl tied up like an armed robber about to face a firing squad was Leena.

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Addy was in a dilemma. Here was Lori, his love coming towards him. With their groggy relationship, what would happen if he went in and left her? But she would leave him if he stayed because loosing this chance was tantamount to losing the test.

“I have to go Lori. I will see you later” He said and slipped in .Lori stood shocked. He just walked out on her. How dare he? He did it in presence of people? Who the hell did he think he was? He was going to pay for this!

Naairah frowned.

“He nearly messed up. One more second, it would have failed” she said with a pout. “He almost got distracted.”

“Okay.” Adnan said. “ He is at the second base. Are you ready?”

“I am on it.” she said.

Ten minutes later, Addy was entering the hall successfully after the hurdles. Now as he stood before the super brains, he felt all his confidence drifting away. It was like a UN conference, coming before the heads of nations to explain why you killed each of their wives.
The men all sat, given him a quizzical look, most of them wondering about him, the genius that had been kept hidden for years, the child who had an IQ 0f 350. They were excited, and curious.

After all protocols was observed, a Chinese man announced.

“ Ladies and gentlemen, great minds of the globe, we have here the incredible TCO. On the way to Evolution. The topics are general. Memory measurement, ICT, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Government, Politics, Religion, Mathematics, and lot’s more.”

Addy felt his intestines twisting.

“ Calm down.” He heard Adnan say through the transmitter, “Your blood pressure is rising.”

Addy tried to relax and why the heck was he still thinking of Lori? Was she angry? Was she going to forgive him?

“ I am professor Khan, from Indian Lodge.” The first examiner said, “ My question is on Physics….”

Adnan drew back his chair, left the computer screen and faced Naairah. The time was here to test himself.

“ I am interested about the argument of source of gravity. What are the arguments and conclusion known to science concerning the source?”

“ What goes on to give rise to gravity is one of the greatest mysteries left to solve in physics.” Adnan began while Addy said it to them. “ The gravitational force of attraction between two objects is given by F (grav)= GMm/r squared and F? m(v squared)?/r from circular motion…………”

He went on to explain before by saying, “ We learnt from Isaac Newton and his law of gravitation that any two objects in the universe exert a force of attraction on each other. We also know that gravity can work in complex systems with several objects. In our solar system, not only does the sun exert gravity on all the planets, keeping them in their orbits, but each planet exerts a force of gravity on the sun as well as all other planets too, all to varying degrees based on the mass and distance between the bodies.
Albert Eistein explained how gravity is more than just a force: it is a curvature in the space ……” He kept on explaining until he concluded by saying, “ and so the mystery remains officially for now but I am propounding a mathematical fomular, looking into Eintein’s theory, using the penny slot cyclone machines or bicycle spiral around the velodrome with other theoretical applications because our understanding of both particle physics and the geometry of gravity is incomplete.”

They spent hours, and it was obvious that he brain was an enigma. There was no doubt they had TCO who would lead the Evolution and other projects.
They watched Addy with admiration and respect. What a savant. They had prepared to take him down to knees but he did not just answer their questions, he suggested theories beyond their scope. The test was coming to a conclusion when a young man raised his hands.

“ Last question please.” The Chinese anchor said.

“ Thank you. I am Vladislav Vahdeem.” He said. “ I am a psychologist from Russian Lodge. I am not going to ask you about psychology. You answered 98 per cent of the questions correctly and I watched you keenly. I must say there is a confliction between the things you say, and your expression.”

What?

“ Your words are bridged, though it is not noticeable to most people but it is to me because it is my field.”

“Mr Vladislav, what are you talking about?” The Chinese man asked.

Aminu, Alhaji Mukhtar and Tofa were all watching this. They were very happy until this point. Who was this Russian trying to raise dust?

“ I suspect that he is receiving information from somewhere.” Said the man. “ He is definitely not answering these questions himself.”

“ How? He was standing here alone.” Said the Chinese man.

“A transmitter perhaps.”

“ That could have been detected.” Said the Chinese man. “ We have an impenetrable security system here.”

Vladislav nodded.

“ Thank you.” He said and sat down.

They all got on their feet and gave Addy a standing ovation. He was now going to be coronated as TCO, with millions of dollars as allowance, and vested with more powers. He was also going to be meeting with presidents, prime ministers to discuss environmental and scientific problems and see how the organization can be of help.

“ He is coming out.” Naairah said.

“I have disenabled the transmitter. It is now neutral.” Adnan said with deep breath. Naairah looked at him. “ Are you human?”

He gave her a smile.

“I am trying to figure that out myself. That is the power of Allah. He made me so.”

“Oh my God! I nearly ran out of the room as you kept mentioning those big technical terms. Why don’t you do this yourself. He can’t be under your wings for life. Did you see how they clapped for him?”

“Let him take the glory for all I care.” Adnan said. “ I want to tag along. I don’t want Mason to know about me. They have an hidden agenda. I will use Addy to get at them. I also have an agenda.”

Naairah pushed back her chair, walked to him and sat on his laps.

“Enough of the stuff for the day. I guess you would do with a massage. Come on, your masseuse is ready for work…..”


Addy was on call. He was shocked to See Lori waiting for him. What was wrong? She was not allowed inside so she sat on the hood of the car.
She saw at ones that her husband was looking more important and happy. Okay, she just wanted him to know that she still loved him and then apologise for being so demanding and asking for a divorce.
And that meant a long session in the room tonight. She had been so harsh on him.
Addy was walking towards her, three men behind him, all dressed in black suit. Out of nowhere a black Buick appeared, two men sprang out, holding AK 47 and fired shots. The three men guarding Addy were killed at one. A van came behind the Buick, four men with face masks came out and showed Addy a gun.
They jerked him, shoved him into the van and drove off. The Buick followed.

Lori screamed!

One of the men in the Buick raised his phone.

“We got him.”

Mason gave an evil smile.

“ Good.” He said and ended the call.

Maya was sitting on a chair, playing with her fingernails.

“ Tiger 606.”

“ Aminu lied to me.” Mason said. “ He did not do the swap. Addy is Adnan. The bastard has the Babangida blood. Only Adnan could pass that test.”

“So what are we going to do with him?”

“ Having him is the best thing to happen to us.” Mason said. “ The Evolution is about to be ours.”

“Are we going to tell Tiger?”

“No. Let him be kept out of it. We are cutting all ties with him. He is no more of importance. We have Adnan Abbas.”

Meanwhile. Aminu was celebrating in Nigeria. Only if he knew what Mason wanted to do with Addy…

TWENTY

There was a knock at the door.
Nadia got up lazily, being tired after packing and settling into her new room. She walked to the door and opened the door. She had been indoors, hearing the noises and excitement of the bride’s friends as they accompanied her to the house last night.
Nadia had gone to welcome them, and then left when she felt uncomfortable with them. She had quietly returned to her room, locked the door and cried. What did she get herself into? How could Lawal get married to another lady just four months after getting married to her? Why? She cried, and remembered what her mother told her.

“Be patient, Nadia.” Her mother had said. “It is not just about Lawal, it is a test from Allah and also a test for him. If he knew the risk of having more than one wife, they would think twice. A man must be fair and just. Most men don’t think of it these days. They just get married blindly, and treat one better, or neglect the other. That is left for him but just do your duties as a wife, for the sake of Allah.”

Nadia saw Sa'ima standing before the door, dressed in skin tight and vest, with a heavy make-up. Nadia just saw her clearly and remembered the face. The girl they met at a shopping mall. What!

“Good morning.” Sa'ima greeted politely with a smile. “ I am Sa'ima, the new woman of the house.”

Nadia tried to control herself.

“I am glad to meet you.”

Saima smirked.

“ We don’t have options other than to be glad.” She said.” Can I come in? I just felt we should talk.”

Nadia hesitated.

“Come inside.” She said and made a way for her. Saima went in and sat on the edge of the bed. Nadia leaned on the wall and folded her hands across her chest.

“ I know I should not be the one to ask you to sit down in your room but I would have preferred you sit down.” Sa'ima said.

“I am comfortable like this.” Nadia replied. “I have been lying in bed for a while.”

Sa'ima shrugged.

“ I found it imperative to come and talk to you. I am a lady of peace and I would like to live with you in peace. I know you are the first wife, but I and Lawal have come a long way. I don’t know if he told you about us.”

“ I don’t think that is necessary. He does not owe me any explanation.”

“ Okay. I was in JSS 2 when we started dating. He was in SS1. You know this first love of a thing. Something happened and we could not get married at that time. But we realized that we were made for each other. I pushed him to marrying you. If I knew, I would have not done it but Lawal can’t get me off his mind.
Now that he is married to me, I urge you to understand the true state of affairs. Please, I want him to be staying in my room permanently. I am not saying he can’t come to you. He will come and by 10:00 pm, he would return to me and sleep.
I don’t think I can stand him passing the night with someone else. You don’t know what we share. I know how I felt all those days he would be with me and say he had to go home. And he would leave and I will be left alone.
I am just asking for a favour. I told him to tell you this but he could not. So, he asked me to come and tell you myself. He suggested that we should not tell you, he would just put it into action but I refused. I am also a woman and that won’t be fair. I should tell you….”

“But you know I can’t oblige to that…”

"I just came to tell you and not seek for permission. We don’t need your consent. I am just telling you what is on ground. Nadia, that is your name, right? I think it's important you know that Lawal is mine. I don’t know if I can share him for long. But for now, he is mine. And I told him to build a kitchen at the back yard for you. I need this kitchen. I can’t share kitchen.
For the time being, I won’t be cooking until he gets you a kitchen. I also advised him to get a cook. It will be better if we use a cook. You can eat what you cook but I assure you that he won’t eat your food again.

I know that is a great favour I am doing you. No more stress. I hate cooking myself. But I will have to be cooking for him at least thrice a week. That’s for love..” She chuckled. “ Lawal, enhh! He makes me do things I don’t want to do. He will come to my place and make me cook noodles, or chips and eat. I had no option other than to do it for him. And he will come back home and tell you that he is filled……”

“ Please enough of this. I have heard enough. You don’t have to tell me what you plan to do. Just go and do it. I only say Allah is a witness to everything. Let him do as he wishes, and I leave everything to Allah. If You don’t mind, I need to do some packing. You are welcome to the family.”

“I am the one to welcome you because I was with him before you….and you do not have the right to ask me to leave any part of this house. He is still alive and you have not inherited any part.”

"You were with him before me? As what? A concubine or mistress?”

“How dare you refer to me as that?”

“ Figure it out yourself. If you won’t leave my room, then I will leave for you. I thought you really came for peace but I was wrong.”

“ Wait! I will leave.” She said. “ It is not the room you should leave for me, it is the house.”

“Now you have confessed.” Nadia said. “ If Allah says I will leave, definitely I will but if he says no, then there is nothing you can do about it.”

Sa’ima smirked.

“I don’t think I have more time for this. He is waiting for me. He is so hungry for me.” She said and walked out, flaunting her body.

Nadia went and closed the door, before she dropped on the bed to cry.

Addy alighted the Limousine, three men dressed in black suits stood behind him. He loved this, and was glad Lori was with him. This was to remind her that he was still very important. The zeal to make it through proliferated but the sight of the big building reduced his confidence.

“ I am sorry, she cannot not go inside with you.” An official said.

“Why?” Addy asked.

“Protocols and you should know better,sir.”

“What? I am his wife?” Lori said.

His wife! Addy wanted her to repeat that.

“We are aware of that but like I said ,protocols.”

Addy turned at her, tried to hold her but she gave him a cold look.

“I will be in the hotel.” She said. “ Do not forget.”

He nodded. He would be back for her, as the bonafide TCO, with his powers and money fully back and increased. He was going to make sure he did that.

“I will not forget. "

She went back into the car and was driven away without giving him a second look.
He began to walk towards the entrance.
Somewhere was Naairah sitting in front of three monitors, a key board in front of her while the monitors displayed.
Not too far from her was Adnan, a computer in front of him, connected to a customized WC brain box. He was set. Naairah noticed the change in him. He was so official, his jovial mood gone and she realized she was going to watch him in action for the first time. She was eager to see what the test was like and he was going to deal with it.

“ Subject in motion.” Adnan said and Naairah became alert at once.

She tapped some keys, connected the Satellite tracking system, caught Addy’s transmitter and nodded.

“ Good.” She said.

“Okay, He is three hundred yard away from the first WL detector.” He said, “ I am using WFA to diffract , exactly 40 degrees to the west, and 30 to the east. Do you get his position”

“Yes. I can see the your Tinged wave rays.”

“Good. Tell him to be at least a foot in between the waves. We got just twelve seconds to make him pass there.”

“Okay.” She said and studied Addy’s image. “ Addy, take two steps to the right and maintain the lane. When you get to the spot, I will give you a green light. You got just twelve seconds to cross the detector zone.

Addy made an okay sign with his hands down. Naairah wondered how Adnan did that. He programmed Addy’s body outlines. The okay sign he just made was sent to her, magnified and translated to yes. They has spent the whole day yesterday practicing.

Addy had to admit that Adnan was the real deal.
Addy moved cautiously, aware that he was being watched, eyes, electronic detectors, but he was determined to cross in.
Adnan pressed a key, and there was a soft windy sound, and some waves were diffracted from the detecting machines. This was going to take just thirteen seconds before the operators guiding it took note of the defiance.

Addy was there, about to pass though, just twelve seconds, he was about to move in when he heard, “ Addy.”

He turned to see Lori alighting from the car. “ Just a moment.”

What?