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Nice update.

Agatha nodded, trying to agree with her friend.

'In any case, can you please hand over all the money he gave you? Let's tell him you're not interested. Me, I'm interested. Can we swap roles?'

Not on your life, Agatha thought and smiled. She shrugged. 'Alright. Thanks for your sermon, dear friend. I guess I have to face this squarely. It's my luck.'

Anfani came to hug her again. 'What a luck you have! What about us your friends? Are you not going to celebrate this 'big catch' for us?'

'Sure thing. This afternoon, we'll go to eatery to have good food. We'll also take drinks. You, Fatty and I: we'll have jolly time together.'

‘Yes, yes,’ Anfani gushed. ‘That’s what friends are for!’

* * *

Several days after Joe lost some valuables to Wendy, the police had neither been able to track Wendy down nor recover his stolen items. Joe found it difficult to believe that the lady would go un-apprehended and unpunished, just like that.

He had been telling those who cared to listen how grossly incompetent the police were. He however still believed she would be arrested and forced to pay for her crime. He was trying to forget his misadventure with her and move on with life.

This afternoon, he had asked Agatha to see him in his office by noon, when her lectures for the day would have ended. She came to his office few minutes to one.

'Agatha, baby. See how you're shining every day.'

Agatha smiled. 'It's the grace of God,' she said.
Indeed, she was looking good. With the money she had made from Nelson Ovie, she had been able to upgrade her wardrobe. She had been able to buy designers' wears and accessories. Nelson had not stopped at the money he first gave her.

Last Saturday, she called him to thank him for the generosity he had displayed the previous day. He had invited her to the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos Island, where he treated her to sumptuous meal. The surprising thing was that he had not gone beyond that; he had not made any sexual overture. That was very surprising.

'First and foremost, I want your friendship’, he had said. Agatha had consented whole-heartedly. There was no qualm with that, was there?

'I must say I miss your company in the last day,' Joe was saying.

Agatha grinned, but she was certain she was no longer comfortable with her lecturer or his love antics.

'Any way, I don't have much to say now. Let us meet at our usual place and at our usual time. Then, I'll show how delectable you are and how I have improved in my sexual prowess.' He laughed at his own joke.

Agatha didn't find it funny but smiled.

'So, you can go, now. We'll meet at the rendezvous, then I'll show and prove to you that I'm much better now.'

She hated the smugness which Joe displayed, but she tried to appear impressed. She didn’t dissent but she inwardly resented another intimate moment with him. She would have to do something about him.

Another part of her mind told her that Nelson wanted more than he had shown, so far. But what exactly did he want? Time would tell.

Sam sighed and waited for her to continue.

'He has a challenge of Erectile Dysfunction System. That means, technically, he could not perform. I have only a child for him and we need to have more i could have looked for anonymous sperm donor, but we prefered this other alternative. We want you to be the donor.'

Sam was thrown off balance. Of all the conjectures he had in mind, this was not one of them.

'I don't understand you, madam,' he stuttered.

'Listen. You will understand. What I'm saying is not difficult. We want you to father a child on his behalf.'

If Jenni had said this, he would have laughed. But then, Madam Dupe Kashi was not Jenni. Besides, there was that serious look on the face of Madam Kashi that showed that she had no time for facetious time out.

'You can't be serious, madam,' he found himself saying.

She chuckled and shook her head. 'So, you imagine I've brought you here to make jokes? This is as serious as anything can be.'

He still shook his head. 'I'm sorry ma'am, but I need to ask and confirm from him for me to believe that all I'm hearing is the truth.'

She nodded too. 'I think that's okay.' She stood up from the bed. 'You can take a leave now. Call him for whatever confirmation you need to make. Remember the oath you've taken never to reveal this to anybody. See you tomorrow.'

'Good night, ma'am.'

'Good night.'

He stepped out of the house, feeling as if he had just stepped out of the theatre.



Guba was glad that he was recovering. It was now he was very certain that the native doctor was indeed a powerful one. It was not that he had doubts before, but this latest episode proved any doubts that the medicine of the man was efficacious.

He had started getting better, although he still needed some rest. After he had fully recovered, he must not forget his vow to stay clear of married women. He had learnt his lesson.



When Sam got home, his mind remained in turmoil. He needed to do thr needful by calling Chief Kashi to confirm what madam had said. Somehow, he felt relunctant to call the man, but he really had no choice. As soon as he settled in his sitting-room, he brought his phone to call his boss.

'Hello, sir. Good evening, sir.'

'Good evening. I'm in a meeting now. Call me again, say in two hours' time.'

'Yes... Yes, sir.'

He sighed as the connection was cut off. So, he had to wait for another two hours before he could make a simple confirmation. That was another suspense!

Jenni would not be coming tonight as it appeared she was now coming every other day. He thought over what Madam Kashi. Did that mean she need sample of his semen for fertilization or what? Hi mind wondered.

What if he said no he would not be part of it? It seemed there was something sinister behind the whole thing. If the purpose of making him get close to the woman was this procreation matter, why did the chief tell him to be monitoring her?

Why giving him a false impression only for the woman to talk about this? A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.

'Yes, come in,' he called out.

The door opened and Bisi came in carrying a tray containg plates of food.

'Good evening,' she said. 'I've brought something for you to eat.'

'Good evening.' He could perceive the aroma of the food. He had no doubt that the taste would be delicious.

'You shouldn't have bothered yourself going through all these troubles.'

'Oh, it's no trouble.'

She set the tray on the center table. It was good that Jenni would not be coming tonight. How would he explain the reason for Bisi bringing food for him?

'Thanks,' he said, smiling.

'You're welcome.'

Her presence temporarily made him forget about Madam Kashi and her bizarre proposal. But there was something about Bisi that he must get over. Whether she knew Jenni or not, he needed to tell her about Jenni and how he had promised to marry her.

'You must know that I'm already in a relationship with another lady. It's a serious one and I'm planning to take her to the altar.'

She nodded. That meant she knew. So, where would this relationship head towards? Would she, Bisi, be ready to play the role of a 'side chick' and remain content with that?

'You should also understand that anytime she comes around, she must not know that there's anything going on between us.'

Again, she nodded. Good, that meant there was mutual understanding between them.

She opened the plate of the food she had brought.

'O ya, food is ready,' she said.

Sam smiled and moved closer to her. She had brought two spoons with her. She said a short prayer and they started to eat.

'Did you cook it?' he asked.

'Yes.'

'Good. This is delicious.'

She smiled. 'Thanks.'

She remained with him, chatting after the meal. About two hours later, his phone rang. It was Chief Kashi on the line.

'Hello, sir. Good evening.'

'Good evening, Sam. How're you?'

'Fine sir.'

'Yeah. What did you want to say the other time?'

'It was about what madam told me, sir. She said ... '

'Listen, Sam. I've told you before and I will say it again that whatever madam wants you to do, do it.'

She looked at him intently. 'I have fear that you have many lovers.'

He had tried to laugh it off. 'Yes, I have numerous female friends, but none is my lover. The only lover I have on earth right now is you.'

'Is that really true?'

He had nodded emphatically. 'Yes, it's true. Do you want me to swear? I'm ready to do so.'

'No need to swear. I'll take your words for it.'

So, Clara decided to believe him. If he could keep to his words, she had no doubt that he would be a good husband.

Mama was waiting for them at home. 'Oh, our wife and my daughter,' she gushed as she embraced Clara. The latter knelt down in greeting.

To save the hassles of cooking, Manu bought some food that mama would take in the evening at the eatery close to the house. Mama would have preferred that Clara should cook, but she could not make any dissension.

'I don't want you two to waste time any more. Let the wedding be done as soon as possible,' mama said.

He nodded in agreement. 'Yes, mama. We will work at it to make it be realizable soonest.' He turned to Clara. 'Is that not so, darling?'

Clara nodded. 'Yes, it is.'

* * *

After Anfani and Fatty left the club, they went to meet their respective boyfriends. Anfani went to meet Frederick in Festac Town while Fatty left for Yaba. It was the following day, Saturday, that Anfani met Agatha in the hostel at the university.

'You didn't even care to tell us when you were leaving,' Anfani accused Agatha.

'No, I made effort to let you and Fatty know. I came to the dressing-room to inform you that I would be leaving, but by then you were already in the bar.'

Anfani smiled mischievously. 'So, tell me. Who was the guy that showed so much interest in you? Where did he take you too? How much did he give you?'

'Hey, all these questions? One at a time, please. Well, he is Nelson Ovie, and according to his complimentary card, an importer of merchandise. He likes me and has told me to stop dancing naked.'

Anfani stared at her friend. 'Just like that? The man likes you and wants you to stop dancing; and you stopped just like that?'

Agatha chuckled. 'No, it's not just like that. He actually compensated me for stopping the act.'

'He paid you not to dance in the club again? How much did he pay?'

Agatha grinned. 'He gave me 100 k with a promise to do more.'

Anfani's eyes popped out. 'What! One hundred thousand naira? Are you serious?'

'Yes, I am. Not only that, he also gave me 200 dollars.'

Anfani's eyes grew wider. 'You don't mean it, Agatha!' She came to hug her. 'You've struck gold, friend!'

Agatha smiled wanly. 'He asked me to call him as soon as possible, but I've not done so.'

'Why?' Anfani decided. 'Why haven't you called someone like that?'

Agatha pursed her lips. 'Let's just say I have some reservations.'

Anfani looked like she was hearing the strangest thing in her life.

'What reservations? What are you talking about?'

Agatha shrugged. 'The money he spent was too much. How am I sure he's not into money rituals? Imagine how much he has spent on a girl he hardly knows!'

Anfani scoffed at this. 'Listen, Agatha, this is an opportunity in a life time. Many ladies like me are struggling to have an opportunity such as this. What rituals are you talking about? Even if he's into rituals, what is your business with that? He's giving you doles of money and that's the important thing.'

Agatha nodded, trying to agree with her friend.

'In any case, can you please hand over all the money he gave you? Let's tell him you're not interested. Me, I'm interested. Can we swap roles?'



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She was exasperated. 'But I want the baby!'

'Really? Well, count me out!'

She felt hurt. How could he be making such indifferent statements? Why did he feel so detached from what he ought to feel attached to? Why was he sounding so cold?

'I'll give you the money to terminate it tomorrow morning. That is that. Let's forget that issue. Any food in the house?'

She was too numbed to say anything again. She stood up and went to the kitchen. She first stood still for some seconds in the middle of the kitchen. Why did he react so unfeelingly?

Where was the love if this was the best way (which to her, was the worst) to react to the 'good news'? Did Sam really love her at all, or was she just another 'play thing' to him?

Tears came down from her eyes. She certainly expected something much better than this. After some seconds, she dried her eyes, dished the food inside flat plates, put them in a tray, added a bottle of cold water and two glass cups and took the tray to the sitting-room where he was waiting for her.

The following morning, he gave her some money.
'Go and remove it,' he said.

She felt indignant again. How could he be talking so callously like this? Listless, she took the money from. She would have loved to ask him some questions, such as when would he be really ready for marriage? But in her distressed state, she could not.



Throughout the day, Sam was eager to hear the second part of what Madam Kashi wanted to discuss with him. He did not like the deliberate suspense she had created but he had no option than to exercise patience. It was few minutes to seven when they had returned to the Magodo home of the Kashis that the madam dwelt on the issue again.

Just like the previous day, they were in the sitting-room.

'You must be eager to hear the second part of what I wanted to discuss with you,' she said.

Of course, he was. 'Yes, madam.'

She nodded knowingly. 'It's not a difficult, but I must tell you it's highly confidential. It's between life and death.'

Sam's eyes grew in expectation. God, that must be serious. So, what could that be?

She was studying his reaction. 'Yes, it's very serious. So serious that it requires that you take an oath before I can tell you.'

His eyes grew wider. Now, this was really serious.
She stood up. 'Follow me.'

He did as he was told. He could almost the thumping of his heartbeat as they went up the staircase and walked to the end of the passage.

She opened the room to the right. It was a bedroom. On a closer look, he could see that it was her room. Some lingeries and female underwears were on the bed and on the sofa in the room.

Sam could hear his heart hammering. In his mind he had to scold himself to be a man.

'Sorry that the whole place is untidy.' She quickly packed the clothes on the bed and sofa, opened one of the wardrobes and put them their.

She opened another wardrobe and brought what looked like a black horn. It was indeed a horn with a red piece of cloth tied to the opening.

'Here, hold this.' She handed the horn to him.

Gingerly, he took it.

'You will say after me. That if I - you will mention your name - ever discolse the secret I'm about to be told to anyone ...'

Sam said the words he was asked to say. He swore that if he should ever disclose the secret to anyone, woe should betide him. He was also asked to touch the tip of the red cloth three times with his tongue.

'Alright, now that we have passed the crucial stage, you can sit down while I tell you.'

Sam felt like he was watching a strange drama. He sat on the sofa the woman asked him to sit and awaited the so-called secret. She seemed to be taking her time, as if she had all the time in the world.

'Now, let me not waste further time.' She went to sit on the bed but faced him squarely, staring at him.

'There's a challenge your boss is having which you can help him to solve.'

Sam's brows went up. 'Chief Kashi has a challemge?'

'Yes, and it's a secret; a well-guided secret.'

Sam sighed and waited for her to continue.

'He has a challenge of Erectile Dysfunction System. That means, technically, he could not perform. I have only a child for him and we need to have more i could have looked for anonymous sperm donor, but we prefered this other alternative. We want you to be the donor.'

Sam was thrown off balance. Of all the conjectures he had in mind, this was not one of them.

'I don't understand you, madam,' he stuttered.

'Listen. You will understand. What I'm saying is not difficult. We want you to father a child on his behalf.'

If Jenni had said this, he would have laughed. But then, Madam Dupe Kashi was not Jenni. Besides, there was that serious look on the face of Madam Kashi that showed that she had no time for facetious time out.

'You can't be serious, madam,' he found himself saying.

She chuckled and shook her head. 'So, you imagine I've brought you here to make jokes? This is as serious as anything can be.'

He still shook his head. 'I'm sorry ma'am, but I need to ask and confirm from him for me to believe that all I'm hearing is the truth.'

Cool update.

......

Nice update.

She gazed at the floor. She had not committed any crime, had she? The essence of the dance was to make extra cash, and that was what she was doing.

So, he wanted her to stop. Why, because he liked her! But, he said he would compensate her. How much would he pay for this?

'Will you do me the favor of stopping this dance?' he asked.

She nodded, hoping the compensation would be worthwhile.

He nodded. 'Good. So, we have a deal there.' His right hand went inside the kaftan pocket. He brought out a complimentary card.

'This is my card. You can call me anytime you desire. You can also visit my office at V.I during working hours. The address is on the complimentary card.'

She stared at the card and nodded.

'Good.' He smiled again. He seemed to smile a lot. His right hand went inside the kaftan again and brought out another item. This time around, it was a bulky envelope.

'Take.' He extended his hand to her. Slowly, she took the envelope from him.

'That is the beginning of your compensation,' he said.

He stood up. His confidence was assertive. 'Be a good girl, Agatha. I'll be expecting your call.'

She almost had to struggle to find her voice. 'Thank you ... thank you, sir.'

He walked out of the office. She stared briefly at the door and at the envelope he had given her. How much was inside it?

She sighed and carefully, as if it was a parcel bomb, opened the envelope. There was a bundle of N1000 naira notes. That should be one hundred thousand naira. But there was something else: there were also twenty dollars bills. She counted ten of them.

Wow! This man must be in big money. How could he just hand over this kind of money to her? But, he said he liked her.

And he wanted her to stop the club dance. Of course, she would stop. He had said this was the beginning of the compensation and wanted her to call him. She would do so.

She put the envelope in her handbag and stood up. Yes, the nude dance would cease from now on and forever. But, she would have to tell her friends, Anfani and Fatty.

Quickly, she went to the dressing-room, but they were not there. They had probably started the show. Agatha shrugged and made her way to the exit of the club. Her friends would meet her at the campus.

* * *

Clara followed Manu to his house. She had said yes to his request and he had gushed over it, like an exited school boy.

He had promised to love her and not let her down. After that, Clara had been thoughtful. She was just twenty while he was thirty-eight. She did not mind the near-two-decades age gap between them. Manu was a good-looking guy and he appeared generous.

The only fear she had was the fact that she had seen different ladies visit him in his office. Those ladies did not come for anything official. They had had come on private visits and she suspected that they might be his lovers.

'But, I have fears,' she had said.

He looked puzzled. 'Fear? What fear?'

She looked at him intently. 'I have fear that you have many lovers.'

He had tried to laugh it off. 'Yes, I have numerous female friends, but none is my lover. The only lover I have on earth right now is you.'

Sam was beginning to get angry. These complacent responses from the chief meant he indeed told his wife about his mission.

What was going on? What kind of game was this?

'Listen, Sam. You're doing a good job. All I can tell you is to keep it up. Don't worry about whether she knows you real mission or not. You just continue to do what you're doing.'

'Yes, sir,' Sam found himself saying.

'There's one more thing, Sam. No matter what she asks you to do, do it. Harbor no fear. Just do whatever she asks to do.'

'Yes, boss.'

Chief Kashi did not give room for any further question. He disconnected the line immediately after his last words. Sam remained perplexed. What was the meaning of all this?

Why would Chief Kashi react the way he reacted? What was the meaning of ‘do whatever she asked you to do’?

Anyway, there was no need he got himself worried. As time went by, events would unravel themselves.



The school closed by four in the late afternoon, and by five, Jenni was in Sam's apartment. She had gone for the test at the staff clinic and had got the results.

She could have called him on the phone to inform him but she decided that since she would be physically present in his house, it was better she told him face-to-face.

Somehow, she was excited about the result of the test. Surely, this should mean he should speed up plans about settling down with her, shouldn't it?

But, then, she would caution herself that she did not really know how he would react. It was not all men that would be glad about the news that their girlfriends had an eight-week fetus growing inside them.

But, Jenni was more than a girlfriend, wasn't she? She was his fiancée! He should be glad to hear the news.

After changing from her office wears to casuals, she went to the kitchen to make the dinner. It was a simple dinner of jollof rice and fried plantain.

She covered the pot of rice, put the plantain in warmer and went to the sitting-room to relax. It had been a tiring day. She soon dozed off. It was when he arrived that she was awakened.

'Hello, love,' he greeted.

'Welcome, darling.'

'How was your work at the school today?'

'Fine. And yours?'

He nodded. 'Fine too.'

She allowed him to change to his boxer and to settle down before she broached on the main issue.

'I've done the test and I've got the result,' she announced.

He nodded. 'Oh, yes, the test. What was the result?'

Rather than telling him, she handed the paper containing the result to him.

He scanned through and suddenly stopped short.

'What? You're pregnant?' he exclaimed.

She nodded. 'Yes, I'm carrying our baby.'

'How could you get pregnant? Aren't you on pills?'

She was studying his reaction. So far, it wasn't an encouraging one.

'No, I wasn't using any pill or contraceptive.'

'But you should,' he said fervently, like someone counseling a naive fellow. ‘Now, see what that negligence has caused.'

Jenni's heart palpitated. It was obvious he viewed the whole thing in distaste.

'So, when will you go for abortion?'

She was shocked by the bluntness. 'Sam!'
He ignored her pleading eyes. 'That's the only option we have, isn't it?'

She shook her head vigorously. 'No. That's not the only option we have.'

'Really? So, tell me the other options that we have.'

She was sad and indignant that he was reacting this way. Of course, he should know the other options that they had.

‘The other option is to get married now.’
He was not listening to her. 'I'll suggest that you go and remove it as soon as possible,' he said.

Now, her indignation increased considerably. 'That will not be right,' she said. 'Since we're going to be married, we may as well start having babies now.'

It was his turn to shake his head. 'No, not now. I'm not ready for that yet.'

She was exasperated. 'But I want the baby!'

'Really? Well, count me out!'

Sam was beginning to get angry. These complacent responses from the chief meant he indeed told his wife about his mission.

What was going on? What kind of game was this?

'Listen, Sam. You're doing a good job. All I can tell you is to keep it up. Don't worry about whether she knows you real mission or not. You just continue to do what you're doing.'

'Yes, sir,' Sam found himself saying.

'There's one more thing, Sam. No matter what she asks you to do, do it. Harbor no fear. Just do whatever she asks to do.'

'Yes, boss.'

Chief Kashi did not give room for any further question. He disconnected the line immediately after his last words. Sam remained perplexed. What was the meaning of all this?

Why would Chief Kashi react the way he reacted? What was the meaning of ‘do whatever she asked you to do’?

Anyway, there was no need he got himself worried. As time went by, events would unravel themselves.



The school closed by four in the late afternoon, and by five, Jenni was in Sam's apartment. She had gone for the test at the staff clinic and had got the results.

She could have called him on the phone to inform him but she decided that since she would be physically present in his house, it was better she told him face-to-face.

Somehow, she was excited about the result of the test. Surely, this should mean he should speed up plans about settling down with her, shouldn't it?

But, then, she would caution herself that she did not really know how he would react. It was not all men that would be glad about the news that their girlfriends had an eight-week fetus growing inside them.

But, Jenni was more than a girlfriend, wasn't she? She was his fiancée! He should be glad to hear the news.

After changing from her office wears to casuals, she went to the kitchen to make the dinner. It was a simple dinner of jollof rice and fried plantain.

She covered the pot of rice, put the plantain in warmer and went to the sitting-room to relax. It had been a tiring day. She soon dozed off. It was when he arrived that she was awakened.

'Hello, love,' he greeted.

'Welcome, darling.'

'How was your work at the school today?'

'Fine. And yours?'

He nodded. 'Fine too.'

She allowed him to change to his boxer and to settle down before she broached on the main issue.

'I've done the test and I've got the result,' she announced.

He nodded. 'Oh, yes, the test. What was the result?'

Rather than telling him, she handed the paper containing the result to him.

He scanned through and suddenly stopped short.

'What? You're pregnant?' he exclaimed.

She nodded. 'Yes, I'm carrying our baby.'

'How could you get pregnant? Aren't you on pills?'

She was studying his reaction. So far, it wasn't an encouraging one.

'No, I wasn't using any pill or contraceptive.'

'But you should,' he said fervently, like someone counseling a naive fellow. ‘Now, see what that negligence has caused.'

Jenni's heart palpitated. It was obvious he viewed the whole thing in distaste.

'So, when will you go for abortion?'

She was shocked by the bluntness. 'Sam!'
He ignored her pleading eyes. 'That's the only option we have, isn't it?'

She shook her head vigorously. 'No. That's not the only option we have.'

'Really? So, tell me the other options that we have.'

She was sad and indignant that he was reacting this way. Of course, he should know the other options that they had.

‘The other option is to get married now.’
He was not listening to her. 'I'll suggest that you go and remove it as soon as possible,' he said.

Now, her indignation increased considerably. 'That will not be right,' she said. 'Since we're going to be married, we may as well start having babies now.'

It was his turn to shake his head. 'No, not now. I'm not ready for that yet.'

She was exasperated. 'But I want the baby!'

'Really? Well, count me out!'

Zamar:
Interesting

Thanks

Nice one.

Nice one.

Nice one.

If only the Southerners (SE, SS and SW) can unite.


How good that will be!

Cool.